Monitor Audio Gold Reference GR20 User manual

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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
Contents
What we have provided in your Gold Reference Owners Manual
Page
2 Introduction
4 Safety Instructions
5 Tool Box contents
Stands/ Plinths
7 Plinth fitting
8 Spike fitting
9 Configuration/Bi-wiring
10 Bi-amping/Tri-wiring/Tri-amping
11 Initial Positioning
12 Final position & adjustments
13 Ancillary Equipment
14 Maintenance
15 Guarantee/ Service
1 Claims under this guarantee

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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
An introduction to your
Monitor Audio Gold Reference Owners Manual
Thank you for purchasing this pair of Monitor Audio Gold Reference
loudspeakers. We are confident they will give you many years of
exceptional listening pleasure.
All our speakers are hand crafted and assembled at purpose built
factory units in England. We have over 27 years experience applying
traditional woodworking skills to loudspeaker cabinet construction. For
the Gold Reference series, these skills are combined with state of the art
drive unit technology and the highest standards of engineering.
The enjoyment of music is and should be a life enhancing experience.
Music can stimulate your imagination and change your mood; provide
endless hours of entertainment and a means to relax.
At Monitor Audio we believe your hi-fi speakers should recreate the full
sonic and emotional experience of listening to live music or a studio
production exactly as the recording engineers intended. Our aim is to
build loudspeakers that get you closer to the music. Or, as we say at
Monitor Audio, ‘As close as it gets’.
Important
Owing to the complex, close tolerance construction of the loudspeaker
drive units, a running in period of approximately 0 hours is
recommended before optimum performance is achievable.

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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001

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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
Safety Instructions
1. Read Instructions
All the safety and operating instructions in this manual should be
read before using the loudspeakers.
. Retain Instructions
Retain this manual for future reference.
3. Follow the Instructions
All operating instructions should be followed.
4. Water & Moisture
The speaker/s should not be used near water - for example, bathtub,
wash bowl, kitchen sink, washing machine, in a wet basement or
near a swimming pool. Under no circumstance should plants, fish
bowls or drinks be placed on the speakers.
5. Positioning
The speaker/s have been designed for floor or stand mounting as
recommended by the stand manufacturer only.
6. Heat
The speaker/s should not be placed near any heat source such as
radiators, open fires, stoves, direct sunlight or any other appliance
that produces heat.
7. Cleaning
The speaker/s can be cleaned with a soft dry cloth. The engineers
selvyt cloth, enclosed within your Monitor Audio toolbox (where
provided), is ideal for this purpose.
8. Service
The user should not attempt to service the speaker/s beyond that
specified in the operating instructions. All other servicing
requirements should be carried out by qualified service personnel.

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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
Tool Box
A Gold Reference tool box is supplied with the floorstanding models
(GR20 and GR 0) to help facilitate set up. This contains everything
needed to attach the plinth, fit the spikes and level your Monitor Audio
speaker.
Contents
2.5mm Hex. Key - For Drive Units
3.0mm Hex. Key - For Spike Adjustment
Screwdriver - For Plinth Bolts
Spirit Level
8 Spikes (4 per speaker) with Thumbwheel Nuts
8 Floor Discs
Monitor Audio engineers Selvyt cloth
Warranty Card
Fig. 1.

© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
Stands
If the model you have chosen is of the bookshelf/standmount type
(GR10), you will need to consider the positioning of your loudspeakers.
If you intend to place them on bookshelves, there may be compromises
that prevent the speakers from performing at their optimum.
Placing your loudspeakers on stands (see Fig. 2.) will enable them to
deliver a more dynamic and believable sound. Heavy stands are
recommended as they add further rigidity to the loudspeaker and
elevate system performance. We also recommend the use of a reusable
adhesive substance (such as Blu-tac) between the bottom surface of the
loudspeaker and the top plate of the stand. This will make the speaker
and stand a stable unit and prevent accidents if accidentally knocked.
Sonic improvements are an additional benefit.
Plinths
For all floorstanding models (GR20 and GR 0) we recommend fitting the
supplied plinth. This will enlarge the footprint of the loudspeaker and
increase its stability.
See positioning (page 11).
Fig. .

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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
Assembly
To attach the plinth, invert the speaker as shown (see Fig. 3), resting the
top on a non-abrasive protective sheet. Now locate the plinth, painted
side down, on the four fixing studs. Using the bolts supplied, screw the
plinth firmly to the bottom of the loudspeaker with the screwdriver
supplied. Remove the Gold Spikes from the toolbox and rotate the
thumbwheel nut until it is in contact with the body of the spike.
By hand, screw the spikes into the location holes until they just touch
the plinth.
Carefully turn the loudspeaker the right way up and position it so that
the spikes rest on the floor discs supplied in the toolbox (if used). Place
the supplied spirit level on top of the speaker. Next, use the allen key
supplied to adjust each spike in turn until the speaker is level. This is
accomplished by inserting the longer shaft of the allen key into the
spike hole on the top face of the plinth and locating it in the spike
recess. Slowly rotate the key clockwise and the spike height will
increase. Only once the spikes have been adjusted by the necessary
amount should the thumbwheels be rotated (anticlockwise) to lock the
spikes in position. If you do not wish to use the plinth see Fig. 4.
Warning: If using spikes make sure that they do not pierce any cables
that may be under the carpet. When handling your loudspeakers with
spikes use extreme caution.
Fig. 4.
Showing spike
fixing
Fig. 3.
Showing
additional plinth
and spike fixing

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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
Spikes
The purpose of the 8 spikes in the toolbox is to effectively decouple
each loudspeaker from the floor. Properly adjusted (see Assembly), the
spikes improve bass definition and tightness and sharpen mid-range
focus. If you prefer not to have the spikes directly in contact with the
floor (wood or laminated surfaces, for instance), please use the 8
floor-protecting discs supplied. The top side has a cone recess to receive
the tip of the spike.

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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
Configuration
Monitor Audio loudspeakers are extremely versatile and can
accommodate a number of wiring configurations to optimise
performance.
All Monitor Audio loudspeakers are supplied configured for use in single
wired mode. This can be changed by removing the links between the two
sets of terminal posts on the recessed panel at the rear of the speaker.
In single-wired mode, a single amplifier drives each loudspeaker
through a single run of cable.
Single wiring: ensure the links between the two positive terminals and
the links between the two negative terminals are in place before
connecting any cables. Note: the style of the links may differ depending
on model ((FFiigg.. 55))..
Bi-wiring: by removing the links and using two runs of cable on each
side (left and right channels), the speakers’ drive units are fed
individually and sound quality is improved. ((FFiigg.. ))..
Important: the terminal links must be removed before connecting the
speakers when bi-wiring.
Fig. 5 Fig. 6

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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
Bi-amping: a further lift in performance can be achieved through
bi-amping. Here two amplifier sections (in its simplest form an
integrated model with its matching power amp) are used to supply
separate drive units or groups of drive units. One amplifier drives the
bass-mid range section, the other the treble. (Fig. 6).
Important: it is vital that the terminal links are removed before
connecting the speakers when bi-amping.
Tri-wiring (Gold Reference 0): this option uses one amplifier but
requires three runs of cable on each side (left and right channels) to
supply bass, mid range and treble units individually and improve sound
quality. (Fig. 6a).
Tri-amping (Gold Reference 0): with tri-amping, three amplifier sections
are used to supply the individual drive units. This means dedicated
amplification for the bass, mid and treble sections and significantly
improved performance from the loudspeaker. (Fig. 6a)
Important: it is vital that the terminal links are removed before
connecting the speakers when tri-wiring or tri-amping.
Fig. 6a