Infinity Prelude MTS Owners manual
Owner’s Guide
PRELUDE™MTS
IMPORTANT
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
iii
PRELUDE MTS
Read First!
1. Read Instructions. All the safety and operating
instructions should be read before the product is
operated.
2. Retain Instructions.The safety and operating
instructions should be retained for future
reference.
3. Heed Warnings. All warnings on the product
and in the operating instructions should be
adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions.All operating and use
instructions should be followed.
5. Cleaning. Unplug this product from the wall
outlet before cleaning.Do not use liquid cleaners
or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for
cleaning.
6.Water and Moisture. To reduce the risk of fire
or electric shock, do not use this product
outdoors or near water–for example, near a
bathtub,wash bowl, kitchen sink or laundry tub; in
a wet basement; near a swimming pool;or the
like.
7.Accessories. Do not place this product on an
unstable cart, stand,tripod,bracket or table.The
product 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 the
manufacturer, or sold with the product.Any
mounting of the product should follow the
manufacturer’s instructions, and should use a
mounting accessory recommended by the
manufacturer.
8. Power Sources. This product should be
operated only from the 230 AC 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.
9. Power-Cord Protection. Power-supply 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 product.
10. Nonuse Periods. The power cord of the
product should be unplugged from the outlet
when left unused for long periods of time.
11. Overloading. Do not overload wall outlets or
extension cords,this can result in a risk of fire
or electric shock.
12. Object and Liquid Entry. Never push objects
of any kind into this product 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 product.
13. Servicing. Do not attempt to service this
product yourself, as opening or removing covers
may expose you to dangerous voltage or other
hazards.
Unplug this product from the wall outlet and
refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
14.Wall or Ceiling Mounting.The product should
be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as
recommended by the manufacturer.
15. Heat. The product should be situated away
from heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers,stoves or other products (including
amplifiers) that produce heat.
iii Important Safety Precautions
1 Technology
1 Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragms
™
(C.M.M.D.)
1 Transducers
1 Room-Friendly Acoustical Design
2 Completing the Experience
2 Unpacking the Product/Included Accessories
3 Installation of the Prelude System
3 Installing the Tower on Top of the Subwoofer
5 Placement
6 Controls and Connections
7 Connection Methods 1–4
10 Room Adaptive Bass Optimization System
™
(R.A.B.O.S.)
11 Contents of the R.A.B.O.S.Test CD
11 R.A.B.O.S.Sound-Level Meter (RSLM)
16 What You Measure,What To Do
19 Adjusting the R.A.B.O.S.Equalizer
20 Final System Balance
21 Maintenance and Service
22 Specifications
23 R.A.B.O.S. Measurement Templates
25 Notes
Table of Contents
PRELUDE MTS OWNER’S GUIDE
iv
PRELUDE MTS
1
PRELUDE MTS
Infinity Prelude MTS
This loudspeaker system represents a refinement of the principles
that have guided Infinity’s loudspeaker designs for more than 30
years. Loudspeaker development is generally an evolutionary
process.New models usually perform slightly better than the ones
they replace.Over time,the subtle improvements add up and, when
the latest model is compared to a loudspeaker that is ten or
twelve years old,the disparity is unmistakable.
Every once in a while, a loudspeaker is developed that transcends
this pattern – its performance so remarkable, its design so
stunning, its technology so advanced, it can truly be described as
revolutionary.The new Infinity Prelude MTS loudspeaker system is
an elegant case in point.
The Prelude MTS system is a 4-way loudspeaker with its mid-bass,
midrange and high-frequency-driver array mounted atop a 12",
850-watt powered subwoofer. Outer beauty radiates from
a choice of polished wood veneers and a brushed,anodizedaluminum enclosure that would make an old-world furniture
craftsman proud. Its true splendor and magnificence,though,
come from the inside.With its proprietary Ceramic Metal Matrix
Diaphragms™, powerful BASH
®
amplifiers and sophisticated, yet
refined, dividing networks,the Prelude MTS will breathe life into
any musical or cinematic performance and touch the soul of the
listener.
The Prelude MTS is the consummation of Infinity’s quest to apply
“science in the service of art.”
The Prelude MTS system incorporates several innovative
technologies that, when implemented by exceptional engineering
talent after hours upon hours of subjective listening evaluations,
result in a loudspeaker that realistically and accurately reproduces
the signal source with minimal distortion and coloration.
Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragms™(C.M.M.D.)
For decades, loudspeaker engineers have known that the ideal
transducer should be stiff,yet light, and have high internal
damping (damping is a material’s ability to absorb energy).
Infinity’s C.M.M.D. transducer is a significant advance in
transducer technology.Ceramic,a class of material new to
loudspeakers, offers better performance than that of other
materials. Ceramic is stiffer than metals and lighter than plastics
and typical composite materials; it also offers improved damping.
These ceramic-based transducers take us a giant step closer to
the ever-elusive “ideal transducer.”
In tweeters, C.M.M.D.technology offers stiffness and damping
superior to that of traditional metals and soft-dome materials.
In woofer and midrange applications,it offers accurate pistonic
operation over the entire frequency range of the driver,completely
eliminating coloration due to cone breakup and dramatically
reducing distortion.And when ceramic-metal-matrix transducers
are exposed to moisture,sunlight or extreme temperatures, their
performance does not deteriorate.
Transducers
In addition to ceramic diaphragms,all the transducers incorporate
magnetic shielding and rigid cast-frames that,through our FEA
computer modeling and scanning-laser-vibrometer measurements,
have been optimized to reduce resonances.This ensures minimal
distortion and incomparable performance.
The 12" low-frequency transducer is the embodiment of
uncompromised driver design.The ceramic-metal-matrix cone is
attached to a rigid cast-aluminum frame,through a compressionmolded, butyl-rubber surround.The motor assembly incorporates a
vented polepiece for maximum heat dissipation with negligible air
turbulence.The frame itself is also vented to further improve heat
dissipation.The motor structure uses a 3", edge-wound, copper
voice coil for high power handling and minimal power
compression.
To maximize system performance, the flat-spider assembly and the
cone are mounted to different points on the fiberglass former,
increasing reliability and reducing distortion, especially at high
output levels.An extra-thick top plate and dual-magnet structure
are utilized to allow for huge peak-to-peak driver excursions,with
significantly lower distortion and a more linear frequency
response than is true of typical drivers.
When installed in its heavily braced and reinforced elliptical
enclosure and coupled with a powerful 850-watt amplifier and
Infinity’s proprietary Room Adaptive Bass Optimization System
™
(R.A.B.O.S.),this 12"low-frequency transducer allows the
Prelude MTS system to deliver bass that will cleanly and
naturally reproduce the lowest notes of a pipe organ or the
loudest explosions from last summer’s hottest action films.
Room-Friendly Acoustical Design
Driver quality is not the only requirement for exceptional
performance. Infinity’s engineers understand that the room in
which the loudspeaker is placed can greatly affect its
performance.To ensure that Prelude MTS loudspeakers will sound
exceptional in even the most unexceptional listening environment,
Infinity has developed two ways to solve most room-generated
problems.The first is its proprietary Room Adaptive Bass
Optimization System™. With a single band of parametric
equalization, the Prelude MTS can be adjusted to tame any
problematic room bass resonances below 80Hz.
There is a completely different set of room-related problems that
has to do with loudspeaker directivity and that can affect the
reproduction of mid and high frequencies. One characteristic of
forward-facing loudspeakers is that the sound output lessens as
one moves away from the principal axis.This happens both
horizontally and vertically and it means that radiated sounds that
TECHNOLOGY
are reflected from the floor, ceiling and side walls will be lower in
amplitude than direct, forward sound.This is usually a good thing.
But, if the dispersion characteristics of the loudspeaker are
different at various frequencies, the sound quality of the reflected
sounds will be very different both from each other and from the
first (i.e.,direct) sound.The ears don’t ignore these differences;
they perceive them as coloration, or as sound quality that’s been
degraded.The Prelude MTS has been carefully designed to
maintain a directional pattern that is similar at every important
angle, on and off axis.The positive result is that both direct and
reflected sounds arriving at the listeners’ ears have similar
timbral signatures.
Completing the Experience
The technology and performance that make Infinity Prelude MTS
loudspeakers ideal for music listening also make them the perfect
digital multichannel loudspeaker system.To complete a hometheater system, Infinity has designed, to the same precise
standards as the Prelude MTS, a matching 3-way center-channel
loudspeaker. In addition,the tower portions of the Prelude MTS
are available separately for use as full-range surround channels.
The towers can be either wall-mounted or attached to matching
stands for floor placement.
We hope you enjoyed this brief introduction to the technology of
the Prelude MTS loudspeaker system. If you would like to further
explore the technology and design of the Prelude MTS
loudspeaker system, please ask your Infinity dealer for the
C.M.M.D. and R.A.B.O.S.White Papers.The White Papers can also
be downloaded from Infinity’s Web site at www.infinitysystems.com.
Unpacking the Product
Finish unpacking the speakers and check the contents.If you
suspect damage from transit,report it immediately to your dealer
and/or delivery service.Keep the shipping carton and packing
materials for future use.
Included Accessories . . .
PRELUDE MTS TOWER
Screw Caps (2)
Socket
Head Srews (4)
P
RELUDE MTS SUBWOOFER
Bracket (1)
Phillips
Machine Screws (4)
Guide Pins (2) Double-Ended Banana Plug (1)
Allen Key (1)
R.A.B.O.S. Kit (1) (Included with Left Subwoofer Only)
Sound-Level Meter R.A.B.O.S.Test CD
Graph Templates Bandwidth Selector
Adjustment Key
Power
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10
-11
-13
-15
-18
U-R
Batt
2
PRELUDE MTS
3
PRELUDE MTS
Please read through this owner’s manual completely before
attempting to install or connect the speakers.We understand that
you may be anxious to play your new system, so we have made every
effort to simplify the installation and connections of the Prelude
MTS. However, there are still several times when you will be asked to
make a hookup or adjustment decision based upon the details of
your particular system and listening room.Your patience will be
rewarded with a loudspeaker system that is optimized to your
particular listening room in order to deliver the best performance
possible.
Before proceeding,you should decide how you would like to install the
tower portion of the Prelude MTS system.The tower may only be
attached to the powered subwoofer,mounted to our optional floor
stands, or mounted on the wall using the optional wall brackets. In all
cases, it is strongly recommended that two or three people install the
tower to minimize the possibility of damage or injury.
Installing Feet
Refer to Figure A as you perform the following steps:
1. Open each accessory pack and locate the following items: feet
(with spike/round ends), four locking nuts,four nylon domes and
one wrench.
2. Lay each speaker on its side and locate the two threaded holes on
the bottom.
3. For carpets, screw the round end of a foot into each hole and fully
hand-tighten a nut onto each one. For hard-surface floors, screw
the spike end into each hole instead and leave the rounded end
exposed.
4. Carefully flip each speaker upright to sit on its feet.
5. If needed, adjust the feet so each speaker is level and then
tighten
each nut with the enclosed wrench.To protect hard surfaces (e.g.,
wood floors), slip a nylon dome onto each round end.
Note: Spiked feet must be fully threaded into holes provided in base to
ensure stability.
STEP 1
CAP
PRELUDE
SUBWOOFER
– Remove cap from subwoofer by gently lifting it off.
Installing the Tower on Top of the Subwoofer
PHILLIPS MACHINE
SCREWS
) (4
SUBWOOFER
TOP-FRONT
VIEW
INSTALLATION
STEP 2
– Remove the four Phillips flat head machine screws
from subwoofer cup.
F
IGURE A
– This cross section shows how to install the spikes
onto the bottom of a Prelude MTS subwoofer or stand.
SUBWOOFER
TOP-FRONT
VIEW
METAL
BRACKET
()
MACHINE SCREWS
4
PHILLIPS
– Add metal bracket, positioning as shown;replace
the four existing screws with the four Phillips machine screws
provided.
STEP 3
Locking Nut
Foot
round end
Nylon Dome
(included for use
on wood floors)
HARD-SURFACE
FLOORS
5
⁄8" min.
1
1
⁄8" max.
spike end
CARPETED
FLOORS
5
⁄8"
4
PRELUDE MTS
TOGGLE SWITCH
VIEWING CUP IN BOTTOM
OF SPEAKER TOWER
High
Pass
Full
Range
Full
Range
High
Pass
– Set Toggle Switch in tower cup in bottom to the “Full
Range”position, unless you are connecting your system using
Method 1 or Method 4 as shown on page 7 and page 9.
VIEWING CUP IN BOTTOM
OF SPEAKER TOWER
High
Pass
Full
Range
ALIGNMENT
PINS
VIEWING CUP IN BOTTOM
OF SPEAKER TOWER
High
Pass
Full
Range
DOUBLE-ENDED
BANANA PLUG
STEP 4
– Screw alignment pins into cup in bottom of tower,
using two per tower. Screw threaded ends into holes and tighten until
snug. DO NOT overtighten.
STEP 5
– Insert double-ended Audio Banana Plug into tower as
shown.
STEP 6
SUBWOOFER
REAR SLOT
IN BOTTOM
OF SPEAKER
TOWER
SPEAKER
TOWER
SOCKET
HEAD SCREWS
SOCKET
HEAD SCREWS
SCREW CAP
ALIGNMENT
SLOTS
SCREW
CAPS
FRONT VIEW
REAR SLOT
IN BOTTOM
OF SPEAKER
TOWER
SPEAKER
TOWER
SOCKET
HEAD SCREWS
REAR VIEW
– Fasten the four Socket Head Screws through the tower
base as shown: two through the front baffle and two in the rear slot.
Press flush into place two screw caps to hide holes in front baffle
base. Make sure that the alignment slots point toward the center to
assure that the surface curve matches that of the baffle.
STEP 8
SUBWOOFER
SPEAKER
TOWER
BRACKET
GUIDES
GUIDE
HOLES FOR
ALIGNMENT
PINS
– Slowly lower the tower assembly onto the subwoofer,
being careful to insert the alignment pins into receptacle guide holes.
STEP 7
5
PRELUDE MTS
The Infinity Prelude MTS is designed to offer excellent
performance in any listening room or home-theater system.
However,the following placement guidelines and suggestions will
start you on your way to achieving optimum performance.
Remember, these are guidelines.We suggest you experiment with
positioning the loudspeakers to determine their ideal placement in
your particular listening room.
2-Channel or Front Left and Right
in a Home-Theater System
Generally,the system should be placed with the tower section
installed atop the subwoofer, at least three feet away from the side
walls. In 2-channel applications, the two speakers should be
equidistant from your primary listening position.We recommend
that the angle formed between the speakers and the listening area
be between 45° and 60°. For example, if the speakers are
8' (244cm) apart, your listening position should be
8' to 12' (244-366cm) from each speaker. See Figure 1.With
wider speaker separations, it may be advantageous to slightly
angle the speakers,aiming them toward the listening area.
When used as part of a home-theater system, you may find that you
achieve excellent performance with the left and right speakers
spread apart even further.Feel free to experiment with the
placement of the speakers to achieve the best possible sound in
your listening room.
Normally,it is recommended that the driver of each subwoofer
face toward the outside,and this is how the subs are packaged.In
some rooms,however,the system may perform better with the
woofers facing the inside.Feel free to experiment.
Surround Channels in a Home Theater System
When used as part of a Dolby* ProLogic*,THX®, or discrete 5.1channel home-theater system, the surround speakers should be
placed at the sides of,and directed toward,the main listening
area. See Figure 2. If there are several rows of seating, place the
speakers, as described above, perpendicular to, or slightly behind,
the last row of seating.
When used as part of a 7-channel music or home theater system,
place the side speakers at the sides of and directed toward the
main listening area. If there are several rows of seating, place the
speakers, as described above, perpendicular to the middle row of
seating.The rear speakers should be placed on the rear wall
facing the front of the room.Each rear speaker should be about
1/3 of the way into the room, but never to the outside of the
listening area. See Figure 3.
As mentioned earlier, Prelude MTS offers several ways to fine-tune
the system for optimum performance in any listening room.These
techniques, as well as Infinity’s exclusive R.A.B.O.S.system, will be
discussed in detail later in this manual.
PLACEMENT
SOFA
LEFT
SURROUND
RIGHT
SURROUND
TV
FRONT
LEFT
FRONT
RIGHT
➢
➢
CENTER
➢
➢
REAR
LEFT
REAR
RIGHT
SOFA
LEFT
SIDE
RIGHT
SIDE
TV
FRONT
LEFT
FRONT
RIGHT
➢
➢
CENTER
SOFA
LEFT
CHANNEL
RIGHT
CHANNEL
➢
➢
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
C
ONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
6
PRELUDE MTS
Line-Level-Input Connector
Line-Level-Output Connector
Bass-Mode Switch
Speaker-Level Input
AC-Cord Input
Subwoofer-Level Control
R.A.B.O.S. Controls
Center-Frequency Adjustment
R.A.B.O.S. Level
Bandwidth Adjustment
Subwoofer Rear Panel
Subwoofer Front Panel
LINE LEVEL
IN OUT 1 2 3
•
•
•
•
•
•
BASS MODE
•
•
•
•
F
PRELUDE MTS SUBWOOFER
SPEAKER
LEVEL
–
INPUT
2
1
0
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
L
•
•
+
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
W
AC FUSE
6A 120V
230V – 60 HZ 6A
CAUTION
ATTENTION
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