Definitive Technology Mythos One User manual

DePnitive Technnlogy®
The Leader in High-Performance Loudspeakers~
Mythos™ One
MainorSurround
AudioMdeoMagnetically Shielded Loudspeakers
Owner's Manual
Congratulations
Congratulations on your purchase of aDefinitive Technology
Mythos
AudioNideo LoudSPeaker System. These sUPerb
loudsPeakers utilize state-of-the-art components (cast-basket
homopolymer-coned bass-midrange drivers, moving coil
ferrofluid-cooled pure aluminum dome high frequency radiators,
long excursion pressure coupled woofers, unipltase crossover
networks, etc.), anon-resonant aircraft-grade aluminum mono-
coque cabinet, low diffraction construction and complete magnetic
shielding in order to achieve the most lifelike sound possible in
your listening room for many years to come.
The Definitive Technology Mythos loudsPeakers are high-
definition loudsPeaker systems designed for use in audio/video
systems
of the highest quality. Because of their wide range, high
powerhandling and natural articulate clarity, they are ideal for
use in conjunction with all surround sound decoding systems,
including Dolby Pro Logic*, Dolby Digital AC-3*, DTS*, Dolby
Digital EX*, as well as all 6.1 and 7.1 systems.
In addition, the
Mythos loudsPeakers are ideal for use as rear
or side surround
sPeakers in all surround sound decoding systems
or as audiophile
quality main sPeakers in ahigh quality stereo system.
In order to ensure that you eXPerience the finest Performance
possible, we encourage you to take amoment to fully read
this owner's manual and familiarize yourselfwith the proPer
installation and set-up procedures.
*Registered Trademark

Unpacking Your Mythos Loudspeakers
Please Inspect For Shipping Damage
Each loudspeaker leaves our plant in perfect condition. Any visible or
concealed damage most likely occurred
in handling after it left our plant
and should
be reported at once to your Definitive dealer or the delivery
company
that delivered your loudspeaker. Please unpack your system
carefully.
Save all cartons and packing materials in case you move or
need
to ship your system. Record the serial number found on the back of
the Mythos loudspeakers in the appropriate place on your warranty card.
Base Installation Instructions
Tools required: 4mm (or 5/32") Allen Wrench
(also called Hex Key driver) (not supplied)
Parts required: Tempered Glass Base (supplied), four Allen head bolts
(supplied), 8plastic washers (supplied)
Instructions:
1. Carefully lay the Mythos on its side. Lift the base ofthe speaker about
six inches and support it with asoft padded object, such as a pillow.
Do NOT support the speaker with ahard object, as you might dent or
scratch the aluminum finish.
2. Place one plastic washer on each bolt.
3. Insert the bolts into the glass base from the same side that the silver
feet are attached to.
4. Place another plastic washer on each bolt so the washer is against
the glass.
5. Finger tighten all four bolts into the threaded holes on the bottom of
the Mythos. If this has been done correctly, washers will be between
the metal surface of the Mythos, the glass, and the heads ofthe bolts.
6. GENTLY tighten each bolt with the Allen head wrench. Do NOT
overtighten or you may crack the glass.
7. Note the label showing the height adjustment ring and locking collar
on the silver feet. Carefully return the speaker to the upright position
and adjust the feet to level the speaker.

"Spiking" Your Loudspeakers
An optional "spiking" kit has been provided should you desire to
"spike" your loudspeakers. "Spiking" your loudspeakers will provide
much greater stability when placing your loudspeakers on carPeting. It
will also, according to many experts, result in an overall improvement in
sonic performance. Care should be taken when using spikes as they may
cause damage to wooden or other floors which are susceptible to being
scratched. Definitive Technology is specifically not responsible for dam-
age which may result from the use of spikes.
The spike kit contains five spikes. To install, unscrew the non-marking
tips from the centers of the five leveling feet and screw the five spikes in
their places. Then, with the help ofanother person, lift the speaker
upright
and lower it to its exact desired positionon the floor. You must
lower
the speaker to the exact position you want because once the spikes
are in place you cannot move the speakers sideways on the rug or floor -
this may damage the floor or the speakers. Next, adjust the spikes so the
speaker sits solidly on all four spikes (and does not rock).
Positioning Your Mythos Speakers in Your Room
. Your new Mythos speakers are very flexible in terms ofpositioning
andplacement options and
they will produce excellent sound in almost
any location. Following a few simple guidelines can, however, optimize
their performance for
the more critical listener. Please remember that
altJ:1ough the following recommendations are usually valid, all rooms and
listening sets-ups are somewhat unique, so do not be afraid to experiment
with the speakers. Remember, whatever sounds best to you is correct.

Positioning Mythos One as LeftiRigtit Main Speakers
When used as left and right front speakers, the Mythos One can be
placed right next to your
TV with excellent results or may be separated
by adistance greater than the width
of the TV. As with any speaker, a
greater separation
(5 to 7feet or more) will normally result in abigger
soundstage and this is recommended from asonic point
of view.
Speakers may be angled in toward the listening position
or left parallel
with each other. Angling the speakers in (pointed directly at the listener)
will result in asomewhat brighter, clearer sound with asharper focus
and amore solid central image (generally, we recommend this), while
leaving the speakers parallel with each other will result in aless bright,
warmer sound.
Positioning Mythos One as Rear/Side Surrounds
When used as rear or side surround speakers, Mythos One may be
located on the side or behind the listeners. When used on the sides, take
care never to locate the speakers forward
of the listeners. If the speakers
are placed
on the rear wall, it is suggested that they be positioned faifIy
wide apart
if possible. (For instance, if there is acouch in the center of
the rear wall on which the listeners will sit, try to position the speakers
wider apart than the couch.)
Speaker Break-In
Your Mythos loudspeakers should sound good right out of the box;
however, an extended break-in period
of 20-40 hours or more of normal
playing is required to reach full performance capability. Break-in allows
the suspensions to work in
and results in fuller bass, a more open
"blossoming" midrange
and smoother high frequency reproduction.

Connecting Your Mythos Loudspeakers
Hooking Up Your Mythos Loudspeakers
Your Mythos loudspeakers each have one pair of gold 5-way
binding posts. Nonnally, you will hook up the left main/front channel
red(+) tenninal
of your receiver or amplifier to the red(+) tenninal of
your left Mythos loudspeaker and the left main/front channel black(-)
tenninal
of your receiver or amplifier to the black(-) tenninal of your
left Mythos loudspeaker. Connect the right channel main/front chan-
nel red(+) tenninal
of your amplifier or receiver to the red(+)
tenninal of your right Mythos loudspeaker and the black(-) tenninal
of the right main/front channel of your receiver or amplifier to the
black(
-) terminal of your right Mythos loudspeaker.
If you are using the Mythos as side/rear surround speakers, hook
up the left surround red(+) terminal
of your receiver or amplifier to
the red(+) tenninal of your Mythos left surround speaker and the left
surround black(-) tenninal
of your receiver or amplifier to the black(-)
tenninal
of your Mythos left surround speaker. Connect the right
surround red(+) tenninal
of your amplifier or receiver to the red(+)
tenninal of your Mythos right surround loudspeaker and the black(-)
tenninal
of the right surround channel of your receiver or amplifier
to the black(-) terminal
of your Mythos right surround loudspeaker.
If your receiver/ decoder has abass management system and you
are using aseparate subwoofer, set bass management to "Small" left
and right main speakers, "Small" center channel, "Small" surround
speakers and "Yes" subwoofer.
If your receiver/decoder has achoice
of crossover frequencies, set the crossover to 80 Hz. If you are not
using aseparate subwoofer, set bass management to "Large" left
and right main speakers, "Large" center channel and "Large"surround
speakers, and "No" subwoofer.

Setting Bass and Treble Controls on Your
Receiver or Amplifier
Normally we recommend that you set the Bass and Treble controls
on flat or 0dB. This will give you the most linear and natural sound.
Also,
if your amplifier or receiver has agraphic equalizer, we recom-
mend that you leave it flat. The reason for this is that we have spoken
with many consumers about what they thought were improperly
sounding speakers when, in fact, the problem was misadjusted tone
controls.
When in doubt, leave them flat; this almost always
sounds the best.
Usually ifdistortion is heard when the speakers are being driven
at loud levels, it is caused by driving (turning up) the amplifier too
loud and not driving the speakers with more power
than they can
handle. Remember, most amplifiers put out their full-rated power
well before the volume control
is turned all the way up! If your
speakers distort when you play them loud,
turn down the amplifi-
er or get abigger one.

The Mythos One Home Theater Systems
A complete Mythos One Home Theater System will normally combine
your Mythos One front left ~nd right loudspeakers with a Mythos Three center
channel loudspeaker and rear surround speakers (which can also be Mythos
One speakers or any other Definitive Surround Loudspeaker including Mythos
Two speakers, our Bipolar In-Walls, ProMonitors, StudioMonitors, etc.) and
one or more Definitive subwoofers. These superb systems offer exceptional
music and home theater performance with all decoding technologies.
Remember, to achieve proper blending and full performance, it is essential
to use only Definitive speakers to complete your home theater system.
Using Your Mythos Loudspeakers with
aSeparate Subwoofer
If you use asubwoofer, we str.ongly suggest using aDefinitive
PowerField SuperCube, PowerField
or ProSub in order to achieve
the highest level of sound quality possible.
With Dolby Digital Receivers and Decoders
Most systems using the Mythos loudspeakers with asubwoofer will
be Dolby Digital Systems. Simply hook the Mythos speakers up to the
left and right front (main) channels (assuming you are using them as
front speakers) and hook the Mythos Three to the center channel
(assuming
you are using it as acenter channel). Using alow-level RCA
cable, hook the subwoofer up to the LFE output on your receiver or
processor (if
you are using aDefinitive subwoofer input this LFE cable
into
the LFE input on the sub). Then set the bass management system on
the receiver or decoder to "Small" left and right main speakers, "Small"
center,
and "Yes" subwoofer. If your receiver/decoder has achoice of
crossover frequencies, set
the crossover to 80 Hz. The circuitry inside
the receiver or decoder will perform the necessary crossover functions.
With Non-Dolby Digital Systems
With non-Dolby Digital systems, there are many options for using
your Mythos loudspeakers with asubwoofer. The specific hook-up
will depend on the specific subwoofer
you are using. With Definitive
subwoofers,
you can run the Mythos loudspeakers full range (i.e. hook

them up nonnally to the amplifier receiver) and connect the subwoofer
to the sub-out with alow-level RCA cable (with Definitive sub-
woofers this would input into the left or right channel input). You
would then set the woofer's low-pass crossover.
We would suggest
starting around 80 Hz and then experiment up or down from there.
You also have the option with Definitive subwoofers
of using the
subwoofer's built-in speaker level high-pass crossover as described
in the subwoofer instruction manuals. In this case, also start with the
subwoofer low-pass crossover at about 80 Hz and experiment.
Use of Mythos One as Rear or Side
Surround Speakers
Mythos loudsPeakers make excellent rear or side surround sPeakers.
In order to use the Mythos sPeakers as rear or side surround sPeakers,
simply hook them up as normal to the rear or side channel amplifier
outputs
of your system. Set the bass management system of your decoder
to "Small" rear and/or side surrounds
if your system is using aseparate
subwoofer, or "Large" rear or side surrounds
if your system is not using
aseparate subwoofer.

Technical Assistance
It is our pleasure to offer assistance ifyou have any questions
regarding your Mythos loudSPeakers or their set-up. Please contact
your nearest Definitive Technology dealer orcontact us directly at
410-363-7148 or www.definitivetech.com.
Service
Service and warranty work on your Definitive loudspeakers will
normally be performed by the Definitive Technology dealer from
whom you have purchased your loudspeakers. If, however, you wish
to return the speaker to us, please contact
us first, describing the prob-
lem and requesting authorization as well as the location
of the nearest
factory service center. Please note
that the address given in this
booklet
is the address of our offices only. Under no circumstances
should loudspeakers be shipped to
our offices or returned without
contacting us first
and obtaining return authorization.
Definitive Technology Offices
11433 Cronridge Drive
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
Phone: 410-363-
714.8
Visit us at www.definitivetech.com