Crystal Acoustics PL SYSTEM? PL4-SYSTEM User manual

PlAsma
Home Theater Systems
Instructions manual
zPL SYSTEM
zPL4-SYSTEM

2 3
www.crystal-acoustics.com
Index
Precautions..........................................................................................................................................................................3
1. Introduction....................................................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Plasma Systems with THX-SUB Subwoofers ..........................................................................................4
1.1.1 Plasma Speaker Systems ..............................................................................................................................5
2. Positioning your Plasma Speaker System ....................................................................................................5
2.1 Placing Plasma Tower Speakers Front Left and Right ......................................................................6
2.2 Placing Plasma Center or Plasma CSF-4 Channel Speaker............................................................6
2.3 Placing Plasma Speakers Surround Left and Right..............................................................................6
2.4 Placing Plasma CSF-4 speakers On-Wall and In-Wall ......................................................................7
3. Speakers Connections ............................................................................................................................................8
4. Setting Up Your THX-SUB Subwoofer ............................................................................................................9
5. Plasma base assembly ........................................................................................................................................10
Specifications ..................................................................................................................................................................10
6. Room Acoustics Designer® (Loudspeaker Placement Interactive Software)..........................10
7. Home Theater Handbook "The Salesman's & Buyer's Guide" ..........................................................11
Precautions
zBefore powering the subwoofer make sure the operating voltage of the local power supply
is identical to that specified for the subwoofer
zEnsure that your amplifier is switched off before connecting the speakers
zTurn off the subwoofer before connecting the input signal cable to its internal amplifier
zMake sure you have connected the plus (+) and minus (-) binding posts of each speaker to
the corresponding plus (+) and minus (-) terminals on the amplifier or receiver
zMake sure all binding posts are tight, especially if using bare speaker wires
zContact between + and - wire strands may cause a short-circuit and potentially damage
your equipment
zAvoid using your amplifier at its power limit especially if it is a low-power design
zContinuous high power levels can cause distortion
zAmplifier clipping may cause severe damage to your speakers
zHigh-power amplifiers are preferable
zDo not drive your new speakers with a continuous power output exceeding its maximum
power rating as indicated in this instruction manual for each speaker model
zUse the best speaker and interconnect cables possible
zDo not place loudspeakers in dusty or humid environments
zAvoid exposure to direct sunlight
Caution:
Your Plasma speakers are equipped with electronically protected tweeters to avoid overheating
that can lead to tweeter failure.
For even greater protection avoid extremely high volumes that can distort the sound and may
cause severe damage to your amplifier and speakers.

4 5
www.crystal-acoustics.com
1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing your Plasma Speaker System. It is designed and built to the high-
est standards for powerful and vivid high performance at an unbeatable price.
Crystal Acoustics home theater systems deliver powerful, engaging, you-are-there video, and
a profound yet nuanced, detailed and dynamic musical presentation. Immerse yourself in an ultra
dynamic action film and be in the scene while thunderous dynamics and huge soundscapes take
the breath away!
1.1 Plasma Systems with THX-SUB Subwoofers
Plasma Speaker Systems are designed to be used with our THX Select Certified Subwoofers.
Plasma Systems are not THX-certified because of their slim cabinets and a crossover point set
at 120Hz for best performance instead of the required 80Hz for THX Certification.
The overall presentation is engagingly vivid with your THX-SUB subwoofer supporting flat
anechoic response from 35Hz to 200Hz. They also feature accurate room response from 19Hz
to 350Hz. With these specifications, they beautifully reproduce the sound of music or deliver
powerful action films with the authority of larger and more expensive speakers.
Your Plasma System also provides high performance Small Tower Speakers for the mid- and
high-frequencies. They feature:
zElectronic protection for tweeters and woofers
zMagnetic shielding
zAbsolutely flat frequency response
zWide horizontal dispersion permits full, flat frequency response throughout a room
zControlled vertical dispersion diminishes ceiling and floor reflections for superior
focus and imaging
zHigh power handling rated at 200 watts RMS at 200Hz for safe operation with
powerful amplifiers and A/V receivers
zHigh Sensitivity for low power amplifiers and A/V receivers
1.1.1 Plasma Speaker Systems
Your Plasma System is available in two versions that include the following speakers:
1. Plasma 4 System
zPlasma Tower-4 Speakers with 4 woofer drivers for Front L/R and Surround channels
zPlasma CSF 4 Channel Speakers for use as a center, front or surround channels
2. Plasma System
zPlasma Tower Speakers with 2 woofers for Front L/R and Surround channels
zPlasma Center Channel Speakers
2. Positioning your Plasma Speaker System
The soundfield reproduced by a multichannel audio system literally envelopes listeners to
create a very three-dimensional image. To achieve best results follow these set-up procedures.
zIdeally, all five speakers should be equidistant from the listener and develop identical
sound levels when fed identical signal
zIt may not be practical for your speakers to be set equidistantly In your room, but
electronic time delay circuits easily compensate for this and can be found in any
processor or receiver's set-up menu.
Your Plasma System with THX-SUB Subwoofer is optimized for High End multichannel
performance in small- to medium-size rooms.
Figure 1: Speaker
placement
THX is a trademark or registered trademark of THX Ltd. All rights reserved. Plasma is not a THX certified Product

6 7
www.crystal-acoustics.com
2.1 Placing Plasma Tower Speakers Front Left and Right
Try to follow these setup suggestions as illustrated in figure 1. Use our online Room Acoustics
Designer®to find other placement suggestions.
1. Place your Plasma Speakers equidistantly from your TV/Projector's screen
2. Measure the distance between your left and right speakers
3. Measure the distance between the listening position and the midpoint between your left
and right speakers
4. The difference in length between them should be no greater than 15%
5. Angle your speakers inwards towards the listening position and find the optimum angle
for best sound
6. Adjust your speakers so that the tweeters are about ear-height at the listening position
if possible
7. Move the speakers towards room boundaries (walls or corners) to reinforce low frequen-
cies. Do the opposite to reduce lower frequencies.
8. Do not place the speakers too far apart or a hole develops in the center image
9. Do not place the speakers too close together or the soundstage collapses into a fuzzy
mono center-only image.
2.2 Placing Plasma Center or Plasma CSF-4 Channel Speaker
zTV screen: Place your Plasma Center Speaker directly above or below the screen depend-
ing on which is closer to ear level
zProjector screen: Place your Plasma center behind or in front of the center of the screen
whether it is acoustically transparent or not
2.3 Placing Plasma Speakers Surround Left and Right
Two more Front Tower Speakers are supplied for the surround channels and they are opti-
mized to support that attractive, engaging, powerful and enveloping soundfield created by your
Plasma Speaker System.
1. Place the speakers slightly behind the primary listening position
2. Adjust the speakers to fire towards each other behind the seating area
2.4 Placing Plasma CSF-4 speakers On-Wall and In-Wall
Because of their smart design, the Plasma CSF-4 can be used as an on-wall center channel
(horizontal placement) or surround speaker (vertical placement). The Plasma CSF-4 can also be
mounted in-wall.
Figure 2: On-wall placement of SmArt-4 in vertical or horizontal position
VERTICAL Placement on wall
(Surround)
HORIZONTAL Placement on wall
(Center)

8 9
www.crystal-acoustics.com
3. Speakers Connections
Connections to the speakers are made at the binding post terminals located on the rear
panel of the cabinet. These terminals permit a variety of connection methods.
1. Single-wire: Ensure the positive binding post on the speaker (marked in red) is connected
to the positive output terminal of the amplifier or receiver. Similarly, the negative speaker termi-
nal (marked in black) is connected to the negative amplifier or receiver output terminal. Incorrect
connections can result in poor imaging and reduced bass output.
2. Biwire: Remove the jumper links by loosening the speaker terminal caps and use a sepa-
rate pair of speaker cables from the amplifier or receiver to each pair of speaker binding posts.
Biwiring can improve resolution of low-level detail. Always observe correct polarity. Incorrect con-
nections can also degrade bass, focus and imaging.
Be sure to choose the correct output terminals on your amplifier or receiver to properly connect
your Plasma Speakers.
zFor front left and right speakers: Use the front left and right speaker output terminals on
your amplifier or receiver and connect two Plasma-Tower speakers
zFor center speaker: Use the Center Channel Speaker output terminals on your amplifier or
receiver to connect your Plasma center or CSF-4 speaker
zFor surround speakers: Use the two Surround Speaker output terminals on your amplifier
or receiver to connect two Plasma-Towers or Plasma SCF-4 speakers
Figure3: Speakers Connections
IMPORTANT: All connections
must be made with the
equipment switched off.
4. Setting Up Your THX-SUB Subwoofer
THX and Non-THX certified Dolby Digital/DTS processors and receivers include Crossover
Frequency Controls to set the rolloff point of the signal going to the subwoofer.
zSet the Operation Mode on your THX-SUB to the THX position if you are using a THX
amplifier or to the VAR position if not. The VAR position offers independent control of the sub-
woofer's volume through the rotating switch on the rear panel.
zSet the Phase switch to Normal.
zProceed to the speaker Surround Setup menu on your processor or receiver and calibrate
each channel's level, time delay and size. For further details consult their manuals.
zAdjust the crossover frequency between 120Hz and 150Hz on the Crossover Frequency
Control of your processor or receiver. Setting the crossover frequency at 120Hz ensures better
performance making the THX-SUB easy to place in different locations in your room. Setting the
crossover frequency to 150Hz ensures higher power output but the subwoofer must be placed
near the speakers.
Note: For further details on placing and adjusting your THX-SUB, please refer to the subwoofer's
manual.

10 11
www.crystal-acoustics.com
6. Room Acoustics Designer®(Loudspeaker Placement Interactive Software)
Room Acoustics Designer®is a unique inter-
active software developed by Crystal
Audiovideo.
Through it, the user can choose different
types of speakers, according to his/her
preferences and his/her room dimensions
At the same time the user is properly con-
sulted for the correct placement of the
speakers in the room based on the room
dimensions, furniture e.t.c.
Room Designer®is more than a simple
program that selects loudspeakers based
on the input of the user.
zTakes into consideration the fur-
nishing of the room and the dimensions
of the video display or TV, to place the
loudspeakers in optimal locations.
zOffers the suggestions to the user
in a friendly graphical way.
zWhen the user changes the listen-
ing position, then simultaneously all the
components of the system (display,
speakers) are moved, so that the
acoustic rules are observed.
Room Designer is patented software, accessible free of charge at Crystal's web site:
http://www.crystalaudiovideo.com
5. Plasma base assembly
Specifications
MODEL NAME Plasma center Plasma CSF-4 Plasma Tower PlasmaTower-4
TYPE 2-way 2,5-way 2-way 2,5-way
MAGNETICALLY SHIELDED 9999
ELECTRONIC PROTECTION 9999
WOOFER 3'' ALUMINUM 2 4 2 4
TWEETER 1'' ALUMINUM DOME 9999
INPUT POWER (WRMS) 125WRms/150 Hz 150WRms/120 Hz 125WRms/150 Hz 150WRms/120Hz
MAXIMUM POWER (Watt) 250WRms / 200Hz 300WRms / 150Hz 250WRms / 200Hz 300WRms / 200Hz
SENSITIVITY (dB/W/m) 90 91 90 91
IMPEDANCE (Ohm) 8 8 8 8
MIN. IMPEDANCE (Ohm) 4 4 4 4
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (Hz) 120-22k 120-22k 120-22k 120 - 22k
ENCLOSURE TYPE: BASS REFLEX 9999
DIMENSIONS D x H x W (cm) 8x10x44 8x10x60 8x105x10 10x120x10

7. Home Theater Handbook "The Salesman's & Buyer's Guide"
If you are interested in setting up a Home
Entertainment System, this book offers
all necessary information to make an
educated selection of equipment, avoiding
the many pitfalls of purchasing soon-to-be
outdated, or inappropriate components. The
book reports on all the latest
developments to make you an expert
on the subject.
This book includes:
zAn innovative training system
zOver 350 Questions and Answers
zFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers
zOver 100 detailed color drawings and photos
Crystal Audiovideo Ltd. London, UK
[e-mail]
www.crystalaudiovideo.com