Acoustic Research ARS15 User Manual Download Page 1

This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions (1) This device 
may not cause harmful interference 
and (2) this device must accept any 
interference received, including 
interference that may cause undesired 
operation.

Contains FCC ID: ZJPARS15BC06X
Contains IC ID: 9668A-ARS15BC06X

RF Exposure Warning

This equipment must be installed and 
operated in accordance with provided 
instructions and the antenna(s) used 
for this transmitter must be installed to 
provide a separation distance of at least 
20 cm from all persons and must not be 
co-located or operating in conjunction 
with any other antenna or transmitter. 
End-users and installers must be provide 
with antenna installation instructions 
and transmitter operating conditions 
for satisfying RF exposure compliance.

Industry Canada 
Regulatory Information 

This device complies with Industry 
Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). 
Operation is subject to the following 
two conditions: (1) this device may not 
cause interference, and (2) this device 
must accept any interference, including 
interference that may cause undesired 
operation of the device.

The user is cautioned that this device 
should be used only as specifi ed within 
this manual to meet RF exposure 

shall be placed on the apparatus.

•   Always leave suffi cient space around 

the product for ventilation. Do 
not place product in or on a bed, 
rug, in a bookcase or cabinet that 
may prevent air fl ow through vent 
openings.

•   Do not place lighted candles, 

cigarettes, cigars, etc. on the 
product.

•   Care should be taken so that objects 

do not fall into the product.

•   Do not attempt to disassemble 

the cabinet. This product does 
not contain customer serviceable 
components.

•  The marking information is located 

at the bottom of apparatus.

•  To be completely disconnect the 

power input, the AC/DC adaptor 
of apparatus shall be disconnected 
from the mains.

•  AC/DC adaptor is a disconnect 

device. The AC/DC adaptor should 
not be obstructed OR should be 
easily accessed during intended use.

•  The ventilation should not be 

impeded by covering the ventilation 
openings with items such as 
newspaper, table-cloths, curtains etc.

•  No naked fl ame sources such as 

lighted candled should be placed on 
the apparatus.

•  Attention should be drawn to the 

environmental aspects of battery 
disposal.

•  The use of apparatus in moderate 

climates.

•  Use only with the 

cart, stand, tripod, 
bracket, or table 
specifi ed by the 
manufacturer, 
or sold with the 
apparatus. When a cart is used, 
use caution when moving the cart/
apparatus combination to avoid 
injury from tip-over.

•  Unplug this apparatus during 

lightning storms or when unused 
for long periods of time. 

•  Refer all servicing to qualifi ed 

service personnel. Servicing is 
required when the apparatus has 
been damaged in any way, such 
as power-supply cord or plug is 
damaged, liquid has been spilled 
or objects have fallen into the 
apparatus, the apparatus has been 
exposed to rain or moisture, does 
not operate normally, or has been 
dropped. 

ADDITIONAL SAFETY INFORMATION

•  The AC/DC adaptor supplied with 

this product is intended to be 
correctly oriented in a vertical or 
fl oor mount position.

•  Do not use unauthorized chargers 

or power adapters. Use only 
chargers that came with your 
product or that is listed in the user’s 
guide.

•   Apparatus shall not be exposed to 

dripping or splashing and no objects 
fi lled with liquids, such as vases, 

user 

manual

guide

 de l’utilisateur

EN/F

It is important to read this user manual prior to using your new product for the fi rst time.

Nous vous recommandons de lire ce manuel avant d’utiliser votre nouveau produit 
pour la première fois.

ARS15

v1.0 (1.0.1.0) (EN/F)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE READ AND SAVE THIS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Some of the following information may 
not apply to your particular product; 
however, as with any electronic product, 
precautions should be observed during 
handling and use.
•  Read these instructions. 
•  Keep these instructions. 
•  Heed all warnings. 
•  Follow all instructions. 
•  Do not use this apparatus near 

water. 

•  Clean only with dry cloth. 
•  Do not block any ventilation 

openings. Install in accordance with 
the manufacturer’s instructions. 

•  Do not install near any heat sources 

such as radiators, heat registers, 
stoves, or other apparatus (including 
amplifi ers) that produce heat. 

•  Protect the power cord from being 

walked on or pinched particularly at 
plugs, convenience receptacles, and 
the point where they exit from the 
apparatus. 

•  Only use attachments/accessories 

specifi ed by the manufacturer. 

© 2011 Audiovox Accessories Corporation

111 Congressional Blvd., Suite 350

Carmel, IN 46032

Trademark(s) ® Registered

Printed in China

]

Portable Cart Warning

Illustrations contained within this 
publication are for representation only 
and subject to change.

The descriptions and characteristics 
given in this document are given as 
a general indication and not as a 
guarantee. In order to provide the 
highest quality product possible, 
we reserve the right to make any 
improvement or modifi cation without 
prior notice.  

FCC Information

Note: 

This equipment has been tested 

and found to comply with the limits 
for a Class B digital device, pursuant 
to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits 
are designed to provide reasonable 
protection against harmful interference 
in a residential installation. This 
equipment generates, uses, and can 
radiate radio frequency energy and, if 
not installed and used in accordance 
with the instructions, may cause harmful 
interference to radio communications. 

However, there is no guarantee 
that interference will not occur in a 
particular installation. If this equipment 
does cause harmful interference to 
radio or television reception, which 
can be determined by turning the 
equipment off and on, the user is 
encouraged to try to correct the 
interference by one or more of the 
following measures:
•   Reorient or relocate the receiving 

antenna.

•   Increase the separation between the 

equipment and receiver.

•   Connect the equipment into an 

outlet on a circuit different from 
that to which the receiver is 
connected.

•   Consult the dealer or an 

experienced radio/TV technician for 
help.

Changes or modifi cations not expressly 
approved by Audiovox could void 
the user’s authority to operate the 
equipment.

Visit 

http://store.audiovox.com 

to find the 

best accessories for your products.

Warranty information

Troubleshooting tips

Auxiliary source

USB charging

Congratulations on purchasing your 
ARS15 

Bluetooth

 wireless technology 

stereo amplifi ed speaker!  This 
product can provide you hours of 
music enjoyment by allowing you to 
wirelessly stream audio content from 
your mobile device such as a mobile 
phone or tablet or computer. No longer 
do you need to have your mobile phone 
tethered to your audio system. You 
can roam around the house or offi ce 
while texting, or gaming, or using some 
other functions of your mobile phone,  
while still listening to the great music 
played back through your ARS15 stereo 
speakers.  You can also charge your 
mobile devices through the USB port, 
or even listen to other portable audio 
sources such as mp3 players through the 
auxiliary line input.* 

* The mobile device must support 

Bluetooth

 

version 2.1 + EDR and A2DP (Advanced Audio 
Distribution Profi le). Not all mobile devices can 
support multitasking such as listening to music 
and texting at the same time. Not all mobile 
phones will be compatible with the charging 
ports.

Content of the box 

• Main 

unit

• AC/DC 

Adaptor

•  4 in 1 charging cable

Front view

 

– Turn on/off the ARS15

PAIR 

– Enter Pairing mode or Searching 

mode; start/pause music playback

SOURCE 

– Switch between 

Bluetooth 

wireless mode and AUX IN

VOL-/VOL+ 

– Adjust volume

Green LED 

– Turns on when AUX IN is 

activated

Pairing

Reconnecting

Reconnecting

Music playback

Any 

Bluetooth

 device that you wish to 

have streaming audio to your ARS15 
must fi rst be PAIRED to the ARS15.  The 
process is simple, and in most cases the 
PAIRING process needs to be done only 
once.

Pairing your 

Bluetooth 

wireless 

technology enabled products with 
the ARS15:

1. Activate the 

Bluetooth

 wireless 

mode on your 

Bluetooth

 device. 

Refer to the device user manual for 
more details.

2. Press   to turn on the ARS15. The 

red LED will light.

3.  Press and hold the 

PAIR

 button on 

the ARS15 to enter Pairing mode. 
The red LED and blue LED will fl ash 
alternatively. 

4.  You should be able to see “AR 

ARS15” on the device list in the 

Bluetooth

 settings menu on your 

Bluetooth

 device where you can 

complete the pairing operation. 
Note in some cases you may be 
prompted to enter a passkey. The 
passkey is “0000”. 

5. A confi rmation screen will appear 

on your 

Bluetooth

 device once 

the ARS15 and the device are 
successfully paired. The blue LED 

1.  To select auxiliary mode, connect 

your auxiliary source (e.g. mp3 
player) to the AUX input jack at the 
back of the ARS15 with an audio 
cable (not supplied).

2. Press 

SOURCE

 button to listen 

to AUX. The green LED will turn 
on. Control all other playback 
operations from your auxiliary 
player.

In the previous section you saw how 
to make that fi rst connection between 
your 

Bluetooth

 device and the ARS15. 

However, since most people don’t leave 
their mobile phone at home all the 
time, or perhaps the mobile phone is 
turned off from time to time, it will be 
necessary to reconnect your previously 
paired 

Bluetooth

 device when you wish 

to stream music again. There are a few 
different ways in which reconnections 
are made, and fortunately they are all 
very simple. 

Searching mode

When the ARS15 is in SEARCHING 
MODE (which is indicated by a steady 
fl ashing of the Blue LED),  the ARS15 is 
attempting to automatically connect to 
the most recently connected 

Bluetooth

 

device. SEARCHING MODE typically 
occurs when the ARS15 is fi rst turned 
on, or if the 

Bluetooth

 device goes 

out of the range. See the section on 

Bluetooth

 wireless technology range. 

Once this most recent device is back 
within range, the re-connection should 
be automatic. However, it may be 
necessary to initiate the audio playback 
on the 

Bluetooth

 device. Note that the 

Searching mode will revert to 

Bluetooth

 

Standby Mode (see next section) if no 
re-connection is made within 3 minutes. 

When your 

Bluetooth

 device is 

connected with the ARS15, the blue LED 
lights. Press 

PAIR 

to play/pause music on 

your device. Press 

VOL-/VOL+ 

to adjust 

the volume. 

Synchronization of 
Volume Control

Follow these steps to synchronize the 
volume control between your 

Bluetooth

 

device and your ARS15.
1.  First, it is recommended to 

PAUSE

 

your music source during this 
process. 

2.  Adjust the volume control on your 

Bluetooth

 device to maximum. 

3.  Then adjust the volume control on 

your ARS15 to maximum. 

4. At this point, your ARS15 volume 

control will properly track the 
volume control on your 

Bluetooth

 

device. 

5.  Turn down the volume on your 

Bluetooth

 device to a mid level, and 

then hit 

PLAY

 to enjoy your music. 

Use the USB jacks on the right of the 
ARS15 to charge your tablet or cell 
phones.

If you are using a tablet device:

You may fi nd it necessary to use the 
provided 4 in 1 charging cable to 
connect your tablet device to the USB 
jack on the left. Your tablet device 
should start charging. The ARS15 
supports iPad® charging.

If you are using a cell phone:

You may fi nd it necessary to use the 
provided 4 in 1 charging cable to 
connect your cell phone to either one of 
the USB jacks. 

• Some 

Bluetooth

 devices 

will automatically start 
streaming audio when 
connected.

•  The ARS15 can store settings 

for up to 8 

Bluetooth

 

devices which simplifi es the 
connection process for these 
devices without the need for 
re-pairing every time.

•  The term “

Bluetooth

 device” 

is used frequently in these 
instructions. So what is a 

Bluetooth

 device”? The 

answer is simple. This would 
be any mobile phone or 
mobile tablet or netbook 
or computer which has at 
least both of the following 
capabilities: 

a) Is equipped with 

Bluetooth

 

wireless technology:   

Bluetooth

 version 2.1 + EDR 

and A2DP.

b) Can playback audio content 

such as mp3 fi les, etc.

•  You can always enter 

Pairing mode by pressing 
and holding 

PAIR

 while 

in either SEARCHING MODE or 

BLUETOOTH

 STANDBY MODE.

•  If during SEARCHING MODE 

(Blue LED is fl ashing steadily), 
you wish to quickly connect 
any other 

Bluetooth

 device 

(including those previously 
paired), simply press/hold the 

PAIR

 button to enter PAIRING 

mode, and proceed to PAIR 
the 

Bluetooth

 device (see 

PAIRING section).   

•  Generally when the user 

disables 

the Bluetooth 

wireless

 

connection 

on a connected 

Bluetooth

 device the ARS15 

will enter 

Bluetooth

 Standby 

mode which means that the 
ARS15 would be available 
for other previously paired 

Bluetooth

 devices to connect 

(See 

Bluetooth 

Standby 

Mode section for more 
information). However, in 
some cases, the disabling of 

Bluetooth 

wireless connection 

on the connected 

Bluetooth

 

device may not result in the 
ARS15 immediately entering 

Bluetooth

 Standby mode, and 

may enter Searching Mode. 
(See Searching Mode section 
for more information) 

Right view

USB jacks

 

that charge your 

tablet devices or cell phones. 
See USB jack section for 
more information.

12 Month Limited Warranty
Applies to AR Dock Products

AUDIOVOX ACCESSORIES CORP. (the 
Company) warrants to the original retail 
purchaser of this product that should 
this product or any part thereof, under 
normal use and conditions, be proven 
defective in material or workmanship 
within 12 months from the date of 
original purchase, such defect(s) will be 
repaired or replaced with reconditioned 
product (at the Company’s option) 
without charge for parts and repair 
labor.

To obtain repair or replacement 
within the terms of this Warranty, the 
product is to be delivered with proof 
of warranty coverage (e.g. dated bill 
of sale), specifi cation of defect(s), 
transportation prepaid, to the Company 
at the address shown below.

This Warranty does not extend to the 
elimination of externally generated 
static or noise, to correction of 
antenna problems, loss/interruptions of 
broadcast or internet service, to costs 
incurred for installation, removal or 
reinstallation of product, to corruptions 
caused by computer viruses, spyware or 
other malware, to loss of media, fi les, 
data or content, or to damage to tapes, 
discs, removable memory devices or 
cards, speakers, accessories, computers, 
computer peripherals, other media 

Q: Cannot turn on the ARS15 when 

charging.

A: The ARS15 will shut down to protect 

itself from damage when charging 
is overloaded. To resume operation, 
disconnect the USB connection and 
turn on the ARS15 again.

Q: Streaming stops and the Power 

LED turns off when plugging in 
device to the USB jack.

A: The ARS15 will shut down to protect 

itself from damage when charging 
is overloaded. To resume operation, 
disconnect the USB connection and 
turn on the ARS15 again.

Q: No sound or sound is very low.    

A: Make sure the 

Bluetooth

 wireless 

connection is correct and playback 
has been successfully started. Check 
the volume level of the ARS15 
and your 

Bluetooth

 device. (See 

Music Playback section for more 
information)

players, home networks or vehicle 
electrical systems.

This Warranty does not apply to any 
product or part thereof which, in the 
opinion of the Company, has suffered 
or been damaged through alteration, 
improper installation, mishandling, 
misuse, neglect, accident, or by removal 
or defacement of the factory serial 
number/bar code label(s). THE EXTENT 
OF THE COMPANY’S LIABILITY UNDER 
THIS WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO THE 
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT PROVIDED 
ABOVE AND, IN NO EVENT, SHALL THE 
COMPANY’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE 
PURCHASE PRICE PAID BY PURCHASER 
FOR THE PRODUCT.

This Warranty is in lieu of all other 
express warranties or liabilities. ANY 
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING 
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF 
MERCHANTABILITY, SHALL BE LIMITED 
TO THE DURATION OF THIS WRITTEN 
WARRANTY. ANY ACTION FOR BREACH 
OF ANY WARRANTY HEREUNDER 
INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY 
OF MERCHANTABILITY MUST BE 
BROUGHT WITHIN A PERIOD OF 24 
MONTHS FROM DATE OF ORIGINAL 
PURCHASE. IN NO CASE SHALL THE 
COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR ANY 
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL 
DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF THIS OR 
ANY OTHER WARRANTY. No person or 
representative is authorized to assume 

for the Company any liability other than 
expressed herein in connection with the 
sale of this product.

Some states do not allow limitations on 
how long an implied warranty lasts or 
the exclusion or limitation of incidental 
or consequential damage so the above 
limitations or exclusions may not apply 
to you. This Warranty gives you specifi c 
legal rights and you may also have 
other rights which vary from state to 
state.
 

Recommendations before returning 
your product for a warranty claim:

•  Properly pack your unit. Include 

any remotes, memory cards, cables, 
etc. which were originally provided 
with the product. However DO NOT 
return any removable batteries, 
even if batteries were included 
with the original purchase. We 
recommend using the original 
carton and packing materials. Ship 
to the address shown below.

•  Note that product will be returned 

with factory default settings. 
Consumer will be responsible to 
restore any personal preference 
settings.

Audiovox Electronics Corp.
Attn: Service Department.
150 Marcus Blvd.  
Hauppauge N.Y. 11788

1-800-645-4994
     

For Canada Customers, please ship to:
Audiovox Return Centre
c/o Genco
6685 Kennedy Road,
Unit#3, Door 16,
Mississuaga, Ontario
L5T 3A5

•  You may use both USB 

jacks at the same time.

•  Charging function may 

not be supported for all 
phones, tablets or electronic 
devices.

•  The adapters provided may not 

work with all devices.

•  The provided 4 in 1 charging 

cable works with some models 
from
• Blackberry
• Nokia
• Samsung
•  HTC cell phones only. 

 

Use the appropriate USB cable 
provided with your cell phone 
or tablet if your brand is not 
listed above. 

•  Charging function is always 

enabled as long as the  
AC/DC adapter is plugged in 
and connected.

•  Note that it may be 

necessary to resynchronize 
the volume control if the 
Bluetooth device goes out 
of range or if a new Bluetooth 
device is paired.

•  You can always enter 

Pairing mode by pressing 
and holding 

PAIR

 while in 

either SEARCHING MODE or 

BLUETOOTH

 STANDBY MODE.

requirements. Use of this device in a 
manner inconsistent with this manual 
could lead to excessive RF exposure 
condition.

This Class B digital apparatus 
complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe 
B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 
du Canada.

Electrical power 
information

AC/DC adaptor:
Input: 100-240 V AC  50/60 Hz, 1.0 A
Output: 5 V DC, 3 A

Specifi cation

Bluetooth

® wireless technology: 

Bluetooth

 v2.1 + EDR, A2DP / AVRCP 

profi le
Audio output power (10%THD) :   
2W x 2

Acoustic Research is a registered 
trademark of Audiovox Electronics 
Corporation.

The 

Bluetooth

® word mark and logos 

are registered trademarks owned by 
Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of
such marks by Audiovox Electronics 
Corporation is under license. Other 
trademarks and trade names are those 
of their respective owners.

iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., 
registered in the U.S. and other 
countries.

Before you begin

General controls

General controls

Rear view

Connect to the power adapter

For charging tablet devices. 
This jack may also be used 
for charging other mobile 
devices.

Bluetooth

 Standby mode

If the most recently connected 

Bluetooth

 device can not be found 

within three minutes during Searching 
Mode, then the ARS15 will revert to 

BLUETOOTH

 STANDBY MODE. The 

Blue LED will fl ash slowly while in 
this 

BLUETOOTH

 STANDBY MODE. 

While in this mode, the ARS15 will 
accept connection from any previously 
paired 

Bluetooth

 devices (up to 8 

devices).  Simply initiate the connection 
to the ARS15 on your 

Bluetooth

 device. 

See your 

Bluetooth

 device for more 

information. 

Also note that you can re-enter 
SEARCHING mode by a single press of 
the 

PAIR 

button.

Bluetooth

 range

The 

Bluetooth

 wireless technology 

generally can operate within a range 
of 35 feet or more. However results 
may vary based on other factors such 
as room layout, wall material, weather 
conditions, etc. Also, note that when a 
mobile device goes out of range, the 
ARS15 will enter Searching mode and 
will attempt to automatically reconnect 
to the mobile device when that mobile 
device comes back into range. (See 
Searching Mode section for more 
information)

Plugging in for power

Connect the supplied power adapter to 
the ARS15’s Power jack, and connect the 
other end to a convenient wall outlet.

will continuously light to indicate 
successful connection.

You can manually break the 

Bluetooth 

wireless connection by a press and hold 
of the 

PAIR

 button.

Connection indicators

Status  

 

 

 

 

Pairing mode

Bluetooth

    

connection 
made

Searching  
mode (auto-
connect to the 
most recent 
connected 
device)

Bluetooth

 

Standby mode 
(available for 
connection from 
any previously 
paired device)

Power off  
mode

Blue LED 

Red LED 

(

Bluetooth

 (Power 

connection  

indicator) 

indicator)

Flash alternatively

On On 
 

 

Flash On 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flash slowly  On 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off Off 

Bluetooth 

connection and power 

indicators:

Q: My paired 

Bluetooth

 device can 

not reconnect to the ARS15.

A: Press and hold 

PAIR

 to enter Pairing 

mode again. A reconnection may 
fail due to :

•  The pairing information has been 

deleted from your 

Bluetooth

 device.

•  You may have exceeded the 

allowable number of paired devices 
for the ARS15. Only 8 

Bluetooth

 

devices may have their pairing 
credentials stored at one time. 
Simply follow the above instructions 
for Pairing to have a device paired 
again. However remember that the 
ARS15 can only store credentials 
for 8 devices. Therefore the earliest 
paired device will be removed from 
that list of 8 to make room for the 
device you wish to Pair. 

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