Bg Radia Series R-17i Setup And Owners Manual

The Power Of Clarity

Owner’s Manual and Setup Procedures

RADIA On-Wall.........................................R-18i / R-17i

2

Congratulations and thank you for selecting state of the art Radia

loudspeakers from BG. We have assembled your loudspeakers with the

greatest care using high quality materials and advanced manufacturing

techniques. This craftsmanship, combined with our patented planar ribbon

technology, provides sound unmatched by any conventional loudspeaker.

The Radia On-Wall models R-18i and R-17i are highly versatile applications

loudspeakers- well suited for stereo, multi-channel audio or home theater.

Each model is offered in two colors- the R-18i in off-white or black, the

R-17i in silver or black.

The R-18i, with its unique ability to rotate the ribbon driver, is ideal as a

surround loudspeaker for home theater and multi-channel audio. The

R-17i is primarily designed for use as an LCR loudspeaker to accompany

ﬂat panel televisions and displays.

Both Radia On-Wall models feature our latest patented planar ribbon

technology that deliver the amazing clarity and imaging that BG has become

known for.

CONTENTS:

Page

Introduction and Table of Contents...................................................2

Important Owner Information............................................................3

General Information (Unpacking your loudspeakers).......................4

Setup for Optimum Performance .....................................................5

R-18i DPC

TM

(Dispersion Pattern Control) .....................................9

Mounting Procedures......................................................................12

Introduction

3

Read and Follow Instructions – Please read this entire manual

before unpacking and setting up your BG Radia On-Wall loudspeakers. For

maximum performance and years of trouble-free enjoyment, all operating

and use instructions should be followed.

Retain – DO NOT discard any factory packing material. The packing and

shipping materials may be required in the unlikely event your loudspeakers

need to be moved or shipped to our service center at BG.

Cleaning – Use a wax-free cleaning substance only (i.e. Pledge

TM

) with a

soft dry polishing cloth not a paper-based chamois.

DO NOT spray cleaning

solution directly on the grill.

Liquid – DO NOT place BG loudspeakers near an open source of liquid

that may spill on the loudspeaker surfaces.

Heat – DO NOT place BG loudspeakers near a direct heat source.

Important Owner Information

4

Unpacking Your BG Loudspeakers

1. Open the top of the box, remove your loudspeaker and place it on an even

surface in the general area of where be it will be installed.

2. Remove the foam pads off each end of the loudspeaker and pull the

loudspeaker out of the protective plastic bag.

3. Remove the wall-mounting bracket and drywall screw kit that is located in

the bottom of the box. Place those accessories near the loudspeaker.

Proper Hookup: Red terminal post to positive (+) ampliﬁer post

Black terminal post to negative (-) ampliﬁer post

Break-in Times: Typically a BG loudspeaker requires not less than 48

hours of operation at moderate sound level before reaching its optimum

sound quality. This improvement may be rather subtle but noticeable for

a trained listener. NOTE: Do not play your loudspeakers excessively loud

to try to accelerate this process!

Ampliﬁer: BG loudspeakers are extremely accurate and deliver a

high degree of detail and resolution. A good 100-150 watt per channel

ampliﬁer or receiver will deliver adequate power for a typical room size.

Your authorized BG dealer can recommend an ampliﬁer best suited to

your needs.

General Information

5

Setting Up Your BG Loudspeakers for Optimum Sound

Home Theater and Stereo Applications

Refer to the diagram on page 7 that depicts a recommended layout for BG

loudspeakers. This diagram is an overhead view of a typical listening room

with the video screen located at the top of the diagram (the front of the room).

Keep in mind that the room is an integral part of the sound reproduction

system and has a signiﬁcant effect on your sound experience.

BG recommends locating your Radia R-17i loudspeaker symmetrically to the

left and right of the viewing screen (Plasma, LCD and DLP). Avoid mounting

left and right front loudspeakers close to a side wall as it may result in reduced

sound quality caused by reﬂections off the side wall.

The relative location of your listening position to the loudspeakers is also

important. We recommend when using the R-17i, the total spread distance

C (LC+RC=C) between them roughly equals to B so that all these distances

form an equilateral triangle. Your screen size also should be taken into

consideration. In most cases, C should be no less than 5 feet, with 7-10 feet

being optimal.

We recommend that the height of the loudspeakers be level with your ﬂat

panel television for best visual appearance. However if your screen is installed

high on the wall, we recommend keeping the center of the loudspeaker under

5 feet, 3-4 feet being optimal.

Optimum Setup

6

Optimum Setup

Setting Up Your BG Loudspeakers for Optimum Sound

Home Theater Applications

If you plan to use your BG loudspeakers for home theater or multi-channel

audio, here are some additional recommendations.

The optimum position for all ﬁve loudspeakers requires the same distance

from the listening position (distance A, B and D are equal), see diagram

on opposite page. If it is not possible to get the distances equal, you can

use the delay and level adjustment functions available in most home theater

processors to compensate for the differences in distances.

The center channel Radia R-17i loudspeaker should be positioned

horizontally directly above or below your ﬂat panel television for symmetry.

The center channel’s position should be as close as possible to the screen so

the voice soundtrack appears to come from the video image. If your screen

is located low, the center channel loudspeaker should be installed directly

above the ﬂat panel television.

NOTE: Radia On-Wall loudspeakers are not

magnetically shielded. They should be mounted at 10” or more from a

conventional CRT television to prevent possible interference.

The subwoofer should be placed beside either the left or right front

speaker. For multiple subwoofers, see your authorized BG dealer for

advanced setup procedures.

The adjacent diagram shows the optimum placement for the Radia R-18i or

R-17i loudspeakers. The left and right rear loudspeakers are installed at the

same height as the front loudspeakers for aesthetic purposes. The grey area

on the diagram shows the optimum angular position for the surround sound

loudspeakers. Install the rear loudspeakers so that angle D is about 110-

120° with 160° and 60° as acceptable extremes. If there are room

limitations, choose the larger of the two angles to optimize performance.

This manual addresses 5.1 surround sound systems. Where 7.1 or higher

systems are being utilized, see your authorized BG dealer for advanced

setup procedures.

7

Optimum Setup

8

Optimum Setup

While rooms vary in size and acoustics, almost any room can be set up to

produce excellent sound with BG loudspeakers. Using a tape measure can

easily help you set up your system properly. The distances you will need to

measure are as follows:

Dimension Description Minimum Optimum Comments

A

Distance to

screen/center

channel

7 feet / 2.25

meters

8-12 feet in a typical

room - depends on

viewing distance and

room size

Recommend setting the

same as B but as close to

the screen as desired

B

Distance to main

loudspeakers

7 feet / 2.25

meters

8-12 feet in a typical

room. Up to 60% of

room width in large

rooms

A careful gradual

adjustment is

recommended

C

Distance between

main loudspeakers

7 feet / 2.25

meters

Same as B

D

Distance to

surround

loudspeakers

Recommend setting the

same as B

“D” Angle

Angle subtended

by surround

loudspeakers

relative to listening

position center

60° 110-120°

Do not place surround

loudspeakers to the sides

of the listening area

Room Width

Width of listening

room

10 feet / 3

meters

9

DPC

TM

Technology

Using R-18i as Surround Sound Loudspeakers

R-18i is the only loudspeaker on the market that provides the listener a choice of both

direct or a diffuse dipole radiation pattern.

With our innovative DPC

TM

(Dispersion Pattern Control) Technology, the Radia R-18i

provides an unprecedented level of freedom in choosing and optimizing the dispersion

pattern for surround sound presentation. It also provides important ﬂexibility in the loud-

speaker’s mounting location.

The R-18i utilizes BG’s patented PDR wide band driver that operates as a dipole dtrans

-

ducer. A dipole is a driver with a very shallow proﬁle that radiates sound to its front and

back with little to no engery to the sides.(See Figure 2 below)

Sound is radiated

equally in both

directions along

the knob’s handle,

to the front and

the back of the

planar transducer.

There is very little

or no sound

radiated in the

directions to the

left and the right

from the handle

arrow (to the sides

of the planar

transducer)

Fig. 2 R-18i dispersion depending on DPC

TM

knob orientation

10

THX

TM

, the motion picture industry standard for sound, speciﬁes a system’s

rear surround sound loudspeakers to have a dispersion pattern that delivers

a diffuse sound with very little direct sound. Such systems create a feeling of

ambience, enveloping both the room and the listener. Ideally, such loudspeak-

ers would have the dispersion pattern of a dipole element.

To get the optimum set up for THX

TM

movie sound, a dipole surround loud-

speaker should be aimed at the listener with its side or null axis. This is where

direct sound is minimal while most of the sound is projected away from the

listener. Fig. 3 shows a sample diagram of such an installation with Radia

R-18i loudspeakers.

Sound is reﬂected from the walls and the listener hears reﬂected or diffuse

sound from the loudspeakers. Many movie sound tracks are recorded assum

-

ing that listeners will be using a dipole loudspeaker with diffuse sound. Many

multi-channel music recordings use surround sound loudspeakers that pro-

vide direct sound. Fig. 4 (opposite page) illustrates the option the listener may

use in direct radiating surround sound loudspeakers. Feel free to experiment

and choose the sound you prefer!

DPC

TM

Technology

TM

11

The DPC

TM

feature of the Radia R-18i loudspeaker can readily provide either

type of surround sound (Dirrect or Diffuse) depending on the application, the

system’s layout and/or personal preference. Turn the DPC

TM

knob to adjust

the direction of the sound.

DPC

TM

Technology

TM

12

Mounting the loudspeakers

Mounting Procedures

The R-18i and R-17i loudspeakers are designed

to be mounted on the wall. The packaging box

contains a mounting kit consisting of:

- White cardboard mounting template

- Metal mounting bracket

- Drywall screws with plastic anchors.

1. Determine your exact loudspeaker location by

studying the diagram on page 7 and considering

other aspects of your room and listening

conditions.

2. Using a measuring tape and level, position

enclosed cardboard template according to the

loudspeaker model and mounting orientation.

Left and right main and rear loudspeakers

must be mounted vertically. The center channel

loudspeaker should be mounted horizontally

unless you can mount it behind a perforated

screen in vertical position. Position the

template with TOP OF THE SPEAKER mark

appropriately.

3. Mark positions of the four mounting holes using

holes in the template.

4. Drill pilot holes in the wall using 1/8” drill bit.

5. Install the four plastic anchors in the wall in

marked points.

6. Install the metal bracket using enclosed

screws.

7. Connect the speaker wire to the loudspeaker making sure the positive wire

goes to the red binding post and the negative wire goes to the black binding

post.

13

Mounting the loudspeakers (cont.)

8. Align the loudspeaker against the bracket on the wall so the bracket’s met-

al posts coincide with the circular openings in the keyhole plates. Mount

the loudspeaker on the bracket by pressing the loudspeaker against the

bracket and pulling it slightly down, making sure that the bracket’s metal

posts securely ﬁt in the keyhole slots. Carefully make sure the loudspeaker

is ﬁrmly installed.

Use the same procedure to mount R-17i center channel loudspeaker in

horizontal position by placing the template horizontally directly under or

above your screen.

Setting Up a Subwoofer for Optimum Sound

The R-18i and R-17i may be used with any high quality subwoofer. BG

offers active subwoofers that are an ideal complement to these models. In

conjunction with our planar ribbon loudspeakers, these complete systems

deliver life-like high performance home theater or multi-channel audio.

When tuning the subwoofer’s crossover frequency, an 80Hz crossover setting

is generally recommended for best performance.

Your authorized BG dealer can also recommend a particular subwoofer,

placement and settings for optimum results in your system.

Mounting Procedures

14

WARRANTY: All BG loudspeaker systems are warranted to the original purchaser for ﬁve years

against defects in materials and manufacture when used in properly designed systems (two years for the

Z-Sub and Radia 210i subwoofers).

Please record your speaker’s information below for future reference.

MODEL: ______________________________

SERIAL NUMBER: ______________________

PURCHASE DATE: _____________________

AUTHORIZED DEALER: _________________

As part of our policy of continual product improvement, BG reserves the right to change or discontinue any

speciﬁcations or parts associated with any of its products without advanced notice. Thank you again for

choosing BG loudspeakers.

Warranty Information

15

Notes

The Power of Clarity

BG Corp

1780 Forrest Way

Carson City, NV 89706

775-884-1900 ph

775-884-1276 fax

www.bgcorp.com

[email protected]

www.bgcorp.com

Bg Radia Series R-17i, Radia Series R-18i Setup And Owners Manual

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