Décor 1SC - Speaker Paradigm - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL Décor 1SC Paradigm

OWNERS MANUALParadigm DOES NOT supply hardware for mounting speakers to the wall. Hardware shown in the bracket instruction sheet is an example only and will vary depending on the wall type. Always use screws appropriate for wall type and weight of speakers. IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE WALL-MOUNTING YOUR SPEAKERS. Wall mount your speakers securely enough that they cannot fall and cause personal injury or damage to property. RECYCLING AND REUSE GUIDELINES (Europe) In accordance with the European Union WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive effective August 13, 2005, we would like to notify you that our speakers may contain regulated materials which, upon disposal, require special reuse and recycling processing. For this reason Paradigm Electronics Inc. (the manufacturer of Paradigm speakers and Anthem electronics products) has arranged with its distributors in European Union member nations to collect and recycle this product at no cost to you. To find your local distributor please contact the dealer from whom you purchased this product or go to our website at www.paradigm.com. Please note that only the product falls under the WEEE directive. When disposing of packaging and other shipping material we encourage you to recycle through the normal channels. © PARADIGM ELECTRONICS INC.

INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing speakers from Paradigm’s Décor Collection and congratulations! You are about to hear the difference these state-of-the-art high-end speakers will make in your music and home theater system. Your speakers were designed and crafted in our Toronto, Canada facility. They are internationally recognized for their exceptional state-of-the-art sound. Extensive listener preference tests conducted by the National Research Council (NRC) give our design engineers a firm understanding of how we hear speakers and clearly establish which design parameters are most critical to good sound. Using the NRC findings along with measurement-based analysis done in the anechoic chamber at our Toronto facility and listening tests carried out in our controlled double-blind listening rooms, Paradigm engineers work to constantly improve our speakers in three critical areas: Flat Midrange: Smooth and even with coloration reduced to the lowest level possible. Smooth Total Energy Response: On and off axis, sound must be fundamentally similar. Dispersion must be wide and uniform ensuring superior imaging and a wide listening area. Low Distortion: Lowest levels possible. In addition, Paradigm concentrates on two other significant performance areas: Better Bass Response: Tight, extended and well defined. Higher Power Handling: to improve dynamic contrasts and sonic realism, power compression must be minimized. Unyielding attention to all of these areas results in state-of-the-art speakers that are measurably and audibly superior. Comprehensive R&D, leading-edge design, use of the finest materials and sophisticated manufacturing and quality control provide vastly superior performance for each component part at every stage of design. Quite simply, we build better sound and we have the product awards to prove it. Your new speakers will provide you with stunning reference quality sound and unparalleled listening pleasure for many years. Their ultra-thin profile was designed to complement the thinnest flat-panel television on the market today as well as the ‘even thinner

flat panels yet to come. To achieve all of the exceptional sound they are capable of providing requires care in installation and operation. Please take the time to read this manual and follow all instructions. If you have further questions, contact your Authorized Paradigm Reference Dealer or visit the Q&A page in the Tech Support section of our website at paradigm.com.

Bass/Midrange Drive Units

• High-Performance Anodized Unibody Bass/Midrange Cone

• High-Performance Motor Assembly includes 1-1/2˝ High-Temperature Aluminum Voice Coil and Powerful Neodymium Magnet

• Perforated Phase-Aligning (PPA

Tweeter Lens protects the delicate pure aluminum tweeter dome and acts as a Phase Plug. this boosts output and blocks out-of-phase frequencies for smoother, extended high frequency response with incredible detail.

• Advanced Motor Structure with Extruded Aluminum Heatsink3

Break-In Although your speakers will sound great ‘out of the carton’, they will sound even better once they are ‘broken in.’ Allow them to play for several hours before you begin to listen critically. Drivers use ferro-fluid that can thicken at temperatures below 10° C (50° F). Surround material used in the bass/midrange units is made of a compound that may stiffen in colder temperatures. If your speakers have been transported or stored in the cold, let them warm to room temperature before use. Cleaning Your speakers have a premium finish that must be treated with care. Use only a damp, soft cloth to clean. Never use strong, abrasive or corrosive cleaning products. Common household cleaning products should be avoided. Speaker Grilles Your speakers are meant to be played with their grilles on.

HOW TO AVOID SPEAKER DAMAGE

Your speakers are efficient and can be driven to loud listening levels with moderate amplifier power. They are also able to handle the output of very powerful amplifiers. To prevent damage to your speakers, please read the following guidelines before hooking them up. Amplifier Distortion — The #1 Culprit! Amplifier distortion is the principle cause of speaker damage. When listening at higher volume levels, your amplifier may run out of clean power and begin to produce a distorted signal if levels are increased any further. This will damage any brand of speaker very quickly. (See your Authorized Paradigm Dealer for amplifier recommendations). More Powerful Amplifiers are Safer When choosing an amplifier, always select an amplifier with a power rating greater than that of the speaker. Using a 100 watt per channel amplifier on a 50 watt speaker allows the amplifier adequate headroom in order to provide a distortion free signal. Conversely, using a 40 watt per channel amplifier on a 50 watt speaker limits the amplifier’s headroom. This causes the amplifier to enter its distortion level much sooner, potentially damaging the speaker. Volume Control Do not be fooled by the Volume Control of your receiver/preamplifier. It only adjusts listening level—it is not a “power-output” dial. The amount of amplifier power actually used at a given Volume Control setting depends solely on the nature of the music you are listening to. At a given Volume Control setting a quiet section of music will use less amplifier power than a loud section. With typical pop-rock, jazz or large scale classical music, the rated output power of many receivers/amplifiers is often reached when the Volume Control is between the ‘11 and 1 o’clock’ settings (with bass/treble and loudness controls not used—otherwise rated power may be reached at even lower Volume Control settings). Remember, all amplifiers produce distortion when operated beyond their rated output power. The resulting distortion will damage all speakers! Exercise caution! If you listen at loud levels, be careful to listen for the point of audible distortion—if the speakers begin to sound distressed turn the Volume Control down or your speakers and/or amplifier(s) will be damaged! This type of damage constitutes abuse and is not covered by the warranty. If louder volumes are desired, obtain a more powerful amplifier.4 HOW TO AVOID SPEAKER DAMAGE (continued) There is a Limit! Although more powerful amplifiers are safer, there is a point at which you could have more power than the speaker can handle. At that point you will overpower the speaker and damage it. Exercise caution! At loud levels do not increase bass/treble controls from zero and ensure that all loudness/ contour/bass EQ buttons are off (otherwise rated output power will be reached at lower Volume Control settings). If you listen at loud levels, watch for excessive visible cone excursion (grille movement) from the woofer—then turn the Volume Control down. The Right Amount of Power A power-range rating is given as a guide to indicate the approximate minimum and maximum power input of your speakers speakers. Amplifiers that exceed your speaker’s power-range rating are recommended. Their greater power reserves provide better sound. However, exercise caution! Use the speakers within their power-range rating to prevent damage (keep listening levels below the point of excessive woofer cone excursion).

Your speakers are designed to provide state-of-the-art sound in a wide variety of domestic settings. Note however, that room construction, dimensions, even furnishings all play a part in the quality of sound you ultimately achieve. Your listening room will impose its own character on the performance capabilities of any speaker system. The extra care taken in installation will result in greater listening enjoyment. Try to follow these guidelines:

• Mid and high frequencies are affected by the amount of soft furnishings in your room—curtains, carpets, sofas, wall coverings, etc. An excess of such items can result in a somewhat dull sound. The same room without any soft furnishings can produce an overall bright sound. The typical quantity of soft furnishings found in most living environments provides the right acoustic characteristics to allow the speakers to sound balanced;

• Concrete floors and walls tend to aggravate low-frequency standing wave problems and are less preferred;

• Rooms where height, width and length are similar should be avoided as they can exhibit significant low-frequency standing wave problems. This may result in reduced clarity. If no other room is possible, experiment with speaker placement to minimize problems.5 CONNECTION NOTE: Always wire speakers first, before wiring to the amplifier Single Channel Speakers Décor speakers are equipped with binding posts that can be used with pin connectors or bare wire. For Décor speakers which are dedicated left or dedicated right or dedicated center speakers only, refer to Figure 1 for method of connection. Using high quality speaker cable, connect one speaker at a time to your receiver/amplifier. Connect the red (+) amplifier terminal to the red (+) speaker terminal and the black (-) to the black (-) (see below). Push binding post to insert wire, and release to lock. Décor 2SC For the Décor 2SC (Stereo and Center channel in one), wire as per Figure 2, taking care to connect the wires to the proper terminal cups:

1. For the front and left speakers, run the wires from the amplifier to

the top set of binding posts (labeled Left or right channels), as per the method above.

2. For the center channel, follow the diagram on the next page to

complete the connections, taking care to follow the correct polarity. NOTE: the use of 4-conductor wire (not shown) is preferable and provides a cleaner installation

Under 4.5 m (15 ft) 1.3 mm (0.05 in) 16 awg Under 9 m (30 ft) 1.6 mm (0.06 in) 14 awg Over 9 m (30 ft) 2.0 mm (0.08 in) 12 awg 3.258” Turn your amplifier OFF before connecting speakers. This will avoid damage which could result from accidental shorting of speaker cables. SPEAKER RECEIVER/AMPLIFIER The following chart identifies the minimum gauge requirements for various cable lengths: Figure 1TROUBLESHOOTING SOLUTIONPROBLEM No Sound from One or More Speakers Lack of Bass or Dislocated Image

• Make sure receiver, preamp or amplifier is plugged in and turned on.

• Check power outlet at the wall is working.

• Are headphones plugged in, or is the system on Mute?

• Check to ensure that all speaker wires are properly connected.

• Check the balance control on your amplifier.

• Re-check that all power cords are properly plugged in and functioning.

• One or more speakers may be connected out of phase (their polarity is reversed).

• Re-check to ensure that each speaker’s cable is connected with correct polarity: red (+) to red (+) and black (-) to black (-). Amplifier Turn your amplifier on and listen to your speakers. If you notice a complete lack of mid-base and a dislocated image, one or more of your speakers may be connected out-of-phase. (their polarity is reversed). Re-check to ensure that each speaker’s cable is connected with correct polarity: red (+) to red (+) and black (-) to black (-). Make sure wires are properly/firmly connected. Push binding post to insert wire, and release to lock.

• Custom orders begin production immediately after payment is received or credit is granted, and are built to your submitted specifications.

• Measurements must be verified and submitted using the Paradigm Design Studio website – Paradigm is not responsible for inaccurate measurements submitted.

• Custom orders cannot be cancelled, changed, returned or refunded at any time, unless the order contains a manufacturing and/or material defect as described by the warranty terms below.

• Once payment is processed – Paradigm’s 3-day guarantee to ship custom Décor products begins. Warranty: Décor Custom Collection speakers from Paradigm are warranted to be and remain free of manufacturing and/ or material defects for a period of five (5) years from the date of original purchase. Within the time period specified, repair, replacement or adjustment of parts for manufacturing and/or material defects will be free of charge to the original owner. Thermal or mechanical abuse/misuse is not covered under warranty. This warranty applies only to purchases made from authorized Paradigm dealers in Canada and the United States. For warranty terms, conditions and support elsewhere, please contact the authorized Paradigm distributor in the country where you made your purchase. Warranty outside Canada and the US is established and provided by our authorized distributors around the world. Limitations:

• Warranty begins on date of original retail purchase from an Authorized Paradigm

Dealer only. It is not transferable;

• Warranty applies to product in normal home use only. If product is subjected to any of the conditions outlined in the next section, warranty is void;

• Warranty does not apply if the product is used in professional or commercial applications. Warranty is Void if:

• The product has been abused (intentionally or accidentally);

• The product has been used in conjunction with unsuitable or faulty equipment;

• The product has been subjected to damaging signals, damaged in transport, mechanical damage or any abnormal conditions;

• The product (including cabinet) has been tampered with or damaged by an unauthorized service facility;

• The serial number has been removed or defaced. Owner Responsibilities:

• Provide normal/reasonable operating care and maintenance;

• Provide or pay for transportation charges for product to service facility;

• Provide proof of purchase (your sales receipt given at time of purchase from your Authorized Paradigm

Reference Dealer must be retained for proof-of-purchase date). Should servicing be required, contact your nearest Authorized Paradigm

Dealer, Paradigm Electronics Inc. or Import Distributor (outside the U.S. and Canada) to arrange, bring in or ship prepaid, any defective unit. Paradigm Electronics Inc. reserves the right to improve the design of any product without assuming any obligation to modify any product previously manufactured. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties expressed or implied, of merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose and may not be extended or enlarged by anyone. In no event shall Paradigm Electronics Inc., their agents or representatives be responsible for any incidental or consequential damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion may not apply to you. Retain this manual and your sales receipt for proof of warranty term and proof of purchase. 7MODE D’EMPLOIIMPORTANT : VEUILLEZ LIRE CETTE SECTION AVANT DE MONTER LES ENCEINTES SUR UN MUR.