Definitive Technology Mythos ST User manual

IJePnitive Technnlngy®
The Leader in High-Performance Loudspeakers®
Mythos ST
Mythos ST SuperTower® Loudspeaker with Built-In Powered Subwoofer
Owner's Manual
Congratulations
Congratulations on your purchase of the Definitive
Technology Mythos ST SuperTower Loudspeaker System.
The Mythos ST are very unique speakers which include
abuilt-in
powered subwoofer system complete with a
high-power digital
amplifier. These extraordinary speakers
truly revolutionize the state-of-the-art in music and home
theater loudspeakers.
Our engineers have spent many years in developing this
product. In order to ensure that you experience the finest
performance possible, we encourage you to take a moment
to fully read this owner's manual and familiarize yourself
with the proper installation and set-up procedures.for your
Mythos ST speakers.

Safety Precautions
CAUTION! To reduce the risk of electric shock and fire, do not remove the cover or back plate of this
device. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Please refer all servicing to licensed service technicians.
Avis: Risque de choc electricque, ne pas ouvrir.
CAUTION! The international symbol of a lightning bolt inside a triangle is intended to alert the user to
uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the device's enclosure. The international symbol of an exclamation
point inside a triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating, maintenance and
servicing information in the manual accompanying the device.
CAUTION! To prevent electrical shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert. Attention: Pour
eviter les chocs electriques, introduire la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la borne correspondante de la
prise et pousser jusqu'au fond.
CAUTION! To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.
1. Read Instructions-All safety and operating instructions should be read before operating the device.
2. Retain Instructions-The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed Warnings-All warnings on the device and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions-All operating and safety instructions should be followed.
5. Water &Moisture-The device should never be used in, on or near water for risk of fatal shock.
6. Carts &Stands-The device should only be used on carts or stands recommended by the manufacturer.
7. Wall & Ceiling Mounting-The device should be mounted on a wan or ceiling only as recommended
by the manufacturer.
8. Ventilation-The device should always be located in such a way that it maintains proper ventilation.
It should never be placed in a built -in installation or anywhere that may impede the flow of air through
its heat sink.
9. Heat-Never locate the device near heat sources such as radiators, floor registers, stoves or other
heat-generating devices.
10. Power Supply-The device should only be connected to a power supply of the type described in the
operating instructions or as marked on the device.
11. Power Cord Protection-Power cables should be routed so they are not likely to be stepped on or
crushed by items placed on them or against them. Special attention should be paid to areas where the
plug enters a socket or fused strip and where the cord exits the device.
12. Cleaning-The device should be cleaned in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
13. Periods OfNon-Use- The device should be unplugged when not being used for extended periods.
14. Dangerous Entry-Care should be taken that no foreign objects or liquids fall or are spilled inside
the device.
15. Damage Requiring Service-The device should be serviced by licensed technicians when:
• The plug or power supply cord has been damaged.
• Objects have fallen or liquid has spilled inside the device.
• The device has been exposed to moisture.
• The device does not appear to be operating properly or exhibits a marked change in performance.
• The device has been dropped or the cabinet becomes damaged.
16. Service-The device should always be serviced by licensed technicians. Only replacement parts
specified by the manufacturer should be used. The use of unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
shock, or other hazards.

Safety Precautions Specific to Mythos 51
The cautionary marking label is located on the bottom of the speaker,
visible through an opening in the granite base.
Power Supply
1. The fuse and power disconnect device are located on the bottom of the
speaker, accessible through ahole in the granite base.
2. The disconnect device is the power cord, detachable at either the speaker
or
the wall.
3. The power cord must be disconnected from the speaker before servicing.
Unpacking Your Mythos S1s
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 ST in the appropriate place on your
warranty card, answer all questions and send it in.
Base Installation Instructions
Tools required: 4mm (or 5h2") Allen Wrench (also called Hex Key driver)
Parts
required: Polished Granite Base, Cable Clip for AC Cord,
four allen head bolts, eight plastic washers
Instructions:
1. Carefully lay the Mythos ST on its side. Lift the base of the 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 granite base from the same side that the black feet are
attached to.
4. Place another plastic washer on each bolt so the washer is against the granite.
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 ST, the granite, and the heads of the bolts.
6. GENTLY tighten each bolt with the allen head wrench. Do NOT overtighten
or
you may crack the granite. .

7. Attach the AC cord through the hole at the bottom ofthe granite base.
8. Note the label showing the height adjustment ring and locking collar on the
black feet. Carefully return the speaker to the upright position and adjust the
feet to level the speaker.
Installing Cable Clip for AC Cord
The cable clip supplied in the accessories bag is asimple easy to use clip,
designed to hold the power cable in place and prevent accidental removal from
inlet socket. To use, simply peel backing and apply to bottom ofgranite base.
Suggested location for clip on the bottom of the granite base is half-way between
center opening
and back ofbase, slightly off to one side of the rear foot, as shown
in diagrams below. Clip should be oriented so that the axis of the cable slot runs
between the opening and outside of the base. After plugging supplied power cable
into
the inlet socket, it may then be pressed into the opening in the cable clip to
secure it in place.
SELF-ADHESIVE POWER CABLE
RESTRAINING CLIP FOR MYTHOS ST
/
SUGGESTED CLIP LOCATION /
Positioning the Mythos Speakers in Your Room
Your new Mythos speaker are very flexible in term of po itioning and
placement options and they will produce excellent sound in almo t 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 room and Ii tening 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 ST as Left/Right Main Speakers
When used as left and right front speakers, the My tho ST can be placed right
next
to your TV with excellent results or may be separated by agreater distance'
than the width of the TV. Awith any peaker, agreater eparation (5 to 7 feet or
~ more) will normally re ult in abigger ound tage and thi irecommended 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 asomewhat 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 ST as Rear/Side Surrounds
When used as rear or side surround speakers, Mythos ST 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 ifpossible. (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.)
"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 damage which may result from the use of spikes.
The spike kit contains five spikes. To mstall, 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 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.)
Speaker Break-In
Your Mythos STs should sound good right out of the box; however, an extended
break-in period of 40-60 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 Loudspeakers
Your Mythos STs have a set of speaker level (high level) 5-way binding posts
and in addition, each speaker has an LFE input. This input can be used with Dolby
Digital* and DTS* 5.1 (6.1, 7.1) decoders to separately feed the discrete "Low

Frequency Effects" channel into each subwoofer (which then combines with
the low bass present separately in the left or right channel signals). Unlike a
conventional system, where the subwoofer is driven only by an LFE subwoofer
signal, the Mythos STs are much more sophisticated and are driven by the left or
right channel signal as well as the LFE signal. For optimum performance, please
read through these instructions fully and follow them.
If the Mythos STs are your main set of speakers, you will hook up the left
main/front channel red( +) terminal of your receiver or amplifier to the red( +)
terminal of your left loudspeaker and the left main/front channel black( -) terminal
of your receiver or amplifier to the black( -) terminal ofyour left loudspeaker.
Connect the right channel main/front channel red( +) terminal of your amplifier or
receiver to the red( +) terminal of your right loudspeaker and the black( -) terminal of
the right main/front channel of your receiver or amplifier to the black( -) terminal of
your right loudspeaker. It is essential that both speakers be connected in the. same
way (in phase) to its own channel of the amplifier. If you experience a great lack of
bass, it is likely that one speaker is out of phase with the other.
If you are using the Mythos ST as side/rear surround speakers, hook up the left
surround red( +) terminal ofyour receiver or amplifier to the red( +) terminal of
your left surround speaker and the left surround black( -) terminal of your receiver
or amplifier to the black( -) terminal of your left surround speaker. Connect the
right surround red( +) terminal of your amplifier or receiver to the red( +) terminal
of your right surround loudspeaker and the black( -) terminal of the right surround
channel of your receiver or amplifier to the black( -) terminal of your right surround
loudspeaker.
Hooking Up With Speaker Wire Only
The simplest implementation of use with DTS or Dolby Digital is to simply
hook-up your Mythos ST with speaker wire as described above and set your
receiver or processor's menu to "Large" left and right main speakers and "no"
subwoofer. The bass management system will then send the LFE .1 channel into
the left and right channels and it will be reproduced by the subwoofers in your
Mythos STs giving you all the benefits of the discrete LFE signal. The speakers
have a special circuit that takes an infinitesimally small signal from the speaker
level input and converts it to alow-level signal which then drives the subwoofer
power amp.
Using the LFE Input on Your Mythos STs
With Dolby Digital or DTS, you have the option to use the low level LFE input
in addition to the speaker wires. To do this, simply use a"Y" connector (available
from your dealer) out of the LFE output on your receiver or processor to feed two
line level cables, connecting one to the LFE input on your left Mythos ST and the
other to the LFE input on your right speaker. "Tell" your bass management system
that you have "large" left and right front speakers and "Yes" subwoofer.
Using Multi-Channel SACD or DVD-Audio with your
Mytl10s STs
Because of the nature of their bass management systems, amulti-channel
SACD player or DVD-Audio player (or any other format that requires using 6-

channel interconnects) requires the use of an LFE connection between your
receiver or processor and your Mythos ST. If you are using one of these players,
please use the connection method outlined in the "Using the LFE Input" section.
Usually ifdistortion is heard when the speakers are being driven
atloud
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 amplifier or get abigger one.
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. If you want more
bass, raise the subwoofer's "Level" control on your Mythos ST, keeping in mind
that even alittle tum of the knob can make a big difference in the sound. Also, if
your
amplifier or receiver has agraphic 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.
Powering Up the Active Subwoofer Section
Your Mythos STs contain abuilt-in, active powered subwoofer section as well
as an electronic crossover and so each Mythos ST must be plugged into an
electrical socket of the appropriate voltage (as indicated on the back of your unit)
using the plug on the end of the electrical cord which you have attached to the
speaker through the hole at the bottom of the base. The Mythos ST has a special
circuit which automatically turns the powered subwoofer section on when a signal
is fed to the loudspeaker and does not require an on-off switch. Please note that if
you hear a pop from the speaker when the amp powers up, this is normal. The
LED on the back panel will light up when a signal is sensed and the amplifier turns
on. Please note that after the cessation ofa signal, it may take up to an hour for the
amplifier to actually tum off. In some instances, because of RF presence in your
area, the LEDs may not tum off. However, this is nothing to be concerned about as
the amplifiers draw almost no power when they are idling.
To prevent accidental damage to the sub woofers built into your Mythos STs
from overdriving the system, the subwoofers feature an internal overload
protection circuit, which will turn the sub woofers oftor down when
overdriven or overheated and will then resume normal operation after a few
minutes.

Setting Your Speakers' Low-Frequency
Level Control
Your Mythos STs have alevel control which allows you to perfectly tune the
output level of the powered low frequency subwoofer section to match your room
as well as to fulfill your own personal listening preferences. Please note that there
are no controls to vary the crossover points or phase because these have been
factory caiibrated and set to provide perfect blending (a major performance benefit
of this innovative product). We suggest beginning with the level control set at
approximately 1o'clock.
VERY IMPORTANT: Setting Channel Balance
and
Bass Management Systems
Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 (6.1, 7.1) systems and decoders have acritical
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. In fact, many users never realize that there is a
system balance procedure to be followed.
Also note that Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 (6.1,7.1) systems and decoders
have bass management systems (systems which direct the bass to the various
channels) which vary from unit to unit. This bass management system must
also be properly adjusted. 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 bass management. In fact, many users never realize
that there is a bass management procedure to be followed.
Your receiver or decoder's bass management system should be set for
"Large" left and right main speakers and "Yes" subwoofer.lfyou have a
Definitive center channel with a built-in powered subwoofer, set your decoder's
bass management center channel setting to "Large" (although you should
experiment with this to see what sounds best in your specific system). If you are
using large rear surround speakers with very extended low frequency response
such as a large Definitive floor-standing system or one with a built-in powered
subwoofer, set the rear channels of your decoder's bass management system to
''Large.'' If not, set them to "Small."
Setting Low-Frequency Balance When Using
Separate
LFE Input
We suggest that when you are using aseparate LFE input, you set the bass level
on your Mythos STs to sound balanced when listening to music in stereo and use
the .1 channel or bass level control in your Dolby Digital channel balancing

procedure on your decoder to raise or lower the bass level for movie sound effects .
as you requITe.
Normally the level control of the left speaker will be set the same as the level
control of the right speaker. However, these controls can also be set differently on
the two speakers in order to allow you to vary the response of left and right speakers
separately to compensate for variations and asymmetrical positioning of the left and
right speakers in your room (i.e., when one is closer to a side wall or comer, etc.) if
this is how you must set them up. This is a very unique and useful feature which
allows you much greater flexibility in loudspeaker placement, as well as the ability
to optimize what could otherwise be difficult placement situations.
Using your Mythos ST with
an Additional Subwoofer
Although the built-in subwoofers in your Mythos STs deliver superb low
frequency response and are all that are required for amazing performance, some
listeners go for the ultimate performance and add an additional powered subwoofer
to their system. If you choose to do so, we strongly suggest using a Definitive
SuperCube in order to achieve the highest level of sound quality possible. This
should be driven with an additional RCA low-level cable connected to the LFE
output of your receiver or processor. Your receiver or decoder's bass management
system should still be set to "Large" left and right main speakers and "Yes"
subwoofer.
Complete Home Theater Systems
We strongly suggest that you use matching Definitive center channel and
rear/surround speakers to complete your Definitive home theater system. Please
note that you can use Definitive Mythos ST SuperTowers as rear or side surround
speakers with excellent results for both music and movies.
Troubleshooting
If you experience any difficulties with your Mythos STs, try the suggestions
described below. If you are still having problems, please consult your Definitive
Technology Authorized Dealer for assistance.
1. Make sure all your system interconnects and power cords are solidly in place.
2. Should you experience any level of ground hum or noise, try plugging the
power cord into the same circuit as your amplifier.
3. The system is provided with sophisticated internal protection circuitry.
If for some reason the protection circuitry is tripped, please tum down your
system's volume and wait five minutes before trying the system again. If the
amplifier should overheat, the system will turn off until the amplifier cools
down and resets.
4. Check to be sure that your power cord has not been damaged.

5. Check that no foreign objects or liquid has entered the cabinet.
6. If you cannot get the subwoofer driver on the side ofthe speaker to turn on or
if no sound comes out and you are sure the system is set up properly, please
bring
the loudspeaker to your Definitive Technology Authorized Dealer for
assistance. Call First.
Service
Service and warranty work on your Definitive loudspeakers will normally be
performed by your local Definitive Technology dealer. 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 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: [phone]
,
Technical Assistance
It is our pleasure to offer assistance if you have any questions regarding your
Mythos STs or their set-up. Please contact your nearest Definitive Technology
dealer or contact us directly at 410-363-7148.
Specifications
Mythos ST
Dimensions:
Frequency Response:
Efficiency:
Nominal Impedance:
Driver Complement:
Rec.
Assoc. Amplification:
Built-In Subwoofer
Power Amplifier:
Fuse Size:
63 /4" Wx 9'jz" DX 511fz" H
14Hz-30kHz
93 dB
4-8 ohms
Two 51 /4" high definition cast-magnesiwn basket polymer
upper midrange drivers. One 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter.
One 6" x 10" long-throw racetrack subwoofer coupled to
two 6" x 10" long-throw racetrack radiators.
20 - 350 watt/channel
300 watt Digitally-Coupled Class Damplifier
3.25-amp 250-volt slow-blow fuse for 11O-volt version and
2-amp 250-volt slow-blow fuse for the 240-volt version
Specifications subject to change without notice.
Visit us at www.definitivetech.com.