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
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.
Introduction
The AWS5B3 portable wireless speaker is the ultimate in portable sound that goes wherever
you go.
Bluetooth
wireless lets you stream and control your music from any
Bluetooth
-enabled
wireless product, great for anywhere you are. The 900MHz wireless transmitter gives you
150ft of room to roam from your audio source, great for outdoor entertaining at home. And
the speaker’s 3.5mm jack offers a convenient direct connection option to use everywhere in
between—just connect your MP3 player and enjoy.
This manual shows you how to set up all three connection options:
Bluetooth
wireless,
900MHz wireless, and the direct connect jack, beginning with a tour of the speaker and
included accessories. If, after having reviewed the instructions, you have any questions, please
call toll-free 1-800-732-6866 or visit www.acoustic-research.com.
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 qualifi ed 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 num bers 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 amplifi ers) that
produce heat.
8. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, con ve nience re cep ta cles, 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 qualifi ed service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been dam aged in any
way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
ap pa ra tus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not op er ate 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
Tour of the Speaker
Speaker
Included Accessories
900MHz Wireless Transmitter
Front panel
Power and Pairing indicator
shows the status
of the speaker.
Blue, slow blinking:
The speaker is on but not
paired or connected (like when you turn the
speaker on for the first time).
Blue, fast blinking:
The speaker is in
Bluetooth
pairing mode. See the Using
Bluetooth
Wireless
section for more information.
Solid blue:
The speaker is paired with a
Bluetooth
-enabled device and ready to play
audio.
Green, slow blinking:
The speaker is on and in
900MHz mode, but not linked with the wireless
transmitter.
Solid green:
The speaker is linked with the
900MHz wireless transmitter and ready to play
audio.
Rear panel
Bass Boost
button turns the speaker’s bass
enhancement on and off.
On-Off / RF-BT
turns the speaker on and off
(press and hold for four seconds). It also toggles
between
Bluetooth
wireless and 900MHz wireless
reception (press).
Scan-RF / Pair-BT
scans for the 900MHz
transmitter’s signal in 900MHz mode (press).
In
Bluetooth
wireless mode, press and hold this
button for four seconds to begin pairing with your
device.
/–
buttons adjust the speaker’s volume
level
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 fi nd 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
Powering the Speaker
3.5mm audio in cable
Model
AWS5B3
Installation and Operation Manual
Portable
Wireless
Speaker
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 AWS5B3 when streaming audio with
the 900MHz wireless transmitter
DC IN
receives the small round end of the
included 9V 1200mA AC power adapter; 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
using Bluetooth Wireless
Using 900MHz Wireless
Pairing
Any
Bluetooth-enabled
device that you wish to stream audio to your speaker system must fi rst
be paired to the speaker. The process is simple, and in most cases the pairing process needs to
be done only once.
To pair your
Bluetooth
-enabled device with the speaker:
1. Make sure your device’s
Bluetooth
is turned on. See the wireless and/or network settings
menu on your device to check.
2. If the speaker isn’t already on, press and hold the On-Off / RF-BT button for four seconds to
turn it on. You will hear a beep and the indicator light on the front of the speaker will start
fl ashing blue.
3. Press and hold the Scan-RF / Pair-BT button for four seconds to enter pairing mode. You will
hear a beep and the indicator on the front of the speaker will start blinking faster.
4. Open the
Bluetooth
settings menu on your device. Select “AWS5B3” from the list of devices
available (you might have to scan for devices). If your device asks for a password, enter
“0000”.
5. A confi rmation screen will appear on your device once the speaker and the device are
successfully paired. The blue indicator turns solid blue to indicate successful connection. The
speaker is now ready for you to stream audio from your device.
6. Start playing something on the device. You can control the speaker volume on the speaker
itself, using the Vol +/– buttons in front of the speaker, or on your device, using its volume
controls.
Note:
If you notice the sound from the speaker is distorted, turn down your device’s volume.
Note:
These power units should be plugged in so
that they stay vertical or lie fl at.
Back panel
DC IN
CHANNEL
1 2 3
R AUDIO L
IN
Top panel
Streaming Audio With
Bluetooth
Once you’ve paired and connected your device with the speaker, you can control music playback
from the palm of your hand. Select your music, stop it, change songs and playlists, all right from
your device’s screen.
To adjust volume:
Press the Vol +/– buttons in front of the speaker.
To disconnect from the speaker:
Either turn
Bluetooth
off on your device or choose
“Disconnect” from the list of options in your device’s
Bluetooth
settings.
To reconnect with the speaker:
Just turn the speaker on and wait a few seconds for the
speaker to fi nd and connect to your device. If the speaker still hasn’t found your device (which
may happen if, for instance, another device has been connected after yours) make sure the
speaker isn’t connected to another device currently. Then select the AWS5B3 from the list of
Bluetooth
connections available in your device’s
Bluetooth
menu to connect to it.
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 speaker AC power adapter
rated 12V DC 200 mA.
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 AWS5B3 for an extended period of time,
unplug the transmitter AC power adapter.