Decreasing high and mid frequencies increases relative bass response, while
decreasing efficiency and sound power output.
To modify the response, simply flip the baffle-mounted switch or switches to the
alternate position—pressing the upper half gives the normal position - pressing
the bottom half gives the decreased position as shown in the graphic of the
adjacent label. These heavy-duty switches are designed to handle the currents of
high level sound without compromise.
B. Listening—Balance, Range, and Imaging
Our goal is to provide listeners with completely convincing, "being there"
performance. In-wall installations place greater physical limits on systems than
freestanding box systems. However, their performance, particularly considering
the physical limits and the resulting minimal intrusion into the listening space, can
be startling.
Final judgments on the quality of the sound output are of course personal. We
encourage listening to the speakers with clear and familiar recordings—
particularly of female and male voices and acoustic instruments—to convince
and satisfy listeners of the natural tonal balance, wide frequency and dynamic
range, and spatial imaging delivered.
C. Recommended Power
We recommend amplifiers and receivers rated from a range of 15-300 watts. For
playing at consistently room-filling volume, a minimum of 100 watts is usually a
good idea. Be wary of driving low-powered amplifiers to their limits as under-
powering can cause permanent speaker damage.
XIII. PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT
A.
For full, year-after-year enjoyment from your speakers, you should
respect their limits. Excessive volume levels can damage even the most
“bullet-proof” speakers, especially over extended time periods.
B.
When listening to music or movies at very loud volume, you shouldn’t
turn up bass or treble all the way or close thereto. This sends
tremendously increased, disproportionate power into the speakers, and
may well damage them. Some loudness compensation (“Loudness”)
controls, which boost both bass and treble, can also be troublesome at
high volume. They are intended only for low-volume listening.
C.
Finally, you should be aware that when amplifiers and receivers are
pushed to their limits to produce excessive volume levels, they are driven
into “clipping” and can do severe damage—especially to tweeters. Often,
the damage is done by underpowered amplifiers, which may reach their
limits very soon. When such units begin to “clip” the audio waveform,
they may generate high-frequency “spikes” of tremendous power. More
tweeters have probably been destroyed by this phenomenon than any
other. If using your speakers at loud levels, listen carefully for any sign
of harsh, garbled midrange and diminishing intelligibility—and turn the
volume down right away if you detect it.
NEVER TURN UP THE VOLUME ALL THE WAY TO SEE HOW LOUD
YOUR SYSTEM WILL PLAY!
13
