IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS - READ CAREFULLY !
Caution: To prevent the risk of electrical shock, match wide blades of plug to wide slot,
fully insert. Caution: The unit is still connected to the mains even if switched off.
Read Instructions: All safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is operated.
Retain instructions: Safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
Heed Warnings: All warnings on the product & operation instructions should be adhered to.
Follow Instructions: All operating and use instructions should be followed.
Cleaning: Unplug the product from the wall before cleaning. Do not use aerosol or liquid cleaners, just a damp cloth.
Attachments: Do not use attachments not recommended by the product manufacturer as they may cause hazards.
Water and moisture: Do not use this product near water. Do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects filled with liquids are placed on the apparatus.
Ventilation: Openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable operation and protect it from overheating so they must not be blocked or covered by placing the product on a bed, sofa or other similar surface. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer's instructions have been adhered to.
Power Sources: This product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply in your home, call your local power company.
Grounding or Polarization: This product may be equipped with a polarized alternating current line plug. This plug will fit the power outlet in only one way as a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug, try reversing it.
If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the plug.
Power Cord Protection: Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from the product.
Overloading: Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords, as this can result in a risk of electrical shock.
Object and Liquid Entry: Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that can result in a fire or electrical shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.
Servicing: Do not attempt to service this product yourself as openings or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.
Heat: This product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Non-Use Periods: The power cord of the product should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.
Damage Requiring Service: The product should be serviced by qualified personnel when:
A.The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B.Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the appliance; or
C.The product has been exposed to rain; or
D.The appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or
E.Product has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
F.If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment on and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Please take the time to read all of the instructions contained in this manual to make certain your system is properly installed and functioning correctly. Please retain the carton and packing materials for this product to protect it in the event it ever has to be shipped to a service center for repairs. Product received damaged by a service center that has been shipped by an end user in anything other than the original packaging will be repaired, refurbished, and properly packaged for return shipment at the end user’s expense.
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of athena TECHNOLOGIES® speakers! Proprietary technology and high quality manufacturing will allow you to enjoy the most natural and accurate music reproduction for many years. The advice offered in this manual is aimed at helping you maximize and maintain peak performance, and therefore, your listening satisfaction. Please take the time to read all of the instructions contained in this manual to make certain your system is properly installed and functioning correctly.
BREAK-IN PERIOD
We strongly advise that you resist the temptation to play the athena TECHNOLOGIES® speakers to their full capabilities or experiment with critical placement and listening until they have been properly broken in. This process should last approximately
50 to 100 hours of music playback. This can be easily be done by putting your compact disc player on Repeat mode, while playing a CD with a wide dynamic range at normal listening levels.
COMPANY BACKGROUND
athena TECHNOLOGIES® is the newest division of Audio Products International Corp., known throughout the industry as “API”. A Canadian company founded in 1975, The API factory is a modern 165,000 square foot research, development and manufacturing facility located in Toronto, Canada. API is one of the largest speaker manufacturers in the world, distributing products to over 60 countries worldwide. A talented research and development team utilizes advanced computer-based design and sophisticated measurement techniques in its ongoing quest for new and better acoustic technologies. This research is based upon the years of pioneering psycho-acoustic research developed in conjunction with the Canadian “National Research Council” (NRC), to create speakers that achieve high performance in typical home listening environments. Extensive research into every aspect of the speaker is analyzed and evaluated before the design stage begins, a concept that we refer to as a holistic design approach. This method guarantees that the finest components and materials are made and tested with sophisticated manufacturing and quality control techniques to ensure exceptional performance that is superior to speakers costing several times their price.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol. Within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the products enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
