Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones Sold from June 2010 to present User Manual

							©2011 Bose Corporation, The Mountain,
Framingham, MA 01701-9168 USA
AM345875 Rev.01
QUIET
COMFORT
® 15 A
COUSTIC
 NOISE
 CANCELLING
® HEADPHONESQUIETCOMFORT
®
 15
ACOUSTIC NOISE CANCELLING® HEADPHONES
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 |  |   | 
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Safety Information
Please read this owner’s guideReading this owner’s guide will help you to properly use your new 
Bose®product and enjoy its features. Please save this owner’s guide 
for future reference.
WARNING:
 Sounds that you rely on as warnings or reminders may have an  unfamiliar character when you are using the headphones. Be aware 
of how these sounds vary in character, so you can recognize them 
as needed.
 Long-term exposure to loud music may cause hearing damage.  It is best to avoid extreme volume when using these headphones, 
especially for extended periods.
 Keep batteries out of reach of children.
CAUTION:
 Do not use these headphones when operating a motor vehicle,  or where the inability to hear outside sounds may present a danger 
to you or others. 
 Do not drop, sit on, or allow the headphones to be immersed in  water.
BatteriesPlease dispose of used batteries properly,  following any 
local regulations. Do not incinerate.
This product conforms to the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC 
and to the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC. The 
complete Declaration of Conformity can be found on 
www.Bose.com/compliance.
Limited Warranty
Yo u r  Q u i e t C o m f o r t® 15 headphones are covered by a limited warranty. 
Details of the limited warranty are provided on the product registration 
card that is included in the carton. Please refer to the card for 
instructions on how to register. Failure to register will not affect your 
limited warranty rights.
What you must do to obtain Limited Warranty Service:
Return product, with proof of purchase from an authorized Bose dealer, 
using the following procedures:
1.Contact the Bose organization in your country/region (visit 
Global.Bose.com for Bose contact information in your country/
region) for specific return and shipping instructions;
2.Label and ship the product, freight prepaid, to the address 
provided by the Bose organization in your country; and
3.Place any necessary return authorization number prominently 
on the outside of the carton.  Cartons not bearing a return 
authorization number, where required, will be refused.
©2011 Bose Corporation. No part  of this work may be reproduced, 
modified, distributed, or otherwise used without prior written 
permission
Apple, iPad, iPhone, iPod, iPod classic, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iPod 
touch and MacBook are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the 
U.S. and other countries.
“Made for iPod,” “Made for iPhone,” and “Made for iPad” mean that 
an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to 
iPod, iPhone, or iPad, respectively , and has been certified by the 
developer to meet Apple perfor mance standards. Apple is not 
responsible for the operation of th is device or its compliance with 
safety and regulatory standards. Pl ease note that the use of this 
accessory with iPod, iPhone, or iPad may affect wireless performance.
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Thank you for purchasing the QuietComfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones from Bose®. 
Three decades of research have resulted in the most ad vanced Bose consumer noise reduction technology ever 
to be developed. The QuietComfort 15  headphones deliver a combination of noise reduction, acclaimed audio 
performance and comforta ble fit that remains unmatched in the industry . An additional audio cable with remote and 
microphone for Apple products allows convenient control of music, voice applications and calls. Enjoy the 
QuietComfort 15 headphones when you fly, work, or just relax. 
❏ QuietComfort
® 15 headphones ❏Carrying case ❏Battery (AAA)
❏ Audio cable with remote & 
microphone ❏
Audio cable ❏Airline adapter
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Before you put on the headphones
1.Tilt the top of the right earcup inward to gain access 
to the battery compartment.
2. Open the battery compart ment and insert the 
battery as shown.
3. Close the compartment.
For noise reduction only
Put on the headphones. On the right earcup, slide the 
power switch forward to th e On position.The battery 
light indicator will illuminate. 
You do not need to connect the headphones cord for 
noise reduction only operation. 
AAA alkaline battery
(IEC LR03) 
RLRL
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For noise reduction and audio
You can use the headphones with a variety of audio 
sources: airline audio, a CD, DVD or MP3 player, 
a personal or laptop computer, or home stereo. When 
using with Apple products, use the audio cable with 
remote and microphone. When using other audio 
sources, use the standard audio cable. 
To enjoy both noise reduction and audio:
1.Gently push the headphones plug all the way into 
the connector opening on the left earcup, until the 
plug housing is flush with the earcup. 2.
Connect the headphones cord to an audio source. 
For information on using your headphones on an 
airplane, see “Connecting to in-flight entertainment 
systems” on page 5.
Note:  The LO setting of  the LEVEL switch lowers the volume 
levels of strong au dio output signals  which are common on 
airline systems. If you  find that the volume level is too low, 
set the LEVEL switch to HI. The sw itch has no effect on noise 
reduction performance.
3.Put on the headphones. On the right earcup, slide 
the power switch forward to the On position. The 
battery light indicator will illuminate. 
RL
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For use with:
The remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano 
(4th generation and later), iPod classic (120GB, 160GB 
only), iPod touch (2nd generation and later), iPhone 
3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPad 2 and 2009 models or later of 
MacBook and MacBook Pro.  The remote is supported 
by iPod shuffle (3rd genera tion and later). Audio is 
supported by all iPod models.
Connecting to your Apple device
You can connect the headphone to the standard 
3.5 mm headphone jack on your iPhone, iPod, or other 
Apple product.
Using the headphones with your Apple 
device
The Bose® QuietComfort® 15 headphones come with a 
small in-line remote with an  integrated microphone for 
convenient control of select Apple products. Easily 
control volume, track selection and voice applications, 
plus switch between your calls and music.
Note:  Full controls may not be available for some Apple products.
Headphone controls
Volume up
Answer/End
Volume down
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Basic functions
Call-related functions
Media playback functionsConnecting to in-flight entertainment 
systems
Audio jack configurations on airplanes vary. Notice the 
jack configurations in  the chart below. Increase volume Press and release the  + button.
Decrease volume Press and release the  – button.
Answer a call When you receive an incoming call, press  and release the Answer/End button to 
answer.
End a call Press and release the Answer/End button.
Decline an incoming 
call Press and hold the 
Answer/End button for 
about two seconds, then release.
Switch to an incoming 
or on-hold call and 
put the current call on 
hold While on a call, press and release the 
Answer/End  button once. Press and 
release again to switch back to the first call.
Switch to an incoming 
or on-hold call and 
end the current call While on a call, press and hold the Answer/
End
 button for about two seconds, then 
release.
Use Voice Control Press and hold the  Answer/End button. 
See iPhone User Guide for compatibility and 
usage information about this feature.
Play or pause a song 
or video Press and release the 
Answer/End button.
Skip to the next song 
or chapter Press and release the 
Answer/End button 
twice quickly.
Fast-forward Press and release the  Answer/End button 
twice quickly and hold the second press.
Go to the previous 
song or chapter Press and release the 
Answer/End button 
three times quickly.
Rewind Press and release the Answer/End button 
three times quickly and hold the third press.
A single, 3.5 mm jack 
(on most portable sources)
Use the single plug.
No adapter needed.
One 3.5 mm jack and one power jack 
Use the single plug in the 3.5 mm jack 
(the larger one). 
The smaller jack does not need a 
connection.
Two 3.5 mm jacks
Use the dual 3.5 mm output plug 
adapter.
One power jack and two 3.5 mm jacks 
Use the dual 3.5 mm output plug 
adapter for the two 3.5 mm jacks. 
The power jack does not need a 
connection.
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To connect to in-flight entertainment systems equipped 
with dual output connectors, use the dual 3.5 mm 
output plug.  
Note:  Airline audio may not equal th e high quality audio you can get from a home stereo or a portable source.
WARNING: Use only the Bose® airline adapter to connect 
headphone to airplane seat jacks. DO NOT use adapters 
intended for mobile phones to co nnect to the airline seat jack, 
as this could result in personal in jury such as burns or property 
damage due to overheating. Remove and disconnect 
immediately if you  experience warming sensation or loss 
of audio.
Storing the headphones
To store the headphones in the case, rotate the 
earcups inward, then place the headphones in 
the case. 
CAUTION: Incorrectly rotating the  earcups can damage the headphones.
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Battery life and replacement
Although it varies by usage, battery life averages 35 
hours. The battery light indicator starts flashing when 
there are approximately 5 hours of battery life remaining.
When a replacement is needed, use a AAA alkaline 
battery (IEC LR03). 
Note: Remaining battery life may vary when using rechargeable 
batteries. NiMH batteries, composed of nickel metal hydride, 
are recommended.
Cleaning the headphones
Scheduled cleaning is not required. However, you can 
simply wipe the outside surf aces with a damp cloth, 
as needed. Also, be sure that the earcup ports are clear 
and that no moisture is allowed into the earcups.
Reattaching the earcup cushions 
If a cushion becomes partially or completely detached:
1. Push its mounting rim back into the earcup.
2. Press around the edge of the mounting rim, making 
sure it snaps into place under all eight tabs around 
the earcup.
Replacement parts and accessories
You can purchase accessories from your Bose® dealer, 
at global.Bose.com, or by placing an order over the 
phone. See the inside back cover for contact 
information.
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TroubleshootingOther Considerations
QuietComfort® 15 headphones are designed for 
passenger use on jet aircraft. They are not engineered 
to meet the needs of pilots and crew members or to 
meet civil aviation authority standards for 
communication headsets. 
For pilots and and crew members who require 
communication headsets, Bose
® offers an aviation 
headset specifically designed to meet or exceed 
civil authority standards. It features a microphone 
with the appropriate power and intelligibility for 
critical communication needs. It is also engineered 
to withstand the environmental conditions that are 
common in unpressurized aircraft.
ProblemWhat to do
No noise reduction  Make sure th e headphones power is switched 
on and the battery light indicator is 
illuminated.
 Replace the battery.
Low or no volume  Make sure the audio source is on and the  volume is turned up.
 Set LEVEL switch to HI.
 Check the headphones cord connection at the  source and the earcup.
Crackling noise; 
intermittent loss of 
noise reduction  Check the headphones cord connection at the 
source and the earcup.
 Replace the battery.
Low rumbling 
sound  Adjust the fit of the headphones on your ears.
 Make sure no foreign objects are inside the 
earcups. 
 Make sure port holes are not blocked.
Volume too high  Turn the source volume down.  Set LEVEL switch to LO.
Microphone is not 
picking-up sound  Make sure that the headset plug is securely 
connected to the headphone jack.
 Make sure the microphone is not being  blocked or covered. 
The microphone is located on the back of the 
Answer/End button.
Phone not respond-
ing to button 
presses  Make sure that the headset plug is securely 
connected to the headphone jack.
 For multi-press functi ons: Vary speed of 
presses.
Apple product not 
responding to 
remote  Full controls may not 
be available for some 
Apple products.
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