Loudspeakers, Single wiring, Bi-amping – Arcam FMJ A18 User Manual

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loudspeakers

notes on making speaker

connections

Do not make any connections to any amplifier

while it is switched on. We recommend that

your amplifier is completely disconnected from

the mains supply before starting.

Before switching your amplifier(s) on for the

first time after connecting to speakers, please

check all connections thoroughly. Ensure that

bare wires or cables are not touching each other

or the amplifier’s chassis (which could cause

short circuits), and that you have connected

positive (+) to positive and negative (–) to

negative. Be sure to check the wiring for both

the amplifier and the speaker.

After making connections: switch the

amplifier(s) on, select a source signal, then

gradually increase the volume to the required

listening level.

If you are unsure as to how your system should

be connected, or need advice on bi-amping,

please contact your Arcam dealer who will be

happy to help you.

Single wiring

Single wiring is the conventional wiring method of

running a single cable per channel between the amplifier

and the speaker; this is the easiest technique.
If each speaker has more than one pair of connecting

terminals, use the terminals labelled

or ‘Low

Frequency’ for each speaker.
Connect the positive terminal of the right speaker

connection on the amplifier (coloured red and labelled

) to the positive terminal of your right speaker.

bi-amping

Bi-amping is the separation of the amplification of low-

and high-frequency signals over two amplifiers.
Bi-amping requires the use of two amplifiers per

channel. Normally, your A18 is used to drive the high-

frequency (treble) speakers, with a P38 used for the

lower (bass) frequencies.
Connect your A18 to the speakers as described for

single wiring, with the exception that the A18 should

be connected to the speaker terminals labelled

‘High Frequency’. Then connect the power amplifier

(an Arcam P38 for example) to the

or ‘Low

Frequency’ terminals, as in the diagram. A pair of audio

interconnect cables are also required to connect the

pre-amp outputs of the A18 to the power amp inputs of

the P38.

An A18 connected to speakers using single wiring

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An A18 and P38 connected to speakers using bi‑amping

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Similarly, connect the negative terminal of the amplifier

(coloured black and labelled with

r–

) to the negative

terminal of your speaker. Repeat the process for the left

speaker, using the amplifier terminals labelled

and

L–

If your speakers support bi-wiring, then there is a strip

of conductive metal on the speakers connecting the low-

frequency terminals to those for the higher-frequencies;

this mUST NOT Be RemOVeD in a single-wired

system.

Note that the strip of metal on the speakers connecting

the lower terminals to the upper terminals mUST Be

RemOVeD. Failure to do so will result in damage to

both amplifiers, which will not normally be covered

under warranty.