Harman Kardon SIG1.5 Owners Manual - Page 10

Signature 1.5 Installation and Connections speaker cable. Many brands of cable are available, and the choice of cable may be influenced by the distance between your speakers and the amplifier, the type of speakers you use, personal preferences and other factors. Your dealer or installer is a valuable resource to consult in selecting a proper cable for connections between your amplifier and speakers. Regardless of the brand or type of cable selected, we recommend that you use a cable constructed of highstrand-count copper with a gauge of 14 or smaller. When specifying cable, remember that the smaller the number, the thicker the cable. Cable with a gauge of 16 may be used for short runs of less than ten feet. We do not recommend the use of cables with an AWG equivalent of 18 or higher due to the power loss and degradation in performance that will occur. Cables run inside walls should have the appropriate markings to indicate listing with UL ("CL-2/CL-3"), CSA ("FT-4") or appropriate safety agency standards that may be required in your area. Questions about running cables inside walls should be referred to your installer or a licensed electrical contractor who is familiar with the NEC and/or the applicable building or electrical codes in your area. Two-Channel/Stereo Systems: When installing a two- channel (stereo) system, connect the positive (+) and - negative ( ) terminals from the right and left speakers to the matching terminals ¡ ¢ on the rear panel of the 1.5. Make certain that the Bridge/Normal Switch £ is in the NORMAL position (see page 8). When the 1.5 is used for two-channel/stereo operation, speakers with an impedance of no less than 4 ohms may be used. Bridged Mono Applications: To use the 1.5 as a single- channel, mono amplifier, connect the (+) terminal on your speaker to the (+) terminal on the Channel Two - Output ¢ on the 1.5. Connect the negative ( ) terminal on your speaker to the positive (+) terminal on the Channel One Output ¡ (see page 9). Note: For mono applications, no connections are made to - the negative ( ) speaker output terminals on the 1.5. Make certain that the Bridge/Normal Switch £ is in the BRIDGE position (see page 9). Important Note: When the 1.5 is used in the Bridged Mono mode, do not use speakers with an impedance of less than 8 ohms. When making speaker connections, note that one conductor of the speaker cable may have no markings or an - indication of ( ) for negative polarity, and the other will have a red line, brand-name markings, a colored thread or some other positive-polarity indication (+). The wire with the positive indication should be connected to the red terminals on both the 1.5 and your speakers. The negative wire should be connected to the black terminal on the 1.5 and the speakers. If bare wire is used for connections, strip approximately 3⁄4˝(20 mm) of insulation from the end of each wire and carefully twist the strands of each conductor together. Be careful not to cut the individual strands or twist them off; for optimal performance, all strands must be used. Next, loosen the knobs of the speaker output terminals far enough so that the cap moves back on its threads past the holes at the rear of the terminal. Making certain that you observe the correct polarity for the type of system being installed (Stereo or Bridged Mono), pass the exposed wire through the hole until the wire is visible from the bottom end. Holding the wire in place, twist the cap back so that the connection is secured. Do not overtighten or use tools, as this may damage the plastic terminal cap or break the delicate wire strands and decrease system performance. Important Note: When making speaker wire connections, be certain that none of the strands from one lead touch any other lead. This will cause a short circuit and may damage your amplifier or speakers. Damage from short circuits caused in this manner is not covered by the product warranty. Connections may also be made using spade lugs or standard 4 mm OD banana plugs. Before using a banana-type jack, make certain that the plastic screw caps on the 1.5 are firmly tightened by turning them clockwise until they are snug against the chassis. This will ensure that the maximum surface area of the plug is in contact with the jack. Once the wire has been attached to the banana plug following the plug manufacturer's instructions, 7