Bose Companion 5 Manual

							SYSTEM
 SETUP
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YSTEM SETUP
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Windows® XP audio setup
IMPORTANT!
Do not unplug any cables during this setup procedure.
For additional help with your audio setup, please visit 
http://owners.bose.com/Companion5.
1.After plugging in the USB cable, wait for a series of “Found New Hardware” messages to 
appear on your computer screen (Figure 4) (this takes about 30 seconds). If any other 
messages appear that interrupt this setup process, refer to “Troubleshooting” on 
page 16.
Note:
If you do not see these messages, the capability to display them may be disabled in your 
computer. Wait two minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Figure 4
“Found New Hardware” 
typical message sequenceStart
End 
						

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SYSTEM
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YSTEM SETUP
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2.In the Windows XP Control Panel, open Sounds and Audio Devices 
Properties (Figure 5). 
3.Under the Vo l u m e tab, verify that Bose USB Audio is the connected USB device.
4.UnderSpeaker settings, click the Advanced button to open Advanced Audio 
Properties.
5.In the Speaker setup drop list, select 5.1 surround sound speakers.
6.ClickApply and then OK.
Your Companion
® 5 multimedia speaker system is now ready to use.
Note:
If you remove the USB connection to your Companion 5 system and plug it in again later, 
perform this procedure again to check the settings.
Figure 5
Sounds and Audio Devices 
Properties and Advanced 
Audio PropertiesConnected USB device
Setting for the Companion 5 system 
						

							SYSTEM
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YSTEM SETUP
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Mac OS® X audio setup
IMPORTANT!
Do not unplug any cables during this setup procedure.
For additional help with your audio setup, please visit 
http://owners.bose.com/Companion5.
1.In the System Preferences, open the Sound control panel (Figure 6).
2.Choose Bose USB Audio for sound output and close the control panel.
Figure 6
Mac OS® X sound
preferences
3.In the Applications folder on your hard drive, open the Utilities folder.
4.Open the Audio MIDI Setup control panel (Figure 7).
5.SelectBose USB Audio for Properties For,Default Output, and System Output.
Figure 7
Audio MIDI Setup control 
panel 
						

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SYSTEM
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YSTEM SETUP
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6.Click the Configure Speakers button to open the speaker selection control !
panel (Figure 8).
7.SelectMultichannel, click Apply, and then click Done.
8.Close all control panels.
Your Companion
® 5 multimedia speaker system is now ready to use.
Note:
If you remove the USB connection to your Companion 5 system and plug it in again later, 
perform this procedure again to check the settings.
Figure 8
Speaker selection control 
panel 
						

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OPERATION
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OPERATION
System modes
There are three system modes. Each system mode is identified by the color of the mode indi-
cator on the control pod (Figure 9):
•Muted (Amber): The system speakers are silenced. You hear no audio from the computer 
or any connected source. This mode is automatically selected when you connect head-
phones to the control pod.
•Active (Green): You hear the active sound source from the system speakers. The position 
of the volume control ring sets the volume level.
•Standby (Red): The system is in an energy-saving mode. When both the USB connection 
from your computer and the input signal of a connected audio source are inactive for sev-
eral minutes, the system mutes the speakers and switches to Standby. The system returns 
to the Muted mode when the USB connection becomes active again.
Touch the top center of the control pod to switch between the Muted and Active mode, 
except when headphones are connected. Plugging in headphones always puts the system in 
Muted Mode until they are removed.
Figure 9
System controls and mode 
indicator
Mode switch!
(touch-sensitive)Mode indicator
• Amber = Muted mode
• Green = Active mode
• Red = Standby mode
Volume control ring
IMPORTANT!
• The Companion
® 5 multimedia speaker system is designed to perform at its best 
without any additional audio effects. Make sure you disable any audio effects 
settings and close any effects applications running on your computer.
• Make sure the settings in your software application are correct for 5.1 surround 
sound.
Controlling the volume
The volume control ring on the control pod (Figure 9) is the master volume control for any 
audio coming from your computer or a device connected to the input jack. Rotate the ring 
clockwise to increase the volume or counterclockwise to decrease it.
To set the volume level
To properly set the volume level, you need to adjust both the volume level of the source (your 
PC or a connected source) and the Companion 5 system:
1.Set the Companion 5 system volume to minimum.
2.Set the source volume near maximum.
3.Start playing music.
4.Slowly increase the volume on the Companion 5 system control pod until the sound 
reaches a comfortable level.
To mute the system
To silence the system, touch the mode switch on the control pod (indicator glows Amber). 
Touch it again to unmute (indicator glows Green).
Note:
The system output may be reduced by an internal protection feature if you play music at 
full volume for a long period of time. 
						

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OPERATION
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PERATION
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Adjusting the bass
After listening to your speaker system, you may wish to adjust the sound. Use the bass !
compensation control (Figure 10) on the Acoustimass® module.
Figure 10
Bass compensation control
Acoustimass rear 
panel
Bass compensation:
•
! to increase bass (+)
•
 to decrease bass (–)  
						

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CONNECTING
 O
THER DEVICES
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CONNECTING OTHER DEVICES
Connecting headphones
To connect headphones, plug the headphones cord into the 3.5-mm stereo headphones 
jack on the side of the control pod (Figure 11). 
• Plugging in headphones automatically mutes the system speakers.
• After disconnecting headphones, touch the mode switch to hear sound from the speakers 
again.
• To adjust the volume level, use the volume control ring on the control pod.
Figure 11
Control pod connectors
Headphones output jack Audio input jack
Mode switch
Connecting an audio device
To connect an audio device such as a CD/MP3 player, plug the audio cable from the 
device into the 3.5-mm stereo input jack on the control pod.
To adjust the volume level, turn up the volume on the audio device and use the volume 
control ring on the control pod.
Note:
When listening to a connected audio device, alerts and sounds from your computer are 
mixed with the sound from the audio device. You may need to adjust the volume control ring and 
the volume levels in your computer and the connected device to hear both sources at your 
preferred levels. 
						

							16
CARE AND
 M
AINTENANCE
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Cleaning your speaker system
• To clean the surface of your speakers, Acoustimass® module, and control pod, use a soft 
cloth. You may use an ammonia-free window cleaner to maintain the finish.
• Do not use any sprays near the speakers. Do not use any solvents, chemicals, or cleaning 
solutions containing alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives.
• Do not allow liquids to spill into any openings.
• To clean the speaker grilles, vacuum them carefully.
Limited warranty
The Companion® 5 system is covered by a limited transferable warranty. Details of the limited 
warranty are provided on the product registration card that came with your system. Please fill 
out the information section on the card and mail it to Bose or register your product at !
http://owners.bose.com/register. Failure to do so will not affect your limited warranty rights. 
Troubleshooting
This table provides guidelines for solving problems that you may encounter. For additional 
help, contact Bose directly or visit the Internet site at http://owners.bose.com/Companion5. 
See the address sheet included in the carton for contact information.
Problem What to do
Setup was interrupted by 
the message, “A prob-
lem occurred during 
hardware installation. 
Your new hardware might 
not work properly.”• You may have removed the USB cable during the hardware installation process. Insert the 
USB cable and start again.
• Try a different USB jack.
Setup was interrupted by 
the message, “This USB 
device can perform faster 
if you connect it to a 
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. 
For a list of available 
ports, click here.”• You may have plugged into a USB hub that has a USB 1.0 device connected to it. 
Remove the USB 1.0 device, or plug the Companion 5 system directly into a USB 2.0 
port.
No sound from the !
system.• Disconnect the USB cable from your computer and plug it in again.
• Make sure connections are secure (See “Making system connections” on page 8). 
• Check your speaker cords for damage that may be causing an open or short circuit.
• Turn the volume ring on the control pod clockwise.
• If you are using a connected audio device, make sure it is plugged in and the volume !
control on the device is turned up.
• Make sure the speaker system is in the Active mode (control pod indicator is Green).
• Disconnect headphones.
• Restart your digital audio application. Make sure mute is not set in the application and 
that the volume is set at a reasonable level.
The entire speaker sys-
tem sounds distorted.• Decrease the volume at the sound source and increase the volume on the control pod.
• Disable the effects in any audio application running. 
						

							CARE AND
 M
AINTENANCE
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ARE AND MAINTENANCE
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Customer service
For additional help in solving problems, contact Bose® Customer Service. Refer to the 
address sheet included with the system.
Product specifications
Power ratingUSA/Canada.................. 120VAC~ 50/60 Hz 300W!
International................... 220VAC-240VAC~ 50/60 Hz 300W!
Japan ............................. 100VAC~ 50/60 Hz 300W
DimensionsSatellite speaker ............ 8.85"H x 5.79"W x 3.83"D !
(22.5 cm x 14.7 cm x 9.7 cm)
Acoustimass module ..... 8.58"H x 6.82"W x 16.74"D !
(21.8 cm x 17.3 cm x 42.5 cm)
Control pod ................... 2.46"DIA x 1.12"H !
(6.3 cm x 2.9 cm)
WeightSatellite speaker ............ 1.9 lb (0.85 kg)!
Acoustimass module ..... 18.3 lb (8.3 kg)!
Control pod ................... 0.46 lb (0.21 kg)
FinishAcoustimass module ..... Scratch-resistant, satin-finished vinyl!
Satellite speakers .......... Painted polymer finish
Computer system recommendation
• 1 GHz, minimum, Pentium processor or equivalent
• 256 MB RAM, minimum
• USB 2.0
• Microsoft Windows
® XP or later, or Mac OS® X 10.4.6 or later
• A compatible 5.1 surroundsound decoder residing on your computer I’m hearing clicks, pops, 
and abnormal sounds on 
my computer.• This may be caused by connecting the speaker system to your computer through a USB 
hub. Disconnect the Companion
® 5 system USB cable from the hub and plug it into a 
USB jack on your computer.
Sound from speakers is 
not loud enough.• Increase the volume on your computer or other sound source.
System sounds “tinny,” 
too much treble.• Make sure right (R) and left (L) speakers are on the correct sides of your computer moni-
tor. Check the L and R markings on the speaker cord behind each speaker.
• Make sure Bass Compensation control on the Acoustimass
® module is not turned fully 
counterclockwise.
One satellite speaker 
does not play or sounds 
distorted.• Check all connections between the satellite speakers, control pod, sound source and the 
Acoustimass module. Make sure all plugs are fully inserted into the jacks on the module.
• Make sure the speaker cord plug on the speaker in question is fully inserted into its jack 
on the Acoustimass module.
• To determine if the problem is in the sound source or the Acoustimass module, connect a 
different sound source to the control pod. If the Companion 5 speaker system operates 
properly, the problem is in the original sound source. If the problem remains, then the 
problem is in the Acoustimass module.
• Check balance levels on your sound source.  Problem What to do 
						

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INFORMACIÓN DE SEGURIDAD
Lea esta guía del usuario
Dedique el tiempo que sea necesario para seguir atentamente las instrucciones de esta guía, que le ayudará a 
instalar y utilizar correctamente el sistema de altavoces Guarde esta guía para utilizarla como material de referencia 
en el futuro.
ADVERTENCIA: Con el fin de reducir el riesgo de descargas eléctricas, no exponga el sistema a la lluvia o la humedad. 
ADVERTENCIA: Este aparato no debe estar expuesto a salpicaduras ni mojarse. No coloque sobre él objetos que 
contengan líquidos como, por ejemplo, jarrones. Al igual que con cualquier producto electrónico, tenga cuidado de no 
derramar líquidos en ningún componente del sistema. Los líquidos pueden provocar averías o incendios.
El símbolo de relámpago con una flecha dentro de un triángulo equilátero indica al usuario que la caja del 
sistema puede contener una tensión sin aislar de magnitud suficiente para constituir un riesgo de descarga 
eléctrica.
El signo de exclamación dentro de un triángulo equilátero, tal como aparece marcado en el sistema, avisa 
al usuario de que existen instrucciones de operación y mantenimiento importantes en esta guía del usuario.
ADVERTENCIA: Para evitar que se produzcan descargas eléctricas, haga coincidir la patilla ancha de la clavija del 
cable de línea con la ranura ancha de la toma de red e insértela completamente.
ADVERTENCIA: No coloque sobre el aparato ninguna fuente de llama viva, como velas encendidas.
PRECAUCIÓN:No realice modificaciones en el sistema o los accesorios. Las alteraciones no autorizadas pueden 
comprometer aspectos de seguridad, cumplimiento normativo y rendimiento del sistema.
PRECAUCIÓN:La exposición durante mucho tiempo a la música a gran volumen puede causar lesiones auditivas. 
Evite el volumen extremo cuando utilice auriculares, en especial durante largos períodos de tiempo.
Este producto cumple la Directiva sobre compatibilidad electromagnética (EMC) 89/336/EEC y la Directiva sobre 
límites de tensión 73/23/EEC. Encontrará la declaración de conformidad completa en 
www.bose.com/static/compliance/index.html.
Notas:
• Si se utiliza la clavija de red o el conector del aparato como dispositivo de desconexión, deberá poder accionarse 
fácilmente.
• Este producto debe utilizarse en espacios interiores. No está diseñado ni se ha probado para uso al aire libre o en 
embarcaciones.
©2006 Bose Corporation. Ninguna parte de esta obra puede reproducirse, modificarse, distribuirse o usarse de ninguna otra manera sin consentimiento 
previo por escrito.
Bose, C
OMPANION, TrueSpace y Acoustimass son marcas comerciales registradas de Bose Corporation. Todas las restantes marcas comerciales a las 
que se hace referencia aquí pertenecen a sus propietarios correspondientes.