Adam Classic Column MK3 User manual

Classic
Column MK3
Passive Version
Operation Manual / Bedienungsanleitung
English / deutsch

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Please read the following safety instructions before setting up your system.
Keep the instructions for further reference. Please heed the warnings and fol-
low the instructions.
Do not open the loudspeaker. There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
Always switch off your entire system before connecting or disconnecting any
cables, or when cleaning any components.
Do not place this unit on an unstable cart, stand or tripod, bracket or table. The
unit may fall, causing serious injury and/or serious damage. When cart is used,
use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination.
Do not expose this product to rain or moisture, never wet the inside with any
liquid and never pour or spill liquids directly onto this unit. Please do not put
any objects filled with liquids (e.g. vases, etc.) onto the speaker.
Always use fully checked cables. Defective cables can harm your speakers. They
are a common source for any kind of noise, hum, crackling etc.
Always keep electrical equipment out of the reach of children.
Always unplug sensitive electronic equipment during lightning storms.
Never use flammable or combustible chemicals for cleaning audio components.
Caution
Risk of electrical shock
Do not open
Risque de shock electrique
Ne pas ouvrier
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE BACK COVER OR ANY OTHER PART.
NO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE.
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
Safety Instructions

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Classic Column MK3 (Passive Version) Manual / english
Avoid touching the speaker membranes and do not block the woofer’s
ventilation ports.
Never expose this product to extremely high or low temperatures. Never
operate this product in an explosive atmosphere.
High SPL’s may damage your hearing! Please do not get close to the
loudspeakers when using them at high volumes.
Please note that the diaphragms build up a magnetic field. Do not ply with
magnetic items at close range to the diaphragms.
Assure free airflow behind the speakers to maintain sufficient cooling.
Safety Instructions

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Table of contents
Safety Instructions .............................................2-3
1. Introduction .......................................................5
2. Quick Start ........................................................6-7
2.1 Important Information .......................................6
2.2 How to use the spikes .......................................6
2.3 Connecting the speakers ...................................7
3. Speaker Placement ............................................8-9
3.1 Room acoustics .................................................8
3.2 General recommendations ................................8
3.3 Tweeter at height of ears ...................................9
3.4 The stereo triangle .............................................9
3.5 Surround placement ..........................................9
4. Troubleshooting .................................................10
5. Maintenance ......................................................11
6. Shipping / Packaging ........................................11
7. Environmental Information ................................11
8. EU Declaration of Conformity ............................12
9. Limited Warranty ...............................................13
9.1 Terms and Conditions ........................................13
9.2 How to claim ......................................................13
10. Technical Data ...................................................14

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Classic Column MK3 (Passive Version) Manual / english
1. Introduction
Dear customer,
Thank you for choosing the ADAM Audio Classic Column MK3 loudspeaker.
ADAM loudspeakers are built for maximum quality reproduction and audio perfection.
With the Column MK3 you have selected a precise, high-resolution speaker system that
meets highest expectations in sound quality and workmanship.
This version of the Classic Column MK3 is a passive system that uses the new X-ART
tweeter and an X-ART midrange speaker, ensuring full compatibility with the latest
expanded high frequency resolution media formats plus two HexaCone©-bass/
midrange woofers.
The intention of this manual is to provide you with information about your new ADAMs.
It contains important information regarding safety, setting up, handling, and
warranty. We request that you read these sections carefully to ensure easy set up and
prevent potential problems.
If you have any questions about this or any of our products, please don’t hesitate to
contact us – we will be happy to assist you.
For detailed information concerning ADAM’s technologies and products, complete
reviews, and a list of worldwide ADAM users and studios, please visit our website:
www.adam-audio.com
You are invited to share your experience with our products by joining us on Facebook
and also, if you don’t want to miss out on the latest info on ADAM Professional Audio,
come and follow us on Twitter!
We hope very much that you really enjoy your new loudspeakers, and wish you many
delightful hours with them.
The ADAM Audio Team

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2.1 Important Information for set up
After having unpacked your loudspeaker, please allow the system to acclimate to
the temperature of the room for approximately an hour.
We recommend using high quality cables to guarantee optimal performance.
It is important to ensure the speakers sit firmly on a solid surface!
We recommend that you retain the original packaging, as it is the best way to
guarantee safe transportation should the need to do so arise.
Please note that the loudspeakers will take some break-in time to achieve
optimum sonic performance.
2.2 How to use the spikes
If you choose to use the spikes to optimize floor decoupling, please proceed as fol-
lows:
a) Put the loudspeaker carefully on the side or top. To avoid scratches, please put it
on a soft cloth and take care not to damage the cabinet or the drive units during
handling.
b) Take four of the spikes and screw them into the designated holes at the base of the
plinth.
c) Make sure that all four spikes are screwed fully into the threaded inserts and put
the speaker to the upright. If the cabinet rocks, unscrew the two spikes that do not
touch the floor until the cabinet rests firmly without rocking. Adjust the spikes with
the provided 6mm hex key.
Please ensure the spikes are either fully screwed in or firmly fixed by the nuts!
2. Quick Start

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Classic Column MK3 (Passive Version) Manual / english
2.3 Connecting the speakers
a) Before connecting the loudspeakers to your audio components make sure that the
audio source is switched off and set the level controls fully counterclockwise.
b) With the Bi-wiring terminal you have three choices to connect the loudspeakers to
your audio system:
The standard method is to connect the amplifier
with either the Low Frequency terminal or the
Mid/High Frequency terminal of the speaker
by using a 2-core speaker cable respecting the
positive and negative terminations provided and
also having both terminals linked by using the
supplied bridges as shown in the picture.
In order to bi-wire the speakers remove the bridges and connect an additional
length of speaker cable to the second pair of speaker terminals. At the amplifier,
terminate both red and both black conductors into the same binding post, (or
separate binding posts if provided).
Alternatively you can make use of two power amplifiers (Bi-amping), one for driving
the Low Frequencies and a second one for driving the Mid/High Frequencies.
Some preamplifiers provide options that allow to connect two external power
amplifiers. Please refer to your preamplifier’s user manual for more information.
c) Make sure that the line out level (volume) of your stereo is either at a low level or
all the way off. Then, switch on your audio system, turn on your source of music
and adjust the volume carefully.
2. Quick Start

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The proper positioning of your loudspeakers is of extreme importance to the sound
quality. We would therefore like to give you some advice concerning room acoustics
and the setting up of your loudspeakers. Since every room is unique, we can only offer
general recommendations.
3.1 Room acoustics
Room acoustics come down to essentially three aspects:
a) Reverberation: The ‘sound’ of a room is to some extend a result of its reverbera-
tion, i.e. to how the sound waves are reflected. Soft furniture (like carpets, cur-
tains, or sofas) tends to absorb sound waves, especially higher frequencies. Hard
materials like stone or glass reflect sound waves almost entirely. In general, rever-
berant rooms are rather unforgiving in terms of authentic music reproduction due
to the great number of reflections.
b) The room dimensions: The volume of a room is the second important aspect of its
acoustics. The same loudspeaker will sound different in different sized rooms with
similar sonic characteristics. Therefore, the size of your room partly determines
the positioning of your loudspeakers.
c) The listening distance: The distance between the listener and the sound source
is the third crucial aspect in loudspeaker positioning. If this distance is either too
great or too small, the sound will be compromised.
3.2 General recommendations
Please make sure that there are no obstacles in the way from the monitor to your
ears. You should be able to see the speakers completely.
The distance to the surrounding walls should be at least 40 cm to avoid early
reflections, which will degrade the sound.
The loudspeakers should be aligned with the listener’s position.
Please note that vibrating parts of nearby objects can mask the sound.
3. Speaker Placement

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Classic Column MK3 (Passive Version) Manual / english
3.3 Tweeter at the height of ears
The Tweeter should be positioned approximately at the
height of your ears. If the speaker does not point right
in your direction, you might lose sound
information.
In case you need to position the speaker in a significant
lower or higher position, the monitor should be angled
accordingly.
3.4 The Stereo Triangle
If the loudspeaker is going to be used for stereo ap-
plications, the optimum listening position should be at
the top of an imaginary equilateral triangle with the two
loudspeakers should be placed at the other two points
of this triangle.
The loudspeakers should be aligned with the listener’s
position.
3.5 Surround Placement
Speaker positioning for multi-channel stereo purposes
is ideally based on a circle with speakers placed at 0°
(Center), 30° (Front Right), 110° (Rear Right), 250°
(Rear Left), 330° (Front Left), with the listener being
the circle’s center (Radius between 0.7-2.0 m). This ITU
recommended configuration may vary depending on the
purpose of the control room (music or film). However,
it is recommended to create a symmetrical listening
position with the front side and surround speaker
pointing to the listener’s ear.
The distance to the surrounding walls should be at least
40 cm to avoid early reflections, which can degrade the
sound.
3. Speaker Placement

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All ADAM products are designed and manufactured to the highest quality
standards. However, if any problems with your speaker occur, we recom-
mend to proceed as follows:
Problem: You hear only a distorted or no audio signal at all.
If both (all) speakers are affected, the reason can probably be found
within the signal path. If only one speaker is affected, the problem will
probably be within this speaker.
a) Check the wiring.
Is the cable defective? Are all cables connected correctly?
b) Check the signal path.
Interchange the cables of both loudspeakers. Does the problem change
with one of the cables?
If the answer to these questions is ‘no’, the problem is being caused by
the loudspeaker with the utmost probability.
If the answer to at least one of these questions is ‘yes’, there will prob-
ably be another defective device within the signal path.
4. Troubleshooting