AudioControl Architect 110, Architect 210, Architect 210ES Installer's Manual

Architect

™

Model 110
Model 210
Model 210ES

Two Channel Power Amplifier

High Current Design • Sound Optimization

Superior Energy Efficiency

Professional Installer’s
Consciousness Guide

For Those Who Consider Perfection Possible

22410 70th Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98043 USA
425-775-8461 • Fax [phone]
www.audiocontrol.com

©2011. All rights reserved.

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Important Information

Dealer Name _____________________________________

Date Installed __________________________________

Serial Number ___________________________________

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Table of Contents

Architect Model 110 / 210 / 210ES

Architect Product Highlights .......................... 2

Experienced Installer’s Quick Hook-Up Guide ........... 4

A Guided Tour Of the Architect Model 210/110........... 5

Hooking Up Your System ............................. 8

Installation: The Long Version ........................ 8

Remote Power Control............................ 9

Audio Hook-Up ................................ 10

Speaker Wire Hook-Up .......................... 11

Equalizing The System .............................. 12

A Short Introduction To Equalizers And Acoustics....... 13

Table of Contents

Audio Analysis Using Pink Noise ..................... 14

Equalization Controls ............................... 15

Troubleshooting .................................... 17

Appendix A - Bridging the Architect................... 18

Appendix B - Understanding the Front Panel LEDs...... 19

A Brazen Plug For Other AudioControl Products . . . . . . . . 20

The Warranty ...................................... 21

Block Diagram ..................................... 22

Specifications ...................................... 23

Architect

Model 110-Model 210-Model 210ES

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Installer’s Guide

Architect

Model 210ES
Model 210
Model 110

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Architect Model 210ES

Architect Model 210

Architect Model 110

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Introduction

Congratulations!

You are now installing an AudioControl Architect ampli­fier, a component that will dramatically improve the perfor­mance of any distributed audio system, especially those uti­lizing in-wall speakers. The Architect Model 110, Model 210
and Model 210ES are American-designed and manufactured,
“set and forget” components which will provide a lifetime of
trouble-free service for your multi-room audio system. Ad­ditionally this amplifier is highly efficient meaning that it
draws very little wall current making it ideal for projects that
require “GREEN” audio components.

The Architect Model 110, Model 210 and Model 210ES
are designed and manufactured in the USA by AudioControl.
A company whose professional sound division designed and
sold the most popular one-third octave real time analyzer
in the world, the SA-3050. AudioControl’s passion for high
quality, meticulous attention to detail and pro sound heri­tage shows itself in the dozens of awards we have won for our
designs, products and service. Now, as when we began, our

greatest satisfaction is our reputation for sonic excellence and

reliability among people just like you throughout the world.

Introduction

This manual is designed to help you get everything you
can out of your new amplifier. So, even though you’re dying to
see it in action, please take a few minutes to slog through our
not-so-weighty prose and learn how to get the most from the
Architect power amplifier. Anything as capable as this amp

deserves all the explanation it can get.

AudioControl SA-3052 with CEDIA Hall of Fame
award.

Architect

™

Model 110-Model 210-Model 210ES

Installer’s Guide

1

Great Features

Typical Amplier

Great Features of the Architect Amplifiers

HigH Current Design to Drive Multiple speakers

Distributed audio systems can place terrific demands on
power amplifiers. Lots of speakers and volume controls add

up to extremely complex loads that can drive most amps to

the point of smoking. The high current drive capabilities of
this Architect amplifier allows it to play into very low imped­ances (2 ohms) meaning it can play eight pairs of speakers
simultaneously. This amp loves lots of speakers so go ahead
and put a small quarry of stereo rocks by the patio. Then sit
back and enjoy the sound.

superior energy effiCienCy AudioControl Architect am­plifiers are designed to provide audio enthusiasts with lots of
power and great sound quality. Architect amplifiers are also
great for those of us who want to “save the environment” and
“go GREEN” as they very energy efficient. The literally sip
electrical power making them ideal for any distributed audio
application.

AudioControl Architect Amplier

speCially-DesigneD frequenCy Controls The Architect

Model 210 and Model 210ES are intended to provide a dra­matic sound improvement for “small” speakers, such as those
with 6-inch and 8-inch woofers. The Architect’s equalization
band centers were chosen to optimize in-wall and 2-way book­shelf speakers at critical frequencies, where adjustment is
most advantageous. The bandwidths (or ‘Q’ as our engineer­ing types call it) have also been optimized for the difficulties
that in-wall speakers present. This allows the Architect Model
210 and Model 210ES to improve the sound of these smaller
speakers better than any other equalizer.

proteCtion WHen you neeD it Most The Architect
Model 110, Model 210 and Model 210ES have been de­signed and manufactured with durability in mind. The
AudioControl Lightdrive protection circuitry defends the
Architect and your speakers against clipping, distortion, dam­age, and even teenage parties. Even if the party lasts all week­end. Each channel is independently protected so a problem in
one channel will not affect the rest of the system.

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arCHiteCt MoDel 210es – energy star CertifieD

AudioControl factories are located in the rainforests of the
Pacific Northwest, so we have long been know for designing

“green” amplifiers that are stingy on power consumption. For
clients that are looking for extremely low power consump-

tion, when their distributed audio systems are not in use,
AudioControl offers the Architect Model 210ES. This unique
model includes a patent pending circuit that allows the Mod­el 210ES to meet the stringent Energy Star 2 requirements.
If no audio signal is present for a brief period of time, the
Architect Model 210ES goes into a sleep mode where it draws
less than 1 watt of wall current. When the audio system starts
playing , the Architect Model 210ES powers back up .

pfM subsoniC filter The Architect Model 110, Model

210 and Model 210ES’s Programmable Frequency Match
(PFM) circuitry is a bass-blocking filter which protects small

speakers and improves their overall sound. The smaller
woofers found in most in-wall or bookshelf speakers cannot
repro-duce the bass of a larger speaker (the laws of physics
intervene). If called upon to reproduce a bass note that would

cause the speaker to move PAST it’s maximum cone travel,

damage can result - and even if the speaker isn’t damaged,
severe audible distortion does occur.

Great Features

bulletproof reliability The Architect Model 110,

Model 210 and Model 210ES began their existence at the

AudioControl factory in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, a
few miles north of Seattle, USA. Here, we also build precision
test instruments, equalizers and analyzers and a totally awe­some line of car stereo components. AudioControl started in
1977 and has won so many audio industry awards for design

and engineering excellence that our reception room wall is

starting to sag. But enough about us. Let’s start getting the
most from the audio system!

Your Friends at AudioControl

Architect

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Model 110-Model 210-Model 210ES

Installer’s Guide

3

Quick Hook-up
Guide

Experienced Installer’s Quick
Hook-Up Guide

What follows are “Express” hook-up diagrams for profes­sionals and experienced audio buffs.

1. Connect the Speaker and Audio Inputs. (Page 10)
The Architect is designed to drive multiple speakers down
to 2 ohm loads. To simplify connection, there are two sets of
speaker terminals in parallel. Remember to figure in both
sets of connections when calculating the total system speaker
impedance.

2. Connect the AC power. (Page 9) Start with the

GROUND LIFT switch in the GROUND position. If you

have a ground loop hum, try the other two positions. This
switch only isolates the audio ground from the earth ground.
The chassis is always connected to earth ground.

3. Signal Sense and Remote Turn-On. This Architect
amplifier is equipped with a Signal Sensing circuit on the
inputs that will turn the unit on as soon as it sees an audio
signal. We have also equipped this unit with an optional 12V­trigger input that can be used to remotely turn the Architect
On and Off, should this function be needed.

Four Zone System with
Volume Controls

Architect Model 210ES

4. Set the Equalization (Model 210,

Model 210ES). (Page 15) While it can

be set by ear, adjustment of the Ar­chitect Model 210’s speaker optimizer
controls is best done with a one-third
octave real time analyzer and pink
noise test signal.

5. Register Your Warranty To acti-

vate your warranty, go on-line to

www.audiocontrolregistration.
com and fill out the requested
information. Also, save your
invoice or sales slip as proof of
purchase. Not only is this neces­sary for warranty purposes, it’s
also important if the unforeseen
disappearance of your Architect

amplifier occurs.

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Guided Tour

A Guided Tour Of
Architect Model 210ES, Model 210 and Model 110

  

  

Front Panel

 Power LED - Nothing too tricky here...when

you have the Master Power switch on the
back panel turned on, this LED will initially
turn Red and then Blue, indicating that all
systems are go. If the light stays Red, the
Architect is in a sleep mode

 Protection LED - This LED has three faces.

In normal operation it glows Blue when mu­sic is playing. If the Protection LED turns
Red, then one of the internal protection
circuits have come into use. No LED means
the unit is off or in a sleep mode.

 Channel Status LED - This dual-color LED

serves two purposes. It illuminates Blue
when the corresponding channel is active
and everything is operating correctly. The
second function of the status LED is to turn
Red if something has caused the amplifier to

go into protection or it is operting at a very
high temperature.

Speaker Equalization controls

 Model 210 and Model 210ES - This array

of knobs provide up to 12dB cut or boost at
45Hz, 150Hz, 300Hz, 700Hz, 2500Hz and
12KHz. After initial adjustment the only
time you would change the control settings
are 1) if you connect different speakers into
the system, 2) if you physically move them
significantly, or if 3) your room acoustics
change through addition or rearrangement
of furniture, wall or floor coverings, large
hairy dogs, etc.

For more information on the LED

functions, see Appendix B on page 19.

Architect

Model 110-Model 210-Model 210ES

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Installer’s Guide

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