The Architect
Model 500 & Model 700
Installer’s Guide
Information For Control Freaks
Example Settings
Here is a brief introduction to each of the Speaker Optimiza-
tion control frequencies and what their effect on your music is.
45Hz — Low bass. This is about the lowest frequency which
in-wall, extension and small bookshelf speakers can achieve.
Boosting it too far might cause problems, even though The
Architect’s PFM filter cuts frequencies under 40Hz. But if your
speakers can take it, a mild boost will enhance bass instruments
such as Fender bass, kick drum, floor toms, timpani and double
bass violas.
150Hz — High bass. There’s a lot of bass information at this
frequency. In fact, most modern music is mixed to enhance this
area of the frequency spectrum. 150Hz also determines the depth
of male vocals and contains reverberant information which con-
tributes to the spaciousness of sound. Boosting 150Hz can add
“POW!” and impact to bass or it can make the sound “bonky” and
“boomy”. This is a critical adjustment with small or in-wall speak-
ers. Experiment with it.
300Hz and 700Hz — High and low midrange. These controls
directly effect the sound of instruments and vocals. These bands
also determine the speaker’s presence (whether the music sounds
far away or close in). Small speakers often produce too much
midrange, so these controls are candidates for being turned down
slightly during your initial experimentation. Definitely consider
reducing 700Hz if you are only using your extension speakers for
background music.
2500Hz — Treble. Female vocals and the “edge” of instru-
ments such as guitars, snare drums, saxes, violins, etc. are found in
this range. If accentuated too much (by boosting this control)
sounds in the 2500Hz range can seem harsh and fatiguing to the
ear due to excessive output by the speaker or because of live,
reflective room acoustics.
12kHz — High treble. The fine detail, texture and sheen of
music is found here. The breathiness of vocals, the “sheen” of
cymbals, the high overtones of piano and strings. Actually, there’s
audible music information up to 20,000Hz on some CD’s and
most adult’s hearing is still pretty good at 15,000Hz. But we’ve
chosen 12,000Hz because it provides more useful control to
compensate for room acoustics and common small-speaker defi-
ciencies.
Information
for Control
Freaks
13
Summary of Contents for Architect 500
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