Definitive Technology manual Connecting Your Loudspeakers, Positioning the BPVXs in Your Room

Connecting Your Loudspeakers

It is critical for proper performance that all speakers (left, right, center and rear) be connected in proper phase. Note that one terminal on each speaker (+) is colored red and the other (-) is colored black. Please make certain that you connect the red (+) terminal on each speaker to the red (+) terminal of its channel on your amplifier or receiver, and the black (-) terminal to the black (-) terminal. It is essential that all speakers be connected in the same way to the amplifier (in phase). If you experience a great lack of bass, it is likely that one speaker is out of phase with the others.

Usually if distortion is heard when the speakers are being driven at loud levels, it is caused by driving (turning up) the amplifier too loud and not driving the speakers with more power than they can handle. Remember, most amplifiers put out their full-rated power well before the volume control is turned all the way up! If your speakers distort when you play them loud, turn down the amplifier or get a bigger one.

Positioning the BPVXs in Your Room

For Rear or Side Surround Speakers

The BPVXs are designed to be extremely flexible in terms of their placement when used as surround speakers. They may be used on the side walls, rear walls or in the rear corners of the listening room. When placed along the side walls the speakers should normally be located adjacent to or behind the listening position. The speakers may also be placed near the rear corners of the room or located on the rear wall. If you have your couch or listening position near or against the rear wall, we suggest rear wall placement of the BPVXs with them positioned on either side of the couch and in from the side wall. High placement is preferred, however, mid- wall or floor placement is acceptable. Normally speakers would be hung on the wall with the input connection plate up against the wall, however, the BPVXs may also be placed on shelves or stands. Of course, experimentation is encouraged to get the best performance in your particular room. As a starting point, we suggest mounting the speakers on the side walls behind the listening position about 3-6 feet off the floor and halfway between the listening position and the rear wall. If possible, do not put the speakers forward of the listening position.

For Front Main (Left and Right) Speakers

Because of their superb performance characteristics, the BPVXs can also be used as a front main system. In this configuration they should normally be placed about 6-8 feet apart approximately at ear level with the inside facing baffle, which has drivers mounted on it, facing towards the listening position.