Paradigm
®
Reference speakers are efficient and can be driven to loud
listening levels with moderate amplifier power. They are also able to
handle the output of very powerful amplifiers. To prevent damage to your
speakers, please read the following guidelines before hooking them up.
Amplifier Distortion – The #1 Culprit!
Amplifier distortion is the principal cause of speaker damage. When
listening at loud levels your amplifier may run out of clean power. It will
then begin to produce distorted power several times greater than its rated
output power. This will damage any brand of speaker very quickly!
(See
your Dealer for amplifier recommendations.)
More Powerful Amplifiers are Safer
A 40 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above
40 watts. If driven to 50 watts, this amplifier will deliver distorted power—
which will damage the speaker! A 100 watt/channel amplifier will have
substantial distortion above 100 watts, but very low distortion below 100
watts. Therefore, when the speaker requires 50 watts, this more powerful
amplifier will deliver clean power and speaker damage is less likely to occur.
Volume Control
Do not be fooled by the Volume Control of your receiver/preamplifier. It
only adjusts listening level—it is not a “power-output” dial. The amount
of amplifier power actually used at a given Volume Control setting
depends solely on the nature of the music you are listening to. At a given
Volume Control setting a quiet section of music will use less amplifier
power than a loud section. With typical pop-rock, jazz or large scale
classical music, the rated output power of many receivers/amplifiers is
often reached when the Volume Control is between the “11 and 1 o’clock”
settings (with bass/treble and loudness controls not used—otherwise rated
power may be reached at even lower Volume Control settings).
Remember, all amplifiers produce distortion when operated beyond their
rated output power. The resulting distortion will damage all speakers!
Exercise caution! If you listen at loud levels, be careful to listen for the point
of audible distortion—if the speakers begin to sound distressed turn the
Volume Control down or your speakers and/or amplifier(s) will be damaged!
This type of damage constitutes abuse and is not covered by the
warranty
. If louder volumes are desired obtain a more powerful amplifier.
There is a Limit!
Although more powerful amplifiers are safer, there is a point at which you
could have more power than the speaker can handle. At that point you will
overpower the speaker and damage it. Exercise caution! At loud levels do
not increase bass/treble controls from zero and ensure that all
loudness/contour/bass EQ buttons are off (otherwise rated output power
will be reached at lower volume control settings). If you listen at loud
levels, watch for excessive visible cone excursion (grille movement) from
the woofer—then turn the Volume Control down.
The Right Amount of Power
A power-range rating is given as a guide to indicate the approximate
minimum and maximum power input of your Paradigm
®
Reference
speakers. Amplifiers that exceed your speaker’s power-range rating are
recommended. Their greater power reserves provide better sound.
However, exercise caution! Use the speakers within their power-range
rating to prevent damage (keep listening levels below the point of
excessive woofer cone excursion).
PREVENTING SPEAKER DAMAGE
Paradigm
®
Reference speakers are designed to provide superior high-end
sound in a wide variety of domestic settings. However, it is important to
note: that listening room construction, dimensions and furnishings all play
a part in the quality of sound you will ultimately achieve. Your listening
room will impose its own character on the performance capabilities of any
speaker system. The extra care you take in correctly positioning the
speakers will result in greater listening enjoyment. Keep the following
guidelines in mind when deciding on the best speaker placement:
•
Mid and high frequencies are affected by the amount of soft
furnishings in your room—curtains, carpets, sofas, wall coverings,
etc. An excess of such items can result in a somewhat dull sound.
The same room without any soft furnishings can produce a bright
overall sound. The typical quantity of soft furnishings found in most
living situations provides the right acoustic characteristics to allow
the speakers to sound balanced.
•
Concrete floors and walls tend to aggravate low-frequency standing
wave problems and are less preferred.
•
Rooms where height, width and length are similar should be avoided as
they can exhibit significant low-frequency standing wave problems.
This may result in reduced clarity. If no other room is possible,
experiment with speaker placement to minimize acoustic problems.
ROOM ACOUSTICS
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