MAGNAT SHADOW 209, 207, 205, 203 – BI-WIRING AND BI-AMPING
Bi-wiring means using separate cables to carry the high and low audio frequencies. Bi-amping takes this
idea one step further and uses separate power amplifiers as well as separate cables for high and low
frequencies. Bi-amping in particular produces an additional improvement in sound reproduction quality.
The special connection terminals of the SHADOW loudspeakers support both conventional connection and
operation in bi-wiring and bi-amping modes. There are four screw terminals on each speaker. The top pair
are for the tweeter (high frequencies), the lower pair for the woofer (low frequencies). The factory-installed
metal strips connecting the positive and negative terminals are for conventional 2-wire connection and
must be removed for bi-wiring and bi-amping operation. The pictures below show the correct set-up for
conventional operation (Fig. 3a), bi-wiring (Fig. 3b) and bi-amping (Fig. 3c).
MAGNAT SHADOW CENTER 213
The SHADOW Center 213 loudspeaker visually and acoustically ideally matches the other SHADOW
models. The loudspeaker is placed immediately on or under the television set. Otherwise please adhere to
the general recommendations outlined in the previous chapters.
HOME CINEMA OPERATION WITH SUBWOOFER
An active subwoofer is recommended for home cinema mode, especially where shelf-top or smaller tower
loudspeakers are used as front speakers. Please also refer to the subwoofer's operating instructions.
CONNECTING TO AN AV RECEIVER
Figs. 4 and 5 show two different methods of connecting to AV receivers.
Fig. 4: AV receiver without subwoofer output.
Fig. 5: AV receiver with subwoofer output.
HOW TO AVOID DAMAGE TO YOUR VALUABLE SPEAKERS
All MAGNAT loudspeakers are designed and built for optimum sound reproduction with the tone controls
in the central position – i.e. with "linear" amplifier output. Turning up the bass and treble controls too far
delivers more power to the woofers and/or tweeters, and at high volumes this can actually destroy the
speaker units!
If the output of your amplifier is significantly higher than the rated power handling capacity of your
speakers extremely high volumes can physically destroy your speakers. This doesn't actually happen often
but you should be aware that it is possible.
Weak amplifiers with low output ratings can actually be more dangerous for your speakers at medium
volumes because weak amplifiers may overload much faster than powerful ones and this causes
measurable and audible distortion, which is extremely dangerous to your loudspeakers.
Always turn the volume down immediately as soon as you hear distortion! If you like listening to loud music
make sure that your amplifier can deliver at least as much power as the speakers' power-handling rating.
THE SOUND YOU CAN'T HEAR...
Amplifiers, tuners and CD players can all produce inaudible high-frequency signals – and this doesn't
only apply to cheap products. If your tweeters fail at low or medium volumes you should have a qualified
technician check your system components for dangerous inaudible signals.
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