Introduction
The Acoustic Research Portable Wireless Speaker with 3.5mm jack lets you enjoy your music
anywhere, at home or on the go, with two ways to connect to your music. The 900MHz wireless
transmitter gives you 150ft* of room to roam from your audio source, great for outdoor
entertaining at home, with crystal-clear wireless audio. The speaker’s 3.5mm jack offers
a convenient connection option to use anywhere you go—just connect your MP3 player or
smartphone to the speaker, and enjoy!
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.acoustic-research.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).
L
M
R
DC
IN
Tour of the Speaker System
Tour of the Speaker System
3.5mm audio in cable
Speaker
Front Panel
POWER/LINKED
indicator (not shown) blinks
when the speaker is first powered on; it turns solid
blue when the speaker is tuned to the transmitter
Rear Panel
Bass Boost
button turns the speaker’s bass
enhancement on and off
Power
button turns the speaker on and off
Auto Scan
button rescans for the transmitter’s
signal
/–
buttons adjust the volume level
Bottom Panel
L/M/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
AWS53
DC IN
receives the small round end of one of the
included 9V 1200mA AC power adapters; remove the
protective cover to insert the adapter
AUDIO IN
connects directly to your MP3 player,
smartphone, or other portable audio device, using
the 3.5mm audio in cable provided
Battery Compartment Cover
(not shown)
remove to install 6 AA batteries
Carrying
handle
Transmitter
SIGNAL
indicator lights green when the audio is
present and the transmitter is broadcasting
POWER
indicator lights when the transmitter is on
CHANNEL 1 2 3
lets you find the best transmission
frequency for your environment
DC IN
jack receives the small round end of the
included 12V 200mA AC power adapter
AUDIO IN (R / L)
connects to your sound source
using one of the connection options shown here
Included Accessories
Note:
These power units should be
plugged in so that they stay vertical
or lie flat.
Back panel
Connecting the Speaker System
Connecting the Speaker System
Powering the Transmitter
Connect the small, round plug from the transmitter AC
power adapter to the transmitter’s DC IN 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).
Connecting to an Audio Source
Connecting to an MP3 player, smartphone, or other portable audio
device
This speaker offers two ways to listen to audio from a portable audio device: using the wireless
transmitter or connecting directly to the audio source.
Using the wireless transmitter
1. Plug the stereo plugs on the provided Y-adapter audio cable
into the AUDIO IN jacks on the back of the transmitter.
2. Plug the mini-plug end of the provided Y-adapter into the
headphone output of your MP3 player or other portable audio
device.
Using a direct connection
1. Connect one end of the provided 3.5mm audio in cable to the
AUDIO IN jack on the bottom of the speaker.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to the headphone output
on your MP3 player or other portable audio device.
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.
Connecting to an A/V Receiver
AC Power Adapters
1. Insert the small, round plug from the speaker AC
power adapter into the DC IN jack on the bottom 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 9V DC 1200 mA.
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.
To avoid electrical shock, use this product with caution near water sources if powered with the
AC adapter. Never submerge in water.
AA Batteries
1. Remove the battery compartment cover on the bottom 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 bottom of the speaker.
Note:
Place the rubber cap in the speaker power input jack 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.
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).
DC IN
CHANNEL
1 2 3
R AUDIO L
IN
SIGNAL
POWER
Top panel
A
Audio source
Speaker
(bottom panel)
3.5mm
audio in cable
1. Plug the stereo plugs on the provided Y-adapter audio
cable into the AUDIO IN jacks on the back of the
transmitter (make sure to match the colors on the plugs
and jacks).
2. Plug the mini-plug end of the provided Y-adapter into a
mini-jack to RCA adapter (not included).
3. 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 AWS53
Installation and Operation Manual
P
ORTABLE
Wireless
Speaker
W
ITH 3.5MM JACK
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
AWS53
for an extended period of time,
unplug the transmitter AC power adapter.
2. Set the channel select switch on the back of the transmitter
to one of the transmitter’s three broadcast frequencies: 1,
2 or 3. If you experience poor reception or interference, try
choosing a different frequency by moving the channel select
switch to another position.
When the transmitter is receiving an audio signal and is
ready, the SIGNAL indicator turns solid green.
DC IN
CHANNEL
1 2 3
R AUDIO L
IN
Channel
select
switch
Adjusting the Transmitter
1. Turn on your audio source (for example, A/V receiver, MP3 player, stereo, etc.) and play
music at a normal listening volume.
Note
If the SIGNAL indicator on the transmitter does not turn on, please check the following:
- Confirm the transmitter AC power adapter is securely connected.
- Confirm the cable from the transmitter is securely connected to the audio source output
(MP3 player, A/V receiver, etc.).
- Confirm the audio source is playing audio and is turned up.
Using the Speaker System