2
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing B&W.
The DM
™
605 S2 consists of passive midrange
and tweeter sections together with an active
bass section powered by an internal 130 watt
amplifier. This enables the system to function
as a combined full range loudspeaker and
subwoofer, allowing the user to save space in
a home theatre installation by avoiding the
need for a separate subwoofer unit.
Please read this manual fully before unpacking
and installing the product. It will help you to
optimise its performance. As the loudspeaker
is mains powered, you should pay particular
attention to the safety warnings.
B&W maintains a network of dedicated
distributors in over 60 countries who will be able
to help you should you have any problems your
dealer cannot resolve.
UNPACKING
(figure 1)
• Fold the carton flaps right back and invert
the carton and contents.
• Lift the carton clear of the contents.
• Remove the inner packing from the product.
We suggest you retain the packing for future use.
Check in the carton for:
• 4 spike feet with lock nuts.
• Mains power lead
POSITIONING
Do not fit the spike feet until you have found the
best position for your speakers.
Stray magnetic fields
The speaker drive units create stray magnetic
fields that extend beyond the boundaries
of the cabinet. We recommend you keep
magnetically sensitive articles (television and
computer screens, computer discs, audio and
video tapes, swipe cards and the like) at least
0.5m from the speaker.
Stereo Audio
(figure 2)
As an initial guide:
• Position the speakers and the centre of the
listening area approximately at the corners of
an equilateral triangle.
• Keep the speakers at least 1.5m apart to
maintain left-right separation.
• Keep the speaker baffles at least 0.5m clear
of walls.
Home Theatre
(figure 3)
If used for front left and right channels, place the
speakers between 0.5m and 1m from each side
of the screen. If used as surround speakers,
place them to left and right and behind the
listeners. Because the speaker is not magnetically
shielded, it is only suitable for centre channel use
if you are using a projector TV. In that case it
may be placed directly below the centre of the
screen if there is sufficient room.
CONNECTIONS
All connections should be made with the
equipment switched off.
Full range input
(figure 4)
There are 2 pairs of terminals at the back of
the speaker which permit bi-wiring if desired.
On delivery, the separate pairs are connected
together with high-quality links for use with a
single 2-core cable. For single cable connection,
leave the links in place and use either pair of
terminals on the speaker.(figure 4a)
Ensure the positive terminal on the speaker
(marked + and coloured red) is connected to
the positive output terminal of the amplifier and
negative (marked – and coloured black) to
negative. Incorrect connection can result in
poor imaging and loss of bass.
To bi-wire, remove the links by loosening the
terminal caps and use a separate 2-core cable
from the amplifier to each pair of terminals
(figure 4b). This can improve the resolution of
low-level detail. Observe the correct polarity as
before. When bi-wiring, incorrect connection
can also impair the frequency response.
Ask your dealer for advice when choosing
cable. Keep the total impedance below the
maximum recommended in the specification and
use a low-inductance cable to avoid attenuation
of the highest frequencies.
Low-frequency effects (LFE) input
(figure 5)
The LFE or subwoofer output of your decoder is
connected to the LFE input of one of the speakers
using line level coaxial cable terminated by an
RCA Phono plug. Connect the second speaker
LFE input socket to the LFE link out socket of the
first speaker.
Connection to the mains power supply
Ensure that the voltage indicated on the amplifier
panel matches that of the power supply. Should
you need to change the setting, perhaps
because you have moved to an area having a
different supply voltage, slide the voltage
selector switch to the other position WHILE THE
SPEAKER IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE
MAINS POWER SUPPLY.
A 3-core mains power lead appropriate to the
country of sale is supplied that fits the IEC mains
input socket (figure 6A) in the amplifier panel.
The same value mains fuse is used whatever the
supply voltage and it is fitted in a tray at the
bottom of the mains input socket (figure 6B).
REPLACEMENT FUSES MUST ALWAYS BE OF
THE SAME TYPE AND RATING AS ORIGINALLY
SUPPLIED.
The speaker features auto-sensing of the input
signal to switch it between the standby and fully
on modes. This feature only operates if the
AUTO SENSE switch (figure 6C) is set to ON.
On first connecting the speaker and turning the
POWER switch ON, the initial surge is enough
to turn the amplifier fully on and the LED
(figure 7) near the logo at the bottom of the front
panel glows green. If no signal is detected after
a period of approximately 5 minutes, the
amplifier switches automatically to standby and
the LED glows red. In this mode the power
consumption is approximately 4 watts. If a
signal is detected at the input to the speaker,
the amplifier automatically switches fully on
within 0.5 seconds.
FINE TUNING
Before fine tuning, double check that all the
connections in the installation are correct
and secure.
Moving the speakers further from the walls will
reduce the general level of bass. Space behind
the speakers also helps to create an impression
of depth. Conversely, moving the speakers closer
to the walls will increase the level of bass.
If the bass is uneven with frequency it is usually
due to the excitation of resonance modes in the
room. Even small changes in the position of the
speakers or the listeners can have a profound
effect on how these resonances affect the sound.
Try mounting the speakers along a different wall.
Even moving large pieces of furniture can have
an effect.
If the central image is poor, try moving the
speakers closer together or toeing them in so
they point at or just in front of the listeners.
(figure 8)
If the sound is too harsh, increase the amount
of soft furnishing in the room (for example use
heavier curtains), or reduce it if the sound is dull
and lifeless.
Test for flutter echoes by clapping your hands
and listening for rapid repetitions. Reduce them
by the use of irregular shaped surfaces such as
bookshelves and large pieces of furniture.
Ensure the speakers stand firmly on the floor.
Whenever possible fit the spike feet supplied
after you have optimised the positioning. They
are designed to pierce through carpeting to the
floor surface. Initially, screw the lock nuts fully
onto the spikes and screw the spikes fully into
the threaded inserts in the base of the speaker.
If the cabinet rocks, unscrew the appropriate
spikes until the speaker stands firmly on the floor
and lock them in place by tightening the lock
nuts against the base. If you do not have a
carpet, use a protective disc under the spikes to
protect the floor surface.
If you want to raise or lower the bass level
with respect to the midrange and tweeter level,
change the setting of the LEVEL control