Dali speakers User manual

MANUAL
www.dali.dk

DALI is renowned among music lovers throughout the world for its
unique speakers and cables, all constructed and designed based on
uncompromising design and sound requirements. Our ultra-modern
factory in Denmark is fully equipped with facilities for production
and development of quality speakers.
In the same building you will nd the R&D department, where rst-
class equipment and know-how, built up over many years, ensure
constant development and optimisation of existing and future
models.
We always keep our goal rmly in view for each and every DALI
speaker: To recreate sound experiences in your home that will carry
you away, making you forget time and place...
It is important to us that your new DALI speakers be set up and con-
nected optimally. This manual contains our recommendations for
setup, connection and maintenance.
Enjoy!
anish udiophile oudspeaker ndustries
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English
DALI

Please clean the housing using a soft, dry cloth for
optimum results. If they are very dirty, use a soft
cloth soaked in a mild universal cleaning solu-
tion and rmly wrung out.
Take great care when wiping off the speaker
diaphragms, as these are highly sensitive. The
fabric framework can be cleaned using a vacuum
cleaner and may also be wiped using a well-wrung-
out lint-free cloth and a mild universal cleaning solu-
tion.
Maintenance
The oor-standing DALI Piano speakers come with 4 cones to be mounted
under the base. It is vital that these cones be positioned correctly to ensure
the stability of the speakers. Please use the accompanying template, which
can be found at one end of the packaging, for mounting the 4 self-
adhesive cones.
Unpacking
Congratulations on the purchase of your new DALI Piano speakers. This
manual contains information on setup, tuning and maintenance of Piano
Noble, Agile, Ambient, Vocal and Forte subwoofer.
Manual
Piano Forte wall-mounted subwoofer
DALI strongly recommends that wall-mounting of Piano Forte be carried
out by trained staff, who can ensure that the tting is securely fastened
to the wall. For wall-mounting, the tting that accompanies the speakers
must be used.
This manual also contains information on DALI Piano Forte.
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Running-in
Like any other mechanical system, a speaker needs to be "run in", so you
can look forward to a gradual improvement in sound quality over the ini-
tial period. Unlike other mechanical systems, a DALI speaker does not wear
out - in fact, regular use will extend its lifetime.
Connection
The connection to your amplier is extremely important for your sound
experience.
Always turn off your amplier before connecting any cables or altering
any connections.
Always use cables of the same type and length for left and right speak-
ers. We recommend using special speaker cables from DALI, available from
your dealer.
For the perfect sound experience, the right speaker must be connected to
the output terminal marked "R" or "Right" on your amplier and the left
speaker to the terminal marked "L" or "Left".
A detail that is often overlooked is connection in the correct phase, i.e. the
red terminal (+) on the amplier should be connected to the red terminal
(+) on the speaker, and the black terminal
(-) on the amplier should be connected
to the black terminal (-) on the speaker.
(Fig. 1) If just one speaker in a stereo or
surround sound system is not connected in
phase, the bass will be weak and the over-
all sound will be diffuse.
Always switch off your amplier before adjusting any of the cables!
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Fig. 1. Stereo connection

The same guidelines apply irrespective of the number of speakers in your
sound system: speakers positioned to the right must be connected to the
amplier output terminal marked "R" or "Right", and any to the left must
be connected to "L" or "Left".
You must ensure that the cable ends are
rmly pushed into the terminals, and
that there are no loose wires, which
could cause a short circuit and damage
the amplier. (Fig. 2)
Surround sound ampliers have
similar output terminals to stereo
speakers, usually labelled "Front",
"Centre" and "Rear". (Fig. 3)
For further information, please
refer to the manual.
Using inferior cables for your new DALI speakers is just the same as putting
cheap tyres on a thoroughbred racing car. Using cables from DALI, which
have been specially designed, will ensure a perfect sound experience every
time.
Fig. 3. Surround connection
WAVE
Talk to your authorised DALI dealer about cables - or visit www.dali.dk
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Fig. 2. Terminal connection

Connecting Piano Forte
If supplementing your stereo or surround sound
system with Piano Forte, the active subwoofer from
the Piano range with active crossover network and
amplier, you have various connection options. You
can choose from four options:
Amplier with separate subwoofer output terminal (Fig. 4)
If you have an amplier with a separ-
ate subwoofer output terminal, you
can connect this to the line input
terminals on Piano Forte. Your front
speakers are operated directly by
the amplier and so must not be
connected to Piano Forte. Surround
sound ampliers generally have a sep-
arate subwoofer output terminal.
Amplier without preamplier/subwoofer output terminal
You should only employ the passive
solution if you do not have a preampli-
er output terminal on your amplier.
Piano Forte is operated by the speaker
signal from your amplier/surround
sound receiver.
Connect the front speakers to the
speaker output terminals on Piano
Forte
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Take your time over tuning Piano Forte - it's well worthwhile!
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AMPLIFIER

Amplier with separate preamplier
output terminal and detachable power
amplier (Fig. 6)
Piano Forte is operated by a signal from
your preamplier/surround decoder.
Piano Forte operates the front speakers
via the built-in active crossover network
and a separate power amplier.
Amplier without separate preamplier
output terminal and detachable power
amplier (Fig. 7)
With this solution you have the option of
using a more powerful power amplier for
the front speakers. The partially passive
solution means that Piano Forte is operated
by the speaker signal from your amplier
and converts this signal into a line signal
that operates both the subwoofer and the
power amplier for the front speakers.
Piano Forte should be positioned with the speaker unit facing the wall.
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Fig. 6
Fig. 7

In many cases one Piano Forte in one of the listed setups will provide a
good solution, but the absolute perfect solution is two Piano Fortes in
stereo setup. This solution should be connected in exactly the same way,
but you only connect the left channel to one input terminal on the left
Piano Forte and the right channel to one input terminal on the right Piano
Forte. In other respects, follow the instructions given above - simply with
separate channels. If necessary, obtain advice from your dealer.
Tuning Piano Forte
Once you have chosen the connection you wish to use, you must begin the
task of tuning the system. Following the procedure below will help you to
achieve good results. Use a piece of music that you know well, ideally with
rhythmic bass tone content such as bass drums, electric bass or similar.
Begin by setting "Volume" and "Crossover Frequency" to the central pos-
ition ("12 o'clock"). Set the "Phase" change-over switch to position 180°,
and set both "Auto Shut Off" and "Power" to the "ON" position.
1. Mains lead
2. Power, on/off switch
3. On/off indicator
4. Auto Shut Off
5. Speaker level, speaker signal
6. Line level, Line signal
7. Volume, volume control
8. Phase, 0 and 180 phase switch
9. Crossover Frequency
10. Ventilation grill, DO NOT COVER!
Always switch off Piano Forte before adjusting any of the cables!
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Setting level
Adjust the volume on your Piano Forte so the bass sound matches the level
from the front speakers. Adjust it so that you can hear the sound contri-
bution from Piano Forte - but without the bass being too dominant. The
bass should be stable and precise. If you set the volume too high, there is a
risk of the subwoofer being overloaded, which would have a detrimental
effect on the vital playback of mid-range tones from the front speakers.
Choice of crossover frequency
Once the volume level is set you can tackle the equally important adjust-
ment of the crossover between the front speakers and Piano Forte. You
do this by adjusting the "Crossover Frequency" up and down until you can
hear the bass running evenly and with no gaps. You may need to readjust
the volume slightly for this adjustment.
Phase setting
In most cases you will achieve the best results with "Phase" set to 180°.
However, this will depend on the front speakers you are using. Once again,
your ears must be the judge. Use the trial-and-error method for both set-
tings - and you may also want to try readjusting the volume and crossover
frequency. In all cases it is a good idea to listen to the system for several
days and readjust as required. The same setting will not always be ideal for
both surround sound and 2-channel stereo. So it is useful to make a note
of your preferred settings for each type.
The "Auto Shut Off" function will set Piano Forte to stand-by mode after
approximately 15 minutes with no signal to the input terminal. When
Piano Forte receives a signal again, the system will switch on automatic-
ally.
The "Power" button is the main switch for the system. It is best to switch
off the system completely when it is not going to be in use for long
periods. When making any changes to connections, always shut down the
system completely.
Find out more about world-renowned WASATCH cables from your dealer.
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Overloading
When playing at a loud volume, listen out for possible dissonance and dis-
tortion. Piano Forte is protected against temporary overloading, but if
you often play at a loud volume, you should use a permanent lower setting
for the volume level on Piano Forte. If you position Piano Forte in a corner,
this will increase the bass level. For more information on this, see "Tuning
Piano Forte".
Once you have connected up your new Piano speakers, you need to begin
the process of nding the optimum position for your speakers in relation
to your listening position - and adjusting the surround sound amplier, if
applicable. It is worth spending a little time experimenting, as the correct
setup and tuning will provide a signicantly better sound experience. Here
are some useful pieces of advice:
Avoid placing objects between the speakers and your listening position, as
obstructions can cause incorrect tonal balance.
Try to ensure that the distance between the left and right speakers is equal
to the distance from your listening position to the speakers. If you have sur-
round sound, the distance between all the speakers should be symmetrically
identical (Fig. 8).
DALI Piano has been designed using the Linear
Directivity principle, which means that the tonal
balance will be perfect, even if your listening pos-
ition is not quite central. So, it is not necessary
to angle the front speakers towards your listening
position, unless the front speakers are very far
apart.
Positioning
Fig. 8. Stereo positioning
Correct setup is extremely important for your sound experience.
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