Paradigm OM-575 owner manual HOW to Avoid Speaker Damage, Room Acoustics

HOW TO AVOID SPEAKER DAMAGE

Millenia™ speakers are efficient and can be driven to loud listening levels with moderate amplifier power. They are also able to handle the output of very powerful amplifiers. To prevent damage to your speakers, please read the following guidelines before hooking them up.

Amplifier Distortion—The #1 Culprit!

Amplifier distortion is the principal cause of speaker damage. When listening at loud levels your amplifier may run out of clean power. It will then begin to produce distorted power several times greater than its rated output power. This will damage any brand of speaker very quickly! (See Dealer for amplifier recommendations.)

More Powerful Amplifiers are Safer

A 40 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above 40 watts. If driven to 50 watts, this amplifier will deliver distorted power which will damage the speaker! A 100 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above 100 watts, but very low distortion below 100 watts. Therefore, when the speaker requires 50 watts, this more powerful amplifier will deliver clean power and speaker damage is less likely to occur.

Volume Control

Do not be fooled by the Volume Control of your receiver/preamplifier. It only adjusts listening level—it is not a “power-output” dial. The amount of amplifier power actually used at a given Volume Control setting depends solely on the nature of the music you are listening to.

At a given Volume Control setting a quiet section of music will use less amplifier power than a loud section. With typical pop-rock, jazz or large scale classical music, the rated output power of many receivers/amplifiers

is often reached when the Volume Control is between the “11 and 1 o’clock” settings (with bass/treble and loudness controls not used—otherwise rated power may be reached at even lower Volume Control settings).

Remember, all amplifiers produce distortion when operated beyond their rated output power. The resulting distortion will damage all speakers! Exercise caution! If you listen at loud levels, be careful to listen for the point of audible distortion—if the speakers begin to sound distressed turn the Volume Control down or your speakers and/or amplifier(s) will be damaged! This type of damage constitutes abuse and is not covered by the warranty. If louder volumes are desired, obtain a more powerful amplifier.

There is a Limit!

Although more powerful amplifiers are safer, there is a point at which you could have more power than the speaker can handle. At that point you will overpower the speaker and damage it. Exercise caution! At loud levels do not increase bass/treble controls from zero and ensure that all loudness/ contour/bass EQ buttons are off (otherwise rated output power will be reached at lower Volume Control settings). If you listen at loud levels, watch for excessive visible cone excursion (grille movement) from the woofer— then turn the Volume Control down.

The Right Amount of Power

A power-range rating is given as a guide to indicate the approximate minimum and maximum power input of your Millenia™ speakers. Amplifiers that exceed your speaker’s power-range rating are recommended. Their greater power reserves provide better sound. However, exercise caution! Use the speakers within their power-range rating to prevent damage—keep listening levels below the point of excessive woofer cone excursion.

ROOM ACOUSTICS

Millenia™ speakers are designed to provide superior high-end sound in a wide variety of domestic settings. However, it is important to note that listening room construction, dimensions and furnishings all play a part in the quality of sound you will ultimately achieve. Keep the following guidelines in mind when deciding on the best speaker placement:

•Mid and high frequencies are affected by the amount of soft furnishings your room—curtains, carpets, sofas, wall coverings, etc. An excess of such items can result in a somewhat dull sound. The same room with- out any soft furnishings can produce a bright overall sound. The typical quantity of soft furnishings found in most living situations provides the right acoustic characteristics to allow the speakers to sound balanced.

•Concrete floors and walls tend to aggravate low-frequency standing wave problems and are less preferred.

•Rooms where height, width and length are similar should be avoided as they can exhibit significant low-frequency standing wave problems. This may result in reduced clarity. If no other room is possible, experiment with speaker placement to minimize acoustic problems.

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