Architect™ Model 110 Model 210 Model 210ES Two Channel Power Amplifier High Current Design • Sound Optimization Superior Energy Efficiency Professional Installer’s Consciousness Guide ® For Those Who Consider Perfection Possible® 22410 70th Avenue West Seattle, WA 98043 USA 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166 www.audiocontrol.com ©2011. All rights reserved.
Important Information Dealer Name______________________________________ Date Installed___________________________________ Serial Number____________________________________ ®
Table of Contents Table of Contents Architect Model 110 / 210 / 210ES Architect Product Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Experienced Installer’s Quick Hook-Up Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 A Guided Tour Of the Architect Model 210/110 . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Hooking Up Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Installation: The Long Version . . . . . . . . .
Architect™ Model 210ES Model 210 Model 110 Architect Model 210ES Architect Model 210 Architect Model 110 ®
Introduction Introduction Congratulations! You are now installing an AudioControl Architect amplifier, a component that will dramatically improve the performance of any distributed audio system, especially those utilizing in-wall speakers. The Architect Model 110, Model 210 and Model 210ES are American-designed and manufactured, “set and forget” components which will provide a lifetime of trouble-free service for your multi-room audio system.
Great Features Great Features of the Architect Amplifiers High Current Design To Drive Multiple Speakers Distributed audio systems can place terrific demands on power amplifiers. Lots of speakers and volume controls add up to extremely complex loads that can drive most amps to the point of smoking. The high current drive capabilities of this Architect amplifier allows it to play into very low impedances (2 ohms) meaning it can play eight pairs of speakers simultaneously.
Great Features Architect Model 210ES – Energy Star Certified AudioControl factories are located in the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, so we have long been know for designing “green” amplifiers that are stingy on power consumption. For clients that are looking for extremely low power consumption, when their distributed audio systems are not in use, AudioControl offers the Architect Model 210ES.
Quick Hook-up Guide Experienced Installer’s Quick Hook-Up Guide What follows are “Express” hook-up diagrams for professionals and experienced audio buffs. 1. Connect the Speaker and Audio Inputs. (Page 10) The Architect is designed to drive multiple speakers down to 2 ohm loads. To simplify connection, there are two sets of speaker terminals in parallel. Remember to figure in both sets of connections when calculating the total system speaker impedance. 2. Connect the AC power.
Guided Tour A Guided Tour Of Architect Model 210ES, Model 210 and Model 110 Front Panel Power LED - Nothing too tricky here...when you have the Master Power switch on the back panel turned on, this LED will initially turn Red and then Blue, indicating that all systems are go. If the light stays Red, the Architect is in a sleep mode Protection LED - This LED has three faces. In normal operation it glows Blue when music is playing.
Guided Tour Architect Model 110 / 210ES Rear Panel Rear Panel Remote Power Control – This mono 1/8” jack allows you to remotely turn the Architect ON and OFF by applying a 12-volt trigger, should your system design require this. Do not plug head-phones in this jack!! You do not have to normally use this trigger since the Architect is equipped with Signal Sensing inputs. The amplifier will turn on once an audio signal is present on the RCA inputs and the LED will turn on.
Guided Tour 13 14 11 Optional Architect Model 110 / 210ES Rear Panel 12 16 makes it very simple to pre-wire a system without ever taking the Architect out to the installation site. The two output blocks are paralleled to simplify connection to multiple speakers. The speaker connector blocks will accept up to 12 AWG wire. 11 12 Optional 5-way Binding Posts – Available as an option for installers that prefer this type of speaker connection (The Architect Model 115 and Model 215).
Hooking Up Your System Hooking Up Your Architect Amplifier What you’ll need: 1. The Architect Model 110, Model 210 or Model 210ES. 2. RCA audio hook-up cables. 3. Plenty of speaker wire to reach all of your speakers. 4. Source unit(s) such as multi-zone controller, receiver, or preamplifier. 5. Although you can set the speaker optimization controls by ear, a real-time audio analyzer such as the AudioControl Industrial SA-3052 is very helpful. 6.
A benefit of having remote power control on the Architect is that you can install it in another area of the house (such as a basement or utility room) away from the main component stack. Make certain that you use a good quality audio line driver (such as ones from AudioControl) to extend the RCA cables if you choose this type of in-stallation. Installation: The Long Version Power Under normal operating conditions, the Architect Model 110/210/210ES can draw up to 550 watts of AC power.
Installation: The Long Version Connecting the Audio 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 ALL components OFF 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.
Installation: The Long Version Speaker Hook-up The same rule applies to the speaker wires as the RCA connections. Establish a standard connection color code 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 onto the wire jacket.
Doing The Deed Doing The Deed Before proceeding on to setting up the Speaker Optimization controls on the Architect, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have everything connected and working properly. 1. Double-check all connections. Make certain that all of the audio and speaker connections are firmly seated and tightened down. 2. Turn on your audio system.
A Short Introduction to Equalizers and Acoustics 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.
Audio Analysis Using Pink Noise waves can be caught and neutralized by draperies, carpeting, upholstered furniture and gangs of indolent Persian cats... while gigantic bass waves simply slosh back and forth in the room. 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.
More About AudioControl’s Equalization Settings Equalization Settings Here is a brief introduction to each of the Speaker Optimization control frequencies and what their affect on your music is. 45Hz — Low bass. This is about the lowest frequency which in-wall, extension and small book-shelf speakers can achieve. Boosting it too far might cause problems, even though the Architect Model 210’s PFM filter cuts frequencies under 35Hz.
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 110Hz. That can really tax a system, which is driving multiple speakers from a single amplifier channel.
TroubleShooting Troubleshooting the Architect Amplifier Almost all problems can be eliminated by re-checking the wiring and settings of the Architect amplifier. If a problem cannot be solved using the guide below, please call the AudioControl factory for further assistance. 1. No Sound: • Verify Source unit is operating. • Verify the Power LED in BLUE • Verify Protection LED is BLUE. • Verify Channel Status LED is BLUE.
Appendix A – Bridging The Architect Appendix A - Bridging The Architect Amplifier To increase the output power of the Architect, you can join (bridge) the two channels of the Architect into a single channel of over 400 watts. To accomplish this just engage the MONO/STEREO switch on the rear panel and make sure the input level controls on each channel are adjusted the same. Then connect the speaker terminals as shown in the diagram below.
Appendix B – Understanding The Front Panel LEDs Appendix B – Understanding the Front Pandel LEDs The AudioControl Architect Model 110/210/210ES is not only a great sounding amplifier but it is also an intelligent audio component. Just by looking at the LED’s on the front panel, you will know how your Architect is functioning and, should the need arise, it will you assist in troubleshooting your system.
Brazen Plug A Brazen Plug For Other AudioControl Products AudioControl started out making graphic equalizers in 1977. Our heritage and design experience grew from a background in professional audio, so we were never quite satisfied with what was available for the consumer audio market. Since that time, we have continued to expand our product offerings to become a key part of great home audio and video systems.
Warranty CONDITIONAL FIVE YEAR WARRANTY Custom electronics installations are an invisible element of many modern homes. You don’t appreciate what they do for you unless something goes wrong. AudioControl recognizes this fact and engineers the most bulletproof components we know how. We stand behind that quality, with full FIVE-YEAR parts and labor factory warranty when our components are installed by an authorized AudioControl dealer in the United States. Otherwise your warranty is one year.
Block Diagram Block Diagrams Architect Model 210 Architect Model 210ES ©AudioControl 2011, All Rights Reserved. Important Note: All 12v Triggers are tip +12 volts. This manual was written, designed, printed, folded and stuffed into the box in the U.S.A. Probably on a really soggy day considering where we live.
Specifications SPECIFICATIONS Architect Model 110/210/210ES Series Specifications Power Output (All Channels Driven) 2 ohm (Less than .9% THD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Watts 4 ohm (Less than .9% THD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Watts 8 ohm (Less than .9% THD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Watts 8 ohm (Bridged Mono) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410 Watts Minimum Speaker Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For Those Who Consider Perfection Possible® ® 22410 70th Avenue West Seattle, WA 98043 USA 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166 e-mail: sound.better@audiocontrol.com Visit us on the web at www.audiocontrol.com P/N 913-110-0 Rev.
