e-8
loudspeakers
notes on making speaker
connections
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Do not make any connections to any amplifier
while it is switched on. We recommend that
your amplifier is completely disconnected
from the mains supply before starting.
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Before switching your amplifier(s) on for the
first time after connecting to speakers, please
check all connections thoroughly. Ensure
that bare wires or cables are not touching
each other or the amplifier’s chassis (which
could cause short circuits), and that you
have connected positive (
+
) to positive and
negative (
–
) to negative. Be sure to check the
wiring for both the amplifier
and
the speaker.
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After making connections: switch the
amplifier(s) on, select a source signal, then
gradually increase the volume to the required
listening level.
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If you are unsure as to how your system
should be connected, or need advice on
bi-wiring or bi-amping, please contact your
Arcam dealer who will be happy to help you.
Single wiring
Single wiring is the conventional wiring method of
running a single cable per channel between the amplifier
and the speaker; this is the easiest technique.
bi-wiring
Bi-wiring is running two separate cables between the
amplifier and each speaker, with one cable carrying
the low-frequency information, the other the higher-
frequency signals.
Bi-wiring can improve the sound of your system because
the separation of high- and low-frequency signal
currents into different speaker cables avoids distortions
caused by the different currents interacting with one-
another within a single cable, as occurs in single-wired
systems.
The A38 and P38 are designed to allow easy bi-wiring,
but you will need to connect to loudspeakers that
provide separate terminals for the two cables. Each
speaker must have two pairs of terminals; one pair
labelled
hf
or ‘High Frequency’, the other pair labelled
Lf
or ‘Low Frequency’.
bi-amping
Bi-amping is the separation of the amplification of low-
and high-frequency signals over two amplifiers.
Bi-amping requires the use of two amplifiers per
channel. Normally, your A38 is used to drive the high-
frequency (treble) speakers, with the P38 used for the
lower (bass) frequencies.
connecting loudspeakers to the A38/P38