Instruction manual

SMS1 Instruction Manual Rev C Page 5
Quick Start Guide
Thank you for selecting the Benchmark SMS1 loudspeakers. The suggestions in this guide will help
you to get the most enjoyment from these high-quality speakers. If you have questions, our
support staff is available at 1 800-BNCHMRK, [phone], [phone], or at
[e-mail] Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.
Speaker Placement
Provide a Stable Mounting Surface
A stable vibration-free mounting surface is important for achieving proper stereo imaging. It is also
an essential consideration for safety.
Do not place this product on an unstable cart, shelf, stand, bracket, or tripod. The unit may fall,
causing serious injury and/or serious damage. Support must be stable, and must be capable of
supporting the weight of the product. Many speaker stands have provisions for adding ballast to
improve stability - use ballast features when available.
Orientation
The SMS1 speakers are designed to be oriented vertically (tweeter above the woofer). Do not
place the speakers on their sides.
Height
The SMS1 should be mounted so that the tweeters are at ear height, or a few inches above ear
height. If the speakers must be mounted higher or lower than this, they should be angled so that
the tweeters point directly toward or slightly above the listener's ears.
Distance to Listening Position
Depending on the application (near-field or mid-field), your speakers should be located 4 to 16 feet
from the primary listening position. The distance between the speakers may range from 4 to 8 feet
depending on the application, but this distance should not exceed the distance between the
speaker and the listening position. Both speakers should be exactly the same distance from the
primary listening position.
The Stereo Triangle
Ideally, the speakers and the listener should form a triangle where the listener is exactly the same
distance from both speakers. During set-up, we recommend measuring to ensure equal distance.
Optimum stereo imaging is only achieved when the listener is exactly the same distance from both
speakers. Variations of a few inches will diminish the accuracy of the stereo imaging. When this
geometry is incorrect, center-stage high-frequency sounds will move out to the right and left
speakers.