Paradigm Monitor Series 7 User manual

M O N I T O R S E R I E S 7
M O N I T O R S E R I E S 7
OWNERS MANUAL

RECYCLING AND REUSE GUIDELINES (Europe)
In accordance with the European Union WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive effective August 13, 2005, we would like to notify
you that our speakers may contain regulated materials which, upon disposal, require special reuse and recycling processing. For this reason Paradigm
Electronics Inc. (the manufacturer of Paradigm speakers and Anthem electronic products) has arranged with its distributors in European Union member
nations to collect and recycle this product at no cost to you. To find your local distributor please contact the dealer from whom you purchased this
product or go to our website at www.paradigm.com.
Please note that only the product falls under the WEEE directive. When disposing of packaging and other shipping material we encourage you to
recycle through the normal channels.
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Paradigm Electronics nc. 205 Annagem Blvd., Mississauga, ON Canada L5T 2V1 090211

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Floorstanding Speakers:
Attaching Base & Optional Spikes (Pictorial)
Bookshelf Speakers:
Attaching Bumper Pads (Pictorial)
Your New Speakers
Preventing Speaker Damage
Room Acoustics
Placement: Front Left & Right Speakers (Pictorial)
Placement: The Center Speaker (Pictorial)
Placement: Surround / Rear Speakers (Pictorial)
Speaker Connection (Pictorial)
Fine Tuning
Troubleshooting Guide
Specifications
Limited Warranty
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TABLE OF CONTENT
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Wall mount speakers securely enough that they do not
fall and cause personal injury or damage to property.
Use safety straps (included with MB-60 Brackets, sold
separately). Detailed information on attaching straps is
included with the brackets.
Paradigm DOES NOT supply hardware for mounting
speakers to the wall. Hardware shown in this manual
is for example only and will vary depending on wall
type. Use screws appropriate for wall type and weight
of speakers.
If installing into drywall, install into 1/2˝ (13 mm) or 5/8˝
(16 mm) drywall only. Screws must be long enough to
go through anchor bolts (not supplied).
For stability, bumper pads (included) must be used
when placing surround/rear speakers on a flat surface.
Please see the section on "Placement: Surround / Rear
Speakers" for more info.
IMPORTANT: Read before wall mounting bookshelf speakers.
IMPORTANT: Read before placing surround speakers on flat surface.

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Thank you
… for choosing award-winning Paradigm Monitor Series 7 speakers. You are
about to hear the difference that sonically accurate speakers make in your
audio/home theater system! They are the product of countless hours of
comprehensive research and development and will reward you with truly
exceptional sound for many years.
To ensure proper installation and enjoy all of the exceptional sound these
speakers are designed to provide, please read this manual and follow all
instructions. f you have further questions contact your Dealer or visit the Q&A
page on our website at www.paradigm.c m.

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FLOOR TANDING PEAKER :
ATTACHING BA E & OPTIONAL PIKE
Attach base while speakers are still in carton, following the unpacking
instructions provided. (Rubber feet come pre-installed on base).
Optional: f you prefer to use the spikes provided, unscrew the rubber
feet and carefully screw the spikes (with jam nuts) into the base
Spikes and rubber feet are NOT to be used
without the base.
.
OPTIONAL:
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3
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BOOK HELF PEAKER :
ATTACHING BUMPER PAD
Self-adhesive bumper pads (includ d) may be applied to the bottom
corners of bookshelf speakers (as shown) when placed on a shelf or other
flat surface. This will isolate your speakers from the solid surface, improving
overall sound quality.
Bottom View of Bookshelf Speaker
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Break-In
Although Paradigm Monitor Series 7 speakers sound great “out of
the carton,” they will sound even better when broken in. Allow them to
operate for several hours before you listen critically.
High-frequency drivers use ferro-fluid that can thicken at temperatures
below 10° C (50° F). f your speakers have been transported or stored
in the cold let them warm to room temperature before use.
Cleaning
Do not use a strong or abrasive cleaner on your speakers. Clean
them with a damp soft cloth, but do not get them wet. Do not place
wet objects, such as drinking glasses or potted plants, on top of the
speakers. f allowed to soak in, even a small amount of water may
permanently damage the speaker enclosure.
Rubber Feet and Optional Spikes
On floorstanding models, the speaker base comes with rubber feet
pre-installed. f you intend to use isolation spikes (includ d with
floorstanding sp ak rs), rubber feet must be removed. We highly
recommend installing these spikes if speakers are to be place on
carpet as they will improve the sound of your speakers by isolating
them from the floor. The most convenient time to install these spikes
is during the unpacking process.
Optional Paradigm Speaker Stands
We highly recommend placing Monitor Series 7 bookshelf speakers
on high-performance Paradigm speaker stands (sold s parat ly), or
bookshelves to raise the high-frequency drivers to approximately ear
level, thereby ensuring the best performance possible.
YOUR NEW PEAKER

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Wall ounting
Pilot holes spaced 60 mm apart are provided on the back of all
Monitor Series 7 bookshelf models for use with Paradigm wall mounting
brackets (sold s parat ly). Monitor surround speakers also have pre-
drilled pilot holes but are sold with wall-mounting brackets.
For onitor surround speakers use the
wall-mounting brackets included.

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Monitor Series 7 speakers are efficient and can be driven to loud listening
levels with moderate amplifier power. They are also able to handle the
output of very powerful amplifiers. To prevent damage to your speakers,
please read the following guidelines before hooking them up.
Amplifier Distortion—The #1 Culprit!
Amplifier distortion is the principal cause of speaker damage. When listening
at loud levels your amplifier may run out of clean power. t will then begin
to produce distorted power several times greater than its rated output power.
This will damage any brand of speaker very quickly! (S your D al r for
amplifi r r comm ndations).
ore Powerful Amplifiers are Safer
A 40 watts per channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above
40 watts. f driven to 50 watts, this amplifier will deliver distorted power—
which will damage the speaker! A 100 watts per channel amplifier will
have substantial distortion above 100 watts, but very low distortion below
100 watts. When the speaker requires 50 watts, this more powerful
amplifier will deliver clean power and speaker damage is less likely.
Volume Control
Do not be fooled by the Volume Control of your receiver/preamplifier. t
only adjusts listening level—it is not a “power-output” dial. The amount
of amplifier power actually used at a given Volume Control setting depends
solely on the nature of the music you are listening to. At a given Volume
Control setting a quiet section of music will use less amplifier power than
a loud section. With typical pop-rock, jazz or large scale classical music
the rated output power of many receivers/amplifiers is often reached
when the Volume Control is between the “11” and “1” o’clock settings
(with bass/treble and loudness controls not used—otherwise rated
power may be reached at even lower Volume Control settings).
PREVENTING PEAKER DAMAGE

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Remember, all amplifiers produce distortion when operated beyond their
rated output power. The resulting distortion will damage all speakers!
Exercise caution! f you listen at loud levels, be careful to listen for the
point of audible distortion—if the speakers begin to sound distressed,
turn the Volume Control down or your speakers and/or amplifier(s) will be
damaged! This type of damage constitutes abuse and is not covered by
the warranty. f louder volumes are desired, obtain a more powerful amplifier.
There is a Limit!
Although more powerful amplifiers are safer, there is a point at which you
could have more power than the speaker can handle. At that point you will
overpower the speaker and damage it. Exercise caution! At loud levels
do not increase bass/treble controls from zero and ensure that all loudness/
contour/bass EQ buttons are off (otherwise rated output power will be
reached at lower volume control settings). f you listen at loud levels,
watch for excessive visible cone excursion (grille movement) from the
woofer—then turn the Volume Control down.
The Right Amount of Power
A power-range rating is given as a guide to indicate the approximate
minimum and maximum power input of your Monitor Series 7. Amplifiers
that exceed your speaker’s power-range rating are recommended. Their
greater power reserves provide better sound. However, exercise caution!
Use the speakers within their power-range rating to prevent damage
(keep listening levels below the point of excessive woofer cone excursion).
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Paradigm Monitor Series 7 speakers are designed to provide exceptional
sound in a wide variety of domestic settings. However, it is important to
note that listening room construction, dimensions and furnishings all play
a part in the quality of sound you will ultimately achieve. Your listening room
will impose its own character on the performance capabilities of any speaker
system. The extra care you take in correctly positioning the speakers will
result in greater listening enjoyment. Keep the following guidelines in mind
when deciding on the best speaker placement:
• Mid and high frequencies are affected by the amount of soft furnishings
in your room—curtains, carpets, sofas, wall coverings, etc. An excess
of such items can result in a somewhat dull sound. The same room
without any soft furnishings can produce an overall bright sound. The
typical quantity of soft furnishings found in most living environments
provides the right acoustic characteristics to allow the speakers to
sound balanced;
• Concrete floors and walls tend to aggravate low-frequency standing
wave problems and are less preferred;
• Rooms where height, width and length are similar should be avoided
as they can exhibit significant low-frequency standing wave problems.
This may result in reduced clarity. f no other room is possible, experiment
with speaker placement to minimize acoustic problems.
ROOM ACOU TIC

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Monitor Series 7 front speakers are designed to allow flexible placement
while providing a very large window of sound throughout your listening
room. To ensure the best performance possible we strongly recommend
that you observe the placement guidelines on the following pages …
PLACEMENT:
FRONT LEFT & RIGHT PEAKER
OR
Ideal placement of left and right speakers

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Accurate Timbre
For the most accurate and natural timbre, place front speakers so that
their high-frequency drivers are approximately at ear level, as shown.
Placing bookshelf models on Paradigm speaker stands (sold s parat ly)
or bookshelves raises their high-frequency drivers to approximately ear level,
thereby ensuring the best performance possible.

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8” (20 cm)
Balanced Bass
Placing front speakers in corners will over-emphasize bass and reduce
overall clarity. Avoid corner placement. Position front speakers 8 in (20 cm)
or more from the wall behind the speaker and as much as possible from
either side wall, as shown in. This will ensure better bass performance and
optimal midrange clarity.

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Optimal Imaging
Measure the distance from your main listening area to the front speakers
(“X”). For best imaging, place speakers from three-quarters of that distance
up to that same distance from each other (3/4 of “X” to “X”), as shown.
To further optimize imaging, toe speakers slightly inward so they point
toward the listening position with their axes crossing just behind it, as shown.
Optional On-Wall ounting of Front Speakers
Follow the directions for placement given under “Optimal maging” above
and use the mounting instructions provided with your mounting brackets
(sold s parat ly) to safely and securely mount your speakers on the wall.

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Monitor Series 7 center speakers are designed to cover a large, wide
listening area, allowing listeners throughout the room to hear center-channel
information with unprecedented clarity and intelligibility.
Placing your center-channel speaker below (or above) the TV will ensure
the best possible clarity and intelligibility. Position the speaker flush with
the front of the TV or speaker shelf to minimize unwanted sound reflections.
Make sure the center-channel is approximately the same distance away
from the primary listening position as your front speakers. (Some A/V
receivers/processors can electronically adjust for differences in distance.)
PLACEMENT:
CENTER PEAKER

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5.1 Surround Configuration
Position one speaker on each side of the listening area, as shown.
7.1 Surround Configuration (adds two r ar sp ak rs to a typical 5.1
surround configuration)
Position speakers behind the listening area—one speaker slightly right and
the other slightly left, as shown.
PLACEMENT:
URROUND / REAR PEAKER
CAUTION: WHEN PLACING SURROUND
SPEAKERS ON A FLAT SURFACE
onitor Surround 1 onitor Surround 3
Bumper pads are included in hardware package with speaker.

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PEAKER CONNECTION
INI U GAUGE REQUIRE ENTS
LENGTH D AMETER GAUGE
Under 4.5 m (15 ft)
Under 9 m (30 ft)
Over 9 m (30 ft)
1.3 mm (0.05 in)
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
2.0 mm (0.08 in)
16 awg
14 awg
12 awg
Standard Connection
Turn your amplifier(s) OFF before connecting your
speakers. This will avoid damage which could
result from accidental shorting of speaker cables.
For optimum sound, the use of high quality speaker cable is essential. The
chart below identifies the minimum gauge requirements for various lengths.
(S your D al r for r comm ndations)

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Standard Connection (S illustration on arli r pag .)
Your speakers’ binding posts can be used with banana, pin or spade
connectors, as well as with bare wire. Tighten the posts firmly by hand but
do not over tighten!
Correct polarity (or phase) is critical for proper soundstage imaging and bass
performance. Connect one speaker at a time to ensure proper connection
of every channel. The red (+) amplifier terminal must be connected to the
red (+) speaker terminal. The same applies to the black (–) terminals.
Make sure all wires are firmly fastened. Repeat this connection procedure
for each speaker in your system.
NOTE: f you hear a distinct lack of bass and a dislocated stereo image then
one or more of your speakers may be connected out of phase (polarity is
reversed). Re-check to ensure that each speaker's cable is connected with
correct polarity: red (+) to red (+) and black (–) to black (–).
Other Connection Options
DO NOT attempt to bi-wire or bi-amplify speakers
unless you have removed the jumper bars.
Some Monitor Series 7 speakers have two sets of input terminals connected
externally with jumper bars. These speakers can be bi-wired or bi-amplified
to achieve even better performance.
f your speakers do not have two sets of input terminals this section does
not apply to you.