Altec Lansing Portable Speaker ADA880 User Manual

User Guide  
Altec Lansing  
Amplified Speaker System  
ADA880  
© 1999 Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc., Milford, PA 18337-0277  
 
Introduction  
The ADA880 is a technologically advanced multimedia amplified speaker system featuring Dolby Digital AC3 and Dolby Pro-Logic surround  
sound and stereo reproduction. The amplifier inputs can simultaneously operate on analog and digital (S/PDIF)* audio signals.  
The unit is comprised of a subwoofer and two satellite speakers. This combination provides surround sound on a desktop by  
utilizing side firing speakers. For enhanced surround sound the top speaker portion of each satellite can be separated and placed on  
a provided stand with long speaker wires. This enables the separated speakers to be placed for best surround sound performance.  
Equalizer circuitry automatically resets to conform to the changes that take place when the speakers are separated.  
The satellite speakers are magnetically shielded and can be placed close to a monitor without disturbing images. The speaker in the  
subwoofer is not magnetically shielded and should not be placed close to a monitor.  
Subwoofer frequencies are non directional, therefore, the subwoofer does not have to be located in any particular relationship to the  
satellite speakers. Placing it on the floor close to a wall, corner of a room or under a desk gives excellent results.  
The main satellite speaker has status indicators to show the various conditions of operation. A master volume control is used to  
separately adjust bass, center, surround and treble settings. Once the individual functions are set, the control reverts back to  
becoming a master volume control. A remote control unit is supplied that can access all the manual functions. The remote control  
has a mute function that is not available when using the controls manually.  
The AC3/PRO-LOGIC/STEREO decode circuits operate automatically. If the unit is in the STEREO or PRO-LOGIC mode and an  
AC3 signal appears at the input of the amplifier, the circuitry automatically switches over to AC3. This and other automatic features  
are explained under “Using the Speaker System.”  
If analog and digital signals appear at the input of the amplifier, the analog signal is automatically reduced in volume level.  
*Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format.  
SPECIFICATIONS  
POWER REQUIREMENTS  
System Response 20Hz – 20kHz  
USA/Canada 120V/240W/60Hz  
Total Audio Output 80 Watts  
Input Impedance >10k Ohms  
Europe/United  
Kingdom and various  
Asian countries 230V/240W/50Hz  
Analog Input Sensitivity 300mV for full output  
Digital Input S/PDIF*  
UL/CU/CE Approved  
SATELLITE AMPLIFIED  
SPEAKERS  
DIMENSIONS  
Subwoofer 345mm Wide X  
Drivers Four 3” full range  
290mm Deep X  
235mm High  
Two 1” Tweeters  
Power 40 Watts (10 watts per  
driver) at .10% THD  
Main Speakers 102mm Wide X  
130mm Deep X  
Signal-to-Noise Ratio >70dB  
155mm High  
SUBWOOFER  
Surrounds 120mm Wide X  
105mm Deep X  
Driver One 8” dual voice coil  
Power 40 watts at 1% THD  
108mm High  
Crossover Frequency 150Hz  
*Sony Philips Digital Interconnect Format  
Signal-to-Noise Ratio >70dB  
3
 
Setup  
Do not plug the AC power plug into the wall outlet until all connections are made.  
The ADA880 can be setup in two configurations. For ENHANCED SURROUND sound a 5-piece setup is used. For near field  
STEREO/SURROUND sound a 3-piece setup is used. The two modes of operation are described below. The speakers are packaged  
and shipped in the 5-piece arrangement. Follow the instructions and pictorial view below to make the 5-piece connections.  
Enhanced Surround Sound Operation (See Figure 1)  
1) Connect the left and right satellite speakers.  
Notice that the DIN connectors from the left and right satellite speakers are color-coded and plug into the matching color  
indicators on the back of the subwoofer. Also note that the connectors have arrows. These arrows should face up as shown  
in Figure 1.  
2) Connect the left and right surround speakers.  
The left (yellow) and right (purple) surround speaker connectors are plugged into the corresponding colored inputs on the  
back of the subwoofer.  
3) Connect the subwoofer to the computer.  
The green color-coded wire connects the ANALOG INPUT on the subwoofer to the AUDIO OUTPUT on the computer.  
The black RCA type plug is used to connect the S/PDIF INPUT on the subwoofer to a DVD player.  
4) Plug the AC power plug into the wall outlet.  
The ADA880 unit should be installed close to the AC power outlet so that the power plug can be readily removed from the  
outlet in the event of a hazardous problem.  
Your ADA880 system is now ready for use.  
Figure 1  
Near Field Stereo/Surround Sound Operation (see Figures 2 and 3)  
If it is desired to convert to a 3-speaker system, follow the instructions and the pictorial view below.  
1) Separate the left and right surround speakers from their stands by gently pulling the speaker up (See Figure 2)  
2) Remove the left (yellow) and right (purple) speaker wires from the subwoofer.  
(Set speaker stands aside for future use)  
3) Remove the supplied rubber plugs from the top of the satellite speakers.  
4) Mount the surround speakers on top of the satellite speakers as shown in Figure 2.  
(The connections to the satellite speakers are made automatically once the surround speakers are mounted)  
The ADA880 unit should be installed close to the AC power outlet so that the power plug can be readily removed  
from the outlet in the event of a hazardous problem.  
Your ADA880 system is now ready for use.  
Figure 2  
4
 
Figure 3  
Placement of Speakers (See Figures 4 and 5)  
All stereo information is heard from the satellite and surround speakers. The subwoofer contains no stereo information and its sound is  
non-directional. As a result, the subwoofer does not necessarily have to be placed in any particular relationship to the satellites. Placing  
the subwoofer on the floor close to a wall or corner of a room provides maximum bass efficiency. The subwoofer is not magnetically  
shielded and should not be placed near video displays.*  
Near Field  
The satellite and surround speakers are magnetically shielded and can be placed close to the computer monitor without distorting video  
images. Best stereo effect is obtained by placing the speakers as far apart as practical.  
Enhanced Surround Sound  
Best surround effect is obtained by placing the surround speakers forward of the monitor and approximately the same distance apart as  
the satellite speakers. Excellent results are obtained when the surround speakers are in line with, and slightly above the listeners ears.  
*Note: Care should be taken not to place diskettes or other magnetic media on the subwoofer.  
Figure 4  
Figure 5  
Using the Speaker System (See Figure 6)  
*POWER. Press this button to turn power on. A green indicator will glow. Press again to turn power off.  
DOLBY. The DOLBY button allows 2 modes of operation – STEREO or SURROUND. Repeatedly pressing this button toggles  
between the two modes.  
See A) B) C) below.  
A) STEREO. When the function indicator is off: the unit is in the STEREO mode.  
B) SURROUND. When the function indication is amber the unit is in the SURROUND PRO-LOGIC mode.  
C) DOLBY DIGITAL (AC3). When the function indicator is green: The unit is in the DOLBY DIGITAL (AC3) mode. This function  
is selected automatically whenever a Dolby Digital Surround Signal is detected at the input. The automatic selection will occur  
regardless of the mode of operation, STEREO or SURROUND.  
*Note: If the AC source of power is turned off before the power switch is turned off on the unit a “pop” sound may be heard from  
the speakers. This is normal and not a problem. To avoid the “pop” sound, turn off the unit first.  
5
 
BASS. The BASS button allows 2 modes of operation: BASS level control or CENTER level control.  
See D) and E) below.  
D) BASS LEVEL CONTROL. The bass level control is accessible in all modes of operation. If it is desired to increase/decrease  
BASS response, press this button. The green function indicator above the control will glow. Also, the volume level indicators  
will glow showing the last setting of the control. Rotate the master volume control clockwise to increase bass and counter  
clockwise to decrease bass. Only 6 of the 7 level indicators are operational in this mode. As volume is increased/decreased  
only one level indicator at a time will glow in ascending or descending order. As the volume control is varied and passes through  
the flat response setting of the control, the 2 center indicators will glow. (This is the equivalent of a manual volume control set  
at center detent indicating flat response.)  
E) CENTER LEVEL MODE. This function is only operational in the SURROUND mode. Hold the BASS button depressed  
until the function indicator begins flashing on/off. Rotate the master volume control clockwise to increase the center volume  
and counterclockwise to decrease center volume. The green volume level indicators will glow in ascending order as volume  
is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.  
TREBLE. The TREBLE button allows 2 modes of operation, TREBLE level control or SURROUND level control.  
See F) and G) below.  
F) TREBLE LEVEL CONTROL. The treble level control is accessible in all modes of operation. If it is desired to  
increase/decrease TREBLE response, press this button, the green function indicator above the control will glow. Also, the  
volume level indicators will glow showing the last setting of the control. Rotate the master volume control clockwise to increase  
treble and counter clockwise to decrease treble. Only 6 of the 7 volume level indicators are operational in this mode. As volume  
is increased/decreased only one level indicator at a time will glow in ascending or descending order. As the volume control  
is varied and passes through the flat response setting of the control the 2 center indicators will glow. (This is the equivalent  
of a manual volume control set at center detent indicating flat response.)  
G) SURROUND. This function is only operational in the SURROUND mode. Hold the TREBLE button depressed until the  
function indicators begin flashing on/off. Rotate the master volume control clockwise to increase the surround volume and  
counter-clockwise to decrease the surround volume. The green volume indicators will glow in ascending order as volume  
is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.  
MASTER VOLUME CONTROL. The MASTER VOLUME CONTROL provides two functions. It operates as a master volume  
control for the overall system and can also be used to individually adjust the volume levels of BASS, CENTER, TREBLE and  
SURROUND. If any one of the functions is selected and is not adjusted within a few seconds, the control reverts back to becoming  
a master volume control.  
FLAT RESPONSE SETTINGS. To set the BASS and TREBLE controls to a flat response (default) and the CENTER and  
SURROUND controls to mid volume level positions, both the BASS and TREBLE buttons must be depressed at the same time.  
Initially the function indicators above buttons the will be green. The buttons must be kept depressed until the indicators turn off.  
The amplifier response is now flat (linear). If it is desired to increase/decrease BASS or TREBLE response press either of these  
buttons respectively. Two volume level indicators will glow in the middle of the display indicating the flat response of the amplifier.  
Notice that the volume level display has changed from 7 to 6 indicators. Rotate the volume control clockwise to increase levels and  
counter-clockwise to decrease levels from the flat setting.  
To access CENTER and SURROUND volume level settings, the unit must be in the SURROUND mode. Press either the BASS or  
TREBLE button until the function indicator flashes. Four volume level indicators will glow showing mid setting. Adjust the  
volume control clockwise to increase volume level from the mid setting and counter-clockwise to decrease volume level from the  
mid setting. All volume level indicators are operational in this mode.  
Figure 6  
6
 
Remote Control Operation (See Figure 7)  
The remote control can perform most of the manual operations. For best performance aim the front part of the control towards the  
infrared detector as shown in Figure 6. Below are listed the functions of the control.  
Figure 7  
POWER. Press this button to turn power on. The power indicator on the satellite will glow.  
Press again to turn power off.  
TREBLE. Press this button if it is desired to adjust the TREBLE level. The function indicator  
above the TREBLE button on the satellite will glow. To increase/decrease volume, press the  
up/down arrows on the VOL button. The volume level indicators will glow in ascending order  
as volume is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.  
BASS. Press this button if it is desired to adjust the BASS level. The function indicator above  
the BASS button on the satellite will glow. To increase/decrease volume, press the up/down  
arrows on the VOL button. The volume level indicators will glow in ascending order as volume  
is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.  
STEREO. Press this button to operate in the STEREO mode. The indicator above the  
DOLBY button on. The satellite will be off in this mode.  
MUTE. This function is only available when using the remote control. Press this button to mute  
the sound. The volume level indicators will turn off. The power and function button indicators  
remain on. Press this button again to restore sound.  
Press any other function (except power) and sound will be restored.  
CENTER. This function is only operational in the SURROUND mode. Press this button to adjust the volume level of the center  
channel. The green function indicator above the BASS button on the satellite will flash on/off. Set the center level by using the  
up/down volume control (VOL). The green volume indicators will glow in ascending order as volume is increased and will turn off  
in descending order as volume is decreased.  
SURR(SURROUND). This function is only operational in the surround mode. Press this button to adjust the volume level of the  
SURROUND PRO-LOGIC mode. The green function indicator above the treble button on the satellite will flash on/off. Set the  
surround level by using the up/down volume control (VOL). The green volume level indicators will glow in ascending order as  
volume is increased and will turn off in descending order as volume is decreased.  
DOLBY. The DOLBY button allows 2 modes of operation - STEREO or SURROUND.  
(A)STEREO. When the function LED is off on the satellite, the unit is in the STEREO modes.  
(B)SURROUND. When the amber function LED is on the satellite, the unit is in the surround PRO-LOGIC mode.  
(C)DOLBY DIGITAL (AC3). When the function LED is green on the satellite, the unit is in the DOLBY DIGITAL (AC3) mode.  
This function is selected automatically whenever a Dolby Digital surround signal is detected at the input. The automatic selection  
will occur regardless of the mode of operation, STEREO or SURROUND.  
7
 
ADA880 Troubleshooting  
Symptoms  
Possible Problem  
Solution  
All indicators are off  
AC Cord is not connected to  
wall outlet  
Connect AC power  
Control Speaker is not connected  
to the subwoofer  
Connect control speaker to subwoofer  
Power is off  
Press power button or use remote to turn on the system  
Verify the AC line cord is plugged into the wall outlet  
Verify power switch has been pressed (green Power LED is lit)  
Raise master volume control  
No Sound from all Speakers  
Power is not on  
Volume setting is too low  
S/PDIF cable is not connected  
to DVD playback card  
Connect S/PDIF cable  
Signal cable is disconnected  
from sound card  
Connect signal cable  
Right (Control) speaker is disconnected Connect right (Control) speaker  
Mute turns off unexpectedly  
Mute was re-pressed or a function  
was selected  
System will un-mute whenever the mute button is pressed  
again, if a function button is pressed, or if the volume control  
is rotated  
Subwoofer emits very loud  
humming/buzzing noise  
Signal cable is not completely  
inserted into signal jack on subwoofer  
Make sure cable is inserted snugly into signal jack  
No sound from Subwoofer  
Subwoofer volume is too low  
Select Bass function and raise volume level  
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset  
Treble, Bass, Center, and Surround levels to default position.  
No sound from surround speakers  
Unit is not in a surround mode  
Surround level is too low  
Press the mode button to select a surround mode.  
Prologic – Amber Dolby Digital – Green  
Select surround level function and raise volume  
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset  
Treble, Bass, Center, and Surround levels to default position  
Center and Surround buttons  
do not work  
Unit is not in a surround mode  
Press the mode button to select a surround mode.  
Prologic - Amber Dolby Digital - Green  
No sound from surround speakers  
when detached  
Surround bases are not connected  
Unit is not in a surround mode  
Connect surround bases to rear of subwoofer  
Press the mode button to select a surround mode.  
Prologic - Amber Dolby Digital - Green  
Surround level is too low  
Select surround level function and raise volume  
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset  
Treble, Bass, Center, and Surround levels to default position  
No playback from digital input  
Digital signal cable is not connected  
Connect digital signal cable to S/PDIF output  
of DVD playback card  
Sound is distorted  
Not enough treble  
Volume level too high  
Treble setting is too low  
Decrease master volume level  
Select Treble function and increase level  
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset  
Treble, Bass, Center, and surround levels to default position  
Too much treble  
Treble setting is too high  
Bass setting is too high  
Select Treble function and decrease level  
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset  
Treble, Bass, Center, and surround levels to default position  
Too much bass  
Select Bass function and decrease level  
Press and hold Treble and Bass buttons for 3 seconds to reset  
Treble, Bass, Center, and surround levels to default position  
Remote Control does not work  
Batteries are dead or not installed  
Remote is not pointed at speakers  
Remote signal path is blocked  
Replace or install new batteries  
Point remote control at the left side of LED bar  
Removed any object that is blocking the signal from the remote  
to the left side of the LED bar  
 

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