Bose 161 Bookshelf Speaker System (Black)

by Bose

• Versatile speakers for music and movies
• Use in bookshelf or wall-mount applications
• Articulated Array® speaker design

Product Details

Product Manual [192kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 10.9 x 4.2 inches ; 8.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00006I53A
• Item model number: 27027
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (112 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,923 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #7 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > Speakers > Satellite Speakers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 29, 2004

Product Description

Color: Black

Amazon.com

Enjoy rich, full sound from music or movies with this compact pair of sleek Bose speakers. Whether placed on a desk or bookshelf or mounted on a wall for use as surround speakers, these speakers are designed to deliver balanced, spacious sound with minimal or moderate amplifier power (10 to 100 watts per channel). Automatic protection circuitry keeps the speaker drivers from being overdriven, heightening the speakers' reliability without interfering with your listening.

If you'll be using them in a home-theater capacity, keep in mind that they're designed to blend seamlessly with the Bose VCS-10 center-channel speaker and any Direct/Reflecting Bose speaker system.

Included in the box.

Unlike conventional speakers, which radiate sound in a single direction, these speakers use Articulated Array driver positioning and Stereo Everywhere technology to deliver balanced sound throughout your listening area. Further, Bose's two 2.5-inch proprietary Twiddler drivers per speaker move more air from their small enclosures than similarly sized conventional drivers, creating a sound you'd expect from much larger speakers.

Be sure to use the proper gauge (or thickness) of wire or speaker cable for the length required to run the distance between your amplifier and your speakers. If the length is 30 feet, use a minimum of 18 gauge (.75 mm); use 16 gauge (1.5 mm) for 45 feet or 14 gauge (2 mm) for 70 feet. Supplied custom mounting brackets offer a range of placement options.

What's in the Box

Left speaker, right speaker, mounting brackets, self-adhesive rubber feet, user's manual.

Product Description

Enjoy rich, full sound from music or movies with this compact pair of sleek Bose speakers. Whether placed on a desk or bookshelf or mounted on a wall for use as surround speakers, these speakers are designed to deliver balanced, spacious sound with minimal or moderate amplifier power (10 to 100 watts per channel). Automatic protection circuitry keeps the speaker drivers from being overdriven, heightening the speakers' reliability without interfering with your listening. Bose 161 speakers in black If you'll be using them in a home-theater capacity, keep in mind that they're designed to blend seamlessly with the Bose VCS-10 center-channel speaker and any Direct/Reflecting Bose speaker system. Unlike conventional speakers, which radiate sound in a single direction, these speakers use Articulated Array driver positioning and Stereo Everywhere technology to deliver balanced sound throughout your listening area. Further, Bose's two 2.5-inch proprietary Twiddler drivers per speaker move more air from their small enclosures than similarly sized conventional drivers, creating a sound you'd expect from much larger speakers. Be sure to use the proper gauge (or thickness) of wire or speaker cable for the length required to run the distance between your amplifier and your speakers. If the length is 30 feet, use a minimum of 18 gauge (.75 mm), use 16 gauge (1.5 mm) for 45 feet or 14 gauge (2 mm) for 70 feet. Supplied custom mounting brackets offer a range of placement options. What's in the Box - Left speaker, right speaker, mounting brackets, self-adhesive rubber feet, user's manual.

See all Product Description

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

153 of 162 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully transparent sound, reasonable price May 28, 2003

By edcaroleg

Color Name:White|Amazon Verified Purchase

We bought several pairs of these 161 speakers when they were first introduced a little over a year ago. We use one pair for the surround speakers in our theater system, and a pair in each of the other rooms of our home.

Although we are longtime Bose fans, we decided to audition these in an audio store as we had been disappointed in a Bose center channel speaker we had purchased previously, (based on reputation, we didn't listen first!). We were favorbly impressed in the store and have been very pleased with them in our home. Regardless of room decor, the speakers produce clean, stereo sound. (Its possible to identify orchestral instruments and their location!)

These speakers are very linear above 80-90Hz, to the audible limits. They drop off rapidly below about 80Hz. Bass frequencies are adequately reproduced for orchestral music but will need to be augmented for heavy bass or special cinematic effects. (sub-woofer)

These speakers are intended to be wall mounted and are easily installed with the included brackets. They do not sit well on a shelf!

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great surround speakers or stereo in a small room January 23, 2005

By J. Pickering

Color Name:Black

I'm not usually a huge Bose afficianado, but I use a pair of Bose 161 speakers as my rear surround speakers and they're great! I have much larger speakers for my L, R and center - and the 161s compliment them perfectly. I can hear very detailed sound coming from them - perfect for effects in movies.

I'm not sure I'd use these as my primary speakers in my living room, but for surround applications, or small stereo needs, they fit the bill perfectly. They're attractive, solidly built, and easily mount to walls using the included wall brackets.

53 of 59 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars In line with expectations March 15, 2005

By Peter Saflund

Color Name:Black

The sport of Bose bashing aside, keep in mind these are relatively small enclosures with two 2.5 inch drivers that can crate a rear sound stage much larger than their size might suggest, and can do so without being overly fussy about placement. There always seems to be someone out there who sets their surround settings to "large", pumps up the bass, then complains that two 2.5 inch drivers in small vented plastic enclosures "have no lows", and that the sound is distorted. Neither the VCS 10 center channel or the 161s will play ear-busting levels -- the trade off of small drivers in small enclosures, and the theatre surround settings and bass management must be set accordingly. Doing this, the Bose 161s (especially when paired with the VCS 10) can produce clear focused dialog and convincing surround effects in smaller rooms. Can you do "better"? Sure, larger enclosures, with bigger drivers can play louder and lower but that doesn't mean the Bose don't deserve consideration on the basis of good performance given their style and size. If you can throw a little money at the issue and want really exceptional performance from relatively small speaker enclosures, consider the Legacy Audio Victoria speaker system with a very good multi channel theatre amp and separate processor like those offered by Adcom or Parasound.