Bose 161 stereo speaker system User Manual
- June 13, 2024
- Bose
Table of Contents
Bose 161 stereo speaker system
Declaration of conformity
Before you begin
Thank you for purchasing Bose 161 speakers. Their advanced design and quality construction are intended to provide long-term listening enjoyment in your home. Your 161 speakers are engineered to provide quality Bose speaker performance from a simple, elegant design. Unique Bose technologies, including Stereo Everywhere®, deliver performance usually associated with much larger speakers.
For your records
Serial numbers are located on the label on the back of each 161 speaker.
Serial numbers: __ and ____ Dealer name: ___ Dealer phone: _ Purchase date: ___ We suggest you keep your sales receipt with this owner’s guide.
©2001 Bose Corporation. No part of this work may be reproduced, modified, distributed, or otherwise used without prior written permission.
Setup
Unpacking
Unpack the carton carefully. Save the carton and packing materials for possible later use. If either speaker appears damaged, do not operate either one. Repack both speakers in the original carton and notify your authorized Bose® dealer immediately.
Placing your Bose 161™ speakers
Note: Your 161 speakers are magnetically shielded to prevent interference
with most television screens.
For best acoustic performance, place the left channel speaker on the left side
of the room and the right channel speaker on the right, at least 5 feet (1.5
m) apart. (Refer to the label on the back of each speaker.) Make sure the back
of each speaker is parallel to the front wall.
- For rear channel use in a home theater surround sound system, put the speakers near the back of the room, behind or to the sides of the listening area.
- Attach the supplied self-adhesive feet to the bottom surface of each speaker for greater stability (Figure 1).
- If you want to mount your speakers using the supplied wall brackets, see “Mounting your speakers on a wall” on page 6.
Figure 1
Locations for attaching rubber feet to the bottom of the speakers
CAUTION: Do not install near any heat sources, such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifi-ers) that produce heat.
Choosing speaker cord
Be sure to use the proper gauge (thickness) of the speaker cord. Standard zip cord (2-conductor, 18-gauge [0.75 mm2] wire found at electrical and hardware stores) works for most applications. If the length of speaker wire extends more than 30 feet (9 m) from a receiver or amplifier, refer to “Wire recommendations” on page 7 or contact your authorized Bose dealer for more information.
CAUTION: Before making any connections, turn off your receiver or amplifier and unplug it from the outlet (the AC power mains).
Preparing speaker cord
The speaker cord consists of two insulated wires. The insulation around one wire is striped, collared, or ribbed. This marked wire is always positive (+). The plain wire is always negative (–). These correspond to the positive (red) and negative (black) terminals on the back of each speaker, receiver, or amplifier. Be sure to connect each wire to the proper terminal (+ to +, – to –).
Note: Be sure to cut enough cord to reach from the receiver to each speaker.
At the ends of each cord, strip approximately 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of insulation from both wires. Twist the bare ends of each wire so there are no loose strands.
Connecting the speaker cord to the speakers
Locate the terminals on the back of each speaker. Depress the red terminal button (Figure 2), insert the marked (+) wire, and release the button. Depress the black terminal button, insert the plain (–) wire, and release the button.
Figure 2
Making speaker wire connections
Connecting the speaker cord to your receiver or amplifier
Connect the left speaker cord to the left channel speaker output of your receiver or amplifier. Attach the marked wire to the red (+) ter-minal and the plain wire to the black (–) terminal. In the same man-ner, connect the right speaker cord to the right channel speaker output.
CAUTION: Make sure no loose strands of wire touch across terminals. This could create a short circuit that can damage an ample-fier or receiver. Secure any loose wires before you plug in the receiver or amplifier.
Note: If these speakers are used for the rear surround channels in a home theater system, choose the “SMALL SPEAKER” setting.
Testing speaker connections
- Center the balance control on your receiver or amplifier. Set it for MONO, if you have that option, and turn it on.
- Place the 161™ speakers less than 6 inches (15 cm) apart, facing each other.
- Play some deep bass passages of music.
The sound should seem to come from a point between the two speakers. The bass should be full and natural. If not, your connections may be reversed, causing the speakers to play out of phase. To correct the problem, make sure the speaker wires are con-nected + to + and – to –. Then repeat steps 1 – 3.
Mounting your speakers on a wall
See the back pages of this guide for mounting template and mounting hardware information.
- CAUTION: Do not mount the brackets on surfaces that are not sturdy enough, or that have hazards concealed behind them, such as electrical wire or plumbing. If you are unsure about install-ing the bracket, contact a qualified professional installer.
- CAUTION: Do not hang items from the brackets or speakers. The brackets were designed to support the weight of the speakers only.
- Note: For vertical mounting, mount part A with the hole for screw C at the bottom. Be sure to tighten all screws.
Note: For Stereo Everywhere® speaker performance, horizontal mounting is required.
- Hold the mounting template in position and mark holes for the mounting hardware. If you plan to feed wires through the wall, mark the speaker wire pilot hole also.
- Drill holes for the chosen mounting hardware.
- Mount bracket part A to the wall and mount bracket part B to the rear of the speaker (Figure 3).
- Secure the speaker with bracket part B to bracket part A using screw C. To adjust the angle, loosen screw C slightly, move the speaker up or down, and retighten screw C.
Figure 3
Speaker-bracket installation
Cleaning your speakers
Use a damp cloth to clean your 161™ speakers. Do not use harsh chemicals or household cleaners. Do not apply liquids directly to the speakers. If you vacuum the front grille of the speakers, do so carefully.
Troubleshooting
If you experience problems with your 161 speakers, the following suggestions may help. If you need additional help, contact your authorized Bose® dealer, or contact Bose directly.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Neither speaker plays | Check the settings on your receiver or amplifier. Refer |
to the owner’s guide that came with it for instructions on settings.
Bass or treble is weak| Check the tonal balance setting on your receiver or
amplifier.
Only one speaker plays| • Check the balance control on your receiver or
amplifier.
• Check the wires connected to the speaker that does not play. Make sure the wires are in good condition and are firmly connected. See page 5.
One speaker still does not play| • Disconnect the wires from both the speaker and the receiver or amplifier. Disconnect the other cord from its speaker, and connect that end of the cord to the speaker that doesn’t play.
• If the speaker still doesn’t play, the problem is in the speaker. If the speaker now plays, continue checking for the source of the problem.
• Disconnect the same cord from the amplifier or receiver. Connect it to the other outputs on the amplifier or receiver.
• If the speaker plays, the problem is in the original cord that was connected to that speaker. If the speaker does not play, the problem is in that channel of the receiver.
Technical information
- Quality Standard: Syncom® computer quality control
- Driver Complement: Two (2) 2.5″ (6.3 cm) wide-range drivers per speaker
- Enclosure: Tuned port, molded ABS resin
- Dimensions: 4.17″H x 10.93″W x 4.98″D (10.6 cm x 27.8 cm x 12.6 cm)
- Compatibility: Rated 50W IEC; compatible with amplifiers or receivers rated 10-100 watts per channel, rated 4-8 ohms
- Wire Recommendations: Based on a maximum frequency response deviation of ±0.5 dB.
- Gauge Length:
- 18 (0.75 mm2): 30 ft (9 m) maximum
- 16 (1.5 mm2): 45 ft (14 m) maximum
- 14 (2.0 mm2): 70 ft (21 m) maximum
Weight:
* 8 lbs. (3.6 kg) per pair, in the carton
Wood wall
Masonry wall
Wallboard wall
©2001 Bose Corporation
The Mountain Framingham, MA 01701-9168 USA 257524 AM Rev.01 JN10530
FAQs
What is the model name of the Bose 161 stereo speaker system?
The model name of the Bose 161 stereo speaker system is 27027.
What type of speakers are the Bose 161?
The Bose 161 stereo speakers are bookshelf speakers.
What special feature do these speakers have?
These speakers have a built-in microphone.
What are the recommended uses for the Bose 161 stereo speaker system?
The recommended uses for this product include music, home theater, and movies.
What is the unique feature of the Bose 161 speakers in terms of sound performance?
The Bose 161 speakers feature Stereo Everywhere speaker performance, which produces balanced stereo sound over a wide area. This is achieved through an articulated array speaker design with precisely positioned drivers.
Are these speakers magnetically shielded?
Yes, the Bose 161 speakers are magnetically shielded, allowing for speaker placement in close proximity to your TV without interference.
What is the maximum output power of these speakers?
The speakers have a maximum output power of 100 Watts.
What are the dimensions and weight of the Bose 161 stereo speakers?
The product dimensions are 5 x 11 x 4.2 inches, and each speaker weighs approximately 3.31 pounds.
Can these speakers be mounted on the wall?
Yes, these speakers come with custom mounting brackets included for additional placement options, including wall mounting.
What is the recommended wire gauge for connecting these speakers to an amplifier based on the distance?
For a distance of 30 feet, use a minimum of 18 gauge (.75 mm) wire. For 45 feet, use 16 gauge (1.5 mm), and for 70 feet, use 14 gauge (2 mm) wire.
What is included in the box when purchasing these speakers?
The box includes the left speaker, right speaker, mounting brackets, self- adhesive rubber feet, and a user's manual.
Can I use the Bose 161 speakers with a wide range of amplifiers and receivers?
Yes, these speakers are compatible with amplifiers and receivers rated from 10 to 100 watts per channel, providing versatility in your audio setup.
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