System 170 High Performance Compact
Home Theater Loudspeaker System
Instruction Manual
Covers Models 171 LR, 173 C, and 174 SR
Atlantic Technology
I
NNOVATIVE
343 Vanderbilt Avenue Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 762-6300 www.atlantictechnology.com
H
OME
T
HEATER
®
Models 171 LR, 173 C, and 174 SR
S
YSTEM
High Performance Compact
Home Theater Loudspeaker System
Thank you for choosing Atlantic Technology home theater products. Your new speaker system is
precision crafted to give you years of enjoyable, trouble free service. This manual covers the Atlantic
Technology System 170 series of speakers for home theater. It will show you how to incorporate
System 170 components into your present setup, as well as how to assemble a complete system. The
Model 172 PBM Subwoofer is covered in detail in a separate manual. System 170 has been optimized
for use with any surround sound format including Dolby Surround
5.1® and DTS® digital surround formats.
Model 171 LR Front Channel Speaker
The Model 171 LR Front Channel Speakers are two-way systems intended for use only with
a quality subwoofer, such as the Atlantic Technology Model 172 PBM. Each speaker contains two
4" CCMG (coated composite molded graphite) woofers, and a 1" Ferrofluid
using a powerful neodymium magnet, in an acoustically inert MDF cabinet. The 171 LR speakers are
magnetically shielded so they may be placed right next to a TV set without concern.
Model 173 C Center Channel Speaker
It is vital to the accurate reproduction of a multi-channel soundtrack that the three front speakers have
the same sonic signature. Therefore, the Model 173 C Center Channel Speaker contains the same
two 4" CCMG woofers and 1" Ferrofluid
designed for use in multi-channel home theater systems only as a dedicated center channel
speaker. It includes a high frequency level control that allows it to be placed directly above or below
the TV screen (which changes the sound) and still provide accurate reproduction. Since up to 85% of
dialogue and 65% of special effects are reproduced through the center channel speaker, it’s important
that its sound be accurate and timbre-matched to the other speakers in the system. The rear-mounted
High Freq control incorporated into the 173 C allows for this matching.
The 173 C center speaker is intended to be placed in a horizontal position, as opposed to the vertical
positioning intended for the 171 LR. It too is magnetically shielded so it may be placed directly
adjacent to your TV set with no adverse effects.
170
®
cooled silk dome tweeter as the 171 LR speakers. The 173 C is
®
, Dolby Pro-Logic®, Dolby Digital
®
cooled silk dome tweeter
Model 174 SR Surround Speaker
The Model 174 SR Dipole Surround Speaker is intended for use in multi-channel audio/video
sound systems only as a dedicated surround channel speaker. Each speaker has two of the same
4" CCMG woofers as the front speakers and two broad dispersion 3/4" Modified Dome tweeters. The
drivers are angled and electronically phased to produce ambience without localization. The 174 SR’s
wide bandwidth and unique construction makes it especially suitable for advanced Dolby Digital and
DTS applications.
Important Note: There is a dedicated LEFT and RIGHT model 174 SR. This is clearly marked on the back of
each speaker. Should you hang them on the wall using the supplied keyhole adapters, you must turn the
speakers over (hanging them “upside down”) and swap them side to side for proper operation.
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The vast majority of the time, surround speakers are called upon to reproduce “environmental” sounds
that are used as cues to tell you “where you are.” Dipoles are undoubtedly the best and most practical
way to create such an involving and believable soundfield at home.
Note: Although the speakers in the Atlantic Technology System 170 are acoustically and cosmetically
matched to each other for best results, they may also be used with other Atlantic Technology components and
a wide variety of speakers from other manufacturers with satisfying results.
Connecting Your System
We recommend that you connect your System 170 with high quality dual conductor stranded wire of
18 gauge or larger, for lengths up to 15 feet. (Remember, the lower the gauge number, the larger the
wire). Use 16 gauge dual conductor or larger for longer runs of wire. Contact your audio/video dealer
for specific cable recommendations and further information for special circumstances.
Warning: To prevent risk of electrical shock or damage to your equipment, always switch off the amplifier or
receiver when making connections to the speaker.
You can connect your System 170 speakers by using a variety of audio connectors such as banana plugs
(single or double—North America only), pin connectors, spade lugs, etc., or you can:
1. Remove 1/2" of insulation from each wire end.
2. Twist the stranded wire together, keeping the two ends separate.
3. Place the appropriate wire through the appropriate postholes in the connectors. These holes are revealed
when you loosen the connector capscrew.
4. Screw down the capscrew tightly, but be careful not to overtighten.
5. Check the tightness of the capscrews 24 hours after hookup and occasionally after that, as they can
loosen over time.
We recommend that you check your local electrical codes to make sure that you are not using an
improper connector.
Figure 1:
Gold plated
5-way binding
posts. Accepts
up to 10 gauge
bare wire
Whether your are connecting a complete System 170, or adding a single speaker component to your
present system, the wiring should look like the diagram in Figure 2.
It’s important to observe polarity while making speaker connections: red (+)
terminals on the amplifier to red (+) on the speaker, black (-) on the amplifier
to black (-) on the speaker. Look carefully at the wires you are using and note
that one of conductors of each pair will be identified by color, printing on the
outer jacket, ridges on the outer jacket, or a thread intertwined with the wire
strands. By convention, the marked wire is connected to the red (+) terminal.
Warning: Before turning on the amplifier, be certain that no stray wire strands are touching across any
terminals as this might damage your amplifier.
Finally, check the polarity of your front speakers by listening to some music. If the sound seems hollow,
unusually spread out, or has weak bass, recheck your connections for proper polarity and reverse any
out of phase connections, if necessary. Usually one speaker wired out of phase is the culprit.
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