Acoustic Energy MA1108 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

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Page Section

1 Introduction

2 Handling

1 3 Installation

1 4 Positioning

2 5 Connecting

3 6 Controls and System Setup

4 7 Specification

5 8 The Linear Range

5 9 Warranty

5 10 Contact Acoustic Energy

Welcome to the Linear Sub. Perhaps more than

any other hi-fi product, speakers are sensitive to

installation so please take a little time to read

this manual and to follow, as far as practical,

the installation guidelines it contains. Careful

installation will help ensure that your Linear Sub

performs optimally. Should you have any questions

not covered here we are happy to try and answer

them either by telephone or email. Contact

information can be found in Section 11.

Following this introduction, the Manual is divided

into sections covering handling, installation,

positioning, connecting, controls and system setup,

specifications, matching products, warranty and

contact information. We recommend that you read

at least the first six of these sections carefully before

installing and using your Linear Sub. We would also

draw your attention to the Mains Power Safety

Warnings on this page.

Finally, please enjoy your Linear Sub, but remember

it is capable of generating high volume levels of

low frequency sound, so please also be considerate

of your neighbours.

The Linear Sub is a relatively delicate precision

engineered product that can be damaged by

inappropriate handling. It is also large and heavy.

Please take great care therefore when unpacking

or moving it. Plan any handling in advance of

carrying it out - ideally with a second person to

help. Please take care when unpacking or moving

the subwoofer not to touch any of the drivers.

Damage to a driver will at best degrade the

Linear Sub’s performance and at worst result in its

complete failure.

The enclosure surfaces should also be handled

sympathetically. Any cleaning should only require a

soft cloth, slightly dampened if necessary. Be wary

of using any polishes or solvent based cleaning

agents.

The packaging should be retained for future use.

Contents

Mains Power Safety Warnings

Ensure that your Linear Sub is set to the appropriate mains input voltage before it

is connected to a mains socket. The warranty does not cover damage caused by

incorrect mains voltage.

Please read all operating and safety instructions before use retaining them for

future reference. Adhere to all warnings on the product or in this manual.

Power sources — The subwoofer should be connected only to a power supply of

the type described on its rear panel. If you are not sure consult your dealer or a

qualified electrician.

Power cord — Power supply cords should be routed so as not to be walked on or

caught under or against items.

Ventilation — To ensure reliable operation and to prevent the subwoofer from

overheating ensure good ventilation. Do not cover the subwoofer and do not

place it closer than 10cm from walls or soft furnishings. Do not use in a built-in

installation unless proper ventilation is provided. Consult your dealer.

Water and moisture — The subwoofer should not be used near water, i.e. near a

wash-bowl, basin, in a wet basement or swimming pool area.

Temperature — The subwoofer may not function correctly at extremely low or

freezing temperatures. The subwoofer should also be sited away from heat sources

such as radiators or other electrical equipment that produces heat, including other

amplifiers.

Electric shock — Care should be taken so that objects are not inserted into

connectors or other apertures and that liquid does not spill into the enclosure.

Never attempt to dismantle the subwoofer as serious electric shock might occur if

the internal parts are touched.

Cleaning — Unplug the subwoofer from the wall power outlet before cleaning.

Any cleaning should only require a soft cloth, slightly dampened if necessary. Be

wary of using any polishes or solvent based cleaning agents.

Smells — If an abnormal smell or smoke is detected, immediately turn the power

off and unplug the subwoofer from the wall power outlet.

1. Introduction

2. Handling

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3. Installation

The Linear Sub is intended to be used in either

stereo audio music systems or multi-channel

audio-visual (home theatre) systems. Although it is

intended primarily to partner other products in the

Linear range it may also be used successfully with

alternative loudspeakers.

Linear Sub must be fitted with either floor spikes or

rubber feet. Floor spikes offer the highest potential

performance and should be fitted if the subwoofer

is to be placed on a carpeted floor. If spikes

are inappropiate for your floor covering,metal

protection pads,coins for example,maybe used

between the spike and the floor.

Note: Damage to the drive unit may result if Linear

Sub is placed upright on the floor without floor

spikes or feet fitted.

The rubber feet or M8 floor spikes and lock-nuts

should be fitted to the underside of the subwoofer

once it has been moved near its final location.

Carefully lay the subwoofer on its side to gain

access to the tapped holes in the underside. If

the rubber feet are to be used simply screw them

into the tapped holes and return the subwoofer to

upright. If floor spikes are to be used screw a spike

and lock-nut into each hole leaving a length of

spike extending beyond the lock-nut such that once the subwoofer is upright

the lock-nuts will “float” just above the floor covering.

Tighten three of the lock-nuts with a 13mm spanner leaving one lock-nut

finger-tight to aid adjustment once the subwoofer is upright in its final

position. Once the final position has been established adjust the length of the

loose spike such that the subwoofer is vertical and does not rock. If the floor is

particularly uneven it may be necessary to loosen one of the tightened spikes

to ensure that the subwoofer can be levelled.

Finally, tighten all loose lock-nuts. It may be necessary to re-adjust to minimise

rock once the subwoofer has settled on the floor. Take care when installing

floor spikes. They are sharp and can cause injury or pierce electrical cables.

Linear Sub is not magnetically shielded and may cause picture distortion if

located too close to a CRT screen. Contact your dealer installer or Acoustic

Energy for advice.

4. Positioning

The position of the speakers in a home theatre installation will have great

influence over its performance. It is worth spending some time experimenting

both with the finer points of speaker positioning, as well as the larger scale

issues of room layout. Diagram One over the page illustrates an idealised

general home theatre speaker layout.

If you are already familiar with the characteristics of your room, and the way

speakers perform in it, you may already have a good feel for where to position

your Linear Sub. However, installing any new component provides a good

opportunity to review an existing set-up and perhaps make improvements.

In principle there is great freedom of position of a sub-woofer in a listening

room. In practice, however, the performance will be fundamentally influenced

by the room and position. Small changes of location, or of the acoustic

character of items in the immediate vicinity of the subwoofer, can significantly

influence its performance.

Initially choose a site for the Linear Sub along one of the walls of the listening

room well away, but not equi-distant, from the corners. It is not necessary that

the Linear Sub be positioned along the same wall as the main loudspeakers.

Chose a solid wall (rather than a partition) and keep the subwoofer clear of

any large resonant objects - furniture panels, heating radiators, etc.

Don’t worry if, thanks to the architecture or layout of your room, it is not

practical to follow these guidelines exactly. The most important thing is to

experiment with the different options that are practical and find the best one.

Once your Linear Sub is connected and working, and you begin to become

familiar with its performance, it is likely to be worthwhile experimenting a

little more with its positioning. For example, moving the Linear Sub towards a

room corner will increase the level of low bass. This gain may however be at

the expense of bass definition and consistency over the listening area.

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