® The Architect Model 500 & Model 700 TM Multi-Zone Power Amplifier / Speaker Optimizer Professional Installer’s Consciousness Guide ® making good stereo sound better® 22410 70th Avenue West Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 Phone 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166 Internet http://www.audiocontrol.com ©1998. All rights reserved.
Important Information Dealer Name _______________________________________ Date Installed ______________________________________ Serial Number _____________________________________ ®
Contents The Architect® Product Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Experienced Installer’s Quick Hook-Up Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A Guided Tour Of The Architect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Hooking Up Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Installation: The Long Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Product Highlights CONGRATULATIONS! You are now installing a component which can dramatically improve the performance of any multi-zone audio system, especially those utilizing in-wall speakers. The Architect Model 500 & 700 are American-designed, American-built “set and forget” component which will provide a lifetime of trouble-free service. The Architect Model 500 & 700 are made by the only electronics company in the world that specializes in equalizers, signal processors and audio analyzers.
Product Highlights minimal reduction in speaker volume. Of course the protection circuits are smart enough to reset themselves when the problem is solved. Specially Designed Frequency Controls — (Model 700 only) The Architect Model 700 is intended to provide a dramatic sound improvement for “small” speakers, such as those with 6inch and 8-inch woofers.
Quick Hook-Up Guide Experienced Installer’s Quick Hook-Up Guide What follows are “Express” hook-up diagrams for professionals and experienced audio buffs. Make sure to fill out and mail the warranty card. The PFM filter module comes factory set at 40Hz. See page 16 for details on changing the PFM modules. A complete range of frequencies is available from the factory and information is also available on building your own modules in Appendix A.
A Guided Tour Of The ArchitectTM Model 500 & Model 700 1 2 Front panel: 1. Stereo Speaker Optimizer Controls — (Model 700 only) This sea of knobs provide up to 12dB boost or cut at 45Hz, 150Hz, 300Hz, 700Hz, 2500Hz and 12KHz.
A Guided Tour Of The Architect™ Model 500 & Model 700 2 3 4 8 9 1 6 5 7 Back panel: 1. Inputs — These unbalanced RCA inputs connect to your control preamplifier’s outputs. The signal sense and equalizer circuitry work in channel pairs (1&2, 3&4, etc.) but you can still use each input as a separate mono channel. 2. Input Bus Switches — Sometimes you need to feed the same audio signal to multiple channels of the Architect.
Hooking Up Your System Hooking Up Your System What you’ll need: 1. The Architect Multi-Zone Power Amp. 2. RCA audio hook-up cables. 3. (Optional) A balanced line driver if you are going to mount The Architect more than 20 feet from the control preamp. 4. (Also Optional) Rack Mounting Kit to install the Architect into a standard 19” rack. 5. Enough speaker wire to reach all of your speakers. 6. Multi-zone controller, receiver, or preamplifier. 7.
Installation: The Long Version Installation: The Long Version What follows is a step-by-step guide to integrating The Architect into your multi-zone system. If it seems overly detailed, please forgive us. We would rather tell you too much than too little. First, check your new Architect for any shipping damage. We pack ‘em pretty securely, but it’s a vicious world out there and anything can happen twixt Mountlake Terrace, Washington, and your installation.
Installation: The Long Version AC Power Under normal operating conditions, The Architect can draw up to 1000 watts of AC power. Don’t plug it into a switched outlet on your system unless you are certain that it can handle the power rating. Also, please don’t cut off the ground pin on the power connector. It is an important safety feature. If you need to plug it into a two prong outlet, use a ground adapter (and connect the ground on it). Remote Power Control The Architect has three levels of power control.
Audio hook-up Installation: The Long Version If you’re an installation veteran, this may seem repetitive, but some things can never be repeated too many times (just ask our Customer Support Department). 1. Turn off ALL components before making any connections. 2. When making connections, designate RED RCA plugs as RIGHT and WHITE, BLACK, or GREY plugs as LEFT. In fact, this is a good idea for ALL signal connections made in your audio system. The key is consistency.
Doing the Deed Speaker wire hook-up The same rule applies to the speaker wires as the RCA connections. Establish a standard connection guideline and stick with it. One conductor of the speaker wire is normally marked by a different color (silver versus copper) or there is a ribbing on one side. Typically this marked conductor is used for the positive (+) speaker leads. Of course the really good wire has Positive and Negative printed right on the wire jacket.
Doing the Deed A Short Introduction To Equalizers And Acoustics Magazine reviewers and audio system owners spend much time critically appraising speaker and other stereo components. Unfortunately, a phenomenon that has a very large effect upon sound is not is easily judged or changed. That effect is the ACOUSTICS of the environment in which you are listening. Room acoustics is a complicated subject about which entire textbooks have been written.
Doing the Deed Another set of variables is the shape and volume of your listening room. Large rooms require more bass energy to excite waves within them. Small rooms need less energy, but reflect it differently. And then there’s the fact that most rooms don’t have four walls anymore, but open into dining rooms, lofts, cathedral ceilings, etc. All of this means that predicting sound interaction patterns is very difficult due to the irregularities of the room shape.
Information For Control Freaks Information for Control Freaks Here is a brief introduction to each of the Speaker Optimization control frequencies and what their effect on your music is. 45Hz — Low bass. This is about the lowest frequency which in-wall, extension and small bookshelf speakers can achieve. Boosting it too far might cause problems, even though The Architect’s PFM filter cuts frequencies under 40Hz.
The Truth About Bass & The Programmable Frequency Match Filter The Truth About Bass And The Programmable Frequency Match Filter Now that digital audio is the favorite musical source, there’s more low bass running around in a typical system. Low bass injects large amounts of power into ANY kind of speaker — up to 60% of your amplifier’s output is being used to reproduce frequencies under 100Hz. That can really tax a system which is driving multiple speakers from a single amplifier channel.
lower frequencies which either can’t be reproduced or which incite excessive cone travel. The equalization part is handled by The Architect® Model 700’s 45Hz control. The prevention part is handled by The Architect® Programmable Frequency Match filter circuit. While it may seem surprising, actually cutting off some of the lowest bass will make the bass sound cleaner, punchier and even louder.
Changing The PFM Modules Changing The PFM Modules WARNING: Unplug the Architect from AC power before beginning. There are dangerous voltages present inside. The first task in changing the PFM modules is to remove the top chassis of the Architect. To do this, first remove the 18 screws marked in the figure above. Now let your wrist relax for a few moments and survey the innards of this beast. The PFM modules are located on the circuit board that runs along the rear of the Architect (see figure).
Troubleshooting The Architect Troubleshooting The Architect Almost all problems can be eliminated by re-checking the wiring and settings of the Architect. If a problem cannot be solved using the guide below, please call the AudioControl factory for further assistance. 1. No Sound: • Verify Power LED in on. • Verify Protection LED is Green. • Verify Channel Status LED for zone is Green. • Verify Source unit is operating. • Check the Speaker Connector plug on the rear panel.
A Brazen Plug For Other AudioControl Products A Brazen Plug For Other AudioControl Products AudioControl started out making graphic equalizers in 1977. In a way, The Architect Model 700 is a powered equalizer and, like our other models, can make a greater improvement in the sound of your system than almost any other addition or upgrade. More bass, better bass, less harshness and the ability to hear music the way you want it.
of amplifiers, CD Players and other audio components with inexpensive twisted-pair wiring. For home theatre we offer equalizers to get the best possible sound on everything from Pro-Logic to Dolby Digital. We also make a killer bass processor, The Phase Coupled Activator. This component brings out the visceral reality of your favorite films. Okay, enough commercials. Once again, we thank you for adding an AudioControl component to your system and hope you enjoy a lifetime of performance and convenience.
Appendix A Appendix A - Bridging The Architect Caution - When bridging a zone, the minimum speaker load impedance on that bridged output is 4 ohms. In a bridged system, each channel of the bridged pair “sees” one half of the speaker load. This means that a bridged amp driving a 4 ohm speaker is operating into a 2 ohm load. To increase the output power of The Architect, you can join (bridge) the two channels of one zone into a single channel of 100 watts. Accomplishing this is a simple matter.
Appendix B Appendix B - Building Your Own PFM Modules Standard Module Frequencies 18dB/octave (14 pin) Frequency Frequency 20 Hz 100 Hz 25 Hz 120 Hz 35 Hz 130 Hz 40 Hz 150 Hz 45 Hz 170 Hz 50 Hz 200 Hz 60 Hz 270 Hz 65 Hz 350 Hz 70 Hz 500 Hz 80 Hz 725 Hz 90 Hz 950 Hz AudioControl PFM filters use resistor modules for frequency programming. All modules are constructed in the same way, with the exception of the actual value of the resistors used. In each module, ALL resistor values are equal.
Appendix B Frequencies by Resistor Value Five-percent resistors are available in 24 standard values per decade (this means that from 10 to 100 ohms, there are 24 values). The following table lists the crossover frequencies that result from using these standard 5% values.
The Warranty The WARRANTY People are scared of warranties. Lots of fine print. Months of waiting around. Well, fear no more. This warranty is designed to make you rave about us to your friends. It’s a warranty that looks out for you and helps you resist the temptation to have your friend, who’s “good with electronics”, try to repair your AudioControl product. So go ahead, read this warranty, then take a few days to enjoy your new Architect before sending in the warranty card and comments.
What to do if you need service What to do if you need service First, contact AudioControl, either by phone (425)775-8461 or FAX (425)778-3166. We’ll verify if there is anything wrong that you can fix yourself, or arrange to have it sent back to our factory for repair. Please include the following items with the returning unit: 1) A copy of your proof of purchase (that sales receipt we’ve been harping about). No originals please. We cannot guarantee returning them to you.
BLOCK DIAGRAM Block Diagram & Specifications SPECIFICATIONS Model 500 & Model 700 Amplifier Power Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Watts @ 8 ohms Bridged Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 watts @ 8 ohms Minimum Recommended Speaker Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ohms (2 ohms in limited zones) Damping Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greater than 200 EQ Center Frequencies . . . . . . .
® making good stereo sound better® 22410 70th Avenue West Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 Phone 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166 Internet http://www.audiocontrol.
