Avalon Acoustics AVALON ASCENDANT User manual

Serial Numbers____________________________________

Handcrafted by:

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This product is certified to meet the requirements of the European Union (EU) Electromagnetic

Compatibility (EMC) Directive (89/336/EEC). Because the permanent magnets attached to the

loudspeaker drivers produce magnetic fields, it is recommended that the product not be positioned in

very close proximity to computer monitors or television sets.

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Table of Contents

Introduction………..………….……………………………………………………..…………………….5

2 Unpacking Instructions………………………………………………………………………..…………..6

Introduction……….…….………………………………………………………..….6

Contents………….….…………………………………………………………..…...6

2.1Opening the Container……………………………………….……………………………….7

2.2 Installing the Grilles……………………………………………….………………………….8

Orientation of the Felt Anti-Diffraction Mask……….………….………….……....8

2.3 Replacing Grille Pins………………………………………………………………………….9

3 Wiring Instructions………………………………………………………………………………………11

Introduction…………………….…………….…………………………………….11

Connecting the Speaker to the Amplifier……….…………….………………….…11

4 Break-in Period…………………………………………………………………………………………...12

5 Maximizing Performance…….……..……………………………………………………………….…..13

Break-

in……….…….………….…………………………………………………...13

Grille Assemblies……………………………………………………………………13

Speaker Placement and Symmetry………………………………………………….13

Toe-In……………………………………………………………………………….14

Apex Couplers…………………………………………………………………….14

First Reflection Points………………………………………………………………15

Corner Treatment……………………………………………………………………15

6 Care of Your Avalon Loudspeakers…..……………………………………………..…………………16

Cabinet (Hardwood Finish)…………………………………………………………16

Grille Assembly…………………………………………………….……………….16

Drivers………………………………………………………………………………16

7 Warranty…..……………………………………………………………………………………………..17

Warranty Statement…………………………………………………………………17

In the Event of a Problem……….…………………………………………………..18

8 Room Acoustics and Speaker

Position………….………………………...……………………………19

Introduction………………………………………………………………………….19

An Optical Analogy…………………………………………………………………20

Basic Room Acoustics……………….………………………………………………20

8.1 Standing Waves……………………………………………………………………………...21

8.2 Flutter Echo………………………………………………………………….………………22

8.3 Early Reflections…………………………………………………………………….……..22

Avoiding Early Reflections……………………………………………………….…22

8.4 Bass reinforcement………………………………………………………………….………24

8.5 Summary of Recommendations……………………………………………….……………26

Flutter Echo and Standing Waves…………………………………………………..26

Speaker Placement………………………………………………………………….27

Early Reflections……………………………………………………………………27

8.6 A Listening Room Example…………………………………………….…………………..28

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9 Accuracy of Bass

Reproduction..……………………………………………………………………..29

Introduction…………………………….……………………….………………….29

9.1 Sensitivity to Time-Related Information………………………………………………….29

“Fast

Bass”…………………………………………………………………………29

9.2

Rationale…………………………………………………………………………………..30

Anechoic Frequency Response vs. In-Room Frequency

Response………………30

9.3 Measurements of Audio

Equipment………………………………………………………31

A Correlation with Amplifier Measurements……………………………………..31

Loudspeaker

Measurements………………………………………………………32

Designing for Accurate Bass

Reproduction………………………………………32

9.4 Listening Qualities………………………………………………………………………..33

Frequency Response Effects……………………………………………………...33

Listening for size

Distortions……………………………………………………..33

Transient Response

Effects……………………………………………………….34

9.5

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………...34

10 Features………..……………………………………………………………………………….……..35

11 Specifications………..…………………………………………………………………………….….36

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Notes………………………………………………………………..…………………………………37

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1. Introduction

Your new Avalon Acoustics Ascendant loudspeakers represent a true breakthrough

in the development of moving-coil loudspeakers intended for accurate music

reproduction. Upon initial listening, the immediacy and presence of a live

performance becomes instantly apparent. The intent is to closely reproduce the

original musical event, as opposed to creating a "spectacular" sonic character which

can impress upon first listening, but fail to satisfy over a long period of time.

The Ascendant accomplishes this goal by providing the transparency and clarity

which is lacking in many dynamic designs. Overall smoothness is achieved without

depressing the high-frequency response, a technique used in some products. Low

frequencies are rendered realistically and controlled, as opposed to a "larger than

life" perspective, which can impress, but compromises definition and harmonic

integrity.

This high level of performance is retained in virtually any listening situation. The

Ascendant has been specifically designed to elicit the finest possible performance

from any amplifier, tube or solid-state, due to its easy-to-drive nature. Similarly,

interaction with the room has been minimized, allowing ease of placement in a wide

variety of listening environments.

Your Ascendant loudspeaker was designed and built to the highest standards of

workmanship and performance. These standards are preserved through the test of

time by careful attention to component quality and meticulous testing of each unit

before leaving the factory. As a new owner of this Avalon Acoustics product, you

can be assured that you possess one of the few great loudspeakers the audio industry

has to offer.

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2. Unpacking Instructions

Introduction

Your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers were shipped in a heavy-duty crate to ensure their safe arrival. It is

recommended to save this crate for possible future use. Due to the weight of the speakers, it will require

two persons to un-crate them and position them for listening. Please arrange for your dealer or other

friend to assist in this project.

Contents

The shipping crate contains the following items:

 Two loudspeaker cabinets

 Two grille assemblies

 The owner's manual

 One set of six Apex Couplers

 An accessory bag

The grille assemblies and owner's manual are contained in an outer compartment on the top of the

shipping crate. The Apex Couplers and accessory bag are packed together on the bottom of one of the

loudspeaker cabinets.

The accessory bag for Hardwood finished loudspeakers contains replacement grille pins, a small bottle

of furniture polish, and two lint-free polishing cloths.

IMPORTANT: It is imperative that the Apex- Couplers are utilized, in order to insure that the

bottoms of the loudspeakers are not blocked. This is especially important on thick carpeting.

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2.1 Opening the Crate

The crate features a one-piece top assembly, which is fastened to the crate bottom with screws around the

lower perimeter. To unpack, remove the screws and lift the upper portion of the crate straight up (this will

require two people).

Next, slide each speaker part way off of the crate base so that the plastic bag can be unfastened from the

enclosure bottom.

Stand the speaker up and the bag can be slid off the top. Please refer to Figure 2.

Figure 2.1 - To unpack the loudspeakers

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2.2 Installing the Grilles

The grille assemblies are behind a panel on the outside of the speaker crate. Remove the screws securing the

panel, and then carefully pull the grilles straight out. The grilles are installed with friction fasteners and press

into place on the speaker cabinets. Please see Figure 2.2.

Orientation of the Felt Anti-Diffraction Mask

The grille assembly includes a felt anti-diffraction mask. Should the felt mask be removed, be sure to note

the correct inside-outside orientation when re-installing it. The tweeter opening is beveled on the side that

faces the listener (away from the speaker).

Fig 2.2 - To install the grille assemblies.

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2.3 Replacing Grille Pins

The grille pins installed on the grille assemblies are fragile and can be easily

damaged. Should any of the pins break, you may replace them using the following

procedure.

I . Place the grille assembly face-down on a padded surface (a towel

or carpeting).

2. Remove the damaged grille pin by pulling it straight out with a

small pliers or similar tool. Please refer to figure 2.4. Make sure

that the complete pin is removed and that there are no pin

fragments left in the mounting hole.

Figure 2.4 - Remove grille pin. Check for pin fragments in the mounting hole.

3. Insert the new grille pin in the grille pin installation tool (see figure

2.5).

Figure 2.5 - Insertion of new grille pin into installation tool.

4. Carefully pull the grille cloth away from the frame mounting hole. The

mounting hole must be clear of all obstacles during pin

installation.

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5. Place the exposed end of the grille pin in the open mounting hole. Check to

insure that the grille cloth is not trapped between the pin and frame. Use a small

hammer and gently tap the new grille pin in place. Then, pull the insertion tool off

the new pin and verify that the pin flange is flush with the surface of the grille.

Please refer to Figure 2.6.

WARNING: Grille pin breakage may result if the grille cloth becomes

trapped between the pin and frame during installation.

Figure 2.6 - Installing grille pin into Ascendant grille frame. Note that after

installation, the grille pin flange is flush with the surface of the grille.

6. Reposition the grille cloth that was pulled away from the frame mounting hole

in step 4. The cloth should lay flat and wrinkle-free.

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3. Wiring Instructions

Introduction

The crossover is encapsulated in a chamber in the bottom of the speaker

cabinet, minimizing the effect of vibration on the components. The

Ascendant is equipped with a high-quality binding post for connecting the

speaker cables. Spade lugs designed for #10 screws are recommended for

cable termination.

Connecting the Speaker to the Amplifier

1. Place the speaker in its approximate location.

2. Connect the speaker wires to the binding post on the speaker back

(see Figure 3.1).Check to insure the correct polarity (positive lead

connected to the (+) post and negative lead connected to the (-) post.

WARNING: Do NOT over-tighten the screws.

3. Begin listening.

Figure 3.1 - Bottom view of the speakers showing the connections from the

amplifier to the loudspeaker. Check to insure the correct polarity (positive lead

connected to the (+) post and negative lead connected to the (-) post.

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4. Break-in Period

Your new Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers have an initial break-in period. They will not perform to their

full sonic potential when first installed in your system. This is due to a residual polarization of the

dielectric materials used in the crossover capacitors and internal wiring. (See note 1) As music is played

through the loudspeakers, the electrical signal will gradually anneal these materials. Similarly, the

suspensions of the drivers will reach their optimal mechanical properties as the speakers are played.

Only after the break-in period will the full performance of your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers be

realized.

The break-in process will occur naturally as music is played through the system. To reduce the time

required, it is recommended that the system be played continuously, using either a digital source in the

repeat mode or an FM broadcast signal. The recommended break-in procedure is as follows:

Initial warm-up: three to six hours of quiet music.

Extended break-in: 200 to 300 hours of loud and dynamic source material.

During the break-in period, the sonic properties of your loudspeakers may undergo several gradual shifts as

the various components break-in at different rates. It is therefore suggested that the fine-tuning of the system

be delayed until after the break-in period is completed. However, during the final phases of the break-in

period, the sonic image will open up, the sound-stage will gain specificity, the bass control and impact will

increase, and the overall sound will have a more relaxed, involving presentation.

____________________________________________________________________________________

(1) A high-voltage test is applied to wiring and capacitors during their manufacture. This results in a residual

polarization of the dielectric materials.

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5. Maximizing Performance

These details are imperative to obtaining optimum results from your Avalon

Acoustics loudspeakers.

Break-in

The break-in period is critical to maximizing sonic performance and should

take place before other adjustments (see the discussion on page 12). The

break-in should begin with three to six hours of quiet music, followed by

200 to 300 hours of loud and dynamic source material.

Grille Assemblies

The grille assemblies, with their felt anti-diffraction masks, are integral

elements of the loudspeakers' design. Unlike many other products, Avalon

Acoustics loudspeakers are designed to be used with the grilles in place

while listening, and removing them will degrade the system's performance.

It is extremely important that the felt anti-diffraction masks make physical

contact with the face of the loudspeakers, as air space between the felt and

the speaker face will adversely affect sound quality.

WARNING: Be extremely cautious positioning the felt in the

tweeter area, as the titanium domes are thinner than a human hair and

are easily damaged.

Speaker Placement and Symmetry

Selecting the proper room position for your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers

can dramatically improve their performance. The following points highlight

the fundamental concepts in loudspeaker positioning from the in-depth

discussion in Chapter 8, Room Acoustics and Speaker Position (beginning

on page 19):

 Left to right room symmetry aids in producing a balanced sound

stage.

 Image depth is enhanced when the distance to the rear wall is

increased.

 The most even bass response will be attained when the distances to

the side and rear walls are not overly similar.

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Toe-in

Adjusting the toe-in angle of the speakers is useful in tailoring the sound to best

match the characteristics of your system and listening room.

When the speakers are facing straight forward, they tend to create a large, expansive

sound-stage, painted with broad brush strokes. As they are rotated toward the

listening position, the image becomes more compact, with increased focus, creating a

greater sense of intimacy. Pointing the speakers inward is also helpful in situations

where strong reflections from the side walls are a problem.

Start with the loudspeakers facing straight forward, and play either a mono source, or

a stereo source with a distinct center image, through both channels. Carefully rotate

the loudspeakers inward in small increments to bring the image in precise center

focus (small adjustments can be made with the speaker on Apex couplers). Toe-in

adjustment is rather delicate, and experimentation is necessary to achieve the proper

angle for your listening situation. The optimum angle is usually between three and

ten degrees inward.

Apex Couplers

Supplied with your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers are six Apex couplers, used to

couple the speakers to the floor, thereby minimizing time-smearing resonance

effects. The result is an increase in focus and solidity of the sonic images.

On hardwood floors, you may protect the floor from the pointed spike using a large

coin, such as a quarter. However, the coupling effect of the Apex couplers will be

reduced.

Once you have located the proper position and toe-in angle for your Avalon

Acoustics loudspeakers, place the couplers under the speaker bases. It is easiest to

install the couplers with the assistance of a friend. Lean the speaker forward first,

and position two couplers pointing downward, one under each rear comer. Then lean

the speaker backward and place one Apex coupler under the front center of the

base.

IMPORTANT: It is imperative that the Apex- Couplers are utilized, in order

to insure that the bottoms of the loudspeakers are not blocked. This is

especially important on thick carpeting.

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First Reflection Points

Since the ear/brain system tends to integrate the sounds arriving within a 10

millisecond time window, it is important to control the early reflections arriving from

the side walls to the listening position. A hard-surfaced wall can produce a strong

frequency-dependent reflection that can interfere with the reproduced sound-stage, as

well as change the perceived tonal balance of the system. Therefore, damping these

first reflection points is strongly recommended. Please refer to Section 8.3, Early

Reflections, beginning on page 22, for further information.

Corner Treatment

It is important to control the first reflections of low frequency sound, which normally

occur at the comers behind the loudspeakers. These reflections can cause significant

distortions in phase and amplitude, resulting in muddy bass definition and smeared

bass transients. Placing DAAD’s (available from Acustica Aplicata) at the room

comers can significantly control these bass colorations and restore the quickness of

bass transients.

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6. Care of Your Avalon Loudspeakers

Cabinet

Your Ascendant loudspeakers are finished with a high quality furniture lacquer. This is a modern finish

which is beautiful yet durable, and requires only minimal attention. The speaker should be dusted with a

soft, non-abrasive cloth. Using the supplied furniture cream

or equivilent and a lint free polishing cloth

carefully wipe the cabinet.

Grille Assembly

The grille assembly may be removed from the cabinet and gently vacuumed to remove dust. If the felt insert

is removed, please note the inside-outside orientation when re-installing it. The hole for the tweeter is

beveled on the side toward the listener, to provide optimal dispersion characteristics.

Drivers

The drivers (woofers and tweeter) require no regular maintenance. Do not attempt to clean the tweeter dome,

as it is easily damaged. If desired, you may remove dust from the woofer cone by using a small, soft dusting

brush.

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7. Warranty

Your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers are warranted against defects in workmanship and materials for a

period of three years, provided that the enclosed registration card is returned to the factory within seven

days of the purchase date. If the registration card is not returned within the seven day period, this

warranty is null and void, and you will not be notified of future updates. In the unlikely event that you

did not receive the registration card with your loudspeakers, please contact the factory immediately so

that we may send you a replacement card. The warranty period is effective from the date that the product

leaves the factory. This warranty is not transferable to subsequent purchasers within the original three

year period. A complete statement of warranty is given below. Please take the time to fill out and return

the enclosed warranty registration card.

Removal of drivers by anyone other than an authorized dealer will void warranty.

In the Event of a Problem

In the unlikely event of a problem with your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers, the component most

susceptible to failure is one of the driver units. If driver replacement is required, have your dealer

contact Avalon Acoustics. The individual performance curves of the drivers in each pair of loudspeakers

are kept on file at the factory. This enables Avalon Acoustics to supply an exact replacement unit,

ensuring continued operation at the highest level of performance. The defective driver must then be

returned to the factory for inspection to determine the status of the warranty claim. This on-site

replacement of the driver units eliminates the time and expense of shipping the entire speaker to the

factory for repair. All warranty claims must be made through an authorized Avalon Acoustics

dealer or distributor,

Warranty Statement

1. Avalon Acoustics warrants the materials, workmanship, and proper functioning of this product for a

period of three years, provided that the completed registration card is returned to Avalon Acoustics

within seven days of the date of purchase. If the registration card is not returned to the factory within the

seven day period, this warranty is null and void. The warranty period is in effect from the date that the

product leaves our factory. If any defects are found in the materials or workmanship of this Avalon

Acoustics product, or if the product ceases to properly function within the appropriate warranty period

from the date of factory shipment, the unit will be repaired or replaced by Avalon Acoustics or its

authorized agent after receiving authorization from the factory or dealer.

2. Purchaser must return the product, packaged in the original shipping carton, freight prepaid to:

Avalon Acoustics

2800 Wilderness Place

Boulder, Colorado 80301

(303) 440-0422

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3. Avalon Acoustics reserves the right to inspect any products which are the subject of any

warranty claim prior to repairing or replacing. Final determination of warranty coverage lies

solely with Avalon Acoustics. Any products which conform to this warranty shall be repaired

or replaced by Avalon Acoustics as soon as possible following receipt of the product and claim,

but in no event later than 30 days after receipt of the product. Out-of-warranty claims will be

billed for labor, materials, return freight, and insurance as required. Any product for which a

warranty claim is accepted will be returned to the purchaser and cost of shipping and

insurance will be factory prepaid within the boundaries of the USA. Units to be shipped

outside of the USA will be shipped freight collect only. This warranty gives specific legal

rights. The purchaser also has implied warranty rights, and may also have other rights, which

vary from state to state.

4. This warranty is extended to the authorized reseller and any purchaser from him for value.

5. Avalon Acoustics strives to manufacture the very finest possible equipment, and therefore reserves

the right to make changes in design and improvements upon its products, without necessarily

assuming an obligation to retrofit such changes upon its previously manufactured models.

6. The above warranty is the sole warranty given by Avalon Acoustics, and is in lieu of all other

warranties. All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for any

particular purpose shall be strictly limited in duration to three years from the date of shipment from

our factory, and upon the expiration of the warranty period (three years), Avalon Acoustics shall

have no other obligation of any kind whether express or implied, including but not limited to

merchantability. Further, Avalon Acoustics shall in no event be obligated for any incidental or

consequential damages as a result of any defect or any warranty claim, whether express or implied.

Some states do not allow exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or

limitations on how long implied warranties last, so the above limitations and exclusions may not

apply to you.

7. Avalon Acoustics does not authorize any third party, including any dealer or sales representative to

assume any liability for Avalon Acoustics, or make any warranty for Avalon Acoustics. The unit

must not have been altered or improperly serviced or repaired. The serial number on the unit must

not have been altered or removed.

8. Warranty registration cards must be completed and mailed to Avalon Acoustics within seven days of

date of purchase; otherwise, this warranty is null and void. Avalon Acoustics may, at its option,

require from the purchaser valid proof of purchase (dated copy or photocopy of dealer’s original

invoice).

9. If this product is used in a commercial or industrial application, then special warranty exclusions

may apply. Contact your dealer or Avalon Acoustics for commercial warranty policies.

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8. Room Acoustics and Speaker Position

Introduction

The listening room forms the final link of the playback system, as important as any other component in

the chain. Just as an otherwise superb system is handicapped by an inferior pre-amplifier (for example),

so can a well-matched system be hindered by poor room acoustics. It is not necessary to listen to your

system in a specially-designed sound chamber in order to enjoy it. In fact, a dedicated listening room

usually requires additional sound treatment, due to a lack of other items in the room that can help

provide proper acoustics. However, attention to the listening environment can greatly increase your

system’s performance.

Listening in a properly set-up room can be a startling experience. Due to the limitations of the two-

channel format and the listening environment, the illusion of actually being transported to the recording

site cannot usually be achieved. However, an uncanny sense of realism can be created. Perhaps it is best

described as if the front half of your listening room has been removed, so that it now opens out into the

recording site.

To optimize your equipment set-up and the listening-room acoustics requires a basic understanding of

the principles that affect the propagation of sound in the room. Also, we will discuss the way in which

our brain interprets spatial cues, and how the room acoustics can affect our sonic perceptions.

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An Optical Analogy

Let us use an optical analogy to aid our understanding of acoustics. Imagine that you are in a room that

is lit only by a candle in its center. There is a uniform amount of light cast in all directions. If a large

mirror is held closely to candle, one half of the room becomes darkened, while the other half receives

twice as much light. This is because there are effectively two candles now illuminating that half of the

room, the real candle, and the virtual (or reflected) candle. The energy that had been sent to both sides

of the room has now been concentrated in one side only.

If we repeat the same experiment using a large piece of black cloth instead of a mirror, the results will be

somewhat different. The side of the room behind the cloth is darkened, just as before, but the level of

light on the side of the candle remains unchanged. This is because the light is absorbed by the cloth,

rather than being reflected back into the room.

Thus we can see that the energy can either be absorbed or reflected. A similar situation occurs with

sound waves, although we must account for the much greater wavelengths of audible frequencies. Of

course no material is a perfect absorber or an absolute reflector. Furthermore, the sonic absorption

coefficient of a given material usually varies with frequency.

Basic Room Acoustics

The great majority of all listening rooms are rectangular, with parallel surfaces. The walls and ceiling

are typically hard surfaces, which are acoustically reflective. These large areas are the predominating

factors in the overall room acoustics, although the other items in the room (furnishings, carpeting, wall

hangings, doorways, etc.) will also play a role. Without going into excessive detail, there are four

primary areas of potential concern:

1. Standing waves.

2. Flutter echo.

3. Early reflections.

4. Bass reinforcement

The first three items are problems that should be reduced or eliminated. The last item, bass reinforcement,

needs to be matched to the entire system for proper tonal balance.

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Avalon Acoustics AVALON ASCENDANT User manual

Avalon Acoustics AVALON ASCENDANT User manual

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