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Musical Masterpieces
Serial Numbers ____________________
Handcrafted by:
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This product is certified to meet the requirements of the European
Union (EU) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive
(89/336/EEC). Because the permanent magnets attached to the
loudspeaker drivers produce magnetic fields, it is recommended
that the product not be positioned in very
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Table of Contents 1 Introduction...................................................................................................................5 Overview ..................................................................................................5 1.1 Low Noise Floor ..............................................................................................6 1.2 Coherent Energy Transfer...............................................................................7 1.3 The Activ
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9 Room Acoustics and Speaker Position .........................................................................41 Introduction..............................................................................................41 An Optical Analogy..................................................................................42 Basic Room Acoustics...............................................................................42 9.1 Standing Waves ...................................................
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1 Introduction Overview The Avalon Acoustics Sentinel Active Reference System represents the application of edge-of-the-art loudspeaker technology in every area of high accuracy transducer development. New research in diaphragm materials, magnetics, low-noise circuitry, resonance control, and temporal coherence, never before employed in high energy transducers, redefines the boundaries of music reproduction. The intent has been to create a full range transducer capable of high-energy transfer
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1.1 Low Noise Floor A key element in achieving the sonic goals mentioned in the previous section is significantly reducing the noise floor. The term "noise floor," in this discussion, refers to the stray uncorrelated energy that is produced as an artifact by the loudspeaker. This manifests itself in latent energy below the musical signal and in deleterious phase noise. Both must be reduced to an absolute minimum. Through new proprietary technologies in the elements of the crossover circuitry
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1.2 Coherent Energy Transfer Coherent energy is both an aspect of the absolute quantity of energy, and also the speed with which that energy begins and ends. Entirely new technologies in current transfer and in magnetic field energy storage within the crossover maximizes the transient speed of the transducer, while eliminating the ringing that can give recorded music a fatiguing and etched quality. Dynamic measurement techniques provide prediction of circuit behavior under actual musical condi
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1.3 The Active Reference System A definitive transducer project of this magnitude demands the holistic integration of diverse design goals, including perfect phase response, critical damping, and point source accuracy. In addition, horizontal dispersion must be uniform across the frequency spectrum in order to generate a coherently focused wavefront and minimize room interaction artifacts. The difficulty of integrating all of these elements increases exponentially as the size of the array gro
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2 Unpacking Instructions Introduction Your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers and sub amplifiers were shipped in seven heavy-duty crates to ensure their safe arrival. It is recommended to save these crates and boxes for possible future use. Due to the weight of the system, the listening room floor structure must be extremely robust and reliable. WARNING: The Sentinel Active Reference System weighs over 1,100 pounds (approximately 520 kg). You MUST evaluate and verify the integrity of the intended
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2.1 Room Preparation and Verification The Sentinel Active Reference System weighs over 1,100 pounds (about 520 kg). It is therefore crucial to verify the soundness of the intended listening room floor structure and to insure that the structure can safely support the device. If the listening room is not located on the ground floor, and/or if the floor structure is suspended, it is recommended that you consult a structural engineer for assistance. WARNING: The Sentinel Active Reference System we
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2.2 Crate and Box Placement for Unpacking Because of the weight and size of the Sentinel Active Reference System, it is important to plan the layout of your room and carefully place the crated devices within the listening environment BEFORE unpacking. Should you require assistance with planning your listening room, please refer to the in-depth discussion in Chapter 9, Room Acoustics and Speaker Position (beginning on page 41). If you require additional assistance, contact your dealer or phone
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2.3 Opening the Crates All of the crates features a one-piece top assembly which is fastened to the crate bottom with screws around the lower perimeter. To unpack the crossovers, remove the screws and lift the upper portion of the crate straight up (this will require two people). Carefully lift the cabinets by the small overhang at the base. See Figure 2.2. CAUTION: Three people are required for unpacking. To avoid injury, do NOT attempt to unpack by oneself. Figure 2.2 – To unpack the cross
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To unpack the upper speaker cabinets, remove the screws and lift the upper portion of the crate straight up (this will require two people). Carefully lift the cabinets by the small overhang at the base. See Figure 2.3. CAUTION: Three people are required for unpacking. To avoid injury, do NOT attempt to unpack by oneself. 1. Remove screws. 2. Lift case. Figure 2.3 – To unpack the upper speaker cabinets.. To unpack the lower speaker cabinets, first remove the top of the crate. Then slide the sp
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2.3 Opening the Sub Amplifier Crates The Subwoofer Amplifiers are also packed in heavy-duty crates. To unpack, remove the screws and lift the upper portion of the crate straight up (this will require two people). Carefully lift the amplifiers off of the crate base. Take it out of the plastic bag and check to ensure the following has also been included: • One (1) detachable AC linecord • Nut driver for output connectors 14
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3 System Set-up WARNING: Failure to follow the set-up and wiring instructions explicitly may cause damage to your loudspeakers and void your warranty. Preparation In order to begin system set-up, it is important that all materials are unpacked and all cabinets are removed from the crates in accordance with Chapter 2, Unpacking Instructions, beginning on page 9. Then remove all the empty crates from the listening room to provide for additional assembly space. Removing Apex‘ Couplers from Set-u
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Left / Right Channel Matching The two system channels (left and right) are consecutively serialized at the factory. The elements of each channel are matched as a set for both their electrical and aesthetic characteristics. Therefore, it is important to keep the three cabinets of one channel (upper speaker, lower speaker, crossover) which are labeled with the same serial number together on one side of the room, separate from the three cabinets of the other channel. IMPORTANT: Set-up the three c
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3.1 Lower Speaker Cabinet Set-up CAUTION: Three people are required for the set-up procedure. To avoid injury, do NOT attempt to set-up by oneself. 1. Carefully lift and place each lower speaker cabinet in its measured final location, as it becomes more difficult to move once the Apex‘ couplers are attached. Carefully route the sub's integral wiring between the legs of the cabinet base, thereby protecting the wiring harnesses from becoming pinched. WARNING: The wiring harnesses are fragile a
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3.2 Upper Speaker Cabinet Set-up CAUTION: Three people are required for the set-up procedure. To avoid injury, do NOT attempt to set-up by oneself. 1. Lay the upper speaker on one side, using a blanket or other soft material to avoid scratching the finish. 2. Install three Apex‘ couplers on the bottom of the cabinet by fastening the threaded ends of the couplers into the cabinet inserts (see Figure 3.2). Lightly tighten the couplers and insure that the base of the coupler contacts the botto
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5. Carefully lift each upper speaker cabinet by the small overhang at the base, and place it directly on top of the lower speaker cabinet, with the set- up blocks between them. Then gently slide the upper cabinet slightly forward to expose the wiring tubes in the lower cabinet (See Figure 3.4). 6. Route the upper speaker cabinet wiring through the wiring tubes and out the bottom rear of the lower speaker cabinets, as shown in Figure 3.4. Figure 3.4 – Placement of upper speaker cabinet atop lo
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cabinet slightly, remove the front set-up block, and lower the single front Apex ‘ Coupler into its receiving socket. Figure 3.5 – Removal of the set-up blocks between upper and lower speaker cabinets. 20
