501 SERIESIC OWNER'S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION
II.
Mi.
UNPACKINQ YOUR 501s.........................................
INSTALLATION OF. YOUR 501s
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A. Speaker Placement.v ^ / V . . '
B. Connecting the Speakers,,
1. ' Selecting thé Speaker Wire
2. ^ Proper Phasing of Your 501s
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• ’ » -T ' ' ^ 1' L* . V .• * t • ’ ' ^ •' *' * \ A ' ; *
. 3,! v Fusing Your 50^$ ^^ - i' ■ ;*
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, .... - ... J-AND' MAINTENANCES..-."ok*
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VILO* FULL FIVE year WARRANTY.. ; . . .
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I. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the BOSE 501 SERIES II DIrect/Reflecting® speaker system. Your BOSE 501s are the cul
mination of many years of research and dedication to the art of bringing superb musical reproduction Into your
home.
The BOSE 501 utilizes two speakers radiating toward the rear wall making speaker placement important to the 501 's
overall performance. This difference In design and placement contributes directly to the new level of realism of
music reproduction achieved by the 501 speaker system.
The detailed instructions on placement of the loudspeakers are important for you to follow, as this is the only way
you can obtain the full benefits of the 501's unique design. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS MANUAL.
When properly installed, your 501s wilt provide a new dimension of listening pleasure.
II. UNPACKING YOUR 501s
The BOSE 501 speaker system Is packed in a single carton. Unpack the speaker carefully. Save the carton and
packing materials for possible use later. If the speaker appears to be damaged when you unpack it, do not place the
speaker in operation. Repack the speaker In Its original carton and notify your dealer immediately. (See Secton IV.)
III. INSTALLATION OF YOUR 501s
A. Speaker Placement
The BOSE 501 is a floor standing speaker which produces both direct and reflected sound. This loudspeaker
achieves much of Its realism by using the wall of your listening room, just as instruments in a live
performance use the back wall of the stage to project sound toward the listening area. Figure 1 shows the
arrangement of the speakers and the wall. This reflecting wall ideally should be made of dense solid
substance such as wood, brick, cement block, plaster or sheetrock. Substances such as pegboard, cork or
acoustical tile make ineffective reflecting walls.
The guidelines listed below should be followed in placing the 501 speakers relative to other surfaces in the room.
The basic idea is to provide space around the speakers to allow sound waves to disperse properly.
1. The speaker should be no closer than eighteen inches from the side wall or from openings into adjacent rooms.
2. Speakers should be eighteen inches from nearby massive objects such as bookcases, cabinets, or other large
pieces of furniture.
3. The 501 speaker, although designed to be placed against the wall, can be moved out from the wall a
maximum distance of one foot.
4. Separation between the speakers should be betvveen four and fifteen feet. 8est results will be obtained
with a separation of six to twelve feet. (See Fig. 2).
FIG.2
Speakers placed in a listening room filled with sound absorbirtg material (particularly heavy cushioned furniture,
drapes, and carpets) will occasionally produce a sound lacking in brightness (loss of high frequencies). Often proper
balance will be restored by placing the speaker on a low stand (6 to 12 inches high). This will raise the tweeters clear of
nearby obstructions, additionally aiding dispersion of high-frequency sound.
B. Connecting the Speakers
1. Selecting the Speaker Wire
If the wire chosen for connecting the speakers to your amplifier has too much resistance, audible colora
tion of the sound and loss of power can result. The table below summarizes the permissible wire length
for 18, 16, and 14 gage two-conductor wire for your 501 speaker system. Copper ripcord wire is readily
available at most electrical and hardware stores. This wire usually has a ribbed line running along one of
the conductors so that the conductors can be identified at each end for obtaining the proper phasing of
your BOSE 501s.
TABLE 1—Maximum Wire Lengths for Each Speaker
18 gauge zipcord (or two-conductor wire) 14 feet
16 gauge two-conductor wire
14 gauge two-conductor wire
23 feet
36 feet
2. Proper Phasing of Your 501s
It is important that the connections to your speaker and receiver or amplifier be the same for both channels
so that both speakers are in phase. (Incorrect phasing will reduce the bass output of the speakers.) The
two terminals on the back of the 501 are marked 4 OHMS and COM. Start with your left 501, Place
it on the left side of the room. Connect this speaker to the left channel speaker output terminals of
your receiver or amplifier. (If there is a choice of impedances on the amplifier output, use the terminal
marked "4 OHMS." Connect the "COM" terminal of the left speaker to the "0"or "GROUND" terminal
of the left channel output. Connect the "4 OHM" terminal of the speaker to the "PLUS" or "4 OHM"
terminal of the left channel amplifier output. Connect the right speaker in exactly the same manner.
(Check your connections carefully by observing the rib marking on the zipcord wire, allowing you to
determine which wire is connected to which terminal), if stranded wire is used, be certain that the loose
strands are not accidentally touching the other terminal of the amplifier, causing possible damage or a short
circuit. Also make certain that all amplifier and speaker terminals are securely tightened.
3. Fusing Your 501s
Any loudspeaker is subject to damage if the amplifier powering it should fail. Using a fuse with each
speaker will minimize the possibility of serious damage to your speakers. Use a BUSS AGC-3 Fuse for
amplifiers rated less than 50 watts rms or a MDL-2 Fuse for amplifiers rated over 50 watts rms. The fuse
should be conneaed in series with either of the two wires in the cable to each speaker. A fuse holder,
such as a BUSS'3383*1 or a LITTELFUSE 356001, may be used for convenience.
IV. IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY
If you suspect a problem with one of your 501$, it's worth a few minutes of your time to determine whether the defect
is in the 501 or in some other portion of your high fidelity system.
If one speaker sounds defective, switch the left and right speaker cables where they are connected to your amplifier or
receiver. If the trouble moves to the other speaker, the defect is not in the speaker or the speaker wiring.
If the trouble appears in both speakers, connect your 501s to another amplifying source or high fidelity system that is
operating properly. If the trouble is not apparent, the difficulty is not with the speakers.
If the trouble persists in one or both speakers, contact your dealer. He will verify the defect, and will arrange
for service either at our Factory-Authorized Service Agency or by the BOSE Factory. If it becomes necessary for you
to return your unit to the faaory, he can obtain a Return Authorization Number which must appear on the outside
of the carton when the unit is returned to the Factory. BOSE Corporation will make every effort to remedy any
problem within the terms of the warranty at minimum inconvenience to you. (See Section Vll.)
V. TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Speaker Complement
Woofer; A 10-inch, long-excursion woofer with a specially designed high-temperature one-inch long voice coil, long-
throw foam surround and spider. Using a high-energy ceramic magnet, this woofer is capable of extremely high power
output at low frequencies. In addition, the cone and dust cap are designed for exceptionally smooth frequency response
throughout the middle-frequency range.
Tweeter: Two 3-1/2-inch, high-sensitivity tweeters, with large ceramic magnets to minimize power dissipation in each
speaker. Additionally, they are designed for very smooth and extended high-frequency response. These speakers are
carefully matched to the woofer and crossover network.
Crossover Network
The crossover network exactly matches the frequency response of the woofer and tweeters throughout the audio range.
The crossover network effectively extends the high-frequency response of the tweeters. This network consists of two
high-grade film capacitors, two 5% resistors, and an inductor. Computer style wire-wrap connections are used throughout
the crossover network for maximum reliability.
Power Handling Capability
Recommended Amplifier Power is as follows:
1. Minimum rms power at 4 ohms — 20 watts
2. Maximum rms power at 4 ohms — 100 watts*
‘For reproducing speech and music, amplifiers exceeding 100 watts may be used if fusing recommendations
are foilowed. (Check Section III 8 3.)
Most sot owners will find amplifiers rated between 35 and 50 watts rms per channei most satisfactory. In fact, very loud
volume is possible with amplifiers rated at SO watts rms per channel. For source material with wide dynamic range, and
extremely loud volume, amplifiers rated over 70 watts rms per channel may be used.
Impedance Rating of the BOSE 501
The impedance of the 501 speaker system is 4 ohms. However, impedance ratings for high fidelity loudspeakers are not
based on universally recognized standards. Bose Corporation chooses a very conservative method for rating impedance.
The actual impedance of the 501 loudspeaker system over the audio frequency range is shown below. As can be seen from
the curve the impedance is always greater than 4 ohms, and over most of the audio range is over 8 ohms. Loudspeakers
with average impedance tower than that of the 501 have been rated by their manufacturers as having a nominal Impedance
of 8 ohms, indicating that their loudspeakers are suitable for use in multiple speaker installations. With high quality
receivers the impedance of the 501 is high enough to permit operating two 501 s in parallel.
r'
20 40
too 200
400 1000
FREQUENCY IN Hz
2000
4000
VI. CARE AND MAINTENANCE
The 501 has a walnut vinyl veneer cabinet with a dark brown/random-black, textured grille cloth. The vinyl veneer may be
cleaned by wiping with a soft cloth wetted with water and detergent, or soap. The grille cloth requires no care, although it
may be carefully vacuumed if necessary.
The loudspeaker and crossover elements of the 501 are designed for long, maintenance-free life. Used properly, the 501
should provide you with many years of enjoyment.
10,000
20.000
VII. FULL FIVE YEAR WARRANTY
BOSE warrants this unit to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five years from the originai
date of purchase. During that period. BOSE wili remedy aii such defects, without charge for parts or iabor. upon return of
the unit together with the original sales receipt or other proof of purchase to BOSE or to an authorized BOSE service
agency. This warranty does not extend to damage resulting from improper Installation, misuse, neglect or abuse, or to
exterior appearance.
Should this unit fail within the warranty period, you should contact your nearest BOSE dealer for service instructions. The
dealer may ask you to return the unit together with proof of purchase to him, or direct you to return the unit together with
proof of purchase to the nearest authorized BOSE service agency. Alternatively, you may elect to send the unit directly to
BOSE by carefully following this procedure:
1. Obtain a "Return Authorization" number from the BOSE Customer Service Department, 100 The Mountain Road,
Framingham. Massachusetts 01701.
2. Return the unit together with proof of purchase to BOSE Corporation. 100 The Mountain Road, Framingham,
Massachusetts 01701, freight prepaid, in its original shipping carton. Display the Return Authorization number
prominently on the outside of the carton. If you need a new carton, your dealer or BOSE Corporation will
provide a free replacement carton. Any damage in transit due to improper packing is not covered by the warranty
and will not be recognized as an insurance claim by the transportation companies.
IN NO EVENT SHALL BOSE BE LIABLE FOR
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
Your unit will be repaired and returned to you at BOSE's expense. If the defects cannot be repaired after a reasonable
number of attempts by BOSE to do so, you may elect to receive a refund or replacement, but only if the unit is returned to
BOSE free and clear of ail liens and other encumbrances.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. Some
states do not allow the exclusion or limitation or incidental or consequential damages, so that the above limitation may not
apply to you.
A postage-paid registration card is provided requesting information about you and your high-fidelity system. The return of
this card is encouraged, but is not a condition to coverage under this warranty.
BOSE CORPORATION • THE MOUNTAIN • FRAMINGHAM, MASS, 01701
108907
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