Energy Speaker Systems RC-Mini Center owner manual Important Safety Instructions Read Carefully

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS –

READ CAREFULLY!

We are proud to welcome you as an owner of ENERGY® Speaker Systems' RC-Mini and RC-Mini Center Series. ENERGY® Speakers are the result of extensive research into accurate sonic reproduction and represent the leading edge in speaker design and performance. The finest components and cabinet materials, combined with sophisticated manufacturing and quality control procedures, ensure many years of exceptional performance and listening pleasure.

Please take time to read all of the instructions contained in this manual to make certain your system is properly installed and set up for optimal sound reproduction. Be sure to unpack your system carefully. Retain the carton and all packing material for future use.

UNPACKING

Using a knife carefully cut the tape to open the package. Fold the carton flaps back and slide the speaker and packaging from the box. Remove all inner packaging and parts.

ownersmanual

To Connect your speaker system: Start at one speaker, and connect one channel at a time, starting with the front speakers. Always ensure that the entire A/V system is powered OFF before performing any connections. The positive and negative (red and black) sides of the speaker terminals MUST match the positive and negative (red and black) terminals of the receiver or amplifier. If they do not match, abnormal sound and a lack of bass response will result. After connecting the front speakers, connect the rest of the speakers to their appropriate channels of the receiver or amplifier.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Receiver Settings

The recommended setting for the RC-Mini and RC-Mini Center speakers is the “large” position. Set the crossover frequency to 100Hz. Energy does NOT recommend using any equalization function that your receiver offers when set to "LARGE",as this may damage your speakers. In a large room or when maximum output is required, set the speakers to "small" and the crossover to 120Hz.The Subwoofer must be activated by setting the “on” or “use” settings.

Amplifier Requirements

All ENERGY Speakers are designed to operate on a wide range of receivers and/or amplifiers. The impedance for all models is rated at 8 ohms, allowing almost any amplifier to function well. Of course, the better the amplifier and the system components, the better the overall system will sound.

Contents:

4 - Self adhesive rubber bumpers

1 - Mounting Bracket (RC-Mini Only)

BREAK-IN PROCEDURES

It is VITAL that your new RC-Mini and RC-Mini Center speakers be allowed to break-in properly before you perform any precise set up procedures, system adjustments, and before you play them at higher volume levels. The best method of performing the break-in is to play a full range musical passage at a moderate level as long as possible. Utilizing the repeat function on your CD or DVD player can assist greatly. Optimum sound will not be achieved until approximately 100 hours of playing time. After break-in, the volume level can be increased. Do not play the speakers at high levels until the break-in process has been completed.

MAGNETIC SHIELDING

While all RC-Mini and RC-Mini Center series speakers are magnetically shielded, stray magnetic fields can still exist. Placing your RC-Mini and RC-Mini Center speakers on top or beside your CRT based television should not cause any interference. In the case where there is some minor discoloration, simply move the speaker forward or backwards or away from the television a few inches, this generally resolves the issue.

Note: LCD, DLP and Plasma displays do not suffer from magnetic interference.

CONNECTING YOUR SPEAKERS

All of the RC-Mini and RC-Mini Center Series have the same high quality gold plated binding post connectors, so connection to each channel offers the same options. You should utilize high quality speaker cables, up to 12 gauge (AWG). The RC-Mini and RC-Mini Center series will accept a variety of connector types including spade lugs, banana jacks, or pin type connectors. The best connector in our opinion is the "Spade lug" as it provides more contact area with the terminal and allows the binding post to be tightened for a secure connection. Audiophiles and novices alike have preferences as to which connector type they favor. Speak with your Authorized ENERGY retailer as to which is the best for your Audio Video System. Rest assured, plain speaker wire is more than acceptable, you can always upgrade your wires and/or connectors later on.

In the case where you wish to use banana type plugs, simply unscrew the binding post nut in a counter clock-wise fashion, until it comes completely off. Remove the plastic red or black insert and reconnect the binding post nut. The plastic insert is a mandatory security measure, as dictated by many local and federal government associations. Please see diagrams 9A through 9D.

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POSITIONING AND INSTALLING

YOUR SPEAKERS

Left and Right Main Speakers

The main speakers are usually placed in the front of the room, on either side of the TV or video projector. They should be placed a minimum of 6 feet apart. To calculate the best placement, measure the distance between the speakers themselves and the listening position. Your distance from the speakers should be roughly 1.5 times the distance the speakers are apart from each other. For example: If the distance between each speaker and the listening position is 9 feet, then the speakers should be 6 feet apart from one another. This will provide excellent stereo separation and imaging for music playback. This is just a starting point, the room's acoustics and furniture placement will vary the placement of the speaker. Use your best judgement and experiment with speaker placement. Slight adjustments can provide significant improvements in performance.

The RC-Mini is designed to be used as a front left or right speaker, or as a rear channel speaker. When the RC-Mini is to be installed on a bookshelf or on a stand, please attach the 4 rubber bumpers to the bottom of the speaker, as this will protect both the mounting surface and the speaker from damage. Simply peel the bumper off its sheet and stick it in place on the bottom of the speaker, one bumper per corner. The rubber bumpers also help decouple the speaker from the bookshelf or stand. Please see diagram 10.

The RC-Mini Center is a left, center, right speaker, meaning it has been designed to be used in both a horizontal or vertical fashion. This design means it can be mounted in either plane, while exhibiting the same dispersion characteristics. Out of the box the Energy logo is NOT attached to the grille, as this speaker can be positioned in various directions. Once the final orientation of the speaker has been determined, select the appropriate location on the grille, remove the adhesive protector and apply the logo directly to the grille. Please see diagram 11.

When the RC-Mini Center is used as a center speaker, it is ideally placed as close to the center of the TV or video projector as possible. This is to ensure that voices and all sounds come from the performer's placement on screen. This may be on top, underneath, or on a shelf within a wall unit or other furniture. Use the position that provides the best sound quality, but keep in mind safety and room décor as well. The center channel works best when the front of the speaker is flush with the TV, or the shelf it rests on. If the center speaker is recessed in its placement, it will sound distant, and undefined in character.