Bose AV20 vs AV35

[kpoels]

Hi, what's the main differences between the AV20 and AV35 consoles in terms of functionality, features and compatibility with speakers?

Hope somebody on the forum can enlighten me?

[neonsnight]

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 wrote:

Hi, what's the main differences between the AV20 and AV35 consoles in terms of functionality, features and compatibility with speakers?

Hope somebody on the forum can enlighten me?

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I broadly go over some of their differences and similarities in this upgrade guide. 

 

The AV20 & AV35 receivers were sold from 2010 until 2016. But halfway through they were modified.

1. 2010-2013 BoseLink multi-room
   1. Please read this post about Boselink as the AV18/AV38/AV48 expansion room remotes are incompatible with them.
   2. There are ways to use some Boselinked speakers without having a compatible receiver connected to them.
2. 2013-2016 SoundTouch/WiFi multi-room ONLY for AV35 (You need the external adapter for wifi)
   1. There are two generations of the adapter. The SoundTouch Series II wireless adapter includes Bluetooth, but neither feature AirPlay. 
   2. FYI. Bose sold another item called the SoundTouch Wireless Link adapter. This has a confusingly similar name but is not designed specifically for Bose SoundTouch receivers.

Sadly, Bose did not appear to distinguish which version they are on the label. You can discover which one you have by checking the receivers wattage. The BoseLink version requires 20W of power, while the SoundTouch version requires 35W of power.

 

The Basic difference between the AV20/AV35:

• the AV35 (20W & 35W) version adds : Radio, iPod Dock, & a Remote with an LCD screen
• the AV35 (20W) version adds : Boselink Out expansion
• the AV35 (35W) version adds : SoundTouch capabilities

AV20 receiver

AV35 receiver

The AV20 receiver (20W & 35W)	The AV35 receiver (20W & 35W)
AV20 (20W) 1x Boselink in AV20 (35W) 1x Non-functioning Boselink in (might be labelled "Service") Options found on all AV20 & AV35 receivers Video: 1x HDMI video output (Max 1080p) 4x HDMI video inputs (3 rear & 1 front) (Max 1080p) 2x Component video inputs 3x Composite video inputs (2 rear & 1 front) Audio (excluding HDMI Audio): 3x Digital Coax audio inputs 3x Digital Optical audio inputs 3x RCA audio inputs (2 rear & 1 front) 1x Front 3.5mm headphone audio out Other: 1x Front USB port 1x 3.5mm data port 1x 3.5mm IR extension output 1x Subwoofer port (Might be labelled "Acoustimass Module" or  "Audio Out") 1x Kensington Security Slot 1x Power port	AV35 (20W) 1x Boselink in 1x Boselink Out AV35 (35W) 1x SoundTouch port (labeled Boselink in) 1x Non-functioning Boselink out Color: AV20 - Silver AV35 - Black   Options not found on AV20 receivers  AV35 (20W & 35W):   Audio Input: 3x RCA inputs on HDMI 1-3 (analog audio needed for boselink expansion) 1x FM Radio RF Coax F-type connector  1x AM Radio 2.5mm port 1x iPod/iPhone dock connector Other: LCD screen on RC35 remote 1x 2.5mm Homewide antenna port (for Boselink expansion) 1x Rear USB port
AV20	AV35
RC20T RC-X20	RC35T-L RC-X35L

The AV35's remote has an LCD screen on it & the AV20 does not. The RGYB buttons are found on RC-X20 & RC-X35L remotes. You can use an AV35 remote with an AV20 receiver.

 

An AV35 receiver requires either 3 or 4 items to be operational (excluding the subwoofer & speakers):

1. AV35 receiver (there are two versions of the AV35)
   1. BoseLink multi-room (20W)
   2. SoundTouch/WiFi multi-room (35W)
      1. With SoundTouch Series II wireless adapter.
2. RC35T-L or RC-X35L RF remote
3. AV35 power brick (20W/35W)

I made this table to help you know what works together:

Lifestyle A/V Subwoofers	Compatible A/V Receivers
LSPS & LSPS II 2001-2006  PS18 / PS28 / LSPS PS18II / PS28II / PS38 / PS48	2001-2004 AV28 18, 28, 35   2004-2009 AV18 AV38 AV48 18II, 28II, 35II 38 48
LSPS III 2006-2016 PS18III / PS28III / PS35III / PS38III / PS48III	2004-2009 AV18 AV38 AV48 18III, 28III, 35III 38III 48III 35IV 38IV 48IV   2007-2010 MC1 V10, V20, V30 2010-2013 AV20 (20W) AV35 (20W) T10, T20 135, 235, V25, V35 2013-2016 AV20 (35W) AV35 (35W) 510, 520 135II, 235II, 525II, 535II - 135III, 235III, 525III, 535III - ST135, ST525, ST535

 

I found this image online a little while ago. The V25 uses the AV35 and the T20 uses the AV20, both use the same sub and speakers, so the receiver is the only difference between the two systems.

I hope that this helps solve your question 🙂

[kpoels]

thanks so much NeonsNight, that's cristal clear!