Bose Wave III Radio Manual

The Bose Wave III Radio is a premium tabletop audio system featuring advanced waveguide speaker technology, AM/FM radio tuner, CD player, auxiliary input, alarm clock functions, and remote control. It delivers room-filling sound from a compact design with intuitive controls for music playback, radio listening, and daily alarms. Below are key sections for safety, features, setup, operation, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation & Setup 3. First-Time Use 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Functions 6. Connecting External Devices 7. Playing CDs & Media 8. Alarm & Clock Settings 9. Care & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Waveguide speaker enclosure, CD slot-loading mechanism, AM/FM tuner, LCD display, Remote Control, Auxiliary input, Headphone jack, Power cord.

FeatureDescription
Waveguide Speaker TechnologyDelivers full, natural sound from a compact system
CD PlayerSlot-loading, plays audio CDs and CD-R/RW
AM/FM Radio Tuner30 station presets (15 AM, 15 FM)
Auxiliary Input3.5mm jack for connecting MP3 players, smartphones, etc.
Headphone JackFor private listening
Dual AlarmsWake to radio, CD, or buzzer
LCD DisplayShows time, station, track info, and settings
Remote ControlFull-function remote for all operations
Clock & Sleep TimerAuto time set, sleep timer (15-90 minutes)
AC Power AdapterPowers unit and charges backup battery (if applicable)

Installation & Setup

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on stable, level surface away from heat and moisture.

  1. Connect power: Plug AC adapter into power inlet on back, then into wall outlet.
  2. Set up antenna: Extend FM wire antenna; position AM loop antenna for best reception.
  3. Connect auxiliary device: Use 3.5mm audio cable from device to AUX IN jack.
  4. Insert backup batteries (optional): For clock memory during power outages.

WARNING! Do not place near water sources or in direct sunlight. Ensure proper ventilation.

First-Time Use

Plug in power; system will beep and display will light up.

  1. Set time: Press and hold CLOCK button, use HOUR/MINUTE buttons to set.
  2. Set radio presets: Tune to desired station, press and hold a number (1-15) to store.
  3. Adjust sound: Use BASS and TREBLE controls on remote or unit.
  4. Test CD: Insert an audio CD to verify playback.

CAUTION! Handle with care; avoid inserting foreign objects into CD slot.

Specifications

Controls and Functions

Front Panel: POWER, CD EJECT, VOLUME knob, ALARM 1/2 buttons, CLOCK button, DISPLAY button.

Remote: POWER, NUMERIC (0-9), VOLUME UP/DOWN, MUTE, CD controls (PLAY, PAUSE, STOP, PREV/NEXT), RADIO (AM/FM, TUNE, PRESET), ALARM SET, SLEEP, BASS/TREBLE.

Sound Settings: BASS (-10 to +10), TREBLE (-10 to +10). Radio: Manual tuning, auto-scan, preset memory. CD: Play, pause, skip, repeat, random play. Clock: 12/24 hour format, auto daylight saving (optional). Alarm: Dual alarms with snooze (10 minutes).

Connecting External Devices

Auxiliary Input: Connect MP3 player, smartphone, or tablet via 3.5mm audio cable.

  1. Turn off or pause Bose system before connecting.
  2. Plug cable into AUX IN jack on back of unit.
  3. Set source to AUX by pressing AUX button on remote.
  4. Start playback on external device and adjust volume on both devices.

Tip: For best audio quality, set external device volume to 75% and use Bose volume control.

Playing CDs & Media

Supports audio CDs, CD-R, CD-RW (must be finalised).

  1. Insert disc: Gently insert CD into slot (label side up).
  2. Play: Press PLAY; use PREV/NEXT to skip tracks.
  3. Pause/Stop: Press PAUSE or STOP.
  4. Eject: Press EJECT button; remove disc when partially exposed.
  5. Repeat/Random: Press REPEAT or SHUFFLE button on remote.
  6. Program play: Press PROGRAM, select tracks in desired order.
  7. Display info: Press DISPLAY to show track number, elapsed time, etc.

WARNING! Do not force disc into slot. Use only clean, unscratched discs.

Alarm & Clock Settings

Dual alarms can be set independently.

  1. Set alarm time: Press and hold ALARM 1 or 2, set time with HOUR/MINUTE.
  2. Choose wake source: Press ALARM SOURCE to select RADIO, CD, or BUZZER.
  3. Set volume: For radio/CD alarms, set desired volume before alarm activates.
  4. Enable/disable: Press ALARM ON/OFF button for each alarm.
  5. Snooze: Press SNOOZE button or top of unit when alarm sounds.

Sleep Timer: Press SLEEP repeatedly to set 15-90 minutes; display shows countdown.

Care & Maintenance

Unplug before cleaning. Use soft, dry cloth for exterior. For stubborn stains, dampen cloth slightly with water.

CAUTION! Never use abrasive cleaners, solvents, or spray directly on unit. Keep liquids away from openings.

CD Lens Cleaning: Use commercially available CD lens cleaner if playback issues occur.

Regulatory Information

FCC Compliance: This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to interference that may cause undesired operation. Copyright © Bose Corporation. All rights reserved. Bose and Wave are registered trademarks of Bose Corporation. For support, visit www.bose.com or contact Bose Customer Service at 1-800-999-2673.

Troubleshooting

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
No powerPower cord not connectedCheck AC adapter connections; try different outlet.
Remote not workingBatteries/obstructionsReplace batteries; ensure clear line of sight to sensor.
CD won't playDisc dirty/damagedClean disc with soft cloth; try different CD.
Poor radio receptionAntenna positionReposition FM wire antenna; rotate AM loop antenna.
No sound from AUXSource selection/volumePress AUX button; check cable connections; increase volume.
Alarm not soundingAlarm disabled/wrong sourceVerify alarm is ON and correct source (radio/CD/buzzer) selected.
Distorted soundBass/Treble settingsReset BASS and TREBLE to middle (0) position.

Reset: Unplug unit for 60 seconds, then reconnect to reset microprocessor.

Service: 1-800-999-2673; www.bose.com/support

Bose Wave III Radio Manual © - All Rights Reserved 2025