Definitive Technology BP-8080ST BP SuperTower Manual - Page 3

BIPOLAR SUPERTOWER OWNER'S MANUAL Connecting Your Loudspeakers Figure 3 - Wiring and Polarity + Strip 1/4" (6mm) wire. 1 2 - Identify markings on wire and assign +/-. ReceREivCeEIrV/ERA/mplifier AMPLIFIER 1. Unscrew binding post and insert wire. Ensure that the speaker is always con- 2. Tighten until wire is secure. nected to the receiver or amplifier + to + and - to -. Wiring Options: High Level, High Level and LFE w/ "Y" Connector VERY IMPORTANT: Do not use your receiver's auto setup functions as they are often ineffective in setting up and adjusting speakers with built-in powered subwoofers! Use the manual speaker setup functions in your receiver to set speaker configuration, speaker distance and channel balance. Consult your receiver's or processor's manual to learn how to access and use the setup menus. Use the settings called for in Figure 4. Figure 4 - Receiver Settings Subwoofer level on/off LED Speaker Setup Speaker Sub Large No Connection Option 1 Receiver/Amplifier LFE speaker output Subwoofer level LFE Connection Option 2 Subwoofer LFE level Speaker Setup Speaker Sub Large Yes "Y" Connector *available from dealer LFE speaker output Right Left Receiver/Amplifier Powering the Active Subwoofer Your Bipolar STs contain a built-in subwoofer amplifier that must be plugged into an electrical socket. When powering up from being unplugged, the LED on the amplifier panel will flash for 30 seconds while the firmware is loading. The Bipolar ST has a special circuit which automatically turns on when a signal is fed to the loudspeaker. The LED on the back panel will light up when a signal is sensed and the amplifier turns on. After the cessation of a signal, it may take up to an hour for the amplifier to turn off. Due to stray radio signals (RF) in your area, the LEDs may not turn off. Do not be concerned, the amplifiers draw little power when they are idle. Setting Your Speakers' Low-Frequency Level Control Your Bipolar STs have bass level controls which allow you to adjust the output level of the powered subwoofers to match your room and personal listening preferences. Please note that there are no controls to vary the crossover points or phase. The crossover points and phase have been factory-calibrated to provide perfect blending. We suggest beginning with the level control set at approximately 12 o'clock. Each speaker's bass controls can also be set differently in order to allow you to compensate for asymmetrical positioning of the speakers in your room (i.e., when one is closer to a side wall or corner, etc.). Min Max Complete Home Theater System We strongly suggest that you use matching Definitive center channel and rear/surround speakers to complete your Definitive home theater system. Please note that you can use Definitive Bipolar SuperTowers as rear or side surround speakers with excellent results for both music and movies. Troubleshooting If you experience any difficulties with your Bipolar ST loudspeakers, try the suggestions below. If you still have problems, contact your Definitive Technology Authorized Dealer for assistance. 1. Audible distortion when the speakers are playing at loud levels is caused by turning up your receiver or amplifier louder than the receiver or the speakers are capable of playing. Most receivers and amplifiers put out their full-rated power well before the volume control is turned all the way up, so the position of the volume control is a poor indicator of its power limit. If your speakers distort when you play them loud, turn the volume down! 2. If you experience a lack of bass, it is likely that one speaker is out of phase (polarity) with the other and needs to be rewired with closer attention to connecting positive to positive and negative to negative on both channels. Most speaker wire has some indicator (such as color-coding, ribbing or writing) on one of the two conductors to help you maintain consistency. It is essential to connect both speakers to the amplifier in the same way (in phase). 3. Make sure all your system interconnects and power cords are solidly in place. 4. Should you hear hum or noise coming from your speakers, try plugging the speakers' power cords into a different AC circuit than your amplifier. 5. The system has sophisticated internal protection circuitry. If for some reason the protection circuitry trips, turn off your system and wait five minutes before trying the system again. If the speakers' built-in amplifier should over-heat, the system will turn off until the amplifier cools down and resets. 6. Check to be sure that your power cord has not been damaged. 7. Check that no foreign objects or liquid has entered the speaker cabinet. 8. If you cannot get the subwoofer driver to turn on or if no sound comes out and you are sure the system is set up properly, please bring the loudspeaker to your Definitive Technology Authorized Dealer for assistance; call first. 3