Using Optional Surround Speakers
If you are setting up a full home theater system, any of our surround speakers, boxed or in-wall,will work very well with the Front Stage Loudspeakers.All Atlantic
Technology speakers are“voiced” to the same standards of tonal neutrality and sonic accuracy. Our model 2200SR Bipole/Dipole surround speakers, for example, would be an excellent match for an FS-based home theater system. Begin with the side speakers set to“Dipole,” then experiment with the Bipole/Dipole switch to obtain the most pleasing and realistic effect in your listening room.
See your Atlantic dealer or visit our website (www.atlantictechnology.com) for more information.
The best location for surround speakers is straight out to the sides, or slightly behind the primary listening area, approximately 1-2 feet (.3-.6m) above seated ear level, but no closer than 2 feet (.6m) from the ceiling (see previous page).The surround speakers 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.
Setting Levels
When setting up a complete home theater we strongly recommend that you use a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter. As of this writing Radio Shack® has one that’s affordably priced (approximately $40-$60) that can be used effectively.To use this meter,turn on your system,put the processor/receiver in Test Mode and set its main volume control somewhere between -20 dB and 0dB (or a reasonably loud level in your listening room). Sit in the prime listening position,set the SPL meter to the 70dB scale,slow response, and C weighting.Hold the meter with the microphone pointed up towards the ceiling and in front of you. Cycle the test tone from speaker to speaker, setting each to the same level (usually75dB) using the individual level set- tings available in the processor/receiver (please see the instructions for your processor/receiver if you are unsure of how to access the test signal or level controls).
IMPORTANT NOTE: The power recommendation for these speaker systems assumes that you will not operate your amplifier/receiver in a way that produces distortion. Even rugged speakers like these can be damaged by an amplifier driven into audible distortion. The harsh amplifier distortion (“clipping”) that occurs in this situation will even- tually cause damage to the speaker system. This type of damage may be cumulative and can build up over time, as the amplifier is driven into overload again and again. Such damage is easily identifiable through examination of the damaged speaker’s voice coil and is not covered by the warranty.
These systems will play very loudly when provided with enough undistorted power to do so. If necessary, consult your dealer or Atlantic Technology for additional information.
Front Stage Loudspeakers
Connecting Your System
We recommend that you connect your system using high quality dual conductor stranded wire of 16 gauge or heavier, for lengths up to 25 feet (8m) . Remember, the lower the gauge number, the heavier the wire. Use heavier gauge wire for longer runs.Please contact your audio/video dealer or installer for specific cable recommendations and further information regarding special circumstances.The terminals themselves are designed to allow the use of very heavy speaker wire or connectors.Be sure to tighten them securely, but don’t over-tighten them.
WARNING: To prevent risk of electrical shock or damage to your equipment, always switch off the amplifier or receiver when making any system connections.
You can connect your speakers by using a variety of audio connectors such as banana plugs, pin connectors, spade lugs, etc., or you can:
1.Remove ½” (13mm) of insulation from each wire end.
2.Twist the stranded wire together, keeping the two ends separate.
3.Place the appropriate wire through the postholes in the connectors. These holes are revealed when you loosen the connector’s capscrew.
4.Tighten down the capscrew tightly, but be careful not to over tighten it.
5.Check the tightness of the capscrews 24 hours after hookup and occasionally after that, as they can loosen over time.
We recommend that you check your local electrical codes to make sure that you are not using improper connectors. It’s important to observe polarity while making speaker connections: red (+) terminals on the amplifier to red (+) on the speaker,black (–) on the amplifier to black (–) on the speaker.Look carefully at the wires you are using and note that one of the conductors of each pair will typically be identified by color printing on the outer jacket,ridges on the outer jacket,or a thread intertwined with the wire strands. By convention, the marked wire is connected to the red
(+)terminal.Whether you are connecting a complete system,or adding a single speaker component to your present system,the wiring should look like the system wiring diagrams on the opposite page.
WARNING: Before turning on the amplifier, be certain that no stray wire strands are touching across any terminals as this might damage your amplifier.
Finally,check the polarity of your front speakers by listening to some ste- reo music with good bass content. If the sound seems “hollow”, unusu- ally spread out, or seem to have weak bass, recheck your connections for proper polarity and correct any out of phase connections by reversing the connections to one speaker only, if necessary.
