Bose SoundLink Air Digital Music System
INTRODUCTION
Overview
- Thank you for purchasing the SoundLink Air® digital music system. This system lets you enjoy clear, room-filling sound, streamed wirelessly via AirPlay using your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or any computer running iTunes.
Using the SoundLink Air you can:
- Stream your favorite music from the music library or other AirPlay enabled apps on your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad.
- Stream music from iTunes on your computer over your Wi-Fi network.
- Connect an additional analog audio source to the AUDIO IN connector.
- To use AirPlay with the SoundLink Air system you will need one of these:
- iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad device with iOS 4.3.3 or later
- PC or Mac running iTunes 10.2.2 or later
Unpacking
Carefully unpack the carton and confirm that you have all the parts shown here:
- The appropriate AC adapter is supplied for your region. The plastic bag may contain more than one adapter.
- If any part of the product appears to be damaged, do not attempt to use it. Contact your authorized Bose® dealer immediately or contact Bose customer service. Refer to the contact list enclosed in the carton for contact information.
- Be sure to save the carton and packing materials. They provide the safest means for transporting or storing the product
Connecting the system to power
What you need:
- Place the system close to your computer. Keep all system parts close by so they are easy to reach when you need them.
- Connect the system to power:
- A. Attach the AC adapter for your region to the power supply.
- B. Plug the DC power cord on the power supply into the DC POWER connector on the SoundLink Air system.
- C. Plug the power supply into an AC (mains) outlet. You will hear a short tone indicating a power connection was made. The front panel Wi-Fi® indicator should start blinking amber
GETTING STARTED
System setup
- The SoundLink® Air system requires a connection to your Wi-Fi® network to receive AirPlay streamed audio. The following steps guide you through the preferred method for setting up your system
What you need:
- Open a browser on your computer and go to http://www.Bose.com/wifisetup
- For convenience, the URL is written on the product label located on the bottom of the system.
- Make sure the SoundLink Air is connected to power before you continue.
- Follow the online instructions to download and run the Wi-Fi Setup Application
- When prompted by the following image, connect the system to your computer using the supplied USB cable
- A. Plug the large connector of the provided USB cable into a USB port on your computer.
- B. Plug the other end into the SETUP connector on the SoundLink® Air system.
- In the setup window, enter the requested information
- A. Speaker name – This field displays the system name “Bose SoundLink Air.” We recommend that you select the Speaker name and change it to something that helps you identify it better, such as “Living Room SoundLink Air.” This is the name that will appear in the list of available devices on your AirPlay compatible device.
- B. Select your Wi-Fi network – This field should display the name of your wireless network. If you have more than one, click the triangle ( ) and select the network you want from the drop-down list. If your network name does not appear in the list or it is hidden, select Other from the drop-down list and manually set up your network
- C. Enter your network password – If you are using a secured network, enter your password.
- D. Click Connect.
- A. Speaker name – This field displays the system name “Bose SoundLink Air.” We recommend that you select the Speaker name and change it to something that helps you identify it better, such as “Living Room SoundLink Air.” This is the name that will appear in the list of available devices on your AirPlay compatible device.
Moving the system after Wi-Fi setup
- After the initial setup, you can move the SoundLink Air system to any location within the range of your Wi-Fi network. Remove the power cord from the AC outlet, move the system and plug it in again. The Wi-Fi indicator will start blinking blue as the system works on automatically connecting to your network again. When connected, the system will emit a tone and the Wi-Fi indicator will be solid blue.
Listening to an AirPlay compatible device
- After connecting to your wireless router, the SoundLink® Air digital music system is ready to stream AirPlay audio at any time. If an AUX source is connected and playing when you begin streaming audio from your AirPlay compatible device, that source stops and you will hear the AirPlay audio stream.
OPERATION
To listen to streamed audio:
- Start a music app on your AirPlay compatible device or computer. Make sure it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the SoundLink Air system.
- To make sure the initial volume is not too loud, move the volume slider in the music app to within the lower third of the scale.
- Tap or click the AirPlay icon and select the “SoundLink Air” (or the name you gave it) from the list of available speakers.
- Start playing music tracks. You can use the play/pause, skip forward, or skip backward buttons on the SoundLink Air remote to control playback of your music.
Listening to a device using AUX
You can use the SoundLink Air system to listen to any audio device that can connect to the 3.5 mm AUDIO IN connector on the rear panel.
- Plug the device into the AUDIO IN connector.
- Set the volume control of the device to slightly less than maximum.
- Press the remote AUX button. The front panel AUX indicator ( AUX ) glows white.
- Use the SoundLink Air system volume buttons to set the audio level.
Troubleshooting
Problem | What to do |
System cannot connect to my network | • Make sure your network password is correct. • Move the system closer to the wireless router. • Stop any other audio or video streaming. • Close the setup application, disconnect the system from your computer and AC power, and start the setup again. Refer to “Getting Started” on page 7. • If you continue to experience Wi-Fi® connection problems, contact Bose customer service. |
System audio is dropping out | • Point the system in a different direction, or move it a few feet to a new location. • Move the system away from possible sources of interference, such as microwaves and cordless phones. • Move the system closer to the wireless router. • Stop any other audio or video streaming. |
No sound | • Make sure system has power (AC or optional battery). • Make sure the system has a Wi-Fi connection. • Make sure the system and the AirPlay compatible device are connected to the same network. • Make sure your AirPlay compatible device is playing and the volume is turned up. • Make sure the system is not muted. • Increase the system volume. • Remove power (AC or optional battery) for one minute and then reapply it. • If using the optional battery, make sure it is adequately charged. • Perform a factory reset (page 22). |
The Wi-Fi indicator is flashing red | • System error. Contact Bose customer service. |
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Replacing the remote battery
- Using a coin, turn the battery cover slightly counterclockwise.
- Remove the cover and insert the new battery (CR2032 or DL2032) flat side up, with the + symbol in view.
- Reseat the cover and turn it clockwise to lock into place.
Alternate setup method
- Place your SoundLink Air system in a location where you want to use it.
- Bring your iPod touch, iPad, iPhone or laptop computer to the same location.
- Connect the SoundLink Air system to power.
- Press and hold the Reset button on the bottom of the SoundLink Air System for at least two seconds until the Wi-Fi indicator turns solid amber.
- Wait until you hear an audio tone (in approximately 30 seconds). Then, continue.
- On your iPod touch, iPad, iPhone or laptop computer, turn on Wi-Fi and join the “Bose SoundLink Air Network.”
- Open a browser and type: http://192.168.1.1 in the address field. The setup window is displayed on your screen.
Configuring your network manually
To manually configure your network or change the settings:
- Select Advanced Setup from the File menu.
- Enter or change the settings.
- DHCP – Sets the IP assignment to either Automatic or Static
- IP Address – Host IP address
- Subnet Mask – Subnet within the IP address for your network
- Gateway IP – IP address of a router that serves as an access point for another router
- DNS #1 IP – IP address for your #1 Domain Name Server
- DNS #2 IP – IP address for your #2 Domain Name Server
- Proxy Server – Address used for making an indirect network connection
- Proxy Port – Specifies the port to connect to the proxy
- Click Save. A progress dialog is displayed followed by a confirmation dialog box.
- Click Close.
Turning on/off Wi-Fi® capability
- Your SoundLink® Air has built-in Wi-Fi capability that enables wireless connectivity and AirPlay. If you would like to turn off Wi-Fi, press and hold the Play/Pause button on the remote for five seconds until the Wi-Fi indicator turns off. To turn on Wi-Fi, press and hold the Play/Pause button on the remote for five seconds until the Wi-Fi indicator starts blinking.
Optional battery (not included)
- You can purchase a battery to add portability to your SoudLink® Air system. Contact your local authorized Bose® dealer or visit www.Bose.com for assistance. To contact Bose by phone, refer to the contact list on the Quick Start Guide.
- To install the battery, follow the instructions included with the battery.
- WARNING: Only use a genuine battery from Bose or an authorized Bose dealer. Bose cannot warrant the safety and compatibility or assure the operability of batteries from other manufacturers for use in operating the SoundLink Air digital music system.
Battery status indicator
- The battery status indicator on the front panel tells you when you need to charge the battery.
- A fully charged battery provides approximately three hours of use if the SoundLink Air system is set to maximum volume. However, the rate of battery discharge varies with the type of music played and the volume setting. You can extend the battery operating time significantly by lowering the volume
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Bose SoundLink Air Digital Music System-FAQs
Can the Bose SoundLink connect to Wi-Fi?
Yes, connecting your Bose SoundLink to Wi-Fi allows access to streaming services, multi-room audio, and app-based controls via the Bose app.
Do I need the Bose app to use the SoundLink speaker?
No, the Bose Connect App is not required to use the speaker. However, it helps with software updates, renaming the device, and managing settings.
Can I use my Bose SoundLink without Wi-Fi?
Yes, outside of Wi-Fi range, you can use Bluetooth to stream audio from your phone, tablet, or other devices.
How do I adjust the volume on my Bose SoundLink?
Simply press or hold the (+) or (-) buttons to increase or decrease volume. A tone will indicate when the maximum or minimum level is reached.
How long does the Bose SoundLink battery last?
A fully charged battery provides up to 6 hours of playtime at moderate volume levels. Higher volumes will drain the battery faster. The battery typically lasts for about 300 charge cycles.
Does the Bose SoundLink have an equalizer?
Yes, you can adjust bass, mid, and treble levels using the Equalizer (EQ) settings in the Bose app.
Which is better, Bose or JBL?
It depends on your preference:
1. Bose offers clear, well-balanced audio for a natural sound experience.
2. JBL delivers stronger bass, making it ideal for movies and bass-heavy music.
How do I switch between devices on the Bose SoundLink?
The speaker automatically reconnects to the last two paired devices if they are within range. To switch, pause playback on one device and start playing from another.
Can I use my Bose SoundLink while charging?
Yes, you can continue using the speaker while it is plugged in and charging. The battery indicator will blink red when it needs to be charged.