Niles Audio SI-1230 manual Applications and System Design Considerations

APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Using Level Controls as Limiters

If your system is remote controlled, or if you think that some of the users like to play the stereo too loudly, you can choose to calibrate the system so that it is lim- ited to a volume level you assign. The SI-1230 allows you to set different volume levels for different rooms.

Calibrate your system volume levels with the steps outlined below:

1.Lower all of the SI-1230 level controls to the minimum volume position. If there are any other amplifiers in the system, lower their level controls to the mini- mum (all of the amplifiers in your system must have level controls).

2.Raise all of the individual in-wall volume controls to the loudest setting.

3.Play a loud radio station with the tuner set to Mono.

4.Raise the volume of your preamplifier or receiver slowly– if you hear any sound, lower the volume again and recheck all of your amplifier levels, they must be at minimum. If no sound is heard, proceed to step five.

5.Have someone step into each room and listen as you adjust each level control to the desired maximum level for that room. Adjust the balance between speakers for the most common listening position in each room.

Bridging Channels for Areas That Require More Volume and Power

There are several situations where bridging is an excellent way to improve the sound. Likewise, there are some applications that would seem to be appropriate but are not recommended. Plan to bridge channels to increase the power to 80 watts per channel when required. Here are some of the most common DO'S and DON’TS:

Surround Sound Systems (DO)– The dynamic demands for the center channel are much higher than the left, right or surround channels. This is an excellent application for two channels to be bridged into one 80 watt channel.

Outdoors (DO)– Sound dissipates faster outside than within a room where the walls enclose the sound and reflect it back to the listener. A pair of speakers play- ing into a large patio or yard will greatly benefit from bridging four channels into two 80 watt channels.

More than Two Speakers (DON’T)– In a large room or a long hallway, you will often find that the best way to get good background music is to install multiple pairs of speakers. You will actually deliver more power to four eight ohm speak- ers by using two unbridged channels than you would if you bridged four chan- nels into two. An unbridged channel is stable down to four ohms (two pair of eight ohm speakers), but a bridged channel is only useful with an eight ohm load.

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