Bose Lifestyle 50 system Sold from 1999 to 2003 User Manual

							          AM189854_05_V.PDF October 17, 2001 9
Connecting your system
Once you have selected locations for your speakers, CD changer, and interface, connect the
system.
CAUTION: Make sure all components are unplugged from the power outlet before you
begin hooking up the system.
Connecting the Jewel Cube® speakers to the Acoustimass®
module
1. Match each cable to the corresponding speaker location.
•Front speaker cables have blue RCA connectors at one end, with L, R, or C molded
into both the RCA connectors and the Jewel Cube connectors at the other end.
•Surround speaker cables have orange RCA connectors at one end, with L or R molded
into both the RCA connectors and the Jewel Cube connectors at the other end.
2. Insert the Jewel Cube connector of each cable fully into the jack on the rear of one of the
five speakers (Figure 7). Match the ridge of the connector to the notch at the top of the
jack.
3. Connect each cable to the corresponding jack on the Acoustimass module (Figure 8).
•Plug the blue connectors into the matching left front, center, and right front jacks.
•Plug the orange connectors into the matching left surround and right surround jacks.
To lengthen the cable, connect speaker wire with male phono (RCA) plugs on each end to
your supplied speaker cable. Use a female-to-female adapter (“barrel” connector). Or, splice
in 18-gauge (.75 mm
2) or thicker cord (connecting + to + and – to –). To purchase extension
wire, see your dealer or electronics store, or call Bose® Customer Service.
Figure 7
Connecting speaker cables to
Jewel Cube speakers
Setting Up
Ridge
Notch 
						

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Setting Up
Connecting the Acoustimass® module to the multi-room interface
Connect the module to the interface with the audio input cable (Figure 8).
1. Insert the right-angle multi-pin connector on the audio input cable into the AUDIO INPUT
jack on the module. Align the connector at the angle shown in Figure 8.
2. Plug the small black multi-pin connector (flat side facing up) into the jack marked ROOM A
(PRIMARY) on the back of the interface.
Note: The female RCA connector on the audio input cable is for connecting the digital
output of a DVD player or other digital source to the system. See “Setting up a digital sound
source” on page 12.
Note: Be sure that each connector is inserted completely into each jack.
For information on connecting multi-room systems, see “Connecting additional rooms” on
page 40.
Connecting the CD changer to the multi-room interface
Connect the CD changer to the interface with the CD changer cable (Figure 8).
1. Plug a blue multi-pin connector (flat side facing up) into the jack marked BOSE CD on the
back of the interface.
2.Plug the other blue multi-pin connector (flat side facing left) into the jack marked BOSE
CD on the back of the CD changer.
Note: Be sure that each connector is inserted completely into each jack.
Figure 8
Speakers, CD changer, and
multi-room interface connec-
tions
AUDIO
INPUT
RIGHT RIGHT
CENTER
LEFT LEFTFRONT SURROUNDANTENNA
FM AM
BOSE CDAUX VIDEO 1 VIDEO 2 TAPE IN OUT
LLLLL
RRRRRRECORD
ROOM A(PRIMARY)ROOM B
ROOM D ROOM CPOWER
SERIAL
D ATA
!SEE USER’S
GUIDE
12V     AC
1.6A
AUDIO INPUT AUDIO INPUT
OUTPUTS TO
CUBE SPEAKERS
LCRRL
Right Right Center
AUDIO INPUT
Right-angle
connectorLeft Left
Audio input
cable
Power jack
ROOM A multi-pin
connector
Interface
power pack
cord
Digital audio source
connector CD changer
cable
Surround speakersFront speakers 
						

							          AM189854_05_V.PDF October 17, 2001 11
Setting Up
230 V
115 V
Connecting the Acoustimass® module power (mains) cord
CAUTION: If you have a dual-voltage system, make sure the voltage selector switch on the
Acoustimass module is set correctly.
1. On a dual voltage system, the voltage selector switch is preset at the factory to be correct
for your area. Check to be sure it is set for the proper voltage (Figure 9). Use 115V for
North America; 230V for Europe and Australia. In Europe, use the adapter plug provided. If
you are in doubt, contact your local electric utility for the appropriate voltage setting.
Note: Do not plug the AC power cord into a power outlet until all component connections
are complete.
2. Plug the small end of the power (mains) cord into the Acoustimass module AC power jack.
Figure 9
Dual voltage Acoustimass
module: voltage selector switch
settings
Connecting the multi-room interface power pack
The multi-room interface comes with either a 100V, 120V, 230V, or 240V power pack. See
Figures 1 and 10. Dual voltage models include both the PS71 and PS72 power packs.
CAUTION: Be sure to use the correct Bose® power pack for your area. Using the wrong one
may damage your power pack or your system.
•Model PS71, 120V in North America•Model PS72, 230V in Europe
•Model PS73, 100V in Japan•Model PS74, 230V in UK or Singapore
•Model PS77, 240V in Australia
Figure 10
The AC power pack
(model PS71 shown)
Note: Do not plug the power pack into a power outlet until you complete all component
connections.
1. Firmly insert the small connector on the end of the power pack cable into the AC power
jack on the back of the multi-room interface.
2. Make sure that the power pack reaches an AC (mains) outlet. 
						

							12 October 17, 2001                  AM189854_05_V.PDF
Setting Up
Connecting your home theater components to the Lifestyle® 50 system
There are many possible variations of equipment in a home theater system. In addition to the
Lifestyle® 50 system, a home theater typically includes a stereo or mono TV and stereo VCR.
In a digital home theater system, the primary source may be a DVD player. Your home theater
might also include other types of equipment such as cable TV, laserdisc players, CDI players,
additional VCRs, and a satellite decoder.
Note: A mono TV only serves as a display for the video, not as a source for the audio.
In order for the Lifestyle® 50 system to provide home theater effects, the program material
must be in stereo or surround-encoded, and the device playing the material must be stereo.
Look for the word “surround” on the tape, CD, or preceding the TV broadcast. To hear stereo
or surround sound from encoded video tapes, you must have a stereo (HiFi) VCR. While not
all VCRs deliver stereo, all CD, DVD, and CDI players and nearly all laserdisc players do.
Note: Line level outputs from most VCRs or laserdisc players are fixed. If your VCR, laserdisc
player, or other video sound source has fixed and variable outputs, use the fixed outputs.
Setting up a digital sound source
Connect a DTV or DVD player’s digital output directly to the female RCA jack on the audio
input cable. Connect the DVD player’s analog output to the AUX inputs of the multi-room
interface. If your Lifestyle
® system receives a valid digital signal, including PCM or Dolby
Digital bitstreams, this digital sound is used. If no valid digital signal is received, your system
selects the analog signal sent to the AUX inputs. The analog signal is processed by the
Videostage
® decoder to give you excellent home theater sound. If your digital audio source
has an optical connector, you will need an adapter with an RCA (coaxial) connector. Consult
your dealer or contact Bose
®.
Note: Ensure the connection between the digital source and the Lifestyle® system is made
using a 3 to 6 foot (1 to 2 m) standard audio cable or video cable. For longer lengths, use a
75 ohm cable.
Figure 11
Video sound source connec-
tions to the multi-room interface
Setting up a video sound source
The Lifestyle® 50 system has two sets of video sound inputs, VIDEO 1 and VIDEO 2, for your
non-digital video sound sources, such as your TV or VCR (Figure 11).
Note: Your Lifestyle® 50 system includes one 6-foot (1.8 m) stereo cable to connect the right
(R) and left (L) audio outputs from a component to the multi-room interface inputs. Cables
may also be supplied with your components. If needed, audio cables are available at many
electronics stores, or call Bose. Most audio cables are color coded. Match red connectors to
right (R) jacks and black or white connectors to left (L) jacks.
DTV or DVD analog outputs to AUX inputs Non-digital video sound source outputs to VIDEO inputs 
						

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How to set up your home theater
There are two basic methods for setting up your home theater. It is best to connect compo-
nents directly to the Lifestyle® 50 multi-room interface, and select the sound source using the
Personal™ music center. A second option is to use a stereo TV as the switching center to
select the sound source. In each example, the analog outputs from the DVD player or other
digital device are connected to the AUX inputs. You may need extra long audio cables or
extensions for some of these connections.
Preferred method: Connect video sound sources directly to the Lifestyle® 50
system (Figure 12)
You may connect up to three video sound sources directly to your Lifestyle® 50 system. For
example, connect the analog outputs of your DVD player to AUX, the VCR fixed outputs to
VIDEO 1, and the TV to VIDEO 2 on the back of the multi-room interface. Connect the coaxial
digital audio output from your DVD player to the female RCA coaxial connector on the audio
input cable (connecting the multi-room interface with the module) using a male-to-male RCA
audio cable.
If a valid digital signal is received by the Lifestyle
® 50 system through the audio input cable,
the system plays that audio source. If no valid digital signal is received, the system selects
the analog audio signal sent to AUX.
When connecting your TV:
•Connect the TV fixed audio outputs to the VIDEO 2 inputs on the multi-room interface.
•Turn the TV speakers off or the volume all the way down. (If there is an internal/external
speakers switch, select external speakers. Do not connect any speakers to the TV.)
•Turn off any special TV settings such as expanded stereo, mega-bass, phantom or
SAP. They prevent proper surround sound processing through your Lifestyle
® system.
•Set the TV balance control to the center of the dial or range.
•Set tone controls to flat or the middle position (neutral).
•Set TV to the stereo position.
Figure 12
Preferred home theater connec-
tions to the Lifestyle® 50 system
Setting Up
ANTENNA
FM AM
BOSE CDAUX VIDEO 1 VIDEO 2 TAPE IN OUT
LLLLL
R RRRRRECORD
ROOM A(PRIMARY)ROOM B
ROOM D ROOM CPOWER
SERIAL
DATA!SEE USER’S
GUIDE
12V     AC
1.6A
AUDIO INPUTAUDIO INPUT
L L
LR
V
R
V
R V
Cable TVDVD player
VCR
TV Multi-room
interface
To the module Digital audio output 
						

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Alternate method: Connect video sound sources to your TV (Figure 13)
If your stereo TV has fixed audio outputs (audio outputs that do not change when you adjust
the TV volume) and it allows you to select the source of the signal (VCR, laserdisc, cable,
etc.), then you can:
•Connect your DVD player L and R outputs to the AUX inputs of the multi-room inter-
face.
•Connect the DVD video output to one of the video inputs on the TV.
•Connect the coaxial digital audio output from your DVD player to the female RCA
connection on the audio input cable (connecting the multi-room interface with the
module) using a male-to-male RCA cable.
•Connect the TV fixed audio outputs to the VIDEO 1 inputs of the multi-room interface.
•Turn the TV speakers off or the volume all the way down. (If there is an internal/external
speakers switch, select external speakers. Do not connect any speakers to the TV.)
•Turn off any special TV settings such as expanded stereo, mega-bass, phantom or
SAP. They prevent proper surround processing through your Lifestyle
® system.
•Set the TV balance control to the center of the dial or range.
•Set tone controls to flat or the middle position (neutral).
•Set TV to the stereo position.
Note: If necessary, as a second choice, you can use the variable audio outputs from your
stereo TV. Turn off or disconnect the TV’s speakers and leave the volume control up – close to
the maximum setting.
Note: If you connect your stereo VCR through your stereo TV, do not use coaxial cable.
Instead, connect the VCR L and R audio outputs to the TV L and R audio inputs to ensure
proper stereo and surround sound.
Figure 13
Alternate home theater connec-
tions to the Lifestyle® 50 system
Setting Up
ANTENNA
FM AM
BOSE CDAUX VIDEO 1 VIDEO 2 TAPE IN OUT
LLLLL
RRRRRRECORD
ROOM A(PRIMARY)ROOM B
ROOM D ROOM CPOWER
SERIAL
DATA!SEE USER’S
GUIDE
12V     AC
1.6A
AUDIO INPUTAUDIO INPUT
L LR
VR
V LR
Cable TVDVD player
VCRTVDigital audio output
To the Acoustimass
module Multi-room interface 
						

							          AM189854_05_V.PDF October 17, 2001 15
Setting Up
ANTENNA
FM AM
BOSE CDAUX VIDEO 1 VIDEO 2 TAPE IN OUT
L LLLL
R RRRRRECORD
ROOM A(PRIMARY)ROOM B
ROOM D ROOM CPOWER
SERIAL
DATA
!SEE USER’S
GUIDE
12V     AC
1.6A
AUDIO INPUTAUDIO OUTPUT
DVD player, other
digital source, or
other deviceVCR, TV,
or laserdiscVCR, TV,
or laserdiscTape deckOutputs Inputs
About the video source
Your TV is the display for the video (picture) signal. Thus, the video signal must be connected
directly to the TV. Do not connect it to the Lifestyle® 50 system.
Note: For assistance with video connections between your DVD player and/or VCR and TV,
see your video components manuals.
Note: There is no video signal input (usually a yellow-coded jack) on the multi-room inter-
face. The VIDEO INPUT jacks are for 
audio from a video source.
Connecting other external components
Use standard RCA audio cables to connect other components to your Lifestyle® system’s
multi-room interface, matching the red connector to R (right) and white (or black) connector
to L (left).
You can use a Y-adapter (available at electronics stores) to connect a mono source.
Tape deck
To use an external tape recorder (analog audio cassette, analog open reel, digital audio tape,
or Digital Compact Cassette), connect the inputs (REC) of the tape deck to the interface
RECORD OUT jacks. Connect the outputs (PLAY) from the tape deck to the interface TAPE IN
jacks. See Figure 14.
Laserdisc player or additional CD changer
To use one of these components, connect its audio outputs to the multi-room interface
VIDEO 1, VIDEO 2, or AUX (if not used for a digital source) input jacks, matching the red plug
to R (right) and black or white plug to L (left). See Figure 14.
Turntable
To connect a turntable, you need a phono preamplifier (with RIAA equalization). You can order
the appropriate model (PN 252603) from Bose® Customer Service (See the inside back cover
for locations and phone numbers.). Connect the audio outputs of the phono preamplifier to
the interface VIDEO 1, VIDEO 2, or AUX (if not used for a digital source) input jacks, matching
the red plug to R (right) and black or white plug to L (left).
Note: The Lifestyle® 50 system cannot turn on or off a connected component.
Figure 14
Connecting external compo-
nents 
						

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Connecting the antennas
The rear panel of your multi-room interface provides connections for the supplied AM and FM
antennas (Figure 15). Untie and straighten the bundled wires on each antenna. Antennas
provide better reception when their wires are fully extended.
Figure 15
The antenna connections
Setting Up
FM antenna connections
1. Plug the FM antenna connector into the FM ANTENNA jack on the back of the interface.
2. Spread out the antenna arms. Experiment with both the placement and the angle of this
antenna to provide optimum FM reception.
Note: A central antenna or cable, or an outdoor FM antenna, may be used with the antenna
connections. To install an outdoor antenna, consult a qualified installer. Follow all safety
instructions.
AM antenna connections
Note: To install the AM antenna on a wall, follow the instructions enclosed with the antenna.
1. Plug the AM antenna microplug into the AM ANTENNA jack on the interface.
2. Stand the loop antenna on the base, following the instructions enclosed with the antenna.
3. Move the loop part of the antenna as far away from the multi-room interface as possible,
but at least 20 inches (50 cm) away, and at least 4 feet (1.2 m) from the Acoustimass
module. Experiment with the orientation of the loop for optimum AM reception.
Connecting to a cable radio signal
To connect your system to the FM signal available from some cable TV companies, contact
your cable provider for assistance. The connection is made to the FM 75Ω EXTERNAL
antenna connector on the back of the interface.
CAUTION: Be certain that the installation includes a signal splitter so that only the FM band,
not the cable TV band, is transmitted to the system. It is necessary to use a splitter that filters
the signal to prevent any re-emissions of the TV spectrum through the system.
AM antenna
jack Coaxial (75Ω)
FM antenna jack
Figure 16
The FM dipole antenna and
AM loop antenna 
						

							          AM189854_05_V.PDF October 17, 2001 17
Setting Up
Connecting power to your system
Plug the Acoustimass® module power cord into an AC power (mains) outlet. Then plug in the
multi-room interface power pack.
Note: Your speakers will not operate unless you complete all cable and power connections
before turning on the system.
CAUTION: Be sure the three shipping screws on the bottom of the CD changer have been
removed before turning on the system.
Setting up the Personal™ music center
Set up the Personal music center after the rest of the system is connected and plugged in.
Note: When batteries are first installed in the music center, it sets up a radio-frequency link
with the closest multi-room interface.
1. Hold the music center within a few feet of the multi-room interface.
2. Slide open the battery compartment on the back of the music center (Figure 17).
3. Insert 4 AAA or IEC-R03 1.5V batteries, or the equivalent, as shown. Match the + and –
symbols on the batteries with the + and – markings inside the compartment.
4. Slide the battery compartment cover back into place.
5. Turn the music center over and touch the screen to wake it up if it appears blank. Press
ON/OFF, FM, or any other source button to turn the system on.
If the music center continuously displays “NO RESPONSE,” you need to try to establish
its link with the multi-room interface again. Hold the music center close to the multi-room
interface. Press and hold MUTE for about 5 seconds until you hear a beep and then release.
After about 10 seconds, the music center should beep twice to confirm that the link is
established.
Figure 17
Installing batteries and waking
up the display for the first time
Note: Replace the batteries when the LOW BATTERY message first appears. See “Replac-
ing batteries” on page 44. Alkaline batteries are recommended.
Battery compartment cover
4 AAA
batteries
b. Turn over and wake up display a. Install batteries 
						

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Operating Your Lifestyle® 50 System
Turning on the system
You are ready to enjoy your new Lifestyle® system. Your Personal™ music center places
complete control of the system operations in your hands. The center is portable, communi-
cating with the rest of the system through a two-way radio-frequency link. The display is
backlit for easy viewing, and provides visual feedback of current system operations and
available options. To allow for maximum battery life, the display and backlight turn off a short
time after your last button press. You only need to touch the screen to wake up the music
center.
•To learn more about the display, see “Using the Personal music center display” on pages
20-21.
•To operate the AM/FM radio, see “Listening to the radio” on pages 26-28.
•To operate the CD changer, see “Listening to compact discs” on pages 29-34. To verify
your system setup, listen to the instructions on the Test CD.
•To control external components, see “Using the system with external components”
on page 35.
•To use your system in multiple rooms, see “Operating in more than one room” on
pages 41-43.
Turning the system on
1. Touch the music center screen to wake up the display (Figure 18). The last display that you
used appears on the screen.
2. Press ON/OFF to turn the system on to the last source used, or press a SOURCE button
(FM, AM, CD, VIDEO 1, VIDEO 2, TAPE, AUX) to select and turn on that source (Figure 19).
Note: Initially, the AM and FM sources turn on in 2-speaker mode (front right and front left).
All other sources initially turn on in 5-speaker mode. To change the speaker settings, see
“Selecting the number of speakers” on page 22.
Figure 18
Waking up the display
Figure 19
Turning on a source
Turning the system off
•Press the ON/OFF button.