Speco a-live Installation And Programming Manual

Multi-Room Audio System

Installation and Programming

Manual

Speco Technologies

200 New Highway

Amityville, NY 11701

Phone [phone] • Toll Free 1.800.645.5516

www.specotech.com

- i -

- ii -

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR FIRE, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER FOR ANY REASON. FOR
SERVICE, REFER TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

If you have any questions please call Speco Technologies, Inc. at 1.800.645.5516 or 631.957.8700

Safety Instructions:

1) Read these instructions carefully before first operating the appliance.

2) Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference.

3) Heed all warnings and adhere to all warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions

4) Follow these operator and user instructions, as failure to do so could result in personal injury or damage to the
appliance.

5) The appliance should not be used near water such as fountains, bathtubs, kitchen sinks or swimming pools.

6) The appliance should be situated so that the appliance receives proper ventilation. For example, the appliance
should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings, or placed in
an enclosed installation, such as a bookcase or TV cabinet that may impede the flow of air through the ventilation
openings. Never place any objects on top of the appliance as this may cause the unit to overheat.

7) The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as vents, sunlight, radiators, stoves, or other
appliances (including other amplifiers) that produce heat.

8) The appliance should be installed on a surface of sufficient strength to support the weight.

8) The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as
marked on the appliance.

9) Precaution should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of the appliance is not defeated.

10) Power supply cords should be installed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pressed upon by items placed
on or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, receptacles, and the point where they exit from
the appliance.

11) The appliance surface should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.

12) When left unused for a long period of time, the power cord of the appliance should be unplugged from the outlet.

13) Take precautions that objects do not fall, and liquids are not spilled, into the appliance enclosure through any
openings.

14) Third party carts and stands are used at the users own risk, and any movement combining such cart and the
appliance should be done with care. Quick stops, excessive force and uneven surfaces may cause the appliance
and cart combination to overturn.

15) It is not recommended to mount the appliance directly to a wall or ceiling.

16) The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond the basic steps described in the operating
instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel, such as when:
A) The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B) Objects have fallen, liquid has been spilled into the appliance; or
C) The appliance has been exposed to rain; or
D) The appliance does not appear to operate normally; or
E) The appliance has been dropped or the enclosure is damaged.

Precautions:

1) WARNING: BEFORE TURNING ON THE POWER FOR THE FIRST TIME, READ THE FOLLOWING SECTION

CAREFULLY.

2) Do not handle the unit or power cord with wet or damp hands or while holding a beverage. If water or any other liquid

enters the cabinet, unplug the unit from power immediately and take it to a qualified service person for inspection.

3) Place the unit in a well-ventilated location. Take special care to provide plenty of ventilation on all sides of the unit

especially when it is placed in an audio rack. If ventilation is blocked, the unit may overheat and malfunction. Do not stack
anything directly over or against the ventilation openings. Do not expose the unit to direct sun light or heating units as the
unit internal components temperature may rise and shorten the life of the components. Avoid damp and dusty places.

4) From time to time you should wipe off the front and side panels of the cabinet with a soft cloth. Do not use rough

material, thinners, alcohol or other chemical solvents or cloths since this may damage the finish or remove the panel
lettering.

- iii -

- iv -

Table of Contents

System Overview....................................................................................... 6

Features & Functions ................................................................................ 6

System Requirements ............................................................................... 6

Getting Started .......................................................................................... 6

Basic System Setup .................................................................................. 7

Rear Panel ................................................................................................ 7

Auxiliary Sources....................................................................................... 8

Playlist Formats......................................................................................... 8

Residential (8 Ω) Speaker Wiring .............................................................. 9

Commercial (70/25V) Speaker Wiring ..................................................... 10

Keypad Wiring ......................................................................................... 11

Network Wiring ........................................................................................ 11

How to Make a Playlist ............................................................................ 12

iTunes Playlist ......................................................................................... 12

Windows Media Player Playlist................................................................ 12

Manager Software ................................................................................... 12

Manager Installation ................................................................................ 12

Password Creation & Auto Login............................................................. 12

Upgrading the

Unit Selection .......................................................................................... 14

Version .................................................................................................... 14

Server Settings (Name and IP Address).................................................. 15

Editing a List (Master Source & Sources By Zone) ................................ 16

Playing a Source ..................................................................................... 20

Keypad Icon Definitions........................................................................... 21

Keypad Menu Tree.................................................................................. 22

Setting the IP Address............................................................................. 23

Additional Keypad Features .................................................................... 23

Controlling AUX Sources via IR Pass Through on Keypads.................... 24

Technical Specifications .......................................................................... 25

Troubleshooting....................................................................................... 26

Warranty and Repair ............................................................................... 27

Manager Software ............................................. 13

- v -

System Overview

We greatly appreciate your choice of Speco Technologies’® as your multiroom audio distribution
system.

simultaneously having the utmost ease in distributing audio throughout a home or business.

is a great choice for those who want to make the most of digital music collections, while

Features & Functions

• Easily distribute up to 6 analog sources and multiple digital music playlists into up to 6 zones per unit

• Residentially focused (8 Ω A6X6A8) or commercially focused (70/25 Volt A6X6A70) models available

• System setup is a snap with intuitive GUI that also functions as a master control for unit

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows XP SP2 or Vista
Minimum CPU for up to 4-zone digital playback: Pentium 4 3.0GHz or faster
Recommended CPU for up to 6-zone digital playback: Pentium Dual 1.60GHz or faster
Memory: 512MB
HDD: 1Gbyte of free space

Getting Started

• Open the box and save it for storage or shipping purposes

• Check your box for the following items.

o (1)

o (1) Users Manual

o (1)

o (6) Speaker Connectors and (6) Keypad Connectors

• The following tools are needed for installation

o Small Flat head Screwdriver and small Phillips head Screwdriver

o Wire cutter/stripper

system

Manager Installation CD

- 6 -

Basic System Setup

Rear Panel

- 7 -

Sources

Auxiliary Sources

In addition to playing streaming music, you can connect up to six additional audio sources.

Examples of such sources are:

o Home Theater System

o CD Changer

o Satellite Radio

o Wireless Microphone Receiver

o MP3 Player

o AM/FM Tuner

* Each auxiliary input can be remotely controlled via the
page 24 for more information )

keypad using the built-in IR pass-through. (see

Playlist Formats

Playlists for can be created through Windows Media Player (.WPL format) or iTunes (.XML format), and
must consist of songs in the .M4A, .M4B, .MP3, .MP4 and .AAC formats. The

of other formats.

Please note that some music purchased from the iTunes store may be encrypted (if it has an .m4p extension) and not
supported. The only current way to play encrypted music via

on your PC as one of the 6 analog sources.

Windows Media Player is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc., registered in the US and other countries. iTunes is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in
the US and other countries.

is to use a session of iTunes playing directly

Manager will not play songs

- 8 -

Zone Output Wiring

Residential (8 Ω) Speaker Wiring

There are 6 distinct zones on the 8 Ω system (A6X6A8). Each zone can support 40 watts of power (20
watts per each channel). 18 AWG wire should be sufficient for most residential applications. For wire runs longer than
300 feet, it is recommended to use 16 AWG. We suggest using plenum rated wire for all installations.

For an 8 Ω system, the left channel (L+) connection is located on the far left and the right channel (R+) is located on
the far right. Their respective commons (-) are the two connections in the center. Below is a typical zone output
terminal for the speaker(s) :

Above is the proper wiring for an 8 Ω speaker system.

- 9 -