Wisdom AUDIO SYSTEM CONTROLLER SC-1 User manual

Owner’s Manual
Wisdom Audio
System Controller
SC-1

2
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
 Danger Thelightningashwitharrowheadsymbol,withinanequilateral
triangle,isintendedtoalerttheusertothepresenceofuninsulated
“dangerousvoltage”withintheproduct’senclosurethatmaybeof
sufcientmagnitudetoconstituteariskofelectricshocktopersons.
 Important Theexclamationpointwithinanequilateraltriangleisintended
toalerttheusertothepresenceofimportantoperatingand
maintenance(servicing)instructionsintheliteratureaccompanying
thisequipment.
  Markingbythe“CE”symbol(shownleft)indicatescomplianceof
thisdevicewiththeEMC(ElectromagneticCompatibility)andLVD
(LowVoltageDirective)standardsoftheEuropeanCommunity.
ManufacturedunderlicensefromAudysseyLaboratories.U.S.andforeignpat-
entspending.Audyssey™,AudysseyLabs™aretrademarksofAudyssey
Laboratories.MultEQ®XTisaregisteredtrademarkofAudysseyLaboratories.
Note:Thisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsfor
aClassBdigitaldevice,pursuanttopart15oftheFCCRules.Theselimitsare
designedtoprovidereasonableprotectionagainstharmfulinterferenceina
residentialinstallation.Thisequipmentgenerates,usesandcanradiateradio
frequencyenergyand,ifnotinstalledandusedinaccordancewiththeinstruc-
tions,maycauseharmfulinterferencetoradiocommunications.However,there
isnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccurinaparticularinstallation.If
thisequipmentdoescauseharmfulinterferencetoradioortelevisionrecep-
tion,whichcanbedeterminedbyturningtheequipmentoffandon,theuser
isencouragedtotrytocorrecttheinterferencebyoneormoreofthefollowing
measures:
• Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna
• Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandthereceiver
• Connecttheequipmentintoanoutletonacircuitdifferentfrom
thattowhichthereceiverisconnected
• Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp

3
Important Safety Instructions
Pleasereadallinstructionsandprecautionscarefullyandcompletelybeforeop-
eratingyourWisdomAudioequipment.
1. Readtheseinstructions.
2. Keeptheseinstructions.
3. Heedallwarnings.
4. Followallinstructions.
5. Donotusethisequipmentnearwater.
6. Cleanonlywithadrycloth.
7. Donotblockanyventilationopenings.Installinaccordancewiththemanu-
facturer’sinstructions.
8. Donotinstallnearanyheatsourcessuchasradiators,heatregisters,stoves,
orotherapparatus(includingampliers)thatproduceheat.
9. Donotdefeatthesafetypurposeofthepolarizedorgrounding-typeplug.A
polarizedplughastwobladeswithonewiderthantheother.Agrounding
typeplughastwobladesandathirdgroundingprong.Thewidebladeof
thethirdprongareprovidedforyoursafety.Iftheprovidedplugdoesnot
tintoyoursocket,consultanelectricianforreplacementoftheobsolete
outlet.
10. Protectthepowercordfrombeingwalkedonorpinchedparticularlyat
plugs,conveniencereceptacles,andthepointwheretheyexitfromtheap-
paratus.
11. Onlyuseattachments/accessoriesspeciedbythemanufacturer.
12. Unplugthisapparatusduringlightningstormsorwhenunusedforlongperi-
odsoftime.
13. Referallservicingtoqualiedpersonnel.Servicingisrequiredwhentheap-
paratushasbeendamagedinanyway,suchaspower-supplycordorplugis
damaged,liquidhasbeenspilledofobjectshavefallenintotheapparatus,
theapparatushasbeenexposedtorainormoisture,doesnotoperatenor-
mally,orhasbeendropped.
14. ALWAYSdisconnectyourentiresystemfromtheACmainsbeforeconnect-
ingordisconnectinganycables,orwhencleaninganycomponent.
15. NEVERoperatethisproductwithanycoversremoved.
16. NEVERwettheinsideofthisproductwithanyliquid.
17.  NEVERpourorspillliquidsdirectlyontothisunit.
18. NEVERbypassanyfuse.
19. NEVERreplaceanyfusewithavalueortypeotherthanthosespecied.
20. NEVERoperatethisproductinanexplosiveatmosphere.
21. ALWAYSkeepelectricalequipmentoutofthereachofchildren.

4
Table of Contents
Important Safety Instructions .........................................................................3
Unpacking the SC-1 ........................................................................................6
Warmup/break-inperiod.......................................................................................6
Placement Considerations...............................................................................7
Ventilation .............................................................................................................7
Operating Voltage...........................................................................................8
Special Design Features ..................................................................................9
AdvancedRoomCorrection...................................................................................9
MultipleSetupMemories.......................................................................................9
Bi-orTri-amplication ...........................................................................................9
System-SpecicEQ..............................................................................................10
RemoteSetupviaModem....................................................................................10
Front Panel.................................................................................................... 11
Rear Panel.....................................................................................................13
Using single-ended preampliers ..................................................................14
Using single-ended ampliers........................................................................14
Using single-ended ampliers........................................................................15
Using single-ended ampliers........................................................................16
Remote turn-on
tip polarity....................................................................................................17
Introduction to Room Acoustics ...................................................................20
StartWiththeRoom ............................................................................................20
Rigid Walls....................................................................................................20
MainSpeakerPlacement......................................................................................21
SubwooferPlacement ..........................................................................................22
RoomTreatment ..................................................................................................22
ProfessionalAcousticDesign ...............................................................................23
References ...........................................................................................................23
Getting Ready to Calibrate............................................................................24
SystemConnections.............................................................................................24
OverviewoftheProcess ......................................................................................24
BeforeCalibration...............................................................................................25
DuringCalibration ...............................................................................................25
Wisdom System Conguration......................................................................26
ConnectingthePC...............................................................................................26
Wisdom System Conguration .....................................................................26
BasicSetup ..........................................................................................................26
Basic Setup tab.............................................................................................27
6.x Phantom .................................................................................................27
Multi-Zone Setup (part 1)..............................................................................28
SpeakerSelection ................................................................................................28
Speaker Selection screen 1 ...........................................................................28
Speaker Selection screen 2 ...........................................................................29
RoomCalibration.................................................................................................29
Determining the trim value ...........................................................................30
Room Calibration tab ...................................................................................30

5
Bass Management.........................................................................................31
Post Calibration Trims ...................................................................................32
Audyssey MultEQ®Pro..................................................................................33
LaunchingMultEQPro........................................................................................33
Room Calibration .........................................................................................33
MultEQ Pro Welcome screen ........................................................................34
Job Information.............................................................................................34
Options/Microphone Selection .....................................................................35
Multi-Zone Setup (part 2) .............................................................................35
Zone Conguration.......................................................................................35
Room Dimensions ........................................................................................36
Equipment Info .............................................................................................37
Measurement.......................................................................................................37
Microphone position ....................................................................................37
Measuring additional positions......................................................................38
DetectionResults.................................................................................................39
TargetSoundOptions ..........................................................................................41
Disconnect the microphone..........................................................................42
SaveResults .........................................................................................................43
Advanced Calibration Tip .............................................................................43
Calibration Completed..................................................................................45
Care & Maintenance .....................................................................................47
North American Warranty ............................................................................48
FiveYearWarranty...............................................................................................48
Obtaining Service .........................................................................................49
Specications................................................................................................50
Dimensions ...................................................................................................51

6
Unpacking the SC-1
PleaseexercisecautionwhenunpackingyournewWisdomAudioSC-1to
ensurethatyoudonotstrainyourself.
 Caution! Do notattempttoliftyourSC-1whilebendingortwistingfromthe
waist.Useyourlegsforlifting,notyourback.
AlwaysstandasstraightaspossibleandkeeptheSC-1closetoyour
body.
AfterunpackingyourSC-1,keepallpackingmaterialsforfuturetransport.In
theeventthatyouneedtoshipyourSC-1,onlytheoriginal,purpose-designed
shippingcartonisacceptable.Anyothermethodofshippingthisproductruns
asignicantriskofdamagetotheSC-1—damagethatwouldnotbecoveredby
thewarranty.
CarefullyinspectyourSC-1forpossibledamageduetoshipping.Ifyoudiscover
any,contactyourWisdomAudiodealerimmediately.
Warm up/break-in period AlthoughyourWisdomAudioSC-1deliversoutstandingperformancestraight
outofthebox,youshouldexpecttohearitcontinuetoimproveasitreaches
itsnormaloperatingtemperaturesanditsvariouscomponents“breakin.”Ithas
beenourexperiencethatthegreatestchangesoccurwithintherst25-50hours,
butthattheSC-1willcontinuetoimproveinsoundqualityforabout300hours,
afterwhichtimeitremainsquiteconstant.
Theonlyexceptiontothisruleisifpowerisremovedfromtheunit,allowingit
tocooldown.Inthiscaseyoushouldexpectabriefwarm-upperiodbeforethe
SC-1’ssoundqualityisatitsbest.(Fortunately,youwillneverhavetorepeatthe
full300hourbreak-inperiod.)

7
Placement Considerations
PRECAUTION
 Foryourprotection,review“ImportantSafetyInstructions”and
“OperatingVoltage”beforeyouinstallyourSC-1.
NotethatadequateclearancefortheACcordandconnectingsignalcables
mustbeleftbehindyourSC-1.Wesuggestleavingatleastsixinches(15cm)of
freespacebehindyourSC-1soallcableshavesufcientroomtobendwithout
crimpingorunduestrain.
Ifpossible,theSC-1shouldalsobeplacedinsuchawaythatthepowerswitch
ontherearpaneliseasilyaccessible.Thisswitchdisconnectspowerfromthe
unitcompletely,resultingineffectivedisconnectionoftheSC-1fromtheAC
mains.Youmightthinkofthisasa“vacationswitch,”shouldyouwishtoturn
offyoursystemcompletelywhenyouwillbeawayfromhomeforaprolonged
periodoftime.Justremembertoturnitbackonagainwhenyoureturn.
Ventilation YourWisdomAudioSC-1containsmanyactivedevicesandagreatdealof
signalprocessing.Itwillrunquitewarmundernormaloperation.Itshouldnot
beplaceddirectlyontopofanothercomponentthatgeneratessignicantheat,
suchasmostpowerampliers.Donotblocktheventsonthesidesoftheunit.
Mechanicaldrawingsareincludedinthismanualtofacilitatespecialinstalla-
tionswherenecessary(see“Dimensions”attheendofthismanual).

8
Operating Voltage
Forcompatibilitywithexistinghouseholdoutlets,astandardthreeprong,15
ampereplugisprovidedontheremovable,IEC-standardACmainscable.
TheWisdomAudioSC-1maybesetfor100-120Vor200V-240VACmainsop-
eration.OutsidetheUnitedStates,anddependingonlocalelectricalcodesand
regulations,theACmainscordmayneedtobereplacedwithonethatconforms
tolocalplug/outletstandards.
TheoperatingvoltageoftheSC-1maynotbechangedbytheuser.YourSC-1
hasbeenpresetatthefactoryforthevoltageofthecountryforwhichitwas
built.IfyoumovetoacountrywithadifferentACmainsvoltage,pleasecontact
yourlocalWisdomAudiodistributororWisdomAudioforassistance.
 Caution! AlwaysmakesuretheSC-1issetforthecorrectvoltagebefore
connectingittoACmainspower!Failure to do so can permanently
damage the unit. The voltage setting of the unit is determined by the
country for which it was manufactured, and is clearly marked on the
packaging.

9
Special Design Features
Advanced Room Correction AudysseyMultEQ®XTisaroomequalizationsolutionthatcalibratesanyaudio
systemsothatitcanachieveoptimumperformanceforeverylistenerinalarge
listeningarea.MultEQ®XTcapturesacousticalinformationatmultiplelocations
throughoutalisteningareainboththetimeandfrequencydomains.Itusesa
sophisticatedclusteringalgorithmtocombinethisinformationsothatacousti-
calproblemsareaccuratelyanalyzed.Basedonthesemeasurements,MultEQ
XTcalculatesanequalizationsolutionthatcorrectsforbothtimeandfrequency
responseproblemsinthelisteningareaandalsoperformsafullyautomatedsur-
roundsystemsetup.Theresultisclear,well-balancedsoundforeverylistener.
Multiple Setup Memories Wethenwentfurtherandprovidedsupportforrecallinguptothreecomplete
andindependentsetupcalibrations,anyofwhichcanbeselectedasneeded.
Whileasinglesetupisallthatisnecessary,havingtheabilitytorecallanyof
multiplesetupscansolvesomeotherwisedifcultsituations.Forexample,you
mightwanttohaveselectablesetupsfor
• differentroomconditions(e.g.,drapesopenvs.closed)
• slightlydifferenttargetcurves(e.g.,musicvs.gaming)
• variousseatingarrangements
Onlyyouandyourdealercandecidewhetheryouwouldbenetfromtaking
advantageofanyofthesepossibilities.Mostpeopleobtaineverythingtheyneed
fromasinglesetup;buthavingtheexibilitytoaddressunusualcircumstances
canbeinvaluable.
Bi- or Tri-amplication Peoplewhohavewantedtoextractthehighestperformancefromtheirsystems
haveknownforalongtimethatdrivingeachsectionofthespeakerdirectlyand
separatelyyieldsthenestresults.Ofcourse,thisrequireshavingadedicated,
activecrossovertodividethefrequencyrangeappropriatelybeforethepower
ampliers,sothattheycanthendrivethespeakersdirectly.
Biamplicationmakesuseoftwochannelsofamplicationtodrivedifferent
portionsofasinglechannel.Themostcommoninstanceof“bi-amping”today
isinhometheaterapplications,whereinadedicatedsubwooferhandlesthe
deepestbass,whiletheremainingaudiblerangeishandledbythevariousfront
andsurroundspeakers.Butyoucanalsobiamplifyafullrangeloudspeaker,
drivingthewooferseparatelyfromthedriversthathandlethemidrangeand
treblefrequencies.
Logically,youcancombinethesetwoapproaches,andtheresultis“triampli-
cation.”A“tri-amped”systemusesseparateamplicationforthreeaudible
ranges.Inourcase,thethreerangesare:
• deepestbass(oneormoresubwoofers)
• mid-bass(thewoofersinthefrontandsurroundspeakers)
• midrangeandtreble(theplanarmagneticpanels)

10
Sinceeachchanneloftheamplierisdeliveringcurrentintoitsloadonlyover
alimitedrangeoffrequencies,severalformsofdistortionarereducedascom-
paredtoeachchannelhandlingthefullrangeofmusicalinformation.
TheSC-1supportsuptoa“7.3channel”system,meaningthatuptosevenmain
speakerscanbesupported(allofwhicharebiamplied),plusuptothreeinde-
pendentsubwooferchannels.Alloftheseoutputsbenetfromroomcorrection,
describedabove.
System-Specic EQ WisdomAudiospeakersdeliverextraordinaryperformancefromslim,elegant
enclosures.However,wecannotcheattherulesofphysics.Deliveringpowerful
bassfromsuchsmallenclosuresplacesunusualdemandsonboththewoofers
andtheampliersusedtodrivethem.
Specically,equalizationisusedtocompensatefortheunusuallysmallenclo-
surevolumebehindthewoofer.Thisapproachisusedinalmostalldedicated
subwooferstoday,andweuseitinourfullrangespeakers.Doingsoallowsus
toachievethebassperformanceusuallyassociatedmuchlargerspeakers,butin
elegantenclosuresthatsupportmodernlifestylechoices.

11
  
Front Panel
1 Power Switch, Standby Indicator and Input Clip Indicator
TheSC-1featuresasculptedfrontpanelthatconcealstwoswitchesunder
theexibleendsofthemiddlesection.Ontheleftside,gentlypressing
theendofthecentersectionwillengageamicroswitchunderthefaceof
theSC-1,whichwillinturntoggletheunitbetweenoperateandstandby
modes.Theinternationalsymbolforpower isinscribedinthislocation
todesignateitspurpose.
TheamberLEDindicatorontheleftsideofthecentersectionislitwhen
theSC-1isinstandbytoindicatethatitisreceivingpower;itisoffwhen
theSC-1iseitherfullyonorwhenthereisnopowerbeingsuppliedtothe
unit.(WhentheSC-1isfullyon,oneofthesetupmemoryLEDswillbelit
toindicatebothpowerandwhichsetupmemoryisbeingused.Ifallthe
LEDSareoff,nopowerisbeingsuppliedtotheunit.)
TheSC-1requiresseveralsecondsto“bootup”whencomingoutofstand-
by.TheamberLEDashesduringthisstartupprocess,turningoffwhenit
iscomplete.OneoftheSetupMemoryLEDswillturnonatthispointto
indicatewhichmemoryisactive).
Finally,iftheSC-1detectsinputclippingonanyofitschannels,the
StandbyLEDwillashrapidlyforthreeseconds.Iftheclippingcontinues
(atleastonceperthree-secondinterval),itwillcontinueashing.Inthe
unlikelyeventthatyouseethisindication,youshouldturnthesystem
volumedowntoreducedistortionandpotentialdamagetoyourspeakers.
2 Setup Memory LED Indicators
TheWisdomSystemControllerincorporatesthelatestversionof
AudysseyMultEQ®XTroomcorrectiontoenableittoaddressroom-
specicproblemsthatwouldotherwisecompromiseperformance.Under

12
mostcircumstances,asinglecalibrationofthesystemfortheroomand
yourpreferredlisteningpositionsisallthatisnecessary.ButtheSC-1
providesstorageofuptothreecompleteandindependentcalibrationsto
addressvarioussituations.
ThesethreeLEDsindicatewhichofthethreesetupmemoriesiscurrently
active.Theyalsoservetoindicatethattheunitispoweredupandoperat-
ingnormally.(Whentheunitisinstandby,onlytheamberstandbyLEDon
theleftsideofthefrontpanelislit;thebluememoryLEDsareoff.)
TheLEDsindicatewhichofthethreesetupmemoriesisactive:
• LED1on=Setupmemory#1enabled
• LED2on=Setupmemory#2enabled
• LED3on=Setupmemory#3enabled
• LED1blinkingslowly=MultEQ®bypassedtemporarily
Thebypassmodeisavailablesoyoucanhearthedifferenceroomcorrec-
tionhasmadeonyoursystem.Whentheroomcorrectionsubsystemis
bypassed,theactivecrossoverandothersystem-speciccircuitryisstill
engaged.Thisallowsyoutoeasilyhearonlywhattheroomcorrection
softwareisdoingforyoursystem.
Youcancyclethroughtheavailablememoriesandbypassmodebypress-
ingtheSetupCalibrationSwitchtotherightoftheseindicators.(See3,
below.)
Inaddition,thereisonespecialcase:
• Duringroomcorrectioncalibration(only),allthreeLEDswill
beon,andtheLEDforthesetupmemoryyouareworking
onwillblinkforthedurationofthecalibration.TheLEDswill
returntotheirnormaloperationasdescribedaboveoncethe
resultsofthecalibrationaresavedpermanentlytomemory.
3 Setup Calibration Selector Switch
PressingtherightsideofthecentersectionoftheSC-1frontpanelwill
activateamicroswitchthatcyclestheunitthroughtheavailablesetup
memories.
Ifonlyonememoryhasbeensetup(whichisfairlytypical),pressingthis
buttonwilltoggleMultEQXTonandoff.Ifmultiplesetupshavebeen
stored,pressingthisbuttonwillcyclethroughtheavailablesetupsinorder,
endinginthesamebypassmodefortheroomcorrectionpriortostarting
thecycleoveragain:
• SetupMemory1
• SetupMemory2(ifavailable)
• SetupMemory3(ifavailable)
• BypassMultEQ®XT

13
Please refer to owner's manual
for fuse replacement
RS232
ON/OFF
~ AC INPUT
USB 12v trigger
SC-1 System Controller
made in USA
www.wisdomaudio.com
INPUTHIGH OUTLOW OUT
SUB
OUTS
LRCSL SR SBL SBR Sub1 Sub2 Sub3
in out
Manufactured under license from Audyssey Laboratories.
U.S. and n patents pending.
MultEQ XT is a trademark of Audyssey Laboratories.
LRCSL SR SBL SBR
CAUTION--RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK--DO NOT OPEN
O 100-120V, 50-60 Hz, @ < 0.5A
O 200-240V, 50-60 Hz, @ < 0.25A
Voltage set at factory for destination country
s/n:
FUSE REPLACEMENT
100-120V
T 500mA L 250V 200-240V T 250mA L 250V
  



Rear Panel
 Caution! Turnoffyourpowerampliersbeforeattemptingtoconnect
anythingtoyourWisdomAudioSC-1.
1 7.3 Channel Inputs
TheSC-1supportsmultichannelsystemsofupto7.3channelcongura-
tions;thatis,youmayhaveasmanyassevenmainchannelsandthree
independentsubwooferchannelscontrolledbytheSC-1.Thesetenbal-
ancedaudioinputsacceptsignalsfromapreamplier/processorwith
balancedoutputsviahighqualityXLRconnectors.
ThepinassignmentsoftheseXLR-typefemaleinputconnectorsare:
21
3
 Pin1:Chassisground
 Pin2:Signal+(non-inverting)
 Pin3:Signal–(inverting)
 Connectorgroundlug:chassisground
Thesepinassignmentsareconsistentwiththestandardsadoptedbythe
AudioEngineeringSociety.Refertotheoperatingmanualofyourbal-
anced-outputpreampliertoverifythatthepinassignmentsofitsoutput
connectorscorrespondtoyourWisdomAudioSC-1.Ifnot,wirethe
cablessothattheappropriateoutputpinconnectstotheequivalentinput
pin,inordertopreservethepolarityofthemusicalsignal.
Connecttheoutputofyourpreamp/processortothesebalancedXLR
inputs.Theinputsareinthefollowingorder,fromlefttorightasseenfrom
behindtheSC-1:Left,Right,Center,SurroundLeft,SurroundRight,Sur-
roundBackLeft,SurroundBackRight,Sub1,Sub2,Sub3.

14
Duringcalibration,theLeftinput(inthetopleftcornerasseenfrom
behindtheunit)isalsousedbyyourinstallerforconnectingtheoutputof
thecalibratedmicrophonethatmeasurestheroom’sresponse.
 Caution! DonotconnectthecalibratedmicrophonetotheLeftinputinput
oftheSC-1untilinstructedtodosoapartoftheMultEQ®Pro
softwareapplication.
DoingsobeforecompletingtheProductSelectionscreenaspart
oftheMultEQProapplication(seeProduct Selection,page31)
willcausemicrophonefeedbackatlevelsthatcoulddamagethe
speakers.
Using single-ended preampliers Ifyourpreamplier/processordoesnothavebalancedoutputs,theadapter
usedtoconvertfrombalancedtosingle-endedshouldtiePin1andPin3
(theinvertedsignal)together.Thiscaneasilybecheckedwithanohmme-
ter:theimpedancebetweenPin1andPin3shouldapproachzero.Note
that the most suitable adapter on the input side of the SC-1 is different
than the appropriate adapter on the output side, due to the SC-1’s high
input impedance.Shouldyouneedthem,properlywiredadaptersare
availablefromWisdomAudioforanominalcharge.
2 7 Channel High (Planar) Output
Thesesevenbalancedaudiooutputscarrytheroom-corrected“highpass”
portionoftheaudiospectrum,andmustbeconnectedtotheampliers
thatdrivetheplanarmagneticpanels.
ThepinassignmentsofthisXLR-typemaleoutputconnectorare:
21
3
 Pin1:Chassisground
 Pin2:Signal+(non-inverting)
 Pin3:Signal–(inverting)
 Connectorgroundlug:chassisground
Thesepinassignmentsareconsistentwiththestandardsadoptedbythe
AudioEngineeringSociety.Refertotheoperatingmanualofyourpower
ampliertoverifythatthepinassignmentsofitsinputconnectorscor-
respondtoyourWisdomAudioSC-1.Ifnot,wirethecablessothatthe
appropriateoutputpinconnectstotheequivalentinputpin,inorderto
preservethepolarityofthemusicalsignal.
Using single-ended ampliers Ifyourpoweramplierdoesnothavebalancedinputs,theadapterused
toconvertfrombalancedtosingle-endedmust“oat”Pin3(theinverted
signal).Thiscaneasilybecheckedwithanohmmeter:theimpedancebe-
tweenPin3andeitherthecenterpinortheshieldskirtontheRCAshould
beinnite.TyingtheoutputofPin3toground(asmanyadaptersdo)will
compromisetheperformanceoftheSC-1,duetoitslowoutputimped-
ance.Note that the most suitable adapter on the input side of the SC-1 is
different than the appropriate adapter on the output side, due to the SC-1’s
low output impedance.Shouldyouneedthem,properlywiredadapters
areavailablefromWisdomAudioforanominalcharge,ortheycanbe
purchasedonlineat

15
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Audio-Adapters/XLR-to-
RCA-Adapters/Switchcraft-Corporation/322X.xhtml
3 7 Channel Low (Woofer) Output
Thesesevenbalancedaudiooutputscarrytheroom-corrected“lowpass”
portionoftheaudiospectrum,andmustbeconnectedtotheampliers
thatdrivethewoofersectionsoftheloudspeakers.
ThepinassignmentsofthisXLR-typemaleoutputconnectorare:
21
3
 Pin1:Chassisground
 Pin2:Signal+(non-inverting)
 Pin3:Signal–(inverting)
 Connectorgroundlug:chassisground
Thesepinassignmentsareconsistentwiththestandardsadoptedbythe
AudioEngineeringSociety,andareusedwiththepurpose-designedSA-
seriespowerampliersfromWisdomAudio.Ifyouelecttouseadifferent
amplierforyourwoofers,pleaserefertotheoperatingmanualofyour
powerampliertoverifythatthepinassignmentsofitsinputconnectors
correspondtoyourWisdomAudioSC-1.Ifnot,wirethecablessothatthe
appropriateoutputpinconnectstotheequivalentinputpin,inorderto
preservethepolarityofthemusicalsignal.
Using single-ended ampliers Ifyourpoweramplierdoesnothavebalancedinputs,theadapterused
toconvertfrombalancedtosingle-endedmust“oat”Pin3(theinverted
signal).Thiscaneasilybecheckedwithanohmmeter:theimpedancebe-
tweenPin3andeitherthecenterpinortheshieldskirtontheRCAshould
beinnite.TyingtheoutputofPin3toground(assomeadaptersdo)will
compromisetheperformanceoftheSC-1.Shouldyouneedthem,prop-
erlywiredadaptersareavailablefromWisdomAudioforanadditional
charge,ortheycanbepurchasedonlineat
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Audio-Adapters/XLR-to-
RCA-Adapters/Switchcraft-Corporation/322X.xhtml.
4 3 Channel Subwoofer Output
Thesethreebalancedaudiooutputscarrytheroom-correctedsub-
wooferoutputs,andmustbeconnectedtotheampliersthatdrivethe
subwoofer(s)inthesystem.
ThepinassignmentsofthisXLR-typemaleoutputconnectorare:
21
3
 Pin1:Chassisground
 Pin2:Signal+(non-inverting)
 Pin3:Signal–(inverting)
 Connectorgroundlug:chassisground
Thesepinassignmentsareconsistentwiththestandardsadoptedbythe
AudioEngineeringSociety.Refertotheoperatingmanualofyourpower
ampliertoverifythatthepinassignmentsofitsinputconnectorscor-
respondtoyourWisdomAudioSC-1.Ifnot,wirethecablessothatthe
appropriateoutputpinconnectstotheequivalentinputpin,inorderto
preservethepolarityofthemusicalsignal.

16
Using single-ended ampliers Ifyourpoweramplierdoesnothavebalancedinputs,theadapterused
toconvertfrombalancedtosingle-endedmust“oat”Pin3(theinverted
signal).Thiscaneasilybecheckedwithanohmmeter:theimpedancebe-
tweenPin3andeitherthecenterpinortheshieldskirtontheRCAshould
beinnite.TyingtheoutputofPin3toground(assomeadaptersdo)will
compromisetheperformanceoftheSC-1.Shouldyouneedthem,prop-
erlywiredadaptersareavailablefromWisdomAudioforanadditional
charge,ortheycanbepurchasedonlineat
http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Audio-Adapters/XLR-to-
RCA-Adapters/Switchcraft-Corporation/322X.xhtml.
5 USB Port
ThisUSBportisusedbyyourinstallertoconnectaWindows-compatible
PCforsetupandcalibration.Itprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetween
theSC-1andthecomputerthatisusedforadjustingthemanyparameters
ofthesystemcontroller.
6 RS232 Interface
TheRS232interfaceallowsanexternalcontrolsystemsuchasAMX,Con-
trol4,Crestron,orSavanttocontroltheSC-1.Allbasicoperationalmodes
aresupported(operate,standby,selectingsetupmemories).
WhentheSC-1isrstpoweredup,itwillidentifyitselftothecontrol
systemviatheRS-232port,sendingeither
 WisdomAudioSC-1  or WisdomAudioSC-1
Ready...ERROR
…dependingonwhetherthereisatleastonesetupmemorythathasbeen
calibratedandisavailableforuse.(Forproperoperation,atleastonesetup
memorymustbesavedintotheSC-1’snon-volatilememory.)
TheRS232portiswiredasaDCE,andconnectsviaastraightcabletoa
DTE,orviaanullmodem/crossovercabletoanotherDCE(uncommon).
• Pin2istheTRANSMITfordataFROMtheSC-1TOthecontrol
system,andcarriesRS232signalnameRxD
• Pin3istheRECEIVEfordataFROMthecontrolsystemTOthe
SC-1,andcarriesRS232signalnameTxD
• Pin5istheGROUND/COMMONforthepin2andpin3sig-
nals
Theotherpinsarenotconnected,theshellisgroundedatthesamepoint
aspin5.SignalnamesRxDandTxDarenamedfromthepointofviewof
theDTEandthat’swhythenamesappeartobebackwardbutarenotper
thestandard.
OfftheshelfUSB->RS232adaptersplugrightintotheportandworkas
expectedwithoutspecialconguration.
Thecommandsavailabletoyourcontrolsystemprogrammerareasfol-
lows:

17
• OPERATE
• STANDBY
• EQ1(willalsobringSC-1outofStandbyifneeded)
• EQ2(willalsobringSC-1outofStandbyifneeded)
• EQ3(willalsobringSC-1outofStandbyifneeded)
• EQOFF(willalsobringSC-1outofStandbyifneeded)
• STATUS(willprovidealistingofcurrentstatustothecontrol
system)
CommandsareterminatedbyeitheraCR(carriagereturn)orLF(linefeed)
character.Communicationparametersare9600,N,8,1.Responsesto
allcommandsareeitherOKorERROR(aswhentryingtoaddressanon-
existentsetupmemory).
Ifanyoftheinputsareclippedduetoexcessiveincomingsignalvoltage,
theRS-232willsendamessageindicatingwhichADChasexperienced
clipping.Itwillalsosendamessagewhenclippinghasstopped.
ThecalibrationroutinesarenotsupportedviatheRS-232port.Yourin-
stallerwillneedtousetheUSBportforthecalibrationprocess.
7 12v Trigger In and Out
These12vtriggerjacksprovidecompatibilitywithawiderangeofprod-
uctstofacilitateremoteturn-onandturn-offinsystems.These1⁄8"(3.5
mm)“mini-jacks”allowothercomponentstobringtheSC-1inandoutof
standby.Twosuchmini-jacksareprovidedtoallow“daisy-chaining”of
thisturn-onsignalwithothercomponents,suchasampliers.
Theremotetriggerinputwillbeoperatedbyanypositive-polarityDC
signalbetween3–20volts(onlyafewmilliampsarerequired),withtippo-
larityasshownbelow:
Remote turn-on
tip polarity
+–
Input Signal: 3-20 volts @ less than 10 mA
Output Signal: 12 volts @ 100 mA
TheDCTriggerInputhaspriorityoverthefrontpanelswitch.Therefore,if
atriggervoltageispresentatthisinputconnector,theunitwillbeforced
onandthefrontpanelswitchwillbeignored.Whenthevoltagetransi-
tionsfromhightolow(off),theunitwillgointostandby.
Whenthereisnovoltagepresentatthetriggerinput(eitherbecausethe
controllingdeviceisnotsending,orbecausetheplugisremoved),the
frontpanelswitchwilloperatetheSC-1asyouwouldexpect.
The12vTriggerOutputjackisdriventoa“high”stateof12voltsafew
secondsaftertheSC-1isturnedon,andcansourceasmuchas100mAof
currentat12volts.Thissignalmaybeusedinturntocontrolothercom-
ponents,suchastheWisdomAudioSA-seriesofampliers.EachWisdom
AudiocomponenthasashortdelaybuiltintoitsDCtriggersystemtofa-
cilitateastaggeredturn-onsequence.
YourWisdomAudiodealercanhelpyoutakeadvantageofthesedesign
featurestomaximizeyoursystem’sconvenienceandversatility.

18
8 AC Mains Input, Switch and Fuse Assembly
Aconventional,15-ampereIECstandardpowercordisusedwiththeSC-1.
AhighqualityACmainscordisincludedwiththeproduct,althoughthe
useofthestandardizedIECreceptaclemeansthatyoumayeasilysubsti-
tuteanotherhighqualityACmainscordifyouwish.
 Warning! YournewWisdomAudioSC-1hasbeensafety-testedandis
designedforoperationwithathree-conductorpowercord.Donot
defeatthe“thirdpin”orearthgroundoftheACpowercord.
An AC mains switch islocatedjustabovetothepowercordontherear
paneloftheSC-1.Thisswitchmaybeusedtodisconnecttheunitfromthe
ACmainswithouthavingtoactuallyunplugtheSC-1fromthewalloutlet.
Ifyouplantobeawayforanextendedperiod,orhaveanyotherreasonto
turntheSC-1completelyoff,youmayeitherunplugtheSC-1oryoumay
usetheAC mains switch.
 Danger! Potentiallydangerousvoltagesandcurrentcapabilitiesexistwithin
yourSC-1.DonotattempttoopenanyportionoftheSC-1’scabinet.
Therearenouser-serviceablepartsinsideyourSC-1.Allserviceof
thisproductmustbereferredtoaqualiedWisdomAudiodealeror
distributor.
WerecommendthatcarebetakentoensurethatallACplugsfortheequipment
inthesystembewiredsoastoensureproperACpolarity.Doingsowillmini-
mizenoiseinthesystem.
IntheU.S.,asimpleACmainstester(foundatanyhardwarestore)cantestto
ensurethatyourelectricaloutletsarewiredproperly.Elsewhereintheworld
(forexample,inEuropeanUnioncountries),theACmainsplugsthemselvesare
notalwayspolarized.Yourdealercantestfortheproperorientationoftheplug
intheoutlet.Insuchacase,itisgoodpracticetomarkbothplugandoutletto
ensurethatallproductsremainintheproperorientationshoulditbecomenec-
essarytotemporarilydisconnectthesystem(asforexample,duringanelectrical
storm).
Finally,theWisdomAudioSC-1incorporatesafuseblockthatprotectsboththe
liveandneutral(ground)sidesofthecircuit.IfyourSC-1ispluggedintoanAC
outletthatyouknowislive(plugalampintoitasatest),andyetappearstobe
off,checkthefollowing:
1 ChecktheACcordtomakesureitisnotdamaged.
2. ChecktheACmainsswitchtoensurethatitisOn(theside
withthestraightlineisdepressed,notthe“O”side).
3. Ifthatdoesnotresolvetheproblem,turnOfftheACmains
switch(“O”)andthendisconnectthepowercordfromtheAC
mainsreceptacle.
4. Usingasmallscrewdriver,gentlypryopenthefuseblockcover
atthetopedgeoftheassembly.(Youmaybeabletodoitwith
justyourngernail.)

19
5. Pullouttheredfuseblock,andcheckbothfuses.Ifeitheris
blown,pleasecontactyourlocalWisdomAudiodealer(or
WisdomAudio)forservice.

20
Introduction to Room Acoustics
WisdomAudiobelievesinequalization.Assumeforamomentthatyouhad
a“perfect”loudspeaker:assoonasyouplaceitinyourroom,itsperfectionis
gone.Infact,evengoodroomsoftenintroducedeviationsof20dBtothere-
sponseofthesystem.
Itseemsstrangetoustoworryabouttenths-of-a-decibeldifferencesbetween
onecomponentandanotherwhenthereare10-20dBproblemsrighttherein
theroomwithyou.
Atthesametime,roomequalizationisnotapanacea.Itdoesnotsolveallprob-
lems.Infact,andsomewhatparadoxically,EQworksbestwhenithastheleast
todo.Itisbestusedasthe“nishingtouch”onanotherwisegoodsystem.Un-
fortunately,mostpeopledonotunderstandthatthemostimportantcomponent
intheirsystemistheirroom.
Thismanualdoesnothavethespaceforafulldescriptionofeverythingthat
goesintocreatingexcellentroomacoustics;doingsowouldrequireatextbook
ofseveralhundredpages.Instead,wewillgiveyousomeideas,andsomerefer-
encestopursueshouldyouwanttolearnmore.
Start With the Room Therearemanymythsoatingaroundpertainingtowhata“goodroom”should
belike.Oneofthemostcommonisthatitshouldhavenon-parallelwalls.
Withoutgoingintothedetails,werecommendstayingwithrectangularrooms
whosedimensionsdonotsharecommondivisors.
Thusaroomwithdimensionsof8'by16'by20'wouldbequitepoor(sincethe
dimensionsarealldivisiblebyalengthof4',and16isalsomultipleof8).By
contrast,aroomwhosedimensionsare9'by16'by29'wouldbemuchbetter,
sincenoneofthedimensionsaremathematicallyrelatedtooneanother.
Thereareinnitevariationsonthisidea.Ifyouhavetheexibilitytochoose(or
modify)yourroomdimensionstoavoidsuchproblems,doso.Eitherway,our
roomcorrectionwillbeabighelp.
Rigid Walls Anothermyththatshouldbedispelledisthenotionthatthewalls(andceiling
andoor)oftheroomshouldbeextremelyrigidinordertoreproducegood
bass.Rigid,inexiblewallsreectenergyextremelywell;thusyouwillkeep
moreofthebassenergyintheroom.Thismuchistrue.However,thoserigid
wallswillonlyincreasetheamplitudeofthestandingwavesthatyourroom
naturallysupports.Insimpleterms,youwillhavemorebass,butitwillalsobe
more irregular,withlargerpeaksandvalleysintheresponse.
Wallsthatexabit(butdonotrattle)aremuchbetter.Coincidentally,tradition-
alAmericanresidentialconstructionstandards(sheetrockonwoodenstuds)are
notabadplacetostart.Youcandobetterstillwithprofessionalhelp,butstuds
andsheetrockarebetterthanpouredconcrete.(Ifyourlisteningroomisinthe
basement,afalsewallcaneasilybebuiltinfrontoftheconcrete.Youprobably
needsomethinglikethisforinsulationandaestheticsanyway.)
Theultimateindedicatedlisteningroomconstructioninvolvesthedesignand
constructionofoatingwalls,ceilingandoor.Thisapproachyieldstheadded