Bose 201-II

Bose 201-II Music Monitor Speaker Instruction Manual

Model: 201-II

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Bose 201-II Music Monitor Speakers. These speakers are designed to deliver high-quality audio reproduction for your home listening experience. This manual provides essential information for the proper setup, operation, and maintenance of your speakers to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Safety Information

Please read all safety and operating instructions before using your speakers. Keep these instructions for future reference.

  • Placement: Place speakers on a stable, level surface to prevent them from falling. Avoid placing them near heat sources or in direct sunlight.
  • Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation around the speakers. Do not block any ventilation openings.
  • Moisture: Do not expose speakers to water or excessive moisture.
  • Power: Connect speakers only to amplifiers or receivers that meet the specified power and impedance requirements (8 ohms, 60W rated input).
  • Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosols.

Package Contents

Verify that all components are present in your package:

  • Bose 201-II Music Monitor Speakers (2 units)
  • Speaker Grilles (2 units)
  • Instruction Manual (this document)
Two Bose 201-II Music Monitor Speakers with grilles on, showing the Bose logo on one speaker.

Image: Front view of the Bose 201-II Music Monitor Speakers with their protective grilles installed.

Setup

Speaker Placement

The Bose 201-II speakers utilize a Direct/Reflecting® speaker design. For optimal stereo imaging and sound dispersion, place the speakers on a stable surface such as a bookshelf or speaker stands.

  • Position speakers at an equal distance from your primary listening area.
  • Ensure there is clear space around the speakers, especially for the side-firing drivers.
  • Avoid placing speakers in enclosed cabinets, which can negatively affect sound quality.
Two Bose 201-II Music Monitor Speakers with grilles removed, revealing the main driver and a smaller side-firing driver.

Image: Front view of the Bose 201-II speakers with grilles removed, showing the speaker cones.

Connecting the Speakers

Connect your Bose 201-II speakers to your amplifier or receiver using high-quality speaker wire.

  1. Ensure your amplifier/receiver is turned off before making any connections.
  2. Identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on both your speakers and your amplifier/receiver. The Bose 201-II speakers have spring-clip terminals.
  3. Strip approximately 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) of insulation from the ends of your speaker wire. Twist the bare wire strands tightly.
  4. Press down on the colored tab of the speaker terminal, insert the bare wire, and release the tab to secure the connection. Connect the positive (+) terminal of the speaker to the positive (+) terminal of the amplifier, and the negative (-) terminal of the speaker to the negative (-) terminal of the amplifier.
  5. Repeat for the second speaker, ensuring consistent polarity for both channels.

Important: Incorrect polarity (connecting positive to negative) will result in poor sound quality and reduced bass response.

Rear view of two Bose 201-II Music Monitor Speakers, showing the red and black spring-clip speaker terminals.

Image: Rear view of the Bose 201-II speakers, highlighting the speaker wire connection terminals.

Close-up view of the speaker driver and the red and black spring-clip speaker terminals on the Bose 201-II.

Image: Detailed view of a speaker terminal, showing the red (positive) and black (negative) connections.

Operating

Once your Bose 201-II speakers are properly connected to your amplifier or receiver, you can begin enjoying your audio.

  • Power On: Turn on your amplifier/receiver.
  • Source Selection: Select the desired audio source (e.g., CD player, streaming device, turntable).
  • Volume Control: Start with the volume at a low level and gradually increase it to a comfortable listening level. Avoid excessively high volumes that can cause distortion or damage to the speakers.
  • Tone Controls: Use the bass and treble controls on your amplifier/receiver to adjust the sound to your preference.

Maintenance

Proper care will help maintain the appearance and performance of your Bose 201-II speakers.

  • Cleaning Cabinets: Wipe the speaker cabinets with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use solvents, chemicals, or abrasive cleaners.
  • Cleaning Grilles: The speaker grilles can be gently vacuumed with a soft brush attachment to remove dust. If necessary, they can be carefully removed and hand-washed with mild soap and water, then allowed to air dry completely before reattaching.
  • Avoid Liquids: Do not spill liquids on the speakers.
  • Environmental Conditions: Store and operate speakers in a moderate temperature and humidity environment.

Troubleshooting

If you experience issues with your Bose 201-II speakers, refer to the following common problems and solutions:

ProblemPossible CauseSolution
No sound from one or both speakers
  • Loose speaker wire connection
  • Amplifier/receiver not powered on or incorrect source selected
  • Speaker wire damaged
  • Check and re-secure all speaker wire connections at both the speaker and amplifier.
  • Ensure amplifier is on and the correct input source is selected.
  • Inspect speaker wires for cuts or breaks; replace if necessary.
Distorted or unclear sound
  • Volume too high
  • Incorrect speaker polarity
  • Damaged speaker driver
  • Reduce the volume on your amplifier/receiver.
  • Verify that positive (+) terminals are connected to positive and negative (-) to negative.
  • If distortion persists at low volumes, contact Bose customer support.
Lack of bass
  • Incorrect speaker polarity
  • Speakers placed too far from walls or corners
  • Double-check speaker wire polarity for both speakers.
  • Experiment with speaker placement, moving them closer to walls or corners can enhance bass.

Specifications

BrandBose
Model201-II Music Monitor
Speaker TypeBookshelf
Mounting TypeTabletop Mount
Recommended UsesMusic
Subwoofer Diameter15.2 cm (approximately 6 inches)
Impedance8 ohm
Rated Input Power60W
Item Weight4 kg (per speaker)
Wireless ConnectivityNot supported (Wired speakers)
Magnetic ShieldingNon-magnetic type

Warranty and Support

For information regarding warranty coverage, technical support, or service for your Bose 201-II Music Monitor Speakers, please refer to the warranty card included with your purchase or visit the official Bose website.

Bose Official Support Website

© 2024 Bose Corporation. All rights reserved.

Ask a question about this manual

Ask about setup, troubleshooting, compatibility, parts, safety, or missing instructions. Manuals+ will review the question and use this page’s manual context to help answer it.