PLANT A SPEAKER Speaker User manual
Plant A Speaker
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Thank you for purchasing two or more of our beautiful
PlantASpeakers.
CONNECTING THE PLANT A SPEAKER
WARNING: Before you start to install your new speakers please be aware of the
following. Only use speaker wire rated for direct burial, full outdoor temperature range
and direct sunlight.
Do not run the speaker wires with AC electrical cables, this will cause a loud hum in the
speakers and may damage your amplifier and create a shock hazard.
Do not use amplifiers rated for over 150 Watts per channel as the amount of current
may exceed local electrical codes. We recommend an amplifier rated at 50-80 watts
RMS per channel + rated for 4 ohms.
IMPORTANT: When designing your Plant ASpeaker layout please note that one pair
of speakers will cover approx. 300-400 sq. Ft. with the full musical range. When you
need to cover a larger space, add more Plant ASpeakers.
Note: Do not connect more than two sets of speakers to one amplifier rated at 4 Ohms.
If there are other speakers connected to your amplifier, you will need a PROTECTED
speaker selector switch otherwise your amplifier will overload and the sound will be
distorted causing damage to the speakers and the amplifier.
SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
Design the layout of your new outdoor speakers so they will cover the area where you
spend the most time. In most cases, outdoor speakers are set up like indoor speakers,
6 to 12 ft apart except in the case where you wish to hear the sound in two different
areas (EXP: patio/deck). What is important to remember is that the Plant A Speaker
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sends the sound out from all sides (360 ), so be creative with your location selection
and be aware that when placed near a neighbors yard, they will hear the sound too!
LOCATION TIPS
Outdoor locations have lower sound output because they are filling a larger air volume
with sound. For example, a normal listening level (87dB) throughout a typical 300-400
square foot room uses only 4 watts. To fill the same space outdoors requires 40watts.
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We recommend one pair of Plant ASpeakers for every 300-400 square feet (30m ) of
listening area.
Living rooms also boost bass 6 to 20dB relative to outdoors. If loud bass is desired
outdoors, we suggest ganging multiple pairs of Plant A Speaker.. Two speakers in
close proximity will output 6dB more bass. Placing your Plant ASpeaker next to a wall
will also boost bass 5dB (10dB in a corner between two walls).
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at
Please follow the instructions in this booklet to insure your
safe long-term enjoyment of beautiful music and plants.
For every 2-4 speakers you will need a weatherproof volume control to adjust the
speaker level from outside, otherwise, you will be running back into the house every
time a disc changes as they are recorded at different sound levels.
As mentioned before, only use direct burial cable and chose the wire size according to
the following chart (From the stereo to the speaker location):
0 - 50 feet - 18 gauge stranded 150 - 200 feet - 12 gauge stranded
50 - 100 feet - 16 gauge stranded 200 - 250 feet - 10 gauge stranded
100 - 150 feet - 14 gauge stranded
Install the direct burial cable in PVC pipe 18” underground or drop the wire into the 18”
trench to avoid damage by gardeners and landscapers.
When the wiring is complete, connect the “Tail” of the wire (see figure 1) coming out of
the speaker to the burial cable by way of electrical “twist on” connectors and wrap with
electrical tape to seal off from water damage and corrosion.
NOTE: the tail wires tie to a rear leg with supplied wire ties.
Next, connect the amplifier and test the speaker connections at a low volume to avoid
damage if there is a bad connection. If OK, raise the volume to the desired level and
listen to the music.
If distortion is heard go over the complete installation to check for bad connections &
shorts.
Back leg
Speaker Cable
Drain hose
FIGURE 1
BACK FRONT
Tail
14”
20”
Cable tie 2 places
CLEANING Plant A Speaker
Do Not use chemical or solvents to clean, it will void the warranty. Basic or caustic
solutions like drain cleaner, concrete cleaner, rust remover and bleach will corrode
grills. Diluted bleach may be used to occasionally disinfect the plant compartment.
Solvents including alcohol and petroleum products will hurt the finish, degrade the
glue joints of the drivers and damage other suspension materials.
Do clean with water and soap. Use a rag or sponge to clean grills.
Do Not use a brush on the aluminum speaker grille.
Do Not use a pressure spray to clean Plant ASpeaker.
LOW TEMPERATURES and Plant A Speaker
Plant A Speaker will survive freezing and snow with no damage, however the overall
life expectancy will be 25-50% less. THEREFORE WE RECOMMEND TAKING
THEM IN FOR THE WINTER. If you use your Plant A Speaker below 40F (5C),
there will be less bass and volume, use below freezing while trying to make up
the bass/volume difference will stress the drivers and eventually result in
failure.
HIGH TEMPERATURES and Plant A Speaker
Plant A Speaker operated or stored above rated temperature range will melt.
Note: Remember to “Phase” the speakers by connecting the red & black wires to the
same colors at the speaker and amplifier (red is +, black is -). If you experience a lack
of bass, more than likely, the wires are out of phase!
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
About half of the pot depth is used to develop the full, rich bass sound, therefore only
select plants with shallow roots. The advanced drain system provides both an
extended moisture reservoir and excellent drainage, so it is tolerant of over and under-
watering for a wide range of species. Annuals, bulbs, ground cover, ferns and grasses
all yield good results.
Start filling the plant a speaker with a couple of inches of high-quality potting soil mix.
Wet evenly using a sprinkle watering can or hand sprayer. Arrange your plants, and
then fill with soil or mix to the top of the root-ball. Water slowly and evenly, about ½
gallon. Stop if water comes out of the drain tube. There is a normal one to two minute
delay for water to filter through the reservoir drain system.
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS:
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Storage temperature ranges: -30 to 60 C; -20 to 140 F
Operating temperature range:5
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to 45 C; 40 to 110 F
Humidity: 0 -100%.
HIGH HUMIDITY and Plant A Speaker
With temperature cycles under high humidity, there may be condensation in the voice
coil gap of the drivers. We recommend that the Plant ASpeaker be warmed up.Always
play moderate level music for 15 minutes before playing at normal volume.
SPRINKLERS and Plant A Speaker
Do Not install over a sprinkler, or where the speaker grille is hit by direct pressure
watering. Water pressure will not cause immediate damage, but it will degrade the
sound quality until the grille area evaporates.
PLANT A SPEAKER WARRANTY
PLANT A SPEAKER WARRANTY
Plant A Speaker are warrantied to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 1
(one) year from original purchase.
This warranty specifically excludes abuse of the following types:
1. Over-powering: Use of amplifiers rated over 150 WPC into 8 ohms is hazardous and abusive.
2. Clipping: excessive volume causing amplifiers to distort damages tweeters using even modest
power (25W).
3. Dropping: impact will damage Plant A Speaker both cosmetically and functionally.
4. Pressure washing: pressure sprays can damage drivers.
5. Removal of grills: will cause insect nesting, dirt accumulation and other foreign matter on cones
& domes.
6. Penetration of the speaker compartment: any hole created in speaker compartment by impact,
drilling, sawing or cutting, screwing or unscrewing, or by any other means, is abuse.
7. Submersion: internal corrosion, deposits and/or encrustation of salt is evidence.
8. Harsh chemicals: basic or caustic solutions like lawn chemicals, drain cleaner, rust remover,
concrete cleaner and bleach will corrode grills. Solvents will degrade the glue joints of the drivers.
9. Overheating: operation or storage above recommend temperatures will result in melting of plastic
components. Do not leave Plant A Speaker in full sun under glass or inside metal (cars, trucks,
quonset huts, etc.) Without ventilation.
10. Excessive cold: operation below recommended temperature range will result in driver damage,
particularly full power startup.
11. Bent stands.
12.This warranty is not transferable.
Contact us at Plant A SpeakerP.O. BOX 111, Port Chester, NY 10573. With no signs of abuse we’ll
provide parts and labor free of charge for 1 year. We will not cover: accidental or consequential
damages, including but not limited to loss of plants. We will not cover: packing materials or shipping
charges if required.
CARE OF STANDS
The wrought iron Plant A Speaker stands are finished with an epoxy powder-coat to
resist corrosion; but it is normal for this coating to develop cracks at welds and where it
touches other materials. This may result in small areas of rust staining on the stands &
materials contacting them. To restore the original cosmetics, clean rusted areas with a
metal brush. Then spray or brush on a sealing finish, preferable a rust inhibiting paint
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like Rustoleum . Steel corrosion is more rapid in a salt-spray environment close
to the seashore. The stands last 3 years under these conditions and should be
inspected at least once a year for structural integrity.
RAIN and Plant A Speaker
Plant A Speaker will operate safely and drain properly during rainfall, but may exhibit
some temporary loss of treble. If they are installed in an area prone to thunderstorms,
we recommend installing lightning protection on the wires between the Plant A
Speakers and the amplifier.
SPECIFICATIONS
Woofer: 6” weatherized cone speaker
Tweeter: 13mm aluminum
Impedance: 8 ohms, DC 6 ohms
Power Rating: 40 w RMS - 80 w Peak
Freq. Resp.: 80 Hz to 15 Khz +/- 3db
SPL: 90 dB 1w@1m
Weight: 13 lbs (each).
Plant A Speaker P.O. BOX 111, Port Chester, NY 10573
