Acoustat Two/M User manual

ModelTwo/M
Model Three/M
ModelTwo/MH
Model Three/MH
ACOUSTAT
Modular Hybrid
Speaker Systems
OWNER'S MANUAL
AND
ASS
EM BLY I NSTR U CTlON

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ............. ............
Registration Cards.. ........................... ..............
Packaging .......... ............................
Fuses
For Models Two/M & Three/M , , ..
For Models Two/MH & Three/MH. ..
................
.....................
Assembly Instructions
For ModelsTwo/M H Three/M .........
For ModelsTwo/MH & Three/MH.. ...........
RecommendedSet - Up and Speaker Placement
................. ............ 6
........................................... .6
............... ........ .6
PlacementWithin the Room
Acoustical Properties of the Walls ..........
................................. 7
Electric Feedback ......................
.............
Removel of Interface for Models Two/M & ThreeIM
...................
Specifications
For ModelsTwo/M& Three/M .. .. ... 9
For Models Two/MH & Three/MH. . . .. ............ ..9

INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the worlds finest loudspeaker, the Acoustat Modular Hybrid
electrostaticwithMagne-KineticInterface'.
Please reviewtheentlreowner's manualbefore youbeginto
assemble your new speakers to assure you
of reaching the speaker's full sonic potential. When
assembled,placed correctlyin theroom,and used withthe proper electronics,
theAcoustatelectrostatic
loudspeakers will provide you with years of listeningenjoyment.
PLEASE NOTE: The speakers requireseveralhours of playing time before their full efficiency can be realized .
REGISTRATION CARDS
Pleasecompleteandreturntheenclosedpurchaseregistrationcardwithintendays of purchaseofyour
newspeakers.This carddoes notdetermineyour eligibilityforwaranty butwillallowAcoustat to inform
you of updatesand other product news that would
be of interest to speaker owners.Any additional
informationyou providewillaidtheAcoustatCorporationincontinuingtobringmusic loverseverywhere
the finest audiocomponents availabletoday.
PAC KAGlI N G
SAVE ALL PACKAGINGMATERIALS ! Your Acoustatelectrostatic loudspeakers arefinelycrafted pieces of
equipment, and must be properly cartoned whenever shipment is necessary. ONLY the original
packagingmaterialswill insure
safe transport If lost or damaged, replacement packagingmaterials
may
be obtainedfrom the Acoustat Corporation at a nominalcharge.
FUSES
Acoustatspeakers ModelsTwo/M andThree/M and ModelsTwo/MH andThree/MH utilize slo-blotype
fuse(s) intheaudiosignal path.The ModelsTw/MandThree/M with Magne-Kinetic 121 Interface, and
Models Tw/MH and Three/MH with MagneKinetic 131 Interfaceutilize 3 amp slo-blow fuse.When
replacingfuse(s) onlythose
of similarvalue and type canbeusedor thewarranty may becomeinvalid.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
For Models Two/M& Three/M
PLEASE READ COMPLETELY BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO ASSEMBLE YOUR SPEAKER SYSTEM!
1, Laythe speaker faceuponthe floor.CAREFULLYandSLOWLY! Dropping thespeakercould rupture
the diaphragmwith trapped air.
2. Remove the three screws from the bottomof the speaker system.The screws are 2-1/2" in length,
each with
a flatwasher. Set them aside.
3. Remove oneofthe bases from the base box. Place the base against the bottom of the speaker. such
that the front/top(name plate is on thefront - righthandcornerofthe base) ofthebase faces up,and
the three holes line up with the three holes in the bottom of the speaker. Start all three long
screw/washer assemblies(throughthe base holes) into the speakers frame,
DO NOT TIGHTEN
4. Adjust the base so that there arof the base is flush with the rear of the frame. lighten the three screws
securely.
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5. CAREFULLY turn the speaker over, so that the back side is facing up.Remove one of the MK-121
Interfaceunitsfrom itscartonand set asidethe hardware neededPlacethe lnterfaceunitonthe
floor at the
base of the speaker. with the opening of the unit facing the back of the speaker.
6. Youwill noticethree groupsof wires extendingthrough therubber grommeton thespeaker's firewall
plate(lower
rear area).Vlsually identifythethreewire groups as the RED GROUP, withapinplugon
theend; theBLUE GROUP. withabluesleeved hook ontheend; andtheWHITE GROUP, with a plain
hook on the end.
7. (Referto Figure 1). Insertthe pinplugintothe RED socket onthecircuitboardofthe interfaceunit.
Attachthe
BLUE hooktotheboardontherightside, identified by thebluetape onthenylonspacer
below thethumbscrew. and the word " Blue " .Loosen the thumbscrew three turns. Placethe hook
betweenthethumbxrewandthewasher,andtightensecurely.Repeatthe sameprocedureforthe
WHITE group,
at the white side of the circuit board
0 0
(SIMPLIFIED VIEW)
0
1
PANEL CONNECTIONS AT INTERFACE
8. Push anyexcess wire into the rubber grommet on the back of the speaker's base.
9. CAREFULLY, placethe interface unit onthe back of the speaker'sbase, aligning the six mounting
holes.
Be carefulnottopinchanywireswhen youset theinterface on themetalfirewallplateUsing
the
six screws providedinyour hardwarepacket. attach the interface unit to the speaker's back.
10. Installthe two casters included with the unit into the bottom rear corners of the unit.(Thecastershave
nutsprethreadedintothestem.)When assembledandstanding.thesystem shouldbe perpendic -
ular to the floor. This perpendiculariiy can be determlned by two factors: 1) the type of floor the
speaker
is standing on; and 2) the amountof caster stem thread showing. If the system is to be
positionedona hardwoodor cementfloor, thecaster must bescrewed in alltheway(or almost all
theway) into the interfaceunit.If thesystem is tobeinstalledon a carpetedsurface,the caster will
need to be
screwed in only partially.The actual setting can be adjusted when the speaker is
standing.
NOTE Dependingon the particularroom set - up,a slight degree of tilt backor tiltforwardmaybe
desired.Thiis canbe
accomplishedbycaster positioning.andwill notcausestabilityproblemswith
the speaker system.
11. When t hecorrect casteradjustmenthas been obtained. securelytightenthe nut on the casterstem
against the interfaceunit chassis.
WARNING: The caster
WlLL NOT support theentireweight of the assembledspeaker system.When
movlngthe system,
Do NOT tilt the speaker off its base and roll it like o hand truck. To move the
system slide the base along the floor with the caster acting as an assist only.
2

12.
13.
14.
Refer to " Recommended Set - Up and Speaker Placement " for room placement suggestions. When
you
have determined where the speaker will beplaced. plug the interface unit into a live wall outlet.
The system should remainpluggedin at ALL times for proper performance.
NOTE The current draw of the MK-121 Interfaceunitis very low: about five watts
Set theHighFrequencybalancepotontheinterfaceatapproximatelythe oneo'clock positionfor
your initiallisteningtests.Thiscontroleffectsthefrequenciesprimarily in thelast octave(10-20KHz)of
themusicalspectrum.The
propersetting Will bethatwhichyieldsthecorrectdegree of "sparkle" or
" airiness " of the sound.
Repeatthe above procedure
for the other speaker.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
For Models Two/MH & Three/MH
PLEASE READ COMPLETELY BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO ASSEMBLE YOUR SPEAKER SYSTEM!
1. To assemble the speaker system, you will need to be allowed enough floor space for the bottom of speaker
panel to be parallel to, and five feet from therearwall. In a later step you will be required to lean the
system againstthis rear
wall. Removeone speaker panelunltfrom box. Removeplastic bag(HINT
spreadbag on floor before Iaying down speaker to protect grille cloth.)CAREFULLY layspeaker down
in positiondescribed above. DO NOT ALLOW THE SPEAKER TO DROP TO THE FLOOR!!!
2. Remove one woofer assembly from its box. Be careful not to put pressure on binding posts, high
frequencycontrolknobor woofer.Set hardwarekitaside.
Set wooferassemblysfront/bottomedge
onthe lowerrear edgeof thespeaker'sframe, lt willbalance.Usinga flatblade screwdriver or 5/16"
net driver, remove the plastic Insulator cover from the front(unfinished side) of thewoofer box as
follows
1) Loosentop two screws threeturns 2) Removelower two screws: 3) Slideplatedownand off
of woofer box.
I
3. Notethe three wire groupsoriginatingfrom the speaker system.Visually identifythem as: the RCD
GROUP, with a pinplugontheend:the BLUE GROUP, withaBLUE-sleevedhook on theend Insertthe
REDGROUPspinplugintotheREDjack ontheconnectorplate.enteringfromtheLOWER sidcotthe
jack.Place the
BLUE hook UNDER the lower thumbscrew securely.(NOTE Warning label identifies
whichthumbscrew
is forthe WHITE GROUPShooktoother(UPPER)thumbscrewinasimilarfashion as
the blue group.The three wire groups should then be positioned to exit at the bottom/center Of
connector plate.
4. Reinstalltheplaticinsulatorplateas follows: 1) Slidetheplateunderthe two upperscrews thathad
beenloosenedinSTEP2.2)PositionthethreewiregroupssuchthattheyfitundertheUshapedflapat
the lower/center of the insulator plate. 3) Install the two lower screws and tighten securely, being sure
.3

nottopinchany of thewires undertheplastic.Whenproperly assembled.thewire groupsshould ALL
fit under the U-shaped flapon the insulatorplate.
5. Nowthewoofer box is to be placedintotheopeningonthebackof the speaker.(The box is rather
heavy andyoumaywish tohaveanassistant helpyoulifttheassemblyintoplace.)Carefully lift the
boxupofftheframeandplaceitsquarelyintotheopeningatthebottomofthe speakers frame.
Be
sure nottopinchanywires fromthethreewire groupsas the box is set intoplace. (Be carefulWhere
you grasp the
box when liftingit. i.e.don't put your handthroughthewoofer on the bottom ofthe
6. Select the twoshort(1/2")screwsfromthehardwarekit.Usingaflatbladescrewdriver,installthese two
screwsthroughthe twometalstrapsatthetopoftheboxandintothetwothreadedholesonthetop
of the box.
NOTE:
If theholesdonotlineup,themetalstrap canbeeasily movedto alignwiththe hole.Simply
tapthe strap with thescrewdriver inthedirection
necessary toalignwith woofer box hole.Tighten
screws securely.
7. Carefully graspthetopofthesystemandstandtheentireassemblyupright. At thispoint,thesystem
Will stand, leaningonthe lower/backedge of thewoofer box.Now, CAREFULLY leanentireassembly
back untilthe top ofthespeaker rests ontherearwalland
the back/bottom edge of the woofer box
restsonthefloor.This will exposethethreeholesonthebottomofthespeakerframe.where thebase
is to be installed.Select thethreelong (2 1/2') screwsandthree small washers fromthe hardwarekit.
Select one
of the basesfrom the base box.
box!!)
8. lnstall a small flat washer on each long screw. Insert one of these assemblies through the bottom right
hole onthe base (theholeonthesideofthebase with theAcoustat
nameplate), Align this screw with
the right - mosthole on the bottom of the speaker'sframe. Using a flat blade screwdriver, screw
LOOSELY intoframe.Selectanotherscrew/washer assemblyandliftleftsideofbaseuntil
hole in base
alignswith left hole in the speakers frame,insert screw/washerassembly andscrew LOOSELY into
frame.Select
last screw/washer assembly and installincenterbase/frameholesasbeforeOncethe
threescrew/washer assemblieshavebeenscrewedlooselyintotheframe.alignthe rear edge of the
base with the rear edge of the speakers bottomand tighten all three screws VERY SECURELY.
WARNING Thecasterwillnotsupporttheentireweightofthefinished speaker system.The casters are
notdesignedto be used like a " dolly " for movingtheassembled system butratherareintendedto
guide the assembled speaker
as it is " shuffled " across the floor.
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9. Now, CAREFULLV standthe speaker backtoanuprightposition, andthen, leanthesystem forward
untilthetopedgeofspeakerrestsonceagainonthefloor.Select the two casters and two
largeflat
washersfromthehardwarekit.Notethateachcasterhas anutonitsthreaded stem. Installtheflat
washer
over thecaster'sstem andscrew thecaster/washer assemblyintothewood blockonthe
bottom of the woofer
box Do not yet tighten the lock - nut to secure caster. Repeat for other
caster/washer assembly.
10. The exact positioning of the caster, in terms of how much of the stemis screwed into the wood block,
will determine whether the finished speaker will stand upstraight. The type of floor the system sits on
will ultimately determine howfarthecastersshould bethreaded in.Ona hardwood,tileor cement
floor. thecasters Will needtobe threadedin all theway.Onacarpetedfloor, '/A'' to 1/2" ofthread may
needto beleft showing. dependingonthe carpet pile.Once the properadjustments havebeen
made, the stopnut should be securely tightened against the flat washer. Most likely some
adjustmentwillbenecessary after the system has beenstood up.At whichtime
the heightcanbe
adjustedandthe stopnutsecured, oncethecorrectsetting
is achieved.The correctsetting is thot
which leavesthesystem perpendiculartothefloor
. Onceachieved,use a 7/16 wrench or pliersto
tightenthe stopnutagainst the flat washer.
WARNING: The casterwillnotsupporttheentireweightof thefinishedspeakersystem.Thecastersare
notdesignedtobeusedlike
a "dolly" for movingtheassembledsystem. butratherareintended to
guidetheassembledspeaker as it is " shuffled " across the floor.
11, Positiontheassembledspeakersystem inthe room,suchthatitis approximatelythreefeetfromthe
back wail and a minimum
of two feet from the side wall, angled towards the center listening
position.Plugthe linecordintoanalwaysliveoutlet.Set thehighfrequencybalancecontroltothe
" 0' positionfor your initialsettingConnectspeaker terminalstoamplifier,makingsure to maintain
proper"phase".i.e.
plus(+) terminalofamplifierwiredtoplus(+) terminal of the speaker and. minus
(
- )to minus( - ).
12. Repeatthe aboveprocedurefor the other speakersystem.
NOTE Duetothebreak - inrequirementoftheelectrostaticportionofthespeakersystem,thefirstfewdays
of playingtime will producesonic improvement andan increase
in efficiency.
5

RECOMMENDED SET - UP AND SPEAKER PLACEMENT
DISTANCE FROM WALL
Leave at least three feetfromthespeakerstotherearwall.To determinethisdistance.measurefromthe
center of the back of the speaker r
totherear walll,This measurementshould betakenonaperpendicular
to the speaker. Allow at least two feet from the side of the speakers to the side walls.
PLACEMENT
WlTHlN THE ROOM
By placingthe speakers far aport against a long wall, you will obtainthe largest “listeningwindow"
without loss of centerfill. Placethe speakers so thattheyform anequilateraltrianglewith the listening
positionat the apex (Refer to Figure
2A).
FIGURE 2A
LARGEST LISTENING WlNDOW
FIGURE 28
BEST LOW BASS RESPONSE
I
By placing the speakers against the short wall of the room, with the rear of the speakers projecting i nto the
corners.the deepst possible bass willbeobtained.Itmaybeimpossibletoretainthe two feet suggested
distancefrom the side of thespeakertothewall ina narrowroomInthiscase, it is preferable to use the
availablespacetoseparatethe
two speakers,andlocatethemcloser tothesidewalls.(refer tofigure 2B)
ANGLING
Anglethespeakers withthepanelsdirected toward
the listeningposition.Therearetwogeneral methods
forangling ortoein(Referto figure 3 onfollowingpage). 1)Angle the speakers so that the”apex”is slightly
infront of thelistener. (See Position A). This arrangementoffersthewidest listeningwindow,enablingyou
to moveyour llstening positionwith a minimumof tonal change; OR 2) Angle the speakers so that the
“aped‘ is slightlybehindthe listener. (See Position B) This arrangementreducesthe“Listeningwindow",
butprovidesa morefocusedsound. It requireslessangling,therefore, the speakers are angled outward
slightly to achievethis "apex" position.
NOTE Neither position is in all cases superior to the other, Personal taste and room placement will
determine which is the best for you.Experiment!
ACOUSTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE WALLS
A liveend-deadendset - upin the listeningroomcansometimes improvethesonic characteristicsot a
speaker system. This can be accomplished by using materials behind the speakers such as Sonex
fiberglass panels,carpet, tapestry, etc.Treating the walls canyield moreprecise imagingandsuperior
focus fromyour speakers.Performa listeningtest before you treat thewalls permanently.usinga heavy
blanketsuspendedtemporarily Wile you listen.

THESOLlDLlNESARESHOWN TOFAClLITATEANGLlNGONLY.WHENTHEPANELSARE PERPENDICULAR
TO THE RESPECTIVE SOLID LINETHAT APEX IS ACHIVED
THE DASHED LINES REPRESENT THE SONIC RADIATION OF THE SPEAKERS.
\\
\
I "
B
NOTE SPEAKERS SHOWN ARE DRAWN WITH THE FROM PLANE OF THE SPEAKER PERPENDICULAR
TO THE LISTENER. IN A ROOM THIS SEI-UP WOULD YIELD THE APEX IN THE B POSITION TO ACHIEVE
ME APEX IN POSITION A THE SPEAKERS WOULD HAM TO BE ANGLED IN SLIGHTLY.
PHASiNG
Acoustatspeakersaredesigned topreservethecorrectabsolutephase throughout the system,including
thefinal couplingof the signal tothe air.This ensures that bothvocalistsand instrumentswill sound
as
natural as possible. Phasing depends on the correct connectionsfrom the interface. Be sure these
connectionsare correctlyoriented, I.e. red (+) to red, and black ( - ) to black.
ELECTRIC
FEEDBACK
Electrostaticspeakers produce a strongelectricfieldwhichcaninfluencetheoperation of any low level
electroniccircuitryincloseproximityThis canresult infeedback
well abovetheaudiospectrum, which
has the effect of power dissipation and decreased headroom in the system.
For this reason the
turntable/cartridgeleadsand
thephono lnputsof thepreampilfier should be kept at leastsixtoeightfeet
from the nearest speaker to ensure that nofeedback can occur.
WARNING! DONOTapplyaudiosignal
tothe interface wlththe ACPower removed, hence no panelbias!
Connection
to switched outlets is not recommended. DO NOT exceed fuse ratings or bypass fuse
receptabie.Either
of theaboveconditions will result in damageto the low frequencytransformer if the
interface
Is overdriven. requiring an expensive repair not covered by,thewarranty.
7

CLEANING
Speakerclothmaybecleanedwith any commercial cleaning fluid, or anycleaner designed tobeused
with polyester knit fabrics. Use a cleaner such as
K2R for small concentrated spots.
REMOVAL OF INTERFACE FOR MODELS TWO/M & THREE/M
WARNING ALWAYS UNPLUG THE LINE CORD BEFORE REMOVNG THE INTERFACE!
Iftheinterfacemust beremovedfromthespeaker,thefollowingprocedure
is necessarytodischargethe
panels
1, UNPLUG the interfacefrom the AC outlet anddlsconnect the speaker leadsfrom the amplifier.
2. CAREFULLY, laythe speaker on thefloor. DROPPING IT CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE!
3. Unbolt the interface.
4. Set theinterfaceonthefloor behindthespeaker, kingcarefulnot to unplugthethreewire groups
from the speaker
5. Removethe center RED pinplug.Holdthewlre an Inchbehindthe pinandGENTLY pull. DO NOT
GRAB
THE PLUG! Touch the RED tlpto either the BLUE or the WHITE terminalon the circuit board
6. Loosen the two thumbscrews and remove the hooks
WARNING: High static voltages
are present inthe charged panel.Failureto follow these procedures
will result inan annoying, but harmlesselectricalshock.
REMOVAL OF HYBRID MODULE FOR MODELS TWO/MH & THREE/MH
WARNING ALWAYS UNPLUG THE LNE CORD BEFORE REMOVlNG THE HYBRID MODULE!
If the Hybrid Module must be removed from the speaker, the following procedure is necessary to
discharge the panels
1, UNPLUGtheHybridModulefromtheACoutletanddisconnectthespeaker leads fromtheamplifier.
2. CARERILLY, lay the speaker on the floor DROPPING CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE!
3. Unboltthe HybridModule,boththetwoscrewsonthe topof the module, andthethreescrewsonthe
4. Set themoduleon thefloor behindthespeaker, beingcarefulnotto unplugthethree wire groups
5. Remove the plastic insulator coverfrom the HybridModule.
6. Removethe center RED pin plug.Holdthewire aninchbehindthe plnandGENTLY pull. DO NOT
GRAB THE PLUG! Touch the RED tiptoeither the BLUE or theWHITE terminal onthe circuit board
7. Loosen the two thumbscrews and remove the hooks.
8. Replacethe plastic insulator cover
WARNING Highstatic voltagesare present ina chargedpanel.Failureto follow these procedureswill
result in
an annoylng. but harmlessshock.
bottom
of the speaker frame.
from the speaker.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Amustat Corporation warrants to the owner that the Amustat loudspeaker system excluding the
DynamicWoofer.willperform asspecified andthatitwillbefreeofdefectsinmaterialsandworkmanship
for a period
of FIVE YEARS from the date of origlnal manufacture.
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