Linn AV Loudspeaker User's Guide

Declaration of ConformityLinn Products Ltd declare that this product is in conformance with the LowVoltage Directive 73/23/EEC and Electromagnetic Compatibility 89/336/EEC as amended by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC.The conformity of the designated product with the provisions of Directivenumber 73/23/EEC (LVD) is proved by full compliance with the followingstandards:Date of issue1993Test typeGeneral requirementsMarkingIonizingHeating under normal conditionsShock hazards under normaloperating conditionsInsulation requirementsFault conditionsMechanical strengthParts connected to the mains supplyComponentsTerminal devicesExternal flexible cordsElectrical connections andmechanical fixingsThe conformity of the designated product with the provisions of Directivenumber 89/336/EEC (EMC) is proved by full compliance with the followingstandards:Standard numberEN55013EN55013EN60555-2EN60555-3EN55020Date of issue19941994198719871994Test typeConducted emissionsAbsorbed emissionsHarmonicsVoltage fluctuationsImmunityp re fa c eStandard numberEN60065FCC noticeNOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with thelimits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmfulinterference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, usesand can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used inaccordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radiocommunications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will notoccur in a particular installation.If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or televisionreception, 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 ofthe following measures:– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that towhich the receiver is connected.– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.v

contentsi n t r o d u c t i o n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1The Linn AV System.1setting up theAV 5 1 1 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9AV 5103 System Controller.1Unpacking.19AV 5101 Personal Handset.2Positioning AV 5110 loudspeakers.19AV 5105 Stereo Power Amplifier.2Connecting the AV 5110.22AV 5140 Floor-Standing Loudspeaker.3p re fa c eAV 5120 Compact Loudspeaker.3s e t t i n g u p t h e AV 5 1 5 0 2 3AV 5110 Local Loudspeaker.4Unpacking.23AV 5150 Active Isobarik Bass Speaker.4Positioning.23 Making it real.5Removing the base.25About the AV 5105 Stereo Power Amplifier.6Connecting the AV 5150 Active Isobarik BassSpeaker.26u s i n g t h e AVloudspeakers.7Using the AV 5140 and AV 5120Adjusting the AV 5150.28guarantee and service.31loudspeakers.7Using the AV 5150 Active Isobarik BassLoudspeaker.9Using the AV 5110 Local Loudspeaker.10s e t t i n g u p t h e AV 5 1 4 0 a n dAV 5 1 2 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1Unpacking.11Positioning AV 5140 loudspeakers.11Positioning the AV 5120 loudspeaker.13Connecting the AV 5140 or AV 5120loudspeakers.15Removing the grilles and cleaning theloudspeakers.18vitechnical information.32AV 5140 Front Loudspeaker.32AV 5120 Compact Loudspeaker.32AV 5110 Local Loudspeaker.33AV 5150 Active Isobarik Bass Speaker.33Index.35

introductionT h e L i n n AV S y s t e mAV 5 1 0 3 S y s t e m C o n t r o l l e rTo get the most out of a film you have to do more than simply watch it: youThe heart of the system is the AV 5103 System Controller. This controls yourhave to experience it fully, exactly as its creators intended. That means imagesaudio and video sources, to let you choose what you want to watch or listenand sound must be married together perfectly, giving you the same emotionalto. It can control analogue signals, from a tape recorder or FM tuner, forimpact you would receive in the cinema itself. Without sound of the veryexample; digital signals, from a CD player or a LaserDisc player, and videohighest quality, every film lacks an essential dimension – and so does yoursources, from a TV tuner, video recorder and LaserDisc player. It also decodespleasure in viewing it.surround encoded materials, including AC-3, to give you a complete surroundof on-screen graphics, the AV 5103 System Controller is both powerful andexperience of cinema and music in the home and every component hassimple to use. Most operations involve just one key-press on the front panelbeen carefully designed to give you exactly that. No-one knows more thanor handset.Linn about designing music systems for the home and we have used thatunique experience and know how to create an AV system which gives youDespite the simplicity of its front panel, however, almost every aspect of thethe same accuracy and purity of sound, even when you are listening to specialSystem Controller can be configured in exactly the way you want. You caneffects in an action movie.define and control everything: the inputs you use for each of your sources,the name of those sources, the surround-sound decoding options andloudspeaker settings. The System Controller also provides a sophisticatedrange of audio and video recording options, allowing you to record severali n t ro d u c t i o nsound experience. With its informative two-line text display, and the optionIn designing your Linn AV system, we have set out to create the ultimatesources simultaneously without affecting what you are watching or hearing.SELECTSURSOUSTAND TVRadiome.42VoluBYNORECSETRMAMAV5103 PRELINVOLPLIFIERMURRCETENUMEORDUP1

AV 5 1 0 1 P e r s o n a l H a n d s e tAV 5 1 0 5 S t e r e o P o w e r A m p l i f i e rThe power and flexibility of the Linn AV system is entirely under your control,The AV 5105 Stereo Power Amplifier is the ideal companion to the Systemfrom wherever you are in the room, with the AV 5101 Personal Handset. ThisController in your AV system. It has the power to cope with the mostuses a powerful infra-red signal to allow you to select any of the AV 5103demanding cinema effects, while providing the purity and low distortionSystem Controller’s functions with a few simple key presses.needed for the perfect reproduction of music.Its uniquely contoured shape makes it extremely comfortable to hold, andEach AV 5105 Stereo Power Amplifier will drive two of the loudspeakers inthe keys are large, and easy to read and use. It is also equally suitable foryour system, and for the best possible sound we recommend you divide thetable-top use, if you prefer.output of one AV 5105 Stereo Power Amplifier to drive the bass and treblemay own, the Personal Handset can also learn the commands for your otherequipment, so that your whole system can be controlled with a single TETETVASENDMLU3-/P RESTQUANIETDBY1KNSUEKRRT2SKIPSTi n t ro d u c t i o nsections of your centre speaker separately.As well as controlling the Linn AV system, and any other Linn products youLINAV25105 POWNERAMPLIFIER

AV 5 1 4 0 F l o o r- S t a n d i n gLoudspeakerAV 5 1 2 0 C o m p a c t L o u d s p e a k e rThe AV 5140 Floor-Standing Loudspeaker is the perfect choice for use as thethe task of reproducing the most critical information for music and cinemafront speakers in a surround sound installation. With film, TV, video, or musicsources. We therefore designed the AV 5120 Compact Loudspeaker withoutthe outstanding bass performance of the AV 5140 Floor-Standingany compromises to give a superior full-range response, together withLoudspeakers, combined with their natural reproduction of voice and music,especially good bass handling.The centre loudspeaker is fundamental to a good AV system because it haswill provide you with a totally absorbing and breathtaking cinematicexperience. Their unique stylish shape ensures that they enhance, ratherAs well as giving superb reproduction of music it reproduces speech withthan dominate, your home.particular accuracy, making it ideal for use with film soundtracks. We alsosounds which pan across and move between the speakers sound bothaccurate and highly dramatic. This gives you the most realistic possibleimpression when listening to film and video soundtracks.The AV 5120 drive units are shielded to ensure that there is no interferenceif you place it next to your television.i n t ro d u c t i o ncarefully matched it to the AV 5140 Floor-Standing Loudspeakers so that3

AV 5 1 1 0 L o c a l L o u d s p e a k e rThe rear loudspeakers in a surround system are important in creating aAV 5 1 5 0 A c t i v e I s o b a r i k B a s sSpeakerspacious sound for music and provide background noises and special effectsThe AV 5150 Active Isobarik Bass Speaker extends the bass performance ofin film soundtracks. These need to be capable of handing the full dynamicthe whole system to give you totally involving cinematic effects and enhancerange for AC-3 but only limited range for ProLogic. The AV 5110 Localthe impact of music. We designed the AV 5150 Active Isobarik Bass SpeakerLoudspeakers were designed to be compact and stylish, so that they can beto reproduce bass sounds as faithfully as our full-range loudspeakers, withpositioned easily in any room.the result that its contribution to the overall sound is extremely natural andunobtrusive. Because low frequency sounds are not directional you canDespite their size they produce a deceptively full sound with excellent bassi n t ro d u c t i o nresponse. For even better performance, and especially if you are using AC3, a recommended alternative is to use a pair of AV 5120 or AV 5140 FloorStanding Loudspeakers as the rear surround speakers.LIN4Nposition the bass speaker anywhere convenient in the room.

Making it realThe Linn AV system has been designed to give you the most exciting andsatisfying experience of cinema it is possible to achieve in the home. Ouraim is to bring you the complete film as its creators intended: with imagesand sound working together in the most memorable way. To achieve thisdemanding objective we have designed each of our components to giveoutstanding performance in their own right while ensuring that each of themwork perfectly with each other.experience you can achieve from watching a film, or listening to a musicrecording: bringing a new dimension to the way you experience cinema inthe home.i n t ro d u c t i o nThe result is an integrated system that will give you the most rewarding5

A b o u t t h e AV 5 1 0 5 S t e r e o P o w e rAmplifierThe Linn AV 5105 Stereo Power Amplifier is intended for use in highperformance audio and audio/video systems. It combines high output power,ruggedness, and ease of use with our passion for quality. It draws on years ofexperience of designing and making high quality audio power amplifiers.Inside the compact case are two completely independent electrically isolatedchannels with fully regulated power supplies giving ‘dual mono’ performance.i n t ro d u c t i o nThe signal path is DC coupled and servo controlled for the lowest distortion,cleanest, least coloured sound. The output stage is highly derated for cool,reliable operation, and the protection circuitry protects extensively againstaccidents or abuse.A signal sensing circuit detects the presence of audio above a very low leveland turns on the main power supplies to the amplifier, bringing the poweramplifier channel from a very low standby power consumption to fulloperation. It reverts to the standby condition a few minutes after the inputsignal disappears. This is particularly useful in multi-channel surround soundsystems.The AV 5105 accepts the Linn active crossover modules, automaticallydetecting their presence and switching them in circuit as soon as they areplugged in. This makes playback system upgrades easy.6

u s i ng t he AV l o ud s p e a ke r sThis chapter gives advice on selecting the right AV loudspeakers, basedThe AV 5120 uses the same drive units as the AV 5140, so that sounds thaton the requirements of your AV system.pan across and move between the loudspeakers remain convincinglynatural as they move. This ensures that you get a very realistic and naturalA pair of AV 5110 Local Loudspeakers are recommended as the rearThe AV 5140 Front Loudspeaker is the ideal choice for the main left andsurround speakers due to their compact size and versatility, and an AVright loudspeakers in an AV system, or for the rear surround speakers. The5150 Active Isobarik Bass Loudspeaker is an excellent addition to theAV 5120 Compact Loudspeaker is particularly suitable for use as the centresystem for dramatic cinema effects.speaker, but is also an excellent choice for the main left and right or rearloudspeakers. The AV 5140 and AV 5120 are tonally matched, so theUsing a pair of AV 5120 loudspeakers as main loudspeakersbalance of sound will be perfect whatever combination you decide on.The compact design of the AV 5120 loudspeaker makes it ideal for use asthe main loudspeakers in an AV system where you do not have room forUsing the AV 5140s as front loudspeakersconventional floor-standing loudspeakers. They can be positioned on aA recommended configuration is to use two AV 5140 loudspeakers as thebookcase or shelf, or fixed directly to the wall using a Linn adjustablefront loudspeakers, in conjunction with an AV 5120 placed either above orBRAKIT.below the television. The midrange units of the AV 5140s are at the idealheight for providing natural reproduction of a film soundtrack whenpositioned either side of a television screen.u s i n g t h e AV l o u d s p e a ke rsimpression when listening to film and video soundtracks.U s i n g t h e AV 5 1 4 0 a n d AV 5 1 2 0loudspeakers7

Using AV 5140 Floor-Standing Loudspeakers as rear surroundspeakersAn ideal AC-3 AV system uses two AV 5140 Floor-Standing Loudspeakersin a conventional stereo configuration, supplemented by an AV 5120Compact Loudspeaker as the centre speaker and, for the full dynamicu s i n g t h e AV l o u d s p e a ke rsrange required, two further AV 5140 or AV 5120 loudspeakers at the rear.8This system will give you breathtaking sound from films and music,whether you are listening to the dynamic climax in an action movie, or thesubtle nuances in a musical performance.

U s i n g t h e AV 5 1 5 0 A c t i v e I s o b a r i kBass LoudspeakerAny AV or hi-fi system can be dramatically enhanced by the addition of theAV 5150 to extend the bass performance well below the limit of full-rangeloudspeakers.12" Isobarik coupled drivers with integrated active amplification. Thisloudspeaker delivers its impact without intruding or detracting fromrealism, with an accurate tonal performance for both music and cinemasound effects.The AV 5150 offers great flexibility in configuring the system providingextreme low bass enhancement to a system which already has capablebass speakers or providing balance to a system based on small speakerswith limited bass capability. The AV 5150 can be configured to blend inwith and enhance almost any system configuration.u s i n g t h e AV l o u d s p e a ke rsThe 5150 is an omni-directional low-frequency loudspeaker, incorporating9

U s i n g t h e AV 5 1 1 0 L o c a lLoudspeakerThe AV 5110 is exceptionally versatile, perfect for any situation where youneed a small loudspeaker with an excellent full-range performance.In an AV system the AV 5110 is ideal for use as the rear loudspeakers, andu s i n g t h e AV l o u d s p e a ke rsthey can be placed on a shelf, mounted on stands, or wall-mounted using10Linn BRAKITs.AV 5110 loudspeakers are also ideal for a second room system, so thatyou can listen to the music from your main system elsewhere in yourhome. The AV 5103 System Controller provides duplicate main left andright outputs to make it easy to set up a second system and a KNEKToutput to allow full audio/video distribution.

s e t t i ng u p t he AV 5 1 4 0 a nd AV 5 1 2 0Each AV 5140 or AV 5120 loudspeaker comes in a box with the followingaccessories:A terminal key, for removing the loudspeaker terminals.Four tri-wire links (AV 5140) and two bi-wire links (AV 5120).Four red and four black banana plugs (AV 5140), two red and twoblack banana plugs (AV 5120).Eight spiked feet with locking nuts (AV 5140), or four rubber feet(AV 5120).This manual.In addition, each AV 5140 loudspeaker is supplied with:P o s i t i o n i n g AV 5 1 4 0 l o u d s p e a k e r sPositioning the AV 5140 loudspeakers near a rear wallThe rear-facing bass unit allows the AV 5140 loudspeakers to bepositioned much closer to a wall, or to the corner of a room, thanconventional loudspeakers, without degrading the bass performance.Because bass frequencies are not directional, the rear-facing bass unitsounds as immediate and direct as the front-facing bass unit in mostconventional loudspeakers, and it is hard to believe that the sound is notcoming from the front of the loudspeaker.They will produce good bass performance even when positioned as closeas 150mm (6") from a rear wall. If positioned in a corner they should be atleast 150mm (6") from each wall:A stand, which can be attached to the loudspeaker.Eight cap screws and washers, to attach the stand.A full-length grille, which can be attached to the front of the loudspeaker,is available as an optional extra (Linn part numbers: 5140 GRILLE and5120 GRILLE).We recommend you retain the packaging in case you need to transportthe loudspeakers at a later date.s e t t i n g u p t h e AV 5 1 4 0 a n d AV 5 1 2 0UnpackingThe spacing between the AV 5140 loudspeakers should be about twothirds of the width of the room, and this should be about the same as thedistance from your listening position to each speaker. They will alsobenefit from being angled in slightly towards the listener.11

s e t t i n g u p t h e AV 5 1 4 0 a n d AV 5 1 2 012Using the AV 5140 loudspeakers with a centre loudspeakerAdjusting the feetIf you are using the AV 5140 loudspeakers in an AV system, and you haveThe AV 5140 loudspeakers are supplied with adjustable spiked feet. Toa centre loudspeaker, they will benefit from being placed further apart.achieve the full performance from your loudspeakers you should adjust theThe centre loudspeaker should be slightly closer to the rear wall than thespikes so that the loudspeakers are completely stable, with all feet inAV 5140 loudspeakers, so that the distance from the listener to each thecontact with the floor.loudspeaker is the same.The standard spikes, w

1. Read instructions. Read the safety and operating instructions before operating the appliance. 2. Retain instructions. Retain the safety and operating instructions for future reference. 3. Heed warnings. Observe all warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions. 4. Follow instructions. Follow all operating and use instructions. 5.