Atlantic Technology 4200e THX instruction manual Connecting Your System, Stereo Systems

6 Connecting Your System

System 4200e High Performance Loudspeakers

Stereo Systems

If you are setting up a stereo system using a pair of 4200e LR’s with subwoofer(s), begin with these general guidelines:

■The distance between the speakers should be approximately one-half their distance from the prime listening position.

■If youpointthefrontof thespeakersdirectlytowardstheprimelistening position (“toe” them in),you will achieve the most precise imaging and the most direct high frequency sound.If you have a“bright” or“hard” sounding room,aiming the speakers straight out into the room (or just aiming them partially towards you) may make for a more natural and pleasing sonic balance.

■For the smoothest upper bass/lower midrange response, the distance from each speaker to its three closest room surfaces should be different.

■In most rooms,you should not place your speakers in the corners.

■Try to keep the speakers at least 2 feet (.6m) from the back and side walls.

The goal is to reproduce the most accurate musical timbre and the most convincing natural sound.Additionally,a well set-up stereo pair of speakers will create excellent imaging and a cohesive representation of the sound- stage.Placement in the room and your listening position has an enormous impact on the ultimate sound you will achieve from your system.The most important thing is to be creative! Try placing your speakers on the long wall instead of the short one. Toe the speakers in or point them straight ahead. Pull them away from the wall or push them closer.Don’t be timid.You’ll find that moving your speakers,even a few inches,can dramatically change and possibly improve their sound.

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 (single or double), 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.Screw 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 compo- nent 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”, unusually spread out,or seem to have weak bass,recheck your connections for proper polarity and correct any out of phase connections, if necessary.