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SMS1
Instruction Manual
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Benchmark SMS1 Instruction Manual

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Page 1
Benchmark SMS1
Instruction Manual
Stand-Mount 2-way Speaker System
Page 2
Overview
Thank you for selecting the Benchmark SMS1 2-way speaker system.
These speakers are designed to provide exceptional clarity, low distortion, and an excellent frequency response. The silk dome tweeter was selected for its predictable, clean, and uniform high-frequency response. A smooth low-frequency extension was achieved using an acoustic­suspension enclosure and a custom designed copolymer woofer. This port-free enclosure eliminates the noise that can be created by port turbulence, while achieving a more uniform low-frequency response.
We have selected the finest crossover components available. We have specified ClarityCap film capacitors in custom-built precision values. These capacitors contribute to the exceptional vocal­range clarity of the SMS1 speakers. Likewise, we have specified precision wound air-core inductors and have eliminated the more typical iron-core inductors. Air-core inductors totally eliminate the distortion that can be caused by core materials. The precision capacitors and inductors minimize crossover variations and provide precise unit to unit matching. This precise matching contributes to the exceptional stereo imaging of the SMS1.
The speaker grills are constructed from acoustically transparent microphone grill material. These grills provide exceptional protection and a unique appearance while outperforming cloth or foam grills.
Unique features include high-performance NL4 twist-lock input connectors, a bi-amp switch, and a choice of furniture-grade hardwood side panels.
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Contents
Overview 2
Safety Information 4
Provide a Stable Mounting Surface 4 Secure all Cords 4 Risk of Hearing Damage 4 Magnetic Interference 4
Quick Start Guide 5
Speaker Placement 5 Amplifier Selection 6 Amplifier Connections 6 BI-AMP Switch 7 Break-In Period 7 Proper Care 7 Grill Removal and Insertion 7
Bi-Amp and Bi-Wire Operation 8
Bi-Amp Operation 8 Bi-Amp Operation May Reduce Power Amplifier IMD 8 Using Bi-Amp Mode to Add Correction Processors 8 Bi-Wire Operation 8
Technology 9
Crossover 9 SpeakON NL2 and NL4 Cables and Connectors 10 Woofer 10 Tweeter 10 Acoustic Suspension 11 Speaker Grills 11
Specifications 12
Drivers 12 Passive Crossover 12 BI-AMP Mode 12 Input Connectors 12 Dimensions 12 Weight 12 Performance 13 Frequency Response Plots 13
Regulatory Compliance 14
RoHS Compliance Statement 14
Warranty Information 15
Benchmark 1-Year Warranty 15 Benchmark Extended Warranty Options 16 Notes on Warranty Repairs 16
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Safety Information
Provide a Stable Mounting Surface
Do not place this product on an unstable cart, shelf, stand, bracket, or tripod. The unit may fall, causing serious injury and/or serious damage. Support must be stable, and must be capable of supporting the weight of the product. Many speaker stands have provisions for adding ballast to improve stability - use this feature when available.
Secure all Cords
Speaker cords can cause a tripping hazard and may cause a speaker to fall. Keep all cords away from areas where they could cause a tripping hazard. When using stands, cords should exit from the bottom of the stand, or should be secured at the bottom of the stand. Cords should always be secured to prevent pulling the speaker from its mounting.
Risk of Hearing Damage
High sound pressure levels can damage your hearing. Do not get close to the speakers when operating them at high volumes.
Magnetic Interference
Loudspeaker drivers are electro-magnetic devices. They emit magnetic fields that may interfere with older CRT-type monitors. Do not place magnetic items near the drivers. Magnets and magnetic materials can damage the drivers.
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Quick Start Guide
Thank you for selecting the Benchmark SMS1 loudspeakers. The suggestions in this guide will help you to get the most enjoyment from these high-quality speakers. If you have questions, our support staff is available at 1 800-BNCHMRK, +1-800-262-4675, +1-315-437-6300, or at [email protected] Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.
Speaker Placement
Provide a Stable Mounting Surface
A stable vibration-free mounting surface is important for achieving proper stereo imaging. It is also an essential consideration for safety.
Do not place this product on an unstable cart, shelf, stand, bracket, or tripod. The unit may fall, causing serious injury and/or serious damage. Support must be stable, and must be capable of supporting the weight of the product. Many speaker stands have provisions for adding ballast to improve stability - use ballast features when available.
Orientation
The SMS1 speakers are designed to be oriented vertically (tweeter above the woofer). Do not place the speakers on their sides.
Height
The SMS1 should be mounted so that the tweeters are at ear height, or a few inches above ear height. If the speakers must be mounted higher or lower than this, they should be angled so that the tweeters point directly toward or slightly above the listener's ears.
Distance to Listening Position
The SMS1 speakers should be located 4 to 16 feet from the listening position. Both speakers should be exactly the same distance from the primary listening position.
The Stereo Triangle
Ideally, the speakers and the listener should form a triangle where the listener is exactly the same distance from both speakers. The distance between the speakers should be 6 to 8 feet, but should not be more than the distance between the listener and the speakers.
Optimum stereo imaging is only achieved when the listener is exactly the same distance from both speakers. The two sides of the triangle intersecting the listening position must be equal. Variations of a few inches will diminish the accuracy of the stereo imaging. When this geometry is incorrect, center-stage high-frequency sounds will move out to the right and left speakers. We recommend measuring the distance between the listening position and the speakers.
Toe In
The speakers should be angled directly toward the listener.
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Room Interactions
No listening space is perfect, but proper speaker placement can reduce undesirable interactions with the room.
Avoid reflective surfaces such as walls and furniture. Keep the speakers more than 2 feet in front of any walls. Avoid placing the speakers near room corners. Avoid placing speakers near side walls. Avoid placing the listening position too close to the rear wall.
Improper placement near walls will stimulate room modes and will enhance the bass response. This will often create an excessive and uneven bass response. If some enhancement of the bass is desired, move the speakers slightly closer to the walls. Use caution, room modes can produce significant peaks in the low-frequency response.
Reflective side surfaces will interfere with stereo imaging. If speakers cannot be moved away from side surfaces, these surfaces can be treated with acoustic materials, or angled away from the listening position, to minimize reflections. Surfaces that reflect an image of the speaker directly to the listening position should be given the most attention.
Amplifier Selection
Recommended amplifier power is 30 - 200 Watts. The Benchmark AHB 2 is an ideal match for the SMS1 speakers. The AHB2 delivers 160 Watts per channel into the 6-Ohm SMS1. There is no need to run the AHB2 in mono mode as this will overpower the SMS1 speakers.
Amplifier Connections
The SMS1 has two sets of input connections; traditional binding posts, and high-performance SpeakON NL4 twist­lock speaker connectors. Both sets of connectors support standard 2-wire connections from the power amplifier. The NL4 connectors also provide separate connections to the high-frequency and low-frequency sides of the crossover network when the BI-AMP switch is activated.
The NL4 connectors are compatible with 4-pole NL4 plugs or 2-pole NL2 plugs. Use two-pole NL2 pugs and cable for standard wiring. Use four-pole NL4 pugs and cable for Bi-Wire and BI-AMP applications.
If you choose to use the binding posts, be careful to keep all connections properly polarized (connect + to + and - to -). Do not turn the power amplifier on until all binding post connections are secured.
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BI-AMP Switch
The BI-AMP switch must be set to NORMAL for most applications. It must always be set to NORMAL when using the binding posts. If this switch is in the wrong position, no damage will occur, but the high-frequency driver may not receive an input signal.
Break-In Period
The SMS1 speakers require a 20 to 30 hour break-in period to reach full performance. Speaker drivers are electro-mechanical devices and the materials used in these devices undergo minor mechanical changes during the break-in period. You should hear increased energy in the lowest octave, and a more relaxed midrange, when the break-in period is completed.
Proper Care
Your speakers carry a warranty against defects. However, the warranty does not cover failure from abuse. Please use good judgment.
A clipping power amplifier can produce unusually high levels at the input to the tweeter. Tweeter failures are often related to underpowered or overdriven systems.
The woofer can be damaged by excessive power.
Do not touch the silk-dome tweeter. It is very delicate and is easily damaged.
Grill Removal and Insertion
The speaker grills are designed to protect the drivers from accidental contact while providing excellent acoustic transparency. We recommend keeping the grills in place.
Each grill is attached with four press-fit pins and sockets. There is one pin on each corner of the grill. Use extreme care when attaching or removing grills.
To remove grill:
Grasp the bottom of the frame and gently pull the grill until the two bottom pins are free. Grasp the top of the frame and gently pull to clear the remaining two pins. Avoid twisting the grill frame when inserting or removing. Do not pull or press on the sides of the grill frame.
To insert grill:
Grasp the top of the frame and gently insert the two top pins. Grasp the bottom of the frame and gently insert the two bottom pins. Avoid twisting the grill frame when inserting or removing. Do not pull or press on the sides of the grill frame.
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Bi-Amp and Bi-Wire Operation
Bi-Amp Operation
Set the switch to BI-AMP when driving the tweeter and woofer from separate amplifiers. In BI­AMP mode, two amplifier channels will be required for each speaker. A four-pole NL4 cable is
required for all BI-AMP applications. In BI-AMP mode, the passive crossover is split into separate high and low frequency sections. Both drivers still receive the proper range of frequencies and no external crossover is required. This topology simplifies the use of the BI-AMP mode while protecting the drivers from incorrect wiring.
Bi-Amp Operation May Reduce Power Amplifier IMD
BI-AMP connections use separate amplifiers to drive the woofer and tweeter. With many
amplifiers, this will reduce IMD (intermodulation distortion) and may improve the sound quality.
Please note that it is not necessary to use a Benchmark AHB2 in BI-AMP mode. The AHB2 is virtually distortion free, and the use of bi-amplification will not reduce distortion. However, bi­amplification can offer an opportunity to add separate active filters for the high-frequency and low­frequency drivers. In such a system, a Bi-AMP connection from an AHB2 will allow fine-tuning of driver and room response.
Using Bi-Amp Mode to Add Correction Processors
BI-AMP connections provide an opportunity to fine-tune the frequency-domain and time-domain
response of the speakers and room using external active processing. This processing can be added as an analog process (between the DAC and power amplifier), or as a digital process (before the DAC). If the correction is digital, two channels of D/A conversion and two channels of amplification will be required for each speaker. If the correction is analog, there is no need to duplicate the number of D/A channels, but two channels of amplification will still be required for each speaker.
When using a Benchmark AHB2 for BI-AMP connections, connect the four-pole NL4 cable to the "1&2" output connector on the AHB2. Channel 1 drives the woofer, channel 2 drives the tweeter.
Bi-Wire Operation
The SMS1 supports Bi-Wire connections when the speakers are set to BI-AMP mode. Bi-Wire connections use separate conductors for the woofer and tweeter. Unlike BI-AMP connections, both sets of conductors are driven from a common amplifier channel. Bi-Wire connections offer no advantages when high-quality cables are used over relatively short runs. Bi-Wire connections may be useful for long cable runs. Special four-pole cables are required for Bi-Wire connections. The high-frequency and low-frequency conductors must be connected together at the power amplifier, but must be connected to separate pins in the NL4 plug. Pin assignments are shown on the rear plate of the SMS1.
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Technology
Crossover
The SMS1 has remarkable vocal clarity. Much of this can be attributed to the low-distortion crossover design and to the choice of the crossover frequency.
To achieve unusually low distortion, the SMS1 crossover uses some of the highest-quality components available.
Film Capacitors
The SMS1 uses film capacitors custom-built for Benchmark by ClarityCap. Metalized polypropylene film capacitors produce much less distortion than other types of capacitors. In our opinion, ClarityCap builds the best audio capacitors available. Each capacitor is built to tight tolerances at the exact non-standard values required for our crossover. ClarityCaps are mathematically modeled and designed to minimize microphonic effects that can cause high-frequency distortion.
Air-Core Inductors
Most passive crossovers use at least one iron-core inductor. The iron-core reduces the size and cost of the inductor, but can increase distortion. We chose to entirely eliminate iron-core inductors from the SMS1 crossover. This choice eliminates harmonic distortion caused by low-bass frequencies interacting with the iron core. This distortion usually adds clutter to the mid-bass and vocal frequencies. In our listening tests, we preferred the clean sound of the 100% air-core design.
Strategic Crossover Layout
Crossover inductors can interact with each other and with the voice coils on the drivers. The SMS1 crossover placement and layout are specifically designed to minimize these inductive interactions. This reduces unwanted variations in the frequency response while reducing the distortion that can be caused by inductor crosstalk.
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Non-Inductive Wire-Wound Resistors
Wire-wound resistors have excellent temperature coefficients. This prevents changes in resistance that can occur when resistors are heated by music power. Crossover resistors dynamically change temperature at the peaks of music waveforms. The low temperature coefficient keeps the resistance constant and prevents thermally-induced distortion.
The resistors used in the SMS1 are also specially wound to minimize inductance. This construction eliminates interactions between the resistors and inductors, while producing a resistor that behaves in an ideal manner.
3 kHz Crossover Frequency
The SMS1 uses a higher crossover frequency than most 2-way speakers of similar size. Most 2­way speakers place the crossover right in the middle of the vocal band. At 3 kHz, the SMS1 crossover is comfortably above the vocal range and this improves the clarity of the vocals.
SpeakON NL2 and NL4 Cables and Connectors
The NL4 connectors on the SMS1 provide very low impedance connections and are rated for high-current professional applications. The NL4 connectors are rugged, reliable, and easy to use. In our tests, they consistently outperformed binding post connections. The NL4 connector can be used with four-pole NL4 plugs, or two-pole NL2 plugs.
The NL4 connectors also prevent polarity reversals, loose wires, and short circuits. We highly recommend selecting NL4 or NL2 cables instead of cables that use traditional binding-post terminations.
The Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier is also equipped with NL4 SpeakON connectors. This makes system set-up quick, easy, and reliable.
Use a pair of two-pole NL2 to NL2 cables to connect one AHB2 power amplifier to a pair of SMS1 speakers operating in NORMAL mode. Use a pair of four-pole NL4 to NL4 cables to connect two
AHB2 power amplifiers to a pair of SMS1 speakers operating in BI-AMP mode.
Woofer
The proprietary 6.5" woofer features a copolymer cone and a long excursion. It is specifically designed for use in our acoustic suspension cabinet.
Tweeter
The 25 mm soft dome tweeter was selected after extensive listening tests. It provides clean, accurate, and detailed high-frequency output with low unit-to-unit variance.
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Acoustic Suspension
We know that small ported loudspeakers have become fashionable. We don’t do fashion. Ported
speakers create the illusion of bass extension by emphasizing certain frequencies (hence the name "tuned port"). In smaller speaker enclosures, ports often produce a non-linear bass response ­sometimes described as “one note bass”. Ports can make a small speaker seem large, but accuracy can suffer in the name of big bass.
Ports can also create turbulence that can produce a "chuffing" sound. Smaller enclosures often have high-velocity ports that suffer from this problem.
The SMS1 is an acoustic suspension loudspeaker; it has a sealed cabinet, without ports. By nature, it is more linear than a ported design. It can still produce impressively deep bass. The trade-off is efficiency. The SMS1 will require slightly more power than comparably sized ported designs.
Speaker Grills
The stainless steel mesh used on the speaker grills was originally designed for microphone screens. The material is designed to provide acoustic transparency while providing substantial protection to precision microphones. It's rigid appearance may give the impression that it is not transparent, but
it actually outperforms most cloth grills while providing a unique appearance.
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Specifications
The SMS1 is a 2-way passive acoustic-suspension monitor/loudspeaker with BI-AMP capabilities.
Drivers
170 mm Custom Copolymer Low-Frequency Driver 25 mm Soft Dome High-Frequency Driver
Passive Crossover
Air-Core Inductors for Minimal Distortion - Custom Built for Benchmark Top-Quality Precision Film Capacitors - Custom Built for Benchmark Non-Inductive Wire-Wound Power Resistors Precision Component Tolerances for Precise Matching Asymmetric Crossover Optimization 3 kHz Crossover Frequency
BI-AMP Mode
Switch-Selected BI-AMP Mode Uses NL4 4-Pole Input Connector
Input Connectors
One SpeakON NL4 High-Current 4-Pole Twist-Lock Input Connector Two Fully-Insulated Multi-Way Binding Posts
Dimensions
10.75" W x 13.5" H x 9.87" D (270 mm W x 345 mm H x 250 mm D) Recommended Stand Height: 29" to 36" (736 to 914 mm) - Floor to Base of Cabinet
Weight
Unit Weight: 23 lbs. (10.4 Kg) - One Speaker with Grill Shipping Weight: 52 lbs. (23.6 Kg) - Speaker Pair in Single Carton
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Performance
Frequency Response: 44 Hz - 22 kHz Crossover Frequency: 3 kHz Sensitivity: 88 dB Input Impedance: 6 Ohms Recommended Power: 30 - 200 W
Frequency Response Plots
The green curve shows the combined response of the woofer and tweeter at a distance of 6 feet. The measurement is on-axis with the tweeter.
The yellow curve shows the near-field response measured at the woofer.
The blue curve shows the far-field response measured at a distance of 6 feet.
The measurement system combines the near-field and far-field measurements in order to calculate the anechoic combined response shown by the green curve.
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Regulatory Compliance
RoHS Compliance Statement
This statement clarifies Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. product compliance with the EU’s (European Union) directive 2002/95/EC, or, RoHS (Restrictions of Hazardous Substances).
As of July 01, 2006, All Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. products placed on the European Union market are compliant (containing quantity limit weight less than or equal to 0.1% (1000 ppm) of any homogeneous Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI), and flame retardant Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) or Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)).
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Warranty Information
The Benchmark 1-Year Warranty
Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. warrants its products to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one year from the date of delivery.
This warranty extends only to the original purchaser. This warranty does not apply to fuses, lamps, batteries, or any products or parts that have been subjected to misuse, neglect, accident, modification, or abnormal operating conditions.
In the event of failure of a product under this warranty, Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. will repair, at no charge, the product returned to its factory. Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. may, at its option, replace the product in lieu of repair. If the failure has been caused by misuse, neglect, accident, or, abnormal operating conditions, repairs will be billed at the normal shop rate. In such cases, an estimate will be submitted before work is started, if requested by the customer.
Attempts to deliberately deface, mutilate, or remove the product's label will render this warranty void. Benchmark will not honor warranties for any products disingenuously purchased on the US or Canadian markets for export.
The foregoing warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness or adequacy for any particular purpose or use. Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. shall not be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, and reserves the right to change this information without notice. This limited warranty gives the consumer-owner specific legal rights, and there may also be other rights that vary from state to state.
Benchmark 1-Year Warranty
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The Benchmark Extended 5-Year Warranty *
Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. optionally extends the standard 1-year warranty to a period of five years from the date of delivery.
*For the extended warranty to become effective, the original purchaser must register the product at the time of purchase either by way of the enclosed registration card or through the product registration section of the Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. website. This optional warranty applies only to products purchased within the US and Canada and is extended only to the original purchaser.
Attempts to deliberately deface, mutilate, or remove the product's label will render this warranty void. Benchmark will not honor warranties for any products disingenuously purchased on the US or Canadian markets for export. The terms of the extended warranty are subject to change without notice. For products purchased outside the US and Canada, please refer to the Extended Two 2-Year International Warranty.
The Benchmark Extended 2-Year International Warranty **
Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. optionally extends the standard 1-year warranty to a period of two years from the date of delivery.
**For the extended warranty to become effective, the original purchaser must register the product at the time of purchase either by way of the enclosed registration card or through the product registration section of the Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. website. This optional warranty applies only to products purchased outside the US and Canada and is extended only to the original purchaser.
Attempts to deliberately deface, mutilate, or remove the product's label will render this warranty void. Benchmark will not honor warranties for any products disingenuously purchased on the US or Canadian markets for export. The terms of the extended warranty are subject to change without notice. For products purchased in within the US and Canada, please refer to the Extended Five 5-Year Warranty.
Notes on Warranty Repairs
An RMA (return merchandise authorization) number, issued by our Customer Service Department, is required when sending products for repair.
They must be shipped to Benchmark Media Systems prepaid and preferably in their original shipping carton with the RMA number clearly visible on the exterior of the packaging. A letter should be included giving full details of the difficulty.
Benchmark Extended Warranty Options
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Made in the USA
All Benchmark products are designed and manufactured in the USA.
Copyright © 2014
Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.
Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.
203 East Hampton Place, STE 2
Syracuse, NY 13206-1633
USA
PHONE: +1-315-437-6300
FAX: +1-315-437-8119
www.benchmarkmedia.com
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