help to replace Bose Lifestyle 25 but keep speakers

You might just want to look for another bose unit on ebay. Im not sure if those speakers are compatible with a regular receiver.

If you want to start over with a new receiver, there may still be an adapter that converts those old proprietary Bose connectors to standard connectors. Check with Bose for that.

If that doesn't work, you have two choices, you can rip out that speaker wire and re-run it, or just run new wire for your new speakers without running it through the wall.

Make sense?

Hello Arjay1,

Did you find a way to connect your old Bose speakers to a new non Bose receiver? I have the same senario you describe, the old Lifestyle 25 control unit has quit but the jewel and subwoofer speakers are still good and I would like to continue using them if at all possible. I would certainly appreciate any help you could offer since my situation is exactly the same as yours.

Thank you.

Aren't the satellite speakers just connected to the Acoustimass module by ordinary wire? I think it is a very small gauge, like 18, but it is still ordinary wire. If you got a receiver all you would have to do is disconnect the wires from the Acoustimass and connect them to the receiver. If you don't have enough cable length to strip off the RCA end, just buy RCA extension cables and strip off one end to connect to the receiver's binding posts. They STILL might not work because the impedance is probably really low for those satellite speakers. Since Bose NEVER publishes any REAL data on their speakers and Acoustimass module, using them with a receiver that is typically rated at 8 Ohms would be a huge gamble. You can get a GENERAL idea of the impedance by testing the speaker's terminals with a MultiMeter set to Ohms. Again, no telling what Bose is doing in the Acoustimass module, so they might have additional electronics in the module that affects the speakers.

As far as using the Acoustimass bass. That probably isn't going to happen because Bose uses a proprietary multi-pin cable to pass audio to the module. Probably better just to buy a decent subwoofer. I still think a receiver and sub can be had for under 500 Quid.
Edited by jevans64 - 12/2/12 at 12:28am

It would be better to test them right at the speaker, but I realize you can't do that because they are recessed into a brick wall. I still think you are safe with getting a mid-level receiver, like Onkyo 414/515 or Denon 1513/1713. You could probably save a bundle by going with Onkyo or Denon previous year models. Only thing that was really added was 4K and a few streaming option. You might have to hunt down some 2010 models if you need more legacy inputs. The 2012/13 models did away with a lot of analog inputs in favor of HDMI inputs. A receiver is going to be under 300 quid. A sub can cost as much or more depending on how much power you want. A powered sub in the 200 watt range should be enough for your setup.

The good thing about going with a receiver is you get up-to-date surround processing. The LifeStyle 25 was really only a 2-channel system that simulated surround with processing done in the Acoustimass module. Any receiver these days is going to be 5.1 discreet surround. Those Onkyo and Denon models I listed will have 5 pairs of outputs for L/R/C/SL/SR and an LFE output ( usually RCA ) for a subwoofer.