CT800 Series Installation Manual
Table of Contents Warranty 2 Owner’s Manual 3 Important Safety Instructions 3 Introduction 5 Environmental Information 5 The Concept 6 Planning the Installation 8 Checking the Contents Speaker Position Surround Speaker Dispersion Mode Mounting the Speakers Installing CT8 DS Into a Drywall Installing CT8 DS to a Wall Surface 8 8 9 10 12 13 Connecting the System 15 The Speakers The CT8 XO Crossover/Equaliser 15 16 Description of Controls 17 Configure the CT800 XO to the Speaker Configure t
Warranty Dear customer, How to claim repairs under warranty Welcome to B&W. Should service be required, please follow the following procedure: This product has been designed and manufactured to the highest quality standards. However, if something does go wrong with this product, B&W Loudspeakers and its national distributors warrant free of charge labour (exclusion may apply) and replacement parts in any country served by an official B&W distributor.
Owner’s Manual IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 8 Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety.
19 Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or integral convenience receptacles, as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock. 20 Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings, as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product. Do not place any object containing liquid on top of the product.
Introduction Thank you for purchasing a Bowers and Wilkins Custom Theatre system. Since its foundation in 1966, the continuing philosophy of B&W has been the quest for perfect sound reproduction. Inspired by the company’s founder, the late John Bowers, this quest has entailed not only high investment in audio technology and innovation but also an abiding appreciation of music and movies to ensure that the technology is put to maximum effect.
The Concept The CT 800 range comprises five products: CT8 LR A 3-way speaker intended for front left and right channels, one placed in vertical orientation at each side of the screen. CT8 DS A full range surround speaker that may operate in either 2-way dipole or 3-way monopole mode. CT8 CC A 3-way centre channel speaker that is acoustically similar to the CT8 LR, but designed with a more symmetrical drive unit layout so that it may be used in horizontal orientation immediately above or below the screen.
Although the speakers are semi-active and require an active crossover, all power amplification must be separately sourced. Each CT8 LR, CT8 CC and CT8 DS requires two channels of power amplification, or three if used with a CT8 SW subwoofer. This allows the user maximum flexibility in choosing these components. The CT8 SW subwoofer, unlike the majority of subwoofers currently available, does not contain its own power amplifier and is used in a different manner than is usual.
Planning the installation Figure 6 Figure 5 Safety Warning! A CT800 system is capable of producing very high sound pressure levels. Prolonged exposure to high sound levels can lead first to temporary and later permanent hearing damage. Do not exceed recommended Leq (equivalent sound level) exposure levels, for example, those specified in ISO 1999:1990.
Figure 6 Figure 5 Surround speaker dispersion mode Surround speakers generally fall into two main types – those that one might describe as ‘normal’ speakers - socalled monopoles, where the sound comes from a set of drive units mounted on the front of the enclosure - and those that give a more diffuse sound field, such as dipoles. Each type has its advantages.
Figure 6 Mounting the speakers For optimum performance, it is important that the speakers are firmly and securely mounted. All the speakers may be mounted directly at floor level, but, as mentioned above, it can be beneficial to raise the position of the surround speakers and, if the screen is high, it may also be beneficial to do the same with the front speakers. In that case, the supporting structure for the speakers should be substantial.
If it is desired to remove the roller glides, use the Torx® key supplied with the speaker to remove the retaining screws. Figure 7 An optional, spike foot kit is also available (Part No FP22359). The kit contains 4 heavy-duty feet that have 40mm (1.6 in) of vertical adjustment, allowing tilt up to 8o if desired. This tilt is in addition to that offered by the adjustable head unit of the CT8 LR and CT8 CC.
Figure 12 CT8 DS Only Installation into drywall (figure 12) So that it can be sunk into a standard drywall up to the level of the side-firing drivers, the CT8 DS has a relatively shallow cabinet for its height and is front heavy. To maintain stability, it is equipped with a bracket that enables the rear of the cabinet to be anchored either to a wall surface or the internal studding of a drywall.
Figure 13 CT8 DS only (cont’d) Installation to wall surface (figure 13) Using the front aspect template provided, mark the centre line of the retaining bracket on the wall. The two angle brackets (A) from the kit are not required. Offer the wall bracket (C) to the wall and mark the screw positions at each end. Drill and plug the wall to take screws in the range 5mm – 6mm (No.10 to No.12) Screw the wall bracket to the wall, trapping the stud plate (B) in position.
SUB - Figure 14 CT8 DS only (cont’d) Figure 17 Continue for all cases Connect the signal and trigger cables to the speaker. Using the Allen key provided, remove the aluminium facing plate on the front of the speaker, taking care that the tweeter protection cover remains in position. Fit the guide tubes (F) into the two through holes. Offer the speaker into position, ensuring that the guide tubes (F) locate over the studs of the bracket (B).
Connecting the System The speakers Figure 15 All the speakers are provided with a comprehensive choice of connection methods. Binding posts accommodate 6mm (1/4 in) or 8mm (5/16 in) spades, 4mm banana plugs and bare wire ends and a Neutrik® Speakon® socket provides a professional industry standard multiway connection that makes it easy to make a connection in confined spaces, especially when it is sometimes difficult to see what you are doing.
The Rear Panel CT8CT8 XOXO rear panel The CT8 XO crossover/equaliser CT8 XO rear panel Front left/right channels The CT8 XO may be placed on a table or shelf or in a 19-in rack. If housed in an Front left/right channels enclosed structure, proper ventilation must be supplied as stated in the in the safety instructions. ON Figure 18 Figure 18 Left surround channel Leftissurround channel The CT8 XO connected between the surround processor and the power amplifiers.
Description of Controls Description of controls Figure 19 LF Contour The unit features a comprehensive set of controls to tune the performance of each speaker according to the conditions of use. The response may be shaped by a combination of three parametric equalisers, each having a level range of +4.5 / -12 dB, and low- and high-frequency contour controls, the effects of which are illustrated in figure 19.
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Configure the CT800 XO to the speaker Equipment Required Set Bank 1 Switches 2 & 3 to the type of speaker. • AC voltmeter • Signal Generator capable of outputting a sine wave up to 2V RMS • Flat bladed screwdriver to adjust the rotary controls of the CT8 XO Set Bank 4 Switches 1, 3 & 4 according to the number of subwoofers attached. The conditions of Switches 3 & 4 are irrelevant if Switch 1 is set to ON.
T1 T2 T3 C4 C5 C6 C10 C11 C12 Figure 21 S1 S2 S3 S4 Setting the Subwoofer gain Disconnect the speakers from the power amplifiers. Connect the MF/HF power amplifier to the Subwoofer output of the unit. Set the output level of the oscillator to zero and connect it to the appropriate test input socket. + + Set the oscillator frequency to 25Hz. Set Bank 1 Switch 1 to ON. Set Bank 4 Switch 2 to ON. Set Bank 2 Switches 2 & 3 to OFF.
Configure the equalisers The Theory A number of response measurements R1 to Rn are taken and the average or mean response Rm is calculated. The microphone is left at position n and further measurements are taken as adjustments are made to the equalisation. If the measured equalised response at position n (called Rneq) is multiplied by R and.
Figure 22 Procedure To avoid errors from airbourne background noise and electrical interference, switch off all sources in the room such as air conditioning, refrigerators etc. Laptop computer settings: Run the laptop from its battery and disconnect its transformer power supply when taking measurements. This will prevent noise being generated by electrical grounding mismatches between the laptop, sound card and CT8 XO. Make sure the battery is fully charged before starting the measuring procedure.
Place the microphone at the chosen measurement position that is closest to the speaker under test (where it will measure the highest sound pressure level). Set the “Input Ch.1” slider to maximum. Figure 24 Set the “Output” slider to zero and switch on the test signal by clicking the button. Increase the output level until the “Input Ch.1” level meter just goes into the red zone. Decrease the “Input CH.1” level until the signal peaks between the -6dB and -3dB marks.
Figure 26 To set this curve as a multiplier, press the F5 key. In this dialog box, select the file you just saved (Average_resp) and, under ‘Compensation of Level’, check the ‘Tune EQ (multiply)’ box as shown (figure 26). This curve is now the reference and all subsequent measurements will be multiplied by this response. Click OK. The graphs will change, but ignore these changes. We now need to set division by the measurement performed in this last position with no equalisation (Rn ).
Set Bank 2 Switches 2 & 3 according to the number of filters required. Altering the parametric filter controls is likely to also affect the overall gain of the subwoofer and LF sections. To restore the correct levels: Set the P (all) gain control (C3) to zero. The markings on the filter control dials are approximate and for guidance only. Set the individual filter gain controls (C4, C7 & C10) to -14dB Set the individual filter Q controls (C5, C8 & C11) to approximately 4.
Running In and Ancillary Equipment Ancillary equipment Running In Speakers of this ability deserve signals of the highest quality. Choose your electronic equipment and interconnecting cables with care. We can give guidance on what to look for when choosing ancillary equipment, but cannot recommend specific items. The standards of such products are improving all the time and your dealer will be able to demonstrate a variety of suitable up-to-date products.
Aftercare The speaker cabinet surfaces and the casing of the CT8 XO usually only require dusting. If you wish to use an aerosol cleaner, remove any speaker grilles first by gripping round the edges and gently pulling them away from the cabinet. Spray onto the cleaning cloth, not directly onto the cabinet. The grille fabric may be cleaned with a normal clothes brush whilst the grille is detached from the cabinet.
Specifications Model CT8 LR CT8 CC CT8 SW Description 3-way closed-box system 3-way closed-box system Closed-box subwoofer Drive Units 1x ø32mm (11⁄4 in) metal dome high-frequency 1x ø150mm (6 in) woven Kevlar® cone FSTTM midrange 2x ø250mm (10 in) carbon fibre/rigid foam sandwich cone bass 1x ø32mm (11⁄4 in) metal dome high-frequency 1x ø150mm (6 in) woven Kevlar® cone FSTTM midrange 2x ø250mm (10 in) carbon fibre/rigid foam sandwich cone bass 1x ø380mm (15 in) carbon fibre/rigid foam sandwich cone
Specifications Model CT8 DS Model CT8 XO Description 3-way monopole/2-way dipole selectable closed-box surround system Description CT800 system active bass management controller Drive Units 1x ø32mm (11⁄4 in) alloy dome high-frequency 6x ø100mm (4 in) midrange/high-frequency 1x ø150mm (6 in) woven Kevlar® cone FSTTM midrange 2x ø250mm (10 in) carbon fibre/rigid foam sandwich cone bass Functions Frequency Range -6dB at 26Hz and 40kHz (monopole mode) -6dB at 26Hz and 22kHz (dipole mode) Frequency R
ll09835 Issue 6 B&W Group Ltd Dale Road Worthing West Sussex BN11 2BH England T +44 (0) 1903 221 800 F +44 (0) 1903 221 801 info@bwgroup.com www.bwspeakers.com UK Group (UK Sales) T +44 1903 221 500 E uksales@bwgroup.com B&W Group North America T +1 978 664 2870 E marketing@bwgroupusa.com B&W Group (Asia) Ltd T +852 2 869 9916 E showroom@bwgroup.hk Copyright © B&W Group Ltd. E & OE Kevlar is a registered trademark of DuPont Rohacell is a registered trademark of Röhm GmbH Printed in Canada.
