Destination Audio CS500 User manual

CS500 / CS500C
I n s t a l l a t i o n & O p e r a t i o n M a n u a l
COMPACT SPEAKERS
382 Marshall Way, Layton, Utah • USA • 84041
Toll Free: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.destinationaudio.com
It is Destination Audio policy to continuously incorporate improvements into our products; all specications
are subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2007 Destination Audio. All Rights Reserved.

1
Introduction
Compact Theater Speakers
Congratulations on your purchase of Destination Audio compact theater speak-
ers! Your speakers are the result of many years of research and development
dedicated to producing powerful, high-quality home audio systems. Sophisticated
computer modeling and measurement techniques are used extensively in the
Destination Audio speaker design process.
This manual contains setup recommendations and specications for the CS500
and CS500C compact theater speakers. It is highly recommended you thoroughly
read through the material contained in this manual before connecting your speakers.
This will ensure you have an understanding of how to properly setup, operate and
maintain your speakers for optimum performance and maximum enjoyment.
CS500C Center Channel Speaker
CS500 Bookshelf
Speaker
Break In Period
Allow several hours of listening time for your speakers to adequately break-in.
During this period, the driver suspensions will loosen, the result will be an
increase in bass, improved denition, and increased clarity and detail.
Care and Cleaning
To maintain the speaker’s high quality appearance, it is recommended you regularly
use a dry or slightly-damp soft cloth to keep the exterior of your speakers free from
dust, lint or dirt. To clean dust from the grille, use a vacuum with a brush attachment
and gently brush the surface of the grille.

2
Features
Proprietary Aluminized Fiberglass Matrix cone woofers are the heart of the
Destination Audio CS500 and CS500C speakers. This special material is stiff,
lightweight, and has self-damping properties which helps provide a virtually
uncolored audio reproduction. These woofers have a powerful magnet that gives
them high excursion capabilities; this helps the CS500 and CS500C provide
extended dynamics and frequency response not typically found in speakers of
their size. To avoid any interference with tube-type televisions and monitors, the
CS500C is video shielded using additional opposing magnets and steel cups to
cancel any stray magnetic elds.
High frequencies are handled by a high-quality poly silk tweeter. This tweeter
uses liquid cooling to allow for greater power handling. This allows the tweeter to
last longer and provide accurate reproduction at the higher power output levels
today’s amplier systems are capable of. The CS500C's tweeter’s magnet is
also shielded to prevent any stray magnetic elds from negatively affecting the
speaker’s environment.
Crossover networks are used to integrate the CS500 and CS500C’s woofers and
tweeters. The use of steep crossover slopes allows higher than average power
handling, minimizes the audio interaction between the drivers, and maximizes
the speaker’s overall clarity by allowing each driver to specialize in its own
respective frequency band. One component featured within the CS500 and
CS500C’s crossover networks is a polyswitch. A polyswitch, or current-limiting
device, is used to prevent damage to the tweeter if the speaker is over-driven or
fed a distorted audio signal. This device operates 900% faster than a fuse and
self-resets when the volume level or amount of distortion is reduced.
The CS500 and CS500C enclosures have a narrow prole to minimize the impact
the cabinet has on the audio signal. The speakers virtually disappear, leaving
only a wide, deep sound stage with pinpoint imaging typical of much higher
priced speakers. A special damping material is also used inside the cabinet
to dampen the internal standing waves which helps these speakers provide a
true-to-life experience.
The CS500 and CS500C have
removable faceplates. The speak-
ers are shipped with a pewter face-
plate, check the Destination Audio
website for faceplates available in
other colors sold separately. CS500
Faceplate
CS500C
Faceplate

3
System Setup
To obtain the best possible sound quality from your CS500 and CS500C
speakers, it is important to place the speakers where they will sound best in your
listening room. Your room will inuence the balance, imaging and overall sonic
quality of the system, so you may want to experiment with speaker placement
to determine which location offers the best overall sound for each speaker. As
a general guide, use the room layout diagram and the following descriptions
when setting up a home theater system. Some speakers shown in the diagram
may not always be applicable to your individual system.
Front Main Left and Right Speakers
As a suggested starting point for the front left and right main speakers, try to place your
speakers about 15 inches away from the wall and 7 feet apart from each other. The
distance from the listening position to each speaker should be close to the distance that
separates the two main speakers (i.e.: a triangle). The Destination Audio CS500 and
CS500C compact theater speakers can also be hung on a wall or placed in bookshelves
to better match your décor. If this is how your system will be arranged, keep in mind
the spacing comments above for best performance. Also, slightly angling the speakers
inward towards the listening position may give a more spacious and realistic sound stage.
Center Channel Speaker
For optimal performance in surround sound applications, the center channel speaker
(typically the CS500C) should be placed in the middle between the front left and right
main speakers. Often this positioning dictates placing the center channel speaker either
directly above or below a television or monitor. Since the CS500C compact theater
speaker features video shielding, it may be placed in close proximity to any television
without cause for concern. Also, the CS500C may be placed in either a horizontal (lying
down) or vertical (standing) position.
Surround Channel Speakers
The surround channel speakers should be placed slightly above and behind, and/or
to the sides of, the listening position. For best performance, try to keep the listening
position centered between the surround channel speakers. You may want to experiment
with angling the surround speakers either towards or away from the listening position
(depending on your décor and your room’s furnishings) to obtain better sound quality.
Subwoofer
Placement of the subwoofer will largely determine the quality, quantity, and extension of
the bass frequencies in your listening room. Bass frequencies are reinforced by close
room boundaries. Placing the subwoofer nearer to a corner will make the subwoofer
sound louder and boost the very lowest frequencies. Placing the subwoofer away from
a corner or walls will provide the least reinforcement, possibly making the bass sound
subjectively thinner than if the subwoofer were closer to a wall or corner. A good starting
point for subwoofer placement would be along a wall and up to 3 feet from the corner. You
may want to experiment with subwoofer placement and the subwoofer amplier controls
to achieve the proper bass balance.

4
NOTE: There are several different surround formats available. Dolby Pro-Logic, Pro-Logic II, Dolby Digital and
DTS generally have a 5-speaker plus subwoofer setup. Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES add an additional center
rear speaker. Some newer receivers also offer the use of 7 or more effects channels. Please consult your
audio/video professional to determine which surround format and system is best for you and how many
speakers you will require.
System Setup (continued)

5
When using a banana jack to attach speaker wires to the binding post terminals,
insert the speaker wire into the banana jack. Next insert the banana jack into
the hole provided in the top of the terminal, and then continue to tighten the nut
until secure. Repeat for the other speaker wire(s) as necessary.
If not using a banana jack, simply loosen the binding nut to allow the hole in
the side of the terminal to become exposed. Strip ¼-inch of the insulation
from the end of the speaker wire and insert the exposed wire end into the now
exposed hole in the side of the terminal. Tighten the binding nut by turning the
nut clockwise until the speaker wire is secured. Repeat for the other speaker
wire(s) as necessary.
Attaching Speaker Wires

6
Model CS500 CS500C
Frequency
Response:
100Hz – 20Hz ±3dB 100Hz – 20Hz ±3dB
Sensitivity: 84dB (2.83V@1m) 85dB (2.83V@1m)
Recommended
Power:
35-100 Watts 35-120 Watts
Woofer: 4" Aluminized Fiberglass Matrix Dual 4" Aluminized Fiberglass
Matrix
Tweeter: 1" Poly Silk Dome 1" Poly Silk Dome
Impedance: 6 Ohms 8 Ohms
Crossover
Frequencies:
3000 Hz 3000 Hz
Video
Shielding:
Yes Yes
Dimensions: Width: 5"
Height: 8½ "
Depth: 6½"
Width: 5"
Height: 14"
Depth: 6½"
Interchangeable
Faceplate:
Check www.destinationaudio.
com for other available colors.
Check www.destinationaudio.com
for other available colors.
Grille: Black Black
Finish: Black Black
Weight: 5.3 lbs. 9.15 lbs.
Specications

7
Warranty
Your Destination Audio CS500 and CS500C speakers are covered by a limited
warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ve
(5) years from the original date of purchase. This warranty is provided by the
authorized Destination Audio dealer where the speaker was purchased. Warranty
repair will be performed only when your purchase receipt is presented as proof
of ownership and date of purchase. Defective parts will be repaired or replaced
without charge by your dealer’s store or the location designated by your dealer
authorized to service Destination Audio products. Charges for unauthorized
service and transportation cost are not reimbursable under this warranty. This
warranty becomes void if the product has been damaged by alteration, misuse
or neglect. Destination Audio assumes no liability for property damage or any
other incidental or consequential damage whatsoever which may result from
the failure of this product. Any and all warranties of merchantability and tness
implied by law are limited to the duration of this express warranty. Some states
do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above
limitations may not apply to you. Some states do not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or
exclusion may not apply to you.

8

CS500 / CS500C
I n s t a l l a t i o n & O p e r a t i o n M a n u a l
COMPACT SPEAKERS
382 Marshall Way, Layton, Utah • USA • 84041
Toll Free: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.destinationaudio.com
It is Destination Audio policy to continuously incorporate improvements into our products; all specications
are subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2007 Destination Audio. All Rights Reserved.