Atlantic Technology System 270-THX Owners manual

System 270THX® THX Select Certified

Home Theater Loudspeaker System

Instruction Manual

Covers Models 271 LR, 273m C, and 274t SR

Atlantic Technology

I

NNOVATIVE

343 Vanderbilt Avenue Norwood, MA 02062 [phone] www.atlantictechnology.com

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HEATER

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Models 271 LR, 273m C, and 274t SR

S

YSTEM

High Performance THX Select Certified
Home Theater Loudspeaker System

Thank you for choosing Atlantic Technology home theater products. Your new speaker components are
precision crafted to give you years of enjoyable, trouble free service. This manual covers the System 270 THX
speakers for home theater. It will show you how to incorporate System 270 THX components into your
present setup, as well as how to assemble a complete system. The Model 272 PBM Subwoofer is covered in
detail in a separate manual. System 270 THX has been optimized for use with all surround sound formats
including Dolby Surround

NOTE: Although it may seem like asking for directions while driving, 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. … Honest.

What’s THX?

THX is a series of standards and technologies developed by Lucasfilm Ltd. (of Star Wars fame) intended to
ensure that what you hear and see on your home system, as closely as possible, matches what the director
heard and saw during the final production of the film. THX is intended to enhance every type of viewing

of reference, as they indicate that these systems must deliver a minimum level of performance in these
specified room sizes. System 270 THX is THX Select certified.

Atlantic Technology

®

270 THX

®

, Dolby Pro-Logic®, Dolby Digital 5.1® and DTS® digital surround.

and listening experience including the latest discrete multi-channel digital formats. Please

note however that THX is not a separate surround format.

THX Select standards are based upon a room size of 2000 cubic feet (L x W x H). THX Ultra
standards are based upon a room size of 3000 cubic feet. This does not mean these
components must be used in rooms this exact size. The room sizes simply provide a frame

Components

Model 271 LR Front Channel Speaker

The Model 271 LR Front Channel Speakers are high performance, two-way systems intended for use
only with a quality subwoofer, such as the Atlantic Technology Model 272 PBM THX. Each speaker

contains two 5-1/4" IMG (injection-molded graphite) woofers, and a 1" Ferrofluid
with a powerful neodymium magnet structure. These components are mounted in an acoustically inert MDF
(Medium Density Fiberboard) cabinet. The 271 LR speakers are magnetically shielded so they may be placed
right next to a TV set without concern.

Model 273m 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 273m C Center Channel Speaker contains the
same two 5-1/4" IMG woofers and 1" fluid cooled silk dome tweeter as the 271 LR speakers. The 273m C is
designed for use only with a dedicated subwoofer like the 272 PBM THX. The 273m C includes a high
frequency level control that allows it to be placed directly above or below the TV screen (which impacts the
speaker’s 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 Frequency control incorporated
into the 273m C allows for this matching. Additionally, there are switches to compensate for the speaker’s
proximity to a TV screen and to adjust the midrange “presence.”

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cooled silk dome tweeter

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Models 271 LR, 273m C, and 274t SR

Atlantic Technology

®

The 273m C center speaker is intended to be placed in a horizontal position, as opposed to the vertical
positioning intended for the 271 LR. It too is magnetically shielded so it may be placed directly adjacent to
your TV set with no adverse effects.

Model 274t SR Surround Speaker

The Model 274t 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 4-1/2" IMG woofers and
two broad dispersion 3/4" silk dome tweeters. The drivers are angled and internally connected in such a way
to produce ambience with minimal localization. The 274t SR’s wide bandwidth and unique construction
makes it especially suitable for today’s advanced Dolby Digital and DTS applications.

Important Note: There is a dedicated LEFT and RIGHT model 274t 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.

Please note that the vast majority of the time, surround speakers are called upon to reproduce all the
“environmental” sounds that are used as cues to tell you “where you are”. We are firmly convinced that
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 270 THX 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 270 THX 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. We recommend that you check your local electrical codes to make
sure that you’re not using an improper connector.

You can connect your System 270THX 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 capscrews 24 hours after hookup and occasionally after that, as they can loosen over time.

Figure 1:

Gold plated
5-way binding
posts. Accepts
up to 10 gauge
bare wire.

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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.

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