7
All Paradigm
®
speakers are designed to provide exceptional sound in a
wide variety of domestic settings. However, it is important to note that
listening room construction, dimensions and furnishings all play a part in
the quality of sound you will ultimately achieve. Your listening room will
impose its own character on the performance capabilities of any speaker
system. The extra care you take in correctly positioning the speakers will
result in greater listening enjoyment. Keep the following guidelines in mind
when deciding on the best speaker placement:
• Mid and high frequencies are affected by the amount of soft furnishings in
your room—curtains, carpets, sofas, wall coverings, etc. An excess of such
items can result in a somewhat dull sound. The same room without any
soft furnishings can produce an overall bright sound. The typical quantity
of soft furnishings found in most living environments provides the right
acoustic characteristics to allow the speakers to sound balanced;
• Concrete floors and walls tend to aggravate low-frequency standing wave
problems and are less preferred;
• Rooms where height, width and length are similar should be avoided as
they can exhibit significant low-frequency standing wave problems. This
may result in reduced clarity. If no other room is possible, experiment with
speaker placement to minimize acoustic problems.
ROOM ACOUSTICS
SPEAKER PLACEMENT
NOTE: Placing an unshielded speaker too close to some televisions may
cause picture distortion due to stray magnetic fields from the speaker. If
you encounter picture distortion, move the speakers farther away from the
television, or contact your Dealer for Paradigm
®
speakers that have
MagneShield
™
video shielding.
Paradigm
®
Front speakers are designed to allow flexible placement while
providing a very large window of sound throughout your listening room. To
ensure the best performance possible, we strongly recommend that you
observe the following placement guidelines:
Accurate Timbre (Fig. 3)
For the most accurate and natural timbre, place front speakers so that their
high-frequency drivers are approximately at ear level.
As mentioned earlier, placing bookshelf models on Paradigm
®
speaker stands
(sold separately)
or bookshelves raises their high-frequency drivers to approx-
imately ear level, thereby ensuring the best performance possible.
Balanced Bass Performance (Fig. 4a, 4b)
Placing front speakers in corners will over-emphasize bass and reduce overall
clarity. Avoid corner placement (Fig. 4a). Position front speakers 8 in (20 cm)
or more from the wall behind the speaker and as much as possible from
either side wall, as shown in Fig. 4b. This will ensure better bass performance
and optimal midrange clarity.
Optimal Imaging (Fig. 5)
Measure the distance from your main listening area to the front speakers
(“X”). For best imaging, place speakers from three-quarters of that distance
up to that same distance from each other (3/4 of “X” to “X”). To further
optimize imaging, turn speakers slightly inward so they point toward the
listening position with their axes crossing just behind it.
On-Wall Mounting (Fig. 6)
Follow the directions for placement given under “Optimal Imaging” above,
and use the mounting instructions provided with your Paradigm
®
on-wall
mounting brackets
(sold separately)
to safely and securely mount your
speakers on the wall.
CENTER-CHANNEL SPEAKER (Fig. 7)
Paradigm
®
Center-Channel speakers are designed to cover a large, wide
listening area, allowing listeners throughout the room to hear center-channel
information with unprecedented clarity and intelligibility.
Placing your center-channel speaker above the TV will ensure the best
possible clarity and intelligibility. Position the speaker flush with the front
of the TV or speaker shelf to minimize unwanted sound reflections. Make
sure the center-channel speaker is approximately the same distance away
from the primary listening position as your front speakers. (Some A/V receivers
and processors can electronically adjust for differences in distance.)
