Von Schweikert TS-350 Owners manual

Von Schweikert Audio

World Class Reference Speaker Systems for Music and Film

High Performance Multiple-Application

Surround Speaker

TS-350 Instruction Manual

Note: Please read these instructions carefully before setup

Thanks for purchasing an award-winning speaker system engineered by Albert Von
Schweikert, a leader in scientific loudspeaker research. The TS-350 features the Global
Axis Differential Network which allows the speakers to recreate two different radiation
patterns for both music and film sources. The TS-350 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-350 is the first 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-350 is shaped as a
wedge; i.e. a three-faced tripole design with two switchable radiation patterns. For
maximum dispersion and focus, we are using a forward-firing bass /midrange driver
combined with two 45-degree angled side baffles; each angled side baffle utilizes a 3"
mid and 0.75" tweeter. For timbre matching to other Von Schweikert Audio speakers,
the TS-350 uses special diaphragm materials resulting in the highest Clarity Factor
available. Aluminum 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. For extremely high transparency, two treated cellulose acetate pulp 3"
midrange drivers are used, one on each of the angled faces. Directly above the mids, the
two Ferrofluid cooled fabric dome tweeters handle the dynamic range and volume levels
necessary for thrilling realism without compression or distortion. All five 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-350's utilizes ten drivers for ultimate
power handling, wide dispersion, deep bass, and thrilling surround effects!

MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND HARDWARE
The TS-350 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. Since there are many different mounting situations requiring different

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Von Schweikert Audio

World Class Reference Speaker Systems for Music and Film

types of mounting hardware or stands, we are furnishing a basic keyhole type mounting
system. In some situations, a simple picture hanging system can be used if the speakers
do not need to be angled. However, 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), engage the selector switch to the Dipole position. This switch is
mounted on the rear input terminal cup. The 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 monopolar 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), engage the switch to the Monopole position.
This dispersion pattern is more focused than the Dipole setting and has a monopolar
(forward-firing directional pattern), even though the drivers are set up on a tripole
baffle arrangement. This tripole baffle design allows an extremely wide dispersion
pattern, able to fill the largest of theater rooms with the total of ten drivers. Some music
recordings were mastered and mixed down using monopolar speakers, so in most rooms,
this dispersion pattern is often preferred with multi-channel music.

ROOM PLACEMENT FOR SURROUND SOUND

Note that the TS-350's 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.

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World Class Reference Speaker Systems for Music and Film

WALL MOUNTING
For best results, when using the TS-350 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 from the
woofer and best dispersion of mids/highs, 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-350's 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-350's 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-350 is a trapezoid 21" long x 7" deep, the stand should have a mounting plate that is
at least 6" x 6." 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-350's 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 predominate 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!

WIRING TO AMPLIFIER
The TS-350 has one pair of gold 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

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Von Schweikert Audio

World Class Reference Speaker Systems for Music and Film

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 OVER-TIGHTEN
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-350 drive units use heavy rubber suspensions to limit
“bottoming” during heavy bass passages. These thick rubber surrounds need to be
loosened with 100 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-350's utilize high quality components, they may be played at fairly loud
volume levels without distortion. In small to medium sized rooms, the TS-350's 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-350, 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-

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

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TS-350 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 the rear terminal input cup.

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

DIPOLE PATTERN: “Null” created by out-of-phase driver array allows 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: Tripole baffle design, with woofer facing forward and midrange/treble

arrays set at 45 degrees at both sides. This layout enhances the dispersion, enabling
room-filling sound.

DRIVER COMPLEMENT (per side): One 5.5" aluminum woofer, two-3" treated cellulose

acetate pulp coned midrange drivers, and two-0.75" 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 300Hz and 3kHz.

POWER HANDLING: 100 watts nominal input, 200 watts peak music power (30 watts min).

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 40Hz to 25kHz, +/- 3dB, (50Hz to 20kHz, +/- 1dB)

SENSITIVITY: 87dB @ one watt/one meter

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

INPUT: One pair of gold plated binding posts suitable for bare wire, banana plugs, or spade
lugs.

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

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