Liquid Acoustics LB-100 Series User manual

ENGLISH VERSION
OWNER’S GUIDE
LB
-
100
SERIES
BOOK SHELF SPEAKER SYSTEM

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FO OR R Y YO OU UR R R RE EC CO OR RD DS S
Serial numbers are located on the back panel of each Liquid Acoustic Speaker.
Keep your sales receipt together with this owner’s guide to obtain warranty service and for proof of
purchase.
Loudspeaker Serial Numbers Extender (Mini) Modules Serial Numbers
Left: Left:
Right: Right:
Dealer Name:
Dealer Phone:
Purchase date:
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WA AR RR RA AN NT TY Y P PE ER RI IO OD D
The Liquid Acoustics Book Shelf speakers are covered by a limited 10-year transferable warranty.
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PL LE EA AS SE E R RE EA AD D T TH HI IS S O OW WN NE ER R’ ’S S G GU UI ID DE E
Please take the time to read and follow this owner’s guide carefully. The enclosed information will help
you set up and operate your system properly to enjoy all of its advanced features. Save your owner’s
guide for future reference.
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WA AR RN NI IN NG G: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the Liquid Acoustics™ Book
Shelf Speaker to the outdoors Under Any Circumstances.
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SA AF FE ET TY Y I IN NF FO OR RM MA AT TI IO ON N
XRISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK
XDO NOT OPEN SPEAKER UNITS NOR ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE ENCLOSURE
XTO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER, FILL PLUGS OR BACK
XTHIS IS NOT AN OUTDOOR SPEAKER
XDO NOT PUNCH OR DRILL HOLES IN THIS ENCLOSURE
XDO NOT MOUNT THIS ENCLOSURE UPSIDE DOWN
XNO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER ALL SERVICE TO LIQUID ACOUSTICS
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CU US ST TO OM ME ER R S SE ER RV VI IC CE E
For additional help in solving problems, contact Liquid Acoustics customer service. See the back cover for
your customer service office and phone numbers.

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BE EF FO OR RE E Y YO OU U B BE EG GI IN N
Thank you for purchasing the Liquid Acoustics™ LB-100 Book Shelf Speaker System. These speakers
represent the best in speaker design and engineering and will give you many years of listening pleasure.
The installation and operating principles of this system are significantly different from those of
conventional speakers. To obtain the best possible performance and to avoid problems, please take the
time to read this guide. We strongly recommend that you refrain from higher levels of audio for the
first three to four weeks for the speaker drivers to set in.
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UN NP PA AC CK KI IN NG G T TH HE E C CA AR RT TO ON NS S
A complete Liquid Acoustics™ Bookshelf LB-100 speaker system consists of two enclosures. Each
enclosure contains two flush mounted drivers. Carefully unpack your system, saving all packing material.
Inspect the speakers, enclosures and modules. If any part of the enclosure appears damaged, do not
attempt to use the system. Repack the speakers in their original cartons and notify your authorized Liquid
Acoustics dealer immediately.
NOTE:Now is a good time to record the serial numbers of each speaker and module. The serial numbers
are located on the rear of the Liquid Acoustic speakers.
WARNING:Each speaker carton weighs 28 lbs. Use good lifting practice to avoid injury.
WARNING:The plastic bags enclosing the speakers are not a toy. To avoid danger of suffocation, keep
the plastic bags out of the reach of children.
NEVER TURN OR MOUNT THE ENCLOSURE UPSIDE-DOWN.
What comes in the CARTON:
•Two Liquid Acoustic™ speakers
•Owner’s Manual
•Two Extender (Mini) Modules
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SY YS ST TE EM M C CO OM MP PA AT TI IB BI IL LI IT TY Y
Liquid Acoustics™ LB-100 Speaker Systems work with your stereo components producing a superb
music system. The Liquid Acoustics enclosures contain internal liquid-gel filled chambers tuned by the
factory for superb sound. Never attempt to empty or fill the chambers through the top fill holes. The gel
installed at the factory will last for years to come and does not require replacement. Any unauthorized
attempt to remove the fill hole plugs will result in the warranty being voided.
The system may be connected in a variety of ways, depending upon the components you have. The two
most common methods are described in this guide. Using different components may require different
connection methods. Consult your equipment owner’s manual.
Your Liquid Acoustics speakers are designed to work compatibly with receivers or amplifiers rated from
40 to 200 watts per channel. In this guide, the term receiver is used to refer to an integrated preamplifier
and power amplifier, which may also contain an AM/FM tuner. The term “amplifier” is used to describe
configurations involving separate preamplifier and amplifier components.

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IN NS ST TA AL LL LA AT TI IO ON N S ST TE EP PS S
Follow these steps, in the order below, to install your Liquid Acoustics speaker system:
1. Choose the best locations and support for your speakers.
2. Connect the speakers to the amplifier or receiver.
3. Connect each mini module to each speaker. Observe color codes.
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CH HO OO OS SI IN NG G T TH HE E L LO OC CA AT TI IO ON N F FO OR R Y YO OU UR R S SP PE EA AK KE ER RS S
Choose a good location for your speakers. They are designed primarily to be placed on a bookshelf, in a
corner, or in an audio equipment entertainment center. Best performance is obtained in a corner, or
against a wall.
GUIDELINES FOR PLACEMENT
Also see pictorials in this manual for home entertainment centers.
Place the Liquid Acoustic speakers along the same wall and level:
•4 to 12 feet apart. Do not aim the “V” (front/center) toward a corner.
•At least two feet from sound-absorbent furnishings.
•1 to 6” inches from the side and rear walls.
•18 to 36 inches from the floor or ceiling. For optimum sound, we recommend not placing the
speakers exactly halfway between floor and ceiling.
CHOOSE THE SUPPORT FOR YOUR SPEAKERS
LB-100 Book Shelf Speakers can be placed on a table or shelf, Liquid Acoustics matching floor pedestals,
or suspend the speakers from your wall or ceiling.
To mount this enclosure on the wall or ceiling, please use the Liquid Acoustics™ Bracket Kit.
Do not attempt to drill any holes in the Liquid Acoustics enclosures. Doing so will cause severe damage
and void any warranty.
Always hang these speakers in an upright position, with the terminal connections facing the rear.
TO SET THE SPEAKERS ON A TABLE OR SHELF
Although each speaker weighs up to 10 lbs., a suitable shelf or table must be able to support 100 lbs.
TO STAND THE SPEAKERS ON THE FLOOR
Use only Liquid Acoustics pedestals (PS-LA) as floor stands. They are designed to provide the proper
support and are available through your authorized Liquid Acoustics dealer.
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CA AU UT TI IO ON N:Do not mount on surfaces that are not sturdy enough, or that have hazards concealed
behind them, such as plumbing or electrical wire. If you are unsure of your ability to install these
speakers, contact a qualified professional installer.
GENERAL NOTES ON CEILING SUSPENSION USING THE BRACKET KIT
-NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE-
•Suspend the speakers 18 –36 inches (45 –91 cm) from the ceiling using the optional factory
bracket kit. Do not mount them flush to the ceiling.
•To ensure an accurate stereo image, the distance from the floor should be three to ten feet (1 –
3.5 m). Be sure the speakers are no less than 18 inches (45 cm) from the floor. Do not suspend
the speakers exactly halfway between the floor and ceiling.

NOTE: Contact Liquid Acoustics for more information before suspending speakers. Do not drill the
cabinets or punch holes. Doing so will damage the speaker and void your warranty. For details on your
specific ceiling construction, consult a qualified building contractor or professional installer
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SP PE EA AK KE ER R C CO ON NN NE EC CT TI IO ON NS S
With your speakers in their chosen locations, connect them to the receiver.
CHOOSING THE WIRE
It is important to use the right thickness of speaker wire. For distances of up to 30 feet (9m), 18-gauge
(.075 mm) 2-conductor wire works well.
NOTE: To determine if a particular wire is suitable for use in a wall or under a floor, check your local
building codes. You may want to contact a qualified electrical installer for this information.
PREPARING THE SPEAKER WIRES
Examine the speaker wire. Note that it is actually a pair of insulated wires that may be gently pulled apart.
The insulation around one wire is marked with a stripe, collar, rib, groove, or printing. Use the marked
wire as positive (+) and the unmarked wire as negative (-). These wires correspond to the positive and
negative terminals on the speaker and receiver.
NOTE:It may be difficult to distinguish wire markings. Inspect both wires carefully. To prepare the ends of
each wire:
1. Strip approximately ½ inch (12 mm) of insulation from both wires.
2. Twist the bare ends of each stranded wire, to prevent strands from touching across terminals.
CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS
CAUTION:Before making any connections, turn off your receiver and unplug it from the AC (main) power
outlet. Not doing this may result in damage to your system. Speaker terminals are located on the top rear
of each speaker. Unscrew the top plastic portion of one of the speaker connections, insert the bare wire
into the hole, and tighten the plastic nut. The pressure should now secure the wire to the connector. Tug
on the wire gently to see that it is secure. These connectors are called “banana jacks.”
1. Connect one wire pair to the speaker on the RIGHT.
a. Attach the marked wire at one end to the positive (+) terminal (RED).
b. Attach the plain wire at that end to the negative (-) terminal (BLACK).
2. Connect the other ends of the same wire pair to the RIGHT SPEAKER OUTPUT of your receiver.
a. Attach the marked wire to the positive (+) terminal.
b. Attach the plain wire to the negative (-) terminal.
3. Following the steps above, connect the second pair of wires to the LEFT speaker and to the LEFT
SPEAKER OUTPUT on the receiver.
4. Plug the extender module connectors into the banana jacks located at the back of the each
speaker. Observe color codes.
NOTE: If your receiver offers a choice of output impedances, use the terminal marked 8 and/or 8 ohms.
CHECKING THE SPEAKER CONNECTIONS
Make sure the speaker wire is firmly seated. Check to be sure the wires are connected positive to positive
(+ to +) and negative to negative (-to -). Make sure no loose strands of wire touch across terminals,
which can cause short circuits. Remember your Liquid Acoustics Enclosures HAVE A DESIGNATED
LEFT AND RIGHT. PLEASE OBSERVE THIS PLACEMENT CRITERIA IN YOUR ROOM FOR PROPER
PERFORMANCE.

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AD DJ JU US ST TI IN NG G T TH HE E S SO OU UN ND D
.USING THE TONECONTROLS ON YOUR RECEIVER
These controls let you make adjustments to compensate for the effects of speaker location, room
acoustics, and program quality.
1. Select a familiar musical piece.
2. Set all of your receiver tone controls to the center (flat) position. If it has a loudness compensation
control (marked LOUD or LOUDNESS), set it to the OFF or OUT position.
3. Begin adjusting your controls to a desired comfortable room level.
4. If you have a graphic equalizer, set your equalizer to a classic “V” position.
BREAKING-IN PERIOD
All Liquid Acoustics™ units are pretested at our factory for the following: airtight ambient chamber
sealing, gasket integrity, liquid gel level (if needed), driver performance, and overall response.
Notwithstanding this rigid testing and inspection, your new speaker system will require a breaking-in
period. We suggest that you keep your program material at a low level for the first several days of use,
then gradually engage in raising your levels every week or so. You will notice that the sound quality will
improve greatly, warming up after the drivers begin to set in. Your unit should be completely set-in and up
to total performance after 40-50 hours of use.
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WA AR RN NI IN NG G: :Do not exceed the rated power of these speakers or damage will result. This is a high quality
Book Shelf speaker system intended for the listener seeking a new and different sound. These speakers
are not intended for heavy commercial, public address, or sound pressure levels that exceed normal
listening levels. See the other Liquid Acoustics™ products for heavy -duty commercial sound expansion or
reproduction applications.
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A W WO OR RD D A AB BO OU UT T D DI IS ST TO OR RT TI IO ON N
If attempting to push a speaker system to the maximum, distortion will usually become apparent. Sound
distortion is defined as a change in the waveform of a signal during processing, often caused by the
signal level being too high for the hardware performing the processing. Please keep in mind that
“distortion” is “a fact of life” when it comes to sound reproduction. The higher quality something is, the
lower the distortion is going to be at normal operating levels. Pushing the LB-100 speakers to their
maximum will result in higher levels of distortion and it is at this stage where what is acceptable will
depend for the most part on three factors:
1. First, pushing the speaker system extremely hard will cause damage.
2. Your ears and your tolerance for distortion begin long before your system shows signs of
disintegration.
3. Injury to your hearing occurs long before the hardware systems themselves go awry, however,
there is still a clear difference between the two.
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MA AI IN NT TA AI IN NI IN NG G Y YO OU UR R L LI IQ QU UI ID D A AC CO OU US ST TI IC CS S™ ™ S SP PE EA AK KE ER R S SY YS ST TE EM M
CLEANING YOUR SPEAKERS
Clean your speaker enclosures with a soft damp cloth. If necessary use a suitable furniture polish. Do not
use any solvents, chemicals, or cleaning solutions containing alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives. Do not
allow liquids to spill into the front speakers. Do not use any sprays near the system.

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PR RO OD DU UC CT T I IN NF FO OR RM MA AT TI IO ON N
CABINET
Acrylic tuned enclosure with internal chambers and air suspended compression driver mounting gaskets.
DIMENSIONS
15"W x 2 3/4"H x 8 1/4"D shelf space required
(33.0cm x 7.0cm x 12.7cm)
WEIGHT
6-10 lbs. when filled to capacity
Typical weight is 6 lbs.
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TE EC CH HN NI IC CA AL L I IN NF FO OR RM MA AT TI IO ON N
TRANSDUCER COMPLEMENT
Two (2) 5 1/4" Vifa specially designed drivers in each cabinet
ENERGY DISPERSION
Twenty percent (20%) by reflection [corner placement]
Eighty percent (80%) by direct radiation
ENCLOSURE
Internal Liquid Gel 54 ounce total capacity with internal ambient chamber, radial tuning fins, semi-isobaric
enclosure design
Liquid Acoustics™ Speaker
Enclosure Material Properties ASTM Test Typical Values
Specific Gravity D792 1.19
Tensile Strength Yield D638 10,000
Tensile Modulus D638 400,000
Izod Impact –Notched D256 0.4
Hardness –Rockwell D785 M94
Deflection Temp @ 264psi D648 210
Deflection Temp @ 66 psi D648 239
Co. Thermal Expansion D696 3.4X10-5
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE
Eight (8) ohms
AMPLIFIER COMPATIBILITY
Compatible with amplifiers/receivers rated from
40 -200 watts RMS.
Rated @150 watts IEC

RECOMMENDED FUSING
Series connected 2-A quick-acting fuse
Buss AGC-3, Little fuse 212-002, or equivalent
WIRE RECOMMENDATIONS
GAUGE LENGTH
#18 30 ft ( 9 m) maximum
#16 45 ft (14 m) maximum
#14 70 ft (21 m) maximum
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AC CC CE ES SS SO OR RI IE ES S
To find out about the Liquid Acoustics™ floor pedestals, wall brackets, custom enclosure colors, and
optional front grill coverings contact your Liquid Acoustics dealer, or call Liquid Acoustics™ toll free within
the United States and Canada at 1-877-638-7251. We will be happy to assist you.
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SU UG GG GE ES ST TE ED D L LI IQ QU UI ID D A AC CO OU US ST TI IC CS S™ ™ S SP PE EA AK KE ER R P PL LA AC CE EM ME EN NT TS S
SMALL HOME ENTERTAINMENT THEATRE LARGE HOME ENTERTAINMENT THEATRE
Note:The above and below pictorials and illustrations represent the most optimum LB-100 speaker
placements. While other room placements may vary, the above pictorials will give you a general idea as
to how these speakers are best suited to operate. Try different room placements. Sound properties will
vary with different room conditions: the type of draperies, reflective materials, carpet, hard wood floors,
etc. Select the best arrangement to suit your personal listening pleasure.
OPEN ROOMS USING LIQUID ACOUSTICS™STANDS OR OTHER SUITABLE SUPPORTS
Seated listening area
Note
:
Place sp
eakers at 36” to 40” above the floor, or at
ear level when seated, with the fronts facing the listener
as shown in the room illustration to the left.
5’
-
8’ distance
8’
-
10’
The Liquid Acoustics™ stand (optional) automatically sets
the distance from the corner with its base.

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TR RO OU UB BL LE ES SH HO OO OT TI IN NG G
If you have a problem with your Liquid Acoustics speakers, turn off the receiver or amplifier before you
proceed. Then check all the connections between the speakers and receiver. Correct any wiring problems
before you follow the guidelines below. Problems are more likely to originate with equipment other than
speakers. You may also want to refer to your receiver or other component owner’s guides.
One speaker sounds
ØDo not switch the wires; this could damage a speaker.
ØTurn off the amplifier and disconnect.
ØReconnect to the other channel.
ØIf the speaker now plays correctly, the problem is not in the speaker or wiring.
Neither speaker plays
ØConnect the speakers to another receiver or amplifier that is known to be operating properly.
ØIf the speakers now play correctly, the problem is not in the speakers.

Liquid Acoustics™
A division of NetPack Technologies Inc.
6900 Aragon Circle
Buena Park, CA 90620
Toll Free within the United States & Canada 1-877-638-7251
© 2003 Liquid Acoustics™
All Patents are pending.
All Rights Reserved.
Printed in USA
Visit the Liquid Acoustics website at www.liquidacoustics.com