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Companion 5 (Rising Star) Theory of Operation
Overview
Companion 5 is a multi-channel multimedia speaker system connecting to personal computers via a
USB 2.0 interface. No sound card is required to enjoy 5.1-channel audio content from the host PC.
The two speaker arrays combined with advanced audio processing algorithms provide a spacious
presentation of stereo content and a compelling experience with multi-channel content. A control
module brings the master volume control, simple touch mute control and jacks for an auxiliary
analog stereo input and headphones.
The Companion 5 system consisting of the following major components:
1. Bass speaker enclosure with Woofer, DSP board, I/O board and system power supply.
2. Control Module with an 8-foot (2.4M) cable.
3. Two two-element speaker arrays with integrated cables, uniquely keyed and identified for
left and right locations.
The Bass speaker enclosure is a ported MDF enclosure including the 5.25-inch dual voice-coil
transducer and line power transformer. Both are installed inside the acoustic volume in such a
manner that they are not serviceable. An electronics enclosure is provided at the back of the MDF
enclosure. The heat sink assembly that includes the DSP/Power Amplifier/Power Supply Printed
Circuit Assembly, aluminum heat sink, thermal compound, thermal interface material, and clamping
bracket are screwed directly to the back wall of the acoustic enclosure. Internal cables connect the
DSP/PA/PS assembly to the transformer secondary and the I/O Printed Circuit Assembly that is
mounted to the plastic rear cover of the speaker.
The control module is not serviceable. Only the interface requirements to the Bass module electron-
ics will be discussed in this document. The speaker arrays are mounted on removable speaker
stands that are engineered to position the speakers at the correct height and angle on either side of
a computer monitor. The transducers contained in the speaker enclosures may be replaced from
the front of the enclosure by removing the metal grill. The grill should not be re-used once removed
due to deformation during the removal process. The integrated cable is not removable. The balance
of this document will concentrate on the electronic assemblies present in the bass
module.
E ng lis h
F ran ç a is
E spa ñol
Right (R) speaker
Left (L) speaker
Control pod
Computer USB
Acoustimass rear panel
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