Cue Acoustics - Support

model r1 model s1 iPod/iPhone remote control technical

general Cue questions
Q: What forms of payment do you accept? A: We accept PayPal and all major Credit Cards.
Q: How are items shipped? A: We ship via UPS currently. Soon we will offer a variety of shipping methods.
Q: Where do you ship to? A: At this time we are only shipping within the Unites States, we hope to expand our shipping destinations in the near future.
Q: What is Cue's return policy? A: We are so confident that you will love your Cue product that we provide a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Q: Are Cue products tested thoroughly? A: We test each and every product before it leaves our facility, utilizing a variety of function and performance tests.
model r1 questions (back to top)
Q: How much does the r1 weigh? A: It is very light at 6 pounds, its shipping weight is 9 pounds. The s1 satellite speaker weighs only 3 pounds.
Q: Can the r1's dual alarms be set to different sound sources? A: Yes, there are 4 choices for each of the 2 alarms: iPod/iPhone, AM, FM, or Bell.
Q: Is there a Snooze button on the r1? A: Yes, a light-touch Snooze/Mute control is located on the top of the r1. The length of time the Snooze button silences the alarm can be set in Setup mode.
Q: Does the r1 have a Sleep Timer? A: Yes, while listening to the radio or your iPod/iPhone, you can set the r1 to play for a set amount of time before it automatically shuts off using the Sleep Timer (in Setup mode). This allows you to set it when you go to bed, or lay down for a nap, and have the r1 turn off after you fall asleep. If you use the Sleep Timer while listening to an auxiliary device, the r1 will shut off after the programmed time period, but the auxiliary device will stay on.
Q: Does the r1's display dim in a dark room? A: Yes, the r1 is equipped with a light sensor, located on the lower left corner of the front panel, which automatically adjusts the brightness of the display to correspond to the current amount of light in a room. If you disable the Night Light function in Setup mode, the backlight of the display will shut off completely after a brief period of inactivity.
Q: Does the r1 have a backup battery in case the electricity goes out? A: Yes, the r1 has a long-life battery that will keep it running for up to 12 hours in the event of a power outage. This insures that an alarm will still sound at its set time, even if there has been an electrical outage while you were sleeping. Note: The battery should last 5-10 years after purchase, the r1's enclosure is not user-serviceable, so contact Cue Acoustics for a replacement.
Q: Why does the r1 come with an AM antenna but not an FM antenna? A: The r1's power cable doubles as a very effective FM antenna. It works best when the r1 is plugged directly into a wall outlet. If the radio is plugged into a power strip the FM signal may be compromised, but this can be resolved by use of a coaxial cable from a cable outlet to the FM antenna input on the back of the radio (much like a TV)
Q: Why does the r1 only have one speaker? A: If the r1 had two speakers built into such a small unit (like most other dock/radios) there would be virtually no stereo imaging (no sense of left and right as separate channels). We split the left (s1) and right (r1) speakers into 2 components, which allows you to place them a few feet apart and achieve optimal stereo imaging. See the Technology page for more info.
Q: Can I turn off the beep that occurs when I use a touch control or the remote? A: Yes, in Setup mode, choose "System Sounds" and select "Button Beep OFF". When the beep is turned off, a circle icon will appear in the upper right of the r1's display whenever a button or touch control is pushed/touched on the front of the r1 or on the remote.
Q: Can I access Setup mode while I am listening to music in iPod mode? A: Yes, Setup mode can be accessed at any time without interruption. Just turn the Mode knob to Setup, then push and release to select. Setup mode can also be accessed by pushing and holding the Mode knob for 3 seconds, this works even when the r1 is turned off.
Q: Can all functions be accessed from the r1's front panel? A: Yes, everything can be controlled with the 3 knobs and iPod/iPhone touch controls on the front of the r1 (or with the Cue remote). So, if you lose your remote you still have complete control over all the r1's functions (unlike some other brands).
Q: How do I know if my alarm is set correctly? A: Alarm information appears in the upper right of the display when either or both of the alarms is set. Even if the r1 is turned off, you will see the time the alarm(s) is set to and the chosen alarm source (indicated by iPod/iPhone, Radio, or Bell icons). If the alarm sound is set to iPod, but the iPod is not docked at the alarm time, the r1 will default to the Bell sound
Q: Does the r1 have eq presets? A: Yes, the r1 has multiple sound proflies designed by audio technicians. They can be accessed in the Setup Mode, under “Audio.” They include settings for Flat, Classical, Jazz, Pop, and Rock.
Q: How long is the power cord that comes with the r1? A: It is 7 feet long, and due to the r1's internal power supply, there is no ugly wall wart at the end of the cord, or a bulky power block in the middle.
model s1 questions (back to top)
Q: Does the Model s1 satellite have the same speaker as the Model r1? A: Yes, the both feature the custom, bi-amplified Cue cs1 speaker, so they are perfect sonic match.
Q: Do you have to turn off the r1 to connect the s1 speaker? A: No, you can connect the s1 with the included cable when the r1 is on. There will be a slight pause in playback while the r1's power expands to 4 x 25 watts and the s1 is activated.
Q: How long is the cable that connects the s1 to the r1? A: The standard cable that comes with the s1 is 10 feet long.
iPod/iPhone questions (back to top)
Q: Does the r1 charge and play iPods and iPhones? A: Yes it does. The r1 will charge your iPod or iPhone as long as it is docked (in any mode). The r1 will play your iPod or iPhone in iPod mode. Your docked iPod or iPhone will charge even if the r1 is turned off (as long as it is plugged in). Make sure your iPhone/iPod always has the latest firmware update. The hardware in the Cue radio is built to perform its best with the latest firmware updates of the iPhone/iPod. Not doing so can cause unwanted miscommunication between the iPhone/iPod and the r1.
Q: Is the r1 affected by iPhone interference? A: No, the r1 is shielded from the static and noise that can affect some electronic devices when they are near an active iPhone.
Q: Can I use a song on my iPhone as an alarm? A: Yes, any song stored on your iPhone (or iPod) can serve as an alarm source on the r1. If an iPod or iPhone selected as an alarm source is removed from the r1's dock, the alarm will still go off at the set time with the "Bell" sound.
Q: Can I receive a call while my iPhone is docked on the r1? A: Yes, just hit "Answer" on the iPhone, or remove it from the dock and answer as you normally would. If you answer the call while the iPhone is docked the caller's voice will only emit from the iPhone, not through the r1's speaker.
Q: Can I connect an mp3 player that is not an iPod or iPhone to the r1? A: Yes, the 1/8" AUX port on the back of the r1 allows you to play almost any audio source, including mp3 players, cd players, TVs and computers. Just turn off the r1 (connecting an external device to the r1 while it is on can cause damage to the driver and electronics), then plug in the external device using a stereo 1/8" cable. A stereo 1/8" cable with 2 rings on tip is needed to get stereo imaging. If it’s a mono 1/8" cord, 1 ring on tip, it will only play as mono. Turn on the r1 and select the Aux mode.
Q: Which iPod and iPhone models work with the r1? A: The r1 supports most generations of iPods/iPhones. For a full list see the Products page. There is also a compatibility list on the inside back cover of the owner's manual (current at the time of printing). Or, you can give us a call at (866)959-4283 with any compatibility questions you might have.
Q: Can I use my iPhone or iPod Touch to listen to audio from the internet on the r1? A: Yes, any sounds that emit from your docked iPhone or iPod Touch will play through the r1's speaker (except the voice of someone calling you).
Q: What happens if I have the alarm sound set to "iPod" but my iPod is not docked when it's time for the alarm to go off? A: The alarm will default to the "Bell" sound and will still go off at the assigned time.
Q: Can I dock my iPod or iPhone while it's in a case or bumper? A: No, any case or shell must be removed for the device to dock properly. This is true for all docks.
Q: If I have trouble playing an older iPod with the r1, what should I do? A: Try performing a hard reset on the iPod. This will sometmes solve the problem. If it's a very early iPod, it may not be compatible with the r1. Check our compatiblilty list in the r1 manual, or on the Products page to see if your iPod model is supported.
Q: Why do some of my MP3s sound louder/better than others? A: MP3s use “lossy” compression—which makes files smaller but compromises sonic integrity—and can vary widely in quality (and loudness). Factors that affect MP3 quality include: the characteristics of the original recording; how good the encoder is; the sample rate; and the bit rate. Using a lower bit rate results in a smaller file size, but produces lower audio quality. 128 kbps is a standard bit rate for digital music—higher than the 96kbps of FM radio, but lower than CD quality which is between 224 and 320 kbps. The bit rate differs from the sample rate which is measured in Hertz (Hz) and is typically 44.1kHz or 48kHz for digital music. iTunes Import Preferences allow you to customize these settings for downloading songs from the web or copying songs from CDs.
remote control questions (back to top)
Q: Can all functions be controlled by the remote? A: Yes, everything can be controlled with the buttons on the Cue remote. All functions can also be controlled by the 3 knobs on the front of the r1—so, if you lose your remote you still have complete control over all the r1's functions (unlike some other brands). Cue remotes are available in our Store for $9.95.
Q: Does the remote control work on a docked iPod or iPhone? A: Yes, the Cue remote gives you control over all playback options on the iPod or iPhone when docked.
Q: What is the maximum range of the remote control? A: The Cue remote should be effective within 25 feet.
Q: Do I have to point the remote directly at the r1 for it to work? A: The Cue remote is quite forgiving, and usually works fine as long as you are pointing it in the general direction of the r1's front panel.
technical questions (back to top)
Q: What is DSP? A: DSP stands for Digital Signal Processing. The r1's amplifier uses D2 DSP technology, which produces a very low noise floor and a wide dynamic range. See the Technology page for more info.
Q: What is "bi-amplification"? A: Cue's cs1 speakers (in the r1 and s1) are bi-amplified, meaning two dedicated amplifier channels are used for the woofer and tweeter respectively. See the Technology page to learn more.