Atlantic Technology IWTS-14 SR Speaker Setup, Placement, Channel Systems, Home Theater

4 Speaker Setup

IWTS-14 SR and 30 SR High Performance In-Wall Surround Speakers

Speaker Setup

Dipole/Bipole Operation of the IWTS SR Speakers

DIPOLE/THX	In Dipole mode the IWTS SRs produce ambience with
	minimal localization (best for most movies and video
	soundtracks),and more localizable sound in the Bipole
	mode (preferred for some music recordings).Switching
BIPOLE	between Dipole and Bipole mode is easily accomplished
	using a toggle switch conveniently located on the speak-
	ers front baffle.Please note that the vast majority of the

time in movies and TV broadcasts the surround speakers are called upon to reproduce the environmental sounds that are used as cues to help get you immersed in the scene on the screen. Once the surround speakers are properly positioned in the listening area,we recommend that you begin with the dipole mode, as this usually delivers the most involving and believable surround performance in most situations.However,as noted above,feel free to experiment with both switch positions.

Placement

Speaker/room interactions have a huge impact on the sound of the system. Moving the speakers just a little can make a dramatic difference in what you hear. Remember that the best acoustic placement of the speakers will vary from room to room. Use the following placement guidelines as a starting point. But also feel free to experiment. In fact, it may be beneficial to hook up the front LR and surround speakers with some extra wire and to simply drape the wire across the floor before installing the speakers permanently. This will allow you the opportunity to move the speakers around easily so you can find the best sonic and visual locations. Remember, it's very dif- ficult to move in-wall speakers once they're installed!

Surround Effects and SR Speaker Locations

The IWTS SR’s shape allows great flexibility in placement.Due to their swit- chable Dipole/Bipole design, it’s possible to place the speakers almost any- where within the rear third of the room and get good results. However, the best location for surround speakers is straight out to the sides of,or slightly behind the primary listening area, approximately 1-2 feet above seated ear level to no less than 2 feet down from the ceiling.

As noted above, the surround speakers (as opposed to the back speaker(s) in a 6.1 or 7.1 channel system,see below) are primarily intended to re-create the ambient sounds taking place in the movie scene.Therefore,throughout most of a movie or TV program you may not be consciously aware of output from these speakers. In other words, don’t worry if you aren’t hearing the surround speakers.Please try to avoid the trap of turning the surrounds up and up so that you hear them most of the time. The result will be a much less believable surround experience.

There are dedicated LEFT and RIGHT model IWTS SR speakers. This is clearly marked on the back of each speaker. Be sure that the Left side sur- round speaker is placed directly to the left side of the prime listening area (facing the screen) and the Right speaker is directly to the right side.

6.1/7.1 Channel Systems

If you are setting up a system that uses back surround speaker(s) as well as side surrounds (Dolby Digital EX,DTS ES,etc.) you can use either IWTS SR model in Dipole or Bipole mode in the back of the room.

If you are using a THX Ultra 2 certified controller/receiver you should place the back surround speakers approximately 1 to 2 feet apart in the center of the back wall. The special circuitry in the processor will help to create a believable and effective surround field using this placement.Please read the electronics manual to learn more about this placement option.

Home Theater

The primary goal of a good home theater is not to make you believe that you are in a movie theater.It’s to make you believe you’re in the movie.For a home theater system, place the LR speakers on either side of the television. The left and right front speakers should be far enough apart (6 to 10 feet is usually best) that you get a good stereo“image” when they are playing alone, but not so far apart that the sound seems to be disembodied from the TV, distracting you from the picture. When using a center channel speaker, a wider separation of the left and right front speakers is usually possible.

The center channel speaker should be placed directly above or below your television.It is important that the speaker is centered on the screen,not off to the side.