Cambridge soundworks FOURPOINTSURROUND User Manual

Instructions for:

PCWorks

™

FourPointSurround

Contents

Safety Precautions ................................................................................. i, ii

Introduction ............................................................................................. 1

Inspecting For Damage ............................................................................. 2

Overview .................................................................................................. 2

Installation Sequence ............................................................................... 2

Speaker Placement ................................................................................... 3

Speaker Wiring Diagram .......................................................................... 4

Satellite Connections ................................................................................ 5

Attaching The Desktop Stands ................................................................. 6

Attaching The Floor Stands ...................................................................... 6

Power Supply Adapter .............................................................................. 7

The Volume Control .................................................................................. 8

Mounting the Volume Control .................................................................. 9

Adjusting Output Level............................................................................. 9

Subwoofer Level Control ........................................................................ 10

Important ............................................................................................... 10

Optimizing The Sound Of Your System .................................................. 11

Mounting the Satellites .......................................................................... 11

Specifications ......................................................................................... 12

Technical Support ................................................................................... 12

Warranty Information ............................................................................ 14

IMPORTANT

The lightning flash with arrowhead, within
an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
the user of the presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage” within a product’s en­closure that may be of sufficient magnitude
to constitute the risk of electric shock to
persons.

READ AND HEED IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING

WARNING

SHOCK HAZARD

DO NOT OPEN

TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE SUBWOOF­ER’S COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE

POUR EVITER TOUT RISQUE DE CHOC
ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS DEMONTER LE
COUVERCLE DU HAUT PARLEUR.
AUCUN ENTRETIEN DES PIECES
INTERIEURES N’EST REQUIS.TOUT
SERVICE D’ENTRETIEN NE DOIT ETRE
EFFECTUE QUE PAR DU PERSONNEL
D’ENTRETIEN QUALIFIE.

AVIS

NE PAS OUVRIR

ON BOTTOM OF SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURE

The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user of the
presence of important operating and main­tenance (servicing) instructions in the lit­erature accompanying this product.

CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC

SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG
TO WIDE SLOT, INSERT FULLY.

ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES CHOCS

ELECTRIQUES, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS
LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE
CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER
JUSQU’AU FOND.

TO PREVENT FIRE OR

WARNING:

SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

The serial number for the

FourPointSurround

Please write this number down and keep it in a
secure area. This is for your security.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

is located on the subwoofer.

PC Works

i

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

READ INSTRUCTIONS - All safety and oper-

ating instructions should be read before the

PCWorks FourPointSurround

subwoofer/satellite system is operated.

RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS - The safety and

operating instructions should be retained
for future reference.

HEED WARNINGS - All warnings on the

subwoofer and in the operating instruc­tions should be adhered to.

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS - All operating

and use instructions should be followed.

CLEANING - Unplug the subwoofer from the

wall outlet or other power source before
cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or
aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for
cleaning.

ATTACHMENTS - Do not use attachments

not recommended by Cambridge
SoundWorks as they may cause hazards.

WATER AND MOISTURE - Do not use the

subwoofer near water—for example, near
a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or
laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a
swimming pool; and the like.

ACCESSORIES - Do not place the

FourPointSurround

cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The
subwoofer or satellites may fall, causing
serious injury to a child or adult, and
serious damage to the product. Use only
with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table
recommended by Cambridge Sound­Works, or sold with the product. Any mount­ing of the satellites or subwoofer should

system on an unstable

amplified

PCWorks

follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and
should use a mounting accessory recom­mended by Cambridge SoundWorks.

VENTILATION - Slots and openings in the

cabinet are provided for ventilation and to
ensure reliable operation of the subwoofer
and to prevent it from overheating, and
these openings must not be blocked or
covered. The openings should never be
blocked by placing the product on a bed,
sofa, rug, or other similar surface. The
subwoofer should not be placed in a built­in installation such as a bookcase or rack
unless proper ventilation is provided or
Cambridge SoundWorks’ instructions
have been adhered to.

HEAT - The subwoofer should be situated

away from heat sources such as radia­tors, heat registers, stoves, and other
products (including amplifiers) that pro­duce heat.

POWER SOURCES - The subwoofer should

be operated only from the type of power
source indicated on the marking label. If
you are not sure of the type of power
supply to your home, consult your product
dealer or local power company. For prod­ucts intended to operate from battery
power, or other sources, refer to the oper­ating instructions.

POLARIZATION - The subwoofer may be

equipped with a polarized alternating-cur­rent line plug (a plug having one blade
wider than the other). This plug will fit into
the power outlet only one way. This is a

safety feature. If you are unable to insert
the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing
the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit,
contact your electrician to replace your
obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety
purpose of the polarized plug.

POWER-CORD PROTECTION - Power-sup-

ply cords should be routed so that they are
not likely to be walked on or pinched by
items placed upon or against them, pay­ing particular attention to cords at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the subwoofer.

LIGHTNING - For added protection for the

PCWorks FourPointSurround

ing a lightning storm, or when it is left
unattended and unused for long periods
of time, unplug it from the wall outlet. This
will prevent damage to the subwoofer due
to lightning and power-line surges.

OVERLOADING - Do not overload wall out-

lets, extension cords, or integral conve­nience receptacles as this can result in a
risk of fire or electric shock.

OBJECT AND LIQUID ENTRY - Never push

objects of any kind into the subwoofer
through openings as they may touch dan­gerous voltage points or short out parts
that could result in a fire or electric shock.
Never spill liquid of any kind on the sub­woofer.

SERVICING - Do not attempt to service the

subwoofer yourself as opening or remov­ing covers may expose you to dangerous
voltage or other hazards. Refer all servic­ing to qualified service personnel.

system dur-

DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE - Unplug

the subwoofer from the wall outlet or other
power source and refer servicing to quali­fied service personnel under the following
conditions:
a) When the power-supply cord or plug is
damaged.
b) If liquid has been spilled, or objects
have fallen into the subwoofer.
c) If the subwoofer has been exposed to
rain or water.
d) If the subwoofer does not operate nor­mally by following the operating instruc­tions; or exhibits a distinct change in per­formance.
e) If the product has been dropped or
damaged in any way.

REPLACEMENT PARTS - When replace-

ment parts are required, be sure the ser­vice technician has used replacement
parts specified by Cambridge SoundWorks
or have the same characteristics as the
original part. Unauthorized substitutions
may result in fire, electric shock, or other
hazards.

SAFETY CHECK - Upon completion of any

service or repairs to the

FourPointSurround

vice technician to perform safety checks
to determine that the

Surround

condition.

WALL OR CEILING MOUNTING - The

PC Works FourPointSurround

should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only
as recommended by Cambridge
SoundWorks.

system, ask the ser-

system is in proper operating

PC Works

PCWorks Four Point

satellites

ii

Introduction

hank you for purchasing

PCWorks FourPointSurround

by Cambridge SoundWorks.

T

PCWorks FourPointSurround

lets you experience the full
potential of the multichannel
sound encoded in today’s latest
computer software. We think you
will find it adds an exciting new
dimension to computer sound and
gaming.

Cambridge SoundWorks

1-877-YES-HIFI

(1-877-937-4434)

24 hours a day,

every day

In Canada: 1-800-987-9104

Outside US or Canada:

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

www.cambridgesoundworks.com

E-mail:

[e-mail]

1

Inspecting
For Damage

Examine each speaker unit carefully for
signs of shipping damage. If there is any
damage do not install the system.

If there is any problem, call the
appropriate number listed in the
warranty information.

All the items shown in the illustration
should be included. If anything is
missing, notify the retailer.

Save the carton and its inserts in case
you need to transport your PCWorks
FourPointSurround system later.

Subwoofer/amplifier

Desktop Stands for satellites (4)

Overview

PCWorks FourPointSurround consists
of a powered subwoofer, four satellite
speakers and a volume control. All
five speakers are magnetically
shielded.

The subwoofer is designed to sit on
the floor beneath a desk, and sounds
best in this position. The satellites
used for the front left and right
channels should flank the computer
monitor. The satellites used for the
rear left and right channels can be
placed on the desktop, on floor
stands, or attached to other sites with
hook and loop fasteners.

(4) Hook& Loop
fasteners for the

satellite cubes

(one each)

Installation Sequence

1. Read through the instructions
before installing the speakers. The
instructions assume you have a
4-channel sound card, one that
supports DirectSound3D and has
front and rear stereo outputs. If
your sound card has a single
stereo minijack line output, please
read the note under “Volume
Control” on page 8.

2. Place the satellites and the
subwoofer at appropriate sites
near your computer. Attach the
stands, if necessary.

Volume Control with 12 ft. audio

DC Power

Adapter

connecting cable and stereo mini-plugs*

Strips of 5 feet (4)

FRONT

LEFT

REAR

LEFT

FRONT

RIGHT

RIGHT

REAR

Labels

LEFT

FRONT

LEFT

REAR

RIGHT

FRONT

REAR

RIGHT

FRONT

LEFT

REAR
LEFT

FRONT
RIGHT

REAR
RIGHT

Semipermanent
mounting strip
(1) for attaching
volume control

3. To help you identify each
satellite’s channel later, apply
the appropriate preprinted label
to the rear of each satellite. Be
sure both the satellites chosen
for the front and rear have the
same cable length.

4. Connect the four satellites to the
back of the subwoofer enclosure.
Leave all the wires accessible.

F

R

F

R

(2) Apex Joints

Satellites: (2) with 9 ft. speaker wire attached, (2) with 12 ft. speaker wire attached

(6) Rubber foot plugs

(4) Solid Legs

(2) Slotted Legs

2

5. Connect the Volume Control to
the subwoofer and then to the
sound card line outputs.

6. Connect the power supply
adapter.

7. Listen to the system and adjust
the Subwoofer Level control for
the most pleasing bass output.

8. You may wish to experiment
with satellite placement briefly
before concealing the connecting
wires and making the installa­tion more permanent.

Speaker Placement

The front left and front right
satellites should be placed to the
sides of the monitor. When placing
satellites on the desktop, install
the desktop stands. If you wish to
save desktop space, use the hook
and loop fasteners to attach the
satellites to the sides of the
computer monitor (see page 11).

If your are lucky enough to have
side walls close to your listening
position, excellent placement for the
left rear and right rear satellites is
alongside or behind your listening
position, slightly above ear level
(use the hook and loop fasteners,
see diagram A). Do not be
concerned if this is not practical,
since any rear satellite placement to

the left and right side of the
listening position will provide strong
directional and surround effects.

The rear satellites may be installed
on their convenient floor stands (see
diagram B). When listening, the
stands should be positioned to the
immediate left and right of your
listening position. The stands are
small enough to be stowed
underneath or alongside a desk
when not in use.

The rear satellites may also be
placed in any convenient sites
alongside the listener, including sites
slightly forward of the listening
location. The rear satellites do not
have to be at exactly the same
height, nor at the same height as the

front satellites. Try the extreme
corners of a desk using the desktop
stands (C) or attach the rear satellites
under a desktop or at the sides of a
desk using the hook and loop
fasteners (D).

The subwoofer does not contribute
to directional sound effects. Its
optimum position is on the floor
against the wall. The closer the
subwoofer is to the corner, the
stronger the maximum bass output.
Alternately, it can be placed on a shelf
or other sites, but its maximum
output will be reduced.

A

B

C

D

3