Knoll Q450RS User Manual

Q450rs

Multiroom made easy!

v 1.0

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Important Safety Instructions:

1) Read these instructions.

2) Keep these instructions.

3) Read all warnings.

4) Follow all instructions.

5) Do not use this apparatus near water.

6) Clean only with dry cloth.

7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.

9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding­type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the
other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prongs are provided for your
safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where
they exit from the apparatus.

11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.

12) Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified
by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is
used, be careful to avoid injury from tip over.

13) Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused
for long periods of time.

14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is
required when the apparatus is damaged in any way. Examples
include power-supply cord or plug is broken, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has
been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.

15).Under no circumstances should the output terminals of the
amplifier be short-circuited.

16).Be sure that the loudspeakers connected can handle the output
power of the amplifier at the loudspeakers rated impedance. The
warranty on the amplifier does not cover damage to loudspeakers
that have inadequate power handling capabilities.

17) Where an all-pole MAINS SWITCH is used as the disconnect
device, the location on the apparatus and the function of the switch
shall be described, and the switch shall remain readily operable.

CAUTION: These servicing instructions are for use by qualified
service personnel only. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not
perform any servicing other than that contained in the operating
instructions unless you are qualified to do so.

Note: Where the mains plug or an appliance cover is used as the
disconnect devise, the disconnect device shall remain readily
operable.

WARNING: This product may contain chemicals,
including lead, known to the State of California to cause
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.

Made in Canada/Fabrique au Canada

FCC Warning

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and

receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit

different from that to which the receiver is connected.

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
help.

Canada
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-

003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme
NMB-003 du Canada.

Caution: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove
the cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside. Refer to
qualified service personnel.
Warning: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral
triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of

uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the products that may

be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electrical
shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended
to alert the user to the presence of important operation
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.

Knoll Systems

14-7163 Vantage Way Delta BC V4G 1N1, Canada
145 Tyee Drive, Point Roberts, WA 98281 USA
Tel: [phone]; Fax [phone]

www.knollsystems.com

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Table of Contents

Safety and FCC warning 2
Amplifier checklist 3
Important considerations 3
What is it and who is it for 4
Getting to know the Q450rs 5
Q450rs system layout 6
MR44 keypad 7
BIX and BIB balanced input plates 8
System specifications 8
Wire terminations 9
Q450rs expanding capabilities 10
Installation procedure 11
Troubleshooting 12
Warranty Information 12

Unpacking: The carton and packing materials used in
shipping your new amplifier are designed to protect
it from shock and vibration during shipping. We
suggest that you save the carton and packing
materials to use if you move, or if the unit ever
needs to be returned to us for any reason.

Installation Checklist

 Plan your installation. Consider what

sources will be used and make provisions
for infrared and sources, speakers and
cabling.

 Collect the proper tools.
 Run all wires and label both ends.
 Install speakers as directed by speaker

manufacturer. Test wire for short circuits.

 Terminate cat5 and test for short circuits

and polarity for MR44 and BIX/BIB modules.
Retest.

 Mount Q450rs if necessary.
 Test speaker wire for shorts and correct

impedance with ohm meter.

 Connect speakers. Note which zone is for

which room and which source is from which
location.

 Connect cat5 connectors. Ensure cat5

keypads and sources are going to the
correct socket.

 Connect audio outputs to Q450rs or to

‘local’ BIX/BIB inputs. Make a note of which

input is used for each source.

Important Considerations

 Test all installed cabling before connecting to the
Q450rs. Test the speaker and wires with a multi-meter
set to ohms for correct impedance and short circuits.
Resistance and impedance differ slightly so a very
accurate reading is not expected. Long speaker wires will
increase resistance. This also includes cat5 connectors.
Incorrect polarity of a twisted pair can cause serious
damage to the Q450rs and its peripherals.

 Do not make any wire connections of any kind
with the power supply connected.

 During operation, the amplifier may become
warm. This is normal; there are instances during high­level playback into low impedance speakers when the
amplifier will become much warmer than usual. To
ensure the amplifiers trouble-free operation, it is
necessary to provide adequate ventilation. Keep the
amplifier away from external sources of heat such as
radiators and hot-air ducts. Never place the amplifier
with other heat-producing components in a cabinet or
enclosure lacking free airflow. Do not stack other
components on top of your Q450rs.

 Care, maintenance, and cleaning: wipe with
clean, dry, soft cloth. If necessary, first wipe the surface
with a slightly dampened soft cloth with mild soapy
water, then with a fresh cloth dampened with clean
water. Wipe dry immediately with a dry cloth. NEVER use
benzene, thinner, alcohol, or any other volatile cleaning
agent. Do not use abrasive cleaners, as they will damage
the finish of the metal parts. Avoid spraying insecticides,
waxes, polishing agents, or any aerosol product near the
Q450 or any of its components.

 It is best to run extra cat5 wires to each room as
this will make the installation more future proof and
offers an inexpensive repair if a cable is damaged.

 It is important to know where the various wires
required to operate the Q450rs will be run. Never run a
cat5 or speaker cable parallel to a high voltage AC mains
cable. This may cause problems with the operation of
Q450rs. If possible don’t locate a keypad next to a light
switch for the same reason.

 The Q450rs needs to be a safe distance from any
large AC motors, including an air conditioner, or
fridge/freezer, or breaker panels as this can cause
unwanted interference.

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WHAT IS IT?

BIX Remote Input Wall Plate

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Q450rs is a four source, four-zone multi-room
controller amplifier in a small, efficient package. It is
much like having four integrated hifi amplifiers
hidden away from sight and connected together for
a seamless listening experience.

It is equally comfortable at home as it is scaled up,
using the controlled audio outputs, for larger
installations such as art galleries or coffee shops.

The Q450rs is controlled by RS232 commands. There
is also a wall plate keypad controlled version
available, model Q450. The balanced input wall
plates (BIX) are a feature we are very proud of and
we hope you will agree. The BIX plate allows the
Q450 to have an input from a room or space far
away from the Q450 without any drop in signal
quality and best of all without any added unwanted
hum and noise. This is an industry first.

Cat5 is a very reliable wire. The BIX and BIB remote
input wall plates use a home run of cat5 wire. We
use cat5 connectors terminated to the T568A
protocol. It is strongly recommended to adhere to
this standard.

Speaker Connectors: We use a
detachable connector sometimes
called a phoenix connector.
There are four connectors
included with the Q450rs. Each
connects one stereo zone.

Let’s put this another way. Say you are enjoying a
dip in the tub. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to plug

in your iPod beside the tub and not have to run to
the amp to change a playlist? Best of all, the floor
stays dry!

Coming soon is a Bluetooth balanced input plate
(BIB). Not only does it allow for a wireless Bluetooth
connection, there is also a wired 3.5mm audio input
jack.

The Q450rs is controlled with its RS232 port. This
port can be connected directly to a whole house
control system or with third party adapters to the
home Ethernet or wifi and controlled by iPad,
iPhone, android tablets and other devices.

Each of the four zones can access any of the four
sources, adjust volume, bass, treble, mute, and
power on/off.

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