Q Acoustics Concept, Concept 40, Concept 20 User Manual And Product Specifications

Concept Series

EN

User Manual and

Product Specications

Important Information - Please Read Carefully

Read these instructions.
Keep these instructions.
Heed all warnings.
Follow all instructions.
Do not use this apparatus near water.
Clean only with dry cloth.
Do not block any ventilation openings.

Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.

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

Use only attachments/accessories specied by the
manufacturer. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table specied by the manufacturer, or
sold with the apparatus.

When a cart is used, use caution when moving the
cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from
tip-over.

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

Warning: To reduce the risk of re or electrical
shock, do not expose this product to rain or
moisture. The product must not be exposed to
dripping and splashing and no object lled with
liquids such as a vase of owers should be placed
on the product.

No naked ame sources such as candles should be
placed on the product.

Caution: Changes or modications not expressly
approved by the manufacturer could void the
user’s authority to operate this device.

Service: Equipment for servicing should be
returned to the supplying dealer, or to the service
agent for your area. The addresses of the main
Service Agents for the UK are listed in this manual.

Third parties: In the unlikely event that you pass
this product on to a third party, include these
operating instructions with the product.

Q Acoustics Concept Series

Introduction

The Q Acoustics Concept Series is a range of loudspeakers designed to meet the
highest expectations of dedicated 2-channel audiophiles and discerning movie
enthusiasts.

The range comprises:

Concept 20: Bookshelf speaker with a 125mm bass driver.
Concept 40: Floorstander with two 125mm bass drivers.

Before making any connections to your loudspeakers make sure that all active
units in your system are switched o at the mains.

When switching on your sound system or changing input sources, set the main
volume control at a low level. Turn up the level gradually.

NEVER play your sound system at full volume. The position of the volume control
is deceptive and does not indicate the power level of the system. Using very high
volume settings may damage your hearing.

DO NOT connect your loudspeaker terminals to the mains supply.

DO NOT expose your loudspeakers to excessive cold, heat, humidity or sunlight.

If you play your loudspeakers without their grilles on, be careful to protect the
drive units from damage.

DO NOT use makeshift stands. Fit the Q-Acoustics dedicated stand according
to the instructions and using any xings provided. Your dealer will advise you.

DO NOT dismantle the loudspeaker. You will invalidate the warranty.

Unpacking your loudspeakers

Unpack the speakers fully. Lift the speakers from the cartons by holding the
cabinets. Do not use the protective bags to lift them. The Concept 40s are heavy

- get assistance to lift them if necessary.

When manoeuvring loudspeakers, do not drag them across the oor as this may
cause damage - lift them before moving them.

In the carton you will nd: The loudspeaker/s and this product manual.

Check the product carefully. If any items are damaged or missing, report this to
your dealer as soon as possible.

Retain the packaging for future transport. If you dispose of the packaging, please
do so following all recycling regulations in your area.

Preparation

12

Spikes are sharp. Exercise care!
Never place a spiked loudspeaker where it can cause damage!
Always move your loudspeakers by lifting them - never drag
them!

Fitting the Floorstand Spikes - Concept 40

Warning

Do not use close to a strong heat source - radiators, heaters or electrical equipment. Do not expose the
stands to excessive cold, heat, humidity or sunlight. To clean use a damp cloth with washing up liquid if
necessary. Do not use abrasive cleaners or cleaners containing solvent.

3

4

x 4

56

7

Warning

Do not strike the glass with anything hard or pointed.
Do not stand on glass base.
Do not overtighten the xings.
Spikes should be tted where oors are carpeted,
for all exposed oors - wood, tiled etc use the
domed feet. To avoid damage when spikes are tted
take care to place the stand where it cannot mark
furnishings or pierce mains cables etc. The spikes will
not damage carpets.

56

8

Preparation

Positioning

Foam Bung

The Concept Series speakers are rear ported and designed to work best with
some space behind them i.e. 200mm or so away from a wall. If you position your
speakers close to a wall/corner then the foam bungs should be inserted into the
rear ports or there could be too much bass.

Ensure bungs are tted snugly into the port without inserting them too far.
You will nd the level of bass is reduced but denition and bass extension is
increased. Experiment to see what you prefer and try making small changes to
the position of the speaker to optimise the nal result.

Concept 40

The Concept 40 loudspeakers should be positioned at least 200mm from a back
wall and 500mm from the side walls. Placing the speakers closer to the wall
will increase bass but could cause the sound to boom and lack precision and
detail. The speakers should be 2m - 4m apart and central to the seated listener.
Turning the speakers slightly inwards will sharpen a stereo image but may cause
narrowing of the sound source.

Concept 20

The Concept 20s are ideally mounted on Concept oor stands. If you are stand
mounting, a simple guide is that the treble unit should be at ear level to a seated
listener. Stand mounted speakers should be treated as oorstanding speakers
except that the speaker may be placed a little closer to the back wall. Shelf
mounting is also possible. Be prepared to experiment to nd the best setup for
your taste in your particular listening room.

Connecting Passive Loudspeakers

Terminals and Connectors

The Concept 20s and 40s are bi-wireable. A bi-wireable crossover has four
terminals. The upper pair of terminals connect to the treble (HF) speaker and the
lower pair to the bass (LF) speaker/s. As supplied the crossovers are tted with
removable links to connect the terminal pairs. This permits you to connect the
loudspeaker conventionally using one pair of cables or in bi-wired mode with
two pairs.

Loudspeaker Cables

Specialist loudspeaker cables will oer a higher standard of reproduction than
general purpose ‘bell’ or ‘zip’ wire. Use cable with generous amounts of copper.
Thin cables reduce the bass and restrict the dynamic range.

Speaker cable has a stripe or tracer along one core. By convention this is
connected to the positive terminals. The cables connecting the amplier to the
front loudspeakers should ideally be the same length. Never join cables - use
complete lengths.

Preparing Cables

Split the cable to a depth of about 40mm. Bare
the wire to a depth of 10mm and twist the
ends to gather any stray wires. Crop the cable
leaving 7mm of bare wire exposed.

Connecting a Terminal

Unscrew the terminal anticlockwise to expose
the mounting hole in the base of the terminal
column.
Insert the bare end of the cable into the hole.
Re-tighten the terminal fully hand tight. Make
sure there are no stray wires which could touch
adjacent terminals.
In the EU it is against safety regulations to use
4mm loudspeaker plugs.

Tight

7mm

30mm

Loose

Connecting Passive Loudspeakers

Stereo Connections

Standard Connections

Connect the RED (+) terminal of the RIGHT loudspeaker to the RED, Positive (+)
terminal on the RIGHT channel of the amplier. Connect the BLACK (-) terminal
of the loudspeaker to the matching BLACK, Negative (-) terminal of the amplier.
Repeat this procedure for the LEFT channel.

Bi-Wiring

Directly connecting the treble and bass networks of a loudspeaker to an
amplier improves both bass performance and dynamic range.
To bi-wire: Prepare two twin cables for each loudspeaker. Unscrew all the
loudspeaker terminals and remove both links. Now connect the treble terminals
and the bass terminals to the amlpier following the procedure described in
Standard Wiring. Refer to the illustration below.

When your speakers are connected: Switch on the system and play some music
at moderate level. Fine tune the speaker placement to suit.

Care and Cleaning

Warranty

Cabinet Care

Clean cabinets with a barely damp cloth. Do not use solvent based cleaning
materials. If the cabinets become stained, remove the stain with a cloth lightly
moistened with water, white spirit or isopropyl alcohol depending on the stain.
Then lightly bu with a cloth to remove any residue of the cleaning agent. Never
use abrasives of any kind.

Grilles

Lightly brush out grilles with a soft brush. Do not remove the speaker grilles
unless absolutely necessary.

Drive Units

Drive units are best left untouched as they are easily damaged when exposed.

Q Acoustics loudspeakers are warranted free of defects in materials and
workmanship as follows:

Passive Loudspeakers: 5 years from the date of purchase
Active Loudspeakers & Subwoofers: 2 years from the date of purchase.

During the warranty period Q Acoustics will, at its option, repair or replace any
product found to be faulty after inspection by the company or its appointed
distributor or agent.

Misuse and fair wear and tear are not covered by warranty.

Goods for repair should in the rst instance be returned to the supplying dealer.
If this is not possible the item/s should be sent carriage paid preferably in the
original packing, to Q Acoustics or their appointed distributor for your area and
accompanied by proof of purchase. Damage sustained by goods in transit to
the repair centre is not covered by warranty. Return carriage will be paid by Q
Acoustics or their distributor as appropriate.

This warranty does not in any way aect your legal rights.

For service information in other countries contact [e-mail]

Q Acoustics

Armour Home Electronics Ltd
Units 7 & 8,
Stortford Hall Industrial Park,
Bishops Stortford, Herts, UK
CM23 5GZ

Q Acoustics Concept Series Specications

Passive Loudspeakers Concept 20 Concept 40

Enclosure type:
Bass Unit:
Treble Unit:
Frequency response:
Nominal Impedance:
Minimum Impedance:
Sensitivity:
Recommended Power:
Crossover Frequency:
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Cabinet:
Including terminals & stabaliser:
Weight (each):

2-way reex
125mm
25mm
64Hz - 22kHz
6 Ohm
4 Ohm
88dB
25 - 75W

2.9kHz

170mm x 260mm x 255mm
170mm x 260mm x 280mm

5.6kg

2-way reex with twin woofers
2 x 125mm
25mm
53Hz - 22kHz
8 Ohm
4 Ohm
90db
25 - 150W

2.3kHz

170mm x 955mm x 285mm
390mm x 980mm x 305mm

18.5kg