Level TWO and Level THREE Speakers & Powered Subwoofers

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1 Level TWO and Level THREE Speakers & Powered Subwoofers Owner s Manual Level TWO: HTD-A20, -C20, -S20 Level THREE: HTD-A30, -A31, -C30, -C31, -S30, -S31, -T30, -T31 Welcome to the HTD family of satisfied customers. We thank you for giving us the chance to win your business. To ensure you get the most out of your new speakers, please take a moment to read this manual before you get started. Should you lose this manual, you can always download a copy for free from our website. A Few Words About Stereo and Home Theater HTD speakers are designed to accurately reproduce high fidelity music as well as dialogue and effects in movies. Most of us are familiar with the concept of 2-channel audio, commonly known as stereo. In a home theater environment, recording engineers have the option of recording into additional channels. Most of today s movies are recorded in 5.1 surround sound formats, most often either Dolby Digital or DTS. When these movies are played with a digital source, such as a DVD player, audiences at home have the opportunity to hear all of these channels if their system has been equipped with the appropriate speakers for each channel. When these movies are played through an analog source, such as a VCR, the 5.1 surround signal has been converted to other analog formats, most often Dolby ProLogic or the new ProLogic II. Dolby ProLogic will make use of the same 5.1 speaker channels, although the back two (surround) speakers will receive identical information and it is not a full range signal. ProLogic II sends discreet, full-range channels to the back two speakers. The subwoofer is provided the low frequencies sent to the other channels in a Dolby ProLogic or ProLogic II recording. By contrast, a true 5.1 digital recording includes a completely unique channel of both low frequencies and effects (LFE). This channel is called the LFE channel and represents the.1 in a 5.1 system. In most of today s receivers, the five full frequency channels- front right, front center, front left, rear (surround) right, and rear (surround) left- are powered channels, meaning the receiver has built-in amplification for each channel. By contrast, the LFE channel is most often not powered. And because this channel only produces the lowest frequencies, a powered subwoofer is necessary to reproduce the LFE channel. Speaker Size Many of today s receivers allow you to tell the receiver what type of speakers you are using. This is important since you don t want to waste the power across a full-frequency signal to a speaker that can only handle a limited range. Receivers will typically ask you whether or not the speaker is small or large. In most cases, setting the speaker to small will cause only frequencies above 100 Hz to be sent to the speaker. Large allows the full frequency range to be passed to the speaker. Some receivers take this a step further and actually allow you to set the cut-off frequency. HTD Level TWO and Level THREE speakers will reproduce signals below 100 Hz, but not as low as the powered subwoofers. Sending the full frequency to these speakers will not harm them. Therefore, we recommend that you try both settings to see which works best in your situation and to your taste. In many receivers, setting a speaker to small automatically sends the low frequencies that would otherwise go to that channel to the subwoofer connected to the LFE channel. Check the bass management section of your receiver s owner s manual to be sure. This section should also address the options you have for utilizing the powered subwoofer in audio-only applications. Mounting Brackets and Stands HTD offers wall-mount speaker brackets and stands that are ideal for use with the Level TWO and Level THREE Main Speakers. These speakers are equipped with hardware on the back that allow for easy attachment to the wall-mount brackets. This hardware should be left in place even if you are not using the brackets. Removing this hardware may cause whistling through the open holes. Do not over tighten as stripping can occur. More detailed instructions are provided with both the brackets and stands. Speaker Feet (Main Speakers ONLY) Three holes are drilled into the bottom of each of your Main Speakers. You can insert the metal tiptoe feet into these holes, or you can use the holes as a guide for applying the rubber half-dome feet. Feet allow the speaker cabinet to be decoupled from adjacent objects. Without feet, the speaker s vibrations can be transferred to its surrounding, potentially affecting the speaker s performance. You may choose not to use any feet if your speakers are placed on a stand or a very smooth and solid surface- we include small felt pads for this purpose; HTD speaker stands also include tiptoe feet on their base for decoupling the speaker and stand from their surroundings. We use three feet, rather than four, to prevent rattling that can result from placement on uneven surfaces. Correct placement of the feet will yield an acoustically accurate and sturdy speaker. Never place objects atop the speaker, as this may alter the overall

2 balance. Use a rubber mallet to insert the metal tiptoe feet into the holes. Only insert the feet about a quarter-inch into the predrilled holes. This will allow you to more easily remove them later, should you choose to do so. Speaker Placement NEVER PLACE A SPEAKER WHERE IT, OR THE CABLE CONNECTED TO IT, ARE WITHIN EASY REACH OF CHILDREN OR PETS. ALWAYS USE GOOD JUDGEMENT AND COMMON SENSE WHEN PLACING A SPEAKER WHERE PEOPLE OR PETS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO IT AS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR IF THE SPEAKER WERE TO FALL. All three of the front speakers- left, center, right are intended to be directional and should be placed at approximately the same height and distance from the ideal listening spot. The center speaker should be placed as close to the television as possible, so that the audio appears to come straight out of the picture. The front left and right speakers should be placed far enough from the television to ensure that you can distinguish sounds coming from the left and right. Typically, placing the front left and right speakers between seven and twelve feet apart is appropriate. Many audio enthusiasts recommend aiming the speakers such that the angle created by drawing a line from one speaker to the listener and back to the other speaker is a 45-degree angle. This setting generally mimics the condition set by the recording engineer at the film studio. There are differing opinions on rear (surround) speaker placement in a true 5.1 environment. A growing trend, and one which HTD promotes, is to use the same mono-pole speakers in the front and back. This has always provided the best system for audioonly applications and now, with Dolby Digital and DTS, home theater applications as well. Unlike ProLogic, in which both of the surround speakers receive the same mid-frequency signal, DD and DTS systems send discreet, full frequency signals to each of the speakers. This gives the recording engineer the ability to still diffuse the sound (such as by sending a combination of signals to the front right and rear left simultaneously) or to localize the sound as needed. What then, is the point of a small bipole or dipole speaker that can only produce a limited frequency range and, by definition, makes the source indistinguishable and limits the effects of panning and imaging? Place the surround speakers about as close to the ideal listening spot as you placed the front left and right speakers, and about the same height or higher. This of course is only a guideline. The size and shape of your room will almost certainly dictate a modification to the ideal set-up. Volume adjustments within the receiver will help balance your system. Visit our online Help Setting Up section for more information and diagrams ( Hooking Up Your Speakers HTD Level TWO and THREE Speakers are high-end units that utilize gold-plated, five-way binding posts in conjunction with a complex high pass and low pass crossover. Level THREE Speakers offer an extra level of connectivity via bi-wiring or bi-amping which allow you to run one cable for the tweeter and a separate one for the driver. Leave the gold jumper in place and connect to either the top or bottom pair of binding posts for a standard connection. Remove the gold jumper when running two sets of wire from the same amp (bi-wire) or when using two separate wires each from its own discreet amp (bi-amp). Most of our customers will connect using the standard method, although many audiophiles swear by bi-amping and bi-wiring. Bi-amping is an expensive proposition but you might try bi-wiring just to see if you have the golden ears that can hear the difference. The gold-plated binding posts ensure an efficient transfer of signal and power from any standard type of cable or wire connector, including bare wire. For bare wire or pin-type connectors, simply thread the wire or pin through the hole in the threaded post near the base of the binding post. Then tighten the red or black collar down against it. Spade connectors can be fitted around the threaded post near the base. Again, simply tighten the red or black collar against it to maintain the connection. Individual or paired banana plugs can be inserted directly into the holes at the mouth of the collar with a snug fit. When connecting the speakers, it is very important to retain the correct polarity. This means that the wire attached to the +, red, or positive terminal on one component must be attached to the +, red, or positive terminal on the corresponding component s speaker output terminals. Similarly, the -, black, or negative terminals must connect to the respective -, black, or negative terminals. We recommend using 14 or 16 gauge oxygen-free cable, although the binding posts can accept up to 10 gauge. Connecting the Powered Subwoofer The Subwoofer s Role Subwoofers are designed to extend bass response to your system, beyond what traditional speakers alone can offer. The subwoofer is used in conjunction with, not in place of, your existing speakers. It is not necessary to have a pair of subwoofers as the low frequencies created by the subwoofer will radiate virtually in all directions equally.

3 Line Level Connection Our Level TWO and Level THREE Powered Subwoofers allow for several connecting options. If your receiver includes a dedicated LFE or Subwoofer Line Level Output, we highly recommend connecting to the Line Level inputs on the subwoofer using a shielded cable (Do not use regular speaker cable with RCA jacks as this will often cause the subwoofer to hum. Always use a shielded cable when making line level connections). You can connect to either the left or right input on the subwoofer, but for better gain, we recommend you add a Y-adaptor to connect to both the left and right inputs. Most receivers offer a bass management section in the owner s manual that discusses how best to utilize your powered subwoofer with different sources, including audio only tracks, both analog and digital. In most cases, you simply instruct the receiver to utilize the LFE/Subwoofer output for the low frequencies in non-5.1 recordings. Speaker Level (high level) Connection If your receiver does not provide a dedicated LFE or Subwoofer output, you can connect the powered subwoofer using the Speaker Level inputs. Connect regular speaker cable to the left channel output on the receiver and connect the other end to the left (L) speaker level input on the subwoofer. Similarly connect the right channel from the receiver to the right (R) speaker level input on the subwoofer. Then connect the left and right speakers from the speaker level outputs on the subwoofer (instead of connecting the speakers directly to the receiver). Be sure to maintain polarity. This setup allows the subwoofer to capture and reproduce the low frequencies recorded in the front left and right channels. The amplified, full frequency signal simply passes through the subwoofer on to the front left and right speakers.

4 Using the Subwoofer Controls Power The power switch has three positions: on, off and auto. The auto position is often the best setting. When in this position, the subwoofer amplifier is in standby mode until sophisticated signal-sensing circuitry detects an input signal. When detected, the amplifier automatically turns on. If no signal is detected over a period of minutes, the amplifier switches back to standby mode. The on and off positions override this circuit, setting the subwoofer permanently on or permanently off. The LED power indicator is green when in either off or standby mode and red when activated or on. Crossover Frequency The Crossover Frequency control is used to set the frequency range the subwoofer will reproduce. All of the frequencies below the setting on this dial will be amplified and reproduced by the subwoofer. The crossover point will vary depending on the other speakers in your system, the location of the subwoofer, the size and shape of your room, and your own personal preference for bass performance. To set the crossover, play a familiar stereo audio track that includes a healthy amount of bass. While the other speakers are working, turn the Level up on the subwoofer so that when you are in the primary listening area, the subwoofer is slightly louder than you feel it should be relative to the other speakers (you will adjust the Level control to the correct position later). We recommend setting the crossover at 150 Hz and then lowering it in incremental steps of 10 Hz until the subwoofer s bass notes blend well with the other speakers. You should return to the primary listening spot after each incremental change in order to evaluate. If the crossover frequency is set too high, the subwoofer will produce notes that the other speakers are also producing. This is a waste of the subwoofer s power and it makes setting the Level control difficult as the overlap frequencies are usually too loud and the lower frequencies too soft. If the crossover frequency is set too low, you will end up with a gap between the frequencies produced by the other speakers and those being sent to the subwoofer. When combining a Level TWO or THREE Powered Subwoofer with other Level TWO or THREE speakers, the crossover frequency will most likely fall between 80 and 120 Hz. Phase The normal setting for the phase switch is the 0º position. Because the subwoofer is not in the same cabinet or necessarily in the same location as your other speakers, the sound from the subwoofer may arrive at your ears at a slightly different time than the sound from your other speakers; it may arrive out of phase. In these rare cases the bass sounds will appear somewhat hollow and the level control may seem to have little or no effect. Setting the phase switch to the 180º position will compensate for most of these effects. Please note that phase can be different from location to location. Always return to the normal listening area to evaluate any change in settings you have made. Level The level control adjusts the volume of the subwoofer. When connecting the subwoofer using the Line Level inputs, turn the level control all the way to the right (clockwise) and use the individual subwoofer level control on your receiver to balance the volume of the subwoofer relative to the other speakers. Having the subwoofer turned all the way up will allow you to get the maximum volume out of your subwoofer when controlled from the receiver. If you connect the subwoofer using the speaker level (high level) inputs, set the level control to a level that balances the subwoofer with the other speakers connected to the same output channel. Once set, the level control should not require further adjustment. Warranty All HTD Speakers carry a five-year parts and labor warranty. Details of the warranty and return authorization process are available on our web site. Your warranty registration occurred at the time your order was placed. There is no need to fill out additional forms.

5 Safety Instructions Warning: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back); no user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel. Caution: To prevent electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electrical shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. Read Instructions All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the appliance is operated. Retain Instructions The safety and operating instructions should be adhered to. Heed Warnings All warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions should be adhered to. Follow Instructions All operating and use instructions should be followed. Water and Moisture The appliance should not be used near water. For example, near a bathtub, wash-bowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc. Ventilation The appliance should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation. Fore example, the appliance should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings; or, placed in a built-in situation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow of air through the ventilation openings. Heat The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances (including amplifiers) that produce heat. Power Sources The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance. Grounding or Polarization Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated. Power Cord Protection Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed on or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the appliance Cleaning The speaker should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer. Power Lines An outdoor antenna should be located away from power lines. Non-Use Periods The power cord of the appliance should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time. Object and Liquid Entry Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through the openings. Damage Requiring Service The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: a) the power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; b) objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the appliance; c) the appliance has been exposed to rain; d) the appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or e) the appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged. Servicing The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel. Product Servicing In the event your Level ONE Powered Subwoofer fails to operate properly, please contact Home Theater Direct at toll free 866-HTD-AUDIO ( ) or info@hometheaterdirect.com Toll Free HTD-AUDIO ( ) Printed in USA 2001 Home Theater Direct, Inc.

6 Specifications Level TWO Level TWO Mains HTD-A20 Level TWO Center HTD-C20 Level TWO Sub HTD-S20 Frequency Response 50 Hz 20 khz 55 Hz 20 khz 30 Hz 250 Hz Power Capacity 100 watts 125 watts 125 watts RMS 205 watts peak Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms -- Sensitivity 89 db 90 db 90 db Video Shielding YES YES YES Driver 5 ¼ doped paper (2) 5 ¼ doped paper 10 reinforced Tweeter 1 silk dome 1 silk dome -- Connections 5-way binding posts 5-way binding posts Hi Level and Line Level Inputs and Outputs Dimensions (HxWxD in.) 12 5/8 x 7 1/8 x 9 3/8 7 1/4 x 18 7/8 x 7 3/4 15 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 15 Weight (lbs / each) Level THREE Level THREE Mains HTD-A30, HTD-A31 Level THREE Center HTD-C30, HTD-C31 Level THREE Sub HTD-S30, HTD-S31 Level THREE Towers HTD-T30, HTD-T31 Frequency Response 43 Hz 20 khz 45 Hz 20 khz 30 Hz 250 Hz 43 Hz 20 khz Power Capacity 125 watts 150 watts 150 watts RMS 150 watts 270 watts peak Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms -- 8 ohms Sensitivity 90 db 91 db 90 db 90 db Video Shielding YES YES YES YES Driver 6 ½ doped paper (2) 6 ½ doped paper 12 reinforced (2) 6 ½ doped paper Tweeter 1 silk dome 1 silk dome -- 1 silk dome Connections 5-way, biwire/biamp 5-way, biwire/biamp Hi Level and Line Level 5-way, biwire/biamp Inputs and Outputs Dimensions (HxWxD in.) 15 3/4 x 8 3/4 x 10 3/4 8 1/4 x 22 x 9 1/2 19 x 15 3/4 x 15 3/4 41 3/8 x 8 5/8 x 10 7/8 base: 1 x 10 3/4 x 12 3/4 Weight (lbs / each) From all of us at Home Theater Direct, thank you for choosing HTD! Toll Free HTD-AUDIO ( ) Printed in USA 2001 Home Theater Direct, Inc.