Bowers & Wilkins CDM 2 SE, Owner'S Manual

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1
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Thank you for choosing B&W.
Please read this manual fully before
unpacking and installing the product.
It will help you to optimise its perf o rm a n c e .
B&W maintains a network of dedicated
distributors in over 60 countries who will be
able to help you should you have any pro b l e m s
your dealer cannot re s o l v e .
U N PACKING
( f i g u re 1)
• Fold the carton flaps right back and
i n v e rt the carton and contents.
• Lift the carton clear of the contents.
• Remove the inner packing from
the pro d u c t .
We suggest you retain the packing
for future use.
Check in the carton for:
• 2 foam plugs.
P O S I T I O N I N G
( f i g u re 2a)
Mount the speakers on firm dedicated stands
that place the tweeters approximately at ear
level. Bookshelf mounting is possible but allows
less opportunity for optimising the sound. The
stand or shelf used can affect the sound quality
of the speaker. Ask your dealer for advice on
the best type for your needs.
As an initial guide:
• Position the speakers and the centre
of the listening area approximately at
the corners of an equilateral triangle.
• Keep the speakers at least 1.5m apart
to maintain left-right separation.
• Keep the speaker baffles at least
0.5m clear of walls.
Stray magnetic fields
The speaker drive units create stray magnetic
fields that extend beyond the boundaries of the
cabinet. We recommend you keep magnetically
sensitive articles (television and computer
s c reens, computer discs, audio and video tapes,
swipe cards and the like) at least 0.5m fro m
the speaker.
C O N N E C T I O N S
( f i g u re 3)
All connections should be made with the
equipment switched off .
T h e re are 2 pairs of terminals at the back of
the speaker which permit bi-wiring if desired.
On delivery, the separate pairs are connected
together with high-quality links for use with
a single 2- core cable. For single cable
connection, leave the links in place and use
either pair of terminals on the speaker.
E n s u re the positive terminal on the speaker
( and coloured red) is connected to the
positive output terminal of the amplifier and
negative (marked - and coloured black) to
negative. Incorrect connection can result in poor
imaging and loss of bass.
To bi-wire, remove the links by loosening the
t e rminal caps and use a separate 2-core cable
f rom the amplifier to each pair of terminals.
This can improve the resolution of low-level
detail. Observe the correct polarity as before .
When bi-wiring, incorrect connection can also
impair the frequency re s p o n s e .
Ask your dealer for advice when choosing
cable. Keep the total impedance below the
maximum recommended in the specification and
use a low inductance cable to avoid attenuation
of the highest fre q u e n c i e s .
FINE TUNING
B e f o re fine tuning, double check that all the
connections in the installation are correct and
s e c u re .
Moving the speakers further from the walls will
reduce the general level of bass. Space behind
the speakers also helps to create an impre s s i o n
of depth. Conversely, moving the speakers closer
to the walls will increase the level of bass.
If you want to reduce the bass level
without moving the speakers further from
the wall, fit the foam bungs in the port tubes
( f i g u re 4).
If the bass is uneven with frequency it is usually
due to the excitation of resonance modes in the
room. Even small changes in the position of the
speakers or the listeners can have a pro f o u n d
e ffect on how these resonances affect the sound.
Try mounting the speakers along a diff e rent wall.
Even moving large pieces of furn i t u re can have
an eff e c t .
If the central image is poor, try moving the
speakers closer together or toeing them in so
they point at or just in front of the listeners.
( f i g u re 2b)
If the sound is too harsh, increase the amount
of soft furnishing in the room (for example use
heavier curtains), or reduce it if the sound is dull
and lifeless.
Test for flutter echoes by clapping your hands
and listening for rapid repetitions. Reduce them
by the use of irregular shaped surfaces such as
bookshelves and large pieces of furn i t u re .
E n s u re the speaker stands are firm on the floor. If
you have a carpet, use carpet-piercing spikes
and adjust them to take up any unevenness in
the floor.
A F T E R C A R E
The cabinet surface usually only re q u i res dusting.
If you wish to use an aerosol cleaner, remove
the grille first by gently pulling it away from the
cabinet. Spray onto the cleaning cloth, not
d i rectly onto the cabinet. The grille fabric may
be cleaned with a normal clothes brush whilst
the grille is detached from the cabinet.
Avoid touching the drive units, especially the
t w e e t e r, as damage may re s u l t .