Bohlender Graebener R-18-I Owners manual

The Power Of Clarity

Owner’s Manual and Setup Procedures

RADIA On-Wall.........................................R-18i / R-17i

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for selecting state of the art Radia
loudspeakers from BG. We have assembled your loudspeakers with the
greatest care using high quality materials and advanced manufacturing
techniques. This craftsmanship, combined with our patented planar ribbon
technology, provides sound unmatched by any conventional loudspeaker.

The Radia On-Wall models R-18i and R-17i are highly versatile applications
loudspeakers- well suited for stereo, multi-channel audio or home theater.
Each model is offered in two colors- the R-18i in off-white or black, the
R-17i in silver or black.

The R-18i, with its unique ability to rotate the ribbon driver, is ideal as a
surround loudspeaker for home theater and multi-channel audio. The
R-17i is primarily designed for use as an LCR loudspeaker to accompany
flat panel televisions and displays.

Both Radia On-Wall models feature our latest patented planar ribbon
technology that deliver the amazing clarity and imaging that BG has become
known for.

CONTENTS:
Page

Introduction and Table of Contents...................................................2

Important Owner Information............................................................3

General Information (Unpacking your loudspeakers).......................4

Setup for Optimum Performance .....................................................5

R-18i DPC

Mounting Procedures......................................................................12

TM

(Dispersion Pattern Control) .....................................9

2

© BG Corp 2005

Important Owner Information

Read and Follow Instructions – Please read this entire manual

before unpacking and setting up your BG Radia On-Wall loudspeakers. For
maximum performance and years of trouble-free enjoyment, all operating
and use instructions should be followed.

Retain – DO NOT discard any factory packing material. The packing and

shipping materials may be required in the unlikely event your loudspeakers
need to be moved or shipped to our service center at BG.

Cleaning – Use a wax-free cleaning substance only (i.e. Pledge

soft dry polishing cloth not a paper-based chamois.

DO NOT spray cleaning

TM

) with a

solution directly on the grill.

Liquid – DO NOT place BG loudspeakers near an open source of liquid

that may spill on the loudspeaker surfaces.

Heat – DO NOT place BG loudspeakers near a direct heat source.

© BG Corp 2005

3

General Information

Unpacking Your BG Loudspeakers

1. Open the top of the box, remove your loudspeaker and place it on an even
surface in the general area of where be it will be installed.

2. Remove the foam pads off each end of the loudspeaker and pull the
loudspeaker out of the protective plastic bag.

3. Remove the wall-mounting bracket and drywall screw kit that is located in
the bottom of the box. Place those accessories near the loudspeaker.

Proper Hookup: Red terminal post to positive (+) amplifier post

Black terminal post to negative (-) amplifier post

Break-in Times: Typically a BG loudspeaker requires not less than 48

hours of operation at moderate sound level before reaching its optimum
sound quality. This improvement may be rather subtle but noticeable for
a trained listener. NOTE: Do not play your loudspeakers excessively loud
to try to accelerate this process!

Amplifier: BG loudspeakers are extremely accurate and deliver a

high degree of detail and resolution. A good 100-150 watt per channel
amplifier or receiver will deliver adequate power for a typical room size.
Your authorized BG dealer can recommend an amplifier best suited to
your needs.

4

© BG Corp 2005

Optimum Setup

Setting Up Your BG Loudspeakers for Optimum Sound

Home Theater and Stereo Applications

Refer to the diagram on page 7 that depicts a recommended layout for BG
loudspeakers. This diagram is an overhead view of a typical listening room
with the video screen located at the top of the diagram (the front of the room).
Keep in mind that the room is an integral part of the sound reproduction
system and has a significant effect on your sound experience.

BG recommends locating your Radia R-17i loudspeaker symmetrically to the
left and right of the viewing screen (Plasma, LCD and DLP). Avoid mounting
left and right front loudspeakers close to a side wall as it may result in reduced
sound quality caused by reflections off the side wall.

The relative location of your listening position to the loudspeakers is also
important. We recommend when using the R-17i, the total spread distance
C (LC+RC=C) between them roughly equals to B so that all these distances
form an equilateral triangle. Your screen size also should be taken into
consideration. In most cases, C should be no less than 5 feet, with 7-10 feet
being optimal.

We recommend that the height of the loudspeakers be level with your flat
panel television for best visual appearance. However if your screen is installed
high on the wall, we recommend keeping the center of the loudspeaker under
5 feet, 3-4 feet being optimal.

© BG Corp 2005

5

Optimum Setup

Setting Up Your BG Loudspeakers for Optimum Sound

If you plan to use your BG loudspeakers for home theater or multi-channel
audio, here are some additional recommendations.

The optimum position for all five loudspeakers requires the same distance
from the listening position (distance A, B and D are equal), see diagram
on opposite page. If it is not possible to get the distances equal, you can
use the delay and level adjustment functions available in most home theater
processors to compensate for the differences in distances.

The center channel Radia R-17i loudspeaker should be positioned
horizontally directly above or below your flat panel television for symmetry.
The center channel’s position should be as close as possible to the screen so
the voice soundtrack appears to come from the video image. If your screen
is located low, the center channel loudspeaker should be installed directly
above the flat panel television.
magnetically shielded. They should be mounted at 10” or more from a
conventional CRT television to prevent possible interference.

Home Theater Applications

NOTE: Radia On-Wall loudspeakers are not

The subwoofer should be placed beside either the left or right front
speaker. For multiple subwoofers, see your authorized BG dealer for
advanced setup procedures.

The adjacent diagram shows the optimum placement for the Radia R-18i or
R-17i loudspeakers. The left and right rear loudspeakers are installed at the
same height as the front loudspeakers for aesthetic purposes. The grey area
on the diagram shows the optimum angular position for the surround sound
loudspeakers. Install the rear loudspeakers so that angle D is about 110­120° with 160° and 60° as acceptable extremes. If there are room
limitations, choose the larger of the two angles to optimize performance.

This manual addresses 5.1 surround sound systems. Where 7.1 or higher
systems are being utilized, see your authorized BG dealer for advanced
setup procedures.

6

© BG Corp 2005

Optimum Setup

© BG Corp 2005

7

Optimum Setup

While rooms vary in size and acoustics, almost any room can be set up to
produce excellent sound with BG loudspeakers. Using a tape measure can
easily help you set up your system properly. The distances you will need to
measure are as follows:

Dimension Description Minimum Optimum Comments

A

B

C

D

“D” Angle

Distance to

screen/center

channel

Distance to main

loudspeakers

Distance between

main loudspeakers

Distance to

surround

loudspeakers

Angle subtended

by surround

loudspeakers

relative to listening

position center

8-12 feet in a typical

7 feet / 2.25

meters

7 feet / 2.25

meters

7 feet / 2.25

meters

60° 110-120°

room - depends on

viewing distance and

8-12 feet in a typical

room. Up to 60% of

room width in large

Same as B

room size

rooms

Recommend setting the

same as B but as close to

the screen as desired

A careful gradual

adjustment is

recommended

Recommend setting the

same as B

Do not place surround

loudspeakers to the sides

of the listening area

Room Width

8

Width of listening

room

10 feet / 3

meters

© BG Corp 2005

DPCTM Technology

Using R-18i as Surround Sound Loudspeakers

R-18i is the only loudspeaker on the market that provides the listener a choice of both
direct or a diffuse dipole radiation pattern.

With our innovative DPC

TM

(Dispersion Pattern Control) Technology, the Radia R-18i
provides an unprecedented level of freedom in choosing and optimizing the dispersion
pattern for surround sound presentation. It also provides important flexibility in the loud­speaker’s mounting location.

The R-18i utilizes BG’s patented PDR wide band driver that operates as a dipole dtrans

­ducer. A dipole is a driver with a very shallow profile that radiates sound to its front and
back with little to no engery to the sides.(See Figure 2 below)

Sound is radiated
equally in both
directions along
the knob’s handle,
to the front and
the back of the
planar transducer.
There is very little
or no sound
radiated in the
directions to the
left and the right
from the handle
arrow (to the sides
of the planar
transducer)

Fig. 2 R-18i dispersion depending on DPCTM knob orientation

© BG Corp 2005

9

DPCTM Technology

THXTM , the motion picture industry standard for sound, specifies a system’s
rear surround sound loudspeakers to have a dispersion pattern that delivers
a diffuse sound with very little direct sound. Such systems create a feeling of
ambience, enveloping both the room and the listener. Ideally, such loudspeak­ers would have the dispersion pattern of a dipole element.

To get the optimum set up for THX

TM

movie sound, a dipole surround loud­speaker should be aimed at the listener with its side or null axis. This is where
direct sound is minimal while most of the sound is projected away from the
listener. Fig. 3 shows a sample diagram of such an installation with Radia
R-18i loudspeakers.

Sound is reflected from the walls and the listener hears reflected or diffuse
sound from the loudspeakers. Many movie sound tracks are recorded assum

­ing that listeners will be using a dipole loudspeaker with diffuse sound. Many
multi-channel music recordings use surround sound loudspeakers that pro­vide direct sound. Fig. 4 (opposite page) illustrates the option the listener may
use in direct radiating surround sound loudspeakers. Feel free to experiment
and choose the sound you prefer!

TM

TM

10

© BG Corp 2005

DPCTM Technology

The DPC

TM

feature of the Radia R-18i loudspeaker can readily provide either
type of surround sound (Dirrect or Diffuse) depending on the application, the
system’s layout and/or personal preference. Turn the DPCTM knob to adjust
the direction of the sound.

TM

TM

© BG Corp 2005

11

Mounting Procedures

Mounting the loudspeakers

The R-18i and R-17i loudspeakers are designed
to be mounted on the wall. The packaging box
contains a mounting kit consisting of:

- White cardboard mounting template

- Metal mounting bracket

- Drywall screws with plastic anchors.

1. Determine your exact loudspeaker location by
studying the diagram on page 7 and considering
other aspects of your room and listening
conditions.

2. Using a measuring tape and level, position
enclosed cardboard template according to the
loudspeaker model and mounting orientation.
Left and right main and rear loudspeakers
must be mounted vertically. The center channel
loudspeaker should be mounted horizontally
unless you can mount it behind a perforated
screen in vertical position. Position the
template with TOP OF THE SPEAKER mark
appropriately.

3. Mark positions of the four mounting holes using
holes in the template.

4. Drill pilot holes in the wall using 1/8” drill bit.

5. Install the four plastic anchors in the wall in
marked points.

6. Install the metal bracket using enclosed
screws.

7. Connect the speaker wire to the loudspeaker making sure the positive wire
goes to the red binding post and the negative wire goes to the black binding
post.

12

© BG Corp 2005

Mounting Procedures

Mounting the loudspeakers (cont.)

8. Align the loudspeaker against the bracket on the wall so the bracket’s met­al posts coincide with the circular openings in the keyhole plates. Mount
the loudspeaker on the bracket by pressing the loudspeaker against the
bracket and pulling it slightly down, making sure that the bracket’s metal
posts securely fit in the keyhole slots. Carefully make sure the loudspeaker
is firmly installed.

Use the same procedure to mount R-17i center channel loudspeaker in
horizontal position by placing the template horizontally directly under or
above your screen.

Setting Up a Subwoofer for Optimum Sound

The R-18i and R-17i may be used with any high quality subwoofer. BG
offers active subwoofers that are an ideal complement to these models. In
conjunction with our planar ribbon loudspeakers, these complete systems
deliver life-like high performance home theater or multi-channel audio.

When tuning the subwoofer’s crossover frequency, an 80Hz crossover setting
is generally recommended for best performance.

Your authorized BG dealer can also recommend a particular subwoofer,
placement and settings for optimum results in your system.

© BG Corp 2005

13

Warranty Information

WARRANTY: All BG loudspeaker systems are warranted to the original purchaser for five years

against defects in materials and manufacture when used in properly designed systems (two years for the
Z-Sub and Radia 210i subwoofers).

Please record your speaker’s information below for future reference.

MODEL: ______________________________
SERIAL NUMBER: ______________________
PURCHASE DATE: _____________________

AUTHORIZED DEALER: _________________

As part of our policy of continual product improvement, BG reserves the right to change or discontinue any
specifications or parts associated with any of its products without advanced notice. Thank you again for
choosing BG loudspeakers.

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© BG Corp 2005

Notes

© BG Corp 2005

15

The Power of Clarity

BG Corp

1780 Forrest Way

Carson City, NV 89706

775-884-1900 ph

775-884-1276 fax

www.bgcorp.com

[e-mail]

www.bgcorp.com

© BG Corp 2005