
Q: Power source
A: The Free Space 51’s are passive speakers. They are intended to wire to an amplifier or receiver which would provide both audio and power to drive them. For best results, choose an amplifier with a power output between 10-100 Watts Per Channel at 4-8 Ohms.
A: I had a typical 10 year old receiver that I wasn't using. I also have a sonos system in my home and wanted to add the outdoor Bose speakers to the group. so I added the sonos connector to the receiver / amp and was good to go. My entire system is WIFI not blue tooth. If you plan to use Bluetooth only you will have to buy a more up to date receiver that has blue tooth connectivity. I believe sonos offers a blue tooth or WIFI amp which may be all you need. Not 100% sure. I use my phone and the sonos app to play Pandora throughout my house and outdoors. BTW the Bose outdoor speakers are awesome and have great sound. Now my yard sounds like we're like walking though Disney (but with our music)
A: Hello. Thanks for the great question! The FreeSpace 51 Speakers are designed for permanent outdoor installation. They can handle temperature extremes from -40°F to 158°F. They will also withstand salt, fog, sun, and high humidity (rain and snow). We hope this helps!
Q: Matching Recevier to Bose Free Space 51s
A: Thanks for your question. The Freespace 51 speakers are rated for use with a receiver which outputs between 10-100 Watts Per Channel, 4-8 Ohms. Either one or two pairs of Freespace 51 speakers should work well with your receiver without causing any damage. The speakers can certainly be connected to a receiver with a maximum output of 135 watts per channel. You would just want to be careful not to turn the volume up too loud (past 50 - 60%) and overdrive the speakers (this is where the speakers could be damaged). If you have any further questions, please contact our technical support team who can assist. They can be reached at 1-800-380-4831 and are available 8:30am-10:00pm M-F, 9am-7:00pm Sat EST. Thank you.
A: I had both speaker full of water and they still continued to operate. The way I discovered the water was due to a vibration coming from one. Thankful, Bose will repair them regardless of age and way beyond the 5 year warranty. I contacted Bose for diy parts and that’s when I was informed of the rebuilding/repair service offered at $75 per speaker. I had both 51s services for $150 plus tax and they sound as new. Bose charges your state sales tax and my total was $159 and that includes shipping, complements of Bose, you just need to box them up separately and securely. I shipped them on 06/17/20 and Bose shipped them back 06/30/20 saving me $300 on a new set. They sound like new as they replaced the driver and grills and served well at out July 4 celebration. God Bless America!
A: Hello! The Free Space 51 Speakers are passive speakers, and as such are required to be connected to an amplifier to play. These are connected through the Bare Wire Red(+) and Black(-) Wires. Based on your interest with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, we would recommend our SoundTouch SA-5 Amplifier, which can connect to your Wi-Fi network through our SoundTouch app, or through Bluetooth directly. We hope this helps you make a decision you're happy with!
Q: What amplifies to use with a Bose free space 51 landscape speaker pair
A: Hello! Thank you for your question. The FreeSpace 51's are passive speakers and can utilize most amplifiers that meet the speaker power specification. We recommend the Bose SA-5 Amplifier which will also allow you to connect via Bluetooth and stream content from the web over your Wi-Fi network. Have a great day! Best Regards, Greg - Bose Support
A: I actually installed the Bose speakers myself. However I have used BestBuys technicians in the passed and they were knowledgeable and courteous. I would recommend using BestBuy for another reason - they guarantee the installation as well as replacement of the product if necessary.