Acoustic Research AW828 Installation And Operation Manual Download Page 1

Introduction

AR’s Wireless Speaker System eliminates the hardest part of adding speakers to your home—
running and hiding hundreds of feet of speaker wire. The AR Wireless Speaker System’s RF 
signal travels with ease through walls, floors, ceilings and other obstacles, delivering high-
quality sound virtually anywhere inside the house or out. With drift- and static-free reception 
along with outstanding range—up to 150 feet*—the possibilities for enjoying your AR Wireless 
Speaker System are nearly unlimited.  The AR Wireless Speaker System is compatible with 
most audio sources, such as A/V receivers/amps, stereos, computers, TVs, DVD players, and 
portable devices (CD players, cassette players, MP3s etc.). And the removable planter included 
with this speaker lets you put your favorite plant right where you hear your favorite music, 
with special channels the keep the water from the planter away from the speaker. 

This manual covers various connection options and detailed operating instructions for making 
the AR Wireless Speaker System a valued part of your lifestyle. If, after having reviewed the 
instructions, you have any questions, please call toll-free 1-800-732-6866 or visit  
www.araccessories.com.

*Range may vary according to environment.

Important Information

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. 

DO NOT OPEN.

CAUTION

Caution:

 To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user 

serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

Product Information

Keep your sales receipt to obtain warranty parts and service and for proof of purchase. Attach it here and record the 
serial and model numbers in case you need them. These numbers are located on the product. 
Model No.: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Purchase Date: _________________________________________________________________________________________  
Dealer/Address/Phone: __________________________________________________________________________________

Important Safety Instructions

1.   Read these instructions.
2.  Keep these instructions.
3.  Heed all warnings.
4.  Follow all instructions.
5.  Clean only with dry cloth.
6.  Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
7.   Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that 

produce heat.

8.  Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where 

they exit from the apparatus.

9.  Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
10. Refer all servicing to qualified 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.

Care and Maintenance

• Always use a soft cloth to clean the speaker and transmitter. Never use any product containing alcohol or other solvents 

as they may damage the surface.

• Use caution when plugging the power transformers in an AC outlet to avoid the risk of electric shock.
• If the speaker are used outside on a deck or patio, make sure you take them indoors in the event of a rainstorm to 

prevent possible damage.

• Do not operate or store the system in extreme temperatures (below 32ºF/0ºC and above 122ºF/50ºC).
• To avoid electrical shock, use this product with caution near water sources if powered with the AC adapter. Never 

submerge in water. 

Tour of the Speaker System

Speaker/Removable Planter

Removable planter

 holds potted plants or other 

decorative items, either in a separate pot or in the 
planter itself. Remove it during speaker setup and see 
the planter instructions on the other side of this sheet

Battery Compartment Cover

 remove to install 6 AA 

batteries.

Front Panel

Planter

Transmitter

Front Panel

POWER

 indicator lights blue when audio is 

present and the transmitter is broadcasting

Back Panel

CHANNEL 1 2 3

 lets you find the best 

transmission frequency for your environment

DC INPUT

 jack receives the small round end 

of the included 12V 100mA AC power adapter

Included 
Accessories

Note:

 These power units 

should be plugged in so 
that they stay vertical or 
lie flat.

Setting up the Speaker System

Powering the Transmitter

Connect the small, round plug from the 
transmitter AC power adapter to the 
transmitter’s DC INPUT jack. Plug the other end 
of the transmitter AC power adapter into any 
standard 120V AC wall outlet.

Note:

 Be sure to use the AC power adapter 

rated 12V DC 200 mA (it has the smaller 
diameter plug).

Transmitter 
(back panel)

120V AC

wall outlet

AC Power

Adapter

Connecting to an Audio Source

Connecting to an MP3 player, CD player, or computer

Plug the transmitter’s built-in AUDIO INPUT cable into 
headphone output of your MP3 player or CD player (or 
audio output jack on your computer). 

Warning:

 This product is designed to work with 

line level outputs or headphone outputs only. 

DO 

NOT

 connect it directly to speaker outputs as it will 

permanently damage the transmitter.

Powering the Speaker

There are two options to power your wireless speaker: using the included AC power adapter or 
using 6 AA batteries (not included).

AC Power Adapters

Connecting to an A/V Receiver

1.  Plug the transmitter’s built-in AUDIO INPUT cable 

into a mini-jack to RCA adapter (not included).

2.  Connect the stereo plugs on the mini-jack to RCA 

adapter to the corresponding left and right audio 
outputs of your A/V receiver, amp, or other audio 
source.

Model 

AW828

Installation and Operation Manual

Wireless  

Indoor/Outdoor Speaker  

With Planter

Transmitter AC/DC 12V 

100mA adapter

Note:

 There is no transmitter ON/OFF switch. The transmitter is designed to be left plugged 

in and powered at all times. If you will not be using the AW828 for an extended period of time, 
unplug the transmitter AC power adapter.

Audio

source

Transmitter 

(back panel)

A/V Receiver

Audio Output

Transmitter 

(back panel)

Mini-jack to RCA 

adapter (not included)

ANALOG INPUT

 cable (built in) connects to your sound source using one of the 

connection options shown here

Speaker

Battery 

compartment 

cover

ON/OFF/TUNE

 button turns the speaker on and off (push and hold), and tunes the 

speaker to the transmitter if you are having problems linking (push).

POWER

 indicator turns red when the speaker is first turned on; it turns blue when the 

speaker is tuned to the transmitter.

 adjusts the speaker’s volume. 

Back Panel

Back panel door

 keeps the back panel safe from the 

elements when not in use; pull up on the tab on the right 
side of the door to access the back panel.

DC IN

 jack receives the small round end of the included 

12V 600mA AC power adapter.

Back panel door

L/Mono/R

 switch determines if the speaker plays sound in mono as a stand-alone speaker, 

or plays the left or right track in a stereo pair with an additional AR wireless speaker

Speaker AC/DC 12V 

600mA adapter

AC power
adapter

120V AC

wall outlet

Back of the speaker

1.   Insert the small, round plug from the speaker AC 

power adapter into the DC IN jack on the back of the 
speaker.

2.  Plug the other end of the speaker AC power adapter 

into any standard 120V AC wall outlet. 

Note:

 Be sure to use the speaker AC power adapter 

rated 12V DC 600 mA.

Installing Batteries in the Speaker

1.  Remove the battery compartment cover on the top of the speaker.
2.  Insert six (6) AA batteries (not included) into the speaker following the polarity (”+” and “-”) 

as diagrammed inside the battery compartment.

3.  Replace the battery compartment cover on the top of the speaker.

Note:

 Keep the door covering the speaker back panel closed when using batteries.

DO NOT

 mix batteries with different chemistry types (for example, a zinc battery with an alkaline 

battery). 

DO NOT

 mix new and used batteries. 

DO NOT 

leave batteries installed in the product 

when not in use for long periods. Always remove old, weak or worn-out batteries promptly and recycle 
or dispose of them in accordance with local and national regulations.

Warning: 

This product is water-resistant, not waterproof. Avoid 

prolonged exposure to wet environments, such as rain, mist, dew, etc. In 

other words, you can take it out, just don’t leave it out. If you plan to use 

the speaker in a humid or wet environment, we recommend powering it with 

batteries instead of with the power adapter.

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