Wondering what all the surround-sound fuss is about? Now you can experience thrilling home theater sound easily and affordably without having to toss your existing stereo speakers. The Bose VCS-30 Series II speaker package features a center-channel speaker optimized for reproducing all critical dialog and music for your favorite DVD movies and Dolby Digital-encoded HDTV soundtracks, as well as a pair of matched surround-sound speakers (left rear, right rear) to deliver the discrete ambient sound required of an enveloping home theater surround system.Use a surround-capable audio/video receiver and, if you wish, a powered subwoofer to handle your movies’ deep-bass effects. Then you’ll be all set for dynamic 5.1-channel sound. All speakers use Bose’s proprietary, 2.5-inch Twiddler drivers, which move more air from their small enclosures than similarly sized conventional drivers, creating a sound you’d expect from much larger speakers.

The VCS-30 Series II includes Bose’s VCS-10 center-channel speaker and a pair of Bose 161 surround speakers. The broad but low-height VCS-10 is designed to fit seamlessly atop your TV or entertainment center. Its patented Compound Loaded drivers and ported enclosure deliver rich, resonant dialogue, while its Articulated Array cabinet design “locks” dialog to your screen with a large, even sound field.

Whether placed on a desk or bookshelf as front speakers or mounted on a wall for use as surrounds, the 161s are designed to deliver balanced, spacious sound with minimal or moderate amplifier power (10 to 100 watts per channel). Automatic protection circuitry keeps all speaker drivers from being overdriven, heightening the speakers’ reliability without interfering with your listening.

The speakers’ flared-slot port design provides a specially engineered match between woofer and port geometry that reduces air turbulence for cleaner and deeper sound than can be heard from traditional ported enclosures, particularly at high volumes. Bose uses proprietary Syncom computer testing technology to ensure one of the highest levels of quality and reliability in the audio industry.

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.