Proficient Protege LDA5 User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
LDA5
5" Dolby Atmos® Speakers

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Congratulations and thank you for purchasing our Proficient Protege LDA5 Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers!
Our speakers bring the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks to your home theater
without the need to install in-ceiling speakers or run wires through the ceiling.
Dolby Atmos Design
To develop the LDA5, our acoustic engineer started with design parameters and specifications provided by
Dolby Laboratories. This design is based on scientific calculation, adding the necessary filters to achieve the
characteristics for an Atmos enabled speaker. We then conducted listening tests to assure that the LDA5
would deliver immersive, realistic sound effects with very low distortion and outstanding clarity.
Woofers
To achieve state-of-the-art sound quality, Proficient uses the same woofer cone material developed for our
other Protege cabinet speakers. This material employs a special formulation of graphite, polypropylene and
carbon fiber materials, combined by using an injection molded process. This formulation not only provides
good midrange sound quality but also provides the cone stiffness required to produce solid low-frequency
response.
Tweeters
The 1-inch silk dome tweeter provides excellent off-axis response by nature of its dome shape, comple-
menting the dispersion of the woofer. The material properties of the IMG woofer and silk dome tweeter
work together to provide a seamless sound quality that allows the Dolby-specified filter and angled baffle
to do their job and project sound upward or downward, depending on placement, rather than toward the
listener.
Mounting Options
The LDA5 speakers can be mounted on the wall, under the ceiling. They come with integrated single-slot
metal brackets that are installed flush on the back of the speaker. It’s designed to “beam” sound downward
so that the sound radiates downward from the wall and ceiling, accurately simulating the immersive effect
of overhead speakers without the complications of mounting in-ceiling speakers.
In the alternative, the LDA5 can sit atop the Proficient Protege LB62 bookshelf speaker or LFS6 floor stand-
ing speaker, using the included adhesive feet to keep them stable. It’s designed to “beam” sound upward
so that the sound bounces off the ceiling, accurately simulating the immersive effect of overhead speakers
without the complications of mounting in-ceiling speakers.
Adding More LDA5
The first pair of LDA5 should be placed in the front of the home theater system. For more dramatic effects,
LDA5’s may also be used as side or rear surrounds.
Cabinets
Our cabinets are made from thick MDF panels to prevent unwanted vibration so the sound you hear comes
from just the drivers, not the cabinets. The black polymer coating helps to acoustically seal and dampen
the enclosures.
To get the best possible performance from your LDA5s, please read this manual carefully and follow all
instructions for installation and setup.
INTRODUCTION

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Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Surround Sound
The LDA5 is designed specifically to sit atop the front left and right (and optionally rear left and right)
speakers in a surround sound system. If the front and rear speakers are placed correctly (as outlined in their
owner’s manuals and/or the manual for the A/V receiver or surround processor), then placing the LDA5s
atop them should result in optimal performance. (Diagram 1)
SPEAKER PLACEMENT
Diagram 1 Speaker Location
Front
Left
Front
Right
Video Display
Center
"Height"
Speaker
"Height"
Speaker
"Height"
Speaker
"Height"
Speaker
Subwoofer
Surround
Left
Surround
Right
Ideal
Listening
Zone
Optional
Surround
Right
Optional
Surround
Left
30° 30°
30° 30°
20° 20°
A
B C
A=B=C

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The height of the LDA5s should be at least a few inches above the ear level of a seated listener and no
higher than half the height of the room. Any higher or lower, and the immersive overhead effect will not be
as strong. (Diagram 2)
Dolby Atmos enabled speakers are designed to work in rooms with flat ceilings made of acoustically reflec-
tive material, such as drywall or plaster. Ideal performance can be achieved in rooms with ceilings ranging
from 7½ to 12 feet high, and the ceiling height should be no more than 14 feet.
SPEAKER PLACEMENT (Continued)
Diagram 2 Speaker Placement
Height = Few Inches Above Ear Level
Place LDA5 On Top Of LB62 Bookshelf
or LFS6 Floor Standing Speakers

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1. Use 16AWG (min) 2-conductor stranded speaker wire for speaker connection.
2. Strip approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch off the ends and twist the strands together so there are no
loose ends that can cause shorts.
3. Loosen the LDA5 speaker terminals as shown in
Diagram 3 so there is enough room between
the post and the collar to feed the stripped wire
through without damaging the strands.
4. Connect the marked conductor of the cable (it
may have a red jacket, or a white or blue stripe down the side) to the +/red terminal of the speaker.
Tighten the post to secure the wire.
5. Connect the other conductor of the cable to the -/black terminal of the speaker.
6. Repeat this process for all speakers.
7. Connect the speaker wires to the appropriate +/red and -/black terminals on the receiver/amplifier.
8. Confirm connection, polarity and position. Be sure all + and - are correct and that left, right, center and
surround speakers are connected to the proper terminals and positioned correctly. Improper position-
ing of multi-channel speakers will adversely affect system performance. (Diagram 4)
SPEAKER CONNECTIONS
Diagram 3 Speaker Wire Connections
16AWG Stranded (minimum) Speaker Wire
16AWG Stranded (minimum) Speaker Wire
16AWG Stranded (minimum) Speaker Wire
Subwoofer
Sub
LINE IN
Line Level
Audio Cable
Center
CENTER
RL LINE IN
16AWG Stranded (minimum)
Speaker Wire
White Stripe
To Positive
White Stripe
To Positive
White Stripe
To Positive
White Stripe
To Positive White Stripe
To Positive “Height Speaker”
Front Right
“Height Speaker”
Back Right
Front Right
Surround Right
Surround Back Right
“Height Speaker”
Front Left
“Height Speaker”
Back Left
Front Left
Surround Left
Surround Back Left
White Stripe
To Positive
White Stripe
To Positive
White Stripe
To Positive
White Stripe
To Positive
Height 2 LeftHeight 2 Right Height 1 LeftHeight 1 Right
White
Stripe
To Positive
White Stripe
To Positive
Center
Sub/LFE
PRE-OUT
Diagram 4 Speaker Connections and Positions

DOLBY ATMOS SPEAKER SPECIFICATIONS
Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
LDA5
2-Way 5" Atmos Enabled Speaker
Atmos/DTS:X Systems
5" Graphite Cone Woofers
1" Silk Dome Tweeters
60 Watts
120Hz - 20kHz
6
84dB 2.83V/1m
Gold-Plated 5-Way Binding Posts, 10AWG Max
Matte Black Rounded Corner MDF Cabinets
Removable Black Cloth Grilles w/Neo Magnets
Flush Mounted Single-Slot Wall Mounts
5⁄" x 6⁄" x 10¼"
Speaker Type:
Applications:
Woofers:
Tweeters:
Power Handling:
Frequency Response:
Impedance:
Sensitivity:
Terminals:
Cabinets:
Grilles:
Integrated Wall Mounts:
Dimensions (H x W x D):
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The finish on the LDA5 is a polymer coating that, while durable, should be carefully maintained. Do not
place any object of any kind atop the LDA5, because you could damage the upward-firing speaker drivers.
To clean the cabinet, use a feather duster to remove dust. Dust can be abrasive and wiping dust with a rag
can cause scratches. If additional cleaning is required, use a soft damp cotton cloth to clean the cabinet
surface. Do not leave any residual moisture on the cabinet surface.
PROTECTING THE CABINET FINISH

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Proficient Audio Systems (“Proficient”) warrants to the original retail
purchaser only (“you”) that this product will be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for a period of ten years (the“Warranty Period”), subject to
the limitations and exclusions set out in this Limited Warranty. This warranty is
not transferable to subsequent owners of the product. If you discover a defect
in material or workmanship within the Warranty Period, you can obtain warran-
ty service by contacting Proficient during the Warranty Period at 800.472.5555
or [email protected] or by contacting the dealer from whom
you purchased the product. Defective products must be shipped, prepaid and
insured, together with proof of purchase. Warranty service requests made with-
out proof of date of purchase will be denied. Freight collect shipments will be
refused. It is preferable to ship this product in the original shipping container
to lessen the chance of transit damage. In any case, the risk of loss or damage
in transit is to be borne by the purchaser.
If, upon examination by Proficient or its authorized dealer, it is determined that
the unit is in fact defective, Proficient will, at its option:
• Repair or replace the product at no additional charge; or
• If the model is no longer available and can not be repaired effectively, replace
the unit with a current model of equal or greater value. In some cases where
a new model is substituted, a modification to the mounting surface may be
required. If mounting surface modification is required, Proficient assumes no
responsibility or liability for such modification.
Proficient will bear the cost of returning the repaired or replaced product to
you, freight prepaid. All replaced parts and product become the property of
Proficient Audio Systems. The foregoing is your sole and exclusive remedy for
breach of warranty. If the product is not found to be defective, Proficient will
contact you to arrange for return of the product to you, at your expense.
EXCLUSIONS:
• This Warranty does not include service or parts to repair damage caused by
accident, disaster, misuse, abuse, negligence, inadequate packing or shipping
procedures, commercial use, voltage inputs in excess of the rated maximum
of the unit, or service, repair or modification of the product by unauthorized
dealers. This Warranty also excludes normal cosmetic deterioration caused by
environmental conditions.
• This Warranty will be void if:
• the Serial Number on the product has been removed, tampered with or defaced.
• the product was not purchased from an authorized dealer.
THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES. PROFICIENT EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS
ALL SUCH OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. In no event will Proficient be liable for any incidental
or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the product,
even if Proficient has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any
claim by any other party. Notwithstanding the above, if you qualify as a“con-
sumer” under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, then you may be entitled to any
implied warranties allowed by law for the Warranty Period. Further, some states
do not allow limitations on how long an implied Limited Warranty lasts or allow
the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so such limitations may not
apply to you.
ATTENTION TO OUR VALUED CONSUMERS:
To ensure that consumers obtain quality pre-sale and after-sale support and ser-
vice, Proficient products are sold exclusively through Authorized Installing Deal-
ers and Authorized Internet Sellers. Please be advised that Proficient warranties
are void if product is purchased from an Unauthorized Internet Seller.
LIMITED TEN-YEAR WARRANTY
For technical inquires, please call 800.472.5555 or e-mail us at [e-mail]. We are available to assist you
every weekday, except holidays, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST.

©2019 Nortek Security & Control, LLC. All rights reserved. Proficient® is a registered trademark of Nortek Security & Control, LLC.
5919 Sea Otter Place • Carlsbad, CA 92010 • 800.472.5555 • Fax [phone] • proficientaudio.com
Dolby, Dolby Atmos, and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
DTS, the Symbol, DTS and the Symbol together, DTS:X, and the DTS:X logo are registered
trademarks or trademarks of DTS, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. P/N: 10017413 (Rev C)