Cambridge SoundWorks Portable Speaker PCWorks Speaker System User Manual

PCWorks Speaker System  
by Henry Kloss  
Installation and Operating Instructions  
© 1998 Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc.  
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IMPORTANT  
AVIS  
WARNING  
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE  
NE PAS OUVRIR  
SHOCK HAZARD  
DO NOT OPEN  
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within  
an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert  
the user of the presence of uninsulated  
“dangerous voltage” within a product’s en-  
closure that may be of sufficient magnitude  
to constitute the risk of electric shock to  
persons.  
TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC  
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE SUBWOOF-  
ER’S COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE  
PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO  
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.  
The exclamation point within an equilateral  
triangle is intended to alert the user of the  
presence of important operating and main-  
tenance (servicing) instructions in the lit-  
erature accompanying this product.  
POUR EVITER TOUT RISQUE DE CHOC  
ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS DEMONTER LE  
COUVERCLE DU HAUT PARLEUR.  
AUCUN ENTRETIEN DES PIECES  
INTERIEURES N’EST REQUIS.TOUT  
SERVICE D’ENTRETIEN NE DOIT ETRE  
EFFECTUE QUE PAR DU PERSONNEL  
D’ENTRETIEN QUALIFIE.  
READ AND HEED IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING  
ON BOTTOM OF SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURE  
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC  
WARNING:  
SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG  
TO WIDE SLOT, INSERT FULLY.  
TO PREVENT FIRE OR  
SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT  
EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE  
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.  
ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES CHOCS  
ELECTRIQUES, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS  
LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE  
CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER  
JUSQU’AU FOND.  
IMPORTANT NOTICE  
The serial number for the PC Works is located  
on the subwoofer. Please write this number  
down and keep it in a secure area. This is for  
your security.  
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i
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS  
READ INSTRUCTIONS - All safety and op-  
erating instructions should be read before  
the PC Works amplified subwoofer/satel-  
lite system is operated.  
RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS - The safety and  
operating instructions should be retained  
for future reference.  
HEED WARNINGS - All warnings on the  
subwoofer and in the operating instruc-  
tions should be adhered to.  
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS - All operating  
and use instructions should be followed.  
CLEANING - Unplug the subwoofer from the  
wall outlet or other power source before  
cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or  
aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for  
cleaning.  
ATTACHMENTS - Do not use attachments  
not recommended by Cambridge  
SoundWorks as they may cause hazards.  
WATER AND MOISTURE - Do not use the  
subwoofer near water—for example, near  
a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or  
laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a  
swimming pool; and the like.  
ACCESSORIES - Do not place thePC Works  
system on an unstable cart, stand, tripod,  
bracket, or table. The subwoofer or satel-  
lites may fall, causing serious injury to a  
child or adult, and serious damage to the  
product. Use only with a cart, stand, tri-  
pod, bracket, or table recommended by  
Cambridge SoundWorks, or sold with the  
product. Any mounting of the satellites or  
VENTILATION - Slots and openings in the  
cabinet are provided for ventilation and to  
ensurereliableoperationofthesubwoofer  
and to prevent it from overheating, and  
these openings must not be blocked or  
covered. The openings should never be  
blocked by placing the product on a bed,  
sofa, rug, or other similar surface. The  
subwoofer should not be placed in a built-  
in installation such as a bookcase or rack  
unless proper ventilation is provided or  
Cambridge SoundWorks’ instructions  
have been adhered to.  
HEAT - The subwoofer should be situated  
away from heat sources such as radia-  
tors, heat registers, stoves, and other  
products (including amplifiers) that pro-  
duce heat.  
POWER SOURCES - The subwoofer should  
be operated only from the type of power  
source indicated on the marking label. If  
you are not sure of the type of power  
supply to your home, consult your product  
dealer or local power company. For prod-  
ucts intended to operate from battery  
power, or other sources, refer to the oper-  
ating instructions.  
POLARIZATION - The subwoofer may be  
equipped with a polarized alternating-cur-  
rent line plug (a plug having one blade  
wider than the other). This plug will fit into  
the power outlet only one way. This is a  
safety feature. If you are unable to insert  
the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing  
the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit,  
contact your electrician to replace your  
obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety  
purpose of the polarized plug.  
POWER-CORDPROTECTION-Power-sup-  
ply cords should be routed so that they are  
not likely to be walked on or pinched by  
items placed upon or against them, pay-  
ing particular attention to cords at plugs,  
convenience receptacles, and the point  
where they exit from the subwoofer.  
LIGHTNING - For added protection for the  
PCWorkssystemduringalightningstorm,  
or when it is left unattended and unused  
for long periods of time, unplug it from the  
wall outlet. This will prevent damage to  
the subwoofer due to lightning and power-  
line surges.  
OVERLOADING - Do not overload wall out-  
lets, extension cords, or integral conve-  
nience receptacles as this can result in a  
risk of fire or electric shock.  
OBJECT AND LIQUID ENTRY - Never push  
objects of any kind into the subwoofer  
through openings as they may touch dan-  
gerous voltage points or short out parts  
that could result in a fire or electric shock.  
Never spill liquid of any kind on the sub-  
woofer.  
have fallen into the subwoofer.  
c) If the subwoofer has been exposed to  
rain or water.  
d) If the subwoofer does not operate nor-  
mally by following the operating instruc-  
tions; or exhibits a distinct change in per-  
formance.  
e) If the product has been dropped or  
damaged in any way.  
REPLACEMENT PARTS - When replace-  
ment parts are required, be sure the ser-  
vice technician has used replacement  
partsspecifiedbyCambridgeSoundWorks  
or have the same characteristics as the  
original part. Unauthorized substitutions  
may result in fire, electric shock, or other  
hazards.  
SAFETY CHECK - Upon completion of any  
service or repairs to the PC Works sys-  
tem, ask the service technician to perform  
safety checks to determine that the  
PC Works system is in proper operating  
condition.  
WALL OR CEILING MOUNTING - The  
PC Works satellites should be mounted to  
a wall or ceiling only as recommended by  
Cambridge SoundWorks.  
SERVICING - Do not attempt to service the  
subwoofer yourself as opening or remov-  
ing covers may expose you to dangerous  
voltage or other hazards. Refer all servic-  
ing to qualified service personnel.  
DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE - Unplug  
the subwoofer from the wall outlet or other  
power source and refer servicing to quali-  
fied service personnel under the following  
conditions:  
subwoofer should  
follow the  
manufacturer’s instructions, and should  
use a mounting accessory recommended  
by Cambridge SoundWorks.  
a) When the power-supply cord or plug is  
damaged.  
b) If liquid has been spilled, or objects  
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ii  
Contents  
Safety Precautions ............................................................................... i, ii  
Thank You ............................................................................................... 1  
Inspecting For Damage ........................................................................... 2  
Getting Started ........................................................................................ 2  
Satellite Cube Connections ...................................................................... 3  
Program Source Connections .................................................................. 4  
Connecting Music Sources ...................................................................... 5  
Mounting The Volume Control ................................................................ 5  
Power Connections .................................................................................. 6  
Attaching The Stands.............................................................................. 7  
Important – Please Read Before Operating Your PCWorks ..................... 8  
PCWorks With A Computer ..................................................................... 9  
PCWorks As A Music System ................................................................. 10  
PCWorks With A TV Set ......................................................................... 11  
Using PCWorks Outside The Home ........................................................ 12  
Difficulty? .............................................................................................. 12  
Mounting The Cubes .............................................................................. 13  
Wiring Diagram ..................................................................................... 13  
Technical Support ................................................................................. 14  
Important – Playback Levels ................................................................. 16  
PCWorks Specifications ........................................................................ 16  
1-Year Limited Warranty ....................................................................... 17  
PCWorks by Henry Kloss  
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iii  
Thank You  
hank you for purchasing  
Cambridge SoundWorks  
1-800-FOR-HIFI  
PCWorks by Henry Kloss.  
We think you will find its  
(1-800-367-4434),  
8 AM to Midnight,  
T
sound quality astonishing  
considering its very small size.  
At Cambridge SoundWorks, we  
started with the assumption that  
computer users care no less about  
sound quality than music lovers. We  
have developed a totally new  
Eastern time  
1 PM to 4 AM  
Greenwich Mean Time  
In Canada: 1-800-525-4434  
Outside US or Canada:  
Tel: 617-332-5936  
Fax: 617-527-3194  
or e-mail us at [email protected]  
speaker system, lavishing as much  
effort on its design as on that of our  
critically-acclaimed Ensemble®  
speakers. Thus PCWorks sounds  
more like our home stereo systems  
than typical “multimedia” speakers.  
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1
Inspecting For Damage  
Getting Started  
Examine each speaker unit carefully  
for shipping damage. If there is any,  
do not install or use the system. For  
advice, call the store where you made  
your purchase.  
All the items shown in the  
For your convenience, an overall  
wiring diagram appears on page 13.  
One of the first steps in setting  
up PCWorks is  
speakers to the subwoofer. Note  
the red band around one lead at  
the end of each speaker cable.  
This will help you connect speak-  
ers “in phase” as described on  
the next page.  
illustration below should be included  
with your system. If anything is  
missing, notify your retailer.  
Save the carton and its inserts in  
case you need to ship or move your  
PCWorks system later.  
connecting the small  
“cube” satellite  
Red  
band  
(2) Hook& Loop  
fasteners for the  
satellite cubes  
Stands for cubes (2)  
(one each)  
Subwoofer/amplifier  
Semipermanent  
mounting strip  
(1) for attaching  
volume control  
Satellite Speaker Cubes (2) with 12 ft. speaker wire attached  
DC Power Adapter  
Volume Control with 12 ft. audio  
connecting cable and stereo mini-plugs*  
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2
Satellite Cube Connections  
Notes  
Connect the speaker wire from one  
satellite to the right speaker  
output (+ R –) of the subwoofer.  
Connect the conductor with the  
red band to the red (+) terminal.  
Connect the other conductor to the  
black (–) terminal.  
Connect the speaker wire from  
out together). “Out of phase” con-  
nections can muddy the stereo  
effect. Solo voices, which should  
appear to come from a point be-  
tween the two cubes, will sound  
“split” between them.  
The satellite amplifiers inside the PCWorks subwoofer are  
specifically designed to drive the PCWorks cube satellites.  
Do not connect these left and right amplifier outputs to any  
other speakers or any kind of signal processing device.  
the other satellite to the left  
speaker output (– L +) of the  
subwoofer.  
Connecting the two cubes identi-  
cally assures that they operate “in  
phase” (their cones move in and  
You can splice more standard speaker wire or regular  
18-gauge lamp cord onto the 12-ft. speaker wires supplied  
using wire nuts; visit your store or call Cambridge Sound-  
Works at 1-800-FOR-HIFI to purchase additional wire.  
Use of the Bass Level control is described in each of  
the applications sections that follow; for now simply  
set it at the midway (12 O’Clock) position.  
Subwoofer Control Panel  
Left  
Satellite  
Cube  
Right  
Satellite  
Cube  
BASS  
LEVEL  
CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS  
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS  
AUDIO  
INPUT  
SPEAKERS  
R
L
12V DC IN  
POWER  
ON/OFF  
Red band  
To connect speaker wires to  
subwoofer, push on the  
spring-loaded tab above  
each connector, insert bared  
end of wire, then release tab  
to lock wire in place.  
Red band  
Speaker wire  
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3
Program Source Connections  
Connect the PCWorks Volume  
Control’s FROM SOURCE lead to  
the audio output of your computer  
or other program source. Connect  
the TO SUB lead to the audio input  
of the PCWorks’ subwoofer as  
shown. The control can be  
hiss, or if the PCWorks Volume  
Control adjustment range is unsatis-  
factory, readjust the program source’s  
level control up or down (and the  
PCWorks Volume Control accordingly).  
mounted on the side of your  
computer monitor or other surface  
using the adhesive strip provided  
(see opposite page).  
SPKR  
OUT  
LINE  
OUT  
Computer CPU/  
program source  
Your program source may have  
separate left and right “RCA style”  
outputs instead of a stereo mini-  
jack. If so, you will need a “Y”  
conversion adapter (visit your store  
or call Cambridge SoundWorks at  
1-800-FOR-HIFI).  
FROM  
SOURCE  
lead  
Subwoofer  
If the program source has its  
own level control, set it at least  
half-way up, and then use the  
PCWorks Volume Control to  
achieve your preferred playback  
level. If there’s audible hum or  
BASS  
LEVEL  
CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS  
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS  
AUDIO  
INPUT  
OM  
FR  
SOURCE  
K
S
T
O
OR  
SUB  
W
SPEAKERS  
R
D
MIN  
O
U
N
S
L
12V DC IN  
MAX  
POWER  
ON/OFF  
Computer monitor  
Volume Control  
TO SUB lead  
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4
Connecting Music Sources  
Mounting The Volume Control  
The enclosed mounting strip is  
semipermanent—it holds well but  
can be peeled off gently. Be sure that  
the mounting surface, such as the  
computer monitor or your desktop,  
is smooth and clean.  
OFF  
1
2
DCIN  
PHONES  
LINE  
OUT  
BASS BOOST  
OM  
FR  
SOURCE  
TO  
SUB  
KS  
OR  
W
Program Source  
D
OUN  
S
MIN  
Some portable players have “bass boost”  
circuits designed for their small  
MAX  
headphones. Switch these circuits OFF  
when playing through PCWorks.  
2 Press exposed adhesive side  
Remove protective paper from one  
side to reveal adhesive.  
1
firmly against back of volume  
control.  
BASS  
LEVEL  
CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS  
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS  
AUDIO  
INPUT  
OM  
FR  
SPEAKERS  
R
SOURCE  
K
S
T
O
SUB  
O
R
W
D
L
MIN  
O
U
N
S
12V DC IN  
When connecting tape  
and CD players, it is  
generally preferable to  
use the headphone  
output; fixed “line out”  
outputs will work, but  
any noise present in the  
player may be more  
audible at high levels.  
MAX  
POWER  
ON/OFF  
Remove remaining paper strip.  
Press control firmly against  
mounting surface  
(desktop, keyboard or monitor).  
3
4
Subwoofer Control Panel  
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5
PCWorks Subwoofer Control Panel  
Power Connections  
Connect the AC-to-DC Power Adapter to the  
PCWorks 12V DC input. The power supply for  
the PCWorks stays on all the time the sub-  
woofer is plugged in. For this reason, it may  
remain warm to the touch. This is normal,  
but it’s a good idea to unplug the unit when  
you are away for a week or more.  
BASS  
LEVEL  
CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS  
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS  
AUDIO  
INPUT  
SPEAKERS  
R
L
12V DC IN  
POWER  
ON/OFF  
CAUTION:  
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT USE THIS  
POLARIZED PLUG WITH AN EXTENSION CORD, RECEP-  
TACLE, OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE  
FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.  
PCWorks can operate from  
12V DC sources such as a cars’  
electrical system  
ATTENTION:  
USE ONLY A C1P43012 CAR  
ADAPTER FROM CAMBRIDGE  
SOUNDWORKS  
POUR PREVENIR LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES NE PAS  
UTILISER CETTE FICHE POLARISEE AVEC UN  
PROLONGATEUR, UNE PRISE DE COURANT, OU UNE  
AUTRE SORTIE DE COURANT, SAUF SI LES LAMES  
PEUVENT ETRE INSEREES A FOND SANS EN LAISSER  
AUCUNE PARTIE A DECOUVERT.  
ONLY after making all other connections, plug into normal  
household or office electrical outlet (120 VAC).  
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6
Attaching The Stands  
For most applications, the cube  
speakers should be attached to their  
desktop stands. Install each stand  
by inserting it into the “  
T”  
shaped socket in the back of each  
satellite. Make sure to feed the  
wire through the cut-out in the top  
of the stand’s back panel.  
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7
Playback Levels  
Controlling Background Noise and Distortion  
Set the program source’s vol-  
ume control to a high setting (70%  
of its range or greater). Adjust the  
PCWorks Volume Control to a  
setting where hum and hiss are  
inaudible. Leave the PCWorks  
Volume Control at this setting and  
set it aside. Use the output level  
control of the program source to  
control the overall output of the  
system.  
1. For program sources where it is  
The PCWorks has high input  
sensitivity, so it will work well  
with low signal output program  
sources (like some TVs or comput-  
ers). This same high sensitivity  
will amplify hum or hiss present at  
the output of some strong program  
sources.  
PCWorks is intended for individual  
or small group listening and will  
achieve surprisingly high output  
levels. However, playing the sys-  
tem continuously at overly loud,  
distorted levels on heavy bass  
program material may cause its  
internal fuse to blow.  
convenient to use the PCWorks  
Volume Control:  
Set the program source’s vol-  
ume control to a high setting  
(70% of its range or higher).  
Please note that some computer  
systems may have two software  
level controls that work at the  
same time (for instance, your  
sound card’s software control  
and your operating system’s  
sound output control). All of  
these level controls should be  
set to a high setting. Use the PC  
Works Volume Control to adjust  
the overall output level, leaving  
any other controls at their  
If hum or hiss is heard coming  
from the PCWorks speakers when  
there should be no sound coming  
from your program source, it is  
probably because the PCWorks  
Volume Control is set to a high  
setting and your program source’s  
output level control is set to a low  
setting. To reduce the background  
hum and noise, use one of the  
following two approaches:  
The fuse can be replaced only by  
a qualified representative. To  
avoid this inconvenience and a  
possible non-warranty repair  
charge, reduce the playback vol-  
ume when the system shows  
obvious signs of stress, i.e. it  
sounds “raspy,” “fuzzy,” and/or  
“muddy.”  
Keep in mind, PCWorks has  
sonic fidelity sufficient to reveal  
noise and distortion inherent in  
many digital sound processors.  
You may not have noticed these  
imperfections before, even with so-  
called “CD-equivalent” cards.  
Background noise present in a  
few, fixed-level program sources  
may be audible when the PCWorks  
Volume Control is set to a high  
level and program material is  
silent or playing at a low level.  
This behavior is intrinsic to the  
fixed-level signal source and is not  
the fault of PCWorks.  
higher settings.  
2. For program sources with their  
own convenient volume control,  
like a remote-controlled TV:  
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8
PCWorks With A Computer  
• Have a clear line of sight from  
your listening position to  
the cubes.  
• The ear cannot locate the source  
of low-bass, which is why the  
subwoofer should go on the floor,  
out of sight. The face of the  
subwoofer must be at least 4  
inches from the nearest vertical  
surface, however.  
Install the stands in the cubes and place them to  
either side of the monitor, aimed straight ahead.  
The cubes are magnetically shielded  
• If you can’t place the woofer on  
the floor against a wall as shown,  
the subwoofer’s output will  
decrease. Advance the Bass  
Level Control to compensate.  
• On the other hand, if the sub-  
woofer sits in a corner on the  
floor, it may sound bass-heavy.  
In this case, try decreasing the  
Bass Level control setting.  
• Set the Bass Level control for best  
bass balance, then forget it. It is  
not intended to be adjusted  
regularly to compensate for  
differences in recordings.  
Place the subwoofer on the floor under your  
desk or workstation, back against the wall. Do  
not place it up on the work surface or a shelf,  
which could result in disappointing bass  
performance (see text to the right). The  
subwoofer is also magnetically shielded.  
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9