Wharfedale Pro opus User manual

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Opus 1
Opus 2
Opus 3
Tri-centre
Tri-surround
USER MANUAL

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User Warnings
Quick Start Guide
About Your Loudspeaker
Specifications
Qua ity Assurance
Certificate of Qua ity Assurance
Systems and Driver Unit Test Reports
4 x White Cotton G oves
Accessories
CONTENTS
WITHIN THIS PACK
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Please read the following notes carefully. They will help you to install your loudspeakers correctly and safely.
Switch off the amp ifier and a sources before making connections to your sound system. When you switch on
the system or change sources, set the vo ume contro to minimum and turn up the eve gradua y.
The position of your Vo ume Contro is NOT a re iab e guide as to the maximum capabi ities of your system.
P aying the system with extreme settings of vo ume and tone contro s may damage the amp ifier and oudspeakers.
Do not connect oudspeaker termina s to the mains supp y.
Ensure that your oudspeakers are correct y wired and are in phase.
Do not subject your oudspeakers to excessive co d, heat or sun ight.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or e ectrica shock do not expose this product to rain or moisture.
The product must not be exposed to dripping and sp ashing and no object fi ed with iquids – such as a vase
of f owers – shou d be p aced on the product.
No naked f ame sources – such as cand es – must be p aced on the product.
Do not p ace heavy objects on top of oudspeaker cabinets. If you p ay them with the gri es removed be
carefu to protect the drive units from chi dren and pets.
Do not use makeshift stands. A ways fit a manufacturer’ approved stand using the instructions and the
fixings provided. Your dea er wi advise you.
Do not attempt to dismant e the oudspeaker. There are no user serviceab e parts inside and you wi
inva idate the warranty.
Site your oudspeaker at east 0.5m away from TV sets and magnetic storage media.
USER WARNINGS
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QUICK SETUP GUIDE
(Opus Series)
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Setting Up the Opus Series
Safe y unpacking
Check you have
Loudspeaker preparation
Positioning stereo Hi-fi speakers
Connecting stereo Hi-fi speakers
Positioning AV speakers
Connecting AV speakers
Setting up AV systems
Looking after your oudspeakers

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A ways take care when ifting heavy objects.
Lift the speakers out by their sides.
SAFELY UNPACKING
If possib e, keep the packaging in case you need to
move or return your speakers.
Carefu y remove each oudspeaker from its packing carton.
Be especia y carefu when removing the po ythene bag. The
speakers come with the p inth comp ete and a ready fitted.
The carton top says, “Open other end”. So you,
– Open the bottom
– Remove po ystyrene
– Open bag containing speaker
– Tape the carton f aps back
– Turn over carton with oudspeaker sti inside
– Lift carton off, eaving oudspeaker standing on the f oor
– Be carefu not to damage soft f oor surfaces with spikes
Your Opus speakers are heavy. Take care when
removing them from their packaging.
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CHECK YOU HAVE
Opus 1, 2, 3 Opus Tri-Centre Opus Tri-Surround
User Pack User Pack User Pack
Accessories:
• 4 G oves
• Long spike set (4)
• Soft f oor spike seats
• Foam pad (4)
• Bi-wire Links (4)
Accessories:
• 2 G oves
• Rubber Feet
• Bi-wire Links
Accessories:
• 2 G oves
• Rubber Feet

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LOUDSPEAKER PREPARATION
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OPUS 1, 2 & 3 SPIKES
Your f oor standing Opus speakers are de ivered with the p inth and spikes a ready
fitted. Leve ing/seating the speaker is best achieved by adjusting either of the rear
spikes unti the speaker is stab e without rocking. Re ease the top knob, on the
underside. Turn spike out and down to eve . Re- ock top knob.
For wood or soft f oors 8 meta spike seats and se f-adhesive pads are provided for
use as required. A set of extra ong spikes for deep carpets are provided and may be
used as required.
WARNING: Opus speakers are heavy and the spikes can penetrate softer f oors
materia s over extended periods.
CONNECTIONS AND TERMINALS
Choosing and Preparing Cables
Specia ist audio cab e usua y offers better performance than genera purpose
‘be ’ or ‘zip’ wire.
Choose a cab e of suitab e diameter – cab e that is too thin wi imit the
dynamics of the sound and may impair the bass response. Audio cab e is
po arised, with two cores of different co ours, or often a raised rib of co oured
tracer in the case of twin cab e.
Sp it the twin cores to a depth of about 40mm. Carefu y strip the insu ation
from each end, eaving about 10mm of bare wire. If the cab e is stranded,
ight y twist to gather any oose strands.
Crossover Networks
OPUS front and centre oudspeakers use a specia y designed bi-wireab e
crossover pane with six termina binding posts. P ease fo ow the drawing care-
fu y to see the correct orientation of the oudspeaker termina s. The upper ter-
mina s connect to the treb e unit, the midd e pair to the mid-range and the
ower pair to the bass units. As supp ied, the treb e termina pair is connected
to the mid-range pair and bass termina pair via removab e meta straps.
These shou d be eft in p ace for standard sing e cab e insta ations.
The OPUS surround uses a conventiona twin termina crossover pane .
Connecting Loudspeaker Terminals
Unscrew the termina . Thread the bored end of each cab e through the ho e in
the bottom of the termina post. Ensure that there are no oose strands which
may touch adjacent termina s. Retighten the termina secure y.
NOTE: When connecting oudspeakers, the cab es to eft and right channe s
shou d be of equa ength, regard ess of the distance of the speakers from the
amp ifier. This app ies to front and rear channe s.
40mm
10mm

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POSITIONING FRONT SPEAKERS
Ang e speakers inward by 5º to 30º for a
c earer, more tunefu mid range.
5
º
-
3
0
º
1
5
º
-
4
0
º
If the loudspeakers are placed too close to the walls the bass will increase but may be
boomy and indistinct. If the loudspeakers are placed further away from the walls, the
inward angle may be increased by upto 0%, although this may restrict the width of the
optimum listening position. As personal taste plays a large role, experiment with different
configurations and play a wide range of programme before finalising the position of your
speakers.
Positioning the speakers. P ace the speakers so
that you are the same distance from each. The
distance between the speakers shou d be the
same as between you and the speakers.
For best resu ts the speakers shou d be at best
10 inches (20cm) in front of a wa and at east
30 inches (70cm) from any corner.
70cm
20cm

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CONNECTING HIFI SPEAKERS
Sing e wired a sing e amp ifier, tri- ink bar is fitted
Tri or Bi-wired – a sing e amp ifier, with separate wires
to drive the bass/mid unit and the treb e unit.
Additiona inks are supp ied to a ow Bi-wiring.
Tri or Bi-amp ified – two or three amp ifiers. One drives
each section or 2 sections with Bi-wire ink e.g mid/hf.
(Remove a ink sections when Tri-Amping)
Important Note, p ease make sure that heavy mu ti-standard
cab es are we connected and c amped. Sing e oose strands
arcing can cause noise in the woofers ike a fau ty speaker.
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Using separate cables for
treble, mid and bass units in
Tri or Bi-wiring configuration
reduces intermodulation
effects and improves
headroom and clarity. To
Bi-wire, you will need to install
two lengths of twin core cable
between the amplifier and
each loudspeaker.
Unscrew each terminal a few
turns and remove the metal
tri-link straps. Use the
bi-link straps (supplied in
accessories) to connect the
treble and mid-range
terminals. Connect the cables
between the amplifier and the
loudspeakers as indicated and
re-tighten all the terminals
securely.
Note: Some amplifiers have
two pairs of output terminals
to facilitate bi-wiring but this is
not essential. The advantages
of bi-wiring are fully retained if
your amplifier has only one
pair of output terminals per
channel (as in the illustration).
R.SPKR L.SPKR
AMPLIFIER
R.SPKR L.SPKR
RIGHT
SPEAKER
LEFT
SPEAKER
RIGHT
SPEAKER
LEFT
SPEAKER
Amp
Amp

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POSITIONING AV SPEAKERS
THE HOME THEATRE ENVIRONMENT
Front and Effects Channels
The front oudspeakers are p aced on either side of the te evision screen, 2 to 3 metres apart. The speakers
shou d be ang ed s ight y so they are aimed towards the isteners.
As the rear surround channe s are the ‘effects’ channe s the reproduced sound shou d be as room fi ing as
possib e. We recommend p acing the speakers in a high position, behind the isteners head. If the rear wa is
more than 1 metre behind the istening seat, position the units on the side wa s. If the wa s are a ong way
from the istening seat, consider stand mounting the oudspeakers.
Most of the dia ogue comes from the centre oudspeaker. Speech shou d appear to originate from the actors
mouths. Operating height is important. Idea y the front and centre channe speakers shou d be at the same
height. For this reason the centre channe speaker is best operated above the te evision monitor.
The OPUS Tri-Centre Loudspeaker
The oudspeaker shou d be positioned centra y between the oudspeakers c ose to the te evision and mounted
either above or be ow the screen.
The oudspeaker shou d be ocated on a stab e f at surface to avoid any danger of the cabinet moving when it
is vibrated by high sound eve s. If you mount the unit on top of the te evision, move it forward so that the
front gri es are eve with or s ight y in front of the screen. This wi reduce ref ections from the screen and the
top of the cabinet.
A though you can p ace the centre channe oudspeaker under the TV monitor, this shou d be regarded as a
second best. The preferred position is a ways above the monitor.
The OPUS Tri-Surround Loudspeaker
Connect the cab e to the speaker. The speaker shou d idea y be sited 600mm – 1.5 metres above the isten-
ing position and 2.5 - 3.5 metres apart, centra to the istener and behind the istening position, preferab y on
a rear wa . If the istening position is some distance from a rear wa , the oudspeakers may be mounted on
opposite side wa s but a ways behind the istening position.
Ensure that the wa is strong and can support the product. Dri two 5mm ho es in the wa 160mm apart and
horizonta y a igned. Fix a suitab e No 8 round head screw firm y into each ho e using appropriate wa p ugs.
Leave a stub of 5mm protruding from the wa . A ign the ho es in the mounting brackets over the screw heads
and carefu y ower the unit onto the screws. The speaker can now be secure y attached with the spacers rest-
ing against the wa . Now connect the speakers to the amp ifier before fina mounting of the surrounds.
System with Rear Mounted Tri Surrounds System with Side Mounted Tri Surrounds

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Subwoofer
As the ear is unab e to detect the direction from which deep bass originates, this
a ows you freedom to position a subwoofer according to the eve of bass required.
P acing the subwoofer near a corner or particu ar y c ose to a wa wi boost the bass
but may impair c arity.
The performance of Home Theatre systems can often be enhanced by using a pair
of subwoofers.
OPUS Surround Loudspeaker
Four se f adhesive spaces are provided with each unit. Attach one c ose to each
rear corner of the cabinet. This speaker is designed primari y for wa mounting –
p ease see separate section for this topic.
OPUS Centre Loudspeaker
A set of se f adhesive pads is provided. Pee off the backing materia and fix a
pad c ose to each corner of the bottom surface of the oudspeaker.
POSITIONING & CONNECTING AV SPEAKERS
RIGHT LEFT RIGHT LEFT
CENTRE FRONT
REAR
SUB
WOOFER
LEFTRIGHT
System with Subwoofer Speakers
Single wiring shown
Single wiring shown

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Setting Loudspeaker Sizes
Many digita AV Processors require you to specify the size of speakers in a channe s. These are usua y
‘Large or sma ’. For Opus set the front speakers to ‘ arge’, set the centre to ‘ arge’ and the surrounds to
sma . The subwoofer then wi reproduce on y the LFE bass signa s.
If you are not using a subwoofer: Set the front speakers to set the subwoofer option on the processor to
‘Off’ or ‘No’. The front channe s wi now receive a the system bass.
(If you are using a subwoofer: When front speakers are set to sma the bass for these channe s wi
pass into the subwoofer. If you choose arge for the front channe s, bass wi be reproduced from the
front speakers and the sub wi just contro the LFE channe ).
Setting Levels
Once the oudspeaker settings have been fina ised, put the AV amp ifier into its “test” mode (see
instructions supp ied with your processor). Adjust the eve of each channe in turn unti a channe s are
reproduced at equa oudness.
On some programme materia the surround channe may seem ower than the front. Do not readjust
this eve . You may, however, need to adjust the subwoofer output eve . Avoid setting too high a eve or
you wi swamp the sound with bass. This can be tiring to isten to, and may imit the subwoofer’s abi i-
ty to respond to arge bass transients. You shou d a so set a sensib e eve going into the subwoofer
from the AV processor.
SETTING UP AV SYSTEMS

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Delay Settings
Many AV processors feature de ay settings. The purpose of de ay is to enab e surround and dia ogue
information to arrive at the istener’s ears at the same time as the front channe s, even when the isten-
ing seat is in a non-idea position. On some processors, this can be achieved by setting the distance
from the istening position to each speaker in turn, but other systems a ow on y a time de ay setting.
RReeaarr DDeeaayy: If the istening position is equidistant from the front and rear speakers, a ow
de ay setting shou d be set. The c oser the istener is to the rear speakers the higher the
de ay setting used shou d be.
CCeennttrree DDeeaayy: If the centre speaker is eve with (or s ight y behind) the front speakers, set
the de ay to zero. If the centre speaker is forward of the front speakers, increase the de ay.
LFE
In the cinema the ow frequency effects channe is an extra bass channe with its own subwoofer and
not a regu ar subwoofer channe . In domestic systems the LFE channe typica y feeds into the sub-
woofer. Where no subwoofer is used, the LFE signa is combined with front channe information and sent
to the front speakers. When you set the LFE eve at your AV processor, use care as the powerfu ow fre-
quencies can over oad domestic oudspeakers.
If you hear popping or thumping noises coming from the front oudspeakers or subwoofer, immediate y
turn the AV Processor’s vo ume eve down and then ower the LFE eve . This shou d cure the prob em. If
it does not, ower the vo ume eve at the subwoofer (if you are using one) unti the prob em disappears.
P ease read the re evant sections of your AV amp ifier manua and fami iarise yourse f with the various
issues. If you are unsure, consu t your dea er for he p.
Phase
A home theatre system shou d have a precise front stage, a diffuse rear stage and good oca isation of
dia ogue. If the co ours on the oudspeaker termina s do not correspond with those on the amp ifier, the
sound wi appear poor y focussed or ‘Out of phase’. For this reason it is essentia that the speakers are
connected according y to the wiring diagrams in this manua .
SETTING UP AV SYSTEMS

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Do not open the speakers; there are
no user serviceab e parts inside.
Avoid getting any iquid behind the gri e.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR LOUDSPEAKER
Remove marks from the cabinet and po ish it
with a soft, s ight y damp c oth.

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For technica support, servicing or product queries and information p ease contact either
your oca retai er or the offices be ow.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
UK
Wharfeda e Internationa Ltd.
IAG House, Sovereign Court,
Ermine Business Park,
Huntingdon. PE29 6XU
Eng and
Te : [phone]
Fax : [phone]
www.wharfeda e.co.uk
USA
IAG America, Inc.
15 Wa po e Park South,
Wa po e,
MA 02081
USA
Te : [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.iagamerica.com
ASIA
Room 2310 - 2311 Press Bui ding,
Shennan Road C,
Shenzhen,
China
Te : [phone]
Fax: [phone]
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ABOUT YOUR LOUDSPEAKER

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The OPUS is a new series of oudspeakers. They are arge format oudspeakers, uti ising mu ti-
p e drive units.
The oudspeaker meets the demands of the most discerning audiophi e.
These 3 way oudspeakers exhibit exceptiona performance characteristics based upon the fo -
owing concepts.
Very ow distortion across the entire audio band.
Low excursion requirement of the cone drivers.
High f ux magnet systems enab ing good dynamic response and impu se contro .
Broadband dispersion for exce ent stereo image and staging.
Carefu attention to component design, operation, integration and acoustics.
THE CABINET
The enc osure of your speaker is finished to a high-qua ity furniture standard. Rea wood
veneers have been se ected and carefu y patterned matched by hand. Over a period of severa
days a high g oss ‘Piano’ finish has been achieved. This invo ves severa coatings of acquers
being app ied, each being cut and po ished before the next coat is app ied. On y through this
time-consuming and ski ed technique, can we achieve the necessary depth and ustre of g oss.
Instead of the usua cuboid shape of speaker cabinet, Opus is bui t with a beautifu curvaceous
design, with a specia purpose:- to reduce to neg igab e eve s any interna cabinet standing
waves and ref ections. Para e -sided ta boxes promote the creation of acoustic wave formation
within the box by ref ection up and down the ength, these can add and subtract creating
anoma ies in the forward response. The mu tip e curved and braced interior of the Opus cabi-
net prevents this and resu ts in a much c earer, more precise sound.
Ski fu engineering in ‘MDF’ or Medium Density Fibre Board, universa y known to be one of
the best enc osures materia s, has resu ted in an idea y shaped, very strong, interna y mu tip e
braced, ow resonance structure.
‘THE OPUS SERIES’

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THE DRIVE UNITS
THE BASS DRIVERS
The bass driver(s) incorporates a new design of cone uti ising our own new bi-carbon weave process.
Carbon fibre has immense ongitudina strength and is used in many structures where high strength
and ight weight are key attributes. Carbon fibre can be found ibera y used in Formu a 1 Racing Cars,
Aerop anes, Boats, Spacecraft and even Go f C ubs.
These bund es are woven and impregnated with specia bonding resins that are subsequent y pressure
formed and heat cured. The resu ting materia is stiff, rigid and exhibits very ow eve s of interna
resonance. Consequent y, energy osses in the cone transfer mechanism are very ow.
Simi ar y, atera voice coi strength is very high. We use a combination of ha f hard a uminium and
resin bonded g ass fibre. This, in turn, contributes towards some of the owest distortion figures ever
seen in conventiona drivers. The dust cap/cover is of the same materia as the cone.
The bass drivers operate on y over the ow frequency range. They are on y used over their true pistonic
range. The cone is terminated with a conventiona arge ha f ro of synthetic buty rubber with exce ent
inherent damping qua ities.
A high performance traditiona ferrite magnet system is used. Motiona noise can be a prob em with
high output bass systems. We address this by moving air through vents in the voice coi . The magnet
systems is a so fu y vented throughout.

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THE 75mm 3” SOFT DOME MIDRANGE
A studio monitor qua ity arge dome mid-range is used to cover the crucia midband frequencies. The key feature of this driver
is exceptiona y ow distortion over its entire working range, typica y ess than 1% when producing 100dB at 1 metre. It is
mounted in a custom matched fascia p ate to provide partia horn oading and giving a broad ang e of dispersion to its upper
crossover point. The fascia p ate is constucted from die cast a uminium, designed to p ace the units as c ose as possib e for
optimum integration and to create a point source effect. It has a arge 75mm 3” voice coi again based on a rigid ha f hard
a uminium former. The dome is pressure equa ised by an underside baff e and chamber.
THE 25mm 1” SOFT DOME TWEETER
The highest frequencies are a so hand ed by a soft dome driver. Our extensive research has proven these are a better choice
than the meta ic based domes that typica y add their own character to the treb e.
A feature of the tweeters, as with the mids, is wide dispersion and very ow distortion, again typica y ess than 1% at 100dB
at 1 metre. The unit features a high f ux neodymium magnet structure, producing a typica efficiency of 93dB 1W@1m. This
unit has a frequency response extending far beyond audib e frequencies to around 45kHz.
THE CROSSOVER AND WIRING
Monster Cab e XP is used throughout the interna wiring (USA on y - other countries use a ternative brands of high-qua ity
OFC cab e). High qua ity printed circuit boards are used, and a connections are made to audiophi e standards.
A inductors used are air-cored and use arge gauge wire for very ow insertion oss.
A capacitors used are either, ow oss, ow ERC po ypropy ene or high qua ity audio grade reversab e e ectro ytics.