Outlaw Audio BLS-B(C) Notes on Speaker Placement, External System Adjustments, n Corner placement

Owner’s Manual

Notes on Speaker Placement

Notes on Speaker Placement

The following suggestions should be adhered to as closely as possible. While each listening room imparts its own sonic compromises, these guidelines will help you achieve the greatest performance form your Outlaw Loudspeaker system.

nPlacing your speakers at equal distances from the listening position, thus creating an “equilateral” triangle will help create an optimal stereo imag- ing environment. See diagram.

nSoundstage is directly affected by “toe-in”. Pointing the loudspeakers directly at the sweet spot creates the most accurate soundstage. See diagram.

However, room anomalies may require that a speaker be toed further in or out. Toeing a speaker out (adjusting the angle of the speaker outward including straight forward) will widen your soundstage. The opposite will occur when toeing a speaker in.

nProximity to walls and corners will increase low frequency output. When placed too close this additional low frequency output may sound unnatural or bloated. Whenever possible place your speakers no closer than two feet to the nearest wall.

Setting the Outlaw Loudspeaker’s Controls

Boundary Compensation Switch

Depending on the proximity of your Outlaw Loudspeaker(s) to a wall or corner, you may find that certain upper bass frequencies sound boomy, or excessively hot. At these critical frequencies, this added energy manifests itself as “chesti- ness,” particularly in male voices. To compensate for these compromised, but often-necessary speaker placements, the Outlaw Bookshelf Loudspeakers provide a custom Boundary Compensation Circuit.

While other manufacturers have recognized the importance of boundary compensation circuitry, they often fall short in their implementation, opting for a single “averaged” adjustment for all non-ideal speaker placements.

After carefully calculating the effects of wall proximity and corner loading on the Outlaw Loudspeakers, we have integrated a no-compromise Boundary Compensation Circuit that includes different settings for each of the major speaker placement locations.

These settings are:

nOpen air placement

The speaker is more than 24 inches away from all walls.

nSingle wall placement

The speaker is within 24 inches of a single wall.

nCorner placement

The speaker is located within 24 inches of two walls.

The available settings allow you to tailor the behavior of your Outlaw Loud- speakers for optimal performance under most listening room conditions. Using the following guidelines, adjust each speaker according to its individual environment. Keep in mind that this setting can and should vary by speaker when necessary.

When the Outlaw Loudspeaker is no closer than 24 inches to any wall, the Boundary switch should be set to “0”. If the Outlaw Loudspeaker is within 24 inches of a single wall, set the Boundary switch to “-2dB”. If the Outlaw Loudspeaker is corner loaded (within 24 inches of two different walls), use the “-4dB” boundary switch position.

High Frequency Switch

Each room imparts its own sonic signature to the signal that arrives at the listening position. In rooms with minimal wall treatments, significant glass (i.e. a large number of windows), hardwood or tile floors, the resulting sound may have an overemphasized high frequency response. This is typically character- ized as a slight edginess that may present itself in the form of listening fatigue. In these listening environments we recommend using the “-2dB” position on the Outlaw Loudspeaker’s High Frequency switch.

In overly dampened rooms with wall-to-wall carpets, extensive absorptive wall coverings, acoustic panels, etc., you may find the high frequency response lacking. This could be observed as a dull or less detailed performance. In these listening environments, we recommend selecting the “+2dB” position on the Outlaw Loudspeaker’s High Frequency switch.

Since most listening rooms are fairly well balanced, with a mix of dampening and reflective surfaces the “0dB” position will be optimal for the majority of users.

External System Adjustments

Crossovers for use with powered subwoofers

The Outlaw Bookshelf Loudspeakers have a low frequency output that rivals many larger speakers. As a standalone speaker they will provide a tight and true-to-source reproduction of your audiophile grade recordings. But for those seeking that last octave of audibility you may wish to consider the addition of a powered subwoofer. Proper integration of sub and speaker begins with the careful selection of the crossover.

Some receivers and processors supply a series of crossover options to integrate your subwoofer. If you are using an Outlaw processor or receiver the optimal setting is 60Hz.

For other systems, you will need to consider the Outlaw Loudspeaker’s +/-3dB down point of 54Hz. Based upon the prevailing use of symmetrical fourth order networks in receivers and processors, we suggest choosing the closest crossover point provided by your system that is equal to or greater than 60Hz.

Outlaw Audio