Overview
Only the speaker is virtually invisible
When it comes to speakers, the only thing that you want to stand out is the sound. Slim and stylish, Virtually Invisible speakers are only about 8.9 cm high. Designed to blend in nicely, they’re low profile and can mount flush to your wall with optional brackets.
Turn it up and really feel it
Really great bass transforms your living room listening experience from run-of-the-mill to front-row-seat. This small wireless subwoofer delivers on sound and style with its deep, thunderous bass and premium glass top. A powerful driver and QuietPort technology combine for best-in-class performance for size.
SO MUCH MORE THAN GOOD LOOKS
The glass-topped media console offers the latest audio and video technologies—including 4K video and 6 HDMI™ inputs. Use Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth® with NFC pairing to stream music to a system that looks as good as it sounds. Now all you have to worry about is what to listen to first.
Bluetooth® connectivity
Stream music from your phone or tablet with Bluetooth® pairing with NFC.
Wireless Acoustimass bass module
Virtually eliminates distortion for deep, clean bass at any volume level.
Virtually Invisible Series II cube speakers
Powerful performance surrounds you in high-quality sound.
Less effort, more music
When it comes to what you want to hear, you have so many options. With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility, you can wirelessly stream whatever you want, however you want. Browse your favourite music services, like Apple Music or Spotify®, or play anything from your phone or tablet. If you can get it on your device, you can hear it through the Lifestyle 550 system. Music services may vary.
Fast, simple control of all your music
Experience your favourite music from the Lifestyle system with the SoundTouch app. SoundTouch lets you take total control of your listening experience, right from your smartphone or tablet. Browse popular music services such as Spotify® and Deezer, Internet radio or your stored music library. Easily personalise presets for one-touch access to the music you love, and control one or many SoundTouch speakers around your home.
Bose + Voice. Now you’re talking.
Play music. Turn it up. Or even ask what’s playing. Without lifting a finger.
Enjoy hands-free voice access to your music on SoundTouch speakers using any Alexa-enabled device—like the Amazon Echo Dot. Just open the Alexa app. Search for “Bose” under the Skills menu. Then follow the simple one-time setup.
So, what can you do? Plenty. Start your funk playlist in the kitchen. Turn the volume up or down. Change tracks. Find out what’s playing. And even control where it’s playing—from the speaker in your kitchen to the speaker in your bedroom.
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Engineered to keep it simple
Whether your walls are plaster, brick or glass, ADAPTiQ audio room calibration will optimise its acoustic performance for the unique characteristics of your room—giving you the best possible listening experience. And there’s no need to worry about setup. With guided on-screen messages, our Unify intelligent integration simplifies the process of connecting to your entertainment sources. It will also help configure the Bose universal LED display remote to control almost all entertainment devices.
Specs
- Control console:6.5 cm H x 40.59 cm W x 25.8 cm D (4 kg)
- Acoustimass wireless bass module:32.5 cm H x 29.5 cm W x 29.5 cm D (13.6 kg)
- Virtually Invisible Series II speakers (each):9.4 cm H x 8.13 cm W x 8.2 cm D (0.54 kg)
- Supported audio formats: The Lifestyle 550 system supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS and Multichannel PCM.
- Video source compatibility: It supports 4K resolution at 4096/60p with 12 bit. (Same as Lifestyle 600/650 systems.) It does not support Dolby Vision.
Rear panel of the console
- 1 HDMI™ output with Audio Return Channel (ARC)
- 5 HDMI inputs
- 2 optical digital audio connections
- 2 coaxial digital audio connections
- 2 analogue L/R audio inputs
- 1 x 3.5 mm connection for the Acoustimass module
- 1 data port
- 1 IR repeater port
- 1 Ethernet port for SoundTouch and software updates via a network
- 1 USB connection for software updates only
Front of the console
- 1 HDMI input
- 1 x 3.5 mm jack for ADAPTiQ system and headphones
- 1 power button
- 1 source button
- 1 setup button the customer will press to connect Acoustimass module and rear speakers
- Console
- 5 Virtually Invisible Series II cube speakers
- Acoustimass wireless bass module
- Universal remote control
- Front speaker cable
- 2 rear speaker cables
- 5 AC-2 adapters
- ADAPTiQ headset
- IR emitter
- HDMI cable
- 4 AA batteries
- Console power supply
- 4 power cables
- Screwdriver
- Owner’s guide
FAQs
Is the speaker compatible with products from the Bose Home Speaker family?
The products cannot be grouped together through a Bose app. Lifestyle systems use the SoundTouch app; while the Bose Home Speaker family use the Bose Music app. However, Apple device owners can use Apple AirPlay 2 to group the Lifestyle system with Bose Home Speaker family products for multi-room synchronised playback. Apple AirPlay 2 requires a Wi-Fi connection.
What is the ADAPTiQ audio calibration system?
The ADAPTiQ audio calibration system is a proprietary Bose technology that customises the system’s sound to the unique size, shape and furnishings of the room it’s in to ensure the system delivers high-quality performance.
What is the Unify intelligent integration system?
The Unify intelligent integration system is a Bose technology that eliminates the stress and confusion of setting up a Lifestyle system. It also configures the Bose universal remote to control almost all entertainment devices. The result is a system that is customised for you, yet is as easy to use as if it were fully integrated.
Is it possible to adjust bass and treble?
Yes. The bass, treble, centre and surround levels can be adjusted through the included Bose universal remote control.
Is it possible to adjust the audio delay with ARC?
Yes. There is an A/V sync delay that applies only to the audio. This is available in all sources, including ARC. When set to zero, it will not add additional delay beyond the time needed for audio signal processing.
Can the Acoustimass 700 bass module be wired?
Yes. The Acoustimass module can be wired to the console with a 3.5-mm shielded audio cable.
What placement guidelines should be considered to ensure optimal audio performance from the Acoustimass module?
For best sound quality, the Acoustimass module should be placed on the floor against the same wall as the television. It should always be placed in the front third of the room with an electrical socket nearby for the power cable. The module should not be placed on a shelf or table.
Does the Lifestyle 550 system have Bluetooth® and NFC technology built in?
Yes. The NFC chip is built into the control console near the Bose logo on top of the console.
How do I pair a Bluetooth® device with the Lifestyle 550 using NFC?
Select the Bluetooth® source on the remote (or via the app). Ensure that your mobile device has NFC turned on. Gently tap the device near the Bose logo on the top of the control console and your device will automatically pair.
How do I pair a Bluetooth® device with the Lifestyle 550 system without using NFC?
Press and hold the Bluetooth® source button on the remote for several seconds until the light begins to flash. Ensure your mobile device is in pairing mode and select your Lifestyle 550 system. You also can pair your mobile device to your Lifestyle system using the SoundTouch app. In the app, find your Lifestyle system in the device tray, select “explore,” and then select Bluetooth®. On your mobile device, select the Lifestyle system.
Does the speaker support AirPlay?
Yes. Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility allows access to Apple Music and other music services via a Wi-Fi connection.
Is the Lifestyle 550 system compatible with Amazon Alexa-enabled products?
Yes. You can enjoy hands-free voice access to streaming music services, Internet radio and your stored library using any Alexa-enabled device—like the Amazon Echo Dot.
Do the speakers need to be hard-wired to the Lifestyle control console?
Yes. All five satellite speakers should be hard-wired to the console.
Can the wireless Bose Surround Speakers be added to Lifestyle 550?
Yes. But adding wireless rear speakers would necessitate replacing those that are included with the Lifestyle 550.
Are cables and connectors included with the Lifestyle 550 system?
Yes. Connections and setup are designed to be very user-friendly. Each speaker cable has a clearly marked, coloured connector for fast, easy connection. Furthermore, various adapters and cables are available to accommodate specific installation requirements.
How do I access SoundTouch music with the native RF remote?
You access SoundTouch music by selecting the “SoundTouch” button or selecting it from the source menu—similar to how you access other entertainment sources. From there, you can select one of your presets or browse the “Recents” list. The 1 through 6 buttons on the RF remote also will play a preset once the system is turned on and the SoundTouch source is selected.
Can the SoundTouch app control the Lifestyle 550?
The SoundTouch app allows you to turn on or switch to the SoundTouch source and then control volume. It will not control any of the other Lifestyle functions or control any attached sources. When a source other than SoundTouch is selected, it will control volume for those sources, but no device-specific functions.
Is it possible to rebroadcast the TV sound to another SoundTouch system?
Yes. You must be running SoundTouch software version 17.x or later. To rebroadcast TV sound, or sound from any of your console’s other wired input sources, first start playing the desired content on your system as you normally would, using the remote. Then, go to the SoundTouch app, find your system, and add the desired secondary systems.
What can I do with the Bose Skill?
With Bose Skill, you can play music on your SoundTouch speakers by talking to any Alexa-enabled device like an Amazon Echo Dot. For example, say “Alexa, play my jazz playlist in the Kitchen”, and the playlist will begin to play on the SoundTouch speaker named “Kitchen”. You can also control the music that’s playing—for example, say “Alexa, pause the music in the Kitchen”, “Alexa, resume the music in the Kitchen”, “Alexa, turn up the volume in the Kitchen”, “Alexa, skip to the next song in the Kitchen” and so on.
Which SoundTouch products are compatible with the Bose Skill?
The Bose Skill is compatible with all current generation SoundTouch speakers (SoundTouch 10, SoundTouch 20 Series III, SoundTouch 30 Series III, the SoundTouch 300 soundbar, Wave SoundTouch IV, the SoundTouch SA-5 amplifier, the SoundTouch Wireless Link adapter, and the Lifestyle 550, 600 and 650 home entertainment systems) and previous SoundTouch speakers/systems that support Bluetooth connectivity.
What music services work with the Bose Skill and SoundTouch?
The music services that currently work with the Bose Skill are Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn, SiriusXM and iHeartRadio.
Do I always have to say a speaker name with the Bose Skill?
Yes. Alexa will not know where to direct your commands unless you include the speaker name in your requests/commands.
Does the Bose Skill let me play music on multiple speakers at the same time?
No. There is currently no way to play music on multiple speakers using just your voice with the Bose Skill. However, you can still create groups in the SoundTouch app as normal, even if the music was started through the Bose Skill.
What is the Bose SoundTouch Control Skill for Alexa-enabled devices?
The Bose SoundTouch Control Skill for Alexa-enabled devices enables Bose SoundTouch customers to control elements of the SoundTouch experience through Alexa by speaking to an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Tap or any Alexa-enabled device.
What can the Bose SoundTouch Control Skill do?
With the Bose SoundTouch Control Skill, you can ask Alexa to:
Play music set to a SoundTouch preset. For example, “Alexa, ask Bose to play Preset 1”.
Play content in a specific room. For example, “Alexa, ask Bose to play Preset 1 in the Living Room”.
Play/pause/resume and skip tracks. For example, “Alexa, ask Bose to pause”.
Adjust volume. For example, “Alexa, ask Bose to turn this up”.
Play the same music everywhere. For example, “Alexa, ask Bose to turn this up”.
Find out what’s playing. For example, “Alexa, ask Bose what’s playing”.
Turn a system on or off. For example, “Alexa, ask Bose to turn off”.
How will existing customers be able to access the Bose SoundTouch Control Skill?
The Bose SoundTouch Control Skill will be available to all existing SoundTouch owners through a free software update. The Skill itself is free, and it is enabled through the Skills section of the Amazon Alexa app. An Alexa-enabled device like an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot is also required to use the Skill.