ADAM F5 (01) PDF Document

Please follow these safety instructions carefully before setting up and using your ADAM F5 speaker:

Electrical Safety:

• To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not open the loudspeaker. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

• The ADAM F5 must be connected with an IEC 60320 AC mains power cord like the one supplied.

• Check if the mains voltage selector of the product matches your local mains voltage. If not, do not connect the loudspeaker to a power source.

• Always switch off your entire system before connecting or disconnecting any cables.

• Never replace any fuse with a value or type other than those specified. Never bypass a fuse.

• To completely disconnect from AC mains, disconnect the power supply from the AC receptacle.

• The monitor should be installed near the socket outlet, and disconnection should be easily accessible.

• Always unplug sensitive electronic equipment during lightning storms.

Placement and Environment:

• Do not place the ADAM F5 on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table, as it may fall and cause injury or damage.

• The ADAM F5 is intended for indoor use. Do not expose it to rain or moisture, and do not place objects filled with liquids on it.

• Never expose the product to extremely high or low temperatures or direct sunlight.

• Assure free airflow behind the ADAM F5 speakers to maintain sufficient cooling.

• When wall mounting, only mount this product onto dry and non-conducting wood/plaster panel walls. For other materials, an additional isolation panel is required.

Usage:

• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched.

• Avoid touching the speaker membranes and do not block the woofer’s ventilation ports.

• High SPLs may damage your hearing. Do not get close to the loudspeakers when using them at high volumes.

• The diaphragms build up a magnetic field. Do not place magnetic items at close range.

Follow these steps to quickly set up and connect your ADAM F5 speakers:

Step 1. Initial Setup:

• After unpacking, allow the ADAM F5 to acclimate to the room temperature for about an hour.

• Ensure the speakers are placed on a firm, solid surface.

Step 2. Connections:

• Before connecting, make sure the ADAM F5 speakers and your audio source are switched off, and level controls are turned fully counterclockwise.

• Connect your audio source using either the RCA (unbalanced), XLR (balanced), or 1/4″ TRS (balanced/unbalanced) connectors. Note that on the ADAM F5, plugging a cable into the RCA input takes precedence and will cut off the signal from the XLR/TRS input.

• Check that the mains voltage selector on the ADAM F5 matches your local voltage. Then, connect the speaker to an AC socket using the included power cable.

Step 3. Power-Up:

• Make sure the line out level (volume) of your audio source is set low or off. Switch on your audio system.

• On the rear panel of the ADAM F5, set the volume to a low level and turn on the mains switch. Wait about 5 seconds. The speaker will be in Standby Mode.

• Turn on your music source and slowly adjust its volume until the ADAM F5 speakers switch from Standby to Operating Mode. If the audio level is still too low, you can then turn up the speaker’s own volume control.

The two LEDs next to the ADAM logo on the front of the F5 model indicate the following conditions:

• GREEN: Operation Mode. Main power is present and the speaker is active.

• DIM RED: Standby Mode. The speaker has switched to a low power mode with automatic signal sensing.

• BRIGHT RED + GREEN LED: Overtemperature condition. The speaker stops outputting sound and will wait to cool down before resuming operation. This may occur with high output levels for extended periods, high room temperatures, or high mains voltages.

Proper placement is crucial for getting the best sound from your ADAM F5 speakers. Ensure there are no obstacles between the monitors and your ears.

Vertical Setup: The ADAM F5 is designed for vertical setup. Position the speakers on a solid surface or stand to avoid vibrations that can mask the sound.

Horizontal Setup: If you must place the speakers horizontally, ensure the setup is mirrored/symmetrical. This means the tweeters should both face either outwards or inwards. This is critical for a precise stereo image.

Tweeter Height: The tweeter should be positioned approximately at the height of your ears. If the speakers are significantly lower or higher, they should be angled accordingly to point towards your listening position.

The Stereo Triangle: For stereo listening, the ideal position is at the top of an imaginary equilateral triangle. Your ADAM F5 speakers form the other two points of the triangle. The speakers should be aligned with the listener’s position.

The rear panel of the ADAM F5 has controls to fine-tune the sound for your room acoustics and preferences. It is recommended to use these controls with care after listening to familiar recordings.

• Level: This control adjusts the overall volume of the speaker from -∞ dB to +6 dB.

• EQ > 5kHz: This is a high-shelf filter that progressively raises or lowers frequencies above 5kHz by up to ±6 dB. It can help adjust for room acoustics that are too “live” or “dead” in the high frequencies.

• EQ < 300Hz: This is a low-shelf filter that progressively raises or lowers frequencies below 300Hz by up to ±6 dB. This can help compensate for speaker placement near walls or corners, which can boost bass frequencies.

• Highpass Filter (80Hz): This switch cuts low frequencies below 80Hz. It is advisable to engage this filter when using your ADAM F5 speakers as satellites with a subwoofer (like the SubF). This can result in improved clarity and dynamic range, as the F5 does not have to reproduce the lowest bass frequencies.

If the ADAM F5’s front LED is green (indicating normal operation) but you have audio problems, follow these steps. If both speakers are affected, the issue is likely in the signal path. If only one speaker is affected, the issue is likely with that specific speaker.

Step 1. Check the wiring.

• Is the cable defective? Are all cables connected correctly?

• Remember that on the ADAM F5, a cable plugged into the RCA input will switch off the XLR/TRS input.

Step 2. Check the signal path.

• Swap the audio cables between the two loudspeakers. Does the problem move to the other speaker? If so, the cable is likely the issue.

• Connect the ADAM F5 monitor directly to the signal source (be mindful of the volume). Is another part of your signal path (e.g., mixer) defective?

If the answer to all of these questions is ‘no’, the problem is most likely with the loudspeaker itself. If the answer to any of these is ‘yes’, there is likely a defective device elsewhere in your signal path.

If you hear unwanted noises from your ADAM F5, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Step 1. Please disconnect the signal cables. If the noises disappear, the issue is within your signal path. Check your source and cables.

Step 2. If the noises can still be heard with the signal cables disconnected, check for other electrical devices close to the speakers (e.g., mobile phones, switching power supplies). If removing these devices stops the noise, they are the cause.

Step 3. Connect your ADAM F5 monitor to a different power socket, if possible with an extra fused phase. If the noise disappears, you should use a different power source.

If the noise is still audible after performing these tests, it is most likely the speaker causing it.

To maintain your ADAM F5 speaker, please follow these guidelines:

• Always switch the loudspeaker off before cleaning.

• Make sure no liquids get inside the cabinet. Do not spray any fluids on the speaker or use a wet cloth.

• Do not use flammable or acidic chemicals for cleaning.

• Do not touch the speaker membranes (diaphragms).

• For the cabinet, we recommend using a lint-free, damp cloth.

• The loudspeaker membranes may be dusted using a very soft brush.