Infinity Infinity Alpha 25ES User manual

Owner’s Guide
•InfinityAlpha 25ES
SPEAKER SYSTEMS

2InfinityAlpha 25ES
InfinityAlpha™Series
The InfinityAlpha Series of loudspeakers continues Infinity’s
long-standing commitment to accurate sound reproduction.Our
patented Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragm™(C.M.M.D.™) drivers,
precision dividing networks and rigid,heavily braced enclosures
combine to deliver uncompromised performance in any stereo or
multichannel home theater system.The InfinityAlpha 25ES is the
perfect loudspeaker to complete any home theater system.
Unpacking the Speaker
If you suspect damage from transit,report it immediately to
your dealer. Keep the shipping carton and packing materials
for future use.
Choosing Proper Placement and Setup
The InfinityAlpha 25ES surround speaker can be used in side or
rear channel applications.Please refer to the placement and
setup method for your application.The first step is to determine
the application for which your InfinityAlpha 25ES surround
speaker will be used.
If you are using the InfinityAlpha 25ES for surround channels in
a 5-channel home theater system or for side channels in a 6- or
7-channel home theater system (Application 1),please follow the
directions below.
If you are using the InfinityAlpha 25ES as a rear speaker in a
6- or 7-channel home theater system (Application 2),please
follow the directions on page 3.
Placement (Application 1)
When using the InfinityAlpha 25ES for surround channels in a
5-channel home theater system or for side channels in a 6-
or 7-channel home theater system,refer to Figures 1 and 2.
The speakers should be placed perpendicular to or slightly
behind the primary listening location,as shown.
PLANNING YOUR SYSTEM
Couch
Left
Front
Channel
Left
Surround
Channel
Right
Surround
Channel
Right
Front
Channel
Center
Channel
Infinity
Subwoofer
(optional)
Couch
Left
Front
Channel
Left
Surround
Channel
Right
Surround
Channel
Right
Front
Channel
Center
Channel
Infinity
Subwoofer
(optional)
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 1–This overhead view shows a typical
home theater plan.

3
InfinityAlpha 25ES
Setting the Surround Configuration Selector
It is generally recommended that the selectable surround mode
configuration be set to Bipole.This will provide a large ambient
surround sound field while allowing for precise localization of
sound effects that the filmmaker has placed in the surround
tracks.
If the side walls on which the speaker will be mounted are more
than about 14' from the listening position,setting the Surround
Mode Configuration Switch to Monopole may offer improved
performance.It is also recommended that the Monopole position
be selected if the speakers will be mounted close to a corner,as
shown in Figure 2.
If you are using a receiver/processor with aTHX®surround mode
and have selected theTHX surround mode,it may be beneficial to
use the Dipole setting. This is a matter of personal preference
and may change depending on the individual film soundtrack.It
is also recommended that the Dipole setting be used with older
recordings that are only recorded with a Dolby* Pro Logic* (not
the newer Dolby Digital) soundtrack.
IMPORTANT NOTE:The set of drivers that the arrow in Figure 3
points to should be installed toward the front of the room.It does
not matter whether or not the tweeter is positioned above or
below the woofer.
This will ensure proper operation and performance should the
Monopole or Dipole position on the surround mode configuration
switch be selected.
–Surround mode configuration switch.
BIPOLEDIPOLE
MONOPOLE
FIGURE 3
Placement (Application 2)
When using the InfinityAlpha 25ES as a rear speaker in a 6-
or 7-channel home theater system,refer to Figures 4 and 5.
The speaker(s) should be mounted on the rear wall facing the
listening area,between the side channel speakers.If you are
using one rear speaker,it should be mounted as close as
possible to the center of the listening area.When using two
rear speakers,they should be spaced evenly within the width
of the listening area.
Setting the Surround Configuration Selector
When used as a rear channel speaker in a 6- or 7-channel
system,it is recommended that the Surround Mode Configuration
Switch be set to Bipole,as shown in Figure 6.
Couch
Left
Front
Channel
Left
Side
Channel
Right
Side
Channel
Rear Center Channel
Right
Front
Channel
Center
Channel
Infinity
Subwoofer
(optional)
Couch
Left
Front
Channel
Left
Side
Channel
Left Rear Channel Right Rear Channel
Right
Side
Channel
Right
Front
Channel
Center
Channel
Infinity
Subwoofer
(optional)
FIGURE 4–This overhead view shows a typical home
theater plan with a single rear-center surround channel.
FIGURE 5–This overhead view shows a typical home
theater plan when using two rear-channel speakers.
–Surround mode configuration switch.
BIPOLEDIPOLE
MONOPOLE
FIGURE 6

4InfinityAlpha 25ES
WALL-MOUNTING
The InfinityAlpha 25ES speaker is designed to mount directly to a
wall.Each speaker has (4) keyholes in the rear to allow either
left- or right-side placement.Each speaker will require (2)
1-1/2,"#8 wood screws fastened to a wall stud.If a wall stud is
unavailable,install an anchor appropriate for a 1-1/2,"#8 screw.
Use the supplied template to accurately position the screws on the
wall and refer to the diagrams for more assistance.
NOTE:The customer is responsible for the correct selection and
use of mounting hardware (available through hardware stores)
that will ensure the proper and safe wall-mounting of the
speakers.
Step 1.
Position the supplied wall-mount template on the wall in the
desired speaker location.Make two markings per speaker.
Step 2.
Fasten (2) 1-1/2,"#8 wood screws to the wall using the markings
placed in Step 1 as your guide.Leave a 3/16" space between
the wall and screwhead.If a wall stud is not available,use an
appropriate anchor.
Step 3.
Attach speaker wire,as shown on page 5.
Step 4.
Place the speaker on the wall by aligning the upper two keyholes
on the back of the speaker to the screwheads on the wall.Once
positioned properly,the speaker should slide down slightly and
become secure.
6-5/8"
3-5/16"
14-1/2"
Nominal Inpedance: 8 ohms
Serial:
Infinity Systems, Inc.
Northridge, California
A Harman International Company
®
Alpha25es
Designed and Engineered by Infinity
Assembled in Mexico
IMPORTANT NOTE:The set of drivers that the arrow in Figure 3
points to should be installed toward the front of the room.It does
not matter whether or not the tweeter is positioned above or
below the woofer.
This will ensure proper operation and performance should the
Monopole or Dipole position on the surround mode configuration
switch be selected.
FIGURE 7

5
InfinityAlpha 25ES
WIRING THE SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: Make sure all equipment is turned off before making
any connections.
For speaker connections,use a minimum #16-gauge speaker
wire with polarity coding.The side of the wire with a ridge or
other coding is usually considered positive polarity (i.e.,+).
Heavier-gauge wire should be used when more than 50 feet of
speaker wire is required.The wire channels on the rear of the
InfinityAlpha 25ES will accommodate most types of 14- to 18-
gauge wire.
NOTE: If desired,consult your local Infinity dealer about speaker
wire and connection options.
The speakers have coded terminals that accept a variety of wire
connectors.The most common connection is shown in Figure 8.
To ensure proper polarity,connect each +terminal on the back
of the amplifier or receiver to the respective +(red) terminal on
each speaker,as shown in Figure 9.Connect the –(black)
terminals in a similar way.See the owner’s guides that were
included with your amplifier or receiver to confirm connection
procedures.
IMPORTANT: Do not reverse polarities (i.e.,+ to –or –to +)
when making connections.Doing so will cause poor imaging and
diminished bass response.
NOTE: Banana plugs will protrude past the speaker enclosure,
requiring a small cutout in the wall behind the speaker. Speaker
wire may be run through this hole as well.
+ —
Receiver or
Amplifier
(rear view)
Speaker (rear view)
(one channel shown)
+
—
REDBLACK
LOOSEN TERMINALS
INSERT BARE END;
TIGHTEN TERMINALS
.
.
BLACK = –
NO STRIPE = –STRIPE = +
RED = +
FIGURE 8–This example shows how to connect bare wires to
the terminals.Banana plugs may also be inserted directly into
the rear of the connector.
FIGURE 9–Wiring diagram shows polarity connections for
one channel.

6InfinityAlpha 25ES
Check the speakers for playback first by setting the system
volume control to a minimum level,and then by applying power to
your audio system.Play a favorite music or video segment and
increase the system volume control to a comfortable level.
NOTE:You should hear balanced audio reproduction across the
entire frequency spectrum.If not,check all wiring connections or
consult the authorized Infinity dealer from whom you purchased
the system for more help.
When the InfinityAlpha 25ES speakers are used as part of a
Dolby Digital or DTS®multichannel home theater system with a
powered subwoofer,it is recommended that you set your receiver/
processor speaker mode to“small”or“high-pass”for all
channels connected to an InfinityAlpha 25ES.In addition,some
receivers/processors allow you to adjust the high-pass frequency
for the“small”or“high-pass”setting.If your receiver/processor
has this capability,it is recommended that you set the high-
pass frequency to the lowest setting above 70Hz.Consult your
receiver/processor manual for more information about these
adjustments.
The placement and setup instructions in this manual are written
in general terms to cover most typical installations.We realize
that each room is different and that your specific installation may
require some modification to these guidelines.You can be sure
that if you need to install the speakers outside the guidelines in
the manual,they will still deliver excellent sound with any music
or film soundtrack.
Feel free to experiment with the Surround Mode Selector Switch
to determine the best settings in your room with your system.
FINAL ADJUSTMENTS CARE OF YOUR SPEAKER SYSTEM
The InfinityAlpha 25ES does not require any routine
maintenance.When needed,use a soft cloth,dampened
with water only,to remove any fingerprints or dust.
Clean the grille by gently vacuuming.
NOTE: Do not use any cleaning products or polishes on the
cabinet or grille.

7
InfinityAlpha 25ES
Declaration of Conformity
We,Harman Consumer International
2, route de Tours
72500 Chateau-du-Loir
France
declare in own responsibility, that the product described in this owner’s
manual is in compliance with technical standards:
EN 50081-1:1992
EN 50082-1:1992
Robin Marshall
Harman Consumer International
Chateau-du-Loir, France. 9/02
Infinity continually strives to update and improve existing products,as well as
create new ones.The specifications and construction details in this and
related Infinity publications are therefore subject to change without notice.
SPECIFICATIONS
InfinityAlpha 25ES
Frequency Range (± 3dB) 60Hz – 22kHz
Recommended 10 – 125 watts
Amplifier Power Range
Sensitivity 87dB
(2.83V @ 1 meter)
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Crossover Frequency 2,500Hz;24dB/octave
Low-Frequency Drivers Dual 5-1/4" (133mm)
High-Frequency Driver(s) Dual 1" (25mm) C.M.M.D.
Dimensions H 14-1/2" (368mm)
W14-1/8" (359mm)
D7" (178mm)
Weight 18 lb (8.2kg)
Grille Black cloth
(white cloth on white model)

© 2002 Harman International Industries,Incorporated.
250 Crossways Park Drive,Woodbury,NY 11797 USA 800.553.3332 (USA Only)
www.infinitysystems.com
Infinity is a registered trademark,and Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragm (C.M.M.D.) is a trademark,of Harman International Industries,Incorporated.
*Trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.DTS is a registered trademark of DigitalTheater Systems,Inc.
Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragm (C.M.M.D.) patent nos.6,327,372 and 6,404,897.
Printed in USA 9/02 Part No.335833-001