System 4200 THX Select
High Performance C.O.R.E. Technology
Loudspeaker Components
Instruction Manual
2
Table of Contents
System 4200 High Performance Loudspeakers
Table of Contents
2 C.O.R.E. Technology
2 Unpacking the Speakers
2 Attaching the Grilles
3 What’s THX?
3 Individual Component Descriptions
3 Model 4200 LR Front Channel Speakers
4 Acoustic Controls
4 Model 4200 C Center Channel Speaker
4 Models 4200 SR Surround Speakers
4 Placement
4 Home Theater
4 Surround Effects and Speaker Locations
4 6.1 and 7.1 Channel Systems
6 Stereo Systems
6 Connecting Your System
8 System Setu
8 Bass Management
8 Operation of the Rear Panel Controls on the LCR Speakers
8 Dipole/Bipole Operation of the SR Speakers
9 Setting Levels
9 Mounting
10 Care and Feeding of Your Speakers
10 Specifications
p
System 4200 THX Select
High Performance C.O.R.E. Technology
Loudspeaker Components
Thank you for choosing Atlantic Technology products. Your new speaker
components are precision-crafted to give you years of enjoyable, trouble-free
service. This manual covers the Atlantic Technology System 4200 speaker
components. It will show you how to incorporate these components into
your present setup, as well as how to assemble a complete system from them.
The Model 642 SB box-type enclosure subwoofer is covered in detail in a
separate manual. This system can be used with all current and past sound
formats including Stereo, Dolby Surround®, Pro Logic®, Dolby Digital 5.1®,
Dolby Digital EX®, DTS®, DTS ES®, DTS ES Discrete®, DTS Neo:6®, DVDAudio and SACD Audio.
C.O.R.E. Technology
C.O.R.E. (Technology) is an acronym for Custom Optimized Room
E
nhanced. These systems allow you to optimize the custom aspects of the
core package by adding optional Accent Panels and building up different
configurations using box subs, and dipole, bipole, or direct radiator surrounds. Room Enhanced refers to the high degree of room acoustic matching and source optimization offered by the system components. Your 4200
speakers are available in a variety of colors. If you want to change the finish
to another color, please contact your Atlantic dealer.
For Future Reference
Record the serial number and date of purchase for each speaker here. The serial number
is found on the speaker terminal panel on the back of the enclosure.
Serial Number
Serial Number
Serial Number
Date of Purchase
The contents of this manual are Copyright © 2003 by Atlantic Technology International,
Corp., and may not be duplicated or reproduced by any means, whether physical, electronic
or otherwise without prior written consent from Atlantic Technology International, Corp.
Atlantic Technology and the Atlantic Technology logo are registered trademarks of Atlantic
Technology International, Corp.
Specifications are those in effect at the time of printing. Atlantic Technology International,
Corp. reserves the right to change specifications or designs at any time without notice
without obligation to modify existing units.
IMPORTANT:
please take a few moments to read all of this booklet. It has many
helpful tips and ideas on properly setting up and using your system.
We promise that if you take the time to read and follow these tips
you’ll get better system performance and more enjoyment.
Although it may seem like asking for driving directions,
Unpacking the Speakers
Use care when unpacking the speakers. Since the grilles are packed off the
speakers, be particularly careful of the driver elements as you unpack and
move the speakers. Remember to keep the original boxes and packing material, in the unlikely event the speakers need servicing, or if you move.
Attaching the Grilles
The included metal grilles are held to the front of the enclosures with powerful neodymium magnets. There are depressions on the back of the grille
that the magnets fit into. Once the speakers are in their final position and
the optional Accent Panel Kits have been installed remove the grille from its
protective plastic bag and carefully position it over the magnets on the baffle.
Move them together slowly and when you get close enough, the magnets will
draw the grille in and hold it tight. Be careful not to get your fingers caught
between the grille and the cabinet.
NOTE:
You will notice a threaded insert in the bottom of the LR satellites. This is for bolting the satellites to speaker stands that utilize a
through hole in the middle of the stand’s top plate. Use a 1/4” x 20
bolt to secure the LR to the stand.
Instruction Manual
Individual Component Descriptions
3
What’s THX?
THX is a series of demanding performance standards and specific technologies developed by Lucasfilm Ltd. (of Star Wars fame). Equipment that
meets the rigorous THX standards will deliver performance in your home
that matches as closely as possible what the director/artist/engineer heard
and saw during the final mixing of the source material. Please note that
THX is not a separate surround sound decoding format. THX-certified
equipment enhances every viewing and listening experience, regardless of
the surround format used.
THX Select standards are based upon a room size of 2000 cubic feet (L x
W x H). This does not mean these components must be used in a rooms
this size. The room sizes simply provide a frame of reference, as they indicate that these systems must deliver a minimum level of performance in
this specified room size. Your System 4200 is THX Select certified. For more
information, visit the THX website at www.thx.com.
Individual Component Descriptions
Model 4200 LR Front Channel Speakers
The Model 4200 LR Front Channel Speakers (Figure 1) are high-performance 2-way systems intended for use with a quality subwoofer, such as the
Atlantic Technology Model 642 SB box-type subwoofer. Each speaker contains two GLH (Graphite Loaded Homopolymer) 5 ¼” (135mm) woofers
and an advanced 1” (25mm) ferrofluid-cooled, damped silk dome tweeter
with a powerful neodymium magnet structure. The drivers are configured
in a D’Appolito array (midrange-tweeter-midrange alignment) This vertical arrangement of drivers provides wide left to right coverage of sound
while limiting the floor and ceiling reflections that color the sound. These
components are mounted in an acoustically inert internally braced MDF
enclosure. The LR speakers are magnetically shielded so they may be placed
close to a TV set without concern.
Figure 1
4200 LR
Figure 2
4200 C
Figure 3
Acoustic Controls
System 4200 LR speakers include unique acoustic controls to help maximize
their performance in your room. These controls are explained in greater
detail on page 8.
Model 4200 C Center Channel Speaker
For accurate reproduction of a multi-channel soundtrack, the three frontchannel speakers must have the same sonic signature. Therefore, the 4200 C
Center Channel speaker contains the same driver complement as the respective matching LR speakers (see Figure 2). They are both designed for use
with a dedicated subwoofer and include the same unique acoustic controls
mentioned on page 8. The 4200 C is designed to be placed horizontally.
They are also magnetically shielded and can be placed directly adjacent to
your TV set with no adverse effects on the television’s picture. The 4200 C
can be tilted on its dedicated base to provide optimum sonic coverage of
the listening area.
4200 SR
4
Placement
System 4200 High Performance Loudspeakers
Model 4200 SR Surround Speakers
The Model 4200 SR Dipole/Bipole Surround Speakers (Figure 3) are
intended for use in multi-channel audio/video sound systems as dedicated side or back surround channel speakers. The 4200 SR enclosure has
two 4 ½” (115mm) GLH woofers and two of the same high performance
silk dome tweeters found in the 4200 front speakers. The surround speakers
can be switched between Dipole and Bipole operation. These settings are
explained on page 8, “Dipole/Bipole Operation of the SR Speakers.”
NOTE:
Although the speakers in the Atlantic Technology System 4200
are acoustically and cosmetically matched to each other for ideal
results, they may also be used with other Atlantic Technology components and a wide variety of speakers from other manufacturers with
excellent results.
Placement
Speaker/room interactions have a huge impact on the sound of the system.
Moving the speakers just a little can make a dramatic difference in what you
hear. Remember that the best acoustic placement of the speakers will vary
from room to room. Use the following placement guidelines (see opposite
page) as a starting point. But also feel free to experiment. In fact, it may
be beneficial to hook up the front LR and surround speakers with some
extra wire and to simply drape the wire across the floor before installing
the speakers permanently. This will allow you the opportunity to move the
speakers around easily so you can find the best sonic and visual locations.
Home Theater
Remember that the primary goal of a good home theater is not to make you
believe that you are in a movie theater. It’s to make you believe you’re in the
movie. For a home theater system, place the LR speakers on either side of
the television. The three front channel speakers (LR and C) are magnetically
shielded so they will not interfere with your television picture. The left and
right front speakers should be far enough apart (6 to 10 feet, 2-3 meters,
is usually best) that you get a good stereo “image” when they are playing
alone, but not so far apart that the sound seems to be disembodied from the
TV, distracting you from the picture. When using a center channel speaker,
a wider separation of the left and right front speakers is usually possible.
You may chose to “toe” the LR speakers in, aiming them approximately at
the prime listening position. This can be particularly useful if the front LR
speakers are fairly far apart.
IMPORTANT NOTE
mately the same height and aimed at ear level when seated. This is
because we’ve designed the alignment of the drivers on the front
panel to limit the vertical spread of the mid and high frequencies,
thereby reducing the floor and ceiling reflections that adversely affect
sound quality. If the speakers are too high or too low however, you
will miss a significant portion of the upper middle and high range elements of the sound. This alignment of the drivers provides enhanced
horizontal spread of the sound making for a much better sound experience for a group o f listeners and reducing the need to sit in a precise “sweet spot.”
Try to keep the LR and C tweeters at approxi-
Surround Effects and Speaker Locations
The 4200 SR’s shape allows great flexibility in placement. Due to the switchable Dipole/Bipole design, it’s possible to place the speakers almost anywhere
within the rear third of the room and get good results. However, the best
location for surround speakers is straight out to the sides, or slightly behind
the primary listening area, approximately 1-2 feet (.3,.6m) above seated ear
level, but no closer than 2 feet (.6m) from the ceiling. As noted above, the
surround speakers (as opposed to the back speaker(s) in a 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1
channel system, see below) are primarily intended to re-create the ambient
sounds taking place in the movie scene. Therefore, throughout most of a
movie or TV program you may not be consciously aware of output from
these speakers. In other words, don’t worry if you aren’t hearing the surround speakers. Please try to avoid the trap of turning the surrounds up
and up so that you hear them most of the time. The result will be a much
less believable surround experience.
There are dedicated LEFT and RIGHT model 4200 SR speakers. This is
clearly marked on the back of each speaker. Be sure that the Left side surround speaker is placed directly to the left side of the prime listening area
(facing the screen) and the Right speaker is directly to the right side. As an
easy reference, the Dipole/Bipole switch should always be facing the back
of the room.
6.1 and 7.1 Channel Systems
For best performance in a 7.1 channel system, we recommend using another
pair of 4200 LR's on the back wall, and 4200 SR's on the side walls.
If you are setting up a system that uses back surround speaker(s) as well
as side surrounds (Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, etc.) you can choose to use
either SR model speakers in Dipole or Bipole mode or another pair of front
LR speakers in the back of the room. If the 4200 SR’s are used as back surrounds in a 6.1 or 7.1 channel system, they should be installed with the
Right speaker placed over the listener's left shoulder and the Left speaker
placed over the listener's right shoulder; these back surrounds should be
placed approximately 150 degrees from the screen on the back wall. About
one-third of the way out from the corners in most rooms is a good starting point.
If you are using a THX Ultra 2 certified controller/receiver, you should place
the back surround speakers approximately 1 to 2 feet (.3,.6m) apart in the
center of the back wall. The special circuitry in the processor will help to
create a believable and effective surround field using this placement. Please
read the electronics manual to learn more about this placement option.
Instruction Manual
Left
Left
Surround
Right
Surround
Back
Right
Surround
Left
Surround
Back
Center Right
Subwoofer
Front Speaker Array should be
placed as close to ear level as
possible. Generally, the farther away
the speakers are from the walls,
the better they will sound.
Surround Speakers
should be placed
directly to the sides
of the seating area
and approximately
3 feet (1 meter)
above the listener’s
ear level.
Subwoofer
placement is
dependent on room
size and shape.
Experiment to find a
location that
produces the
smoothest response.
Surround Back Speakers should
be placed approximately 3 feet
(1 meter) above the listener’s ear
level and 30° off the center axis.
Direct radiators (4200 LRs) may be
used here, with or without an
subwoofer.
Speaker Placement
Speaker Placement
5
6
Connecting Your System
System 4200 High Performance Loudspeakers
Stereo Systems
If you are setting up a stereo system using a pair of 4200 LR’s with
subwoofer(s), begin with these general guidelines:
The distance between the speakers should be approximately one-half
their distance from the prime listening position.
If you point the front of the speakers directly towards the prime listening
position (“toe” them in), you will achieve the most precise imaging and
the most direct high frequency sound. If you have a “bright” or “hard”
sounding room, aiming the speakers straight out into the room (or just
aiming them partially towards you) may make for a more natural and
pleasing sonic balance.
For the smoothest upper bass/lower midrange response, the distance
from each speaker to its three closest room surfaces should be different.
In most rooms, you should not place your speakers in the corners.
Try to keep the speakers at least 2 feet (.6m) from the back and side
walls.
The goal is to reproduce the most accurate musical timbre and the most
convincing natural sound. Additionally, a well set-up stereo pair of speakers
will create excellent imaging and a cohesive representation of the soundstage. Placement in the room and your listening position has an enormous
impact on the ultimate sound you will achieve from your system. The most
important thing is to be creative! Try placing your speakers on the long wall
instead of the short one. Toe the speakers in or point them straight ahead.
Pull them away from the wall or push them closer. Don’t be timid. You’ll find
that moving your speakers, even a few inches, can dramatically change and
possibly improve their sound.
Connecting Your System
We recommend that you connect your system using high quality dual
conductor stranded wire of 16 gauge or heavier, for lengths up to 25 feet
(8m) . (Remember, the lower the gauge number, the heavier the wire). Use
heavier gauge wire for longer runs. Please contact your audio/video dealer
or installer for specific cable recommendations and further information
regarding special circumstances. The terminals themselves are designed to
allow the use of very heavy speaker wire or connectors. Be sure to tighten
them securely, but don’t over-tighten them.
WARNING:
equipment, always switch off the amplifier or receiver when making
any system connections.
You can connect your speakers by using a variety of audio connectors such as
banana plugs (single or double), pin connectors, spade lugs, etc., or you can:
1.
Remove ½” (13mm) of insulation from each wire end.
2.
Twist the stranded wire together, keeping the two ends
separate.
3.
Place the appropriate wire through the postholes in the
connectors. These holes are revealed when you loosen the
connector’s capscrew.
4.
Screw down the capscrew tightly, but be careful not to over
tighten it.
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 improper connectors. 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 the conductors
of each pair will typically 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. Whether
you are connecting a complete system, or adding a single speaker component to your present system, the wiring should look like the system wiring
diagrams on the opposite page
To prevent risk of electrical shock or damage to your
WARNING:
wire strands are touching across any terminals as this might damage
your amplifier.
Before turning on the amplifier, be certain that no stray
Finally, check the polarity of your front speakers by listening to some stereo music with good bass content. If the sound seems “hollow”, unusually
spread out, or seem to have weak bass, recheck your connections for proper
polarity and correct any out of phase connections, if necessary.
Instruction Manual
LEFT CENTER RIGHT
LEFT
SURROUND
RIGHT
SURROUND
System Wiring
Be sure to connect red (+) on the speaker to
red (+) on the amplifier and black (–) on the
speaker to black (–) on the amplifier.
System Wiring
7
8
INPUT
- +
HF ENERGY
- REVERBERANT
+ DAMPED ROOM
0 THX / AVERAGE
INPUT
BOUNDARY
ON
THX / NORMAL
- +
Manufactured under license from THX Ltd. THX, THX Ultra2 and
THX Select are registered trademarks of THX Ltd.
HF ENERGY
- REVERBERANT
+ DAMPED ROOM
0 THX / AVERAGE
INPUT
BOUNDARY
ON
THX / N ORMAL
- +
HF ENERGY
- REVERBERANT
+ DAMPED ROOM
0 THX / AVERAGE
DIPOLEBIPOLE
System Setup
System 4200 High Performance Loudspeakers
System Setup
Bass Management
Some older surround sound decoders and receivers offer a choice of “Normal” or “Wide-band” modes for the center channel speaker. The Model 4200
C is designed to be used in the Normal mode. Additionally, digital processing
multi-channel systems provide a Bass Management menu, which typically
requires you to select between “Small” or “Large” speakers during system
set-up. Since these systems have been designed to work with a dedicated
subwoofer, please set all the speakers in System 4200 to Small.
Operation of the Rear Panel Controls
on the LCR Speakers
High Frequency Energy
changes the tilt or roll-off slope of the
tweeter. It has been designed to help compensate for different room acoustics. The
THX/ Average position is intended for
rooms with a reasonable combination of
reflective (hard) and absorptive (soft) surfaces. The Reverberant position
is designed for rooms with an abundance of reflective surfaces like hardwood or tile floors, glass walls, etc. It decreases the high frequency output
of the speaker to reduce excess HF energy that builds up in live rooms. The
Damped position brings the tweeter’s output slightly above flat response to
compensate for overly absorbent rooms with lots of soft surfaces. Speakers in overly damped rooms can sound dead and lifeless unless compensated.
Figure 4
This control
Boundary Compensation
Use this switch
to adjust the lower frequency output of
the speaker to compensate for the typical
sound colorations caused by placing the
speaker close to a TV screen or building it
into a wall unit or cabinet. To set these con-
trols, sit in the prime listening position and have someone switch between
the compensation choices, using well recorded dialogue or musical instrument recordings. Choose whichever switch position sounds most natural
and real to you.
NOTE:
Although these controls have been designed to compensate
for various acoustic room anomalies, we recommend that you try
them to hear the difference that they make in the sound of the system. For any number of reasons, you may decide that you prefer them
set in a particular manner inconsistent with your room’s acoustics,but
which sounds best to you. Experiment. It will be worth it.
Dipole/Bipole Operation of the SR Speakers
In Dipole mode the 4200 SR’s
produce ambience with minimal localization (best for most
movies and video soundtracks),
and more localizable sound in
the Bipole mode (preferred
for some music recordings).
Switching between Dipole and
Bipole mode is easily accomplished using a toggle switch conveniently
located under one of the speaker’s grilles. Please note that the vast majority
of the time in movies and TV broadcasts the surround speakers are called
upon to reproduce the environmental sounds that are used as cues to help
get you immersed in the scene on the screen. Once the surround speakers
are properly positioned in the listening area, we recommend that you begin
with the dipole mode, as this usually delivers the most involving and believable surround performance in most situations. However, as noted above, feel
free to experiment with both switch positions.
Instruction Manual
Mounting
9
Setting Levels
When setting up a complete home theater we strongly recommend that you
use a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter. As of this writing Radio Shack® has
one that’s affordably priced (approximately $40) that can be used effectively.
To use this meter, turn on your system, put the processor/receiver in Test
Mode and set its main volume control to 0dB (or a reasonably loud level).
Sit in the prime listening position, set the SPL meter to the 70dB scale, slow
response, and C weighting. Hold the meter with the microphone pointed up,
towards the ceiling and in front of you. Cycle the test tone from speaker to
speaker, setting each to the same level (usually75dB) using the individual
level settings available in the processor/receiver (please see the instructions
for your processor/receiver if you are unsure of how to access the test signal
or level controls).
IMPORTANT NOTE:
systems assumes that you will not operate your amplifier/receiver in
a way that produces distortion. Even rugged speakers like these can
be damaged by an amplifier driven into audible distortion. The harsh
amplifier distortion (“clipping”) that occurs in this situation will eventually cause damage to the speaker system. This type of damage may
be cumulative and can build up over time, as the amplifier is driven
into overload again and again. Such damage is easily identifiable
through examination of the damaged speaker’s voice coil and is not
covered by the warranty.
The power recommendation for these speaker
Mounting
System 4200 speakers can be mounted in different ways:
On Stands
proper position for maximum performance. Many brands of quality speaker
stands have a through hole in the mounting plate that allows the speaker
to be securely bolted to the stand. Use the ¼” x 20 insert on the bottom of
each speaker to couple the stand directly to the speaker via a ¼” x 20 bolt.
This connection is recommended not only for better sound but for safety
(especially if you have little ones running around) The recommended stand
height is approximately 30”. See Figure 5.
On the Wall (4200 SR only)
supplied metal key-hole brackets attached to the back of the cabinet. These
speakers are heavy and care must be used when hanging them. Be sure
to use a strong screw to drive into the wall, one whose head and shaft will
fit within properly the keyhole opening and slot. Also be sure to drive the
screw directly into a stud or to use a mounting device (such a molly-bolt)
that is capable of safely holding the speaker’s weight. Never simply drive a
nail or screw into sheet rock or other wall materials, as the 4200 SR is very
heavy for its size.
NOTE:
mounting hardware to use with your speakers.
Speaker stands are recommended to elevate the satellites to the
To mount your speakers on a wall, we have
Always consult a knowledgeable installer regarding the proper
These systems will play very loudly when provided with enough undistorted
power to do so. If necessary, consult your dealer or Atlantic Technology for
additional information.
Figure 5
¼" x 20 insert
Top plate of stand
with through-hole
¼" x 20 bolt
10
Care of Your Speakers
System 4200 High Performance Loudspeakers
Care of Your Speakers
Clean your cabinets using a soft, lint-free cloth. If you wish, you can slightly
moisten the cloth with plain water. Do not use any other cleaning agents
or chemicals. Be careful not to get any water on the driver cones or tweeter
domes. After carefully removing the grilles from the speakers by pulling
them forward, gently clean them with a quick pass from a vacuum cleaner
with a brush attachment. This should remove any dust accumulation. Reattach them by lining up the magnet depressions in the back of the grilles with
the magnets on the speaker baffle and slowly moving them closer until they
connect with each other.
Optional Accent Panel Kits are available to dress up your speaker system.
These kits are available in three different vinyl finishes to compliment any
décor. Please contact your Atlantic Technology dealer for further details.
Avoid placing your speakers in direct sunlight or near a source of heat that
may, over time, damage the finish.
IMPORTANT: SAVE YOUR BOXES!
tons, packing pieces, and plastic bags that came with your speakers.
They will be useful in case you move or have to ship your loudspeakers for any reason. In any case, save all packing materials until you
are certain that the systems have suffered no damage in shipment. If
you find such damage, either visible or internal, contact your dealer
immediately.
If you can do so, save the car-
Specifications
Model 4200 LR 4200 C 4200 SR
Type Sealed-box, 2-way Sealed-box, 2-way Sealed-box, Dipole/
D’Appolito array D’Appolito array Bipole surround speaker
Drivers Woofer (2) 5 ¼” GLH (2) 5 ¼” GLH (2) 4 ½” GLH
Tweeter (1) 1" silk dome (1) 1" silk dome (2) 1” silk dome
Frequency Response 80Hz – 20kHz ±3dB 80Hz – 20kHz ±3dB 80Hz – 20kHz ±3dB
Nominal Impedance 8Ω 8Ω 8Ω
Crossover Frequency 2.5kHz 2.5kHz 3kHz
Crossover Type Computer designed Butterworth 4th-order asymmetrical (time aligned)
Linkwitz-Riely
Sensitivity 90dB 90dB 90dB
Recommended 10 – 150 Watts RMS 10 – 150 Watts RMS 10 – 150 Watts RMS
Amplifier Power
Magnetic Shielding Yes Yes No
Dimensions w/ grilles 8 x 15 x 9.9" 18.4 x 8.4 x 8"* 10.9 x 12.4 x 7.5"
(W x H x D) 204 x 382 x 251mm 467 x 213 x 204mm 277 x 315 x 191mm
Weight (ea) 14lbs; 6.35kg 16lbs; 7.26kg w/base 11lbs; 4.99kg
*Height includes tilt base.
Specifications are those in effect at the time of printing. Atlantic Technology reserves the right
to change specifications or appearance at any time without notice.
THX, and THX Select are trademarks of THX Inc. Dolby Digital, 5.1, Dolby Stereo and Dolby Pro
Logic are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. DTS is a registered trademark of DTS Technology.
Instruction Manual
Notes
11
343 Vanderbilt Avenue Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 762-6300 www.atlantictechnology.com
015-1411
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