OWNER'S MANUAL CONTENTS Introduction Amplifier Choice Installation Connection of Earth or `Ground' Lead Dimension Home Theatre 5.1 ­ General Info Technical Specifications Set-Up Diagrams WARRANTY PAGE 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 This equipment has been produced and tested with care and precision. All Tannoy speaker systems are built to give first class service and carry a 5-year warranty. Active subwoofers carry a 1-year warranty. If the equipment proves to be defective within this period for any reason other than accident, misuse, unauthorised modification or fair wear and tear, Tannoy will repair any such defect or, at our option, replace it without charge for parts, labour or return carriage. This warranty is given in addition to the customer's statutory rights. If you suspect a problem with your loudspeakers please contact your local Tannoy dealer who will be able to advise on appropriate action. INTRODUCTION Thank you for selecting Tannoy loudspeakers developed in the UK by our dedicated team of design engineers. They are the choice of discriminating music lovers the world over. Musical excellence is designed into our loudspeakers from the start. Careful selection of the very best components combined with strict quality control procedures in the production process ensures this level of excellence is maintained. To gain maximum performance from your loudspeakers, please take time to read this owner's manual in full before installation. Once you have set up your new loudspeakers please complete and return the registration document - this does not limit your legal rights. Loudspeakers are electromechanical devices that 'run-in' through use; performance will therefore improve after an initial period of 24hrs use. Once they have been further run-in over a longer period, there will be clear enhancement of the stereo imaging, mid-band quality and bass performance characteristics. We are confident that you will continue to enjoy your new Tannoy Dimension loudspeakers for many years to come. WIDEBAND TECHNOLOGY A Tannoy SuperTweeter is incorporated into the design of all Dimension models, not only to resolve fine detail of high frequency information but also to effectively enhance the listening experience throughout the whole frequency range. The Dimension SuperTweeter creates an increased immediacy, airiness and impact making music sound more natural and true to life. Music contains transient information and rich harmonics beyond the range of human hearing for pure tones. Even bass notes have leading edge transients reaching 30kHz. Operating between the roll-off point of the Dual ConcentricTM high frequency unit and 54kHz, the Dimension SuperTweeter will accurately reproduce the leading edge of individual notes allowing the listener to experience the entire bandwidth information of instruments. In addition, by extending the frequency response by two octaves corrects time and phase response within the bandwidth of normal human hearing. Taking these acoustical phase anomalies beyond the range of human hearing adds realism to the soundstage by improving imaging and placement of instruments. 2 AMPLIFIER CHOICE Consult the enclosed product specification sheet as this clearly shows the acceptable power range for amplifier matching to your speakers. The high peak power handling of Tannoy loudspeakers permits responsible use with more powerful amplifiers - please read the Warranty. As with all loudspeaker systems, the power handling is a function of voice coil thermal capacity. Care should be taken to avoid overdriving any amplifier, as this will cause output overload resulting in 'clipping' or distortion within the output signal. This, if done for any extended period, will cause damage to the speakers. Generally an amplifier of higher power that is running hard, but free of distortion, will do less damage to the loudspeaker than a lower power amplifier continually clipping. Remember also that a high powered amplifier running at less than 90% of output power generally sounds a great deal better than a lower powered example struggling to achieve 100%. An amplifier with insufficient drive capability will not allow the full performance of the loudspeakers to be realised. CABLE CHOICE Always use the best quality of cable available within your budget. High quality audio signals passing from the amplifier to the loudspeaker are unusual in their demands on the cable. Wide dynamic range and frequency bandwidth information has to coexist with the ability to transmit peak currents of at least 10amps, without incurring any loss or signal impairment. This explains why the sound quality of the information reproduced by the loudspeakers is so dependant on the physical properties of the cables connecting them to the amplifier. We would recommend that you always keep the cable runs the same length for each speaker. Remember, cable construction can affect the sound quality so be prepared to experiment to find a cable that suits your ear and audio system. TERMINAL PANEL (See fig. 1) In order to take advantage of the driver earthing feature within the Dimension range and to optimise performance further, use a shielded or screened loudspeaker cable. The screening termination should be connected to the earth or 'ground' (green) terminal on the loudspeaker and to the ground or earth connection on the amplifier. Alternatively if you are not using a screened loudspeaker cable but wish to utilise the earthing facility, run a single cable between the earth or 'ground' (green) terminal on the loudspeaker to the earth (ground) connection on the amplifier. UNPACKING WARNING: THESE LOUDSPEAKERS ARE HEAVY - SEEK ASSISTANCE WHEN LIFTING. To remove the loudspeakers from the packaging please follow these instructions carefully: Lay the carton on the floor noting that the text (OPEN THIS END) on both ends of the box are visible and the arrows on the carton ends point towards the floor - in this position the speaker in the carton will be positioned on its back. Remove the packing tape from both ends of the carton and fold the carton flaps right back. The spike kit (containing rear spikes, nuts, washers, cone tips and floor protection cups) is immediately visible. These accessories are essential for optimum performance and for providing a rigid and stable footing for the speaker. The secure interface between the cabinet and the floor brings about an improvement in clarity, bass 'speed' and definition. To facilitate easier removal of the Dimension speakers from their packaging, the carton side has been fitted with plastic locking devices, which allow the carton to be fully opened along its length, and then folded back. To remove each of the plastic locks, insert two fingers into the device and pinch the two flat ribs together - this will unlock the ribs and allow the whole locking mechanism to be pulled free from the box. Once all the locking devices have been removed, fold back the carton to reveal the contents. Carefully remove the packing material from the bottom of the loudspeaker so that this end of the speaker can be carefully lowered onto the floor. Follow the rest of the instructions below regarding the fitting of cones and spikes BEFORE tilting the speaker into an upright position. It is strongly recommended that you store all the packaging to allow protected transportation in future. WARNING: IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE SPIKES AND CONE TIPS ARE FITTED BEFORE THE SPEAKER IS PLACED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY CAUSE THE SPEAKER (ESPECIALLY TD 12) TO TIP OVER WITH THE RISK OF DAMAGE OR INJURY. The spikes, along with washers and lock nuts, should be fitted loosely into the threaded holes in the base at the rear of the cabinet. The cone tips should then be threaded into the ends of the polished alloy cones at the front of the speaker. Level the rear spikes to the front cones by eye then hand tighten the lock nuts. Spike locating cups are provided and these may be used to protect sensitive floor surfaces. The loudspeaker can now be carefully lifted into an upright position and the packing piece removed from the top panel. 3. Refer to the paragraph headed 'Positioning' for speaker placement advice. 4. The alloy side strips of the speaker are protected with a plastic film; it is recommended that this be left on for protection and should not be removed until the speaker is fully installed. 3 INSTALLATION To avoid potential damage to your loudspeaker, ensure that the amplifier is switched OFF prior to connecting or disconnecting any cables. Before switching on double check that all connections are secure and that polarity is correct. WARNING: SEE THE SECTION ON SCREENING IF POSITIONING NEAR TO A TELEVISION SCREEN. CONNECTION IN SINGLE WIRE MODE (See fig. 2) Connect the pair of link cables supplied in the accessory kit to each loudspeaker terminal panel as follows: · Starting with the red (positive) lead, loosen the locking pin which passes through the plug by turning the plastic head of the locking pin one full anti-clockwise rotation. · The 'unlocked' plug can now be inserted into the red (positive) low frequency (LF) terminal on the loudspeaker. · Tighten the plug by turning the locking pin clockwise until finger-tight. · The spade connection at the other end of the lead should be connected to the red (positive) high frequency (HF) terminal on the loudspeaker. To do this, loosen the terminal nut sufficiently to allow insertion of the spade connector and then re-tighten the terminal nut finger-tight. · Repeat this operation for the black (negative) HF and LF terminals · Repeat the whole operation for the other loudspeaker For optimum performance in single wire mode, loudspeaker cable connections from the amplifier should now be made to the high frequency (HF) terminals of the loudspeaker: · The positive (plus) terminal on the amplifier left channel (marked + or coloured red) must be connected to the positive HF terminal on the left speaker. The left speaker is the one on the left as you look at the stereo pair from your listening position. · The negative (minus) terminal on the amplifier left channel (marked - or coloured black) must be connected to the negative HF terminal on the left speaker. · Repeat this connection process for the right speaker. Remember that the positive (+ or red) on the amplifier must be connected to the positive (+ or red) on the speaker and the negative (- or black) to negative. Select a signal source, such as a CD player; switch on the amplifier and slowly turn up the volume control to check that both loudspeakers are reproducing bass and treble information. CONNECTION IN BI-WIRE MODE (See fig. 3) Please note in Bi-wire mode that the link leads, which are supplied in the accessory pack, should NOT be fitted. · Be sure that the amplifier is switched OFF and then prepare the two sets of cabling for each 'side' of the system separately. Measure and cut four lengths of cable, two per speaker. Label two of the cable lengths Left LF and Left HF (low frequency and high frequency) then repeat this process for the right pair. · If your amplifier is not equipped with separate output terminals for bass and treble information then, at the amplifier end of the cables, twist the Left LF+ (positive) and the Left HF+ (positive) together. Connect these to the amplifier Left channel positive terminal marked + (plus) or coloured red. Twist the Left LF- (negative) and the HF- (negative) cables together and connect them to the amplifier Left channel negative terminal marked - (minus) or coloured black. At the loudspeaker end connect the cables labelled Left LF+ and Left LF- to the left hand loudspeaker LF terminals, ensuring that you note the polarity markings on the cable sheathing. Then proceed to connect the Left HF+ and Left HF- to the HF terminals on the same loudspeaker. · Repeat this process to connect the right hand loudspeaker to the amplifier right channel output, once again ensuring that polarity is correct throughout. · Switch the amplifier on with the volume control set at its lowest setting. Select a favourite source and slowly turn up the volume to a low level. Check that bass and treble information is being reproduced from both speakers - if not, switch off the amplifier and recheck the connections. BI-AMPING (See fig. 4) Bi-amping extends the principle of Bi-wiring one stage further. In this connection option separate power amplifiers are used for bass and treble signals in each loudspeaker. Four mono (or two stereo) amplifiers of the same type are required for a stereo pair of loudspeakers. Ensure that the cable links between the loudspeaker terminals are removed and that correct polarity is maintained throughout. 4 If two stereo amplifiers are used, it is recommended that one amplifier supply bass information to left and right loudspeakers and the other, the treble information. CONNECTION OF EARTH OR `GROUND' LEAD (See figs. 2, 3 and 4) To ...