Acoustic Research AW826 - Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Speaker Manual

Also See for AW826:

Installation and operation manual (2 pages)

Installation and operation manual (2 pages)

Table of Contents

Contents

1 Introduction
2 Tour of the Speaker System
3 Connecting the Speaker System
4 Pairing the Speaker System
- 4.1 Adjusting the Transmitter
- 4.2 Tuning the Speaker
5 Turning the Speaker Off
6 More Helpful Information
- 6.1 About Fixed-Level Audio Outputs
- 6.2 About Variable-Level Audio Outputs
7 Troubleshooting
8 Specifications
- 8.1 Transmitter
- 8.2 Speaker
9 Documents / Resources
- 9.1 References
- 9.2 Download manual

Acoustic Research AW826 - Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Speaker Manual

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.).

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.

Tour of the Speaker System

Speaker

Front Panel

Power indicator blinks when the speaker is first powered on; it turns solid blue when the speaker is tuned to the transmitter

Side Panel

Bass Boost button turns the speaker's bass enhancement on and off

On/Off button turns the speaker on and off

Auto Scan button rescans for the transmitter's signal

Volume +/– 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 AW826

DC IN receives the small round end of the included 9V 1200mA AC power adapter; remove the protective cover to insert the adapter

Battery Compartment Cover remove to install 6 AA batteries

Transmitter

Top Panel

Signal indicator lights green when the audio is present and the transmitter is broadcasting

Power indicator lights when the transmitter is on

Back Panel

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.

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.
Powering the Transmitter

Note: Be sure to use the AC power adapter rated 12V DC 200 mA (it has the smaller diameter plug).

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 AW826 for an extended period of time, unplug the transmitter AC power adapter.

Connecting to an Audio Source

Connecting to an MP3 player, CD player, or computer

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).
Plug the mini-plug end of the provided Y-adapter into the headphone output of your MP3 player or CD player (or audio output jack on your computer).

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

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).
Plug the mini-plug end of the provided Y-adapter into a mini-jack to RCA adapter (not included).
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.

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

Insert the small, round plug from the speaker AC power adapter into the DC IN jack on the bottom of the speaker.
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.

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.

AA Batteries

Remove the battery compartment cover on the bottom of the speaker.
Insert six (6) AA batteries (not included) into the speaker following the polarity ("+" and "-") as diagrammed inside the battery compartment.
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.

Pairing the Speaker System

Adjusting the Transmitter

Turn on your audio source (for example, A/V receiver, MP3 player, stereo, etc.) and play music at a normal listening volume.
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.

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.

Tuning the Speaker

Press the On/Off button on the side of the speaker to turn it on. The indicator light on the front of the speaker blinks while the speaker is tuning to the transmitter. The indicator light turns solid blue when the speaker is tuned to the transmitter—you should hear sound coming from the speaker now.
Note: If the speaker is not tuned or if the transmitter is not connected properly, the indicator light will continue blinking. If this occurs, please see the troubleshooting section of this manual.
Adjust the volume on the speaker as desired.
Set up the speaker for mono or stereo operation using the switch on the bottom of the AW826 speaker.
1. Monaural operation: The monaural mode (mono) is recommended when using a single AW826 by itself. For monaural operation, set the L/M/R switch to "M" on each speaker.
2. Stereo operation: You need an additional AW826 speaker for the stereo option. Set the L/M/R switch to "L" on the speaker located to the left from the listener, and set the other speaker to the "R" position.

Notes:

The speaker automatically retunes if it loses the transmitter's signal. You can also press the AutoScan button on the side of the speaker to retune the speaker at any time.

The transmitter turns off automatically if there is no audio signal present for a prolonged period.

Interference in the form of static and/or distortion can sometimes be heard. If this occurs, confirm the transmitter/speaker adjustments and indicators. If the problem persists, refer to the Troubleshooting section of this manual.

Turning the Speaker Off

Press the On/Off button on the side of the speaker to turn the speaker off.
Confirm that the speaker is off by verifying that the indicator light on the speaker's front panel is no longer illuminated.

More Helpful Information

About Fixed-Level Audio Outputs

A fixed-level, or line-level, audio output is considered ideal since it provides an audio signal unchanged by adjustments to the audio source volume control.

Hint: Fixed-level audio outputs from stereo receivers/amps will typically be designated as Tape (or Record) outputs or DVR/DVD-R audio output connections.

Fixed-level outputs from TVs are usually marked as 'Constant,' 'Fixed,' or 'Select.' If they are not marked as such, they are probably variable outputs (see "About Variable-Level Audio Outputs" on the next page). Outputs from DVD players are almost always fixed.

Hint: When connecting to the audio outputs of a DVD player, remember that the DVD player must be showing a TV channel for sound to be produced.

About Variable-Level Audio Outputs

A variable-level output, such as a headphone jack or certain RCA-type outputs, provides an audio signal that changes with the volume level set on the audio source. As the volume of the audio source is adjusted up and down, so is the audio signal strength sent to the transmitter. This can affect the quality of sound generated by the speaker, and may require an adjustment of the volume level of the audio source to produce a signal strong enough for the transmitter.

Hint: On most bookshelf-type or compact stereo systems, inserting a headphone plug into the headphone jack results in automatic cutoff of the regular, or hard-wired speakers.

Hint: Most TVs, regardless of age or price, have variable outputs. If you are unsure which of your TV audio outputs is fixed, refer to the TV instruction manual. Some TVs have outputs that can switch between variable and fixed. When given a choice, fixed is always recommended.

Troubleshooting

The following troubleshooting guide takes you through some of the more common problems associated with the installation and/or operation of a wireless system. If the problem persists, please call toll-free at 1-800-732-6866 or visit www.araccessories.com.

Issue:	Cause and solution:
No sound	Check that the transmitter AC power adapter is fully inserted into the wall outlet and the power cord from the AC adapter is firmly connected to the transmitter power input jack. Confirm that the speaker is turned on and tuned to the transmitter— the indicator light on the front of the speaker should be solid blue (not blinking). If you're using the power adapters, confirm that both (for the speaker and for the transmitter) are fully inserted into their wall outlets and the adapter power cords are firmly connected to the power input jacks on the transmitter or speaker. or If you're using batteries for the speaker, check that they are fresh and inserted with correct polarity (+, –). Check that the audio source component (stereo, MP3 player, etc.) is turned on and transmitting sound as it normally should. Make sure the volume on your audio source is turned up. Check that the speaker volume is turned up. If you are using a Tape 2 Monitor output from your receiver/amp as the audio output, check that you have pressed the Tape Monitor/Tape 2 button on the front of the receiver. This will turn on the Tape 2 outputs, which may not have been active.
No sound/ distortion/ static	When using battery power, make sure the batteries are fresh and replace if necessary. Check that the speaker's indicator light is solid blue (not blinking). Change the position of the channel select switch (1, 2 or 3) to change the operating frequency. Then press the AutoScan button on the speaker's back panel to make the speaker retune. Change the location of the transmitter. Place it as high and away from obstructions as possible. Avoid placing the transmitter directly on top of or behind a TV. Move the transmitter and speaker closer together. Sending the signal through certain materials, such as glass, tile, and metal, can decrease the effective transmitting distance of the system.