Bose QuietComfort 15, QUIETCOMFORT 345442-0010 User Manual

QUIETCOMFORT® 15

ACOUSTIC NOISE CANCELLING® HEADPHONES

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©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 performance standards. Apple is not
responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with
safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this
accessory with iPod, iPhone, or iPad may affect wireless performance.

Safety Information

Please read this owner’s guide

Reading this owner’s guide will help you to properly use your new

®

product and enjoy its features. Please save this owner’s guide

Bose
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.

Batteries

Please 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.

ii

Limited Warranty

Your Q u i e tCom 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.

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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 advanced Bose consumer noise reduction technology ever

to be developed. The QuietComfort 15 headphones deliver a combination of noise reduction, acclaimed audio
performance and comfortable 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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AAA alkaline battery
(IEC LR03)

RLRL

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 compartment 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 the On position.The battery
light indicator will illuminate.

You do not need to connect the headphones cord for
noise reduction only operation.

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RL

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 audio 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 switch 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.

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Volume up

Answer/End

Volume down

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 generation 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.

4

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

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Basic functions

Increase volume Press and release the + button.
Decrease volume Press and release the – button.

Call-related functions

Answer a call When you receive an incoming call, press

End a call Press and release the Answer/End button.
Decline an incoming

call
Switch to an incoming

or on-hold call and
put the current call on
hold

Switch to an incoming
or on-hold call and
end the current call

Use Voice Control Press and hold the Answer/End button.

Media playback functions

Play or pause a song
or video

Skip to the next song
or chapter

Fast-forward Press and release the Answer/End button

Go to the previous
song or chapter

Rewind Press and release the Answer/End button

and release the Answer/End button to
answer.

Press and hold the Answer/End button for
about two seconds, then release.

While on a call, press and release the

Answer/End button once. Press and
release again to switch back to the first call.

While on a call, press and hold the Answer/
End button for about two seconds, then
release.

See iPhone User Guide for compatibility and
usage information about this feature.

Press and release the Answer/End button.

Press and release the Answer/End button
twice quickly.

twice quickly and hold the second press.
Press and release the Answer/End button

three times quickly.

three times quickly and hold the third press.

Connecting to in-flight entertainment
systems

Audio jack configurations on airplanes vary. Notice the
jack configurations in the chart below.

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 the 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 connect to the airline seat jack,
as this could result in personal injury 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 surfaces 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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Troubleshooting

Problem What to do

No noise reduction • Make sure the headphones power is switched

Low or no volume • Make sure the audio source is on and the

Crackling noise;
intermittent loss of
noise reduction

Low rumbling
sound

Volume too high • Turn the source volume down.

Microphone is not
picking-up sound

Phone not respond­ing to button
presses

Apple product not
responding to
remote

on and the battery light indicator is
illuminated.

• Replace the battery.

volume is turned up.

• Set LEVEL switch to HI.

• Check the headphones cord connection at the
source and the earcup.

• Check the headphones cord connection at the
source and the earcup.

• Replace the battery.

• 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.

• Set LEVEL switch to LO.

• 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.

• Make sure that the headset plug is securely
connected to the headphone jack.

• For multi-press functions: Vary speed of
presses.

• Full controls may not be available for some
Apple products.

Other 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

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.

®

offers an aviation

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WARNING: Except in case of emergency, Bose recom-

mends that you NOT use these headphones as aviation
communication headsets because:

• No incoming audio will be heard with a discharged
or improperly installed battery. This could result in
the potential of missed communications while piloting
an aircraft.

• Extremely loud ambient noise levels common to many
propeller-driven aircraft may impair your ability to
receive incoming audio communications, particularly
during takeoff and climb out.

• The QuietComfort 15 headphones are not engineered
for noise conditions, altitude, temperature or other
environmental conditions common in non-commercial
aircraft, resulting in possible interference to critical
communications.

Names and Contents of Toxic or Hazardous Substances or Elements

Toxic or Hazardous Substances and Elements

Part

Lead

Mercury

Cadmium

Name

(Pb)

(Hg)

PCBs

X0 0 0 0 0

Metal
parts

X0 0 0 0 0

Plastic
parts

00 0 0 0 0

Speakers

X0 0 0 0 0

Cables

X0 0 0 0 0

O: Indicates that this toxic or hazardous substance contained in all of the homogeneous
materials for this part is below the limit requirement in SJ/T 11363-2006.

X: Indicates that this toxic or hazardous substance contained in at least one of the
homogeneous materials used for this part is above the limit requirement in SJ/T
11363-2006.

(Cd)

Hexavalent

(CR(VI))

Polybrominated
Biphenyl (PBB)

Polybrominated

diphenylether (PBDE)

9

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©2011 Bose Corporation, The Mountain,
Framingham, MA 01701-9168 USA
AM345875 Rev.02