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The Bose Acoustimass 15 Series II and Acoustimass 16Home Entertainment Speaker SystemsAugust 13 , 2002AM264924 00 V.pdfBose Corporation

Safety InformationWARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the poweredAcoustimass module to rain or moisture.CAUTION: To prevent electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, insert fully.CA UTIONAVISRISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCKDO NOT OPENRISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUENE PAS OUVRIRCAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).NO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE.REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.ATTENTION : AFIN DE RÉDUIRE LE RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE,NE PAS RETIRER LE CAPOT DE L’APPAREIL (ou son panneau arrière).IL N’EXISTE À L’INTERIEUR DE CET ÉQUIPEMENT AUCUN ÉLÉMENTOU SOUS-ENSEMBLE POUVANT ÊTRE DEPANNÉ PAR L’UTILISATEUR.LA MAINTENANCE DOIT ÊTRE RÉALISÉE PAR UN PERSONNEL QUALIFIÉ.These CAUTION marks may be located on the Acoustimass module:The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intendedto alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the systemenclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock.The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle, as marked on the system, isintended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenanceinstructions in this owner’s guide.Additional safety informationSee the additional safety information on the Important Safety Instructions page enclosed withyour speaker system.Please read this owner’s guidePlease take the time to follow this owner’s guide carefully. It will help you set up and operateyour system properly, and enjoy all of its advanced features. Please save your owner’s guidefor future reference.CAUTION: No naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on theapparatus.For your recordsThe system serial number is located on the bottom of the Acoustimass module.Serial number:Dealer name:Dealer phone: Purchase datePlease keep your sales receipt and warranty card together with this owner’s guide. 2002 Bose Corporation. No part of this work may be reproduced, modified, distributed or otherwise used withoutprior written permission.Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby” and the double-D symbol are trademarks of DolbyLaboratories. Confidential Unpublished Works. 1992-1997 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved.2AM264924 00 V.pdf August 13, 2002

ContentsWhere to find Setting Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Before you begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Unpacking the carton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Placing your speakers to achieve realistic home theater sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Front center cube speaker array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Front left and right cube speaker arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rear cube speaker arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Powered Acoustimass module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Connecting the speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Connecting front cube speaker arrays to the Acoustimass module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Connecting rear cube speaker arrays to the Acoustimass module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Connecting the Acoustimass module to the receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Checking the connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Connecting the Acoustimass module to power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Upgrading your Acoustimass 15 Series II speaker system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4445677788910121212Using your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .For realistic home theater sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adjusting the LFE level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adjusting the bass/room compensation level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Setting your digital surround sound receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Be sure to get the digital audio signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Setting your analog surround sound receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13131313131414Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Customer service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cleaning the speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Technical information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Warranty period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151515161617173AM264924 00 V.pdf August 13, 2002

Setting UpBefore you beginWe appreciate your choice of the Bose Acoustimass 15 series II or Acoustimass 16 homeentertainment speaker system.Bose Virtually Invisible speaker technology allows you to enjoy lifelike home performancesfrom the very latest surround-sound encoded movies, CDs, and television shows, without aroom full of speakers. The cube speaker arrays, along with the powered Acoustimass module, reproduce the full-spectrum of sound from multi-channel digital programming. IntegratedSignal Processing assures full bass performance from all channels at all listening levels,regardless of your receiver settings.Your stereo VCR, stereo television, or DVD player sends the encoded program material to thesurround-sound receiver, which interprets and distributes the information to the poweredAcoustimass module. The module delivers the bass for all channels and sends appropriatesounds to each cube speaker array. The sound mix varies with different program types: dialogue is usually sent to the center cube speaker array, a visual soundstage is created by theleft and right front cube speaker arrays, and you feel as if you are in the center of the actionbecause sounds and special effects are directed to the rear cube speaker arrays. At any pointin a surround-sound performance, you may hear sound from one, a few, or all of the cubespeaker arrays.To select surround-encoded program material, look for the terms Surround, Dolby Surround,the double-D symbol 3, Dolby Digital 1, other digital formats, or the word “surround” preceding a TV broadcast. Your system is compatible with home theater receivers.You can also enjoy a wide variety of stereo programming that is not surround-encoded.Unpacking the cartonWARNING: The powered Acoustimass module weighs 33 pounds (15 kg). Use good liftingpractice to avoid injury.WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep the plastic bags that wrap these speakersout of the reach of children.Note: This product is not to be powered by any DC-to-AC inverters that may be found inautomobiles, recreational vehicles, boats, ships, or other similar situations.Carefully unpack the carton contents (Figure 1):1.Remove the brown inner carton containing the cube speaker arrays.2.Gently roll the carton over onto its side.3.Slowly pull the Acoustimass module from the carton.4.Stand the module up.If the cube speaker arrays or the module appear damaged, do not use them. Repack everything in the original carton and contact your authorized Bose dealer immediately. Or, to contact Bose directly, see the list of offices and phone numbers enclosed with your system.Note: Now is a good time to record the serial number of these speakers on page 2 of thisguide and on your warranty card. Please save all packing materials for possible future use.4AM264924 00 V.pdf August 13, 2002

Setting UpFigure 1Carton contents20-ft (6.1m) system input cableThree 20-ft (6.1m) front speaker cables Powered AcoustimassmoduleRubber feet for front centercube speaker arrayWith Acoustimass 15 Series II systemWith Acoustimass 16 systemSix cube speaker arraysFive cube speaker arraysTwo 50-ft (15.2m) rear speaker cablesThree 50-ft (15.2m) rear speaker cablesPower cord (1)USA/CanadaEuropeUK/SingaporeAustraliaPlacing your speakers to achieve realistic home theater soundA suggested home theater layout is shown in Figure 2. You may want to place the speakersdifferently to take advantage of the sound characteristics of different rooms. Here are somesuggested guidelines for placing your speaker system: The cube speaker arrays are identical and can be used for any channel. All cube speaker arrays are magnetically shielded to prevent interference with a TV picture. The top and bottom sections of the cube speaker arrays can be rotated to createroom-filling sound patterns (Figure 3). Bose wall brackets and floor stands can extend your placement options. See “Accessories” on page 17. Please follow wall bracket instructions carefully. Proper mounting willensure optimum performance and safety from your system.Note: The Acoustimass 15 Series II may be upgraded by adding a center rear cube speakerarray. See “Upgrading your Acoustimass 15 Series II speaker system” on page 12.5AM264924 00 V.pdf August 13, 2002

Setting UpFigure 2For Acoustimass 15 Series IISuggested home theaterlayoutsFor Acoustimass 165'6' - 1 )m5(25'6' - 1 )m5(2CLRRRLR2' ) (0.6mCRRRCRLLR2' ) (0.6mCAUTION: To prevent interference, keep the Acoustimass module at least 2 feet (.6m) fromyour TV set.Figure 3For Acoustimass 15 Series IIFor Acoustimass 16Sound patternsFront center cube speaker arrayThe front center cube speaker array localizes action and dialogue on your screen. Soundshould seem to come from within the picture. Place the front center cube speaker array above, below, or on top of your television. Ifbelow, be sure that it is not supporting the weight of the television in any way. Keep the front cube speaker array as close to the vertical center of the screen as possible,for the most accurate dialogue reproduction.CAUTION: Choose a stable and level surface for your cube speaker arrays. Vibration cancause them to move, particularly on smooth surfaces like marble, glass, or highly polishedwood. If you are placing the center cube speaker array on top of your television, use the setof four rubber feet provided. You may obtain additional rubber feet (part number 178321-04),free of charge, by contacting Bose Customer Service. See the list of phone numbersincluded with your system.6AM264924 00 V.pdf August 13, 2002