OWNER’S MANUAL
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1. Introduction
Welcome to the Linear Centre. Perhaps more than
any other hi-fi product, speakers are sensitive to
installation so please take a little time to read
this manual and to follow, as far as practical,
the installation guidelines it contains. Careful
installation will help ensure that your Linear Centre
performs optimally. Should you have any questions
not covered here we are happy to try and answer
them either by telephone or email. Contact
information can be found in Section 11.
2. Handling
The Linear Centre is a relatively delicate precision engineered product that
can be damaged by inappropriate handling. Please take care when unpacking
or moving the speaker not to touch any of the drivers. Damage to a driver
will at best degrade a Linear Centre’s performance and at worst result in its
complete failure.
The enclosure surfaces should also be handled sympathetically. Any cleaning
should only require a soft cloth, slightly dampened if necessary. Be wary of
using any polishes or solvent based cleaning agents.
Following this introduction, the Manual is divided
into sections covering handling, installation,
positioning, amplifier compatibility, connection,
listening, matching products, specifications,
warranty and contact information. We recommend
that you read at least the first five of these sections
carefully before installing and using your Linear
Centre.
The packaging should be retained for future use.
3. Installation
The Linear Centre is intended to be used in a home theatre system located
either directly above or below the screen. It can be stood either directly on
a furniture unit, integrated within a screen stand, mounted on a dedicated
speaker stand or on a wall using appropriate bracket hardware.
Best results are likely to be gained if the Linear Centre is directly coupled
to the floor via a dedicated, spiked stand. If the screen stand is to carry the
Linear Centre it is advisable to de-couple it from the screen with the supplied
adhesive rubber feet so that its does not disturb the picture. If a wall bracket
is to be used it should be as rigid as possible and firmly attached to a brick-
built wall.
The Linear Centre is magnetically shielded. However, the extreme sensitivity
of some CRT tubes to low levels of magnetic flux may mean that, in rare
cases, the shielding may not be sufficient. Should your screen suffer picture
distortion caused by the proximity of a centre speaker contact your dealer
installer or Acoustic Energy for advice.
The following section provides further general advice on Home Theatre
speaker positioning and room layout.
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4. Positioning
Don’t worry if, thanks to the architecture or layout
of your room, it is not practical to follow each
requirement or the layout diagram exactly. The
most important thing is to experiment with the
different options that are practical and find the one
that works best.
The position of the speakers in a home theatre installation will have great
influence over its performance. It is worth spending some time experimenting
both with the finer points of speaker positioning, as well as the larger scale
issues of room layout. Diagram One illustrates an idealised general home
theatre speaker layout.
If you are already familiar with the characteristics of your home theatre room,
and the way speakers perform in it, you may already have a good feel for
where to position your Linear Centre. However, installing any new speaker
component provides a good opportunity to review an existing set-up and
perhaps make improvements.
Once your Linear Centre is connected (see Section
5) and working, and you begin to become familiar
with its performance, it is likely to be worthwhile
experimenting a little more with its positioning.
For example, reducing the distance between the
speaker and the rear wall will increase the level of
bass and low midrange making the speaker sound
warmer. The warmth however is likely to be gained
at the expense of some mid-range clarity.
The position requirements for a Linear Centre are as follows:
•
•
•
Between 0.05 and 0.5 metres from the rear wall.
Generally in-line with the display screen.
Directly above or below the display screen.
Diagram One
Left
Front
Right
Front
Centre
Sub-woofer
Viewing/listening position
Left
Surround
Right
Surround
Alternative
or Extra Left
Surround
Alternative or
Extra Right
Surround
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5. Connecting
Connecting your Linear Centre to an amplifier is
fundamentally a simple process, however, there are
some choices to be made and issues to consider
concerning connection mode, connectors and
cable type.
Conventional [single wire] connection
Conventional connection requires that the shorting links remain in place
between the high and low frequency terminals. Simply connect the speaker
cable to either pair of terminals ensuring correct connection polarity as
described below.
Linear Centre is fitted with two pairs of binding-
post terminals - one pair each for the low
frequency and high frequency drivers. Two
pairs of terminals enables Linear Centre to be
connected conventionally (single wire), bi-
wired or bi-amplified. As supplied, the high and
low frequency terminals are connected together
by metal shorting links ready for conventional
connection.
Bi-Wire Connection
Bi-wiring separates the low and high frequency connections and can provide
enhanced sound quality. A second set of cables (or alternatively, a multi-way
bi-wire cable) is required. The shorting links should be removed and stored for
any subsequent single wire use.
The two cables for each speaker should be connected in parallel to the
amplifier terminals. At the speaker, one cable should connect to the high
frequency terminals and one to the low frequency terminals. Ensure correct
connection polarity as described below.
The terminals can accept either stripped wires,
spade connectors, or 4mm plugs. Each of these
termination methods is potentially equally effective
and the choice is likely to be influenced by type of
speaker cable used. Your dealer, distributor or cable
manufacturer will be able to offer advice.
Bi-Amplifier Connection
Bi-amplifier connection adds a second power amplifier to the system so that
high and low frequency sections have dedicated amplifiers. Significantly
enhanced sound quality is possible. One stereo amplifier should be connected
to the high frequency terminals of each speaker and a second stereo amplifier
connected to the low frequency terminals. The shorting links should be
removed and stored for any subsequent single wire use. Ensure correct
connection polarity as described below. Follow the amplifier manufacturer’s
guidance on connecting the amplifier input signals.
The shorting links must be removed for bi-amplifier connection. Failure
to do so will likely result in damage to the amplifiers.
Connection Polarity
It is important when connecting speakers to ensure that each terminal is
connected with the correct polarity. Positive speaker terminals should always
be connected back to amplifier positive terminals, and negative speaker
terminals connected back to amplifier negative terminals. Performance will be
seriously degraded if connections are made with incorrect polarity.
Take care when connecting cables not to touch the negative and positive
terminals together and “short-circuit” the amplifier. Make connections with
the amplifier switched off.
Choice of cable type will be influenced by the characteristics of other
components in your hi-fi system and your dealer or distributor will be able to
advise. Even so, there are some simple guidelines to consider:
•
•
Cable runs to should be kept as short as possible.
Short cable runs are especially important if the cable is of relatively small
cross-sectional-area.
•
If the cable is advertised as “directional” care should be taken to ensure
that its orientation is as recommended.
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6. Amplifiers
The Linear Centre is a relatively high sensitivity speaker that does not require
a generously rated power amplifier for adequate volume levels to be achieved
in an average listening room. A minimum of 25 and maximum of 175
Watts into 8 Ohms per channel is recommended. Linear Centre also offers
a relatively easy load to the amplifier and does not make unusually heavy
demands on its power delivery.
No overload protection systems are fitted to the Linear Centre so it is possible
to cause damage through over-driving. Such damage can occur whatever
the power rating of the amplifier and is not covered by any warranty. If ever
the sound at high volumes becomes distorted your Linear Centre is at risk of
damage. In such circumstances the volume must be reduced.
7. Listening
8. Specification
Type: Two and a half-way, reflex loaded, time
It is wise before listening to your Linear Centre to make one final check of
the cables and connections. If all appears well begin listening at a relatively
low level to confirm that the system is operating as expected. Only increase
the volume if you are happy that the sound at low levels is fundamentally as
expected. If you are unhappy, turn the system off and re-check all the cables
and connections.
aligned speaker.
Bass/Mid Drivers: 2 x 130mm pressed alloy cone
with 32mm thermally bonded voice coil. Shielded
high-power long-throw magnet system.
HF Driver: Pre-coated textile dome with ferro-fluid
cooled neodymium magnet system and rear heat
sink.
Linear Centre may take a little time to “run-in”, and similarly the system will
also perhaps take some time to reach normal operating temperatures. It is
unwise therefore to make rapid judgements about the performance of the
speaker. Your ears too will take some time to adjust to the new sound, so
revisiting the system set-up, speaker positioning especially, is best left for a
few days.
Filter Network: 3rd order at 3.1kHz, 2nd order at
275Hz
Cabinet: 15mm MDF carcass with composite layer
front panel and driver de-coupling.
Frequency Response: 60Hz to 28kHz ±3dB
Frequency Range: 50Hz to 28kHz @ -6dB
Power Handling: 175W peak programme
Amplifier Compatibility: 25 - 175 Watts into 8
Ohms
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Sensitivity: 91dB for 1 Watt at 1 metre
Terminals: Gold plated bi-wire binding posts
Dimensions (H x W x D): 180 x 620 x 200mm
Weight: 10.5kg (single, unpacked)
Acoustic Energy reserves the right to modify
product specifications.
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9. The Linear Range
The Linear Centre is part of a range that includes
Linear One stand-mount speaker, the Linear Three
floor-stand speaker and the Linear Sub active
sub-woofer. Linear One, Linear Three and Linear
Centre incorporate time-aligned drivers to improve
image quality, depth and focus.
10. Warranty
Your Acoustic Energy speakers are guaranteed against original defects in
materials, manufacture and workmanship for 3 years from the date of
purchase.
Linear One
Under this warranty Acoustic Energy agrees to repair any defect or, at the
company’s discretion, replace the faulty component(s) without charge for
parts or labour. This warranty does not imply any acceptance by Acoustic
Energy or its agents for consequential loss or damage and specifically
excludes fair wear and tear, accident, misuse or unauthorised modification.
Linear One is a compact two-way stand-mount
speaker that adds high resolution accuracy to the
imaging benefits of time alignment.
Linear Three
Linear Three is a true three-way floor stand speaker
that builds on the performance of the Linear One
with wider bandwidth, higher power handling and
enhanced detail resolution.
This warranty is applicable in the United Kingdom only and does not in any
way limit the customer’s legal rights. Claims and enquiries under the warranty
for Acoustic Energy products purchased outside the UK should be addressed
to the local importers or distributors. If you have reason to claim under the
warranty please contact your dealer in the first instance.
Linear Sub
Linear Sub is an active sub-woofer perfect for
enhancing Linear One bass performance or
handling the low frequency effects channel in
Linear audio-visual systems.
Please retain all original packaging materials for possible future use. We
suggest that you complete details of purchase now and keep this information
in a safe place for future reference.
Name:
Address:
Dealer:
Purchase Date:
Serial Numbers:
11. Contact
Acoustic Energy Limited
16 Bridge Road
Cirencester
Gloucestershire GL7 1NJ
UK
Tel:
+44 (0)1285 654432 (Sales)
+44 (0)1285 656890 (Technical)
+44 (0)1285 654430
Fax:
Email: [email protected]
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Acoustic Energy Limited, 16 Bridge Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1NJ.
Tel: +44 (0)1285 654432 (Sales), +44 (0)1285 656890 (Technical). Fax: +44 (0)1285 654430
Email: [email protected]
Manual Part No. MA1107
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