ACI Force Owners manual

The Force

Powered Subwoofer

Owner's Manual

Contents:

Guarantee/Warranty …2
Quick Setup …4
Specifications …5
Performance …5
Installation …7
Hookup …11
Other System Considerations…15
Avoiding Damage …16
Troubleshooting …17
Warranty Registration …18

Audio Concepts, Inc.

901 So. 4th Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

URL: http://www.audioc.com Email: [e-mail]

All Right Reserved 2002

Sound that Satisfies…

Audio Concepts, Inc.

Our Guarantee and Warranty

Satisfaction Guaranteed:

We’re sure you’re going to love your new Audio Concepts, Inc. (ACI)

products! In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied, please contact us
within 30 days of receipt of your ACI products for a hassle-free return.

1. Return Authorization: Call us at [phone] or email [e-mail], within 30 days of receipt
of your ACI products for a return authorization number. Clearly mark the return authorization number on
the outside of the box. Include a brief note stating your name, address and daytime telephone number,
along with a short description why the products are being returned.

2. Returning: We request that you return the ACI products to us in their original packaging and include
packaging materials, manuals, etc. Ship by the most economical means (preferably UPS) and insure the
products for the invoice purchase price. The customer is responsible for return shipping.

Please note: ACI does not accept C.O.D. returns.

3. Credit: Upon receipt and inspection, we will issue a refund for the invoice purchase price and invoiced

UPS Ground service only. Please note this return policy is in effect only if the ACI products are in new
condition, in their original packaging, without drilled holes, disassembled or any other modifications.

2

Speaker Manufacture’s Warranty:

For five years from receipt, Audio Concepts, Inc. will, at its option, repair or replace
factory defective components. This warranty does not apply to products that have been
abused, modified, or disassembled in any way. This warranty does not apply to products,
which have been damaged in shipping. Audio Concepts, Inc. liability is limited only to the
replacement of defective parts. No other liabilities or obligations are written or implied.

1. Return Authorization: Call us at [phone] or email [e-mail] for a return authorization

number. Clearly mark the return authorization number on the outside of the box. Include a brief note
stating your name, address and daytime telephone number, along with a short description why the
products are being returned.

2. Returning: Carefully repack defective ACI merchandise. Ship by the most economical means (preferably

UPS) and insure the products. The customer is responsible for return shipping.

Please note: ACI does not accept C.O.D. returns.

3. Replacement: Audio Concepts, Inc. will inspect and determine the cause of failure and will pay return

shipping on the defective goods replaced or repaired.

The above stated guarantee and warranty applies only to assembled speaker models

purchased directly from Audio Concepts, Inc. A different warranty and guarantee applies
to purchasers of parts kits and DIY components.

Please ship any returns to the following address:

Audio Concepts, Inc., 901 So. 4th Street, La Crosse, WI 54601 [phone]

IMPORTANT NOTICE

All new speakers require a minimum of 60 hours break-in-time before they begin to
sound the way they are supposed to. A speaker's performance improves significantly once
broken in. It is critical that you have at least 60 hours on your speakers before you evaluate
them. Don't worry if your speakers do not sound perfect the first time you play them. This is
normal until they are broken in. If you are having difficulty getting enough hours on your
speakers and your 30 day return privilege is getting near, call us. We will work with you.
Please give us the courtesy of breaking the speakers in before you determine they don't
sound right.

Many of our customers break their speakers in by:

3

A) Leaving them on at moderate listening levels when they are not home.
B) Leaving them on at moderate listening levels while they sleep.
C) Running pink noise through them.

These methods are not convenient for everyone and we understand this. But please
know that you are not giving yourself, your speakers or us a fair chance if you do not break
them in before critical evaluation.

THANK YOU!

READ FIRST! QUICK SETUP

Input

Pre-amp or Right Left

outputs

Amplifier

Optional Passive

Speaker
Outputs

(Only Right Channel
Shown for Clarity)

Right

Insert in Amplifier

Insert RCA Interconnect

The flexibility of the Force allows it to be easily and quickly installed in virtually any audio
system. By reading the following steps and referring to the diagrams in the owner’s manual,
you’ll have your Force(s) up and running in no time.

1) Determine if you will need to use the Speaker Level Converters (two supplied). If your receiver,

pre-amp or processor (source) has RCA subwoofer output(s) or pre-out, main-in, you will NOT
use the Speaker Level Converters.

2) If you will be using the Speaker Level Converters, you will use both converters, connect as

shown in the Force hookup section diagrams for using a receiver. Connect the Speaker Level
Converters to the Force Inputs. Hook up your speaker cable from the same output terminals you
are using for your main speakers. Connect the speaker cable and the Speaker Level Converters.
Connect the same polarity as your main speakers, red to red, black to black. Skip the following
step and continue to Turn-On .

3) If you are using direct RCA connections, you may have several hook-up options. Try the simplest

first. If your source has subwoofer outputs try that first. Use a shielded RCA cable of sufficient
length to connect the subwoofer output of your receiver/processor directly to the Theater input on
the Force. Turn both crossover controls to 250Hz.
If you don’t have sub outputs you will use the pre-outs as shown in the Force hookup section. If
you only have one set of pre-outs you will need to use a Y Adapter and RCA interconnect or
jumper to connect to the main amp inputs.
If you are using the optional Passive High-Pass Filters they insert into the main amp inputs (see
below).

Turn-On

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-Turn volume control (Input Level) on the Force(s) all the way down set both crossover controls
(Lowpass Filters A & B) to about 100Hz, (250Hz if using Theater input).

-Turn volume control on source all the way down.

-Plug in and switch on the Force(s). There will be a slight thump, this is normal.

-Play some music with a consistent, clear bass line at a moderate level.

-Turn the Force volume level up slowly until it just fills in the bottom range.

-NOW, sit back and relax with some good music while reading the manual which will help you
fine-tune the Force using level, crossover frequency, placement and phasing.

Speaker

+ −

Processor
RCA Line-level

Right Left

Inputs

High-pass Filter

Lowpass
Filters(Hz)

Phase

Left
Right
Theater

Left
Right

Force

Input

Passive High-Pass Filter

From Pre-amp or Processor

The Force Powered Subwoofer

Thank you for your order and congratulations on becoming the owner of an ACI speaker
system. The Force powered subwoofer(s) will provide you with many years of listening pleasure!

ACI’s Force is a compact, yet potent subwoofer. The Force is based on the subwoofer
technology of our legendary Titan series. An extreme excursion 10" driver is powered by our
proprietary amplification using special circuitry to essentially cut the required box volume in half!

Many subwoofers do a respectable job with explosions, shotguns, and crashes. The market
is loaded with black boxes and tubes that beg to be "hidden". The Force is different. Compact, yet

attractively built to compliment your fine furniture. The Force will rattle your china. More importantly,
it will allow a seamless and completely transparent blend with your main speakers. Your sound
stage will be enhanced, not degraded. Instruments like acoustic and electric bass, piano, and
percussion will come through with vivid realism. The Titan II LE has earned a reputation of being one
of the most musical subs available at any price. The Force continues this tradition of musical
excellence in a smaller cabinet, at lower cost.

The internal enclosure is constructed of ¾” non-resonant high-density fiberboard with
extensive internal bracing. The mounting for the downfiring woofer is 1.25" thick for additional
resonance control and stability. Solid hardwood panels coated with multiple layers of clear or black
lacquer grace the exterior and add additional damping. For even higher output levels, multiple Force
units may be stacked.

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Specifications

Frequency Response: 20-250Hz, +3db, system Q <.6
Crossover: Dual adjustable Low-Pass: 35-250 12db/octave filters for 24db/octave total
High Pass Outputs: Second order, 12db/octave, filters set at 100Hz for left & right output. Line-

level, RCA outputs

Sensitivity: Adjustable
Dimensions: 13.5” tall, 16.75” wide and 12.5” deep
Special Circuitry: Protection Circuitry, Woofer Behavior Control, Theater-Direct Input
Woofer: (downward firing) Proprietary 10”, ultra long throw woofer
Rec. RMS Power: Built in amp delivers 250 watts RMS < .5% THD distortion.

Performance

The electronics of the Force performs the following functions:

• Gain is controlled at the INPUT LEVEL with a precision Alps pot. This also acts as the volume

control for the Force. Once the volume is set, your volume is controlled by your main system.
Note: When using the Theater Input the volume on the Force is bypassed and will be controlled
by your processor.

• Two additional LOWPASS FILTERS A&B, precision Alps pots, allows the user to select any

crossover frequency from 35 to 250Hz. These two separate 12db/oct filters provide exceptional
control for interfacing the
Force in a music system.

• The Force has 0-180 degree

PHASE CONTROL:
experiment with the phase
control. Combined with the
input level and lowpass filters
A&B switches, the phase
switch gives you absolute
control over the integration of
the Force in your system.

Note: The easiest way to
adjust phase is to tune it for
maximum output. Since
phase is dependent on
positioning of the sub
relative to the main
speakers, adjust phase
after you have selected
your final placement. The
correct phase yields the
best overall integration
between the main speakers
and the Force.

• The Force has stereo

highpass outputs. These
outputs are actively filtered to
rolloff at 12db/octave at
100Hz. You may use these
outputs to protect your main
speakers from low
frequencies. Alternately, you
can use the optional passive
plug-in high pass filters
available from ACI or
highpass filtering provided by
your Receiver or Processor.

• A limiter and current sensing

feedback circuitry protect the
driver from being overdriven
and reduce distortion.

• The discreet outputs of the amplifier deliver over 250watts RMS to the woofer with extremely low

distortion.

• A temperature switch monitors the output devices. In the event of excess heat the switch will

shut down the circuitry to prevent damage. Once the heat sinks cool the power will be restored.
Because the electronics have been designed and ”tuned” to the woofer and cabinet, the Force
offers incredible performance in a relatively small cabinet.

6

Many subwoofers add unacceptable colorations and actually degrade the performance of
otherwise fine speakers. The Force is adaptable for use with virtually any satellite, electrostatic or
ribbon speaker. If you are satisfied with your present speakers but just want more bass power and