Avalon Acoustics AVALON ASCENDANT manual Maximizing Performance, Break-in, Grille Assemblies

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5. Maximizing Performance

These details are imperative to obtaining optimum results from your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers.

Break-in

The break-in period is critical to maximizing sonic performance and should take place before other adjustments (see the discussion on page 12). The break-in should begin with three to six hours of quiet music, followed by 200 to 300 hours of loud and dynamic source material.

Grille Assemblies

The grille assemblies, with their felt anti-diffraction masks, are integral elements of the loudspeakers' design. Unlike many other products, Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers are designed to be used with the grilles in place while listening, and removing them will degrade the system's performance. It is extremely important that the felt anti-diffraction masks make physical contact with the face of the loudspeakers, as air space between the felt and the speaker face will adversely affect sound quality.

WARNING: Be extremely cautious positioning the felt in the tweeter area, as the titanium domes are thinner than a human hair and are easily damaged.

Speaker Placement and Symmetry

Selecting the proper room position for your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers can dramatically improve their performance. The following points highlight the fundamental concepts in loudspeaker positioning from the in-depth discussion in Chapter 8, Room Acoustics and Speaker Position (beginning on page 19):

ƒLeft to right room symmetry aids in producing a balanced sound stage.

ƒImage depth is enhanced when the distance to the rear wall is increased.

ƒThe most even bass response will be attained when the distances to the side and rear walls are not overly similar.

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Contents Page Page Table of Contents Page Introduction Unpacking Instructions ContentsIntroduction Opening the Crate Orientation of the Felt Anti-Diffraction Mask Installing the GrillesReplacing Grille Pins Page Connecting the Speaker to the Amplifier Wiring InstructionsBreak-in Period Maximizing Performance Speaker Placement and SymmetryBreak-in Grille AssembliesApex Couplers Toe-inCorner Treatment First Reflection PointsCabinet Care of Your Avalon LoudspeakersWarranty Statement WarrantyPage Introduction Room Acoustics and Speaker PositionAn Optical Analogy Standing Waves Early Reflections Flutter EchoAvoiding Early Reflections Page Bass reinforcement Page Summary of Recommendations Speaker Placement Listening Room Example Sensitivity to Time-Related Information Accuracy of Bass ReproductionAnechoic Frequency Response vs. In-Room Frequency Response RationaleCorrelation with Amplifier Measurements Measurements of Audio EquipmentDesigning for Accurate Bass Reproduction Loudspeaker MeasurementsFrequency Response Effects Listening QualitiesListening for Size Distortions Transient Response Effects ConclusionFeatures Specifications
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