Definitive Technology Mythos Five User manual

Congratulations
Congratulations on your purchase of a Definitive Technology
Mythos Audio/Video 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, uniphase crossover
networks, etc.), a non-resonant aircraft-grade aluminum mono-
coque cabinet, low diffraction construction and complete magnet-
ic 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
power handling 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 a high quality stereo system.
In order to ensure that you experience the finest performance
possible, we encourage you to take a moment to fully read this
owner’smanual and familiarize yourself with the proper installa-
tion and set-up procedures.
Main or Surround
Audio/Video Magnetically Shielded Loudspeakers
Owner’s Manual
*Registered Trademark
Mythos™Four &
Mythos™Five Towers

Unpacking Your Mythos Loudspeakers
Base Installation Instructions
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.
Tools required: 4mm (or 5/32") Allen Wrench
(also called Hex Key driver) (supplied)
Parts required: Tempered Glass Base (supplied), four Allen head bolts
(supplied), four plastic washers (supplied)
Instructions:
1. Carefully lay the Mythos on its side. Lift the base of the speaker about
six inches and support it with a soft padded object, such as a pillow.
Do NOT support the speaker with a hard 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. Finger tighten all four bolts into the threaded hole on the bottom of
the Mythos. If this has been done correctly,washers will be located
between the glass base and the heads of the bolts.
5. GENTLY tighten each bolt with the Allen head wrench. Do NOT
overtighten or you may crack the glass.
6. 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.
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“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 of another person, lift the speaker upright
and lower it to its exact desired position on 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 five spikes (and does not rock).
Positioning Your Mythos Speakers in Your Room
Your new Mythos speakers are very flexible in terms of positioning
and placement 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
although 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.
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Positioning Mythos Towers as Left/Right Main
Speakers
When used as left and right front speakers, the Mythos Towers 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 7 feet or more) will normally result in a bigger sound-
stage and this is recommended from a sonic 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 a
somewhat brighter, clearer sound with a sharper focus and a more solid
central image (generally, we recommend this), while leaving the speakers
parallel with each other will result in a less bright, warmer sound.
Positioning Mythos Towers as Rear/Side Surrounds
When used as rear or side surround speakers, Mythos Towers 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
fairly wide apart if possible. (For instance, if there is a couch in the center
of the rear wall on which the listeners will sit, try to position the speakers
wider apart than the couch.)
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.
Speaker Break-In

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Hooking Up Your Mythos Loudspeakers
Your Mythos loudspeakers each have one pair of gold 5-way binding
posts. Normally, you will hook up the left main/front channel red(+)
terminal of your receiver or amplifier to the red(+) terminal of your left
Mythos loudspeaker and the left main/front channel black(-) terminal
of your receiver or amplifier to the black(-) terminal of your left Mythos
loudspeaker. Connect the right channel main/front channel red(+) termi-
nal of your amplifier or receiver to the red(+) terminal of your right
Mythos loudspeaker and the black(-) terminal 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(+)
terminal of your Mythos left surround speaker and the left surround
black(-) terminal of your receiver or amplifier to the black(-) terminal
of your Mythos left surround speaker. Connect the right surround red(+)
terminal of your amplifier or receiver to the red(+) terminal of your
Mythos right surround loudspeaker and the black(-) terminal 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 a bass management system and you are
using a separate 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 a choice of crossover
frequencies, set the crossover to 80 Hz. If you are not using a separate
subwoofer,set bass management to “Large”left and right main speakers,
“Large”center channel and “Large”surround speakers, and “No”
subwoofer. Normally we recommend that these speakers be used
with a subwoofer in order to realize their full performance potential.
Connecting Your Mythos Loudspeakers

Setting Bass and Treble Controls on Your
Receiver or Amplifier
Normally we recommend that you set the Bass and Treble controls on
flat or 0 dB. This will give you the most linear and natural sound. Also,
if your amplifier or receiver has a graphic equalizer, we recommend 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 if distortion 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 morepower 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 a bigger one.
Mythos Tower Home Theater Systems
Acomplete Mythos Home Theater System will normally combine
your Mythos front left and right Tower loudspeakers with a Mythos Three
or Seven center channel loudspeaker and rear surround speakers (which
can also be Mythos or any other Definitive Surround Loudspeaker, 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.
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Using Your Mythos Loudspeakers with
aSeparate Subwoofer
If you use a subwoofer, we strongly suggest using a Definitive
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 a subwoofer 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 Center Channel to the center
channel. Using a low-level RCA cable, hook the subwoofer up to the
LFE output on your receiver or processor (if you are using a Definitive
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 a choice 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 a subwoofer. The specific hook-up will depend
on the specificsubwoofer you are using. With Definitive subwoofers, you
can run the Mythos loudspeakers full range (i.e. hook them up normally
to the amplifier receiver) and connect the subwoofer to the sub-out with a
low-level RCA cable (with Definitive subwoofers 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.

Mythos Tower 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 a separate subwoofer.
Use of Mythos Towers as Rear or Side Surround Speakers
It is our pleasure to offer assistance if you have any questions
regarding your Mythos loudspeakers or their set-up. Please contact your
nearest Definitive Technology dealer or contact us directly at
410-363-7148 or www.definitivetech.com.
Technical Assistance
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 problem 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 loud-
speakers 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: [phone]
Service
Visit us at www.definitivetech.com
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VERY IMPORTANT:
SETTING CHANNEL BALANCE AND BASS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Dolby Digital and Dolby ProLogic systems and decoders have a critical
channel balancing procedure for the left and right front speakers, center
channel, rears and subwoofer (if it is hooked up through the LFE or Sub Out
low level connection) which must be followed if the system is to perform
properly. We have spoken with many system users with problems relating to
the overall sound of their system which could be clearly traced back to
improper system balance.
Also note that Dolby Digital decoders have bass management systems (sys-
tems which direct the bass to the various channels) which vary from unit to
unit. This bass management system must also be properly adjusted. If your
Mythos loudspeaker is hooked up with speaker level wires and you are using
aseparate subwoofer, your receiver or decoder’s bass management system
should be set for “Small”left and right main speakers, “Small”center,
“Small”surrounds, and “Yes”subwoofer. If you are using rear surround
speakers with very extended low frequency response set the rear channels of
your decoder’s bass management system to “Large.” If not, set them to
“Small”(if you are using the Mythos speaker as a rear or side surround
speaker, set the rear or side surround bass management to “Small”). If you
areusing Mythos loudspeakers without a separate subwoofer,set bass man-
agement to “Large”left and right main speakers, “Large”center, “Large”
surrounds, and “No”subwoofer
. (Also, do not be afraid to experiment.)
Remember,whatever sounds best to you is correct.
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All specifications subject to change.
Mythos Four
Dimensions 5.19" W x 5.13" D x 44" H
Frequency Response 35 Hz – 30 kHz
Efficiency 91 dB
Nominal Impedance 4 – 8 ohms
Driver Complement Two 4.5" cast-basket high-definition bass/
midrange drivers, two 4.5" cast-basket high-
definition bass drivers, two 4.5" pressure-
driven planar low-frequency radiators, one
1" pure aluminum dome tweeter
Recommended
Associated Amplification 20 – 225 watts/channel
Magnetically Shielded
Mythos Five
Dimensions 4.07"W x 4.07"D x 40.5"H
Frequency Response 40 Hz – 30 kHz
Efficiency 89 dB
Nominal Impedance 4 – 8 ohms
Driver Complement Two 3.5" cast-basket high-definition bass/
midrange drivers, two 3.5" cast-basket high-
definition bass drivers, two 3.5" pressure-
driven low-frequency radiators, one 1" pure
aluminum dome tweeter
Recommended
Associated Amplification 10 – 200 watts/channel
Magnetically Shielded
Mythos Specifications
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