Cambridge SoundWorks Speaker System PCWorks User Manual

PCWorks FourPointSurround  
Speaker System  
Installation and Operating Instructions  
© 1998 Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc.  
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS  
READ INSTRUCTIONS - All safety and oper-  
ating instructions should be read before the  
PCWorks FourPointSurround amplified  
subwoofer/satellite 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.  
followthemanufacturer’sinstructions, and  
should use a mounting accessory recom-  
mended by Cambridge SoundWorks.  
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.  
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  
PCWorksFourPointSurroundsystemdur-  
ing a lightning storm, 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.  
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:  
a) When the power-supply cord or plug is  
damaged.  
b) If liquid has been spilled, or objects  
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  
FourPointSurround system, ask the ser-  
vice technician to perform safety checks  
to determine that the PCWorks Four Point  
Surround system is in proper operating  
condition.  
ACCESSORIES - Do not place thePCWorks  
FourPointSurroundsystemonanunstable  
cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The  
subwoofer or satellites may fall, causing  
serious injury to a child or adult, and  
serious damage to the product. Use only  
with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table  
recommended by Cambridge Sound-  
Works,orsoldwiththeproduct.Anymount-  
ing of the satellites or subwoofer should  
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  
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.  
WALL OR CEILING MOUNTING - The  
PCWorks FourPointSurround satellites  
should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only  
as recommended by Cambridge  
SoundWorks.  
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ii  
Contents  
Introduction ................................................................................................ 1  
Inspecting For Damage ................................................................................ 2  
Overview ..................................................................................................... 2  
Installation Sequence .................................................................................. 2  
Speaker Placement ...................................................................................... 3  
Speaker Wiring Diagram ............................................................................. 4  
Satellite Connections ................................................................................... 5  
Attaching The Desktop Stands .................................................................... 6  
Attaching The Floor Stands ......................................................................... 6  
Power Supply Adapter ................................................................................. 7  
The Volume Control ..................................................................................... 8  
Mounting the Volume Control ..................................................................... 9  
Adjusting Output Level ............................................................................... 9  
Subwoofer Level Control ........................................................................... 10  
Important .................................................................................................. 10  
Optimizing The Sound Of Your System ..................................................... 11  
Mounting the Satellites ............................................................................. 11  
Specifications ............................................................................................ 12  
Technical Support ..................................................................................... 12  
Warranty Information ............................................................................... 14  
PCWorks  
FourPointSurround  
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iii  
Introduction  
hank you for purchasing  
Cambridge SoundWorks  
1-800-FOR-HIFI  
PCWorks FourPointSurround  
by Cambridge SoundWorks.  
(1-800-367-4434),  
8 AM to Midnight,  
T
PCWorks FourPointSurround  
lets you experience the full  
potential of the multichannel  
sound encoded in today’s latest  
computer software. We think you  
will find it adds an exciting new  
dimension to computer sound and  
gaming.  
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: 617-332-9229  
or e-mail us at [email protected]  
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Inspecting  
Overview  
Installation Sequence  
PCWorks FourPointSurround consists  
of a powered subwoofer, four satellite  
speakers and a volume control. All  
five speakers are magnetically  
shielded.  
1. Read through the instructions  
before installing the speakers. The  
instructions assume you have a  
4-channel sound card, one that  
supports DirectSound3D and has  
front and rear stereo outputs. If  
your sound card has a single  
3. To help you identify each  
For Damage  
satellite’s channel later, apply  
the appropriate preprinted label  
to the rear of each satellite. Be  
sure both the satellites chosen  
for the front and rear have the  
same cable length.  
Examine each speaker unit carefully for  
signs of shipping damage. If there is any  
damage do not install the system.  
If there is any problem, call the  
appropriate number listed in the  
warranty information.  
All the items shown in the illustration  
should be included. If anything is  
missing, notify the retailer.  
The subwoofer is designed to sit on  
the floor beneath a desk, and sounds  
best in this position. The satellites  
used for the front left and right  
channels should flank the computer  
monitor. The satellites used for the  
rear left and right channels can be  
placed on the desktop, on floor  
stands, or attached to other sites with  
hook and loop fasteners.  
stereo minijack line output, please 4. Connect the four satellites to the  
read the note under “Volume  
Control” on page 8.  
back of the subwoofer enclosure.  
Leave all the wires accessible.  
2. Place the satellites and the  
subwoofer at appropriate sites  
near your computer. Attach the  
stands, if necessary.  
Save the carton and its inserts in case  
you need to transport your PCWorks  
FourPointSurround system later.  
(2) Apex Joints  
Volume Control with 12 ft. audio  
connecting cable and stereo mini-plugs*  
(4) Hook& Loop  
fasteners for the  
FRONT  
LEFT  
DC Power  
Adapter  
satellite cubes  
(one each)  
REAR  
LEFT  
Desktop Stands for satellites (4)  
Semipermanent  
Subwoofer/amplifier  
FRONT  
RIGHT  
mounting strip  
(1) for attaching  
volume control  
REAR  
RIGHT  
Strips of 5 feet (4)  
Labels  
Satellites: (2) with 9 ft. speaker wire attached, (2) with 12 ft. speaker wire attached  
(6) Rubber foot plugs  
(4) Solid Legs (2) Slotted Legs  
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2
Speaker Placement  
5. Connect the Volume Control to  
the subwoofer and then to the  
sound card line outputs.  
The front left and front right  
the left and right side of the  
front satellites. Try the extreme  
corners of a desk using the desktop  
stands (C) or attach the rear satellites  
under a desktop or at the sides of a  
desk using the hook and loop  
fasteners (D).  
The subwoofer does not contribute  
to directional sound effects. Its  
optimum position is on the floor  
against the wall. The closer the  
subwoofer is to the corner, the  
stronger the maximum bass output.  
Alternately, it can be placed on a shelf  
or other sites, but its maximum  
output will be reduced.  
satellites should be placed to the  
sides of the monitor. When placing  
satellites on the desktop, install  
the desktop stands. If you wish to  
save desktop space, use the hook  
and loop fasteners to attach the  
satellites to the sides of the  
listening position will provide strong  
directional and surround effects.  
The rear satellites may be installed  
on their convenient floor stands (see  
diagram B). When listening, the  
stands should be positioned to the  
immediate left and right of your  
listening position. The stands are  
small enough to be stowed  
6. Connect the power supply  
adapter.  
7. Listen to the system and adjust  
the Subwoofer Level control for  
the most pleasing bass output.  
8. You may wish to experiment  
with satellite placement briefly  
before concealing the connecting  
wires and making the installa-  
tion more permanent.  
computer monitor (see page 11).  
If your are lucky enough to have  
side walls close to your listening  
position, excellent placement for the  
left rear and right rear satellites is  
alongside or behind your listening  
position, slightly above ear level  
(use the hook and loop fasteners,  
see diagram A). Do not be  
underneath or alongside a desk  
when not in use.  
The rear satellites may also be  
placed in any convenient sites  
alongside the listener, including sites  
slightly forward of the listening  
location. The rear satellites do not  
have to be at exactly the same  
height, nor at the same height as the  
concerned if this is not practical,  
since any rear satellite placement to  
A
B
C
D
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3
Speaker Wiring Diagram  
C
AMBRIDGE  
SOUNDWORKS  
BASS  
LEVEL  
FRONT  
LEFT  
REAR  
LEFT  
PCWORKS  
AUDIO  
INPUTS  
FRONT  
REAR  
FOURPOINTSURROUND  
CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS  
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS USA  
FRONT  
LEFT  
REAR  
LEFT  
REAR  
LEFT  
FRONT  
LEFT  
SPEAKERS  
REAR  
RIGHT  
FRONT  
RIGHT  
FRONT  
RIGHT  
REAR  
RIGHT  
12V DC IN  
POWER  
ON/OFF  
FRONT  
RIGHT  
REAR  
RIGHT  
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4
Satellite Connections  
One pair of satellites has 9 feet  
(3 meter) cables and one pair has  
12 feet (4 meter) cables. Typically,  
the satellites in the rear will  
require longer cable lengths,  
but the satellites are otherwise  
identical. If you need extra cable  
length for the front channel  
REAR  
LEFT  
FRONT  
RIGHT  
satellites, use the ones with  
longer cable there instead.  
REAR  
RIGHT  
A panel of eight self-adhesive  
labels is provided to identify each  
satellite. To start, apply the small,  
square “FRONT RIGHT” label to the  
back of a satellite (see diagram A).  
Then wrap the remaining, longer  
“FRONT RIGHT” label around the  
FRONT  
LEFT  
B
satellite cable just behind the plug  
(see diagram B).  
A
FRONT  
LEFT  
Insert the satellite’s plug into  
the corresponding output jack on  
the subwoofer (see Speaker Wiring  
Diagram).  
Repeat the process for the  
remaining three satellites.  
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5
Attaching The Desktop Stands  
Attaching The Floor Stands  
For most applications, the satellite  
speakers should be used with their  
desktop stands. Install each stand  
For desktop placement, apply  
the five self adhesive feet to the  
The rear satellites (with their  
desktop stands attached) may be  
3. Insert the two solid legs into  
the outside sockets in the  
apex joint.  
base of the desktop stands. If you installed in their floor stands.  
by inserting it into the “  
T
wish to install the rear satellites  
in the floor stands, do not apply  
the self adhesive feet to the base  
of their desktop stands (see  
diagram D).  
1. One leg of each floor stand  
has a full length slot, with  
short notches opposite the  
slot at each end. Insert a  
satellite cable inside one of  
these legs by feeding it down  
the length of the full length  
slot. At each end, feed the  
cable through the short  
notches (see Diagram E).  
2. Ensure there are no feet  
attached to the satellite’s  
desktop stand. Insert the  
satellite end of the leg/cable  
assembly into the middle  
socket of the apex joint. Make  
sure the satellite cable exits  
through the short notch and  
not the full length slot (see  
Diagram F).  
4. Slide the back of the satellite’s  
desktop stand into the front of  
the slot in the apex joint. The  
slot’s front is the side further  
away from the rear leg socket.  
Make sure the stand is  
shaped socket in the back of each  
satellite. Make sure to feed the  
wires through the cut-out in the  
top of the desktop stands (see  
diagram C).  
securely pressed into the slot  
(see Diagram F).  
5. At the base of the rear leg,  
gently pull on the satellite  
cable to remove any unneces-  
sary slack in the cable.  
C
6. Insert a rubber plug into the  
base of each leg, taking care  
to feed the cable out the short  
notch in the rear leg (see  
Diagram G).  
D
E
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6
Power Supply Adapter  
Confirm that the power switch is  
in the “OFF” position. Insert the  
power supply’s AC plug into the  
appropriate receptacle. Insert the  
small DC connector into the  
“12V DC IN” receptacle on the  
back of the subwoofer.  
G
F
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7
The Volume Control  
The PCWorks FourPointSurround  
system comes with a separate  
wired Volume Control, designed to  
be positioned close at hand and  
affixed with the semipermanent  
mounting strip.  
minijack of your soundcard (see  
“F” SUB plug to the “Front” mini-  
jack input on the subwoofer. Leave  
the “R” LINE plug unconnected.  
If you upgrade to a four-channel  
sound card, connect both “F” and  
“R” LINE and SUB plugs to the  
soundcard and subwoofer and  
enjoy full surround sound.  
Note: When only one of the two  
stereo inputs on the subwoofer is  
used (either “Front” or “Rear”), the  
stereo signal will be reproduced by  
both the front and rear pairs of  
satellites.  
diagram I). Leave the “R” LINE  
plug unconnected. Connect the  
LINE/FRONT OUT REAR OUT  
(typically green) (typically black)  
LINE/FRONT OUT  
(typically green)  
Each plug has either an “F” or  
an “R” molded into it. One pair of  
plugs connects to the audio inputs  
on the back of the subwoofer  
(SUB). The other pair connects to  
the sound card line outputs  
UNUSED  
F
R
F
LINE  
LINE  
(LINE). Connect the two pairs of  
signal plugs before affixing the  
Volume Control (see diagram at  
right). Connect the “F” LINE plug  
to the front stereo line output  
minijack of your sound card.  
Connect the “RLINE plug to the  
rear or “surround” line output  
minijack of your sound card.  
Connect the “F” SUB plug to the  
“Front” minijack input on the  
Subwoofer. Connect the “RSUB  
plug to the Rear minijack input on  
the Subwoofer (see diagram H).  
At this point you may now turn  
the power switch “ON”.  
I
H
SUB  
SUB  
F
R
F
UNUSED  
BASS  
LEVEL  
BASS  
LEVEL  
PCWORKS  
PCWORKS  
AUDIO  
INPUTS  
AUDIO  
INPUTS  
FRONT  
REAR  
FRONT  
REAR  
FOURPOINTSURROUND  
FOURPOINTSURROUND  
CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS  
CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS  
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS USA  
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS USA  
REAR  
LEFT  
FRONT  
LEFT  
REAR  
LEFT  
FRONT  
LEFT  
SPEAKERS  
SPEAKERS  
REAR  
RIGHT  
FRONT  
RIGHT  
REAR  
RIGHT  
FRONT  
RIGHT  
If you have a stereo soundcard  
(one without a rear stereo minijack  
line output), connect the “F” LINE  
plug to the stereo line output  
12V DC IN  
12V DC IN  
POWER  
ON/OFF  
POWER  
ON/OFF  
FOUR CHANNEL SOUND CARD  
TWO CHANNEL SOUND CARD  
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8
Mounting The Volume Control  
Adjusting Output Level  
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.  
In most instances, the PCWorks  
FourPointSurround Volume Control  
will be the most convenient way to  
adjust the overall playback level. It  
responds instantly and doesnt  
require you to pause games or  
programs. But there are other  
output level controls present in  
software to consider.  
If the PCWorks FourPoint-  
Surround’s maximum output is  
still not sufficient at the extreme  
setting of its Volume Control, try  
increasing one and only one of  
the software volume controls to  
increase overall output.  
If you find the optimum output  
level of the PCWorks FourPoint-  
Surround system occurs at too low  
a setting of its volume control,  
reduce the setting of one software  
volume control (preferably the  
operating system’s output level  
control) to achieve greater  
Versions of Microsoft® Windows®  
and most other operating systems  
offer an on-screen sound level  
control, while most game pro-  
grams provide yet another one. For  
the PCWorks FourPointSurround  
Volume Control to perform at its  
best, these “software” level  
controls should be set to an  
optimum” position and then left  
alone.