The Bose® 901® Series VI Direct/Reflecting® Speaker System Owner’s Guide
Safety Information WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the system to rain or moisture. CAUTION CAUTION AV I S RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO NOT OPEN RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. ATTENTION : POUR RÉDUIRE LE RISQUE DE DÉCHARGE ÉLECTRIQUE, NE RETIREZ PAS LE COUVERCLE (OU L’ARRIÈRE).
Contents Where to find… Contents Where to find… ............................................................................................................. 3 Warranty period ............................................................................................................ 3 Customer service .......................................................................................................... 3 Setting Up Before you begin ......................................................................
Setting Up Before you begin Thank you for purchasing the Bose® 901® Series VI Direct/Reflecting® speakers. They represent the best in Bose Corporation speaker design and engineering and will give you many years of listening pleasure. The installation and operating principles of this system are significantly different from those of conventional speakers. To obtain the best possible performance and avoid problems, please take the time to read this guide.
Setting Up System Compatibility Bose® 901® Series VI speakers and Series VI active equalizer work with your stereo components to produce a superb music system. The active equalizer is an integral part of the system and may be connected in a variety of ways, depending on the components you have. The two most common methods are described in this guide. Using different components may require different connection methods. More information is available by calling Bose Corporation.
Setting Up Choosing the location for your speakers Choose locations for your 901® speakers that use the walls to best advantage by reflecting sound throughout the listening room. Refer to the drawing on page 7. Guidelines for placement Place the speakers along the same wall (see Figure 3): • 4 to 12 feet (1.2 – 3.6 m) apart, with the V-shaped rear of the speaker between 8 and 18 inches (20 – 45 cm) from the rear wall. Do not aim the V toward a corner.
Setting Up Hardware needed for ceiling suspension • Screw hooks support the chains at the ceiling. They must have at least a #10 wood thread with a shank diameter of at least 3⁄16 inch (4.5 mm). They should be long enough to go through any plasterboard and still have at least one inch (25 mm) of thread left to penetrate a wood beam. For a masonry ceiling: use only high-quality metal expansion masonry anchors that fit the thread of the ceiling hooks. • Chain: diameter should be at least 5⁄32 inch (0.135 in.
Setting Up Speaker connections With your speakers in their chosen locations, connect them to the receiver. Choosing the wire It is important to use the right thickness of speaker wire. For distances of up to 30 feet (9 m), 18 gauge (.075 mm2) 2-conductor wire works well. For distances greater than 30 feet (9 m), refer to the wire recommendations chart on page 18. Note: To determine if this wire is suitable for use in a wall or under a floor, check your local building codes.
Setting Up Checking the speaker connections Make sure the terminal knurled nut is tightened down firmly. Any gap between the wire and terminal can cause heat build up. Check to be sure the wires are connected positive to positive (+ to +) and negative to negative (- to -). Make sure no loose strands of wire touch across terminals, which can cause short circuits.
Setting Up 3. Connect one end of a cable to the AMPLIFIER INPUT jacks on the 901® active equalizer. a. Insert the first connector firmly into the INPUT jack marked R. b. Insert the second connector into the INPUT jack marked L. 4. Connect the other end of the cable to the OUT or RECORD jacks on your receiver. These jacks may be marked TO INPUT, FROM INPUT, or REC. a. Insert the first connector into the OUT or RECORD jack marked R. b. Insert the second connector into the OUT or RECORD jack marked L. 5.
Setting Up 2. Use the twin cable assemblies (with two connectors at each end) that are supplied with the equalizer. Use one connector for the right (R) channel connections and the other connector for the left (L) channel connections. 3. Connect the amplifier INPUT of the Bose® 901® active equalizer to the PRE AMP OUT jacks of the receiver or amplifier. Connect right channel to right channel and left to left. 4.
Setting Up Testing the speakers and equalizer Choose the test method appropriate to your system: To test the TAPE MONITOR connection 1. Turn off or disconnect any non-901 speakers or headphones that may be connected. 2. On the 901® active equalizer, press the MONITOR button IN to TAPE, and the BASS button OUT to position 1. 3. Set the MID-BASS and MID-TREBLE sliders to center positions. 4. Press your receiver or amplifier TAPE or TAPE MONITOR button to the OUT or NORMAL position so it is not selected. 5.
Setting Up 5. Move the receiver BALANCE control to the extreme left and then to the extreme right. This tests the left and right channel orientation. If the channels are reversed, check the connections. 6. Turn off the receiver and temporarily unplug the 901® active equalizer from its AC (mains) power outlet. 7. Turn your receiver back on. You should not hear any music through the system. If you do, the equalizer is probably connected incorrectly. Check the equalizer connections. 8.
Using Your 901® Series VI Speaker System Playing your speakers Always use the 901® active equalizer when playing your 901 speakers. How you set the equalizer depends on how it is connected to your receiver. When connected to TAPE MONITOR Press your receiver TAPE MONITOR button to the IN or MONITOR position. This switches the equalizer into the system. Check periodically to be sure the TAPE MONITOR is engaged. On some receivers the button may be labeled RECORD SELECT or RECORD OUT.
Using Your 901® Series VI Speaker System Adjusting the sound Adjust the sound using the MID-TREBLE and MID-BASS sliders and BASS control on the 901® active equalizer. Use the tone controls on your receiver only after the MID-TREBLE and MID-BASS sliders have been set according to the procedures below. Using the MID-TREBLE and MID-BASS sliders These controls let you make adjustments to compensate for the effects of speaker location, room acoustics, and program quality. 1. Select a familiar musical piece. 2.
Using Your 901® Series VI Speaker System Equalizer compatibility The Bose® 901® Series VI active equalizer is designed for specific use with Bose 901 Series VI speakers. It may also be used with 901 Series V speakers. WARNING: Bose 901 Series I, II, III, or IV speakers require a substantially different equalization. The 901 Series VI active equalizer must not be used with Series I – IV speakers. For additional information on the active equalizer, please contact Bose Service.
Maintaining Your 901®Series VI Speaker System Cleaning your speakers If your 901® speakers have a painted surface, clean with a soft damp cloth. If necessary, use a mild detergent such as dish soap. If the speakers have a wood veneer finish, clean them with wood furniture polish. You may vacuum the speaker grille panels carefully, if necessary. Do not use any sprays near the system. Do not use any solvents, chemicals, or cleaning solutions containing alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives.
Product Information Technical information Bose® 901® Series VI Direct/Reflecting® Loudspeakers Transducer complement 1 901 Series VI active equalizer Input Impedance Nine (9) 4 /2" (11.
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