Energy RC-MICRO CENTER User manual

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IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS -
READ CAREFULLY!
1 Read these instructions.
2 Keep these instructions.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instructions.
5 Do not use this apparatus near water.
6 Clean only with dry cloth.
7 Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
owners manual
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of ENERGY'" speakers! Proprietary technology
and high quality manufacturing will allow you to enjoy the most natural and
accurate music reproduction for many years. The advice offered in this manual is
aimed at helping you maximize and maintain peak performance, and therefore, your
listening satisfaction. Please take the time to read all of the instructions contained
in this manual to make certain your system is properly installed and functioning
correctly.
COMPANY BACKGROUND
ENERGY" speakers are the result of extensive research into accurate sonic
reproduction and represent the leading edge in speaker design and performance.
The finest components and cabinet materials combined with sophisticated
manufacturing and quality control procedures ensure many years of exceptional
performance and listening pleasure.
BREAK-IN PERIOD
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this
appariltus to
rain or moisture.
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Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves,
or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A
polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding
type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the
third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into
your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
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Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by
the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used,
use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long
periods of time.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when
the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or
plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.
Do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing and ensure that no
objects filled with liquids, such as vases, are placed on the apparatus.
To completely disconnect this apparatus from the AC Mains, disconnect the
power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.
The mains plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily operable.
We strongly advise that you resist the temptation to play the ENERGY" speakers to
their full capabilities or experiment with critical placement and listening until they
have been properly broken in. This process should last approximately 50 hours. This
can be easily be done by putting your compact disc player on Repeat mode, while
playing a CD with a wide dynamic range at normal listening levels.
CABINET CARE
Great care and craftsmanship has gone into the construction and finish of the
cabinet. Periodically use a soft, dry cloth to remove dust or fingerprints. Do not use
paper towels or other abrasive materials as it may damage the finish.
NOTE: Please retain the carton and packing material for your ENERGY" products,
to protect them in the event of a move or if they need to be shipped to a service
center. Product received damaged by a service center that has been shipped by
the end user in other than the original packaging will be repaired, refurbished
and properly packaged for return shipment, at the end user's expense.
QUICK SETUP
Please read the RECCOMENDATIONS and FINAL SYSTEM ADJUSTMENTS
sections in this manual for suggested crossover and amplifier settings.
SPEAKER AND SUBWOOFER PLACEMENT
FRONT SPEAKER PLACEMENT (DIAGRAM 1)
For best stereo imaging, the left and right speakers should be the same
distance from their respective side walls. If the distance from one speaker to the
listener is very different from the other it can affect the soundstage or stereo
imaging. Therefore, the ideal position is having the speakers
equidistant to the listener.
A general guideline for speaker placement is to set up the space between speaker
and listener at approximately 1-1/2 times the distance between the speakers. For
example, if the speakers are placed a minimum of 6-feet (1.8m) apart (the absolute
minimum), the best seating position would be
9-feet (2Am) away.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol. Within an
equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence
of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the products
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a
risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended
to alert the user to the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
CENTER CHANNEl PLACEMENT (DIAGRAM 1)
A center channel can be expected to reproduce as much as 60% of a movie's
soundtrack, most of which is dialogue. In order to maintain the effect of voices
emanating from the actor's mouth, the center speaker should be centrally located
between the left and right main channels and placed above or below the television.
Be sure that the center speaker'sfront baffle is flush with the front face of the
television or cabinet to maximize dispersion.
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iL owners manual
SURROUND SPEAKER PLACEMENT (DIAGRAM 1)
The surround speakers can be positioned in a variety of locations. The surround
placement is usually dictated by the room, where the walls and room boundaries
happen to be, and where speaker cable can be easily run.
The most common surround speaker locations are the following:
Side walls: For best results in side wall mounting applications, position the
speakers adjacent to and slightly behind the primary listening area at a height of
approximately 6 feet.
Rear walls: For best results mounting on a rear wall, position the speakers so they
flank the main listening area and point towards the front of the room. They should
be raised to a height of approximately 6 feet and should ideally have a space of 6
feet between them.
WALL MOUNT OPTIONS (DIAGRAM 1A)
The RC -Micro system can be wall mounted using the keyhole or threaded insert on
the back. The threaded insert is an imperial 1/4-20 thread and should be
compatible with various aftermarket mounting systems.
SUBWOOFER PLACEMENT
The placement of your new ENERGY® subwoofer is critical to its performance. The
three most common locations include: in the corner of the room (which can result
in a boomy or exaggerated low frequency response), placement along one wall but
out of the corner (moderate bass performance with increased fidelity over corner
placement), or alongside a front speaker (creating a better blend with the front
speaker, but sacrificing overall volume). Experimentation with subwoofer placement
is highly encouraged, as slight adjustments can create large benefits in sound
reproduction. To further test subwoofer placement, install the subwoofer
temporarily in your main listening position and while playing a familiar piece of
music, walk around the listening room until you find the best sounding position.
This is a possible location for the subwoofer to be placed.
SPEAKER CONNECTIONS
Caution: * Turn off all power in your audio/video system before proceeding with
your installation. Not doing so could result in potential damage to the system.
CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS (DIAGRAM 2)
On the rear of your ENERGY® RC -Micro speakers are red and black gold plated
spring loaded connectors. Using standard speaker wire, connect the system one
channel at a time, and start your process at the Receiver. Connect the speaker wire
from the positive (RED+) terminal on the receiver to the positive (RED+) terminal
on the speaker. Connect the negative (BLACK-) terminal on the receiver to the
negative (BLACK-) terminal on the speaker. Do this one channel at a time until all
of your speakers are connected properly. Be careful to correctly match positive and
negative, as well as the correct speaker to the correct channel.
NOTE: If you inadvertently reverse one of the connections (i.e, red to black), you
will notice a severe lack of bass from your system. This is called wiring the
system "Out of Phase". If this occurs, check the wiring and re-connect as
necessary.
TERMINOLOGY AND CONTROLS
(DIAGRAM 3)
o STATUS INDICATOR - The LED found on the front panel will illuminate in blue
when the subwoofer in functioning. If the unit is in Auto mode and is not
receiving a signal, the light will remain off.
e VOLUME LEVEL - This knob can be adjusted to control the level of output
from your subwoofer. The level chosen should allow the subwoofer to blend
its output with that of the rest of your audio system.
e LOW-PASS FILTER - This control allows for the adjustment of the low-pass
filter. Adjustments can infinitely be made from 40Hz to 150Hz (ESW-CS8). This
will determine the highest frequency that the subwoofer will reproduce.
o PHASE - This switch allows for the adjustment of the phase of the subwoofer,
in relation to the speakers used in your system, from 0 to 180 degrees.
o POWER MODE - This switch can be set to either On, Off or Auto. If the switch
is in the Off position, the subwoofer will not power up. If the switch is in the
On position, it will constantly remain on. If the switch is set to the Auto
position, when a signal is present the subwoofer will turn on and will
automatically turn off several minutes after a signal is no longer present.
o LINE IN/SUB IN - These inputs are an RCA type LFE/stereo/mono input. If you
are connecting your subwoofer to a pre-amp/processor with a LFE or
Subwoofer pre-amp output, connect a single RCA cable to the LFE/Left input.
If you are connecting your subwoofer to a stereo pre-amp or processor, such
as in a stereo music system, use stereo RCA cables and connect to both the
LFE/Left and Right inputs.
o SPEAKER LEVEL IN - The Speaker Level inputs are designed to be used on
receivers or amplifiers that do not incorporate any RCA type subwoofer
outputs. If your receiver is equipped with an RCA type subwoofer output,
these speaker level inputs should not be utilized.
o POWER CORD CONNECTOR (Excludes the 120V version of the ESW-CS8).
Connect the power cord from your AC outlet to this input. Connecting your
subwoofer to a surge protector or line conditioner is always recommended.
Do not connect the power cord to the switched or un switched outlet of your
receiver as this could damage your subwoofer and receiver.
CONNECTING YOUR ENERGY SUBWOOFER
CAUTION: All power should be turned off to your system before any connections
are made. Careful attention should be taken to ensure that all electronic
components are not connected to an AC source. Not doing so could result in
potential damage to the system.
METHOD 1 - RCA - SUB IN FOR HOME THEATER OR LFE
APPLICATIONS
1 On the rear of the receiver/pre-amp there should be a single RCA type jack
marked "Subwoofer/Pre-Amp Out". Connect a single RCA cable from that
jack to the 0 LINE IN/SUB IN on the rear of the subwoofer. A standard male
to male RCA cable is needed.
2 After connecting the single 0 LINE IN/SUB IN connection, plug your
ENERGY® subwoofer into an AC outlet. Do not use the AC outlet on the rear
of your receiver. After plugging in the unit, switch the Main Power to On.
3 See Final System Adjustments, below.
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METHOD 2 - SPEAKER LEVEL - FOR MUSIC APPLICATIONS
The other way to connect your subwoofer to your receiver is using a speaker
wire connection, by simply connecting the speaker wires from the Front
Left and Right Speaker Outputs on your receiver to the Left and Right
o SPEAKER LEVEL IN on rear of the subwoofer. It is imperative that speaker
polarities be maintained, one must connect the positive and negative wires to
the appropriate positive and negative terminals. Failure to do so will result in
an out of phase connection, severely limiting the amount of bass in your
system.
2 After connecting the 0 SPEAKER LEVEL IN (speaker wire) between your
receiver and subwoofer, ensure no fray wires are touching, as this could cause
a short circuit and damage your electronics. Plug your ENERGY" subwoofer
into an AC outlet. Do not use the AC outlet on the rear of your receiver.
3 See Final System Adjustments, below.
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECEIVER SETTINGS
The recommended setting for the front, rear and center speakers is the "small"
position. The Subwoofer must be activated by setting the" on"
or "use" settings. Set the crossover frequency (if possible) to 120Hz-180Hz.
AMPLIFIER REQUIREMENTS
All ENERGY Speakers are designed to operate on a wide range of receivers and/or
amplifiers. The impedance for all models is rated at 8 ohms, allowing almost any
amplifier to function well. Of course, the better the amplifier and the system
components, the better the overall system will sound.
Warning: If an amplifier or receiver is over-driven, the resulting
distortion
is actually many times greater than its rated power. Over-driven
amplifier distortion is called "Clipping", easily identified by its fuzzy, distorted
sound, and can damage any speaker. The volume control of most amplifiers and
receivers is alogarithmic type, which means that full power may be reached
with the volume control set at as little as the halfway point. Operating the
loudness, treble, or bass controls increases power output well beyond rated
levels. The warranty on your speakers is therefore void if the voice coils are
burned or damaged as a result of overpowering or clipping.
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FINAL SYSTEM ADJUSTMENTS
Select the correct position for the 0 POWER MODE on the subwoofer, either
On or Auto depending on your system. The Auto selection will leave the unit
in a self-sensing mode, such that should the unit sense an audio signal it will
turn itself on and then shut down after several minutes without signal, while
in the On position the subwoofer always remains on. Should the system not
be used for an extensive period of time, it is recommended that the
subwoofer be unplugged from the AC.
2 Adjust the f) VOLUME LEVEL of your ENERGY" subwoofer so that the
volume of your subwoofer matches the overall system volume. This ensures a
smooth transition between the low and high frequencies of your system.
3 Adjust the e LOW-PASS FILTER on your ENERGY" subwoofer so that the
subwoofer blends well with that of the speaker system. Setting the crossover
too low will create a gap between the frequency response of the front
speakers and that of the subwoofer, while setting the crossover frequency too
high will create a doubling of certain frequencies, making the music sound
boomy. When using the RC -Micro System, the appropriate crossover frequency
should be 120Hz in most rooms. Further adjustment can be performed to suit
personal tastes and account for your room acoustics.
4 Adjust the 0 PHASE CONTROL so that the subwoofer integrates fully with
the rest of your audio system. This control ensures that the subwoofer
operates in phase with the rest of the system, as an out of phase subwoofer
will either sound like it is lacking in bass performance or that its timing is off.
This setting will be determined by your listening position, the characteristics of
your listening room and its interaction with your ENERGY'" subwoofer. An out
of phase speaker means that the speaker cone is moving inwards when it
should be moving outwards, like the other speakers in your system, causing
cancellations of certain frequencies. By adjusting the phase control, one can
ensure that all speakers move in the proper direction, at the same time. When
using the RC -Micro System, the appropriate setting should be 180°. Further
adjustment can be performed to suit personal tastes and account for your
room acoustics.
5 Steps 2, 3 and 4 might require repeating in order to fine tune your system.
Ensuring the proper blending between the speakers and the subwoofer is
critical to the performance of your system, as a whole.
WARRANTY OUTSIDE OF THE
UNITED
STATES
Outside of North America, the warranty may be changed to comply with local
regulations. Ask your local ENERGY" dealer for details of the LIMITED WARRANTY
applicable in your country.
WARRANTY FOR THE UNITED STATES
AND CANADA
Please see the warranty document on the back cover

System Type
Frequency Response
Tweeter
Woofer
,~;"\ SPECIFICATIONS
~ ,
RC-MICRO SATELLITE RC-MICRO CENTER
Magnetically Shielded Accoustic Suspension
150HZ - 23kHZ
OS' (12.7mm) Hyperbolic™
Aluminum-Dome
2.5" (63.5mm) High-Excursion Aluminum Cone
I
Crossover Point
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3.5kHz
II
--+----
Efficiency (Room)
88dB
Impedance
8-ohm Compatible
Recommended Amplifier Power 20 - 100 Watts Continuous
Dimensions HxWxD
4.7 x 3.5 x 3.5"
3.5 x 5.9 x3.5" I
inches (em)
(12 x9 x 9cm)
(9 x 15 x 9cm)
Product Weight
1.6 Ibs (0.72 kg)
1.9 Ibs (0.88 kg)
I
Finish
I
High Gloss Black
Inputs Gold Plated Push Connectors
Mounting Options Built-in keyhole slot and threaded insert
(1/4" - 20)
ESW-CS8
Speaker System
Bass Reflex with Down Firing Port
Amplifier Power
240 Watts Dynamic, 60 Watts Continuous
Max SPL
97dB @ 30Hz, ground plane, 1m
Woofer
8" (20cm) - Injection Molded Cone with Ribbed Elliptical Surround'"
Frequency Response
36Hz - 180Hz
Phase Control
0°, 180°
Variable Low Pass Filter
40Hz - 150Hz
Inputs
Line In/Sub IN, Speaker Level In
Power Modes
Off/Auto/On
Dimensions HxWxD (inches/em) 12.7 x 10.5 x 12.3
including feet and grille
32.2 x 40 x 31.2
Product Weight 161bs /7.3 kg
Specifications subject to change.
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WARRANTY
LIMITED WARRANTY POLICY
IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
ENERGY· warrants this product to'the retail purchaser against
any failure resulting from original manufacturing defects in workmanship or
materials, The warranty is in effect for a period of: Passive Speakers: five (5) years,
Powered Subwoofers including the speaker - one (1) year from date of purchase
from an authorized ENERGY· dealer and is valid only if the original dated bill of
sale is presented when service is required.
The warranty does not cover damage caused during shipment, by accident, misuse,
abuse, neglect, unauthorized product modification, failure to follow the instructions
outlined in the owner's manual, failure to perform routine maintenance, damage
resulting from unauthorized repairs or claims based upon misrepresentations of the
warranty by the seller.
WARRANTY SERVICE
If you require service for your ENERGY· Speaker Systems speaker(s) at any time
during the warranty period, please contact:
1) the dealer from whom you purchased the product(s), or
2) ENERGY· Speaker Systems SERVICE - Tel: [phone].
3) Additional service centers can be found by checking the ENERGY· Speaker
Systems website: www.energy-speakers.com.
You will be responsible for transporting the speakers in adequate packaging to
protect them from damage in transit and for the shipping costs to an authorized
ENERGY· Speaker Systems service center or to ENERGY· Speaker Systems. If the
product is returned for repair to ENERGY· Speaker Systems the costs of the return
shipment to you will be paid by ENERGY· Speaker Systems, provided the repairs
concerned fall within the Limited Warranty. The ENERGY· Speaker Systems
Warranty is limited to repair or replacement of ENERGY· Speaker Systems products.
It does not cover any incidental or consequential damage of any kind. If the
provisions in any advertisement, packing cartons or literature differ from those
specified in this warranty, the terms of the Limited Warranty prevail.
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GARANTIE
I
I
GARANTIE AUX
ETATS-UNIS ET AU CANADA
La societe ENERGY" garantit cet appareil contre toute defectuosite attribuable aux
pieces d'origine et Ii la maind'oeuvre. Cette garantie est valide pendant une periode
de cinq (5) ans (enceinte passif) et de un (1) an (extremes-graves) Ii partir de la
date d'achat aupres d'un revendeur ENERGY" agree; la garantie ne sera honoree
que sur presentation d'une piece justificative de la date d'achat.
La garantie ne couvre aucun dommage subi pendant Ie transport ou imputable Ii un
accident, Ii une utilisation impropre ou abusive, Ii la negligence, Ii une modification
non autorisee, Ii la non-observance des instructions decrites dans Ie manuel de
I'utilisateur ou des directives d'entretien, ni aucun dommage subi par suite de
reparations non autorisees ou de reclamations fondees sur une mauvaise
interpretation des conditions de la presente garantie par Ie revendeur.
SERVICE SOUS GARANTIE
Dans I'eventualite ou une reparation deviendrait necessaire pendant la periode de
couverture de la garantie, communiquez avec:
1) Ie revendeur aupres de qui I' appareil a ete achete, ou
2) Service ENERGY" Speaker Systems - Tel.: [phone].
3) Pour connaitre I'adresse de tous nos centres de service, consultez Ie site web
d'ENERGY· Speaker Systems Ii www.energy-speakers.com.
Le proprietaire de I'appareil est responsable de son emballage et de tous frais
d'expedition Ii un centre de service ENERGY" Speaker Systems agree. Si I'appareil
est expedie Ii ENERGY· Speaker Systems aux fins de reparation, les frais de
reexpedition seront assumes par ENERGY" Speaker Systems Ii la condition que les
reparations effectuees soient couvertes par la garantie. La garantie est limitee Ii la
reparation ou au remplacement des appareils fabriques et distribues par ENERGY"
Speaker Systems. Elle ne couvre aucun dommage indirect ou consecutif de quelque
nature que ce soit. Si les conditions accompagnant toute publicite, emballage ou
documentation divergent de celles de la presente garantie, les conditions de la
presente garantie prevaudront.

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