NAIM ALLAE Manual - page 8
7
The performance of any loudspeaker will be influenced by
the room in which it is located and even small changes of
loudspeaker position can significantly influence the sound.
Choose a site where the loudspeakers can be located
between 1.2m and 4m apart (4ft and 13ft), clear of room
corners, and where each loudspeaker is between 10cm and
45cm (4” and 18”) away from a solid rear wall. The
distance between the speakers and the rear wall is the
aspect of positioning most likely to require adjustment as
you become familiar with the characteristics of the
loudspeakers in your room.
Loudspeakers, like many hi-fi components, will take time to
stabilise and “run-in” and can be expected to improve with
use even over a period of weeks. For this reason it is
prudent not to finalise loudspeaker positioning until the
system has been operating for at least one week.
7.1 Installation
Stage 1
Each
allæ
and
Intro 2
loudspeaker comprises two separate
cabinet components, the
Upper Cabinet
, containing the
bass/mid driver, and the
Lower Cabinet
, containing the
tweeter. These Components can be identified through
diagram 7.3.
To begin installation, first fit the floor spikes and lock-nuts
to the base of each
Lower Cabinet
. The cabinets can
safely be turned upside-down to aid fitting the spikes. If
the loudspeakers are to stand on a thick carpet, leave a
generous length of spike protruding past the lock-nut. If
they are to stand on thinly carpeted or plain floor, the spike
length should be reduced. In either case, best results will
be achieved when the spike length is set to the minimum
required for the spike lock-nuts to sit just above the carpet
pile.
Note: The metal bar across the rear underside of the
allæ
that attaches the
Lower Cabinet
to the Plinth is intended
to be slightly loose.
With the floor spikes fitted, each
Lower Cabinet
can be
placed in the appropriate position. Take care not to place
the loudspeakers so close to the wall that the rear spikes
foul any carpet gripper that may be fitted. With the
allæ, Intro 2
cabinets in position, adjust the spikes so that the cabinets
are upright (a small spirit level will help) and do not rock.
Tighten the lock-nuts with an appropriate spanner. Check
again, once the lock-nuts are tightened, that the cabinets
do not rock on the spikes.
Note: With thick carpet and underlay it can be difficult to
ensure that the spikes are resting on the floor. Small slits
cut into the carpet once the loudspeaker position is
finalised will help.
stage 2 (allæ)
The pack containing this manual also contains six small
Precision Interface Pins (PIPS)
. Fit three
PIPS
in the three
holes in the top surface of each
Lower Cabinet
. There are
two holes at the front and one at the back. The
PIPS
should be a loose fit in the holes.
Take each
Upper Cabinet
in turn and carefully lower it onto
the appropriate
Lower Cabinet
locating the
PIPS
in the
corresponding holes on its underside. The loose fit of the
PIPS
allows some adjustment of the alignment of the two
cabinets.
stage 2 (Intro 2)
The pack containing this manual also contains six small
Precision Interface Pins (PIPS)
. Fit three
PIPS
in the three
holes in the top surface of each
Lower Cabinet
. There are
two holes at the front and one at the back. The
PIPS
should be a loose fit in the holes.
Take each
Upper Cabinet
in turn and carefully lower it onto
the appropriate
Lower Cabinet
locating the
PIPS
in the
corresponding holes on its underside. The loose fit of the
PIPS
allows some adjustment of the alignment of the two
cabinets.
As each
Upper Cabinet
is lowered onto the
PIPS
connect
the two cables fitted with sockets to connection pins visible
through the hole in the top of
Lower Cabinet
. Ensure that
the connections are made with the red socket connected
to the left hand pin.
stage 3
Remove the protective tape from the high frequency drivers
mounted in the front of each
Lower Cabinet
. Fit the grilles
to the front of each
Upper Cabinet
by locating the grille
studs in the corresponding holes in the cabinet.
7 Introduction and Positioning
Naim loudspeakers are precision acoustic instruments that will only achieve optimal
performance if installed and set up carefully. Please read these instructions before
installing and using the loudspeakers. Please also retain the packaging for future use.