Sony ZS-PS55B Operating Instructions

Personal Audio System
Operating Instructions
©2015 Sony Corporation
ZS-PS55B
The unit is not disconnected from the AC power
source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall
outlet, even if the unit itself has been turned off.
Do not install the appliance in a confined space,
such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet.
Excessive sound pressure from earphones and
headphones can cause hearing loss.
Do not expose the batteries (battery pack or
WARNING
batteries installed) to excessive heat such as
sunshine, fire or the like for a long time.
To reduce the risk of fire, do not cover the ventilation
The nameplate is located on the bottom exterior.
opening of the appliance with newspapers,
tablecloths, curtains, etc. Do not expose the
appliance to naked flame sources (for example,
lighted candles).
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing, and
do not place objects filled with liquids, such as
vases, on the apparatus.
As the main plug is used to disconnect the unit from
the mains, connect the unit to an easily accessible
AC outlet. Should you notice an abnormality in the
unit, disconnect the main plug from the AC outlet
immediately.
Power Sources
Connect the AC power cord  , or insert six R14 (size C) batteries (not supplied) into the battery compartment
To a wall outlet
To AC IN
AC power cord (supplied)
Rear
Notes
 When using the radio on batteries and the battery power drops to a certain level, the OPR/BATT indicator
the radio may go off during playback. If this happens, replace all the batteries with new ones. Even after the OPR/BATT indicator

becomes dim, you can use the radio function for some time, although you cannot use the CD player. Before you replace the
batteries, be sure to remove any CD and disconnect any USB devices or optional components from the unit.
 To use the unit on batteries, disconnect the AC power cord from the unit and the wall outlet.
 In standby mode with the AC power cord connected, "STANDBY" appears on the display.
To use the power-management function (European models only)
This unit is equipped with an automatic standby function. With this function, the unit enters standby mode
automatically after about 15 minutes if there is no operation or audio signal output.
To turn standby mode on or off, press VOL   while holding down TUNE +  . Each time you press the buttons,
"AUTO STANDBY ON" or "AUTO STANDBY OFF" appears on the display.
Notes
 The displayed content starts flashing on the display about 2 minutes before entering standby mode.
 The automatic standby function is not available with the FM function.
 In the DAB function, if "NOSIGNAL" or "OFF-AIR" remains displayed for 15 minutes, the unit enters standby mode automatically.
For customers in Europe In case of products that for safety, performance or
data integrity reasons require a permanent
4-576-951-11(1)
connection with an incorporated battery, this battery
Notice for customers: the following
should be replaced by qualified service staff only. To
information is only applicable to
ensure that the battery and the electrical and
equipment sold in countries applying EU
electronic equipment will be treated properly, hand
directives over these products at end-of-life to the applicable
collection point for the recycling of electrical and
This product has been manufactured by or on behalf
electronic equipment. For all other batteries, please
of Sony Corporation, 1-7-1 Konan Minato-ku Tokyo,
view the section on how to remove the battery from
108-0075 Japan. Inquiries related to product
the product safely. Hand the battery over to the
compliance based on European Union legislation
applicable collection point for the recycling of waste
shall be addressed to the authorized representative,
batteries. For more detailed information about
Sony Deutschland GmbH, Hedelfinger Strasse 61,
recycling of this product or battery, please contact
70327 Stuttgart, Germany. For any service or
your local Civic Office, your household waste
guarantee matters, please refer to the addresses
disposal service or the shop where you purchased
provided in the separate service or guarantee
the product or battery.
documents.
Disposal of waste batteries and electrical Personal Audio System is designed to be used
for playing back music sources on CDs or USB
and electronic equipment (applicable in
devices and listening to radio stations.
the European Union and other European
countries with separate collection
systems)
This symbol on the product, the battery
or on the packaging indicates that the
Printed in China
product and the battery shall not be
treated as household waste. On certain
batteries this symbol might be used in
combination with a chemical symbol.
The chemical symbols for mercury (Hg) or lead (Pb)
are added if the battery contains more than
0.0005% mercury or 0.004% lead. By ensuring these
products and batteries are disposed of correctly, you
will help prevent potentially negative consequences
for the environment and human health which could
otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste
handling. The recycling of the materials will help to
conserve natural resources.
Basic Operations
 .
*   and VOL +  have a tactile dot.
Before using the unit
To turn the power on or off
Press OPERATE (or POWER)  . You can also turn on
the power of this unit using the direct power-on
function (below).
In this manual, operations are mainly explained
using the direct power-on function.
To use the direct power-on function
   
Press CD , USB , DAB/FM , AUDIO IN or

FAVORITE RADIO STATIONS (1-3) while the unit is
turned off. The power turns on with the relevant
function selected.
To adjust the volume
Press VOL + or   . 3
To listen through headphones
Connect headphones to the  (headphones) jack
 .

dims or power of
Playing a music disc
1
Press CD  to turn on the CD function.
2
Press PUSH OPEN/CLOSE   , place a disc in
the CD compartment and then close the
compartment cover.
Label side up
Other operations
To
Pause playback
Stop playback
The disc is loaded and the disc information
appears on the display.
Select a folder
on an MP3/WMA
disc
Select a track/
file
To Do this
Hold down  or  
Find a point in a
track/file during playback, and release the
(fast forward/ button at the desired point.
rewind) When locating a point while
paused, press   to start
playback after the desired point
is found.
* In program play mode, playback starts from the first
programmed track/file.
Tip

To cancel the Resume Play, press 
stopped.
Note
Resume Play is cancelled in the following cases:
 When you open the CD compartment.
 When you turn off the power.
Example of folder structure and playing order
The playing order of the folders and files is as
follows. However, the playing order may differ from
the original order on the disc, depending on the
recording method used.
Folder
MP3/WMA file
Notes on MP3/WMA discs
 When a disc is loaded, the unit reads all the files on that
disc. During this time, "READING" is flashing. If there are
many folders or non-MP3/WMA files on the disc, it may
take a long time for play to begin or for the next MP3/
WMA file to start to play.
 We recommend that non-MP3/WMA files or unnecessary
folders are excluded when creating MP3/WMA discs.
 During playback, audio files other than MP3 and WMA
files are skipped even if those files are included in a folder.
 The audio formats supported by this unit are as follows:
 MP3: File extension ".mp3"
 WMA: File extension ".wma"
Note that even if the file name has the correct file
extension but the actual file was created in a different
audio format, this unit may produce noise or may
malfunction.
 MP3 PRO format is not supported.
 WMA files encoded in WMA DRM, WMA Lossless and
WMA PRO formats cannot be played back.
 This unit cannot play audio files on a disc in the following
cases:
 When the total number of audio files exceeds 999.
 When the total number of folders on a single disc
exceeds 256 (including the "ROOT" folder).
 When the directory level (folder depths) exceeds 8
(including the "ROOT" folder).
 Folder names can be displayed with up to 32 characters,
including quotation marks.
 File names can be displayed with up to 32 characters,
including quotation marks and file extensions.
 Characters and symbols that cannot be displayed by the
unit will appear as "_".
 This unit conforms to version 1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 of the
ID3 tag format for MP3 files and the WMA tag format
defined by the ASF specification (Advanced Systems
Audio CD
Format) for WMA files. When a file has the ID3 or WMA tag
Total number of tracks information, the song title, artist name, and album name
will be displayed. If a file does not have the tag
information, the unit displays as follows:
 File name instead of the song title.
 "NO ARTIST" message instead of the artist name.
 "NO ALBUM" message instead of the album name.
ID3 and WMA tag information can be displayed up to 64
Total playing time
characters.
MP3/WMA disc
Total number of folders*
* If MP3/WMA files are present only in the root directory
("ROOT" folder), "1FLDR" appears on the display.
Press  
to start playback.
Track number or MP3/WMA
file number
Playing time
When you play an MP3/WMA disc, the folder
name* 1 and song title are displayed before the
playing time* 2 appears.
* 1 If MP3/WMA files are present only in the root directory,
"ROOT" appears on the display.
* 2 If the playing time is longer than 100 minutes, "--:--"
appears on the display.
Do this
Press   . To return to
playback, press the button
again.
Press   . When you press 
 after playback is stopped,
playback starts from the point
where you stopped playback
(Resume Play)*.
+ or   .
Press
Press  or   . You can
skip tracks/files one by one.
 The audio formats supported by this unit are as follows:
Listening to music on a USB device
 MP3: file extension ".mp3"
 WMA: file extension ".wma"
 AAC: file extension ".m4a," ".3gp" and ".mp4"
You can listen to audio files stored on a USB device
Note that even if the file name has the correct file
(a digital music player or USB storage media).
extension but the actual file was created in a different
Audio files in MP3, WMA and AAC formats* can be
audio format, this unit may produce noise or may
played on this unit.
malfunction.
* Files with copyright protection (Digital Rights  MP3 PRO format is not supported.
Management) cannot be played on this unit.  WMA files encoded in WMA DRM, WMA Lossless and
WMA PRO formats cannot be played back.
Compatible USB devices  AAC files encoded in copyright-protected AAC format
cannot be played back.
Compatibility requirements for the USB devices are
 This unit supports the AAC-LC (AAC Low Complexity)
while the CD is as follows. Before using a device with this unit,
profile.
check that it meets the requirements.
 This unit cannot play audio files on a USB device in the
 Compliance with USB 2.0 (Full Speed) following cases:
 When the total number of audio files in a single folder
 Supports Mass Storage mode*
exceeds 999.
* Mass Storage mode is a mode that allows a USB device to  When the total number of audio files on a single USB
become accessible to a host device, enabling file
device exceeds 5,000.
transfers. Most USB devices support Mass Storage mode.  When the total number of folders on a single USB
device exceeds 256 (including the "ROOT" folder).
 When the directory level (folder depths) exceeds 8
1 
Connect the USB device to the  (USB) port .
(including the "ROOT" folder).
2 
Press USB to turn on the USB function. These numbers may vary depending on the file and folder
structure.
The volume label is displayed once, then the total
 Compatibility with all encoding/writing software is not
number of folders appears on the display.
guaranteed. If audio files on the USB device were
originally encoded with incompatible software, those files
may produce noise or interrupted sound, or may not be
played back at all.
 Folder names can be displayed with up to 32 characters,
including quotation marks.
Total number of folders
 File names can be displayed with up to 32 characters,
including quotation marks and file extensions.
3 Press  
to start playback.
 Characters and symbols that cannot be displayed by the
The folder name and song title are displayed, and unit will appear as "_".
then the file number and playing time appear.
 This unit conforms to version 1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 of the
ID3 tag format for MP3 files, the WMA tag format defined
File number
by the ASF specification (Advanced Systems Format) for
WMA files, and the AAC tag format for AAC files.
When a file has the ID3, WMA or AAC tag information, the
song title, artist name, and album name will be displayed.
If a file does not have the tag information, the unit
displays as follows:
 File name instead of the song title.
Playing time*
 "NO ARTIST" message instead of the artist name.
* If the playing time is longer than 100 minutes, "--:--"  "NO ALBUM" message instead of the album name.
appears on the display.
ID3, WMA and AAC tag information can be displayed up to
64 characters.
Other operations
To Do this
Listening to the radio
Press   . To return to
Pause playback
playback, press the button
1
again* 1 . Press DAB/FM
Press   . When you press  radio function and select the "DAB" or "FM"
Stop playback
 after playback is stopped,
band.
playback starts from the point
where you stopped playback
(Resume Play)* 2 .
+ or   .
Select a folder Press
Select a file Press  or   . You can
skip files one by one.
To skip files continuously, hold
down  or   and
release the button at the desired
file.
2
Hold down  or   Perform tuning.
Find a point in a
file during playback, and release the
For tuning to a DAB/DAB+ station
(fast forward/ button at the desired point.
rewind) When locating a point while Press TUNE + or 
paused, press   to start
desired station.
playback after the desired point
"SC" flashes on the display when the selected
is found.
primary station has a secondary service. Press
TUNE + or 
* 1 When playing a VBR MP3/WMA/AAC file, playback may
"SC" lights up when a secondary service is
restart from a different point.
received.
* 2 In program play mode, playback starts from the first
programmed file.
For tuning to an FM station
Note Hold down TUNE + or 
 
When removing a USB device, hold down until digits begin to change on the display.
"NO DEV" appears, and then turn off the unit or switch to
The unit automatically scans the radio
other functions beforehand. Removing the USB device
frequencies and stops when it finds a clear
without performing these steps may corrupt the data on the
station.
USB device or damage the device itself.
If you cannot tune to a station using automatic
Example of folder structure and playing order tuning mode, press TUNE + or 
The playing order of the folders and files is as change the frequency step by step.
follows. However, the playing order may differ from
When an FM stereo broadcast is received, "ST"
the original order on the USB device, depending on
lights up on the display.
the recording method used.
Note
USB device
Folder
The unit of frequency of tuned stations is MHz.
MP3/WMA/AAC file
Notes on DAB/DAB+ stations
 When tuning to a DAB/DAB+ station, it may take a few
seconds before you hear any sound.
 Primary service is automatically received when secondary
service ends.
 This tuner does not support data services.
To make low sounds clear for DAB/DAB+
reception
The DRC (Dynamic range control) function makes
low sounds clear even when you turn the volume
down.
Check that the DAB/DAB+ station you are listening
to conforms to DRC.
1
Hold down PLAY/FM MODE
appears on the display.
2
Press TUNE + or 
setting) or "0.5."
Notes on the USB device
To turn off the DRC function, select "0."
 It may take a long time before playback starts when:
3
 the folder structure is complex. Press ENTER
 the USB device is close to capacity.
To run the DAB auto tune manually
 When a USB device is connected, the unit reads all the
files on the device. If there are many folders or files on the If you have moved to another area, perform the DAB
device, it may take a long time for the unit to finish
auto tune manually and re-register the contents of
reading them.
broadcasts.
 Do not connect a USB device to the unit through a USB
Hold down DAB/FM  until "INITIAL" and "SCAN?"
hub.
appear alternately on the display, and then press
 With some connected USB devices, after an operation is
ENTER .
performed, there may be a delay before it is performed by
this unit.
Scanning begins. Depending on the DAB/DAB+
 This unit may not support all the functions provided with
services available in your area, scanning may take a
a connected USB device.
few minutes.
 Do not save non-MP3/WMA/AAC files or unnecessary
When scanning is complete, a list of available
folders to a USB device that contains MP3/WMA/AAC files.
services is created.
 During playback, audio files other than MP3, WMA and
AAC files are skipped even if those files are included in a
Notes
folder.
 If your country or region does not support DAB/DAB+
broadcasts, "NOSIGNAL" appears on the display.
 The currently stored list of available services will be
cleared once the DAB auto tune process has started.
To improve radio reception
Use the radio in a place where
radio signals can be easily
received such as near a window.
Also, adjust the antenna for good
reception.
Adjust the antenna to
improve FM reception. If the
stereo FM reception is noisy,
press FM MODE
until "MONO" appears on the
display. You will lose the
stereo effect, but the
reception will be improved.
If the reception problem still persists, try changing
the installation location.
Avoid places such as the following:
Between buildings
Nearby mobile
phones, electrical
appliances
On steel desks
or tables
Presetting stations to FAVORITE
RADIO STATIONS
You can preset up to three favorite stations to
FAVORITE RADIO STATIONS (1-3) buttons. Assign one
DAB or FM program for each button.

repeatedly to turn on the
1
Press DAB/FM  repeatedly to turn on the
radio function and select the band "DAB" or
"FM."
2
Tune to the station you want to preset.
Reception of DAB/DAB+ radio station
3
When you press DAB/FM  for the first time Press and hold the desired FAVORITE RADIO
after you purchase the unit, DAB auto tune
STATIONS (–SET) (1-3) button 
starts automatically and creates a list of
a beep.
available services. During DAB auto tune, the
The tuned station is preset to the selected button
progress indicator flashes on the display. Do
of FAVORITE RADIO STATIONS (1-3) and the same
not press any buttons during DAB auto tune.
number as that of the button will light up on the
Scanning will be interrupted and the service
display.
list may not be created properly.
(Example: Presetting FM 87.50 MHz to number )

repeatedly to tune to the

to tune to the secondary service.
To change the preset station
Repeat steps 1 to 3.
The preset station on the button will be replaced by
the new one.
 until the frequency
Listening to preset stations with
FAVORITE RADIO STATIONS
Press the desired FAVORITE RADIO STATIONS (1-3)
button  .

repeatedly to
Note
To prevent the preset from being changed by mistake, do
not hold down the button. If doing so, the preset on the
button will be replaced by the currently tuned station.

until "DRC x"
 to select "2," "1" (default

.

repeatedly
until you hear