VANDERSTEEN 1Ci User manual

Thank you for your purchase of the Vandersteen Model lCi.
Your new speakers will provide many years of trouble-free, high-
performance sound reproduction and thousands of hours of quality
entertainment.
Due to the advanced design and features of the Model ICi,
we recommend that you read this entire manual before
connecting or using your new loudspeakers.
Vandersteen Audio
INTRODUCTION
The Vandersteen Audio Model 1Ci is a floor-standing, high-performance loudspeaker developed and refined by twenty
years of advanced research into cost-effective, dynamic loudspeaker design. The Model 1Ci uses the proven Vandersteen
Aligned Dynamic Design to optimize the dispersion and accuracy of the drivers while maintaining the input signal's time
and phase integrity. The drivers, their positioning, and their minimum-sized baffles were each developed with the aid of
the FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) computer analysis to minimize diffraction, cone break-up, multi-driver interference, and
out of band phase irregularities. The alignment and positioning of the drivers allow a point-source wave afront and
maximize the phase coherence of the loudspeaker throughout the listening area.
The Model 1Ci is a worthy addition to any quality music or home theater system. The speaker's engineering, construction,
and materials far exceed conventional industry standards and contribute unmatched performance even by larger and more
costly designs. The stable impedance characteristics assure complete compatibility with any amplifier or receiver in any
system. The full-range frequency response enables the speaker to mate with a matching high-quality subwoofer
seamlessly. The aesthetically pleasing appearance, incorporating an acoustically transparent, 360-degree wrap-around
grille cloth, a wood bottom, and an audibly vented wood top, allows the Model 1Ci to compliment the décor of your
home.
The Vandersteen Model 1Ci is designed and built in a solar-powered factory in the United States of America.
CONTENTS '
MODEL 1Ci
LOUDSPEAKER
OPERATION
MANUAL
SPEAKER SET-UP 2 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
6
CONNECTION 2 AMPLIFIER REOUIREMENTS
6
PLACEMENT 2 COMPONENTS
6
ODD DIMENSIONS 2 CABLES
6
THIRD DIMENSIONS 3 SPEAKER CARE
7
ACOUSTIC CENTER 4 MAINTENANCE
7
TOE- IN 4 SERVICE
7
ACOUSTIC TREATMENTS 4 PACKING
7
HELPFUL HINTS 4 WARRANTY
8
LISTENlNG HEIGHT 5 PERSONAL NOTE
Tweeter Contour Control 5
8
$5.00

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Model lCi Operation Manual
Bare wires should never come into contact with the speaker's aluminum dress plate
while the amplifier is on. Amplifier damage could result.
Vandersteen speakers will produce excellent, satisfying sound placed almost anywhere
in a room. With all the possible variables in room layout, there are no magical formulas
for determining the best speaker placement in every room. Since every room is different,
we recommend that you try the speakers in every domestically acceptable location to
find where they sound the best in your particular listening environment. The following
sections contain suggestions that may be helpful in your placement experiments.
SETTING- UP THE SPEAKERS
CONNECTION
1. With the amplifier off, place the spade into the
terminal on the rear of the speaker. Tighten until snug.
Do not overtighten as stripping the screw is possible
2. The speaker cables should be the same length and no
longer than necessary.
3.
Connect cables to the amplifier in the normal manner.
Verify polarity at the amplifier connection.
SPEAKER PLACEMENT
Problems)can)arise)when)you)attempt)to)place)a)given)
loudspeaker,)either)front)radiating)or)dipole,)into)a)typical)
domestic)environment.)These)problems)are)a)function)of)
the)physical)dimensions)of)the)room.)The)room's)dimen-)
sions)dictate)where)in)the)room)a)node)or)anti-node)will)
occur.)Frequency)response)dips)and)peaks)caused)by)nodes)
and)anti-nodes)can)easily)overwhelm)the)inherent)accuracy)
of#a#loudspeaker. #
If,#for#example,#you#place#a#loudspeaker#with#excellent#
frequency)response)characteristics)in)the)corner)of)a)room,)
you#will#increase#response#below#about#200Hz#by#6dB.#This#
particular#condition#is#a#worst-case#example,#but#similar#
conditions#apply#throughout#the#room#to#some#extent.#
ODD DIMENSIONS PLACEMENT
Research on speaker placement has produced a
method for reducing the nodes and anti-nodes in many
rooms by positioning the loudspeakers on the odd dimen-
sional intersections of the room. The odd dimensional inter-
sections are the intersections of the imaginary lines you
would draw if you divided the length and width of your
room by odd numbers.
As an example, we will use a rectangular room measur-
ing 14 feet wide by 18 feet long. We'll assume that you want
to set the speakers on one of the short walls, although this
method works equally well for long wall placement.
The first step is to take the length of the room,
(18 feet in our example) convert it from feet to inches,
(18 x 12 = 216) and divide the result by odd numbers.
216 divided by 3 is 72 (all to the nearest inch)
216 divided by 5 is 43
216 divided by 7 is 31
216 divided by 9 is 24
216 divided by 11 is 20
216 divided by 13 is 17 (And so on; eventually the lines
start to pile on top of each other
or the speaker runs into the wall.)
The results are the distances in inches that the center of the
speakers can be placed into the length of the room, away
from the wall behind them, to minimize nodes and anti-
nodes.
Now we can graph these odd dimensions distances on a
drawing of the room. We only need to graph them for the
wall where we intend to place the speakers.

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Model lCi Operation Manual
20
17
72 43 31 24
We use the same method to figure how far the centers
of the speakers should be from the side walls. We take the
width of the room, (14 feet) convert it from feet to inches,
(14 x 12 = 168) and divide the result by odd numbers.
168 divided by 3 is 56 (all to the nearest inch)
168 divided by 5 is 34
168 divided by 7 is 24
168 divided by 9 is 19
168 divided by 11 is 15
The results of these odd number divisions are the distances
in inches that the center of each speaker can be placed into
the width of the room, away from the side wall, to minimize
nodes and anti-nodes.
Now we can graph these odd dimensions distances on
the room drawing and see the intersection points of the
lines. These points represent where the centers of the
speakers can be placed to minimize nodes and anti-nodes.
24
34
56
56
24
15
72 43 31 24
As#you#can#see,#we#have#many#intersections#to#choose#
from#in#our#example#room.#Some#of#the#intersections#in#
your#room#will#probably # be#eliminated # by#aesthetic#or#room#
function#considerations,#so#you#may#have#less.#
As#you#try#different#placements#for#your#speakers,#al-#
ways#place#both#speakers#on#the#same#length#line.#For#ex-#
ample,#both#speakers # would#be#placed#on # the#43-inch#line#or#
both#speakers#would#be#placed#on#the#24-inch#line.#The#
speakers#can#be#placed#on#different#width#lines,#for#example#
one#on#the#34-inch#line#and#the#other#on#the#56-inch#line.#
Placing#the#speakers#on#different#rather#than#matching#
width#lines#will#require#that#the#listening#position#be#offset#
to#center # it#between # the#speakers.#Often, # the#bass#response#
of#the#system#will#be#slightly#more#linear # with#the#speakers#
placed#on#different#width#lines,#(asymmetrical#placement)#
while#the#imaging#will#often#be#better#with#the#speakers#
placed#on#matching#width#lines#(symmetrical#placement).#
After#listening#to#the#speakers#centered#on#the#charted#
intersections,#you#should#listen#with#the#speakers#a#couple#
of#inches#away#from#the#intersection#points#in#each#direc-#
tion.#In#some#cases,#the#speakers#will#sound#better#slightly#
off#the#intersections#due#to#the#particular#characteristics#of#
your#room#or#a#slight#error#in#your#original#room#measure-#
ments.#Both#speakers#should#be#moved#the#same#amount#
forward#or#backward#when#fine-tuning#placement.#
Several#factors#influence#how#speakers#interface#with#a#
room#other#than#the#room's#basic#dimensions#so#it#is#pos-#
sible#that#none#of#the#placement#options#on#the#wall#you#ini-#
tially#place#the#speakers#on#will#sound#quite#right.#The#
sound#may#have#too#much#or#too#little#bass#or#be#too#for-#
ward#or#too#withdrawn.#If # you#are#unable # to#achieve#satisfac-#
tory#sound#with#the#speakers#placed#on#one#wall,#try#placing#
the#speakers#on#another#wall#of#the#room.#Even#in#a#rectan-#
gular#room,#the#speakers#will#interface#differently#with#the#
room#depending#upon#which#of#the#four#walls#they#are#
placed.#In#some#rooms#the#speakers#will#sound#best#on#a#
short#wall#while#in#other#rooms#the#speakers#will#work#bet-#
ter#on#a#long#wall.#
THIRD DIMENSIONS PLACEMENT
A placement method that provides some unique effects
is to place each speaker on the thirds of the room measure-
ments and the listening position on the third of the length.
The speakers are placed one third the length of the room
from the wall behind them and one third the width of the
room from the walls alongside them. The listening position
is then placed one third the length of the room from the
wall behind it.
Speaker
Listening
Position
56
56
Speaker
72 72
In our 14 by 18 foot example room, the thirds are 72 in-
ches in the long dimension and 56 inches in the short dimen-
sion. The intersections of these measurements are used for
third dimensions placement. In addition, the listening posi-
tion is placcd 72 inches from the rear wall of the room.
Both speakers should be tried up to two inches ahead
and behind the intersections to determine if this improves
the sound. Both speakers should be moved the same

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Model lCi Operation Manual
The 1Ci is not magnetically shielded and
should be positioned at least 10 inches
away from a direct view television set .
amount forward or backward.
Third dimensions placement reduces the interaction of
the speakers with the room to an absolute minimum but
can create aesthetic or room function problems due to the
speakers and listening position being so far out into the
room. (The lower the odd number used to divide the dimen-
sions the lower the interaction between the speakers and
the room.)
ACOUSTICAL CENTER
The Model 1Ci's acoustical center is the physical center
of the loudspeaker. In a perfect rectangular room with
absolutely rigid walls and no doors or windows, the
acoustical center of the loudspeaker would be placed
exactly at the point where the two dimensions intersect to
realize the full benefits of odd dimensions or third
dimensions placement. In a real room, the actual best
placement may vary from the intersection by as much as
two inches or so. Fine-tuning the placement by moving the
speakers a couple of inches off the odd dimension
intersections takes these real-world conditions into
account.
You should not use any placements that would place
the acoustical center of the loudspeaker the same distance
from the rear and side walls. The measurement from the
center of the loudspeaker to the two walls should differ by
at least two inches. Odd dimension intersections that are
within two inches of the same distance from both the side
and rear wall should not be used.
SPEAKER)TOE-IN )
The#degree#of#toe-in#can#affect#the#imaging#and#
response # characteristics#of#the#speakers. # In#most # rooms, # the#
speakers#will#sound#best#with#some#toe-in.#Speakers#that # are#
placed#close#to#the#side#walls#or#in#rooms#with#very#reflec-#
tive#side#walls#may#require#additional#toe-in#to#avoid#a#con-#
fused#image#and/or#a#forward#midrange#and#treble.#
If#the#speakers#seem#to#need#an#excessive#amount#of#
toe-in#to#image#properly#or#achieve#good#center#fill,#there#
may#be#a#problem#with#the#set-up#or#connection#of#the#
speakers # or#some#part # of#the#system#may#not#be#functioning#
as#intended.#To#determine#why#the#speakers#require#exces-#
sive#toe-in,#check # all#your#speaker # wire#connections # for#cor-#
rect#phase#and#verify#that#the#electrical#components#in#the#
system#are#connected#and#functioning#properly.#
ACOUSTIC TREATMENTS
If the speakers are close to the side walls and you hear
a brightness in the midrange/treble or a problem with the
imaging that toeing-in the speakers does not help, some
sound absorbent material should be mounted on the side
walls to control reflections.
To determine where the sound absorbent material
should be placed, imagine that the walls are mirrors and
mount the material on the walls where you would see the
reflections of the speakers when you are in your normal lis-
tening position. Before you actually mount anything on the
side walls, experiment with a folded natural-fiber blanket to
verify the positioning of the material and that you get the
desired results.
If your listening position is close to the wall behind
you, mount some sound absorbent material, such as a hang-
ing tapestry, directly behind your head. As with the material
for the side walls, experiment with a folded natural-fiber
blanket to verify the results before you acquire or mount
the material.
Bass problems that cannot be corrected with place-
ment adjustments may be helped by the addition of bass
traps or other bass control devices. Follow the instructions
of the bass control devices as to their proper set-up and
placement to correct the problems you are experiencing.
HELPFUL HINTS
a. To try the speakers on different walls, set your equipment
in the middle of the room so the speaker cables can reach
each possible location.
b. When you change the placement of the speakers, listen to
several different pieces of music before judging the results
of the change.
c. If you set the speakers on a wood floor, place a coin under
each stand spike or use P4-20 thread carriage bolts in place
of the spikes to prevent damage to the floor. Carriage bolts
have rounded heads that will not put holes in the floor.
d. Keep the spikes or carriage bolts on the bottom of the
stands as short as possible while still accomplishing the
proper vertical angle for your listening height and distance.
Excessive length will reduce the stability of the speakers.
e. When you have discovered the optimum speaker position-
ing in your room, mark it with tape so you can move the
speakers to vacuum without loosing your placement.
f. If the bass is ill-defined in your room regardless of where
you place the speakers, check your windows for loose panes
of glass. Loose glass will vibrate and can seriously impair
the low frequency detail of the system.
Keep notes on the sound of different placements you try.
It is easy to get mixed-up and forget which placement
sounded the best.
h. Don't over-analyze the sound of each placement. When the
sound is right, it will be obvious.
Speaker

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LISTENING HEIGHT
The sound from a properly aligned loudspeaker
reaches the listener with the audible frequencies correct in
both time and phase. This alignment contributes to a more
accurate sound, but also increases the importance of the
height relationship between the speaker and the listener.
When placed on a spiked base with a 2-inch total height,
the Model 1Ci's vertical listening window is centered at 32
inches. It extends about 4 inches above and below the
nominal height. Outside of this 8-inch vertical listening win-
dow, the sound and performance of the speaker will be
somewhat compromised.
If your Model lCi’s are on 21/2 inch high dedicated bases
and you wish to maximize the speakers' performance,
please follow these instructions.
1. Measure the distance from the listening position to the
speakers and the height of your ears when you are seated
at the listening position. (Ear height is roughly equal to
the height of the tip of your nose.)
2. Find the values closest to your actual measurements on
the chart to the right.
3.
Follow the horizontal line across from your distance and
the vertical line up from your ear height to the point where
they intersect. The graph lines numbered from 0 to 3 indi-
cate how many inches the top of the speaker should be
behind the bottom of the speaker to center the eight-inch-
high listening window at your particular listening height
and distance.
4. Adjust the length of the base's front and rear spikes to
lean the speakers backward the proper amount.
5. As an example of how to accomplish the proper amount
of lean:
a. Tie a nut to a piece of thread about four feet long.
b. Hang the thread and nut from the back of the speaker
and measure the distance between where the thread
attaches to the nut and the bottom of the speaker as
shown in the diagram. This measurement is the amount
of speaker lean. (For clarity, the amount of lean in the
diagram has been exaggerated and the base is not shown.)
Distance From Speakers In Feet
Average Ear Height In Inches
THE CONTOUR CONTROL
A tweeter contour control is on the aluminum dress
plate at the rear of the Model lCi. This control adjusts the
tweeter level over a limited range. The control may be used
to compensate for a bright or dull room that could not be
corrected with speaker placement, acoustic treatments or
other passive means. The control is limited in its effect and
even at maximum rotation it will not take the response of
the speaker out of a plus or minus 3dB envelope. Changing
the contour control will not affect the detail, imaging or
phase performance of the speaker due to its unique incor-
poration into the crossover circuitry.
Do not change the tweeter contour controls and the
speaker placement at the same time. After adjusting the
contour controls or altering the speaker placement, careful-
ly listen for the sonic differences the change has made
before making any other changes to the system.
4Q
The Model 1Ci requires at least 100 hours at a moderate volume level before its
performance and response stabilize. Higher volume levels will not shorten this break-in
period.

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Model 1Ci Operation Manual
the speaker changes, (i.e., the speaker sounds distorted and like an AM radio) immedi-
ately reduce the volume level. Reliance on the protection circuits could lead to a major
failure.
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
AMPLIFIER EQUIREMENTS
The Model lCi is designed to be used with amplifiers in
the 20 ro 100 watt per channel range. Amplifiers in this
power range will provide ample power for realistic listening
levels in most situations. Amplifiers with less than 20 watts
per channel may not be able to drive the lCi’s to normal lis-
tening levels, while amplifiers with more than 100 watts per
channel must be used with caution due to the increased
potential for speaker damage if they are misused or an
COMPONENTS
To#maximize#the#performance#of#your#system,#you#
should#properly#set-up#your#components#according#to#the#
manufacturer's#instructions.#Each#component#should#be#
placed#on#a#piece#of#furniture#or#in#a#stand#that#is#stable#
and#not#prone#to#vibration#or#rocking.#An#isolation#base#or#
isolation#feet#may#improve#the#sound#of#some#sources#or#
electronics.#
Allow#sufficient#air#space#around#the#electronics#for#air#
circulation.#Excessive#heat#can#shorten#the#life#of#electrical#
!
CABLES
Our evaluations and tests have convinced us that inter-
connect and speaker cables should be considered as in-
tegral parts of the music system. Each brand and model of
cable has its own sonic characteristics and contributes to
the overall presentation of the music as much as any active
component. The Model lCi easily passes the amount of in-
formation required to hear these differences between
cables.
The testing also confirmed the importance of keeping
speaker cables as short as possible. In repeated trials, short
runs of moderate to inexpensive speaker cable consistently
outperformed long runs of the same cable as well as much
accident occurs.
The Model 1Ci will perform well with a tube or transis-
tor amplifier, revealing either type of amplifier's sonic
characteristics. The even impedance of the Model 1Ci
makes it an easy load for an amplifier, expanding the
possible power choices to include many high-quality
receivers and integrated amplifiers.
components and impair their performance.
Preamplifiers and CD players should be left on all the
time. Amplifiers should be turned off when the system is
not being used. Once broken in, modern amplifiers sound
good after only 20 minutes of warm-up. Leaving the
amplifier on all the time exposes the speakers to possible
damage from power line anomalies or component failure
while the system is unattended.
more expensive cable. If your speakers must be placed a
long distance from your electronics, we recommend that the
amplifier be placed between the speakers and long intercon-
nect cables be used between the preamplifier and power
amplifier so that short speaker cables can still be used. Cur-
rently, long interconnect cables seem to compromise the
sound of a stereo system less than long speaker cables.
When you evaluate different interconnect or speaker
cables, remember that the dielectric in most quality cables
takes many hours to fully form. These cables will not reach
their full potential until they have been used in your system
for several weeks.

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Model lCi Operation Manual
VANDERSTEEN AUDIO
116 West Fourth St.
Hanford, CA 93230
[phone]
The open areas of the end trays must face
away from the speaker. The flat surfaces
of the end trays must be against the
speaker.
SPEAKER!CARE !
!
MAINTENANCE
The appearance and performance of the Model lCi can The grille cloth on the Model ICi can be vacuumed
be enhanced by observing a few precautions and perform- using a brush attachment that will not snag the cloth. The
ing some simple maintenance. top should be treated as a piece of fine furniture. The wood
The input terminals on the Model lCi should veneers are oiled at the factory and can be maintained with
be cleaned periodically with alcohol or a solution a light application of Pledge or a similar product.
made specifically for cleaning electrical contacts. A cotton Care must be taken that objects that could mar the
swab with a small amount of cleaning solution on it can be finish are not placed on top of the speaker. Do not expose
used to clean inside the input jacks. Other connection the speakers to excessive heat or direct sunlight, which can
points in the system should be cleaned as recommended by damage the fit and finish of the veneer.
the equipment's manufacturer.
SERVICE
In the unlikely event that one of your Model lCi’s should
ever require servicing, please follow these procedures.
1. Verify that the problem is in the speaker by switching
the left and right speakers. If the problem follows the
speaker, it is in the speaker. If the problem does not
follow the speaker, it is in the system before the speaker.
2. Contact Vandersteen Audio, describe the problem and
the steps you have taken to isolate the problem to the
speaker. A Return Authorization Form will be sent to you.
PACKING INSTRUCTIONS
To prevent physical or cosmetic damage, always pack
the Model lCi in its original box prior to transportation or
shipment. Please follow these instructions when packing the
Model lCi.
1. Turn the speaker up-side-down on a carpeted or padded
surface that will not scratch the top.
2. Remove any base that is attached to the speaker.
3. Pull the plastic bag down over the speaker.
4. Slide the inner liner over the speaker.
5. Fit one of the end trays into the end of the inner liner
with the open area of the end tray facing away from the
speaker.
6. Holding the flaps out, slide the outer box over the inner
liner all the way to the floor.
7. Carefully turn the box and speaker right-side-up.
8. Close the plastic bag and place the remaining end tray
into the inner liner as was done in step 4.
9. Close the flaps on the outer box and seal with strong tape.
3. When you receive the Return Authorization Form, return
the damaged or defective speaker to Vandersteen Audio
packed in its original box. Include the completed Return
Authorization Form in the box with the speaker.
End Tray
Plastic Bag
Inner Liner
Outer Box
Do not ship your speakers in anything other than an original box. Replacement boxes
and packing are available from Vandersteen Audio for a nominal charge.

A Personal Note
I have been doing volunteer work for several years with elderly people with
severe hearing losses, and I have seen the frustration and anger that are brought
on by these losses. We now know that many of these people developed their
hearing problems because of exposure to high noise levels when younger.
Many audio/video systems, as well as home, portable and auto stereo systems
are capable of volume levels potentially damaging to your hearing. Please use
common sense and listen to your movies and music at safe levels now so you will still
have the ability to hear and enjoy them in the future.
Richard Vandersteen
Limited One Year Warranty
VANDERSTEEN AUDIO loudspeakers are warranted to the original purchaser be free from defects in materials or workman-
ship, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS, for one (1) year from the date of purchase from an authorized
VANDERSTEEN AUDIO dealer.
THIS WARRANTY IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS:
This warranty is void and inapplicable if the loudspeaker has:
a. not been used in accordance with the instructions contained in the operation manual.
b. been subject to misuse or abuse, examples of which would be burned voice coils and/or burned crossover parts.
c. been modified, repaired, or tampered with by anyone not specifically authorized to do so by Vandersteen Audio.
d. been subject to inputs in excess of the maximum rating, or inputs from an unstable or clipped amplifier.
e. been damaged by accident, neglect or transportation.
IF A VANDERSTEEN AUDIO LOUDSPEAKER FAILS TO MEET THE ABOVE WARRANTY AND THE ABOVE
CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET, THEN THE PURCHASER'SPURCHASER'S SOLE REMEDY SHALL BE TO
RETURN THE PRODUCT TO VANDERSTEEN AUDIO WHERE THE DEFECT WILL BE REPAIRED WITHOUT
CHARGE FOR PARTS OR LABOR.
The speaker must be packed in the original packing and returned to VANDERSTEEN AUDIO via insured freight by the
customer at his or her own expense. A returned product must be accompanied by a Return Authorization Form, (available from
VANDERSTEEN AUDIO upon request) which includes a written description of the defect and return shipping information.
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE ABOVE PRODUCT SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE DURATION
OF THE ABOVE WARRANTY. THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT EXTEND TO ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUEN-
TIAL COSTS OR DAMAGES TO PURCHASER.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or an exclusion of incidental or consequential damages
so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, you may also have other rights
in your state.
VANDERSTEEN AUDIO reserves the right to modify the design of any product without any obligation to previous purchasers
and/or to change the prices or specifications without notice or obligation to anyone.
Model 1Ci+ Operation Manual Copyright 1996 Vandersteen Audio
Inc.