Whether you're playing your favorite songs or streaming a movie on your TV, it's vital to have quality speakers to really get the full experience. Bose is one of the top names when it comes to speakers and audio equipment—and it's widely recognized as a brand that you can trust. However, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just posted a recall notice for over 1 million Bose speakers due to safety concerns. Read on to find out more about the latest recall.
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You may have had this speaker for quite some time.
BoseThe saying goes, "They don't make them like they used to," and you may find that to be true when it comes to older, sturdier electronics. Bose products were certainly built to last, but if you invested in a sound system decades ago, you should make sure it's not putting you at risk.
According to the latest CPSC recall notice, Bose is recalling its Acoustimas, Lifestyle and Companion bass models manufactured before 2006. As over 1,000,000 of these were sold—and now pose a safety threat—you may want to give your home theater system a once-over.
Speakers were sold at a range of retailers.
ShutterstockPer the recall notice, roughly 884,000 speakers were sold in the U.S., 98,000 were sold in Canada, and 18,300 were sold in Mexico between Jan. 1994 and April 2007.
Speakers were available at Bose stores, Best Buy, Sam's Club, Sears, and the now-defunct Circuit City, as well as electronic stores nationwide. Recalled speakers were also sold online at Bose.com and retailed for anywhere between $200 and $2,200.
The speakers have caught fire or melted in 21 instances.
Shutterstock/Benjamin ClappThe CPSC warns that there's an issue with the speaker's electrical components, which "can fail, posing a fire hazard." So far, Bose has received 21 reports worldwide of the bass speakers igniting or melting. Three incidents resulted in property damage, but there have been no injuries.
To determine if you have a recalled speaker, you should unplug the module and turn it around to see the label, according to Bose's recall page. You can then locate the product name and serial number, which will either be on the bottom or the back, depending on the model you have.
The company recommends writing down the relevant details "for easy access when needed."
You can compare these details against Bose's complete list of affected products (available on the recall page) and start the self-service process online. The CPSC also has a list of affected product names and date codes for your reference.
You can get a free repair or score a discount on a new speaker.
bzzup / ShutterstockIf your speaker is part of the recall, stop using it and don't plug it back in or reconnect it to electrical power, per Bose's instructions.
Truly attached to your trusty speaker? According to the CPSC, you can simply return it to Bose for a free repair. But if you're not interested in a complimentary fix, you can also save on a new speaker.
"Alternatively, given the age of your product, you may elect to return your bass model in exchange for a 40 percent discount on a new Bose Soundbar, which is our newer all-in-one music and home theater sound solution," the company says.
For specific questions about the recall, contact Bose at 888-260-0819 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) or between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
