User’s Guide

Computer Speaker System

© 2000 Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc.,Milford, PA 18337800-ALTEC-88 • www.altecmm.com

One Year Limited WarrantyAltec Lansing Technologies, Inc. warrantsto the end user that all of its computerspeaker systems are free from defects inmaterial and workmanship in the courseof normal and reasonable use for a term ofone year from the date of purchase.

This warranty is the exclusive and onlywarranty in effect relative to AltecLansing computer speaker systems andany other warranties, either expressedor implied, are invalid. Neither AltecLansing Technologies, Inc. nor anyauthorized Altec Lansing Technologies,Inc. reseller is responsible for anyincidental damages incurred in the use ofthe speakers. (This limitation ofincidental or consequential damage is notapplicable where prohibited.)

Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc.’sobligation under this warranty does notapply to any defect, malfunction orfailure as a result of misuse, abuse,improper installation, use with faulty orimproper equipment or the use of thecomputer speaker systems with anyequipment for which they were notintended.

The terms of this warranty apply only tocomputer speaker systems when suchspeakers are returned to the respectiveauthorized Altec Lansing Technologies,Inc. reseller where they were purchased.

Under the terms of this warranty theoriginal consumer purchaser has certainlegal rights and may have other rightswhich vary worldwide.

SpecificationsOverallTotal Audio Power 40 watts

THD <0.8%@1 watt, 1kHz

Input Sensitivity 300 mV for fulloutput

Input Impedance >10K ohms

Frequency Response 38 Hz – 18 kHz

SatellitesSpeakers (per satellite) One 3 inch(75mm)

Audio Power 5 Watts perchannel

(20 watts total)

Frequency Response 250 Hz – 18 kHz

S/N Ratio >65 dB

SubwooferSpeaker One 4 inch(100mm)

long throw

Audio Power 20 Watts

Frequency Response 38 Hz – 250 Hz

Power RequirementsUSA/CANADA 120 volts 60 HzAC

Max Power Consumption 120 Watts

UL/CUL/CE approved

ACS54

DescriptionThe ACS54 consists of four satellites anda subwoofer and is especially designed asa multimedia gaming amplified speakers y s t e m .It is used with computers that have soundcards which provide 3D (three-dimensional) decoded audio outputs orwith conventional computer sound cards.The sound card outputs for 3D audiooutputs are usually marked as OUT 1 andOUT 2. The ACS54 has two inputs that areconnected to these sound card outputs. Theinformation provided from the computeroutputs will activate the 4 satellitespeakers and subwoofer so that you willhear sounds above and below you andapproaching from every direction. Theresult is a real-life audio experience thatsurrounds the listener with sound in allthree dimensions. The computer softwarewill allow modifying the directionality ofthe sound.

If the computer you are using does nothave the 3D sound card decoder, it ispossible to install one. The supplier ofthe sound card will provide installationinstructions and software.

If your computer only has a stereo soundcard, the ACS54 can still operate as astereo amplification system. In thisinstance only one input of the ACS54 willbe used. All four satellites and subwooferwill be activated. The front and surroundspeakers on one side will be one stereochannel and the front and surroundspeakers on the other side will be theother stereo channel.

It is also possible to drive the ACS54from a DVD player that has two analogoutputs.

The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateraltriangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence ofuninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’senclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude toconstitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

CAUTION: TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOTREMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER- SERVICEABLE PARTSINSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle isintended to alert the user to the presence ofimportant operating and maintenance (servicing)instructions in the literature accompanying theappliance.

IMPORTANT

Read Instructions — All the safety and operatinginstructions should be read before the appliance isoperated.

Retain Instructions — The operating instructions shouldbe retained for future reference.

Heed Warning — All warnings on the appliance and in theoperating instructions should be adhered to.

Follow Instructions — All operating and use instructionsshould be followed.

Water and Moisture — The appliance should not be usednear water – for example, near a bathtub, washbowl,kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near aswimming pool, etc.

Outdoor Use — Warning: To reduce the risk of fire orelectric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain ormoisture.

Location — The appliance should be installed in a stablelocation.

Ventilation — The appliance should be situated so that itslocation or position does not interfere with its properventilation. For example, the appliance should not besituated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that mayblock the ventilation openings; or placed in a built-ininstallation, such as a closed bookcase or cabinet thatmay impede the flow of air through the ventilationopenings.

Heat — The appliance should be situated away from heatsources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, orother appliances (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

Power Sources — The appliance should be connected to apower supply only of the type described in the operatinginstructions or as marked on the appliance.

Power-Cord Protection — Power-supply cords should berouted so that they are not likely to be walked on orpinched by items placed upon or against them. Payparticular attention to cords at plugs, conveniencereceptacles, and the point where they exit from theappliance.

Grounding or Polarization — The precautions that shouldbe taken so that the grounding or polarization means ofan appliance is not defeated.

Cleaning — The appliance should be cleaned only with apolishing cloth or a soft dry cloth. Never clean withfurniture wax, benzine, insecticides or other volatileliquids since they may corrode the cabinet.

Non-Use Periods — The power cord of the applianceshould be unplugged from the outlet when left unused fora long period of time.

Object and Liquid Entry — Care should be taken so thatobjects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into theenclosure through openings.

Damage Requiring Service — The appliance should beserviced by qualified service personnel when:

• The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged.• Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into theappliance.

Connecting the PowerCordAC Wall SocketLong slot is neutral(ground) side.

Insert the wide blade into

CAUTIONTo prevent electric shock do not use this(polarized) plug with an extension cord,receptacle or other outlet unless theblades can be fully inserted to preventblade exposure.

WARNINGTO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE ORELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THISAPPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

SetupInstructions(See Figure 1)Do not insert thepower plug intoan AC outletuntil allconnections aremade.

Notice that the inputjacks on thesubwoofer arecolor-coded. Theplugs that areinserted into thesejacks have matchingcolors to avoidmistakes. The RIGHTFRONT jack is amini-DIN connectorwhich is differentfrom the otherjacks. Notice thatthe DIN plug has anarrow. The arrowshould face upbefore insertinginto the jack. Theinput plugs 1 and 2should be insertedinto the back of thecomputer outputs 1and 2. If your computer only has a stereo output, insert the plug (lime) indicated as number 1 into the computer stereo output. The ACS54 willautomatically decode the stereo information so that the left front and left surround will become one stereo channel and the right front and rightsurround the other channel.

Figure 1 ACS54 Setup Instructions

FRONT

INPUTS FRONTS SURROUNDS

SURROUND LEFT RIGHT LEFTRIGHT

POWERON/OFF

FRONT

INPUTS FRONTS SURROUNDS

SURROUND LEFT RIGHT LEFTRIGHT

LIME

BLACK ORANGE

BROWN

PURPLE

GOLD

Figure 2

Figure 4

Figure 3

Use of Controls (See Figure 2and 3) Power On/Off: Press the on/off switch on

the surround of the right satellite. The

power LED on the front panel will glow to

indicate the unit is turned on. Press this

switch again to turn the unit off.

Volume Up/Down: Turn the volume

control clockwise to increase volume and

counter-clockwise to decrease volume.

Surround Control: The SURROUND

Control varies the volume of the left and

right surround speakers. The adjustment of

this control is made at the users discretion.

Adjust this control until the surround affect

is enhanced for best realism.

This control operates in the same manner

when computers only have stereo outputs.

Bass Control: The BASS Level Control is

located on the front of the subwoofer.

Rotating this control clockwise, increases

the bass response and rotating the control

counter-clockwise, decreases the bass.

Most usually, this control is set by blending

the subwoofer output with satellites and is

not intended to be used often. Some

experimentation is required to obtain a

proper balance between the subwoofer and

satellites. It is best to use a wide variety of

music for setting the control.

Placement of Speakers (SeeFigure 4)Figure 4 shows a typical placement of thespeakers to obtain the 3D spatial effect.The listener sits in the center of the foursatellite speakers. The satellite speakershave notches on the back, which alsoallows them to be mounted on a wall. Thesubwoofer does not have to be placed asshown, but the subwoofer is not shieldedand should not be placed near the monitor.Subwoofer sound is non-directional andtherefore does not have to be placed in anyspecial relationship to the satellites.

BackView ofSatellite

ACS54 SUBWOOFER (FRONT VIEW)