Infinity ES250 User Manual

SPEAKER SYSTEMS

Owner’s Guide

INFINITY BETA™ES250

2

BETA ES250

Infinity Beta

™

Series

The Infinity Beta™Series of loudspeakers continues Infinity’s
longstanding commitment to accurate sound reproduction.Our
patented Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragm (CMMD™) drivers,
precision dividing networks and rigid,heavily braced enclosures
combine to deliver uncompromised performance in any stereo or
multichannel home theater system. The Beta ES250 is the perfect
surround loudspeaker to complete any home theater system.

Unpacking the Speaker

If you suspect damage from transit,report it immediately to
your dealer. Keep the shipping carton and packing materials
for future use.

PLANNING YOUR SYSTEM

Choosing Proper Placement and Setup

The Beta ES250 surround speaker can be used in side or rear
channel applications.Please refer to the placement and setup
method for your application. The first step is to determine the
application for which your Beta ES250 surround speaker will
be used.

If you are using the Beta ES250 for surround channels in a
5-channel home theater system or for side channels in a 6­or 7-channel home theater system (Application 1),please
follow the directions below.

If you are using the Beta ES250 as a rear speaker in a 6- or 7­channel home theater system (Application 2),please follow the
directions on page 3.

The Beta ES250 also possesses the unique capacity to behave as
two distinct loudspeakers from one enclosure.This allows you to
use a single ES250 for both the left and right rear speakers in a
7-channel system.If you are using the Beta ES250 this way,
please follow the instructions on page 3 (Application 3).

Placement (Application 1)

When using the Beta ES250 for the surround channels in a
5-channel home theater system or for side channels in a 6­or 7-channel home theater system,refer to Figures 1 and 2.
The speakers should be placed perpendicular to or slightly
behind the primary listening location,as shown.

Setting the Surround Configuration Selector

It is generally recommended that the selectable surround mode
configuration be set to Bipole.This will provide a large ambient
surround sound field while allowing for precise localization of
sound effects that the filmmaker has placed in the surround
tracks.

If the side walls on which the speaker will be mounted are more
than about 14' (4.3m) from the listening position,setting the
Surround Mode Configuration Switch to Monopole may offer

improved performance.It is also recommended that the Monopole
position be selected if the speakers will be mounted close to a
corner,as shown in Figure 2.

If you are using a receiver/processor with a THX

®

surround mode
and have selected the THX surround mode,it may be beneficial to
use the Dipole setting. This is a matter of personal preference
and may change depending on the individual film soundtrack.It
is also recommended that the Dipole setting be used with older
recordings that are only recorded with a Dolby* Pro Logic* (not
the newer Dolby Digital) soundtrack.

Couch

Left

Front

Channel

Left
Surround
Channel

Right

Surround

Channel

Right
Front
Channel

Center

Channel

Infinity

Subwoofer

(optional)

Couch

Left

Front

Channel

Left
Surround
Channel

Right

Surround

Channel

Right
Front
Channel

Center

Channel

Infinity

Subwoofer

(optional)

Figure 2.

Figures1 and 2. These overhead views show typical
home theater plans

.

Figure 1.

3

BETA ES250

IMPORTANT NOTE:The set of drivers closer to the monopole

setting indicator in Figure 3 should be installed toward the front
of the room.It does not matter whether the tweeter is positioned
above or below the woofer.This will ensure proper operation
and performance should the Monopole or Dipole position on
the surround mode configuration switch be selected.

Figure 3. Surround mode configuration switch.

(BIPOLE)

(DIPOLE)

(MONOPOLE)

Placement (Application 2)

When using the Beta ES250 as a rear speaker(s) in a 6- or
7-channel home theater system,refer to Figures 4 and 5.
The speaker(s) should be mounted on the rear wall facing the
listening area,between the side channel speakers.If you are
using one rear speaker,it should be mounted as close as
possible to the center of the listening area.When using two
rear speakers,they should be spaced evenly within the width
of the listening area.

Setting the Surround Configuration Selector

When used as a rear channel speaker in a 6- or 7-channel
system,it is recommended that the Surround Mode Configuration
Switch be set to Bipole,as shown in Figure 6.

Placement (Application 3)

The Beta ES250 also possesses the unique capacity to behave
as two distinct loudspeakers from one enclosure.This allows you
to use a single ES250 for both the left and right rear speakers
in a 7-channel system.

To utilize the ES250 in this application, follow these simple steps:

1.Decide where you want to mount the speaker.Ideally,it should
be mounted in the center of the rear wall,similar to how it would
be mounted in a 6-channel system (Fig.4).

2.Loosen the terminals and remove the strapping bars that
connect the two sets of terminals (Fig.9).

3. To ensure proper left/right connections,make sure that the
speaker is in the “upright”position.The label on the back of
the speaker should be readable,not upside down.

4.Connect the speaker wire for the RIGHT REAR speaker to
the top set of terminals (Fig.10).

5.Connect the speaker wire for the LEFT REAR speaker to
the bottom set of terminals (Fig.10).

6.Set the mode configuration switch to the Bipole position (Fig.6).

Couch

Left

Front

Channel

Left
Side
Channel

Right

Side

Channel

Rear Center Channel

Right
Front
Channel

Center

Channel

Infinity

Subwoofer

(optional)

Figure 4. This overhead view shows a typical home theater plan
with a single rear-center surround channel.

Couch

Left

Front

Channel

Left
Side
Channel

Left Rear Channel

Right Rear Channel

Right

Side

Channel

Right
Front
Channel

Center

Channel

Infinity

Subwoofer

(optional)

Figure 5. This overhead view shows a typical home theater plan
when using two rear channel speakers.

Figure 6. Surround mode
configuration switch.

(BIPOLE)

(DIPOLE)

(MONOPOLE)

4

BETA ES250

WIRING THE SYSTEM

IMPORTANT:Make sure all equipment is turned off before
making any connections.

For speaker connections,use a high-quality speaker wire with
polarity coding.The side of the wire with a ridge or other coding
is usually considered positive polarity (i.e.,+). Heavier-gauge
wire should be used when more than 50 feet (15m) of speaker
wire is required.The wire channels on the rear of the Beta ES250
will accommodate most types of 14- to 18-gauge wire.

NOTE: If desired,consult your local Infinity dealer about speaker
wire and connection options.

To ensure proper polarity,connect each

+ terminal on the back

of the amplifier or receiver to the respective

+ (red) terminal on
each speaker,as shown in Figure 8.Connect the –(black)
terminals in a similar way.See the owner’s guides that were
included with your amplifier or receiver to confirm connection
procedures.

IMPORTANT:Do not reverse polarities (i.e.,+ to –or –to +)
when making connections.Doing so will cause poor imaging and
diminished bass response

.

Figure 7. This example shows how to connect bare wires to the
terminals.

Applications 1 and 2

Figure 8. Wiring diagram shows polarity connections for one
channel using Applications 1 and 2.

Application 3

Figure 9. Loosen the terminals and remove the strapping bars
that connect the two sets of terminals.

Figure 10. Wiring diagram shows connections for two channels
using Application 3.

+

+

–

–

Receiver/
Amplifier

Right Rear
Speaker

Left Rear
Speaker

Right
Rear

Left

Rear

+

+

–

–

+–

Receiver or
Amplifier
(rear view)

+

–

Speaker

(rear view)

(one channel shown)

5

WALL-MOUNTING

The Infinity Beta ES250 speaker is designed to mount directly
to a wall.Each speaker has (4) keyholes in the rear to allow
either left- or right-side placement.Each speaker will require
(2) 1-1/2"(38mm),#8 wood screws fastened to a wall stud.
If a wall stud is unavailable,install an anchor appropriate for
a 1-1/2"(38mm),#8 screw.Use the supplied template to
accurately position the screws on the wall and refer to
the diagrams for more assistance.

NOTE:The customer is responsible for the correct selection and
use of mounting hardware (available through hardware stores)
that will ensure the proper and safe wall-mounting of the
speakers.

Step 1.
Position the supplied wall-mount template on the wall in the
desired speaker location.Make two markings per speaker.

Figure 11.

Step 2.
Fasten (2) 1-1/2"(38mm),#8 wood screws to the wall using the
markings placed in Step 1 as your guide.Leave a 3/16" (5mm)
space between the wall and screwhead.If a wall stud is not
available,use an appropriate anchor.

Step 3.
Attach speaker wire,as shown on page 4.

Step 4.
Place the speaker on the wall by aligning the upper two keyholes
on the back of the speaker to the screwheads on the wall.Once
positioned properly,the speaker should slide down slightly and
become secure.

IMPORTANT NOTE:The set of drivers closer to the monopole
setting indicator in Figure 3 should be installed toward the
front of the room.It does not matter whether or not the tweeter
is positioned above or below the woofer.This will ensure proper
operation and performance should the Monopole or Dipole
position on the surround mode configuration switch be selected.

8-3/8" (213mm)

11-13/16" (300mm)

2-7/16"
(62mm)

13-3/4"

(349mm)

Wire Channel

4-3/16" (107mm)

BETA ES250

6

BETA ES250

FINAL ADJUSTMENTS

Check the speakers for playback first by setting the system
volume control to a minimum level,and then by applying power to
your audio system.Play a favorite music or video segment and
increase the system volume control to a comfortable level.

NOTE:You should hear balanced audio reproduction across the
entire frequency spectrum.If not,check all wiring connections or
consult the authorized Infinity dealer from whom you purchased
the system for more help.

When the Beta ES250 speakers are used as part of a Dolby
Digital or DTS

®

multichannel home theater system with a
powered subwoofer,it is recommended that you set your
receiver/processor speaker mode to “small”or “high-pass”for
all channels connected to a Beta ES250.In addition, some
receivers/processors allow you to adjust the high-pass frequency
for the “small”or “high-pass”setting.If your receiver/processor
has this capability,it is recommended that you set the high­pass frequency to between 80Hz and 120Hz.Consult your
receiver/processor manual for more information about
these adjustments.

The placement and setup instructions in this manual are written
in general terms to cover most typical installations.We realize
that each room is different and that your specific installation may
require some modification to these guidelines.You can be sure
that if you need to install the speakers outside the guidelines in
the manual,they will still deliver excellent sound with any music
or film soundtrack.

Feel free to experiment with the Surround Mode Selector Switch
to determine the best settings in your room with your system.

CARE OF YOUR SPEAKER SYSTEM

The Beta ES250 does not require any routine maintenance.When
needed,use a soft cloth to remove any fingerprints or dust.

NOTE: Do not use any cleaning products or polishes on the
cabinet or grille.

7

BETA ES250

Declaration of Conformity

We,Harman Consumer International

2, route de Tours
72500 Chateau-du-Loir
France

declare in own responsibility that the product described in this owner’s
manual is in compliance with technical standards:
EN 61000-6-3:2001
EN 61000-6-1:2001

Robin Marshall

Harman Consumer International

Chateau-du-Loir, France 12/03

Infinity continually strives to update and improve existing products, as well as
create new ones.The specifications and construction details in this and
related Infinity publications are therefore subject to change without notice.

SPECIFICATIONS

Beta ES250

Frequency Ranges: 60Hz – 20kHz (±3dB)

50Hz – 40kHz (–6dB)

Recommended
Amplifier Power Range:

10 – 150 watts

Sensitivity: 87dB
(2.83V @ 1 meter)

Nominal Impedance: 8Ω

Crossover Frequency: 2.3kHz;12dB/octave

Low-Frequency Drivers: Dual 5" (130mm) CMMD

High-Frequency Drivers: Dual 1" (25mm) CMMD

Dimensions (H x W xD): 13-3/4" x 11-13/16" x 6-7/8"

(350mm x 300mm x 175mm)

Weight: 12.5 lb (5.7kg)

Infinity Systems,250 Crossways Park Drive,Woodbury,NY 11797 USA 516.674.4INF (4463)
www.infinitysystems.com

Infinity is a registered trademark,and Infinity Beta and CMMD are trademarks,of Harman International Industries,Incorporated.
THX is manufactured under license from THX Ltd. Lucasfilm and THX are registered trademarks of THX Ltd.

*Trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems,Inc.

Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragm (CMMD) patent nos.6,327,372 and 6,404,897.
Part No.352611-001 02/04

© 2004 Harman International Industries,Incorporated