Klipsch THX ULTRA2 manual AM/FM Tuner, FRONT-PANEL Display and Lighting, Advanced Features

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THX SURROUND PREAMPLIFIER

STAGE ONE

ASA (Advanced Speaker Array)

ASA is a proprietary THX technology, which processes the sound fed to 2 side and 2 back surround speakers to provide the optimal surround sound experi- ence. When you set up your home theater system using all eight speaker out- puts (Left, Center, Right, Surround Right, Surround Back Right, Surround Back Left, Surround Left and Subwoofer) placing the two Surround Back speakers close together facing the front of the room will provide the largest sweet spot. If for practical reasons you have to place the Surround Back speakers apart, you will need to go to the Advanced Speaker Array Setup Menu and choose the setting that most closely corresponds to the speaker spacing, which will re-optimize the surround sound-field.

ASA is used in two new modes–THX Ultra2 Cinema and THX MusicMode.

THX Ultra2 Cinema Mode

THX Ultra2 Cinema mode plays 5.1 movies using all 8 speakers giving you the best possible movie watching experience. In this mode, ASA processing blends the side surround speakers and back surround speakers providing the optimal mix of ambient and directional surround sounds.

DTS-ES (Matrix and 6.1 Discrete) and Dolby Digital Surround EX encoded soundtracks will be automatically detected in Ultra2 Cinema mode if the appropriate flag has been encoded.

Some Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtracks are missing the digital flag that allows automatic switching. If you know that the movie that you are watching is encoded in Surround EX, you can manually select the THX Surround EX playback mode, otherwise THX Ultra2 Cinema mode will apply ASA process- ing to provide optimum replay.

THX MusicMode

For the replay of multi-channel music, the THX MusicMode should be select- ed. In this mode THX ASA processing is applied to the surround channels of

5.1encoded music sources such at DTS, Dolby Digital and DVD-Audio to pro- vide a wide, stable rear soundstage.

BGC (Boundary Gain Compensation)

If your chosen listening room layout (for practical or aesthetic reasons) results in most of the listeners being close to the rear wall, the resulting bass level can be sufficiently reinforced by the boundary that the overall sound quality becomes ‘boomy’. THX Ultra2 receivers and controllers contain the BGC (Boundary Gain Compensation) feature to provide an improved bass balance. BGC can be selected by choosing ‘Yes’ from the ‘Boundary Gain Compensation’ section of the THX setup menu.

AM/FM TUNER

The Stage One has a built-in AM/FM tuner. You can operate it via the remote control’s Tuner page, which you can select from the Adjustments page. It includes AM and FM buttons to select the reception band and, at the bottom of the page, Up and Down tuning buttons for adjusting the station frequency. The CH + and CH – buttons seek up and down to the next cleanly receivable station. Ten presets are available for each band, selected with the buttons 1 through 10. Pressing and releasing a preset button will tune the radio to the selected preset station. Pressing and holding a preset button for three sec- onds will store the currently tuned station to that preset.

You can also operate the tuner from the Stage One’s front panel. When the Tuner is selected, use the Stage Manager to change stations. Press the Stage Manager to enter the tuning mode. The currently selected band will flash. Turn the knob clockwise to tune to FM, and counter clockwise to select AM. Press the knob a second time to allow the tuning frequency to be changed. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the frequency and turn it counter-clockwise to decrease the frequency. Press the knob a third time to exit the Tuning mode. The Stage Manager will automatically revert to Normal mode after 5 seconds of inactivity.

FRONT-PANEL DISPLAY AND LIGHTING

You can turn the front-panel display and input selection LEDs on and off from the remote control’s Display page, which is accessible from the Adjustments page. You can turn on, turn off, or dim the front-panel lighting from the Display page or from the Advanced Menu. (See "Advanced Menu.")

ADVANCED FEATURES

Level Adjustments by Mode

Separate level adjustments are available for each mode. When you adjust level settings in the Setup Menu, they apply to every mode. However, you can customize the levels for particular modes by means of a separate option in the Setup Menu called Levels. For example, if you are in the Pro Logic II mode, pressing Advanced Setup on the remote, scrolling down, and selecting the Pro Logic II Levels will enable you to make changes specifically to the channel balances in the Pro Logic II mode. The channels used in a particular mode will be the only ones available for adjustment. For example, while in the Stereo mode, you can adjust only the front left, front right, and subwoofer lev- els. Pressing Advanced Setup again will exit the Levels menu and save the mode-specific settings to memory. Pressing the Mute button while in the level settings menu will exit the menu without saving the changes.

Bass Management

The Stage One enables you to adjust the crossover settings to get the most out of your particular speakers. Separate settings are available for stereo lis- tening versus all other modes. The bass-management system allows you to choose from the following crossover frequencies: 25Hz to 120Hz in 5Hz incre- ments.

To adjust the Bass Management settings, press the Setup button on the remote control to enter the Setup menu, scroll down to the Speaker Configuration menu, and hit the OK button to enter the Bass Management Selections menu. For each speaker, you are given a choice of Large, Small, or in some cases None. Selecting Small tells the Stage One to apply a high- pass (low-cut) filter to the output channel feeding that speaker. The bass below the selected crossover frequency will be diverted to the subwoofer or, if there is no subwoofer, to those speakers in the system designated as Large. Once you have specified each set of speakers in your system as Large or Small, pressing the OK or Setup button a second time exits the Speaker Configuration menu. Then scroll down to the Crossover Setup menu to adjust the crossover frequency. The Stage One will use the crossover frequency you select for all speakers designated as Small and for the low-pass (high-cut) crossover filter in the subwoofer output. If your subwoofer has a built-in crossover, turn it off or, if that is not possible, set it to the highest frequency available.

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Contents Stage ONE THX Surround Preamplifier Welcome to the Aragon Stage One Table of Contents THX DTS Stage ONE Features UnpackingOn-the-Fly Adjustments Adjustable Crossover PointSeparate Level Settings for Each Mode Independent Selection of Audio and Video SourcesFRONT-PANEL Control Operations Front Panel DisplaySampling Rate Volume LevelChannel and 8-Channel Analog Passthrough Current InputREAR-PANEL Inputs RS-232 IN/OUTREAR-PANEL Outputs Component Video OutputRemote Control Hard ButtonsPower and Input Selection ModesPRO Logic II Modes AdjustmentsPRO Logic II Setup Dolby DigitalSeparate Video SetupTHX ASA/EX ON-THE-FLYInput Connections Speaker Placement Configuration Speaker Configuration System SetupSetup Menu Level Settings Speaker Distances Surround Back RightTHX Setup General Operation Stage ONE Modes Channel Analog InputDolby Digital THX FRONT-PANEL Display and Lighting Advanced FeaturesAM/FM Tuner Advanced Menus Front-Panel Lighting Reset SystemAutoMute On Input Reprogram SystemWarranty CanadaTHX Surround Preamplifier CUT Along Dotted Line and Mail HOPE, AR BOX Aragon

THX ULTRA2 specifications

The Klipsch THX Ultra2 system is a premium home theater speaker system that epitomizes high-fidelity audio performance. Designed for enthusiasts seeking a cinematic experience in their own homes, this system excels in delivering powerful, clear sound across a wide frequency range.

One of the standout features of the THX Ultra2 system is its compliance with the THX Ultra2 certification. This certification ensures that the speakers meet rigorous performance standards, making them capable of delivering an immersive audio experience akin to that found in commercial theaters. The system is engineered to produce dynamic range and low-distortion sound at high volume levels, which is crucial for recreating the explosive effects of modern films.

The THX Ultra2 system typically comprises several key components: main speakers, satellite speakers, and subwoofers, all designed to work in harmony. The main speakers are equipped with Klipsch's signature horn-loaded technology, which allows for increased efficiency and better high-frequency response. This design means that listeners can enjoy crisp, clear dialogue and intricate details in music without strain, even at higher volume levels.

In addition to its horn-loaded design, the THX Ultra2 system includes high-performance woofers made from rigid materials. These woofers add depth and richness to the bass response, ensuring that explosions, music, and ambient sounds are felt as much as they're heard. The subwoofer is specifically designed to provide tight, impactful bass that extends down to lower frequencies, ensuring a full-range listening experience.

Klipsch also incorporates a unique technology called "Tractrix Horn," which enhances sound dispersion and efficiency. By directing the sound precisely toward the listener, this technology minimizes distortion and improves clarity, especially in larger rooms where sound can often dissipate.

Another notable characteristic of the THX Ultra2 system is its elegant design, which integrates seamlessly into any home decor. The speakers often feature a sleek finish that not only looks sophisticated but also minimizes resonance, further enhancing audio quality.

In conclusion, the Klipsch THX Ultra2 speaker system represents a pinnacle in home audio technology. With its THX certification, innovative speaker design, and superior performance across music and movies, it provides an unparalleled entertainment experience, making it a top choice for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts alike. Whether you are watching movies or listening to your favorite albums, the Klipsch THX Ultra2 fully captures the essence of high-quality sound.
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