User Guide
Altec Lansing
Amplified Speaker System
ADA880
© 1999 Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc., Milford, PA 18337-0277
Introduction
The ADA880 is a technologically advanced multimedia amplified speaker system featuring Dolby Digital AC3 and Dolby Pro-Logic surround
sound and stereo reproduction. The amplifier inputs can simultaneously operate on analog and digital (S/PDIF)* audio signals.
The unit is comprised of a subwoofer and two satellite speakers. This combination provides surround sound on a desktop by
utilizing side firing speakers. For enhanced surround sound the top speaker portion of each satellite can be separated and placed on
a provided stand with long speaker wires. This enables the separated speakers to be placed for best surround sound performance.
Equalizer circuitry automatically resets to conform to the changes that take place when the speakers are separated.
The satellite speakers are magnetically shielded and can be placed close to a monitor without disturbing images. The speaker in the
subwoofer is not magnetically shielded and should not be placed close to a monitor.
Subwoofer frequencies are non directional, therefore, the subwoofer does not have to be located in any particular relationship to the
satellite speakers. Placing it on the floor close to a wall, corner of a room or under a desk gives excellent results.
The main satellite speaker has status indicators to show the various conditions of operation. A master volume control is used to
separately adjust bass, center, surround and treble settings. Once the individual functions are set, the control reverts back to
becoming a master volume control. A remote control unit is supplied that can access all the manual functions. The remote control
has a mute function that is not available when using the controls manually.
The AC3/PRO-LOGIC/STEREO decode circuits operate automatically. If the unit is in the STEREO or PRO-LOGIC mode and an
AC3 signal appears at the input of the amplifier, the circuitry automatically switches over to AC3. This and other automatic features
are explained under “Using the Speaker System.”
If analog and digital signals appear at the input of the amplifier, the analog signal is automatically reduced in volume level.
*Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format.
SPECIFICATIONS
POWER REQUIREMENTS
System Response 20Hz – 20kHz
USA/Canada 120V/240W/60Hz
Total Audio Output 80 Watts
Input Impedance >10k Ohms
Europe/United
Kingdom and various
Asian countries 230V/240W/50Hz
Analog Input Sensitivity 300mV for full output
Digital Input S/PDIF*
UL/CU/CE Approved
SATELLITE AMPLIFIED
SPEAKERS
DIMENSIONS
Subwoofer 345mm Wide X
Drivers Four 3” full range
290mm Deep X
235mm High
Two 1” Tweeters
Power 40 Watts (10 watts per
driver) at .10% THD
Main Speakers 102mm Wide X
130mm Deep X
Signal-to-Noise Ratio >70dB
155mm High
SUBWOOFER
Surrounds 120mm Wide X
105mm Deep X
Driver One 8” dual voice coil
Power 40 watts at 1% THD
108mm High
Crossover Frequency 150Hz
*Sony Philips Digital Interconnect Format
Signal-to-Noise Ratio >70dB
Setup
Do not plug the AC power plug into the wall outlet until all connections are made.
The ADA880 can be setup in two configurations. For ENHANCED SURROUND sound a 5-piece setup is used. For near field
STEREO/SURROUND sound a 3-piece setup is used. The two modes of operation are described below. The speakers are packaged
and shipped in the 5-piece arrangement. Follow the instructions and pictorial view below to make the 5-piece connections.
Enhanced Surround Sound Operation (See Figure 1)
1) Connect the left and right satellite speakers.
Notice that the DIN connectors from the left and right satellite speakers are color-coded and plug into the matching color
indicators on the back of the subwoofer. Also note that the connectors have arrows. These arrows should face up as shown
in Figure 1.
2) Connect the left and right surround speakers.
The left (yellow) and right (purple) surround speaker connectors are plugged into the corresponding colored inputs on the
back of the subwoofer.
3) Connect the subwoofer to the computer.
The green color-coded wire connects the ANALOG INPUT on the subwoofer to the AUDIO OUTPUT on the computer.
The black RCA type plug is used to connect the S/PDIF INPUT on the subwoofer to a DVD player.
4) Plug the AC power plug into the wall outlet.
The ADA880 unit should be installed close to the AC power outlet so that the power plug can be readily removed from the
outlet in the event of a hazardous problem.
Your ADA880 system is now ready for use.
Figure 1
Near Field Stereo/Surround Sound Operation (see Figures 2 and 3)
If it is desired to convert to a 3-speaker system, follow the instructions and the pictorial view below.
1) Separate the left and right surround speakers from their stands by gently pulling the speaker up (See Figure 2)
2) Remove the left (yellow) and right (purple) speaker wires from the subwoofer.
(Set speaker stands aside for future use)
3) Remove the supplied rubber plugs from the top of the satellite speakers.
4) Mount the surround speakers on top of the satellite speakers as shown in Figure 2.
(The connections to the satellite speakers are made automatically once the surround speakers are mounted)
The ADA880 unit should be installed close to the AC power outlet so that the power plug can be readily removed
from the outlet in the event of a hazardous problem.
Your ADA880 system is now ready for use.
Figure 2
Figure 3
Placement of Speakers (See Figures 4 and 5)
All stereo information is heard from the satellite and surround speakers. The subwoofer contains no stereo information and its sound is
non-directional. As a result, the subwoofer does not necessarily have to be placed in any particular relationship to the satellites. Placing
the subwoofer on the floor close to a wall or corner of a room provides maximum bass efficiency. The subwoofer is not magnetically
shielded and should not be placed near video displays.*
Near Field
The satellite and surround speakers are magnetically shielded and can be placed close to the computer monitor without distorting video
images. Best stereo effect is obtained by placing the speakers as far apart as practical.
Enhanced Surround Sound
Best surround effect is obtained by placing the surround speakers forward of the monitor and approximately the same distance apart as
the satellite speakers. Excellent results are obtained when the surround speakers are in line with, and slightly above the listeners ears.
*Note: Care should be taken not to place diskettes or other magnetic media on the subwoofer.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Using the Speaker System (See Figure 6)
*POWER. Press this button to turn power on. A green indicator will glow. Press again to turn power off.
DOLBY. The DOLBY button allows 2 modes of operation – STEREO or SURROUND. Repeatedly pressing this button toggles
between the two modes.
See A) B) C) below.
A) STEREO. When the function indicator is off: the unit is in the STEREO mode.
B) SURROUND. When the function indication is amber the unit is in the SURROUND PRO-LOGIC mode.
C) DOLBY DIGITAL (AC3). When the function indicator is green: The unit is in the DOLBY DIGITAL (AC3) mode. This function
is selected automatically whenever a Dolby Digital Surround Signal is detected at the input. The automatic selection will occur
regardless of the mode of operation, STEREO or SURROUND.
*Note: If the AC source of power is turned off before the power switch is turned off on the unit a “pop” sound may be heard from
the speakers. This is normal and not a problem. To avoid the “pop” sound, turn off the unit first.
BASS. The BASS button allows 2 modes of operation: BASS level control or CENTER level control.
See D) and E) below.
D) BASS LEVEL CONTROL. The bass level control is accessible in all modes of operation. If it is desired to increase/decrease
BASS response, press this button. The green function indicator above the control will glow. Also, the volume level indicators
will glow showing the last setting of the control. Rotate the master volume control clockwise to increase bass and counter
clockwise to decrease bass. Only 6 of the 7 level indicators are operational in this mode. As volume is increased/decreased
only one level indicator at a time will glow in ascending or descending order. As the volume control is varied and passes through
the flat response setting of the control, the 2 center indicators will glow. (This is the equivalent of a manual volume control set
at center detent indicating flat response.)
E) CENTER LEVEL MODE. This function is only operational in the SURROUND mode. Hold the BASS button depressed
until the function indicator begins flashing on/off. Rotate the master volume control clockwise to increase the center volume
and counterclockwise to decrease center volume. The green volume level indicators will glow in ascending order as volume
is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.
TREBLE. The TREBLE button allows 2 modes of operation, TREBLE level control or SURROUND level control.
See F) and G) below.
F) TREBLE LEVEL CONTROL. The treble level control is accessible in all modes of operation. If it is desired to
increase/decrease TREBLE response, press this button, the green function indicator above the control will glow. Also, the
volume level indicators will glow showing the last setting of the control. Rotate the master volume control clockwise to increase
treble and counter clockwise to decrease treble. Only 6 of the 7 volume level indicators are operational in this mode. As volume
is increased/decreased only one level indicator at a time will glow in ascending or descending order. As the volume control
is varied and passes through the flat response setting of the control the 2 center indicators will glow. (This is the equivalent
of a manual volume control set at center detent indicating flat response.)
G) SURROUND. This function is only operational in the SURROUND mode. Hold the TREBLE button depressed until the
function indicators begin flashing on/off. Rotate the master volume control clockwise to increase the surround volume and
counter-clockwise to decrease the surround volume. The green volume indicators will glow in ascending order as volume
is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.
MASTER VOLUME CONTROL. The MASTER VOLUME CONTROL provides two functions. It operates as a master volume
control for the overall system and can also be used to individually adjust the volume levels of BASS, CENTER, TREBLE and
SURROUND. If any one of the functions is selected and is not adjusted within a few seconds, the control reverts back to becoming
a master volume control.
FLAT RESPONSE SETTINGS. To set the BASS and TREBLE controls to a flat response (default) and the CENTER and
SURROUND controls to mid volume level positions, both the BASS and TREBLE buttons must be depressed at the same time.
Initially the function indicators above buttons the will be green. The buttons must be kept depressed until the indicators turn off.
The amplifier response is now flat (linear). If it is desired to increase/decrease BASS or TREBLE response press either of these
buttons respectively. Two volume level indicators will glow in the middle of the display indicating the flat response of the amplifier.
Notice that the volume level display has changed from 7 to 6 indicators. Rotate the volume control clockwise to increase levels and
counter-clockwise to decrease levels from the flat setting.
To access CENTER and SURROUND volume level settings, the unit must be in the SURROUND mode. Press either the BASS or
TREBLE button until the function indicator flashes. Four volume level indicators will glow showing mid setting. Adjust the
volume control clockwise to increase volume level from the mid setting and counter-clockwise to decrease volume level from the
mid setting. All volume level indicators are operational in this mode.
Figure 6
Remote Control Operation (See Figure 7)
The remote control can perform most of the manual operations. For best performance aim the front part of the control towards the
infrared detector as shown in Figure 6. Below are listed the functions of the control.
Figure 7
POWER. Press this button to turn power on. The power indicator on the satellite will glow.
Press again to turn power off.
TREBLE. Press this button if it is desired to adjust the TREBLE level. The function indicator
above the TREBLE button on the satellite will glow. To increase/decrease volume, press the
up/down arrows on the VOL button. The volume level indicators will glow in ascending order
as volume is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.
BASS. Press this button if it is desired to adjust the BASS level. The function indicator above
the BASS button on the satellite will glow. To increase/decrease volume, press the up/down
arrows on the VOL button. The volume level indicators will glow in ascending order as volume
is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.
STEREO. Press this button to operate in the STEREO mode. The indicator above the
DOLBY button on. The satellite will be off in this mode.
MUTE. This function is only available when using the remote control. Press this button to mute
the sound. The volume level indicators will turn off. The power and function button indicators
remain on. Press this button again to restore sound.
Press any other function (except power) and sound will be restored.
CENTER. This function is only operational in the SURROUND mode. Press this button to adjust the volume level of the center
channel. The green function indicator above the BASS button on the satellite will flash on/off. Set the center level by using the
up/down volume control (VOL). The green volume indicators will glow in ascending order as volume is increased and will turn off
in descending order as volume is decreased.
SURR(SURROUND). This function is only operational in the surround mode. Press this button to adjust the volume level of the
SURROUND PRO-LOGIC mode. The green function indicator above the treble button on the satellite will flash on/off. Set the
surround level by using the up/down volume control (VOL). The green volume level indicators will glow in ascending order as
volume is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.
DOLBY. The DOLBY button allows 2 modes of operation - STEREO or SURROUND.
(A)STEREO. When the function LED is off on the satellite, the unit is in the STEREO modes.
(B)SURROUND. When the amber function LED is on the satellite, the unit is in the surround PRO-LOGIC mode.
(C)DOLBY DIGITAL (AC3). When the function LED is green on the satellite, the unit is in the DOLBY DIGITAL (AC3) mode.
This function is selected automatically whenever a Dolby Digital surround signal is detected at the input. The automatic selection
will occur regardless of the mode of operation, STEREO or SURROUND.
ADA880 Troubleshooting
Symptoms
Possible Problem
Solution
All indicators are off
AC Cord is not connected to
wall outlet
Connect AC power
Control Speaker is not connected
to the subwoofer
Connect control speaker to subwoofer
Power is off
Press power button or use remote to turn on the system
Verify the AC line cord is plugged into the wall outlet
Verify power switch has been pressed (green Power LED is lit)
Raise master volume control
No Sound from all Speakers
Power is not on
Volume setting is too low
S/PDIF cable is not connected
to DVD playback card
Connect S/PDIF cable
Signal cable is disconnected
from sound card
Connect signal cable
Right (Control) speaker is disconnected Connect right (Control) speaker
Mute turns off unexpectedly
Mute was re-pressed or a function
was selected
System will un-mute whenever the mute button is pressed
again, if a function button is pressed, or if the volume control
is rotated
Subwoofer emits very loud
humming/buzzing noise
Signal cable is not completely
inserted into signal jack on subwoofer
Make sure cable is inserted snugly into signal jack
No sound from Subwoofer
Subwoofer volume is too low
Select Bass function and raise volume level
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset
Treble, Bass, Center, and Surround levels to default position.
No sound from surround speakers
Unit is not in a surround mode
Surround level is too low
Press the mode button to select a surround mode.
Prologic – Amber Dolby Digital – Green
Select surround level function and raise volume
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset
Treble, Bass, Center, and Surround levels to default position
Center and Surround buttons
do not work
Unit is not in a surround mode
Press the mode button to select a surround mode.
Prologic - Amber Dolby Digital - Green
No sound from surround speakers
when detached
Surround bases are not connected
Unit is not in a surround mode
Connect surround bases to rear of subwoofer
Press the mode button to select a surround mode.
Prologic - Amber Dolby Digital - Green
Surround level is too low
Select surround level function and raise volume
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset
Treble, Bass, Center, and Surround levels to default position
No playback from digital input
Digital signal cable is not connected
Connect digital signal cable to S/PDIF output
of DVD playback card
Sound is distorted
Not enough treble
Volume level too high
Treble setting is too low
Decrease master volume level
Select Treble function and increase level
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset
Treble, Bass, Center, and surround levels to default position
Too much treble
Treble setting is too high
Bass setting is too high
Select Treble function and decrease level
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset
Treble, Bass, Center, and surround levels to default position
Too much bass
Select Bass function and decrease level
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset
Treble, Bass, Center, and surround levels to default position
Remote Control does not work
Batteries are dead or not installed
Remote is not pointed at speakers
Remote signal path is blocked
Replace or install new batteries
Point remote control at the left side of LED bar
Removed any object that is blocking the signal from the remote
to the left side of the LED bar
|