Dali MENTOR 1, MENTOR 8, MENTOR LCR, MENTOR 2, MENTOR SUB User Manual

M E N T O R M A N U A L

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I R A T I O N O F M U S I C

MEG ALI NE

EUP HON IA

HEL ICON

• MEN TOR

PIAN O

IKON

CONC EPT

SUB WOOFER

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ENGLISH: PAGE 3-14 DEUTSCH:

SEITE 15-26

DANSK: SIDE 27-38

CONTENTS

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DANISH AUDIOPHILE LOUDSPEAKER INDUSTRIES ��4 UNPACKING ��5 BREAK-IN ��6 SETUP - WIDE DISPERSION ��6 AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT ��7 PLACEMENT ��7 CONNECTION ��8 BI-WIRING - MENTOR 2 AND 6 ��9 THE LISTENING ROOM ��10 POWER AND ACOUSTIC PRESSURE �� 11 DALI - MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE �� 12 TIPS AND ADVICE FROM DALI ��13 CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE �� 13 DISPOSAL ��13 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ��14

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DANISH AUDIOPHILE LOUDSPEAKER INDUSTRIES

Thank you for selecting DALI MENTOR loudspeakers� It is important to us that your new DALI loudspeakers are set up and connected optimally� For this reason, we recommend that you read this manual and follow its instructions�

This manual contains instructions for setup and connection, as well as tips and advice on how to get the most out of your new loudspeakers� Remember to sign up for our e-mail newsletter at www�dali�dk�

DALI is acclaimed around the world for unique loudspeakers built to our uncompromising standards for design and performance�

The goal for every single DALI loudspeaker is always our foremost commitment: To create a listening experience in your home that will make you forget time and place�

Enjoy�

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UNPACKING

Unpacking:

Carefully unpack the loudspeakers of the box� Depending on which DALI MENTOR model you have bought, different accessories comes with the loudspeaker� MENTOR 6 includes a set of spikes for mounting under the base� MENTOR 2 includes self-adhesive rubber feet for stable, non-resonant installation�

Grille fronts :

The speakers are delivered with the grille fronts already mounted when you unpack them� If you wish to remove the grille front, loosen it by gradually tugging at the metal plungers that hold it in place� It is important that all are equally loosened before removing the front� Otherwise, the grille may be damaged�

Generall y we recommend the u se of spikes with out foundation

Notice! A lways use spikes w ithout foundati on on soft surf aces� Spikes can damage ﬂoo r surface under c arpet

Always us e spikes with found ation on sensiti ve surfaces

Spike Contra nut Foundati on

Installat ion of spikes Screw bush es

integrate d in the plinth

Spikes:

On some ﬂoor surfaces and in some rooms, the use of spikes is a crucial aspect of obtaining the best result� The spikes (included) should be screwed in loosely in the threaded holes in the bottom of the speaker�

Place the loudspeaker upright on its spikes on the ﬂoor, so that it stands steadily without rocking� Tighten the nuts, so that the four spikes sit tightly� These assembly and setup steps ensure stable mechanical coupling to the surface beneath�

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BREAK-IN

Like any mechanical system, a loudspeaker requires a “break-in” period� You will experience a gradual increase in sound quality during an initial period� Unlike other mechanical systems, the lifespan of a loudspeaker is increased by regular use�

DALI MENTOR is a prime exponent of one of the many virtues that have made DALI famous worldwide – Wide Dispersion�

Wide Dispersion means that the area in front of the loudspeakers where a full stereo image is achieved is a great deal wider than with other loudspeakers� This ensures substantially better sound across a larger area within your listening room�

To take full advantage of DALI MENTOR’s Wide Dispersion, the loudspeakers should face straight ahead and not be angled in towards the listening position unless the two loudspeakers are placed very far apart�

The MENTOR tweeter module is especially developed for this loudspeaker� Its unique design ensures that Wide Dispersion is more than just a name – you can tell the difference�

SETUP - WIDE DISPERSION

Before setting up and connecting your new DALI MENTOR loudspeakers, you should ﬁnd the best possible placement relative to your listening position� It is a good idea to follow these simple guidelines:

Avoid as far as possible any objects between the loudspeakers and the listening position� Obstacles can have a detrimental effect on tonal balance�

Ideally, the distance from the listening position to each loudspeaker should be the same as the distance between the left and right loudspeakers�

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DALI MENTO R bass driver

DALI MENTO R High frequenc y module: Soft dom e tweeter and rib bon tweeter

Avoid exposing your DALI MENTOR loudspeakers to direct sunlight� Prolonged exposure may cause the realwood veneer to fade�

AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT

Stereo set up

PLACEMENT

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Correct, tight connections to your ampliﬁer are extremely important for your listening experience�

Before connecting cables or changing any connections, ALWAYS turn off your ampliﬁer�

Always use cables of the same type and length for left and right channels� We recommend using special speaker cables from DALI, available from your dealer�

Connection in correct phase is a detail that is often ignored� The red (+) terminal of the ampliﬁer must be connected to the red (+) terminal of the loudspeaker� The black (-) terminal of the ampliﬁer must be connected to the black (-) terminal of the loudspeaker�

For the optimal listening experience, the right loudspeaker (as seen from the listening position) must be connected to the ampliﬁer output terminals marked “R” or “Right�” The left loudspeaker must be connected to the ampliﬁer output terminals marked “L” or “Left�” Even a single loudspeaker connected out-of-phase in a stereo or surround installation will make the bass weaker and the stereo image unfocused�

CONNECTION

Ampliﬁe r connections

Connect ing bare loudspe aker wire

The top terminal pair is internally connected to the crossover network’s high frequency section� The bottom terminal pair is internally connected to the crossover network’s bass section� When bi-wiring or bi-amping, ALWAYS remove the metal jumpers between the terminals before connecting cables� For bi-wiring, connect two sets of loudspeaker cable, one to the top terminals and one to the bottom terminals� At the ampliﬁer end, connect both sets of loudspeaker cables to the same pair of terminals on the ampliﬁer�

BI-WIRING - MENTOR 2 AND 6

Bi-wirin g

If you are using DALI MENTOR in a surround system, follow the instructions included with your surround ampliﬁer�

Make sure that the conductors are tightly gripped by the terminals with no loose wires that could cause a short circuit and damage the ampliﬁer�

The DALI MENTOR terminals are well-suited to plugs� We recommend DALI Connect Banana Plugs�

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THE LISTENING ROOM

Every room has its own distinctive acoustics, which inﬂuence the way we experience the sound from a speaker� In actual fact, it's a matter of how the room accommodates the sound and then damps it� You can inﬂuence the acoustics of your listening room in various ways�

Some of the sound you hear comes not from the actual speakers but from reﬂections from ﬂoor, ceiling and walls� These reﬂections are damped by objects such as furniture, plants and carpets� If the sound is bright, soft items such as curtains and carpets can help� If the room has large window panes, drawing the curtains will prevent reﬂections from the glass surfaces�

Both the amount and quality of the deep bass depend on the size and shape of the room, and the position of the speakers� If positioned near a side or back wall, this will accentuate the bass� A cor

ner location will accentuate it even more, but will also increase the reﬂections� The decision is yours, so experiment with different positions to ﬁnd which provides the ideal sound for you�

As a basic rule, try to avoid large, hard and reﬂective areas in the immediate vicinity of your loudspeakers� In the same way that a mirror reﬂects light, they will reﬂect sound from the speakers at almost full strength but with a slight delay due to the relatively low speed of sound� This will disturb the precision and spacial effect of sound reproduction� Try hanging a soft textile surface behind the speaker, place a rug in front of it, or place a large plant to the side and experience the surprisingly large effect doing so will have on the quality and precision of the sound�

Once you are happy with the positioning of your speakers, it is important to ensure that they are completely stable� For ﬂoor models it is essential that you use the accompanying spikes�

POWER AND ACOUSTIC PRESSURE

How loud a speaker is able to play and still sound good is completely dependent on the signal it has to reproduce� So, in practice, you cannot deﬁne an unequivocal level for use in comparing different speakers�

Obviously, lots of pure, undistorted output from a large ampliﬁer is better than a distorted signal from a small ampliﬁer stretched beyond its capacity� The signal from a distorting (clipping) ampli

ﬁer contains much more high-frequency information than an undistorted signal, and therefore puts a heavy strain on the tweeter� Consequently, speakers are most often damaged by small ampliﬁers having to work too hard - and very rarely by large ampliﬁers, which are practically running idle�

It is worth noting that when the tone controls are turned above the neutral setting this signiﬁcantly burdens both speakers and ampliﬁer� On a good sound system tone controls should only be used to compensate for poor recordings and not to permanently compensate for weaknesses elsewhere in the system� So, DALI recommends that the tone controls generally be set to the neutral position, and you achieve your desired sound image through correct positioning of the speakers�

Ensuring that you keep the volume low enough so the sound remains clear and undistorted will minimise the strain on both speakers and ampliﬁer�

All DALI loudspeakers are designed with linear impedance to be an optimal ampliﬁer load� The result is signiﬁcantly more open and detailed sonic image�

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LOW-RESONANCE CABINETS

Specially designed cabinets reduce resonances and coloration of the sound, achieving a natural, realistic sound�

AMPLIFIER FRIENDLY

DALI’s linear impedance design ensures an audible reduction of ampliﬁer instability and coloration�

HAND CRAFTED

Hand assembled from the ﬁtting of the cabinet to ﬁnal electro-acoustic testing, each and every speaker is personally approved and signed by the person who assembled it�

WIDE DISPERSION

DALI designs drivers and crossovers to produce wide, even sound dispersion, resulting in outstanding room integration, a larger sweet spot and a wider listening area�

TIME COHERENCE

The unique DALI drivers, optimised cabinets and carefully tuned cross-overs ensure optimal time coherence in the reproduced sound�

3D AUDIO

DALI’s time coherence and low-loss technologies create a transparent, holographic, three-dimensional sounds�

Your DALI loudspeakers incorporate a wide range of technical solutions based on many years of intensive research and experience� Most of it can’t be seen, but can be heard and enjoyed� These design principles include:

DALI - MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

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TIPS AND ADVICE FROM DALI

DALI loudspeakers should never be angled in towards the listening position, unless the speakers are very far apart�

Always turn off the ampliﬁer, before connecting or disconnecting any cables�

As a general rule, your ampliﬁer’s tone controls (bass and treble) should remain in a neutral position�

Use the spikes or rubber feet included with the loudspeakers – they make a signiﬁcant contribution to sound quality and ensure that your loudspeakers stand ﬁrmly�

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Clean the cabinets with a soft, dry cloth� If the cabinets are dirty, wipe with a soft cloth dipped in all-purpose cleaner and then well wrung out� Be very careful when wiping the speaker cones, as they are very fragile� Fabric frameworks can be vacuumed and wiped with a well-wrung, lintfree cloth and mild all-purpose cleaner�

DISPOSAL

If you want to d ispose this prod uct, do not mix it w ith general hous ehold waste� Th ere is a separate col lection system fo r used electro nic products i n accordance wit h legislation tha t requires prope r treatment, rec overy and recycli ng�

Private ho useholds in the 25 m ember states of th e EU, in Switzerlan d and Norway may re turn their used e lectronic produc ts free of charg e to designated col lection faci lities or to a retail er (if you purcha se a similar new one )�

For countr ies not mentione d above, please co ntact your loc al authorotie s for the correc t method of dispos al�

By doing so y ou will ensure that yo ur disposed pro duct undergo es the necessar y treatment, r ecovery and re cycling and thus p revent potentia l negative eff ects on the envi ronment and human h ealth�

Dali MENTOR 1, MENTOR 8, MENTOR LCR, MENTOR 2, MENTOR SUB User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual