Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A8 - Wireless Speaker System Manual

Introduction

See www.beoplay.com/a8 for more information.

"Made for iPod", "Made for iPhone", and "Made for iPad" mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod, iPhone, or iPad, respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod, iPhone, or iPad may affect wireless performance.

AirPlay, the AirPlay Logo, iPhone, iPod, iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Cautions

• Read these instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Clean only with dry cloth.
• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
• Only use attachments/ accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/ apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
  
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
• 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.

To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enc losure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equi lateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.

• The product can only be switched off completely by disconnecting it from the mains socket. The mains socket must always be accessible.
• Do not expose this equipment to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases are placed on the equipment.
• Do not expose batteries or battery packs to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.
• No naked flame sources, such as lighted candles should be placed on the equipment.
• Follow instructions to ensure correct and safe installation and interconnection of equipment in multimedia systems.

For table placement, mount the rear feet on your BeoPlay A8 and make sure the front feet are mounted. For wall bracket placement, remove all feet, see 'Maintenance'. If you do not wish to use BeoPlay A8 with a docked iPod^®/iPhone^®/iPad^® replace the dock with the enclosed lid.

Place BeoPlay A8 on a flat, stable surface and connect it to the mains supply. Your iPod/iPhone/iPad is charged when docked.

As well as listening to audio stored on your iPod/iPhone/iPad, you can use your BeoPlay A8 to:

• Play audio directly from your app or iTunes*^[1] using AirPlay^®.
• Connect and listen to an external audio source, such as an MP3 player or music phone via line-in.
• Play audio stored or streamed on your computer via USB.
  

¹*iTunes version 10.1 (Mac or PC) or higher is required.

Mount and dismount the dock

If you do not want to use the dock, you must carefully lift it off. Insert the enclosed lid to cover the gap. To remove the lid, you must insert a thin flat-headed instrument, such as a screw driver, into the hole and detach it. To avoid scratches, a cloth can be wrapped around the instrument while you insert it. Do not use force.

Adjust docking

You must adjust the part of the docking station that supports your iPod/iPhone/iPad by turning the round part (left or right). Align the front of the iPod/iPhone/iPad with the front of BeoPlay A8.

Adjust the part of the docking station that supports your iPod/ iPhone/iPad.

Dock and undock

To dock and undock your iPod/ iPhone/iPad safely you must use a parallel upwards or downwards movement aligned with the part of the docking station that supports your device.

Never use force and never tilt your iPod/iPhone/iPad when you dock/ undock.

Connect BeoPlay A8 to your network and stream audio to BeoPlay A8 using AirPlay. For more information, see the Quick Start Guide.

Browse and select audio from your digital music collection directly on the iPod/iPhone/ iPad. Use the operation panel or the dedicated remote to perform basic operation. A Beo4 or Beo6 remote control can also be used. See www.beoplay.com/a8/learnmore for more information.

You can find more information about your BeoPlay A8 in the FAQ section (Frequently Asked Questions) on www.beoplay.com/a8/support. The FAQs are also kept up to date if new or modified features and functions are introduced through software updates (requires Internet connection).

Indicator light – operation panel

The indicator light is placed in the centre of the operation panel. The light is green when BeoPlay A8 is switched on. In standy mode, there is no indicator light. Flashing red light indicates an error. See the FAQs on www.beoplay.com/a8/support for more information.

The dedicated remote control can be used in the same way as the operation panel on BeoPlay A8.

Connect to your network

You must set up your BeoPlay A8 to be able to join a network and use AirPlay, see the Quick Start Guide.

When BeoPlay A8 is set up for use with AirPlay, press the network button shortly to connect it to your network. This takes approx. 90 seconds. A short press switches the network button off again.

Indicator light - Network button

When you press the network button , the light flashes white while BeoPlay A8 searches for the network. A sound indicates that BeoPlay A8 is connecting to the network. When connected the light becomes solid white. Orange light indicates that BeoPlay A8 is connected to your network, but the signal strength is low. If the light flashes orange continuously, you are not connected to the network. Flashing red light indicates an error. See the FAQ section on www.beoplay.com/a8/support for more information.

A previously well-functioning setup may develop problems over time as surroundings change. Check your Ethernet connection or router. If the problem persists, contact your retailer.

Speaker settings

To allow BeoPlay A8 to use its own sound adjustments for optimum sound experience, remember to switch the 'equalizer' function off on your iPod/iPhone/iPad.

To suit your preferences, you can make settings on your iPod/iPhone/ iPad when it is docked in BeoPlay A8:

• Select 'Settings'
• Select 'Speakers'
• Select 'Tone Control'. Options are: 'Flat', 'Sound Enhance' and 'Bass Tilt'. With 'Flat' no additional filtering is applied to the audio signal. With 'Sound Enhance' filtering is applied to increase both the low and high frequency regions. 'Bass Tilt' provides a low frequency boost only. When undocked the sound adjustment resets to 'Flat'.

If you have used AirPlay and switch BeoPlay A8 to standby, the network button is still on and BeoPlay A8 is ready to be used for AirPlay at any time.

¹*To use AirPlay with BeoPlay A8 an iPod, iPhone or iPad with iOS 4.2 or higher is required or another AirPlay certified streaming device.

You can connect multiple sources to your BeoPlay A8, either using the dock, the connection panel or wirelessly through your network.

To access the connection panel, remove the back cover. Pull out the cover at the bottom to release the locks, then lift it off. The product label is placed on the rear part of BeoPlay A8.

Find instructions on how to set up BeoPlay A8 in a network behind the back cover, or see the Quick Start Guide.

Priority of sources:

1. AirPlay
2. iPod/iPhone/iPad dock
3. Sources connected to line-in
4. Sources connected to USB

Starting a source with higher priority will always interrupt a source with lower priority. A source with higher priority must be stopped to start a source with lower priority.

LINE-IN (R/L)
Phono sockets for connection of an external audio source, for example, an MP3 player.

Ethernet
For a wired connection, see the Quick Start Guide. Also used for software updates, see the FAQs on www.beoplay.com/a8/support for more information.

USB (mini)
For connection to a computer to play audio stored or streamed on your computer. If Windows Media Player or iTunes is already running on your computer when you connect BeoPlay A8, you must stop and then restart playback.

~ Mains supply
Use the enclosed mains cord only.

Position switch
For an optimum sound experience, you must set the position switch to the correct position:

FREE (top)... Use this position if BeoPlay A8 is placed on a table or shelf not close to a wall.

WALL (middle)... Use this position if BeoPlay A8 is placed close to the wall, for example, mounted on the wall bracket.

CORNER (bottom)... Use this position if BeoPlay A8 is placed in a corner.

NOTE! Make sure the cable connection between the product and the router does not exit the building to avoid contact with high voltage.

Cleaning

Wipe dust off the surfaces using a dry, soft cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. To remove stains or dirt, use a soft, damp cloth and a solution of water and mild detergent, such as washing-up liquid.

Replace batteries in the remote control

Use a small screw driver to remove the screws and open the lid. Replace the two batteries with Alkaline batteries size AAAA. Note the positions of the negative pole and the positive pole on the battery with their corresponding marks on the inside of the battery compartment.

Remove the feet

• Unscrew the rear foot.
• Place the rear foot in the small dent on the front foot and use it to detach the front foot from BeoPlay A8.

Use the rear foot to detach the front foot.

Remove the speaker cover

• Remove the front foot as described above.
• Insert a small pin, such as a straightened paper clip in the hole under the front foot and push the speaker cover off.

A paper clip can be used to remove the speaker cover.

Technical specifications, features and the use thereof are subject to change without notice.

To reset BeoPlay A8, use one hand to press button number 1, and the other hand to press button number 2 and 3.

If you want to remove all your personal settings, you can reset BeoPlay A8 to factory settings.

Make a factory reset...

• Press the network button shortly and wait until it becomes solid white, orange or flashes orange continuously.
• Remove the back cover on BeoPlay A8.
• Press and hold the three buttons within 3 seconds, in the order indicated on the illustration above.
• When the network button becomes solid red, let go of all three buttons.
• After approx. 15 seconds, BeoPlay A8 restarts automatically.
• Wait approx. 2 minutes.
• When the network button flashes orange continuously, your BeoPlay A8 is reset.

What is reset...

• All network profiles are deleted and you must set up BeoPlay A8 again to set it up in a wireless network.
• The network name is reset to 'BeoPlay A8 XXXXXXXX* (*corresponds to the serial number).
• The profile name is reset
• A stored volume level is removed (set via S.STORE on Beo4).

• 
  Prolonged listening at high volume levels may cause hearing damage.
• Avoid placing the product in direct sunlight or direct artificial light, such as a spotlight.
• Make sure that the product is set up, placed and connected in accordance with the instructions.
• Place your product on a firm surface or stand where you want it placed permanently. Use Bang & Olufsen approved stands and wall brackets only!
• Do not subject the product to high humidity, rain or sources of heat.
• The product is intended for indoor use in dry, domestic environments only. Use within a temperature range of 10–40°C (50–105°F).
• If the product has been exposed to temperatures below 5°C (40°F), leave it at room temperature and wait until the product has regained normal room temperature before it is connected to the mains and switched on.
• Leave enough space around the product for adequate ventilation.
• Do not attempt to open the product. Leave such operations to qualified service personnel.
• The supplied plug and mains cord are specially designed for the product. Do not change the plug and if the mains cord is damaged, you must buy a new one from your Bang & Olufsen retailer.