Von Schweikert TS-150 Owners manual

Von Schweikert Audio

World Class Reference Speaker Systems for Music and Film

High Performance Multiple-Application

Surround Speaker

TS-150 Instruction Manual

Note: Please read these instructions carefully before setup

Thanks for purchasing an award-winning speaker system engineered by Von Schweikert
Audio, a leader in scientific loudspeaker research. The TS-150 features the Global Axis
Differential Network which allows the speakers to recreate two different radiation
patterns for both music and film sources. The TS-150 may be used as either a directional
(forward-firing monopole) full range speaker system in a discrete 5.1 to 7.1 digital
system, or as a dipolar ambience generator for use with either THX or Dolby Pro Logic
sources. The discrete 5.1 to 7.1 decoders, whether DTS or Dolby Digital (AC-3), require
forward radiating speakers (monopoles), whereas the matrix Pro Logic/THX system
requires a dipole speaker in order to “bathe” the room with ambience to compensate for
the mono rear signal. The TS-150 is a fabulous surround speaker to offer both designs
with correct implementation.

DRIVER ARRAY & ENGINEERING DESIGN
In order to bathe a large room with total surround ambience, the TS-150 is shaped as a
wedge. For maximum dispersion and focus, we are using two 45-degree angled side
baffles; each baffle utilizes a 5.5" mid/woofer and 1" tweeter. For timbre matching to
other Von Schweikert Audio speakers, the TS-150 uses special diaphragm materials
resulting in the highest Clarity Factor available. Our mica-impregnated cellulose
acetate pulp cone material with tri-laminate polymer has a very high Young’s Modulus
(ratio of stiffness to weight), permitting the 5.5" bass/midrange driver to deliver
powerful bass astonishing for its small size, as well as high transparency to deliver
crystal-clear midrange. Directly above these drivers, the two Ferrofluid cooled fabric
dome tweeters with tri-laminate polymer handle the dynamic range and volume levels
necessary for thrilling realism without compression or distortion. All four high-tech
drivers per cabinet use our “Low Distortion Motor Design” to enable high volume levels
without audible distress or damage. A pair of TS-150s utilizes eight drivers for ultimate
power handling, wide dispersion, deep bass, and thrilling surround effects!

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Von Schweikert Audio

World Class Reference Speaker Systems for Music and Film

MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND HARDWARE
The TS-150 has been designed to be very flexible and can be used in any multi-channel
system, whether music or film based. Although this surround speaker has been designed
with wall mounting in mind, it can also be used on stands in situations where no close
wall is available. We know that there are many different mounting situations requiring
different types of mounting hardware or stands, however we can only furnish a basic
keyhole type mounting system. You may find other suitable hardware for your
application. When using the speakers in non-symmetrical applications, the use of swivel
mounting brackets may be necessary. In many rooms the speakers must be mounted on
stands, either at ear level if the monopole radiation pattern is selected, or a foot or two
above ear level if THX dipole enhancement is required for maximum diffusion for
Dolby Pro Logic recordings.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Since the topic of speaker mounting and placement varies widely due to differing room
conditions and desired results, this manual is not intended to be a substitute for the
knowledge of a qualified installer or acoustician. Please consult with your dealer if you
need professional installation information or mounting brackets/stands.

DIPOLE OPERATION
When a very wide and diffuse sound stage is desired (especially when playing a Dolby
Pro Logic sound track), push the side-mounted button
dipole dispersion pattern works well with either side or rear mounting positions. In some
room situations where a very large soundstage is desired, no matter which encoding
format is being reproduced, the Dipole setting can be used even if you have a discrete

5.1 to 7.1 decoder. Some listeners like the ambience of a dipole system over the
directional effects of a mono-polar speaker system. Also, problematic room conditions
can often mandate the use of dipolar dispersion, please consult with your acoustician or
installer for more information.

MONOPOLE OPERATION
When listening to a multi-channel signal for music, or when playing back the newer
discrete video formats known as 5.1 Dolby Digital (formerly called AC3) or the DTS
recordings (currently up to 7.1 channels), depress the side-mounted button
“Monopole” setting. This dispersion pattern is more focused than the Dipole setting and
has a mono-polar (forward-firing directional pattern), even though the drivers are set up
on a dipole baffle arrangement. This dipole baffle design allows an extremely wide
dispersion pattern, able to fill the largest of theater rooms with the total of eight drivers.
Some music recordings were mastered and mixed down using mono-polar speakers, so
in most rooms, this dispersion pattern is often preferred with multi-channel music.

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in to the “Dipole” setting. The

out to the

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Von Schweikert Audio

World Class Reference Speaker Systems for Music and Film

ROOM PLACEMENT FOR SURROUND SOUND

Note that the TS-150s are supplied in matched, mirror imaged pairs, with a left
and right unit being specified on the rear terminal cup by the designators “L” or
“R.” The Right unit is to be mounted on the right side of the room as determined from

the listening position.

WALL MOUNTING
For best results, when using the TS-150 in a Dolby Pro Logic Surround or THX
Surround home theater application, the speakers should be placed on the left and right
sidewalls directly aimed towards the seating location. For best bass response and
dispersion, the speakers should be placed directly on the walls if possible. If room
conditions do not allow this placement, an alternate placement would be at the rear of
the room, firing towards the listening position. In either case, try to use symmetrical
placement and space the TS-150s as far apart as possible, but leave at least 2-3 feet to
the room corners to avoid frequency response aberrations. Dolby Labs and THX
recommend placing the speakers one or two feet above the heads of seated listeners
when using the Dipole setting. If you are not able to place both speakers in symmetrical
locations, where both speakers have the same type of wall loading conditions, it may be
advisable to use acoustic treatment (to absorb excess reflections) if one speaker must be
placed at the junction of a reflective boundary. Please consult with a qualified installer
or your dealer.

STAND MOUNTING
In many rooms without symmetrical walls, the TS-150s may be placed on stands, either
at the sides or rear of the listening position. Please experiment with both lateral and
vertical placement for best results. Note that the speakers may be attached to the stands
using commonly available products such as Mortite or Blu Tac. As the base plate of the
TS-150 is a trapezoid 11.5" long x 7" deep, the stand should have a mounting plate that
is at least 6" x 6." The VR-Stand is a possible candidate for this application. Ask your
local dealer for details. Please select a stand that is heavy and physically stable. Any
rocking of the speaker and/or the stand will compromise both bass response and image
specificity. Money spent on high quality stands is well worth the expense! Note that
improper mounting of the TS-150s may result in lack of expected performance.

7.1 DTS FORMAT USING SEVEN SPEAKERS
The new 7.1 format utilizes three front speakers, along with one pair of side speakers
and one pair of rear speakers. Depending on room conditions, you may prefer the Dipole
setting even though the decoder manual indicates that Monopole speakers be used.
Remember, room conditions dictate many speaker setups and listening tastes are as
important as “specs.” When using 6.1 channel EX decoding systems, three speakers are
to be used at the rear of the room along with the three front speakers. All three rear
speakers should be set to the Monopole position according to the decoding format, but
once again, room conditions may dictate the use of the Dipole setting. Please
experiment!

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Von Schweikert Audio

World Class Reference Speaker Systems for Music and Film

WIRING TO AMPLIFIER
The TS-150 has one pair of five-way rhodium plated binding posts mounted on the rear,
which can accept either bare wire, spade lugs, or banana plugs. Since the binding posts
are very large, US standard 1/4" spade lugs will only fit the post if you turn the spade
lug sideways, where the post narrows due to the side-located hole for bare wire. If you
can’t insert the spade lugs sideways, spread out the spades or insert one side of the spade
into the large hole, then tighten the knurled nut by hand only. DO NOT OVER­TIGHTEN WITH PLIERS AS YOU WILL DISLODGE THE BINDING POST FROM
THE CUP. If you are using runs of wire longer than 25 feet, use 16 AWG or larger to
avoid resistance problems.

BREAK-IN
Please note that the TS-150 drive units use heavy rubber suspensions to limit
“bottoming” during heavy bass passages. These thick rubber surrounds need to be
loosened with 200 hours of continuous play at medium volume levels. The initial sound
quality will become richer and sweeter with adequate break-in. If the sound quality
seems to be brighter than the front speakers, please engage the Cinema EQ switch on
your controller/processor to reduce the high frequency content of the rear surround
signal.

BASS MANAGEMENT
Since the TS-150s utilize high quality components, they may be played at fairly loud
volume levels without distortion. In small to medium sized rooms, the TS-150s may be
set to “LARGE” speaker in the bass management setup of your multi-channel
controller/processor. This will permit full range bass to be reproduced by the TS-150, as
long as the volume levels do not become excessive. If you hear any bass overload

caused by very high volume levels containing deep bass information, however, please
reset the controller’s bass management system at the rear speaker position to “Small”
speaker. This setting will send the bass below 80Hz to the subwoofer, allowing the TS-

150 to play at higher volume levels before the onset of bass distortion.

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Von Schweikert Audio

World Class Reference Speaker Systems for Music and Film

TS-150 Specifications

SYSTEM TYPE: Monopole/Dipole wall-mount surround speaker, with switchable radiation

patterns.

APPLICATION: Suitable for use with Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital (AC3),

DTS, DTS EX, and all future formats for multi-channel music or film sources.

SWITCH POSITION: Monopole/Dipole switch is mounted on front facing panel near company

logo.

MONOPOLE PATTERN: Forward-firing radiation pattern designed for music or DTS.

DIPOLE PATTERN: “Null” created by out-of-phase driver array allow speakers to “disappear.”

Required dispersion pattern for playback of Dolby Pro Logic encoding.

DISPERSION PATTERN: 180 degrees in either monopole or dipole setting.

BAFFLE LAYOUT: Dipole baffle design, with mid/woofer/treble arrays set at 45 degrees at

both sides. This layout enhances the dispersion, enabling room-filling sound.

DRIVER COMPLEMENT (per side): Two 5.5" mica-cellulose tri-laminate polymer woofers,

and two-1" tri-laminate fabric dome, Ferrofluid cooled tweeters. All drivers use our
proprietary “Low Distortion Motor” design for a very high Clarity Factor and high
volume-level potential without compression or coloration.

CROSSOVER DESIGN: Global Axis Differential Network, enabling either in-phase (monopole)

or out-of-phase (dipole) radiation patterns. Crossover points are 200Hz and 2.2kHz.

POWER HANDLING: 200 watts nominal input, 500 watts peak music power (30 watts min).

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 40Hz to 25kHz, +/- 3dB.

SENSITIVITY: 90dB @ one watt/one meter.

IMPEDANCE: 6 ohms nominal (compatible with 8 ohm receivers).

INPUT: One pair of five-way rhodium plated binding posts.

WARRANTY: Ten Years excluding abuse from amplifier clipping leading to burnt voice coils.

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