Bose Companion 3 Series II multimedia speakers Sold from September 2006 to present User Manual

							COMPANION
®
3Series II
MULTIMEDIA SPEAKERS
!#$%&()*+,$
)*-.(,$(*.%+/
0/1+2$(,&*1+3+1.1+/# 
						

							2
English
Français Español
SAFETY INFORMATION
Please read this owner’s guide
Please take the time to follow this owner’s guide carefully. It will help you set up and operate your system properly 
and enjoy its advanced featur es. Please save your owner’s guide for future reference.
WARNING: 
!#$%&(%#)*%#$+,-#.#.+$ %#$#%/%()$+(#,*(-0#
)#%23,%# )*+,#,4,)%5#)#$6+1#$#5+,)$%7#
WARNING: 
!*%#6336$6),#,*6//#1)#8%#%23,%& #)#&$+33+19#$#,3/6,*+190#61:%(),#.+//%&#;+)*#/+,#;+)*#614#%/%()$1+(#3$&(),0#,%#(6$%#1)#)#,3+//#/+
						

							Important Safety Instructions
English FrançaisEspañol
3
1.!#$%&(%)*(&+,-&).*(  – for all components before using 
this product. 
2. /0%&(%)*(&+,-&).*(  – for future reference. 
3. 1$%#22%3#+*)*4(  – on the product and in the owner’s 
guide.
4. 5.22.3%#22%)*(&+,-&).*(6
5. 7.%*.&%,(%&)(%#00#+#&,( %*#+%3#&+%.+%8.)(&,+ – Do 
not use this product near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, 
laundry tub, in a wet basement, near a swimming pool, or 
anywhere else that water or moisture are present.
6. 92#*%.*2:%3)&%#%$+:%-2.&  – and as directed by Bose !
Corporation. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before 
cleaning.
7. 7.%*.&%;2.-*(%)*%#--.+?
$#*-%3)&%&%8#*,@#-&,++A(%)*(&+,-&).*(  – To ensure 
reliable operation of the product and to protect it from  !
overheating, put the product in a position and location that 
will not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, do 
not place the product on a bed, sofa, or similar surface that 
may block the ventilation openings. Do not put it in a built-in !
system, such as a bookcase or a cabinet that may keep air 
from flowing through its ventilation openings.
8. 7.%*.&%)*(%*#+%#*:%#&%(.,+-(B%(,-%#(%+#$)#&.+(B%
#&%+4)(&+(B%(&.=(B%.+%.&+%#00#+#&,(%C)*-2,$)*4%
#802)@)+(D%&#&%0+.$,-%#&6
9. 7.%*.&%$@#&%&%(#@&:%0,+0.(%.@%&%0.2#+)E$%.+%
4+.,*$)*4?&:0%02,46%F%0.2#+)E$%02,4%#(%&3.%;2#$(%
3)&%.*%3)$+%&#*%&%.&+ 6%F%4+.,*$)*4?&:0%02,4%#(%
&3.%;2#$(%#*$%#%&)+$%4+.,*$)*4%0+.*46%G%3)$+%;2#$%
.+%&)+$%0+.*4%#+%0+.=)$$%@.+%:.,+%(#@&:6%>@%&%0+.?
=)$$%02,4%$.(%*.&%@)&%)*%:., +%.,&2&B%-.*(,2&%#*%2-&+)?
-)#*%@.+%+02#-8*&%.@%&%.;(.2&%.,&2&6
10. H+.&-&%&%0.3+%-.+$%@+.8%;)*4%3#2
						

							4
English
Français Español 
						

							5
CONTENTS
English FrançaisEspañol
GETTING STARTED6
Congratulations on your choice  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
Unpacking the carton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
SETUP AND CONNECTIONS 7
Placing your system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Positioning the Acoustimass® module   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Positioning the speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Making connections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Connecting the speakers to the module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Connecting the power cord   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Connecting other sources   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
USING YOUR SPEAKER SYSTEM 11
Controlling the system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
Balancing tone for the sound you like   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
Troubleshooting.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
REFERENCE13
Cleaning the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Contacting Customer Service    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Limited warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Technical Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
For your records
The system serial number is located on the bottom of the Acoustimass module.
Serial number: __________________________________________________________________________________
Dealer name:  ___________________________________________________________________________________
Dealer phone:  __________________________________________________________________________________
We suggest you keep your sales receip t together with this owner’s guide.
Now would be a good time to register your product online at www.bose.com/register. 
						

							6
!#$%&()*%)+#,-*./01&2 2 34!5
English
Français Español
GETTING STARTED
Congratulations on your choice
Thank you for pu rchasing the Bose®!Companion® 3 Series II multimedi a speaker system.
Bose designed this  amplified system to provide true-to-life ste reo performance for music, 
computer games, and video, plus hi gh-quality sound from a variety of desktop audio sources. 
Unique features make this syst em a superior choice for home or office workspaces.
Companion 3 multimedia speaker syste m benefits include:
• Small speakers and an ea sy-to-hide Acoustimass
® module that keep your workspace  !
clutter free.
•TrueSpace
® stereo signal processing for a wide so undstage from speakers positioned close 
together.
• Control pod for at-hand volume adjustments and mute capability plus jacks to connect !
headphones or external equi pment like a CD player, MP3 p layer, or other audio source.
• Magnetic shielding that allo ws speaker placement next to  your monitor or television !
without on-screen  color distortion.
Unpacking the carton
Carefully unpack your speake rs and save all of the packing material s, which provide the  !
safest means for shipping or tran sporting. Check to be sure your system includes all of the 
parts (Figure 1).
If any part of the system appears damaged, do  not attempt to use it. Notify your authorized 
Bose dealer immediately. Or, to  contact Bose directly, refer to the address sheet included in 
the carton.
Figure 1
Carton contents
Speakers Acoustimass
® module
AC power cord
Audio input cable Control pod
Owner’s guide
Rubber feet
WARNING: !#6=+&#&619%$#.#,
..(6)+10#-%%3#3/6,)+(#869,#)#.#)*%#$%6(*#.#(*+/&$%17
Now is a good time to copy the serial nu mber, located on the back of the Acoustimass !
module, into the form labeled “For your records” on page 5. 
						

							7
!#$%&()*%)+#,-*./01&2 2 34!5
English FrançaisEspañol
SETUP AND CONNECTIONS
Placing your system
The following guidelines are offered as an ai d in placing the speakers and the Acoustimass®
module to provide outstanding perfor mance (Figure 2). Feel free to set up the system where it 
is most convenient and provides the sound you enjoy.
Figure 2
Recommended system 
placement
3 inches 
(8 cm)
minimum
6 inches 
(15 cm)
minimum Acoustimass module
Speakers
Positioning the Acoustimass® module
The Acoustimass module fun
ctions as the unseen part of the system. When placed under or 
behind furniture, for example,  it plays an invisible role in producing lifelike sound. 
Keep the module:
• Positioned on a flat surface.
• Within reach of an AC (mains) power outlet.
• With the rear of the module at  least 3 inches (8 cm) from a wall.
• With the front aimed away from the wall to  decrease or toward the wall to increase bass.
• At least 6 inches (15 cm) from  your computer monitor or TV to avoid interference from the 
module, which is not magnetically shielded.
• Where nothing blocks the openings on the back  of the module, which provide ventilation to 
prevent overheat ing during use.
• Away from heat sources (radiator s, baseboards, quartz heater, etc.).
• Resting on the bottom surface, not on the  top, a side, or either end (Figure 3).
Figure 3
Module placement
Ventilation openings 
						

							8
!#$%&()*%)+#,-*./01&2 2 34!5
S
ETUP AND CONNECTIONS
English
Français Español
Other suggestions:
• Use the supplied audio input cable, which allows  for placement of the module up to 6 feet !
(2 m) from your sound source. 
• To place the module farther from the source,  use a shielded audio input extension cable 
available from retail electronics stores.
Positioning the speakers
The supplied speaker cables a llow the speakers to be set up wi thin 6 feet (2 m) of the !
module.
The speakers are designed for desktop placement  on stands that lift them slightly above the 
surface or for rest ing directly on it.
If you prefer to use th e speakers without stands, removing  them is simple (Figure 4). After 
removing a speaker from the stand, a pply the supplied rubber feet to the bottom surface !
for stability.
CAUTION: 
B*,%#6#,)68/%0#/%=%/#,$. 6(%#.$#)*%#,3%6-%$,#61&#,) 61&,7#C+8$6)+1#(61#(6,%#
)*%5#)#5=%0#36$)+(/6$/4#1# ,5)*#,$.6(%,#/+-%#6#&%,-)37
Keep the speakers:
• Up to 3 feet (91 cm) from the sides of the screen.
• At equal distance on each  side of the computer monitor or  TV and slightly angled away 
from it (Figure 2 on page 7).
Figure 4
Removing a speaker from 
the stand (a) and applying 
rubber feet (b) to the 
speaker
b.
Making connections
Custom cables supplied with this system simplify connections to  the labeled jacks on the rear 
of the Acoustimass® module (Figure 7).
CAUTION: 
D#1)#3/9#)*%#>(, )+56,,#5&/%#+1)#61#>B#3;%$# E56+1,F#)/%)#1)+/#6//#)*%#
,$(%#(531%1),#6$%#(11%()%&#)#)*%#5&/%7
a. 
						

							9
!#$%&()*%)+#,-*./01&2 2 34!5S
ETUP AND CONNECTIONS
English Français
Español
Connecting the speakers to the module
The speakers, control pod,  and computer all connect directly to the Acoustimass® module.
1. Insert the connecto r on each speaker cable into the corresponding L or R jack labeled !
To Speakers on the rear of the Acoustimass module (Figure 5).
Figure 5
Speaker connection jacksC AU
TI
O N:C
o
nn e
c t
o
nl
y
C o
m p
an i
o n®3
sp
e
a k
e rs
t
o t
h es
e
j a
cks
. C
on
n ec
ti
n g
a
n y
ot
h e
r
e l
e c
tr
o ni
c de
vi
c e
t
o th
ese
j
a
c ks
m ay
d
am
ag
e yo
u
r sp
eak
e r
s
ys
t
e m
.
2. Insert the control pod cab
le into the jack labeled To Control Pod on the rear of the !
module. Be sure the cable connector is right  side up, with the arrow showing (Figure 6).
Figure 6
Proper control pod cable 
connectionArrow indicator
3. Insert the connector on one end of the supplied audio  input cable into the jack labeled 
From Computer on the rear  of the module. Connect the other end to the audio output 
jack on your computer (Figure 7).
Figure 7
Labels on the module for 
ease in making connections
Right
speaker Left 
speaker
To
Speakers
From 
Computer
To
Control Pod
Acoustimass Module
Computer
Control Pod
Power cord
AC outlet
Note:G.#4$#,1&#,$(%#*6,#3*1#:6(-,#+1,)
%6&#.#6#,)%$%#5+1+#:6(-0#,%#61#6&+#
6&63)%$#(68/%# available from retail electronics store s7#B11%()#)*%#6&63)%$ #)#)*%#6&+#+13)#
(68/%#61&#+1,%$)#)*%#6&63)%$#+1)# )*%#3*1#:6(-,#1#4$#,$(%7 
						

							10
!#$%&()*%)+#,-*./01&2 2 34!5
S
ETUP AND CONNECTIONS
English
Français Español
Connecting the power cord 
Plugging in and turnin g on the Acoustimass® module is the final step before using the system.
1. Insert the small conn ector end of the power cord int o the AC INPUT jack on the module. 
2. Plug the large connector into  an AC power (mains) outlet.
3. Turn the power switch, located on the ba ck of the Acoustimass module, to ON (|).
On the control pod, the LED turns yellow to ind icate the system is on and is ready for use.
Connecting other sources
The control pod features two jacks: one for connection directly  to another sound source and 
the other for a headphone.
• To connect an external CD or MP3 player to  your system, plug the cable from the sound 
source output jack int o the input jack (
) on the control pod. See Figure 8 on page 11.
• To connect headphones, insert the connecto r on the headphone cable into the headphone 
jack
on the control pod. This connection mutes the sound from the speakers.