User manual CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS NEWTON T300

TM T 5 0 0 a n d T 3 0 0 To w e r L o u d s p e a k e r s with Internal Powered Subwoofer User Manual ® The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying this product WARNING DO NOT OPEN TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE SPEAKER'S COVER. NO USERSERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. AVISIQUE POUR EVITER TOUT RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS DEMONTER LE COUVERCLE DU HAUT PARLEUR. AUCUN ENTRETIEN DES PIECES INTERIEURES N'EST REQUIS.TOUT SERVICE D'ENTRETIEN NE DOIT ETRE EFFECTUE QUE PAR DU PERSONNEL D'ENTRETIEN QUALIFIE. READ AND HEED IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING ON BOTTOM OF SPEAKER ENCLOSURE CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, INSERT FULLY. IMPORTANT NOTICE: THE SERIAL NUMBER FOR THE SPEAKER IS LOCATED ON THE SPEAKER'S CONTROL PANEL. PLEASE WRITE THIS NUMBER DOWN AND KEEP IT IN A SECURE AREA. THIS IS FOR YOUR SECURITY. ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER JUSQU'AU FOND. 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS READ INSTRUCTIONS ­ All safety and operating instructions should be read before the speaker is operated. RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS ­ The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. HEED WARNINGS ­ All warnings on the speaker and in the operating instructions should be adhered to. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ­ All operating and use instructions should be followed. CLEANING ­ Unplug the speaker from the wall outlet or other power source before cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. ATTACHMENTS ­ Do not use any adapters or attachments not recommended by Cambridge SoundWorks as they may cause hazards. WATER AND MOISTURE ­ Do not use the speaker near water-for example, near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool or other similar areas. ACCESSORIES ­ Do not place the speaker on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The speaker may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult and serious damage to the product. VENTILATION ­ Slots, openings and metal fins in the cabinet are provided for ventilation, to ensure reliable operation of the speaker and to prevent it from overheating. These areas must not be blocked or covered such as by placing the product on a bed, sofa, very deep pile rug, or other similar surface. The speaker should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack. HEAT ­ The speaker should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, and other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat. POWER SOURCES ­ The speaker should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your dealer or local power company. POLARIZATION ­ The speaker is equipped with a polarized alternating-current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug. POWER-CORD PROTECTION ­ The AC power cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on. No object should bring weight to bear on to the AC power cords. LIGHTNING ­ For added protection for the speaker during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug them from the wall outlet. This will prevent damage to the speaker due to lightning and power-line surges. OVERLOADING ­ Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock. OBJECT AND LIQUID ENTRY ­ Never use probes of any kind to reach into the speaker as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the speaker. SERVICING ­ Do not attempt to service the speaker yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE ­ Unplug the speaker from the wall outlet or other power source and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: a) When the power-cord or plug is damaged. b) If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the speaker. c) If the speaker has been exposed to rain or water. d) If the speaker does not operate normally by following the operating instructions; or exhibits a distinct change in performance. e) If the speaker has been dropped or damaged in any way. REPLACEMENT PARTS ­ When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician uses replacement parts specified by Cambridge SoundWorks or have the same characteristics as the original part. Substandard substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards. SAFETY CHECK - Upon completion of any service or repairs to the speaker, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the speaker is in proper operating condition. 3 INTRODUCTION Introduction Thanks for choosing a Newton Series loudspeaker. The T1000 and T500 both feature the finest drivers, precision internal crossover and amplifier circuitry and an elegant enclosure design. The Product Development Team at Cambridge SoundWorks believes there is no better combination of audiophile-level attention to detail and reasonable cost. AFTER UNPACKING Store the shipping carton and packing material for future transport needs. CONTENTS A) One Loudspeaker B) Two Cast Alloy Support Stands C) Eight Stand Bolts D) AC cord E) Four threaded posts ("spikes") F) Four disc feet G) Four lock nuts H) Four soft foot pads Also necessary: A philips screwdriver (no.2, preferably) to install the stands Two lengths of speaker wire B A D or Two lengths of speaker wire plus two signal cables with RCA plugs at each end to connect the speakers to a receiver or amplifier. See pages 10 and 12 to determine what wire and cable you need. C E G INSPECTING FOR DAMAGE Examine the speaker system carefully for shipping damage. If there is any, do not install or use the system. Return the speaker to the store where you made the purchase or call Cambridge SoundWorks at 1-800 FOR-HIFI (1-800-367-4434) for assistance. H F 4 STAND AND FOOT ASSEMBLY Attach the cast metal stands to the base of each speaker using four bolts for each stand (see diagram). The metal stands are identical. Tighten the bolts securely. Connect the AC cord, but do not connect the other end to a wall socket. Set the Master Power switch to ON. Choose which foot option is correct for your situation: Disc Feet: The disc feet insure stable speaker placement on most flat surfaces and low pile carpet. Adhere the four soft foot pads to the bottom of the disc feet if you have a smooth, flat floor surface. The four feet should be used without the pads on carpet. Disc Feet With Spikes: Each threaded post has one pointed end for use as a carpet spike. This point can pierce thick carpeting and support the speaker from the floor underneath. Note: these spikes will make small but deep punctures in most floors. Use the Disc Feet to avoid this. RISK OPE SHO TO RED N CK RISQ ATTE BOT UCE UE TOM THE DE NTION TO QUA PANE RISK NE CHO PAS C ELEC LIFIE LS. NO OF OUV TRIQ D PER USEELEC RIR SON R-SE TRICAL UE NEL. RVIC SHO EAB CK, LE PARTDO NOT S INSID REM OVE E. REF BAC ER SERK OR VICIN OF ELEC DO NOTTRIC CAUT ION OFF MA POSTER WER G ON Towe r Loud 120V speake r AC 2.5A T30 0 New ton , Mas Mad sac e in husetts Chi na USA 5 fuse Use only with s 250V cvec Employer uniquement unfusible de 250V CAU FORTION: PRO CONTINU REPTECTION ED , SAMLACE WITH 250VE TYPE FUS 2.5A , E Disc Feet Installation: 1. Install the pointed end of a threaded post into the end of each arm of the metal stands. Twist and hand tighten each post. 2. Thread a lock nut most of the way up each post. 3. Screw a disc foot onto the end of each post about seven complete turns. 4. Apply the self-adhesive foot pads, if necessary for your floor surface. Raise the speaker upright. 5. When the final speaker placement is determined, adjust the position of each disc foot on the threaded post until stable placement has been achieved. Hand twist the lock nut down onto the disc foot to secure. 2. 3. 4. 1. Disc Feet With Spikes Installation: It is difficult to move the speaker once the spikes are installed on the stands. Install the Disc Feet on the speaker first and determine exactly where you want to place the speaker on a carpet, then change the feet to exposed spikes. 1. Install the blunt end of a threaded post into the end of each metal stand arm. Twist each until it stops turning but do not tighten them. 2. Thread a Disk Foot most of the way up each post. Raise the speaker upright. 3. Adjust each threaded post until stable placement has been achieved. Hand twist the Disc Feet up against the metal stand arm to secure the spike. If you find the spikes are not long enough to pierce the carpet with the Disc Feet installed, you can use the lock nut instead or omit both. 2. 1. Disc Feet Installation Disc Feet With Spikes Installation 6 SPEAKER CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS BASS CONTOUR NORMAL BASS CONTOUR adjusts the deepest bass of the speaker system. ­8 SUB LEVEL +8 POWER POWER indicator. This will glow green when the speaker is active and red when the speaker is in standby mode. LINK IN/OUT -- connect this to the other Newton Series Tower loudspeaker's LINK IN/OUT, only if you are using the SUB IN jack on the same speaker. HIGH RANGE SUB LEVEL adjusts the output level of the signal fed to the SUB IN jack. MIN MAX LINK IN/OUT SUB IN SUB IN -- If you decide to use your receiver's SUB OUT jack, connect it here. + JUMPER LOW RANGE + FULL RANGE INPUT FULL RANGE INPUT -- Attach speaker wire to these two connectors. HIGH RANGE INPUT -- After removing both jumpers, use these two connectors for the high frequency range of a bi-wire connection scheme. LOW RANGE INPUT -- After removing both jumpers, use these two connectors for the low frequency range of a bi-wire connection scheme. HIGH RANGE ­ JUMPER LOW RANGE ­ CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ATTENTION RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE BACK OR BOTTOM PANELS. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. MASTER POWER OFF MASTER POWER -- Use this switch to turn off the ON AC power to the speaker. This is advisable if the T300 speaker will be unused for over a week or two. 120V AC 2.5A Tower Loudspeaker Use only with s 250V fuse Employer uniquement cvec unfusible de 250V CAUTION: FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION, REPLACE WITH SAME TYPE 2.5A, 250V FUSE FUSE -- See page 13 for replacement information. AC POWER -- Insert the supplied AC power cord into this receptacle. Newton, Massachusetts USA Made in China 7 ABOUT SPEAKER PLACEMENT We recommend you position each speaker so the side panel with the subwoofer faces out. For a two channel system (stereo), place the speakers to form an angle between 25 and 55 degrees with your listening position. For a home theater system, place the speakers close to the left and right sides of the monitor. This helps create a cohesive sonic presentation across the left, center and right front speakers. Avoid positioning the face of either speaker near a wall. Reflected sound will degrade the overall accuracy of the speaker's tonal balance Avoid positioning a speaker in a corner. Reflected sound from the corner will also degrade the tonal balance. 20° - 55° ANGLE MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED DISTANCE APART FOR HOME THEATER MAIN SPEAKERS CENTER CHANNEL SURROUND SPEAKER SURROUND SPEAKER 45° ANGLE 8 CONNECTION DIAGRAMS Speaker Wire The simplest hookup configuration uses two lengths of speaker wire (not provided) to connect the right and left channel of your receiver to the Newton Series Tower loudspeakers. This straight forward configuration fully utilizes the integral powered subwoofer. We recommend it to anyone for the easiest setup. We also recommend it for use with most surround receivers that are not Dolby Digital®. The configuration of the "Sub Out" on these receivers varies, making it hard to recommend a precise adjustment procedure. In this configuration, you adjust the bass output of HIGH RANGE MIN Newton Series Towers can be driven from a receiver, an integrated amplifier or a preamp/power amplifier component system. This manual refers to a "receiver" throughout, but all the instructions apply to integrated amplifers or preamp/power amplifier setups as well. RIGHT SPEAKER INPUT PANEL BASS CONTOUR NORMAL LEFT SPEAKER INPUT PANEL BASS CONTOUR NORMAL ­8 SUB LEVEL +8 ­8 SUB LEVEL +8 POWER POWER MAX LINK IN/OUT MIN MAX LINK IN/OUT SUB IN SUB IN + JUMPER HIGH RANGE + JUMPER each Tower speaker separately using the Bass Contour control. The Sub Level control is not used. If using the front left and front right channels of a Dolby Digital receiver, set the Dolby Digital decoder options at -- Subwoofer: NONE or OFF Front Speakers: LARGE Center Speaker and Rear Speakers: SMALL This setting sends all the deep bass signals in the music or program to the Newton Series Tower speakers. With the decoder set as described, the decoder's Crossover Frequency option selects the low filter frequency for the center and rear speakers. Set this option at 100 Hz, unless you are sure both the center and rear speakers have significant output below 100 Hz. See Speaker Wire Preparation on page 11 for details on how to connect speaker wire. CD IN LOW RANGE + FULL RANGE INPUT LOW RANGE + FULL RANGE INPUT HIGH RANGE ­ JUMPER HIGH RANGE ­ JUMPER LOW RANGE ­ LOW RANGE ­ ANTENNA AUDIO DVD R L * VIDEO DVD IN DIGITAL INPUTS COAX SPEAKER OUTPUTS IN GND AM FRONT RIGHT TV OPTICAL TV IN IN FRONT LEFT FM 75 OHM VCR IN IN VCR CENTER SUB OUT MONITOR OUT OUT R L TAPE IN OUT OUT REAR RIGHT OUT RECEIVER REAR LEFT 9 CONNECTION DIAGRAMS Speaker Wire and Subwoofer Signal Cable This hookup configuration uses two lengths of speaker wire and two signal cables (wires and cables are not provided with the speakers). This configuration lets you adjust the bass of both speakers with one control -- the Sub Level control on the speaker connected to you receiver's SUB OUT jack. It does not matter which speaker connects to your receiver's SUB OUT jack. LOW RANGE HIGH RANGE RIGHT SPEAKER INPUT PANEL BASS CONTOUR NORMAL LEFT SPEAKER INPUT PANEL BASS CONTOUR NORMAL ­8 SUB LEVEL +8 ­8 SUB LEVEL +8 POWER POWER MIN MAX LINK IN/OUT MIN MAX LINK IN/OUT SUB IN SUB IN + JUMPER HIGH RANGE + JUMPER + FULL RANGE INPUT LOW RANGE + FULL RANGE INPUT Use the speaker that is closest for convenience. We recommend this configuration primarily with Dolby Digital receivers, since SUB OUT signal conforms to Dolby Laboratories® subwoofer output guidelines. The subwoofer outputs of Dolby Surround® and stereo receivers vary. We recommend using a straightforward speaker wire hookup in these cases. Set the Dolby Digital decoder options at HIGH RANGE ­ JUMPER HIGH RANGE ­ JUMPER LOW RANGE ­ LOW RANGE ­ DIGITAL INPUTS COAX SPEAKER OUTPUTS Subwoofer: ON Front Speakers: LARGE Center Speaker and Rear Speakers: SMALL With the decoder set as described, the decoder's Crossover Frequency option selects the low filter frequency for the center and rear speakers. Set this at 100 Hz, unless you are sure both the center and rear speakers have significant output below 100 Hz. FRONT RIGHT OPTICAL FRONT LEFT CENTER SUB OUT REAR RIGHT OUT RECEIVER REAR LEFT BASS CONTOUR NORMAL Speaker Input Jumpers The jumpers link the input of the upper frequency drivers and the input of the subwoofer's power amplifier. Removing the jumpers allows separate speaker cables to be attached to the main speakers and the subwoofer (biwiring). Both these cables should deliver the same, full-range program. We do not recommend removing the jumpers for any other purpose. HIGH RANGE LOW RANGE HIGH RANGE MIN ­8 SUB LEVEL +8 POWER MAX LINK IN/OUT SUB IN + JUMPER + FULL RANGE INPUT LOW RANGE HIGH RANGE ­ JUMPER LOW RANGE ­ 10 SPEAKER WIRE PREPARATION Use at least 18 gauge speaker cable for short runs (under 15 feet). Use 16 gauge or heavier speaker cable for longer runs. 1. Determine how long the speaker cable should be for each speaker. Cut the speaker cable into the appropriate lengths. 2. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the two individual conductors in the speaker cable. Twist the exposed strands of bare wire together. 3. Attach any connector plugs (like banana plugs) at this time. 4. Determine which conductor you will use to connect the positive terminals of the amplifier and speaker together. One of the two conductors of a speaker cable can usually be distinguished by printing or a ridge on the insulation. Some times the metal of the conductors has two different colors. UR NTO S CO L BAS ORMA N Strip 1/2 inch +8 ­8 SUB L E LEV POW ER Make The Connections: 1. Unscrew the speaker's red and black connector knobs to expose the holes in their threaded shafts. 2. Insert the stripped end of one cable's "indicated" conductor into the speaker's red (+) connector. Handtighten the knob to secure the connection. Make sure no stray strands of wire are exposed. If you are using a cable connector plug, connect it according to its instructions 3. Repeat the procedure for the cable's other conductor and the speaker's black (­) connector. 4. Connect the other speaker cable's conductors to the other speaker. MAX MIN IN LINKT U IN/O SUB + HIGHE G RAN JUM PER + LOWE G RAN L FUL E G RANUT INP ­ 5. Connect the opposite ends of the speaker cable to the speaker outputs of your receiver. Remember to observe channel and polarity (Left Positive, Left Negative, Right Positive, Right Negative). HIGHE G RAN JUM PER ­ LOWE G RAN 11 ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE Power Insert the speakers' AC plugs into AC sockets. Speaker Wire Configuration Adjustment 1. Set all receiver tone controls, all surround effects and any other special processing circuits to Off. 2. Set the receiver to stereo operation. 3. Play a musical CD with good deep bass content. Adjust the Bass Contour Control of both speakers in tandem to a satisfying bass output level. 5. If you have a Dolby Digital receiver, set it to Dolby Digital operation and repeat the procedure using a Dolby Digital program with deep bass content. 4. Set the Bass Contour control at the average of the two positions if you find any difference. Speaker Wire Plus Subwoofer Cable Configuration Adjustment 1. If you have a Dolby Digital receiver with a Subwoofer Output Level adjustment option, set it to 0 dB. 2. Set all receiver tone controls and all surround effects Off. 3. Set the receiver to to Dolby Digital operation. 4. Play a Dolby Digital program with good deep bass content. Adjust the Sub Level control of the "master" speaker to a satisfying bass output level. It will control the output of both speakers. Leave this control alone afterward. 5. Use the Bass Contour control on both speakers to make any fine adjustments. 12 Using The Speakers With An External Powered Subwoofer Many people would laugh at the prospect of adding an additional subwoofer to augment the strong bass output of a pair of Newton Series Tower speakers. But some Tower speaker owners may already have an additional high-quality powered subwoofer and others--well, we know they just can't get enough loud deep bass. To use an extra powered subwoofer in tandem with these speakers, we suggest splitting the output of your receiver's SUB OUT jack. Follow these guidelines: 1. Drive the extra subwoofer and the Newton Series Tower speakers from the receiver's SUB OUT jack. Use a splitter to obtain two RCA jack outputs (one RCA plug to two RCA jacks). 2. Set the extra subwoofer's low pass control to its lowest setting. 3. Set the Tower speakers bass balance without the extra subwoofer, then reduce the bass output slightly (3 dB for those of you that want a specific amount). 4. Increase the output level of the extra sub until the overall bass output is restored. If you do not have a SUB OUT jack available, it's possible to drive both Tower speakers and an additional powered subwoofer's speaker level input with just speaker wire. Just connect both the Towers and the powered subwoofer as described on page 8, connecting two speaker wires to each Left and Right amplifier output. IMPORTANT: Turn off and unplug the speaker before changing the fuse. Use only with a 250V fuse Employer uniquement avec un fusible de 250V 2. 3. 4. 5. Fuse Replacement The fuse holder is located in the power connector at the base of each speaker. The T500 uses a 4A fuse. The T300 uses a 2.5A fuse. To replace the fuse: 1. Unplug the AC cord from the AC power source, then remove the AC power cord from the speaker's power connector. 2. Remove the fuse cap with a small, flat blade screwdriver (see diagram 2). 3. Remove the fuse from the fuse cap (see diagram 3). 4. Replace the fuse inside fuse cap with another metric 5X20mm size fuse (see diagram 4). 5. Replace the fuse inside the cap, replace the fuse and cap in the power connector (see diagram 5). 6. Connect the AC power cord to the speaker and raise it upright. 7. Connect the power cord to an AC power outlet. 13 SPECIFICATIONS T300: Dimensions (H x W x D): 45 x 7 1/2 x 18 inches Base width: 12 3/4 inches Weight: 70 pounds The T300 can be safely used with receivers rated above 30 watts per channel. There is little advantage to using a receiver larger than 150 watts per channel with these speakers, but any size receiver may be used should it be available, so long as the receiver is not operated at excessive levels. T500: Dimensions (H x W x D): 48 x 8 1/2 x 19 inches Base width: 12 3/4 inches Weight: 81 pounds The T500 can be safely used with receivers rated above 30 watts per channel. There is little advantage to using a receiver larger than 200 watts per channel with these speakers, but any size receiver may be used should it be available, so long as the receiver is not operated at excessive levels. Warning About Excessive Amplifier Distortion Operating a receiver (of any power rating) beyond its maximum undistorted output level creates distortion-- added high-frequency sound not part of the musical program. Distortion dramatically increases the internal operating temperature of a loudspeaker and will eventually cause the speaker's failure due to burned or melted internal parts. While Cambridge SoundWorks includes the most heat-tolerant parts commensurate with good acoustic design, the speaker's Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship does not apply to parts that show evidence of having failed from long-term operation at very high temperatures Enclosure Cleaning The speaker enclosures can be cleaned with a windowcleaning product. Use a soft, lint-free cloth only. Avoid spraying any cleaner on the grille panels. Periodic use of cleaners specifically designed for wood veneers is recommended for Mahogany and Blonde Maple finishes. Brush or vacuum the grille panels if dust accumulates on them. 14 P81-1680 Rev A