SA mantra series User manual

cool scandinavian loudspeakers
SA mantra and aura series
user manual english
ver 1-0313ntl.

Welcome
Thank you for choosing SA
loudspeakers.
System Audio A/S wants to enthral people with the
best possible musical reproduction.
A pair of SA loudspeakers will create a feeling of
being close to the artists. The SA home theatre will
drag the audience deeper into the action.
To achieve the best performance we recommend
that you careful read through this guide before
setting up your new SA loudspeakers.
More information is available on
www.system-audio.com
! important
check the serial number
The serial number is on a sticker on the underside
of the speaker plinth. On the SA mantra 10 /10AV
and SA aura 10 / 10AV it is located on the back of
the speaker. You may wish to note the serial
number down on your invoice and file it along with
your insurance policy. Please contact your dealer if
there is no serial number on the speaker.
warranty
System Audio A/S provides a two-year warranty
against production defects and a five-year warranty
on speaker units and crossover network. The
warranty does not cover misuse. Repairs and
service are done by the dealer or associated
workshop. Any changes made to the construction
will annul the warranty.
running in new loudspeakers
All new high quality loudspeakers need a certain
period of running-in time. As SA uses long-stroke
bass driver with natural rubber surrounds our
loudspeakers needs at least 50 - 100 hours of
actual music playing at decent sound level. You
will notice a gradual improvement in sound quality.
No parcular precauons need to be taken during
those hours.
! important
 Always let the product reach room temperature
before plugging it in. Condensation may arise in
the electronic circuitry when moving the speaker
from cold to warm surroundings. Such moisture
may damage the speaker’s components. Never
use the product in damp settings.
 Foreign bodies must not be inserted into the bass
reflex ports of the speaker.
 Avoid touching the speaker elements.
contents of the package
SA mantra 50 / 70 and SA aura 50 / 70
1 x SA mantra loudspeaker
1 x front grille
4 x rubber feet
4 x 6 mm spikes with locknuts
4 x spike protectors
SA mantra 10 / 10AV and SA aura 10 / 10AV
1 x SA mantra loudspeaker
1 x front grille - stereo or AV
SA aura 1
2 x SA aura 1
2 x front grilles
! important
Spikes and rubber feet are placed in holes in the
styrofoam. Make sure you remove them before
putting away the packing materials.
If any part is missing please contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
set up - floor standing loudspeakers
The SA mantra 50 / 70 and SA aura 50 / 70 are
designed to stand on the floor. The speakers can,
and should, be placed 30 – 50 cm away from a
solid wall. The distance may be increased or
decreased depending on the acoustics of the room
and what kind of sound you want.
After the 50-hour run-in period and appropriate
adjustments, the speakers should be mounted on
spikes or rubber feet.
spikes. If the speakers are placed on a soft
underlay, e.g. a carpet, we recommend that you
use spikes. The spikes supplied have locknuts so
the speakers can be adjusted as appropriate. It is
important that the speakers are completely
vertically upright and do not move from side to
side. If necessary, spend plenty of time adjusting
spikes and locknuts to make sure the speaker rests
evenly on all 4 spikes. Once you have finished
adjusting them, tighten the nuts.
rubber feet. If the speaker is positioned on a solid
underlay, e.g. a wooden floor, we recommend that
you use the rubber feet. They break the link with
the floor, which often causes vibrations.
You can also use spikes and protect you floor with
the provided protectors. Please notice that the
speakers are likely to glide on a smooth surface
when using the protectors.
To make positioning easier you might want to wait
with the mounting of spikes or rubber feet until after
the right position for the speakers are found.
set up - compact loudspeakers
The SA mantra 10 / 10AV and SA aura 1,10 / 10AV
are designed to be mounted on floor stands, table
stands, wall brackets or ceiling brackets. We
recommend using the original SA stands and
brackets - se page 4.
SA mantra 10 / 10AV and SA aura 1, 10 / 10AV
can also be placed directly on bookshelves. For
optimal performance there must be free air
passage too the reflex port on the rear. Allow 10
cm. behind the speaker and on one side of the
speaker.
sound quality
hours 100 200 300 400 500
unpacking
1Place the carton bottom-up
cut the tape with a knife
2Turn the carton around and lift off the top
3Lift the loudspeaker out of the bottom part
4Remove all accessories from the carton
www.system-audio.com
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2

connection
SA mantra- & aura-series are quality speakers
which can be used for any Hi-fi stereo or
surround system.
The speakers does not need a particularly
strong electrical current from the amplifier, e.g.
2 x 50 W will often run a set of SA mantra- or
SA aura-series speaker, with a good result,
provided the quality of the amplifier and
connected equipment is sufficiently high.
! important.
The amplifier must be turned off before the
connection is made
using the sand chamber
SA mantra/aura 50 and 70
When you have found the ideal position for your
new speakers, it is a good idea to mark the
position precisely so it is easier to find it again. You
may want to use strips of tape on the floor.
1.Turn off the amplifier/the receiver and remove
the cables from the
speakers.
2.Turn the speakers upside-
down carefully. Use a soft
underlay to avoid scratching
the finish. Take care not to
touch the drive units!
3.Remove the plastic stopper.
You may wish to use a pair
of flat-nose pliers to protect
your fingers.
4.Fill with dried sand. Use a
litre measure, so you can
pour the same volume of
sand into both speakers.
The SA mantra / aura 70 can
hold 3,5 Litres, and the SA
mantra 50 / aura 50 can hold
2,5 Litre of sand. We
recommend that you use
around 2 Litre of sand. You
might want to experiment to
find your own preferred
damping level.
! Important
Never use damp sand or the
likes. Moisture will seep into
the cabinet and damage it.
5.Secure the plastic stopper.
6.Carefully raise the speakers.
7.Place the speakers in the
marked positions.
8.Connect the speaker cables
3
2
3
4
5
6
AA
B
C
D
example of set up
The sound from speakers depends very much on
the room and on the way they are set up. You may
wish to ask your dealer for advice on how to get
the best sound with SA loudspeakers in your
home.
Here is some general advice about experimenting
with the set up.
Athe distance between the rear of the
speakers and the wall behind them
Start with a distance of 30 cm for SA mantra/
aura 50 / 70 or 10 cm for SA mantra 10, aura 1
& 10. The distance should be identical for both
speakers. Try the speakers out with music you
know and find out what distance gives the best
sound in your home.
Greater distance = weaker bass, more precise
bass, better precision and bigger sound stage.
Shorter distance = more and softer bass,
smaller sound stage.
Bthe distance from the side walls to the
speakers.
Preferably greater than the distance to the
back wall
A short distance to the side walls increases the
amount of bass in the same way as A.
C,Dthe distance between the speakers and the
listener.
The ideal distance between the speakers is 2.5
– 3 metres. Distances C & D should preferably
be the same.
The speakers should be at an angle of approx.
15°. This means the listener should just be
able to see the two inner sides of the speakers
Right
speaker
Left
speaker
Right speaker Left speaker
connection – double check
Check that the cables are properly mounted. Make
sure the electrical phase is correctly attached to
the speaker connections. This means that cables
attached to plus (+) or minus (-) on the amplifier/
receiver must also be attached to plus (+) or minus
(-) on the speakers.
On SA speakers the positive connection is
indicated by a red socket or a plus (+).
Follow the speaker cables to make sure that the
right and left channels (and the centre and rear
channels where appropriate) are attached
correctly.
Please notice:
 The better your equipment, the better the
speaker will sound
 Good cables improve the sound
 Spend time experimenting with the position of
the speakers
 The closer the speaker is to a wall, the more
bass. Move them further from the walls for less
bass. A corner will significantly increase the
amount of bass and make the sound
"rumbling" and "massive"
 Avoid the use of iron stands underneath
compact loudspeakers. Magnetic interference
on the crossover will alter the sound
 Never turn the volume up to a level where the
sound is no longer good
 Remove the front grille for the best possible
sound
 See www.system-audio.com for good advice
and ideas
maintenance
Clean the surface of the speaker with firmly wrung
damp clothes
! important
Do not use detergent. It may discolour the finish
The fabric front is easily removed by a slight
movement away form the speaker and is best
cleaned by a vacuum cleaner with a brush-head
attached
! important
Do not use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from
the speaker elements. Brush it away gently with a
soft brush.

white front grilles
For all SA mantra- & aura-series
wall bracket TLCD2
For SA mantra 10, 10AV, SA aura 1, 10 & 10AV
wall bracket TLCD1
For SA mantra 10, 10AV, SA aura 1, 10 & 10AV
Ceiling bracket TLCD3
For SA mantra 10, 10AV, SA aura 1, 10 & 10AV
the speaker stand FS3
For SA mantra 10, SA aura 1 & 10
the table stand TS1
For SA mantra 10, 10AV, SA aura 1, 10 & 10AV
FS3 speaker stand
raises the loudspeaker
to a height that
produces the best
sound quality
The TS1 table stand can be adjusted to support
any center channel speaker with the right
listening angel. A must for low or high placed
centre channel speakers
Wall bracket with tilt or
swivel adjustment.
Fits VESA 100 standard
Wall bracket with tilt and
swivel adjustment.
Fits VESA 100 standard
Ceiling bracket with tilt
and swivel adjustment.
Fits VESA 100 standard
Change from the
original black front grille
to white. Available for all
models
recommended home theatre combination with the SA mantra line
recommended home theatre combination with the SA aura line
front: SA mantra 70 - surround and back: SA mantra 10 - centre: SA mantra 10AV - subwoofer: SA subElectro 200
front: SA aura 50 - back: SA aura 1 - centre: SA aura 10AV - subwoofer: SA subElectro 175
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