We get it; you wanted to enhance your music-listening experience, so you opted for Bose Speakers. However, you may be wondering whether these smart speakers require an amplifier to play your favorite songs at max volume.
Any Bose surround sound, stereo system, or outdoor speaker will require an amplifier, such as:
- Bose Acoustimass 5 Series
- Bose 241 Outdoor Speakers
- Bose 301-V Stereo
- Bose L1 Model II system
- Bose L1 Model I system
However, if you’re using a Bose Bluetooth speaker, an amplifier is not necessary.
Continue reading to learn more about which Bose speakers require amplifiers, and if so, which type of amplifier you need.
What Bose Speakers Need Amplifiers?
Amplifiers increase the amplitude of your speakers’ electrical signal and bring out the richest, most audible sounds. Many inexpensive speakers come with built-in amplifiers. However, more expensive, intricate models do not.
The following Bose speakers require amplifiers to produce the best sound:
- Bose Acoustimass 5 Series
- Bose 241 Outdoor Speakers
- Bose 301-V Stereo
- Bose L1 Model II system
- Bose L1 Model I system
The amplifiers for these models are typically sold separately from the speakers themselves, but you could score a bundle that sells both.
What Happens if You Don’t Use an Amplifier?
This answer is simple: your speakers won’t work. You’ll hear nothing but the sound of silence. Your speakers also won’t work if you get an amplifier that does not meet your audio system’s requirements.
Additionally, you run the risk of “blowing out” your speakers. This could happen if your amplifier isn’t strong enough to handle your speakers’ signal, resulting in distorted or warped audio quality.
How Do You Pick the Right Amplifier for a Bose Speaker?
This is where things start getting a little technical. Let’s say that your speakers operate with 8 ohms, and their power rate is 350 watts. (“Ohms” is a technical term that refers to your speakers’ electric resistance. The power rate refers to how much wattage the speakers can tolerate in short bursts.)
The correct amplifier for your Bose speaker will have the same number of ohms but double the program rating of your speaker. So, using the example above, the amplifier you purchase would need 8 ohms and a power rating of 700W. If you were to purchase the Bose Acoustimass 10, which has 8 ohms and a program rating of 110W, its accompanying amplifier would need to have 8 ohms and a power rating of 220W.
The following table breaks down the types of amplifiers you’ll need for each Bose speaker that requires it:
Speaker | Speaker Specs | Amplifier Specs |
Bose Acoustimass 5 | 4 ohms Power Rating: 200W | 4-8 ohms Power Rating: 400W |
Bose 251 Outdoor Series | 4 ohms Power Rating: 100W | 4-8 ohms Power rating: 10W to 200W |
Bose 301-V Stereo | 4 ohms Power Rating: 10W to 150W | 4-8 ohms Power Rating: 300W |
Bose L1 Model II System | 4 ohms Power Rating: 250W | 4-8 ohms Power Rating: 500W |
Bose L1 Model I System | 4 ohms Power Rating: 250W | 4-8 ohms Power Rating: 500W |
Also, as long as the ports and connectors align, you do not have to use a brand-name amplifier to get your system up and running. You do, however, need to make sure that the specs add up. Just because you’re using a Bose speaker with a Bose amplifier does not guarantee that it will work.
It all boils down to its capacity, power, and design. To learn more about what amplifier you need, consult your entertainment system’s user manual to review its specs. If you do not have a user manual, you can look one up online.
What Types of Bose Speakers Do Not Need Amplifiers?
Unless you’re going for an all-inclusive top-of-the-line speaker system, you generally don’t need to buy an amplifier; it comes built into your device.
If you don’t want to stress yourself out about connecting a new sound system, here are some Bose speakers that do not require amplifiers:
- The Bose SoundLink Color II
- The Bose S1 Pro Portable Bluetooth Speaker System
- The Bose SoundLink Revolve+
- The Bose Smart Soundbar 300
What do most of these speakers have in common? They use Bluetooth. That’s not to say that all Bluetooth-enabled devices don’t need amplifiers. However, when you unbox these products, all you need to do is plug them in and connect them to your smartphone.
From there, you can get crisp, refined sound without worrying about the technical details.
In Summary
Whether you need an amplifier depends on what type of Bose speakers you purchased. Generally speaking, any surround sound system or outdoor speaker will likely need an amplifier, like the Bose Acoustimass 5 Series, Bose 241 Outdoor Speakers, and the Bose 301-V Stereo. You do not need an amplifier if you purchased a Bluetooth speaker or another related device.