Definitive Technology AW5500, AW6500 User Manual

AW5500 & AW6500

All-Weather Loudspeakers

Owner’s Manual

Thank You

Thank you for choosing Definitive Technology AW Series
all-weather outdoor loudspeakers. Your AW loudspeaker is
a unique high performance product developed to allow you
to experience the joy of superb music reproduced anywhere,
whether indoors or outdoors, in both domestic and
commercial applications. It utilizes specially developed
materials and components, brought together to achieve a
level of sound quality previously unavailable in all-weather
loudspeakers.

Our engineers have spent many years in developing this
product. In order to ensure that you experience the finest
performance and durability possible, we encourage you
to take a moment to fully read this owner’s manual and
familiarize yourself with the proper installation and set-up
procedures for your AW Series speakers.

Safety Precautions

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION! To reduce the risk of electric shock and fire, do not remove the cover or back plate of this
device. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Please refer all servicing to licensed service technicians.
Avis: Risque de choc electricque, ne pas ouvrir.

CAUTION! The international symbol of a lightning bolt inside a triangle is intended to alert the user to
uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the device’s enclosure. The international symbol of an exclamation
point inside a triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating, maintenance and
servicing information in the manual accompanying the device.

CAUTION! To prevent electrical shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert. 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.

CAUTION! To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.

1. Read Instructions—All safety and operating instructions should be read before operating the device.

2. Retain Instructions—The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.

3. Heed Warnings—All warnings on the device and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.

4. Follow Instructions—All operating and safety instructions should be followed.

5. Water & Moisture—The device should never be used in, on or near water for risk of fatal shock.

6. Carts & Stands—The device should only be used on carts or stands recommended by the manufacturer.

7. Wall & Ceiling Mounting—The device should be mounted on a wall or ceiling only as recommended
by the manufacturer.

8. Ventilation—The device should always be located in such a way that it maintains proper ventilation.
It should never be placed in a built-in installation or anywhere that may impede the flow of air through
its heat sink.

9. Heat—Never locate the device near heat sources such as radiators, floor registers, stoves or other
heat-generating devices.

10. Power Supply—The device should only be connected to a power supply of the type described in the
operating instructions or as marked on the device.

11. Power Cord Protection—Power cables should be routed so they are not likely to be stepped on or
crushed by items placed on them or against them. Special attention should be paid to areas where the
plug enters a socket or fused strip and where the cord exits the device.

12. Cleaning—The device should be cleaned in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

13. Periods Of Non-Use—The device should be unplugged when not being used for extended periods.

14. Dangerous Entry—Care should be taken that no foreign objects or liquids fall or are spilled inside
the device.

15. Damage Requiring Service—The device should be serviced by licensed technicians when:

• The plug or power supply cord has been damaged.

• Objects have fallen or liquid has spilled inside the device.

• The device has been exposed to moisture.

• The device does not appear to be operating properly or exhibits a marked change in performance.

• The device has been dropped or the cabinet becomes damaged.

16. Service—The device should always be serviced by licensed technicians. Only replacement parts
specified by the manufacturer should be used. The use of unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
shock, or other hazards.

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Unpacking Your AW Speakers

Please Inspect For Shipping Damage

Each loudspeaker leaves our plant in perfect condition. Any visible or
concealed damage most likely occurred in handling after it left our plant and
should be reported at once to your Definitive dealer or the shipping company
which delivered your loudspeaker.

Positioning Your AW Series Loudspeakers

Position your AW loudspeakers as close as possible to the area where you
will be listening to them. The AW speakers have a very wide dispersion pattern;
however, if you are trying to cover a very large area, you will be better off using
multiple pairs of AW speakers in order to achieve an even distribution of sound.
With multiple pairs you will avoid having areas where the sound is too loud and
others where the sound is not loud enough. One pair of AW Series loudspeakers
will cover approximately 200–400 square feet of listening area at moderately loud
levels. Try to point the speakers directly at the listening area.

The AW Series speakers utilize special components and materials for
outdoor use. However, you will achieve the longest life of the speaker by
positioning it to minimize exposure to the elements as much as possible.

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AW speakers may be oriented either horizontally or vertically. Always position

AMPLIFIER OR
RECEIVER

the speakers so that the side with the mid/bass driver and tweeter (the Definitive
Technology logo badge is on this side) faces the listening area. The side with the
Low Bass Radiator may point toward an adjacent surface such as a wall, the
underside of an eave or the ground, as long as there are a couple of inches between
the Low Bass Radiator and the surface. Positioning the Low Bass Radiator near a
large surface will give you louder bass. If you want less bass, move the speaker
farther away from the wall or ground.

Low Bass Radiator

Logo badge

Mid/Bass Driver Tweeter

Mounting the speakers horizontally under your roof eaves is a good
location (especially if it is on the same level as the listening area). Point the
driver/tweeter/logo side down towards the listening area.

EAVE

SIDE OF

HOUSE

Driver/Tweeter
(logo) side

Low Bass
Radiator Side

LISTENING AREA

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