Manual Bose Wave Music System III

The Bose Wave Music System III is a premium all-in-one music system featuring advanced waveguide speaker technology, CD player, AM/FM tuner, auxiliary input, remote control, alarm functions, and Bose proprietary sound enhancement. It delivers room-filling sound from a compact design. 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 & Radio 8. Alarm & Clock Features 9. Care & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Bose waveguide speaker enclosure, CD slot-loading mechanism, AM/FM tuner with presets, Auxiliary input, Remote Control, Display panel, Alarm functions.

FeatureDescription
Waveguide Speaker TechnologyDelivers full, spatial sound from compact enclosure
CD PlayerSlot-loading, plays audio CDs, CD-R/RW
AM/FM TunerDigital tuning with 6 AM and 6 FM presets
Auxiliary Input3.5mm jack for connecting MP3 players, smartphones, etc.
Remote ControlFull-function remote for all operations
Alarm FunctionsDual alarms with CD, radio, or tone wake-up
DisplayBacklit LCD showing time, track info, station
ClockAuto-set via radio signal (in supported regions)
Audio InputFor external audio sources
Power CordDetachable AC power cord

Installation & Setup

Unpack carefully. Place on stable, level surface away from heat sources.

  1. Connect power: Plug detachable power cord into rear port and wall outlet.
  2. Position system: Ensure at least 4 inches clearance on all sides for ventilation.
  3. Connect antenna: Attach AM loop antenna and FM wire antenna for radio reception.
  4. Connect auxiliary device: Use 3.5mm audio cable to AUX IN jack.
  5. Power on: Press POWER button on top panel or remote.

WARNING! Do not place in enclosed spaces. Ensure proper ventilation to prevent overheating.

First-Time Use

After powering on, initialize system settings.

  1. Set clock: Press CLOCK button, use HOUR/MINUTE buttons or auto-set via radio.
  2. Set radio presets: Tune to desired station, press and hold preset button (1-6).
  3. Adjust tone: Use BASS and TREBLE controls on remote for preferred sound.
  4. Test CD: Insert audio CD to verify playback.
  5. Test auxiliary: Play audio from connected device, select AUX source.

CAUTION! Handle CD slot with care; do not insert foreign objects.

Specifications

Controls and Functions

Top Panel: POWER, CD EJECT, ALARM, CLOCK, PRESET, TUNE. Display: Shows time, source, track info.

Remote: POWER, NUMBER (0-9), PRESET, CD controls (PLAY, PAUSE, STOP, SKIP), VOLUME, MUTE, BASS, TREBLE, ALARM, CLOCK, SLEEP, SOURCE (CD, AUX, AM, FM).

Sound Settings: Adjust BASS and TREBLE via remote. Display Settings: Adjust brightness via remote (DIM button). Clock Settings: Set manually or auto-set via radio. Alarm Settings: Set wake time, source (CD/radio/tone), volume. Sleep Timer: Set 10-90 minutes in 10-minute increments.

Connecting External Devices

AUX Input: Connect MP3 players, smartphones, tablets via 3.5mm audio cable.

  1. Ensure system and external device are off.
  2. Connect cable from device's headphone/line-out to AUX IN jack on rear.
  3. Power on both devices.
  4. Press SOURCE on remote until "AUX" appears on display.
  5. Start playback on external device and adjust volume on Wave system.

Tip: For best audio quality, set external device volume to 75% and adjust using system volume control.

Playing CDs & Radio

Supports audio CDs, CD-R, CD-RW.

  1. Insert CD: Gently insert disc into slot label-side up; system will pull in automatically.
  2. Play: Press PLAY; use SKIP forward/back for tracks.
  3. Stop/Eject: Press STOP, then EJECT to remove disc.
  4. Radio: Press SOURCE for AM/FM; use TUNE or PRESET buttons.
  5. Save presets: Tune to station, press and hold preset button (1-6) until beep.
  6. Random play: Press SHUFFLE during CD playback.
  7. Repeat: Press REPEAT for track or disc repeat.
  8. Sleep timer: Press SLEEP repeatedly for 10-90 minute intervals.

WARNING! Do not force CDs into slot. Use only standard 12cm audio CDs.

Alarm & Clock Features

Dual Alarms: Set separate times for ALARM 1 and ALARM 2.

  1. Set alarm: Press ALARM button, select ALARM 1 or 2, set time with HOUR/MINUTE.
  2. Choose source: Select CD, radio (with preset), or tone (beep).
  3. Set volume: Adjust alarm volume separately from regular volume.
  4. Enable/disable: Press ALARM button to toggle on/off (icon shows on display).
  5. Clock: Set manually or enable auto-set via radio signal where available.

Note: If power is lost, clock and alarms may need resetting.

Care & Maintenance

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

CAUTION! Never use solvents, abrasives, or spray cleaners. Do not allow moisture into vents or CD slot.

Regulatory Information

FCC Compliance: This device complies with Part 15 of FCC rules. Operation subject to conditions: (1) device may not cause harmful interference, (2) device must accept any interference received. Copyright © Bose Corporation. Bose and Wave are registered trademarks of Bose Corporation. For support, visit www.bose.com/support or contact Bose Customer Service at 1-800-999-2673.

Troubleshooting

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
No powerPower cord not connectedEnsure power cord is firmly plugged into unit and outlet.
Remote not workingBatteries/obstructionsReplace batteries; ensure clear line of sight to IR sensor.
CD not playingDisc dirty/wrong typeClean disc with soft cloth; ensure it's an audio CD, CD-R, or CD-RW.
Poor radio receptionAntenna placementExtend FM wire antenna fully; position AM loop antenna.
No sound from AUXConnection/sourceCheck cable connections; ensure SOURCE is set to AUX.
Display dim or blankBrightness settingPress DIM button on remote to adjust display brightness.
Alarm not soundingAlarm disabled/low volumeCheck alarm is enabled; increase alarm volume separately.

Reset: Unplug power cord for 60 seconds, then reconnect to reset system.

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

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