Speco a-live Assembly instructions

Multi-Room Audio System
Installation and Programming
Manual
Speco Technologies
200 New Highway
Amityville, NY 11701
Phone [phone] • Toll Free 1.800.645.5516
www.specotech.com
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WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR FIRE, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER FOR ANY REASON. FOR
SERVICE, REFER TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
If you have any questions please call Speco Technologies, Inc. at 1.800.645.5516 or 631.957.8700
Safety Instructions:
1) Read these instructions carefully before first operating the appliance.
2) Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference.
3) Heed all warnings and adhere to all warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions
4) Follow these operator and user instructions, as failure to do so could result in personal injury or damage to the
appliance.
5) The appliance should not be used near water such as fountains, bathtubs, kitchen sinks or swimming pools.
6) The appliance should be situated so that the appliance receives proper ventilation. For example, the appliance
should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings, or placed in
an enclosed installation, such as a bookcase or TV cabinet that may impede the flow of air through the ventilation
openings. Never place any objects on top of the appliance as this may cause the unit to overheat.
7) The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as vents, sunlight, radiators, stoves, or other
appliances (including other amplifiers) that produce heat.
8) The appliance should be installed on a surface of sufficient strength to support the weight.
8) The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as
marked on the appliance.
9) Precaution should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of the appliance is not defeated.
10) Power supply cords should be installed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pressed upon by items placed
on or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, receptacles, and the point where they exit from
the appliance.
11) The appliance surface should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.
12) When left unused for a long period of time, the power cord of the appliance should be unplugged from the outlet.
13) Take precautions that objects do not fall, and liquids are not spilled, into the appliance enclosure through any
openings.
14) Third party carts and stands are used at the users own risk, and any movement combining such cart and the
appliance should be done with care. Quick stops, excessive force and uneven surfaces may cause the appliance
and cart combination to overturn.
15) It is not recommended to mount the appliance directly to a wall or ceiling.
16) The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond the basic steps described in the operating
instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel, such as when:
A) The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B) Objects have fallen, liquid has been spilled into the appliance; or
C) The appliance has been exposed to rain; or
D) The appliance does not appear to operate normally; or
E) The appliance has been dropped or the enclosure is damaged.
Precautions:
1) WARNING: BEFORE TURNING ON THE POWER FOR THE FIRST TIME, READ THE FOLLOWING SECTION
CAREFULLY.
2) Do not handle the unit or power cord with wet or damp hands or while holding a beverage. If water or any other liquid
enters the cabinet, unplug the unit from power immediately and take it to a qualified service person for inspection.
3) Place the unit in a well-ventilated location. Take special care to provide plenty of ventilation on all sides of the unit
especially when it is placed in an audio rack. If ventilation is blocked, the unit may overheat and malfunction. Do not stack
anything directly over or against the ventilation openings. Do not expose the unit to direct sun light or heating units as the
unit internal components temperature may rise and shorten the life of the components. Avoid damp and dusty places.
4) From time to time you should wipe off the front and side panels of the cabinet with a soft cloth. Do not use rough
material, thinners, alcohol or other chemical solvents or cloths since this may damage the finish or remove the panel
lettering.
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Table of Contents
System Overview....................................................................................... 6
Features & Functions ................................................................................ 6
System Requirements ............................................................................... 6
Getting Started .......................................................................................... 6
Basic System Setup .................................................................................. 7
Rear Panel ................................................................................................ 7
Auxiliary Sources....................................................................................... 8
Playlist Formats......................................................................................... 8
Residential (8 Ω) Speaker Wiring .............................................................. 9
Commercial (70/25V) Speaker Wiring ..................................................... 10
Keypad Wiring ......................................................................................... 11
Network Wiring ........................................................................................ 11
How to Make a Playlist ............................................................................ 12
iTunes Playlist ......................................................................................... 12
Windows Media Player Playlist................................................................ 12
Manager Software ................................................................................... 12
Manager Installation ................................................................................ 12
Password Creation & Auto Login............................................................. 12
Upgrading the Manager Software ............................................. 13
Unit Selection .......................................................................................... 14
Version .................................................................................................... 14
Server Settings (Name and IP Address).................................................. 15
Editing a List (Master Source & Sources By Zone) ................................ 16
Playing a Source ..................................................................................... 20
Keypad Icon Definitions........................................................................... 21
Keypad Menu Tree.................................................................................. 22
Setting the IP Address............................................................................. 23
Additional Keypad Features .................................................................... 23
Controlling AUX Sources via IR Pass Through on Keypads.................... 24
Technical Specifications .......................................................................... 25
Troubleshooting....................................................................................... 26
Warranty and Repair ............................................................................... 27
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System Overview
We greatly appreciate your choice of Speco Technologies’® as your multiroom audio distribution
system. is a great choice for those who want to make the most of digital music collections, while
simultaneously having the utmost ease in distributing audio throughout a home or business.
Features & Functions
•Easily distribute up to 6 analog sources and multiple digital music playlists into up to 6 zones per unit
•Residentially focused (8 ΩA6X6A8) or commercially focused (70/25 Volt A6X6A70) models available
•System setup is a snap with intuitive GUI that also functions as a master control for unit
System Requirements
Operating System: Windows XP SP2 or Vista
Minimum CPU for up to 4-zone digital playback: Pentium 4 3.0GHz or faster
Recommended CPU for up to 6-zone digital playback: Pentium Dual 1.60GHz or faster
Memory: 512MB
HDD: 1Gbyte of free space
Getting Started
•Open the box and save it for storage or shipping purposes
•Check your box for the following items.
o(1) system
o(1) Users Manual
o(1) Manager Installation CD
o(6) Speaker Connectors and (6) Keypad Connectors
•The following tools are needed for installation
oSmall Flat head Screwdriver and small Phillips head Screwdriver
oWire cutter/stripper
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Basic System Setup
Rear Panel
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Sources
Auxiliary Sources
In addition to playing streaming music, you can connect up to six additional audio sources.
Examples of such sources are:
oHome Theater System
oCD Changer
oSatellite Radio
oWireless Microphone Receiver
oMP3 Player
oAM/FM Tuner
* Each auxiliary input can be remotely controlled via the keypad using the built-in IR pass-through. (see
page 24 for more information )
Playlist Formats
Playlists for can be created through Windows Media Player (.WPL format) or iTunes (.XML format), and
must consist of songs in the .M4A, .M4B, .MP3, .MP4 and .AAC formats. The Manager will not play songs
of other formats.
Please note that some music purchased from the iTunes store may be encrypted (if it has an .m4p extension) and not
supported. The only current way to play encrypted music via is to use a session of iTunes playing directly
on your PC as one of the 6 analog sources.
Windows Media Player is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc., registered in the US and other countries. iTunes is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in
the US and other countries.
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Zone Output Wiring
Residential (8 Ω) Speaker Wiring
There are 6 distinct zones on the 8 Ωsystem (A6X6A8). Each zone can support 40 watts of power (20
watts per each channel). 18 AWG wire should be sufficient for most residential applications. For wire runs longer than
300 feet, it is recommended to use 16 AWG. We suggest using plenum rated wire for all installations.
For an 8 Ωsystem, the left channel (L+) connection is located on the far left and the right channel (R+) is located on
the far right. Their respective commons (-) are the two connections in the center. Below is a typical zone output
terminal for the speaker(s) :
Above is the proper wiring for an 8 Ωspeaker system.
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Commercial (70/25V) Speaker Wiring
There are 6 distinct zones on the 70/25V System (A6X6A70). Each zone can support 20 watts of power.
18 AWG wire should be sufficient for most commercial applications. For wire runs longer than 300 feet, it is
recommended to use 16 AWG. We suggest using plenum rated wire for all installations. Below is a typical zone
output terminal for the speaker(s):
Above is a parallel wiring configuration for a 70 Volt speaker system.
For a 70/25V system, the 25V (+) connection is located on the far left and the 70V (+) is located on the far right. The
respective commons (-) are the two connections in the center.
•
•
A 70 Volt system allows a user to daisy chain many speakers on a zone as long as the combined
wattage settings of the speakers (in the chain) do not exceed the zones maximum wattage, which in
this case is 20 Watts.
Do not mix 70V and 25V speakers on a system installation. The installation should always be
dedicated to either 70 Volt or 25 Volt. NEVER wire both outputs simultaneously.
•
•
The wiring for a 70/25V system can be parallel (as shown above) or “loop thru” as shown below.
Always observe and maintain speaker polarity (proper +/-) for optimal sound.
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Keypad Wiring
1. A standard CAT-5 cable (up to 600 ft) is used to connect the keypad to the server.
Network Wiring
1. The network connection between the server and a PC or Laptop can be accomplished with a Cat
5e cable terminated with RJ-45 connectors on each end.
•Please note that the maximum distance for this cable is 300 feet.
•A network switch or router may be used as a junction point between these devices.
Network Connection to the Server
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How to Make a Playlist
With the Manager, you have two playlist generation options. You can either use iTunes or Windows Media
Player to create your playlists.
iTunes Playlist
Instructions on how to create a playlist via iTunes can be found in “iTunes Help”. Once your playlist is created, you
must right-click on it and export it to a specific destination folder. You will need the exported (.xml) playlist for use in
the Manager.
Windows Media Player Playlist
Instructions on how to create a playlist via Windows Media Player can be found in the media players “Help”. Once a
playlist is created, it is automatically saved into the users music folder under “playlists”. You will need the (.wpl) playlist
for use in the Manager.
Manager Software
Manager Installation
•To install the Manager, insert the software CD into your CD-ROM drive. The CD will auto-run
and install a shortcut to the Manager on your desktop. You should always remove any prior installations
of the Manager software before updating to a new version.
Password Creation & Auto Login
•When the Manager is first initialized, you are prompted to create a password. You can
change the password or change the password setting under Options. Select Auto-Login to not be
prompted for a password every time the Manager is initialized.
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Upgrading the Manager Software
•Should an update to the Manager be available, you can upgrade your software from the
Manager’s Options menu. First, open the Options menu, then select “Upgrade”. The following menu will
open:
•Ensure that the □box next to your server name is checked off. Then, click File. The following screen will
open up.
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•Once the “Open” screen comes up, select the upgrade file and click on Open. You will be taken back to
Options and the Start button is now accessible. Press Start and the status bar will first say “Ready” and
then “Success”. Once has been upgraded, press OK and it will take you back to the
Manager. Your hardware and Manager software must then be rebooted for the upgrade to
take effect.
Unit Selection
The Manager is designed to work with both the A6X6A8 8Ωversion, and the A6X6A70 70/25V version.
Selecting what version is associated with your Manager installation ensures optimal performance from your digital
music. Simply select the “Unit” tab on the Options menu, and from the drop down, select the format of the system you
are using.
Version
Selecting the Version tab from the Options menu will tell you what version of the Manager software you are running.
This could be useful in Technical Support situations or to determine if your software is utilizing the latest features.
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Server Settings (Name and IP Address)
Setting up your server is done through the Manager. Follow the steps below
•Open up the Manager and click on the Server icon located in the top left of the toolbar.
•A new window (Server List) will open. Click on the Add button located at the bottom left.
•The Add/Rename window will open next. Here you will input the name of your server and the
server IP address. For this example, “Speco Technologies” is the server name. Next, enter the IP
address that will be applicable to your server. When you have completed both sections, press
the OK button.
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•After clicking the OK button, you are taken back to the Server list menu. Click Close and you will be
taken back to the Manager main screen. If you have entered your servers IP correctly, a computer with
your servers name will appear in the left hand column. The screen of the computer icon will turn blue
once the Manager makes a successful connection to the server.
•Please note that the IP address entered in this section must be identical to the IP address that is
entered on the keypad. See the “Keypad” section of this manual for that procedure.
Editing a List (Master Source & Sources by Zone)
Once you have created your playlists, setting up your master source and sources by zone lists is easily done through
the Manager. Follow the steps below
•Open up the Manager and click on the Edit List icon located in the top left of the toolbar.
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•A new window will open. In the left column of that menu, you should see Aux inputs 1 through 6. To add
an existing playlist, click on the Browse button, located at the bottom left of the screen.
•A new window will open. Here you will search for the folder that contains your playlists. For this example,
the “My Playlists” folder is used. Select the playlist that you want to import into the Manager. When
finished, click on the Open button.
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•After clicking on Open, you are taken back to the Edit List window. Your playlists should now be listed
directly under your Auxs. Repeat the above steps as often as necessary.
•Your next step is to select which playlist(s) and aux(s) you want to add in each zone. You will do this by
choosing a zone from the Sources by Zone bar and then clicking on a playlist or Aux in the “Master
Source List”. Once you have done that, select the Add button. You can subsequently delete playlists
from Sources by Zone by clicking on the playlist or Aux you want to remove and then clicking on the
Remove button.
•Note that by clicking Rename, you have the ability to customize the names of the zones for easier
reference.
•You can also edit the names of the auxiliary inputs from the Edit List window. Simply click once on the
auxiliary to highlight the desired source, and then click again once on the highlighted source to edit. This
is extremely useful to know what the actual source is from the remote keypads, as well as for future
reference from the Manager.
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•will NOT automatically update your songs if you’ve made any changes in the original playlists
via iTunes or Windows Media Player. To update playlists, you should remove it from all zones, and then
highlight the playlist in the Master Source List. Once highlighted, click on the Refresh button at the
bottom of the column, and then re-add the playlist to all desired zones
•Once you are done adding your playlists and auxiliaries to your zones, click on the Apply button followed
by the OK button located on the bottom left of the menu screen. You will then be taken back to the
Manager’s main menu. Click on the +icon adjacent to your server to open your zone list.
•Click on each individual zone to ensure your playlists and auxiliaries have been imported.
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Playing a Source
•Once the Playlists have been added to a zone simply highlight the playlist or auxiliary you would like to listen
to and click on the play icon.
Playlist Selection:
All Playlists – Allow the Manager to access all playlists in the zone.
Current Playlist Only – The Manager will only play the selected playlist.
Playback Mode:
Sequential – All songs will play in the original play list order, and playlists will play in the order they
are arranged on the Edit List window.
Random - All songs will play in a non-fixed order.
Please note that if The Playlist Selection is set to All Playlists and Random playback is also selected then the
song selections will jump from Playlist to Playlist.
Repeat Mode:
Off – The playlist(s) will stop after one time through.
Current Song – The currently selected audio file will play in an endless loop.
Current Playlist – The current playlist will repeat in an endless loop.
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