User manual ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM 450 INSTRUCTION MANUAL

[. . . ] Here's why: 451 LR/453 C Front and Center Speakers s s s Wide horizontal dispersion improves coverage of the listening area. Focused vertical directivity improves frontal localization and intelligibility. Full dynamic range and frequency response 454 SR Surround Speakers s s s Diffuse radiation enhances envelopment and spaciousness. Smooth power response matches the tonal character of the front and center channels. [. . . ] Use the following placement guidelines and Figure 3 as a starting point. Remember that small changes in speaker positioning can make a big difference in the sound. Place the Model 451 LR Front Speakers to the left and right of the TV screen. All of the System 450 THX speakers, except for the 454 SR surround speakers, are magnetically shielded and will not interfere with the video image. The left front and right front speakers should be far enough apart that 4 Models 451 LR, 453 C, and 454 SR Atlantic Technology® you get a good stereo image, but not so far apart that the sound seems distant and distracting. Avoid placing the speakers too close to a corner or too close to the TV, and try to maintain an equal distance from the screen on both sides. Ideally, the acoustic center of the speaker (the tweeter) should be within two feet of ear level when you are in a seated position. Figure 3: Typical arrangement for speakers in a THX home theater. For best results, place the surround speakers within the shaded areas. Note that the surround speakers are marked Left and Right. It is important that the speakers be placed correctly for proper imaging Surround speaker should be no closer than 2' from the ceiling Left surround speaker Ear level Center channel should be within 2' of front speaker tweeter height Right surround speaker Null point of surround speaker in line with listening position The degree of front speaker toe-in can affect the imaging and response characteristics of the speakers. In most rooms, the speakers will work well facing straight ahead or slightly toed-in towards the listener. Speakers that are placed close to the side walls may require additional toe-in to avoid a poor image and/or a forward midrange and treble response due to reflections from the side walls. Play some two channel stereo music and experiment with speaker positioning. Note: If the speakers need an excessive amount of toe-in to image properly, there may be a problem with the connection of the speakers or some part of the system may not be operating properly. Check all of your speaker wire connections for correct phase and verify that the associated components in the system are connected and functioning properly. The Model 453 C Center Channel Speaker should be between the left and right front speakers and above or below the TV screen. It should be tilted on its adjustable base to direct the sound toward the listening position. Ideally, the center channel speaker should be placed within two feet of the axis of the front channel tweeters. This placement is somewhat flexible because of the directability of the 453 C on its tiltable base. The 453 C is usually placed on top of the TV, or above or below the screen in a front projection video system. 5 Models 451 LR, 453 C, and 454 SR Atlantic Technology® Figure 4: Boundary Compensation Control on rear panel of 453 C. The Boundary Compensation Control on the rear panel of the 453 C provides a unique way to fine-tune the frequency balance of the speaker when it is placed on or near a reflective surface. In many situations, the unfortunate audible result of placing a speaker on top of a TV is a boost in the midrange response from the sound reflecting off of the TV screen. [. . . ] Avoid placing your speakers in direct sunlight or near a source of heat that may, over time, fade the finish. If you can do so, save the cartons, packing pieces, and plastic bags that came with your speakers. They will be useful in case you move or have to ship your loudspeakers for any reason. In any case, save all packing materials until you are certain that the systems have suffered no damage in shipment. [. . . ]