Advent AW820 User manual

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900 MHZ WIRELESS STEREO SPEAKERS
INSTALLATION AND
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
AW820

900 MHz Wireless Stereo Speakers
Installation and Operation Manual
Model AW820
CONTENTS
C.Rnect the Transmitter 5
Pewer the Speakers 7
Adiust the Transmitter 7
T.e the Speakers 8
Troubleshooting 9
S,ecifications & Features ~ 11
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your purchase of 900 MHz Wireless Speakers by Advent. These
speakers eliminate the most difficult aspect of installing additional speakers to any
location in your home - running and concealing hundreds of feet of unsightly
speaker wire. Like FM radio, the Advent Wireless Speaker System 900 MHz signals
travel with ease through walls, floors, ceilings and other obstacles, delivering high-
quality stereo sound virtually anywhere in or about the home. Resonator-controlled
circuitry for drift- and static-free reception, coupled with outstanding range - up to
300 feet* - make the possibilities for your enjoyment of the Advent Wireless
Speaker System virtually unlimited.
The Advent Wireless Speaker System is compatible with most potential audio
sources, i.e. TVs, VCRs, stereo receivers/amps, personal stereos, boom boxes, DSS
receivers, and individual stereo component pieces (CD players, cassette players,
etc.) The contents of this manual cover various connection options and detailed
operating procedures for making the Advent Wireless Stereo Speaker System a
valued part of your lifestyle. If, after having reviewed the instructions, you have any
questions, please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-732-6866.
* Range will vary by environment
3

O+--+---G
K LM NJ I
Front
BCD EF
.0 o. H
Bottom~
A. Tuning Indicator Light
B. Tuning Control Wheel'
C. Left/Monaural/Right Switch
D. Power ON-OFFNolume Control
Wheel
E. Battery Compartment Cover
F. Speaker Power Input Jack
G. Mounting Bracket Bolt Hole-
see (T)
H. Audio Level Indicator Light
I. Transmitter Power Input Jack
J. Charge Output Jack - for use with
Advent AW770 and AW720
Wireless Headphones
K. Output Level Control Wheel
L. Right Audio Input Jack
M. Left Audio Input Jack
N. Frequency Control Wheel
O. Transmitter AC Adapter -18V DC
P. Speaker AC Adapter (x2) -15V DC
Q. Headphone Adapter Plug
R. Dual RCA Cable
S. "y" Cable Adapter
T. Speaker Mounting Bracket-
optional, not included
Q
4

CONNECT THE TRANSMITTER
Connect the transmitter as follows:
_1 Power the Transmitter
1. Insert the power cord from AC Adapter (0) into the
Transmitter Power Input Jack (I).
2. Plug the AC adapter into a nearby, standard wall
outlet.
Note: Be sure to use the AC adapter rated 18V DC 150 rnA.
Transmitter Power
Input Jack (I)
~jJ
Transmitter AC
Adapter (0)
.:;; !*~ rn~
OU:-. ~
""
Dual RCA Cable (R)
Tr«t ........ r
~
l/R Audio
Input Jacks (L, M)
SIll2 Connect to an Audio Source
WARNING: DO NOT connect the Dual RCA cables to a
.. aker output on the a udio source. If you use the
speaker output of an audio source to connect the
transmitter, you will pennanently damage the
tlMSmitter. It is only designed to work with RCA-type
line/variable outputs or headphone outputs only.
OPTION 1 CONNECTING TO A STEREO RECEIVER _
1. Connect one end ofthe color-coded Dual RCA ~'.!.t!
Cable (R) to the color-coded Left/Right Audio
Input Jacks (L, M) on the transmitter. :::z::=;:foI
2. Connect the other end of the Dual RCA Cable l/R Audio Dual RCA Cable (R)
to the RCA-type audio outputs of a stereo Input Jacks (L, M)
receiver/ amp or other audio source.
l/R Audio Dual RCA
Input Jacks (L, M) Cable (R)
5

3. Plug the 3.5mm mini plug from the "V" Cable Adapter into the headphone jack
(as needed, use the Headphone Adapter Plug (Q) to convert the 3.5mm plug to a
1/4" plug).
Note: If you select Option 1or Option 2 to connect the transmitter, the audio level will be
fixed or variable, depending on your equipment. If you select Option 3, the audio
level will be variable.
ABOUT FIXEO-LEVEL OUTPUTS
A fixed-level, or line level audio output is considered ideal since it provides an
audio signal unchanged by adjustments to the audio source (stereo, etc.) volume
control.
Hint: Fixed-level audio outputs from stereo receivers/amps will typically be designated
as Tape, Tape I, and Tape 2 outputs, OAT (digital audio tape) outputs, VCR audio
output connections, and auxiliary audio outputs. Tape, Tape I, Tape 2 and OAT
outputs are usually marked as TAPE OUTPUT,' TAPE OUT,' TAPE REC,' OR TAPE
RECORD.' Jacks designated for phono, CD, LD, DVD or tape playback (PB) are
inputs and will not work for purposes ofinstalling the transmitter.
Fixed-level outputs from TVs are usually marked as 'Constant,' 'Fixed,' or 'Select. I
If they are not marked as such, they are probably variable outputs (see "About
Variable-Level Outputs," next page).
Outputs from VCRs are almost always fixed.
Hint: When connecting to the fixed audio outputs ofa VCR, remember that for the
wireless system to work, the VCR must be active. In other words, turn the TV on
to the channel you would normally use to watch a videotape (channel 3or 4), turn
the VCR on, then press the TV/VCR button on your VCR remote control one time to
make the VCR the controlling piece of equipment. At this point, you can watch TV
or a VHS tape through the VCR. When changing TV channels, remember to do so
through the VCR. This configuration gives you independent volume control
through your TV (using the TV remote control) and at the speakers.
Hint: If your VCR (or other RCA-type audio source you are connecting to) is mono (a
single audio output), you need to acquire an RCA "Y" Cable. It differs from the "Y"
cable included in this kit. It will have a single male RCA plug and 2 female RCA
jacks. Attach the dual RCA cables from the transmitter to the 2 female RCA jacks
on the "Y" cable, then connect the single male RCA plug of the "Y" cable to the
single audio output of the VCR.
ABOUT VARIABLE-LEVEL OUTPUTS
A variable-level output, such as a headphone jack, provides an audio signal to the
transmitter that changes in relation to volume adjustments on the audio source. As
the volume of the audio source goes up and down, so too does the audio signal
strength sent to the transmitter. This can affect the quality of sound you hear at the
speakers.
6

Hint: On most bookshelf-type or compact stereo systems, inserting a headphone plug
into the headphone jack results in automatic cutoffof the regular, or hard-wired,
speakers.
Hint: Most TVs, regardless of age or price, have variable outputs. If you are unsure
which, if any of your outputs is fixed, refer to the TV instruction manual. Some
TVs have outputs that can switch between variable and fixed. Refer to the TV
instruction manual. When given a choice, fixed is always recommended.
POWER THE SPEAKERS
Select from the following options to power the AW820 speakers.
PoWER OPTION 1 CONNECT THE AC ADAPTER
1. Turn the speaker Power On-OffNolume
Control Wheel (D) to the "OFF" position (all
the way counterclockwise).
2. Insert the power cord from the AC adapter
(P) into the Speaker Power Input Jack (F).
3. Plug the AC adapter into any standard wall
outlet.
4. Repeat for other speaker.
Note: Be sure to use the AC adapters rated 15V DC
800 mA.
PoWER OPTION 2 INSERT "c" CELL BATTERIES
1. Remove the four screws holding the battery
compartment cover (E).
2. Insert eight (8) "c" batteries (optional) into the
speaker following the polarity ("+" and "-") as
diagrammed in the battery compartment.
3. Replace the battery compartment cover and
screws.
4 Repeat for other speaker.
.
......•. rffil 0. _0 .••.••• ~.~
¥
Battery
Compartment
Cover (E)
ADJUST THE TRANSMITTER
Adjust the transmitter as follows:
STEP 1 TURN ON YOUR AUDIO SOURCE
1. Turn ON your audio source (i.e. Stereo Receiver, TV, etc.) so that you can hear
sound coming from the source.
7

Audio Level
~
~
~
Output Level Frequency
Control Control
Wheel (K) Wheel (N)
STEP 2 SET THE TRANSMITTER "LEVEL"
1. Set the Frequency Control Wheel (N) to its midpoint.
2. Turn the Output Level Control wheel (K) all the way to
the right as shown.
3. Check status of Audio Level Indicator Light (H). If it
flickers intermittently (about half the time), proceed to
"Tune the Speakers".
4. If Audio Level Indicator Light is on solid red or flickering
very rapidly, turn wheel slowly back to the left until light
flickers intermittently.
Note: If the light does not flicker, confirm secure connection
of the AC adapter. If the light still does not flicker,
confirm secure connection to the audio source output.
If there is still no response, leave the Output Level
Control Wheel completely to the right (as shown) and proceed.
Hint: If the transmitter is connected to a variable output (i.e. Headphone Jack, TV audio
out) on the audio source, leave the Output Level Control Wheel turned all the way
to the right (as shown) and adjust the volume on the audio source up or down as
necessary to make the Audio Level Indicator Light (H) flicker intermittently.
lJlM IH£ SPEAKERS
Adjust the speakers as follows:
TURN ON AND TUNE THE SPEAKERS
1. Use the speaker Power ON-OFFNolume Control Wheel (0)
to turn the speaker "ON." Tuning Indicator Light (A) will
illuminate red.
2. Turn the Tuning Control Wheel (B) until the audio source
is heard. The Tuning Indicator Light (A) will change
color to green, indicating the speaker is tuned to the
signal from the transmitter.
3. Adjust volume as desired.
4. Set the Left/Mono/Right Switch (C) accordingly (see
"Setting the Speakers for Stereo/Monaural
Operation" on page 9).
5. Repeat process for other speaker.
Note: Interference in the form ofstatic and/or
distortion can sometimes be heard. If this
occurs, confirm correct transmitter/speaker adjustments and
indicators. If the problem persists, refer to TROUBLESHOOTING.
8
Tuning Indicator
Light (A)
Power On-OffNolume
Control Wheel (0)

SmlNG THE SPEAKERS FOR STEREO/MoNAURAL OPERATION
For stereo operation, set the Left/Mono/Right Switch (C) to "Left" on one speaker
and "Right" on the other speaker. For monaural operation at each speaker, set the
Left/Mono/Right Switch to "Mono" on each speaker
Note: If you use one speaker at one location and the other atanother location (i.e. two
different
rooms), Advent recommends the "Mono" setting for best sound
reproduction.
OPTIONAL SPEAKER MOUNTING BRACKETS
Optional Speaker Mounting Brackets (T) are available to wall mount your AW820
speakers. To purchase bracket model AWB1 (includes brackets and mounting
hardware for 2 speakers), contact your retailer or call Advent Customer Service at
1-800-732-6866.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The following troubleshooting guide takes you through some of the more common
problems and corrections associated with the installation and/or operation of a
wireless system. If a problem persists, please call 1-800-732-6866 and a
knowledgeable customer service representative will assist you.
TIOUBLE CHECKS AND ADJUSTMENTS
No Sound Confirm that the Transmitter AC Adapter (0) is inserted into the wall
outlet and the power cord from the AC adapter is firmly connected to
the Transmitter Power Input Jack (I).
Confirm that the speaker is turned "ON".
Confirm that the Speaker AC Adapter (P) is fully inserted into the wall
outlet and the power cord from the AC adapter is firmly connected to
the Speaker Power Input Jack (F).
or
Check that the "C" cell batteries are fresh and inserted for correct
polarity (+, -).
Check that the audio source (stereo, TV, etc.) is turned on and
providing sound as it normally should.
Check that the speaker volume (0) is turned up.
9

If you are using a Tape 2Monitor output from your receiver/amp as
the audio output, check that you have pressed the Tape MonitorlTape
2 button on the front of the receiver. This will turn on the Tape 2
outputs, which may be inactive otherwise.
No Sound Check the left/right balance control on the audio source.
ill One
$pesker
,. Sound/If using battery power, batteries may be low. Replace if necessary.
Distortion!
.tic Check that the speaker Tuning Indicator Light (A) is illuminated
green. If not, adjust the Tuning Control Wheel (8) until the light
changes from red to green.
Check that the transmitter Audio Level Indicator Light (H) is flickering
intermittently. If you are using a fixed output and the light is on solid,
or if the light is not on at all, adjust the Output Level Control Wheel (K)
so that the light flickers intermittently.
or
If you are using a variable output, make sure the Output Level
Control Wheel (K) is all the way right (as shown under "Adjust the
Transmitter" page 7) and adjust the volume on the audio source up or
down as necessary to make the light flicker intermittently.
Change the position of the transmitter Frequency Control Wheel (N)
to change the operating frequency. Then, readjust the speaker
Tuning Control Wheel (8) until Tuning Indicator Light (A) changes
color to green.
Try changing the physical location of the transmitter. Locate it as
high and free of obstruction as possible. Avoid placing directly on
top of a TV, if possible.
Try moving the transmitter and speakers closer together. Sending the
signal through certain materials, such as glass, tile, and metal, can
decrease the effective transmitting distance of the system.
10

speCIFICATIONS & FEATURES
TRANSMITIER
Omnidirectional
Effective Transmitting Range: Up to 300 Feet*
Adjustable Audio Level Input
Variable Frequency Adjustment between 912.5 to 914.5 MHz
Left / Right Audio Line Levell nputs
UL-Listed AC adapter
SPEAKERS
la-Watts per Channel RMS (each speakerl
Two-Way Speaker Design
Acoustic Suspension Design
1" Dome Tweeter; 4" Woofer
Integrated PowerNolume Controllfront facel
Individual Frequency Fine Tuning Ifront facel
Left/Mono/Right Switch (front facel
Frequency Response: 30 Hz - 20 kHz
4 Ohm Rated
60 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio
30 dB Channel Separation
Distortion: < 1.5%
* Range will vary by environment.
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