251 + Music Amplifier Set

The Bose Music Amplifier helps deliver powerful sound in and around the home, as the amplifier can power two pairs of passive speakers, at 125 watts/channel, ensuring high-quality Bose sound. The Bose Music Amplifier supports listening to several different content sources:

a. Streaming connectivity via Wi-Fi and the Bose Music app, Apple Airplay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect
b. Bluetooth connectivity
c. Analogue line input
d. Optical input
e. Syncs with compatible Bose Wi-Fi-enabled speakers for multiroom listening

Key features:

1. Powers up to two pairs of passive speakers: 2 x 125W output power
2. Content streaming via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, analogue and optical line input. Apple Airplay 2, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast built in
3. Connects with other Bose Wi-Fi-enabled products with SimpleSync
4. EQ control for select Bose speakers, such as the 251 outdoor speakers and 791 in-ceiling speakers
5. Wired 3.5 mm analogue bass module output
6. Suitable for rack mounting and stacked installations
7. Daisy-chain multiple amps together
8. Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
9. Stereo and mono settings
10. Elegant design with glass top

The Bose Music Amplifier can simultaneously run up to two pairs of passive speakers. This includes bookshelf, floor standing, in ceiling, in wall, or outdoor — and can be either Bose or non-Bose speakers. They can also connect via traditional speaker wires. Any speaker rated at 4 ohms or higher is compatible. When running two pairs of speakers, we recommend using speakers rated no less than 8 ohms.

Most passive speakers from Bose will work with the Bose Music Amplifier. They include:

151 SE environmental speakers
251 environmental speakers
Free Space 51 environmental speakers
161 speaker system
201 Direct/Reflecting speaker system
301 Direct/Reflecting speaker system
Acoustimass 3 and Acoustimass 5 stereo speaker systems
Virtually Invisible 591 in-ceiling speakers
Virtually Invisible 691 in-wall speakers
Virtually Invisible 791 in-ceiling speakers
Virtually Invisible 891 in-wall speakers

The Bose 901 speakers are active speakers and therefore will not work with the Bose Music Amplifier. The Bose Music Amplifier also works with passive speakers from other manufacturers that have a minimum of 4 ohms impedance.

Yes. Bose has many passive speakers in the market that can connect to the Bose Music Amplifier. By 2022, Bose will have discontinued selling all passive speakers except for the Bose 251 environmental (outdoor) speakers and the Bose Virtually Invisible 791 in-ceiling speakers II. The Bose Music Amplifier offers custom EQs for these two sets of speakers. This means when paired with the Bose Music Amplifier, these two speakers deliver clearer, more balanced sound. Over time, additional Bose EQs may be added.

Each Bose Music Amp is considered a single zone. And each amp can have up to two pairs of speakers connected to it. Those two pairs of speakers would be considered one zone and will always power on and play simultaneously.

Yes. We also recommend that, if two pairs of speakers are connected, they be the same type of speaker. Both pairs will get the same EQ applied.

Yes. The Bose Music Amplifier has both Wi-Fi and Ethernet capability. Once the passive speakers are connected to the amp via wire output, you can control them with the Bose Music app connected to your network. Or you can stream content using Bluetooth, Apple Airplay 2, Chromecast or even a wired connection — optical or analogue.

Yes. Bluetooth technology allows you to stream audio from any source (like YouTube) directly to the amplifier.

When your device is the source via Bluetooth, music can be interrupted as you receive notifications. When you use the Bose Music Amplifier via Wi-Fi, the cloud is the source, so your music will go uninterrupted as you receive notifications.

When your device is the source via Bluetooth, you must stay within 9 metres (30 feet) of the amp and potentially avoid walls. With the Bose Music Amplifier over Wi-Fi, you can move freely, and your music will continue to stream.

Inputs: Power, Ethernet, Analogue, Optical, USB (Service only)

Outputs: Ethernet, Analogue, Bass, two sets of speakers

No.

You control the amplifier with the free Bose Music app on your mobile device. Use the app to access the built-in music services, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn, Deezer, iHeart Radio, and SiriusXM. Use the app to browse music and play your favourite artists, songs, and playlists. You can also create radio stations, discover new music, and set your favourite music as presets. Or you can use the app to connect with other Bose Wi-Fi-enabled speakers and soundbars or to pair your amplifier with select Bose Bluetooth speakers and headphones. The Bose Music app is compatible with iOS and Android™.

No. But if you want to use voice commands to get music (or VPA responses), you can connect a third-party Virtual Personal Assistant speaker (like an Echo Dot or Google Home Mini, or other Bose smart speaker/soundbar) to the Bose Music Amplifier.

While the Bose Music Amplifier is Wi-Fi enabled, it does not have built-in VPA. Therefore, it doesn’t include the term “smart” in the name.

Multiroom grouping is the grouping of two or more Wi-Fi-enabled Bose speakers and/or soundbars, via the Bose Music app. Add another Bose smart speaker and/or smart soundbar to your home any time to sync with the Bose Music Amplifier and hear the same content everywhere or different content in different rooms.

Compatible Bose products are:

Bose Smart Speakers 300, 450, and 500
Bose Portable Smart Speaker
Bose Smart Soundbars 300, 500, 600, 700, and 900, Smart Soundbar 300 Club bundle

NOTE: You cannot play synchronized multiroom content with older Bose SoundTouch products or products from other manufacturers (including Amazon and Google) using the Bose Music app. This type of cross-speaker streaming is only available through Apple AirPlay 2.

With SimpleSync technology, you can also pair the Bose Music Amplifier with a Bose Bluetooth speaker and, for example, listen to the same music on your outdoor speaker as on your in-ceiling speakers in the living room.

Or you can even pair the amp with compatible Bose headphones for a personal listening experience. Once synced, use the app to silence your passive speakers and instead enjoy listening to a CD or vinyl record on your headphones.

The Bose Music Amplifier acts as the “parent” device, or the initial source of the content. Through the Bose Music app, you can then group your amp with a compatible Bose Bluetooth speaker or headphones by establishing a connection from the amp to the Bluetooth device. Your two products must remain within 9 metres (30 feet) of each other to stay connected. Walls and construction materials can sometimes affect connection.

Compatible products: Bose Bluetooth speakers (SoundLink Micro, Flex, Revolve, Revolve+) and Bose Bluetooth headphones (QuietComfort 35, QuietComfort 45, Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700). For a list of compatible products, see Products that support SimpleSync on the Bose Support site.

You can listen to different types of content in different ways:

Bose Music app. The Bose Music app is a central place to browse, play, and manage integrated music services (Spotify, Pandora®, Deezer, TuneIn, iHeartRadio™, and Amazon Music). Once music has been initiated from the Bose Music app (or other sources like Apple AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect), the presence of the mobile device is no longer needed for music playback, unlike with Bluetooth speakers. The Bose Music app works on phones and tablets running iOS (version 10.3.3 and above) or Android (version 5.1 and above).

Music streaming services. Whether or not they are integrated in the Bose Music app, you can stream music from a music streaming service using Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect.

Bluetooth. Pair your mobile device with the Bose Music Amplifier through Bluetooth to listen to content from your mobile device. Pair your mobile device to the amplifier using the Bose Music app. Or put the amp into pairing mode by pressing and holding the Bluetooth button on the front of the amp and then selecting the Bose Music Amp from the Bluetooth settings menu on your mobile device.

Analogue RCA input and optical input. Connect any type of external content source to the Bose Music Amplifier using the Analogue RCA or optical input, like: CD player, vinyl record player,* television.

* Pre-amp may be required. Not included.

Yes. It is possible to install multiple Bose Music Amplifiers in a rack with other equipment. Please refer to the owner’s guide for appropriate spacing.

Yes. The Bose Music Amplifier comes with a bracket that allows you to wall or rack mount the amp. Check the owner’s guide for mounting.

Yes. This setting is potentially useful where stereo performance may not be feasible. For example, speakers that are spread far apart in a large area or outdoors.

No. The Bose Music Amplifier is neither designed for nor protected from placement that may expose it to rain, condensation, ice, salt water, extreme heat, or other weather conditions. It can be used with outdoor speakers but must be placed indoors.

Download the Bose Music app for Apple or Android. Then follow the step-by-step instructions in the app.

Yes. Both can be controlled in the Bose Music app.

Yes. You can set playlist or radio station presets in the Bose Music app.

No. However, using Bose SimpleSync technology, you can wirelessly pair the amp with compatible Bose headphones for synchronized sound with separate volume levels — which means you can lower or mute your amp/speakers while keeping your headphones louder. This connection is restricted to one amp and one pair of headphones at a time.

For a list of compatible products, see Products that support SimpleSync on the Bose Support site.

No.

If you want to add deeper bass to your speakers, you can connect a bass module (Bose Bass Module 700 or 500) via a standard 3.5 mm stereo cable to the “BASS” connector on the back of the amplifier. The bass modules cannot be wirelessly connected to the amplifier.

No. Only one wired bass module may be connected to the amplifier.

No.

The product system software will update automatically as long as you are connected to your network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Yes. The first amp is set up as a “main” amp, and then subsequent amps can be connected as “supplemental” amps using the analogue line-in/line-out connectors on the back of the amp. Only the “main” amp will show up in the app, but it will control all of the downstream “supplemental” amps and play the same content.

No. The USB connector is for Service purposes only.

Yes. Depending on how you plan to use your main and supplemental amps, you can change the line output to either variable or fixed via the DIP switches on the rear of the product. Set it to “variable” to use the Bose Music app to control the volume. When the line out is set to “fixed,” you cannot control the volume via the Bose Music app and must have another way to control volume.

There are DIP switches labelled “SPEAKER SETTING” on the back of the amplifier for selecting the EQ. Check the owner’s guide for details.