Avalon Acoustics Eclipse Owners manual
Eclipse
Serial Numbers ____________________
Handcrafted by:
_________________________________
_________________________________
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This product is certified to meet the
requirements of the European Union
(EU) Electromagnetic Compatibility
(EMC) Directive (89/336/EEC).
Because the permanent magnets
attached to the loudspeaker drivers
produce magnetic fields, it is
recommended that the product not
be positioned in very close
proximity to computer monitors or
television sets.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 5
2 Unpacking Instructions. . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . 6
Introduction .................................................................................................6
Contents................ ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ........................................................6
2.1 Opening the Crate ............................................................................ ..... ..... ..... ....7
2.2 Installing the Grilles .... ..... ..... ..............................................................................8
Orientation of the Felt Anti-Diffraction Mask ............................................. ..... ...8
2.3 Replacing Grille Pins............................................................................................9
3 Wiring Instructions. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 11
Introduction .................................................................................................11
3.1 Wiring Options ....................................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ...................11
3.2 Connecting the Speaker to the Amplifier......................................................... ..... ....12
Standard Wiring........... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ...................................................13
Bi-wiring ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ............................................................................14
3.3 Multiple Amplifiers ................................................................................... ..... .....15
Bi-amplification............................................................................................15
4 Break-in Period. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 16
5 Maximizing Performance. .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 17
Break-in ...................................................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..17
Bi-wiring ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ............................................................................17
Tweeter Screens........... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ...................................................17
Grille Assemblies.................................................................................. ..... ...17
Speaker Placement and Symmetry........................................................ ..... ..... ..18
Toe-In........................ ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ........................................................18
Apex‘ Couplers ..........................................................................................18
First Reflection Points................. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....................................19
Corner Treatment................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .........................................19
6 Care of Your Avalon Loudspeakers . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . 20
Cabinet (Hardwood Finish) ......................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ...........................20
Cabinet (Black Textured Finish) .... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..............................................20
Grille Assembly........................................ ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ...........................20
Drivers......................................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ......................20
7 Warranty . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 21
In the Event of a Problem ........ ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .........................................21
Warranty Statement.......................................................................................22
8 Room Acoustics and Speaker Position . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 24
Introduction .................................................................................................24
An Optical Analogy.......................................................................................25
Basic Room Acoustics ...................................................................................25
8.1 Standing Waves ..................................................................................................26
8.2 Flutter Echo ............... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..........................................................27
8.3 Early Reflections.............. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....................................................28
8.3 Avoiding Early Reflections .............................................. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ............29
8.4 Bass reinforcement ....................................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..............31
8.5 Summary of Recommendations...................................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ....34
Flutter Echo and Standing Waves.....................................................................34
Speaker Placement ...................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ....................................35
Early Reflections .............. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..............................................35
8.6 A Listening Room Example ............................................................... ..... ..... ..... ....36
9 Accuracy of Bass Reproduction. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 37
Introduction .................................................................................................37
9.1 Sensitivity to Time-Related Information ................................ ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .........38
"Fast Bass" ..... .............................................................................................38
9.2 Low Frequency Energy Storage .......................................................... ..... ..... ..... ....39
An Illustrative Analogy ............................................. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ............39
9.3 Sealed Enclosures ....... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..........................................................40
Another Definition of the Q Factor . ..................................................................42
Frequency Response Effects..... ..... ..... ..... ........................................................43
9.4 Vented Enclosures...............................................................................................44
The Helmholtz Resonator ................................................................... ..... ..... ..45
A Comparison of Vented and Sealed Enclosures ................................ ..... ..... ..... ..46
9.5 Passive Radiators .......................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .............................48
9.6 Dipole Radiators ...... ..... ..... ..... ..... .......................................................................49
9.7 Servo-Systems and Electronic Equalization..............................................................50
9.8 Rationale ................................................................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ....51
Anechoic Frequency Response vs. In-Room Frequency Response ..........................51
9.9 Measurements of Audio Equipment ...... ..................................................................52
A Correlation with Amplifier Measurements .... ..... ..... ..... ...................................52
Loudspeaker Measurements .............................................. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....53
Designing for Accurate Bass Reproduction ..... ...................................................54
9.10 Listening Qualities..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ...............................................................55
Frequency Response Effects..... ..... ..... ..... ........................................................56
Listening for Size Distortions ..................................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... .56
Transient Response Effects .............................................................................57
9.11 Audibility of Resonances ....................................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ....58
Frequency Ranges of Musical Instruments ........................................................ .58
The Woofer As a Spurious Musical Instrument ................................................ ...59
Enlarging the Bass Drum.... ..... ..... ..... .............................................................60
Identifying Size Distortions..................................................................... ..... ...61
Visualizing the Sound Source.......................................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .......61
9.12 Conclusion ............... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..........................................................62
10 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 63
11 Specifications . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 64
12 Notes . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 65
1 Introduction
Your new Avalon Acoustics Eclipse loudspeakers represent a true breakthrough in the
development of moving-coil loudspeakers intended for accurate music reproduction. Upon
initial listening, the immediacy and presence of a live performance becomes instantly
apparent. The intent is to closely reproduce the original musical event, as opposed to creating
a "spectacular" sonic character which can impress upon first listening, but fail to satisfy over a
long period of time.
The Eclipse accomplishes this goal by providing the transparency and clarity which is lacking
in many dynamic designs. Overall smoothness is achieved without depressing the
high-frequency response, a technique used in some products. Low frequencies are rendered
realistically and controlled, as opposed to a "larger than life" perspective, which can impress,
but compromises definition and harmonic integrity.
This high level of performance is retained in virtually any listening situation. The Eclipse has
been specifically designed to elicit the finest possible performance from any amplifier, tube or
solid-state, due to its easy-to-drive nature. Similarly, interaction with the room has been
minimized, allowing ease of placement in a wide variety of listening environments.
Your Eclipse loudspeaker was designed and built to the highest standards of workmanship
and performance. These standards are preserved through the test of time by careful attention
to component quality and meticulous testing of each unit before leaving the factory. As a new
owner of this Avalon Acoustics product, you can be assured that you possess one of the few
great loudspeakers the audio industry has to offer.
2 Unpacking Instructions
Introduction
Your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers were shipped in a heavy-duty crate to ensure their safe
arrival. It is recommended to save this crate for possible future use. Due to the weight of the
speakers, it will require two persons to un-crate them and position them for listening. Please
arrange for your dealer or other friend to assist in this project.
Contents
The shipping crate contains the following items:
•
two loudspeaker cabinets
•
two grille assemblies
•
the owner’s manual
•
one set of six Apex‘ Couplers
•
an accessory bag
The grille assemblies and owner’s manual are contained in an outer compartment on the top
of the shipping crate. The Apex‘ Couplers and accessory bag are packed together on the
bottom of one of the loudspeaker cabinets.
The accessory bag for Black Textured finished loudspeakers contains a set of replacement
grille pins. The accessory bag for Hardwood finished loudspeakers contains replacement
grille pins, a small bottle of furniture polish, and two lint-free polishing cloths.
2.1 Opening the Crate
The crate features a one-piece top assembly which is fastened to the crate bottom with screws
around the lower perimeter. To unpack, remove the screws and lift the upper portion of the
crate straight up (this will require two people).
Next, slide each speaker part way off of the crate base so that the plastic bag can be
unfastened from the enclosure bottom. Stand the speaker up and the bag can be slid off the
top. Please refer to Figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1 - To unpack the speakers.
2.2 Installing the Grilles
The grille assemblies are behind a panel on the outside of the speaker crate. Remove the
screws securing the panel, and then carefully pull the grilles straight out. The grilles are
installed with friction fasteners and press into place on the speaker cabinets. Please see Figure
2.2.
Orientation of the Felt Anti-Diffraction Mask
The grille assembly includes a felt anti-diffraction mask. Should the felt mask be removed, be
sure to note the correct inside-outside orientation when re-installing it. The tweeter opening is
beveled on the side that faces the listener (away from the speaker).
1.
Remove screws
and panel from
top of crate.
3.
Push grille pins straight
into grille pin sockets.
2.
Pull grilles
straight out.
Figure 2.2 - To install the grille assemblies.
2.3 Replacing Grille Pins
The grille pins installed on the grille assemblies are fragile and can be easily damaged.
Should any of the pins break, you may replace them using the following procedure.
1. Place the grille assembly face-down on a padded surface (a towel or carpeting).
2. Remove the damaged grille pin by pulling it straight out with a small pliers or similar
tool. Please refer to figure 2.4. Make sure that the complete pin is removed and that there are
no pin fragments left in the mounting hole.
3. Insert the new grille pin in the grille pin installation tool (see figure 2.5).
4. Carefully pull
the grille cloth away
from the frame
mounting hole. The
mounting hole must be
clear of all obstacles
during pin installation.
Figure 2.4 - Removal
of broken grille pin. Check for pin fragments in the mounting hole.
Figure 2.5 - Insertion of new grille pin into
installation tool.
5. Place the exposed end of the grille pin in the open mounting hole. The end of the pin
is notched at a 45 degree angle to match the contour of the grille frame; therefore it is
necessary to rotate the grille pin to align it with the angle on the frame. Check to insure that
the grille cloth is not trapped between the pin and frame. Use a small hammer and gently tap
the new grille pin in place. Then, pull the insertion tool off the new pin and verify that the pin
flange is flush with the surface of the grille. Please refer to Figure 2.6.
WARNING: Grille pin breakage may result if the grille cloth becomes trapped
between the pin and frame during installation.
6.
Repositio
n the grille cloth
that was pulled
away from the
frame mounting
hole in step 4. The
cloth should lay
flat and wrinklefree.
Figure 2.6 - Installing grille pin into Eclipse grille
frame. The grille pin is notched and must be oriented
to match the 45 degree contour of the frame. Note
that after installation, the grille pin flange is flush with
the surface of the grille.
3 Wiring Instructions
Introduction
The crossover is housed in a sealed chamber in the bottom of the speaker cabinet, to minimize
the effect of vibration on the components. The Eclipse is equipped with high-quality barrier
terminals for connecting the speaker cables. Ring terminals or spade lugs designed for #10
screws are recommended for cable termination.
Do NOT over-tighten the screws.
3.1 Wiring Options
Separate inputs are available for each crossover section, facilitating bi-wiring. Bi-wiring the
Eclipse separates the ground returns for the drivers. This reduces the possibility of inter-driver
modulation, and can result in a higher level of sound quality. Bi-wiring is highly
recommended as a cost-effective means to better sonics. All that is needed is one extra pair of
speaker cables. You should choose a wiring option before connecting the speakers.
3.2 Connecting the Speaker to the Amplifier
1. Place the speaker in its approximate location, then lay the speaker on its side, using a soft
surface to avoid scratching the finish.
2. Connect the speaker wires to the terminal block on the speaker bottom, as described below.
Do NOT over-tighten the screws.
3. Stand the speakers up.
Standard Wiring
(a single cable from the amplifier to each speaker)
Leave the factory-installed input jumper wires in place. Connect the wires from the amplifier
to the "Low" inputs. Please refer to Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1 - Bottom view of the speaker showing the
connections from the amplifier for standard (single) wiring.
Bi-wiring
(two cables from the amplifier to each speaker, one for the woofer, the other for the
tweeter)
Remove the factory-installed input jumper wires. Then connect one set of cables from the
amplifier to the "LOW" inputs and the other set of cables to the "HIGH" inputs. Both sets of
cables are attached in parallel to the amplifier terminals. See Figure 3.2.
Figure 3.2 - Bottom view of the speaker showing the
connections from the amplifier for bi-wiring. The speaker
cables are connected in parallel at the amplifier terminals.
The input jumper wires have been removed.
3.3 Multiple Amplifiers
It is possible to use more than one amplifier to drive each speaker. Doing so may result in a
slight additional sonic benefit over bi-wiring, as the inter-driver modulation due to the
amplifier's finite output impedance is eliminated. All amplifiers are driven with a full-range
signal from the pre-amplifier, and the frequency division is performed by the passive
crossover.
It is important to use identical amplifiers when bi-amping. If this is not possible, then the
gains of the amplifiers must be adjustable and matched within 0.1 dB. Mismatched gain levels
can significantly alter the tonal balance of the Eclipse and lead to poor sound quality. It is also
important to be aware of the absolute polarity of the amplifiers. If any of the amplifiers invert
phase, be sure to compensate by reversing the polarity of the speaker leads at the amplifier's
output terminals.
Bi-amplification
Follow the instructions for bi-wiring (above), except connect the speaker cables to separate
amplifiers. The amplifiers are driven with the full-range signal from the pre-amplifier. If your
pre-amplifier only has one set of output jacks, use a "Y" connector to tie the inputs of the
amplifiers in parallel.
4 Break-in Period
Your new Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers have an initial break-in period. They will not
perform to their full sonic potential when first installed in your system. This is due to a
residual polarization of the dielectric materials used in the crossover capacitors and internal
wiring.1 As music is played through the loudspeakers, the electrical signal will gradually
anneal these materials. Similarly, the suspensions of the drivers will reach their optimal
mechanical properties as the speakers are played. Only after the break-in period will the full
performance of your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers be realized.
The break-in process will occur naturally as music is played through the system. To reduce
the time required, it is recommended that the system be played continuously, using either a
digital source in the repeat mode or an FM broadcast signal. The recommended break-in
procedure is as follows:
•
Initial warm-up: three to six hours of quiet music.
•
Extended break-in: 200 to 300 hours of loud and dynamic source material (e.g.
Tangerine Dream, Optical Race, RCA 2042-2-P).
During the break-in period, the sonic properties of your loudspeakers may undergo several
gradual shifts as the various components break-in at different rates. It is therefore suggested
that the fine-tuning of the system be delayed until after the break-in period is completed.
However, during the final phases of the break-in period, the sonic image will open up, the
sound-stage will gain specificity, the bass control and impact will increase, and the overall
sound will have a more relaxed, involving presentation.
1
A high-voltage test is applied to wiring and capacitors during their manufacture. This results in a
residual polarization of the dielectric materials.
5 Maximizing Performance
These details are imperative to obtaining optimum results from your Avalon
Acoustics loudspeakers.
Break-in
The break-in period is critical to maximizing sonic performance and should take place before
other adjustments (see the discussion on page 16). The break-in should begin with three to six
hours of quiet music, followed by 200 to 300 hours of loud and dynamic source material.
Bi-wiring
Bi-wiring of the Eclipse is strongly recommended. The sonic benefits include increased bass
articulation, midrange definition, image solidity, and ambient information retrieval. Please
refer to page 14 (Tri-wiring) for further information.
Tweeter Screens
The tweeters are equipped with a screen to protect the fragile titanium dome. The screens
slightly reduce (1-2 dB) the tweeters' maximum diffusion characteristics above 10,000 Hz.
They are held in place by the magnet of the tweeter, and may be removed if your system
requires additional energy in the highest octave.
WARNING: The titanium domes are thinner than a human hair and are easily
damaged. Remove the screens at your own risk.
To remove the screens, firmly grasp their tapered sides with the thumb and forefinger, and
carefully pull the screen straight out. It is recommended that they be replaced if the speakers
are to be transported. When replacing the screens, be sure to hold them securely, as the
magnetic attraction from the tweeter will tend to pull them from your hand, which can
damage the dome.
Grille Assemblies
The grille assemblies, with their felt anti-diffraction masks, are integral elements of the
loudspeakers' design. Unlike many other products, Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers are
designed to be used with the grilles in place while listening, and removing them will degrade
the system's performance. It is extremely important that the felt anti-diffraction masks make
physical contact with the face of the loudspeakers, as air space between the felt and the
speaker face will adversely affect sound quality.
WARNING: Be extremely cautious positioning the felt in the tweeter area,
especially if you have removed the tweeter screens.
Speaker Placement and Symmetry
Selecting the proper room position for your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers can dramatically
improve their performance. The following points highlight the fundamental concepts in
loudspeaker positioning from the in-depth discussion in Chapter 8, Room Acoustics and
Speaker Position (beginning on page 24):
•
Left to right room symmetry aids in producing a balanced sound stage.
•
Image depth is enhanced when the distance to the rear wall is increased.
•
The most even bass response will be attained when the distances to the side and rear
walls are not overly similar.
Toe-In
Adjusting the toe-in angle of the speakers is useful in tailoring the sound to best match the
characteristics of your system and listening room.
When the speakers are facing straight forward, they tend to create a large, expansive
sound-stage, painted with broad brush strokes. As they are rotated toward the listening
position, the image becomes more compact, with increased focus, creating a greater sense of
intimacy. Pointing the speakers inward is also helpful in situations where strong reflections
from the side walls are a problem.
Start with the loudspeakers facing straight forward, and play either a mono source, or a stereo
source with a distinct center image, through both channels. Carefully rotate the loudspeakers
inward in small increments to bring the image in precise center focus (small adjustments can
be made with the speaker on Apex‘ couplers). Toe -in adjustment is rather delicate, and
experimentation is necessary to achieve the proper angle for your listening situation. The
optimum angle is usually between three and ten degrees inward.
Apex‘ Couplers
Supplied with your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers are six Apex‘ couplers, used to couple
the speakers to the floor, thereby minimizing time-smearing resonance effects. The result is
an increase in focus and solidity of the sonic images.
On hardwood floors, you may protect the floor from the pointed spike using a large coin, such
as a quarter. However, the coupling effect of the Apex‘ couplers will be reduced.
Once you have located the proper position and toe-in angle for your Avalon Acoustics
loudspeakers, place the couplers under the speaker bases. It is easiest to install the couplers
with the assistance of a friend. Lean the speaker forward first, and position two couplers
pointing downward, one under each rear corner. Then lean the speaker backward and place
one Apex‘ coupler under the front center of the base.
First Reflection Points
Since the ear/brain system tends to integrate the sounds arriving within a 10 millisecond time
window, it is important to control the early reflections arriving from the sidewalls to the
listening position. A hard-surfaced wall can produce a strong frequency-dependent reflection
that can interfere with the reproduced sound-stage, as well as change the perceived tonal
balance of the system. Therefore, damping these first reflection points is strongly
recommended. Please refer to Section 8.3, Early Reflections, beginning on page 28, for
further information.
Corner Treatment
It is important to control the first reflections of low frequency sound, which normally occur at
the corners behind the loudspeakers. These reflections can cause significant distortions in
phase and amplitude, resulting in muddy bass definition and smeared bass transients. Placing
Tube-Traps (available from Acoustic Sciences Corporation) at the room corners can
significantly control these bass colorations and restore the quickness of bass transients.
6 Care of Your Avalon Loudspeakers
Cabinet (Hardwood Finish)
Avalon Acoustics’ hardwood finished loudspeakers are supplied with a special polish and two
lint-free polishing cloths, in order to properly care for the high quality furniture lacquer. The
following polishing instructions should be observed:
IMPORTANT: Use the supplied furniture polish ONLY. Do NOT use cleaners
that contain ammonia, strong solvents, or abrasive materials. Use of these
materials can degrade, scratch, or even DESTROY the finish.
1. Apply the supplied polish to one of the clean, lint-free polishing cloths (or use cotton
cloth that is clean and lint-free), and carefully wipe it on the cabinet. Be careful NOT to
apply the polish to the loudspeaker drivers.
WARNING: Do NOT apply polish to the loudspeaker drivers.
2. Wipe off the excess polish until the desired luster is achieved.
Cabinet (Black Textured Finish)
The Black Textured finish is an extremely durable high -tech coating. However, due to its
textured surface, it requires different care procedures than other finishes. For normal dusting,
a lint-free cloth or feather duster should be adequate.
Should the loudspeakers become soiled, moisten a lint-free cloth with lukewarm water, and
clean the surface with a circular rubbing motion. If this proves insufficient for an oily or
greasy stain, it may be necessary to use a dilute mild soap. This should be applied to a damp,
lint-free cloth using a circular rubbing motion to clean the stain.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT use cleaners that contain ammonia, strong solvents, or
abrasive materials. Use of these materials can degrade, scratch, or even
DESTROY the finish.
Grille Assembly
The grille assembly may be removed from the cabinet and gently vacuumed to remove dust. If
the felt insert is removed, please note the inside-outside orientation when re-installing it. The
hole for the tweeter is beveled on the side toward the listener, to provide optimal dispersion
characteristics.
Drivers
The drivers (woofer and tweeter) require no regular maintenance. Do not attempt to clean the
tweeter dome, as it is easily damaged. If desired, you may remove dust from the woofer cone
by using a small, soft dusting brush.
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