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Paradigm
®
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 principal cause of speaker damage. When
listening at loud levels your amplifier may run out of clean power. It will
then begin to produce distorted power several times greater than its rated
output power. This will damage any brand of speaker very quickly!
(See
your Authorized Paradigm
®
Dealer for amplifier recommendations.)
More Powerful Amplifiers are Safer
A 40 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above 40 watts.
If driven to 50 watts, this amplifier will deliver distorted power – which
will damage the speaker! A 100 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial
distortion above 100 watts, but very low distortion below 100 watts.
Therefore, when the speaker requires 50 watts, this more powerful amplifier
will deliver clean power and speaker damage is less likely to occur.
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.
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 Paradigm
®
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).
PREVENTING SPEAKER DAMAGE
YOUR NEW SPEAKERS
Break-In
Although Paradigm
®
speakers 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 any critical listening.
High-frequency and midrange drivers use ferro-fluid that can thicken at
temperatures below 10° C (50° F). Surround material used in the bass/
midrange driver 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
Do not use a strong or abrasive cleaner on your speakers. Clean them with
a damp soft cloth, but do not get them wet.
Wall-Mounting
IMPORTANT: Although a wall-mounting template is provided
with your Paradigm
®
ADP speakers, Paradigm DOES NOT
supply hardware for mounting speaker brackets to the wall.
Please contact your dealer for professional installation.
Paradigm
®
ADP
™
Surround/Rear speakers can be wall mounted using the
hanger brackets supplied.
Secondary Restraining Hardware
As an additional safety precaution, when speakers are wall mounted the
safety strap
(included)
should be used to prevent personal injury or damage
to property. Connect the strap to the speaker by inserting the screw
(included)
into the hole in the back of the speaker, as shown in Fig. 1. See
dealer for information on attaching safety strap to wall.
PARADIGM
®
Speaker Stands
Your speakers may also be placed on PARADIGM
®
speaker stands
(sold
separately)
. For convenience, they can also also be placed on shelves or
high furniture (i.e. bookshelves) as long as there is at least 18 in (45 cm)
of free space on either side of the speaker.
NOTE: For stability, when placing ADP
™
speakers on a PARADIGM
®
stand,
shelf or other flat surface self-adhesive bumper pads
(included)
must be
applied to the bottom of the speaker.