Atlantic Technology SYSTEM 20 SR, SYSTEM 20 LCR Instruction Manual

System 20 LCR and SR InWall Speakers

System 20 LCR and SR InWall
Theater System Speakers

Instruction Manual

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343 Vanderbilt Ave. Norwood, MA 02062 [phone]

www.atlantictechnology.com

System 20 LCR and SR InWall Speakers

System 20 THX Installation Instructions

About These Speakers

System 20 by Atlantic Technology is a high performance home theater and music sound speaker system
designed to mount in the walls of your home. The system consists of a three-way full range front satellite,
System 20 LCR, and a switchable Dipole/Bipole surround speaker, System 20 SR. We recommend completing
the system (especially for movie reproduction) with the addition of a THX certified subwoofer like the Atlantic
Technology 372 PBM.

Please take a moment to read it over.

Some Surround Issues

The System 20 LCR is designed for the front three channels in a THX Ultra certified home theater system or as
a high quality music reproducer in a stereo system. Although it could be used as a surround speaker in a home
theater system, it doesn’t create the same kind of involving, believable surround field that the System 20 SR
Dipole surround speaker will. However, if you decide to use direct radiators for the primary surround or addi­tional rear channels in 6.1 or 7.1 channel systems the System 20 LR (or the System 10 speaker) may certainly
be utilized.

The following section details important features and capabilities of these speakers.

The System 20 LCR Midrange/High Frequency Baffle

The midrange-tweeter assembly of the System 20 LR can be tilted approximately 5 degrees up or down by
removing the included leveling spacer located under the baffle. (Please see Figs. 1, 4 & 5). This lets you aim
these elements for better performance when the speaker must be placed
higher or lower than ideal. The mid-high baffle may also be rotated 90 de­grees to allow horizontal placement of the speaker with no compromise in
performance. (Please note that

between studs centered on 16 inches without structural modification to the
studs and/or wall

though the frequency response at the listening position will be improved by
tilting the baffle, the sound will noticeably come from above or below the
screen and may not be as “realistic” as when it comes from ear level. For
further information and detailed instructions on angling and rotating this as­sembly please see Page 6

.) However, if the speakers are placed high or low, even

the System 20 LCR will not fit horizontally

.

System 20 LCR High Frequency and Midrange Level Controls

There are two switches located on the mid-high baffle that are accessible by
removing the grille. You can change the switch settings with your fingernail or
a small pointed object, such as a ball point pen. The High Frequency switch
adjusts the output level of the tweeter and therefore the upper range of sounds
that are reproduced (these include cymbals, bells, etc.). The Midrange con­trol operates exactly like the High Frequency Control but affects the middle
range frequencies (human voices, etc.).

Tilting and rotating baffle

Fig 1

We strongly recommend that you try all three settings of both switches, using both music and movies (if the
System 20 LR is part of a home theater system). Please note that recordings vary in their sonic balance so try
several different discs before deciding. Try to achieve the best balance of natural overall sound with good detail
and clarity. The switch settings are “Normal/THX” in the lower position, “-2dB” (decreases mid or high frequency
output) in the middle position, and “+2dB” (increases mid or high frequency output) in the upper position.

Take some time to determine the best overall sonic performance in your room. It’s definitely worth the effort.

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System 20 LCR and SR InWall Speakers

The System 20 SR Dipole/Bipole switch

When the System 20 SR absolutely must be located in a place that is not Dipole friendly (e.g. in the ceiling; well
behind the listening position, etc.) it can be easily switched to a Bipole configuration using the switch located
under the grille. In such cases it is advisable to try the speaker in both operating modes and with several
different sound tracks to determine which produces the most realistic surround field at the listening location.

Important Considerations Before Installation

Locations of Choice

Assuming that you’ll be using these speakers for more than simple background listening here are some place­ment recommendations:

Location, Location, Location

The single biggest determinant of any speaker’s ultimate sound quality is the room and the speaker’s location
in it. With in-wall speakers there are fewer placement options than with box speakers, so giving some thought
to location is really important. Additionally, the wall your speaker is mounted in will affect its sound. The speak­ers of our InWall Theater Systems have been computer designed to maximize the benefits and minimize the
detrimental effects of in-wall placement. You’ll find that Atlantic Technology InWall systems sound better than
most, if not all in-wall speakers because of this careful and sophisticated design process. In addition, the
System 20 LCR can optionally be used with an in-wall enclosure specifically designed to both optimize perfor­mance and offer a level of sound isolation for adjacent rooms.

Stereo Systems

The following applies should you be using the System 20 LCR front speakers in an audio only setting. For
stereo music reproduction the speakers are best located with the tweeters at approximately ear level when
seated, both on the same wall, facing the prime listening location. A separation of approximately six to eight feet
between the left and right speakers generally delivers the best imaging and sound staging. Ideally, the distance
between the two speakers will be the same as the distance from the speakers to the listening position, so the
three points form an equilateral triangle. In general, placement on one of the shorter walls will deliver the best
sound in a rectangular room. If you have to mount the speakers higher than ideal you should tilt the mid-high
baffle as outlined below. Or you may also mount the speakers “upside down”, with the mid-high baffle at the
bottom of the assembly for better positioning.

Sound reflects from room surfaces just like light; hard surfaces create lots of reflections and soft surfaces tend
to absorb them. Try to be aware of the speaker’s location in terms of proximity to glass, heavy drapes, and other
highly sound reflective or absorptive surfaces. A simple pair of strategically placed curtains or a wool wall
hanging can make a huge difference in sound quality and/or intelligibility! Also note that circumstances like one
speaker being located directly adjacent to a glass wall with the other speaker located by an open archway will
make the two speakers sound dramatically different. Therefore, the more similar the speaker’s surroundings,
the more even and consistent the sound.

When bass reflects from room surfaces, it can create some locations that are bass heavy and other areas that
are bass shy. These reflections are known as standing waves and they occur in most every room. When using
an external subwoofer it’s strongly recommended that you try several placements within the room to find the
best location for bass performance. Pay particular attention to the transition between the satellites and the
subwoofer, in addition to the deepest bass. For further information on subwoofer placement and setting system
levels please contact your installer or Atlantic Technology directly.

If there are bass standing wave problems when in-wall speakers are utilized full range the only real options are
to change the listening position or add a subwoofer that can be located in a “better bass place” in the room.

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