Bose Acoustimass 5 Series III speaker system Sold from 1998 to present User Manual

							AM196451_05_V.pdf October 23, 2001 9
English
Fine Tuning Your Acoustimass® 5 Series III Speaker System
Figure 6
Cube array positions
Acoustimass module considerations
Unlike conventional floor standing or bookshelf speakers, you can fine tune the bass re-
sponse of your Acoustimass 5 Series III speaker system without compromising an accurate
stereo image. Just change the location of the Acoustimass module within your listening
room. Placing it along a wall 3 to 5 feet (1 – 1.5 m) from a corner provides a normal balance
of frequencies from your speaker system. Moving the Acoustimass module closer to walls or
corners increases bass response while moving it away from walls or corners decreases bass.
In most rooms, it is easy to find a convenient location that provides pleasing bass response.
CAUTION: The Acoustimass module is not shielded and should not be placed within 2 feet
(.6 m) of a television. 
						

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English
Fine Tuning Your Acoustimass® 5 Series III Speaker System
Using your speaker system to its best advantage
Your speaker system requires very little attention when set up and connected properly.
However, observing the following guidelines will help maximize your enjoyment.
Room Acoustics
The acoustics (sound properties) of your listening room can affect the overall sound quality of
any speaker system. The following tips will give you some control over the sound:
A.Rooms with a lot of sound-absorbing furnishings, such as stuffed furniture, wall-to-wall
carpet, or heavy drapes, may reduce the treble sound (high frequencies). The missing
treble sound can be restored by slightly turning up the treble control on your receiver or
amplifier. If convenient, you may remove some of the sound-absorbing material.
B.Rooms with too few sound absorbing furnishings, especially those with bare floors and
walls, may sound overly shrill or “bright” because of too much treble. Turning down the
treble control or adding sound absorbers such as throw carpets or drapes will usually
improve the sound.
C.If your system seems to have too much or too little bass (low frequencies), you can adjust
the bass control on your receiver or amplifier. You may also move the Acoustimass
module closer to a wall and/or corner to increase bass. Doing the opposite will decrease
bass.
D.In general, many problems with acoustics can be solved by the judicious use of your tone
controls. Remember, though, that the use of these controls (especially when turned all the
way up) may put greater power demands on your receiver or amplifier. Excessive tone
adjustment can cause an amplifier or receiver to run out of power and distort, potentially
damaging your system.
E.External signal processors (such as graphic and parametric equalizers), while not recom-
mended, can be used with your Acoustimass 5 Series III speaker system if a greater
degree of acoustic control is desired. Consult your Bose
® dealer for advice.
Automatic System Protection
Note: The Acoustimass 5 Series III speaker system incorporates an automatic protection
circuit, which guards against most kinds of damage from electrical stress or overload. This
circuit activates at high volume levels to reduce output, causing a slight decrease in volume.
This is normal operation and indicates that power input may be exceeding safe levels.
Sustained listening at these levels is not recommended.
Receiver/amplifier considerations
Note: Your speakers incorporate heavy-duty driver elements designed to resist many types
of electrical stress. However, any speaker can be damaged if the amplifier driving it fails.
Increasing the volume until the music sounds distorted also causes speaker damage. This
can happen even with a low-powered receiver or amplifier.
Your speaker system is designed for use with receivers or amplifiers rated from 10 to 200
watts per channel with 4 to 8 ohm impedance. For further information, refer to your receiver
or amplifier owner’s guide. 
						

							AM196451_05_V.pdf October 23, 2001 11
EnglishMaintaining your speaker system
The cabinets of your Acoustimass 5 Series III speaker system may be cleaned with a soft
damp cloth. Do not use any sprays near the system or allow liquids to spill into any open-
ings. Also, do not use any solvents, chemicals, or cleaning solutions containing alcohol,
ammonia, or abrasives.
The grille assemblies on the cube arrays may be carefully vacuumed if necessary. Please
note that the drivers are located directly behind the grille cloth, and are easily damaged if
reasonable care is not taken.
Troubleshooting
Problem What to do
One of the cube arrays•Turn off the receiver or amplifier. Check the wiring that connects the cube array to the
does not play Acoustimass module, and the wiring that connects the module to the receiver or amplifier.
If no problem is found, disconnect the speaker wires at the back of the receiver. Recon-
nect only the wire from the channel in question to the opposite channel at the receiver.
Turn the balance control completely to that channel, and turn the power on. If the cube
array now works properly, the problem is in the receiver or amplifier.
•Do not connect the other cube array to the defective channel. It could damage your
speaker system.
The Acoustimass 5 speaker•Turn off the receiver or amplifier and disconnect the Acoustimass 5 speaker system.
system does not play or Reconnect the system to another receiver known to be working properly. If the
sounds distorted Acoustimass 5 system now works properly, the problem is not in the speaker system.
•If this is the case, you should check all user accessible fuses on your receiver or amplifier
(see the appropriate owner’s guide for help). If the fuses blow again, have the unit checked
by qualified personnel.
•If trouble persists in your Acoustimass 5 speaker system, contact your authorized Bose
®
dealer, who will verify any defects and arrange for service by an authorized agency or by
the Bose factory. Bose will make every effort to remedy any problem within the terms of
the warranty at minimum inconvenience to you.
Maintaining Your Acoustimass® 5 Series III Speaker System 
						

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Technical Information
Features
Direct/Reflecting® speaker design
Acoustimass
® speaker system
Syncom
® II computerized quality control
Automatic system protection circuitry
Driver Complement
Two 5.25 inch (13.3 cm) low-frequency drivers in Acoustimass module
Four 2.5 inch (6.4 cm) magnetically shielded, wide-range drivers in cube arrays
Compatibility
Compatible with receivers or amplifiers rated from 4 – 8 ohms
Compatible with receivers or amplifiers rated from 10 – 200 watts per channel
Finish
Acoustimass module: Scratch-resistant black or white satin finish
Cube arrays: Black or white polymer finish
Size/Weight
Cube arrays: 6.2H x 3.1W x 4.0D (15.7 cm x 7.8 cm x 10.2 cm)
2.4 lb (1.09 kg)
Acoustimass module: 14.0H x 19.0W x 7.5D (35.5 cm x 48.0 cm x 19.1 cm)
18.8 lb (8.5 kg)
Total shipping weight:
30.8 lb (14 kg)
Available Accessories
Floor stands: UFS-20B (black), UFS-20W (white)
Wall brackets: UB-20B (black), UB-20W (white)
Warranty period
The Bose® Acoustimass 5 Series III speaker system is covered by a limited 5-year transfer-
able warranty. Details of the warranty are provided on the warranty card that came with your
system. Please fill out the information section on the card and mail it to Bose.
Customer service
For help in ordering accessories or solving problems, contact Bose Customer Service. See
the inside back cover for offices and phone numbers.
Product Information 
						

							1
Bose®  Corporation
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World Wide Web
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Bose Corporation, The Mountain
Framingham, MA 01701-9168
1-800-367-4008
Phone hours - ET (eastern time):
Weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1B3
1-800-465-2673
Phone hours - ET (eastern time):
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Bose Products B.V., Nijverheidstraat 8
1135 GE Edam, Nederland
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Parramatta, N.S.W. 2150
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New Delhi 110 048
TEL (011) 648 4462 FAX (011) 648 4463
Ireland
Bose Corporation
Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
TEL (042) 9661988 FAX (042) 9661998 
						

							Warranty
© 1999 Bose Corporation, The Mountain,
Framingham, MA 01701-9168 USA
 196451 AM Rev. 05 JN00049