Harman Kardon TA260 Owners Manual - Page 7

ever, if the two channels require different tone control settings, due perhaps to differences in speakers or room acoustics, the two BASS knobs may be adjusted independently to balance the differences, and from then adjusted simultaneously for best overall tone quality. The two TREBLE knobs can be similarly adjusted. To set the two knob-sections independently, hold one with your right hand while turning the other with your left hand. To adjust the system set the MODE-BLEND switch to MONOPHONIC, and play a monophonic record or radio program. Set the two friction clutch tone controls in accordance with your speaker characteristics and room acoustics. The system will now be tonally balanced for monophonic and stereophonic listening. Loudness Control: The loudness control on the TA260 is essentially two controls in one, mechanically tied together or ganged, to be operated by one knob. This control is used to adjust the volume level of any program material fed into the stereo system. Its effect can be modified by the operation of the CONTOUR switch. Contour Switch: One of the limitations of human hearing is its tendency to lose sensitivity to the very low pitched sounds as the program sound level is reduced. It is this characteristic (known as the Fletcher-Munson effect) which causes one to play music programs at high listening levels in order to experience the full rich tone available from fine modern recordings. The Harman-Kardon CONTOUR switch compensates for this effect thus eliminating high listening levels as a requisite for full enjoyment of reproduced music. For warm, full-bodied reproduction at low listening levels, throw the CONTOUR switch to ON. At high levels, the CONTOUR switch has no effect. Balance Control: The nature of stereophonic reproduction is such that it requires two identical channels to attain the highest degree of faithfulness and spatial distribution. Any variation in the efficiency of one channel as compared to the other will disturb this relationship. As there may be slight differences between the two speakers, tape heads, cartridge coils, etc., the TA260 includes a special control to balance one channel against the other. Sufficient range is covered by this control to permit rebalancing of the overall system even in extreme cases where unbalance exists. It must be noted that the BALANCE control may be set anywhere within its range of adjustment to attain system balance. Mode-Blend Control: This control serves a dual function in the operation of the TA260. In its extreme counterclockwise position, marked STEREO, it permits the unit to operate stereophonically. In addition, if a "hole-in-the-middle" effect is observed, the control may be rotated clockwise in the amount needed to eliminate it. In this latter function it operates as a stereo blend control. For monophonic operation, rotate the control to its extreme clockwise position, marked MONO, and leave it there. Stereo Normal-Reverse Switch: When operating the TA260 stereophonically, it may be desirable to reverse the two channels of program material. This switch permits you to accomplish this reversal on the front panel, At this writing, most newly recorded stereophonic discs follow the established industry standard, so that your left speaker will reproduce the program as picked up by the left recording microphone when the MODE-BLEND control is in the