Boston Acoustics MediaTheater
User's Guide

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Specifications Specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation. Frequency response 45 – 20,000Hz (±3dB) Maximum sound pressure level 106dB Crossover frequency 160Hz Subwoofer dimensions and weight 12.50 × 6.875 × 12.25 inches 7 pounds 310 × 175 × 305 mm 3 kg Satellite speakers dimension and weight 4.5 × 4.125 × 4.5 inches 1 pound 110 × 105 × 110 mm 0.4 kg   Introduction MediaTheater™ by Boston Acoustics is a compact, self-powered speaker system with full Dolby® Pro Logic® decoding. The system includes two satellite speakers and a subwoofer, which houses all of the electronics and surround sound circuitry. All system functions—power/volume, surround level, and subwoofer level—are controlled by panel on one of the satellite speakers. MediaTheater is also magnetically shielded to prevent video interference or accidental disk erasure. MediaTheater uses Virtual Dolby Surround to simulate full five-speaker surround sound using only two speakers. Virtual Surround uses a digital signal processor (DSP) to electronically generate a center image and surround sound effects. As a result, when watching a movie or playing a game, dialog seems to come from the actors on the monitor and the action seems to be all around you. This effect works particularly well when the listener is seated in front of the computer, directly between the two speakers. When the surround speaker (optional equipment) is plugged into the subwoofer, Virtual Dolby Surround is automatically disabled and Dolby ProLogic is automatically enabled. In this mode surround sound effects are sent to the rear speaker, and only the center image is electronically generated. When using the surround speaker, listeners can sense the surround effects even further away from the computer.   Parts Checklist When unpacking your speaker system components, make sure you have all of these parts: Subwoofer Satellite speakers (2) Satellite speaker pedestals (2) Speaker cables (2) Input cable Control cable Transformer and power cord assembly Not shown in the above illustration are: Self-adhesive rubber feet for subwoofer Self-adhesive rubber pads for pedestals (6) Y-cable   Setting up the Speakers After all of the components have been removed from the box, use the following instructions to place the speakers and subwoofer in the listening area. If possible, connect the cables after these components are in their proper locations.   Placing the speakers Before placing the satellites, you must attach the satellite speaker pedestals.   To attach the satellite speaker pedestals: Peel the backing material from the self-adhesive rubber pads. Attach them to the bottom of the pedestal as shown.   Slide the tongue of the stand into the slot in the rear of the satellite speaker. Position the satellite speakers on the desk, symmetrically on either side of the computer monitor, at equal distances from the listener. It doesn’t matter which speaker is on the left or right; you can place the system controls on whichever side is most comfortable. This setup creates the best environment for Virtual Surround sound. Locate the subwoofer on the floor. Moving the subwoofer closer to a wall or corner increases the bass response, which adds impact to the sound. Apply the four rubber feet to the bottom corners of the subwoofer to prevent vibration when used on a hardwood or tile floor. The rubber feet are not necessary if the subwoofer is placed on a carpeted floor.   Connecting the cables Cables are used to connect all MediaTheater components to the subwoofer. Use the parts checklist at the beginning of this manual when connecting the cables.   To connect the cables: Locate the speaker cable with the white plug. Select a speaker to be used as the left speaker, either one will do. Connect this cable’s squared end to the rear of the left speaker, then connect the white end to the white "Speakers line out" port on the subwoofer.   Locate the speaker cable with the red plug. Connect this cable’s squared end to the rear of the other speaker (right), then connect the red end to the right (red) "Speakers line out" port on the subwoofer.   Locate the input cable with the purple and green plugs. Connect the input cable’s green plug to the computer’s audio out (green) jack. Connect this cable’s purple plug to the (purple) "Input" jack on the subwoofer. Note: If you are connecting this speaker system to a CD player or other audio device, connect the green plug to that device’s appropriate audio jack. Locate the control cable with the blue ends. Connect one end of this cable to the port on the back of the satellite speaker with the control knobs. Connect the other end of the cable to the "Control line in" (blue) port on the subwoofer.   Locate the desktop transformer. The transformer has two cables attached. Connect the transformer’s cable with the smaller, round plug into the (black) "12V in AC/DC" port on the subwoofer.   Plug the transformer’s larger AC plug into an electrical power outlet.   Operating the Speakers Three knobs are located at the base of one of the satellites. These knobs control all aspects of the system: power, volume, surround level, and subwoofer level.   Volume Rotating this knob clockwise increases the master volume of the speaker system, and rotating the knob counter-clockwise reduces the master volume. Turning the knob all the way counter-clockwise turns the system off. Notice that the knob clicks when the system is turned on or off; the green LED is lit when the system is turned on.   Surround Adjusts the volume of the surround effect, relative to the volume of the main speakers. Rotating this knob clockwise increases the volume of the surround effect, and rotating the knob counter-clockwise reduces the volume of the surround effect. When the knob is turned all the way counter-clockwise the system reverts to conventional stereo, and all surround sound effects are disabled.   Subwoofer Adjusts the level of the subwoofer, relative to the volume of the main speakers. Rotating this knob clockwise increases the subwoofer level, and therefore, the amount of bass. Rotating the knob counter-clockwise reduces the amount of bass. When the knob is turned all the way counter-clockwise (past the "click") the system reverts to "test tones" mode. Test tones are used to calibrate the output level of the speakers to provide the maximum impact to surround sound effects.   To calibrate the speaker output levels: Make sure the speakers and subwoofer are positioned correctly within the listening area. Sit in the preferred seating location within reach of the MediaTheater controls. Set the volume to a medium level and engage test tones by rotating the subwoofer level control all the way counterclockwise, past the "click." You will hear white noise (static) coming from one of the speakers. This is normal; you’ll notice that the test tone seems to move from speaker to speaker, from left to center to right, to the electronically generated image, and then back to the left satellite. This cycle will continue indefinitely while the test tones feature is engaged. Rotate the Surround level control until the static is at approximately the same level, regardless of the speaker currently playing it. It may take a few cycles to get the speakers set correctly. When the levels are set, turn off the test tones by rotating the subwoofer control clockwise past the "click." Set the subwoofer level to your preferred setting. For best surround sound performance, you need to repeat this procedure when you drastically change the position of the surround or satellite speakers.   Using headphones The headphone jack is located on the right side of the control pod. When headphones are plugged into the system, the main speakers are automatically muted. Removing the headphones automatically sends sound to the main speakers.   Adding a Surround Speaker An optional surround sound speaker may be added to the MediaTheater speaker system to provide even greater surround sound effects. Attaching the surround speaker automatically disables the Virtual Dolby Surround system and automatically enables Dolby Pro Logic surround sound.   To attach the optional surround speaker: Loosen the red and black connectors on the back of the surround speaker by turning them counter-clockwise. You only have to turn these enough to expose the wire connection hole.   Lead the copper wire through the lead hole behind the red connector. Holding this wire in place, tighten the red connector so that the copper wire cannot be pulled out.   Lead the tin wire through the lead hole behind the black connector. Holding this wire in place, tighten the black connector so that the tin wire cannot be pulled out. Mount this speaker on a wall or shelf, following the instructions provided with the speaker. Run the cable along the walls, around the room to the subwoofer. Plug the bright pink end of the cable into the (bright pink) "Out to Surround" port on the back of the subwoofer.   Operating the Speakers in Dolby Pro Logic Mode When the surround speaker is connected and the system is in Dolby Pro Logic mode, some system controls behave differently.   Volume Operates the same as Virtual Dolby Surround mode.   Surround Adjusts the volume of the surround speaker (rather than the electronically generated surround effect), relative to the volume of the main speakers. Rotating this knob clockwise increases the volume of the surround speaker, and rotating the knob counter-clockwise reduces the volume of the surround speaker. When the knob is turned all the way counter-clockwise the system reverts to conventional stereo, and all surround sound effects are disabled.   Subwoofer Operates similarly to Virtual Dolby Surround mode except in Dolby Pro Logic mode were the test tones feature allows the calibration of the physical surround speaker (rather than the electronically generated surround effect).   To calibrate the speaker output levels in Dolby Pro Logic mode: Make sure the speakers, surround speaker, and subwoofer are positioned correctly within the listening area. Sit in the preferred seating location within reach of the MediaTheater controls. Set the volume to a medium level, and engage the test tones by rotating the subwoofer level control all the way counterclockwise, past the "click." You will hear white noise (static) coming from one of the speakers. This is normal; you’ll notice that the test tone seems to move from the center image, to the right speaker, to the surround speaker, and then back to the left speaker. This cycle will continue indefinitely while the test tones feature is engaged. Rotate the Surround level control until the static is at approximately the same level, regardless of the speaker currently playing it. It may take a few cycles to get the speakers set correctly. When the levels are set, turn off the test tones by rotating the subwoofer control clockwise past the "click." Set the subwoofer level to your preferred setting. For best surround sound performance, you need to repeat this procedure when you drastically change the position of the surround or satellite speakers.   Notices   All rights reserved This publication is protected by copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of it may be reproduced or transmitted by any means or in any form, without prior consent in writing from Gateway 2000. The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate. However, Gateway 2000 assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this manual. In no event will Gateway 2000 be liable for direct, indirect, special, exemplary, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any defect or omission in this manual, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. In the interest of continued product development, Gateway 2000 reserves the right to make improvements in this manual and the products it describes at any time, without notice or obligation.   Trademark acknowledgments AnyKey, cow spot motif, CrystalScan, Destination, Field Mouse, Gateway 2000, GW2K, HandBook, TelePath, Vivitron, stylized "G" design, and motto "You’ve got a friend in the business" are registered trademarks and EZ Pad, Family PC, and Gateway Solo are trademarks of Gateway 2000, Inc. Intel, Intel Inside logo, and Pentium are registered trademarks and MMX is a trademark of Intel Corporation. Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS, and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Dolby and Dolby Pro Logic are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. MediaTheater, Boston, and Boston Acoustics are trademarks or registered trademarks of Boston Acoustics, Inc. All other product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only, and may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Copyright © 1997 Gateway 2000, Inc. 610 Gateway Drive, N. Sioux City, SD 57049 USA   Regulatory Compliance Statements American Users: This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio and television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Caution! The Federal Communications Commission warns the users that changes or modifications to the unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. Canadian Users: This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of Industry Canada. Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par Industrie Canada. European Users: This Information Technology Equipment has been tested and found to comply with following European directives: [i] EMC Directive 89/336/EEC amending directive 92/31/EEC & 93/68 EEC as per - EN 50081-1:1992 according to EN 55022:1995 Class B EN 61000-3-2:1995 or EN 60555-2:1986 EN 61000-3-3: 1995 - EN50082-1:1992 according to EN 61000-4-2:1995 or IEC 801-2:1984 ENV 50140:1994 or IEC 801-3:1984 EN 61000-4-4:1988 or IEC 801-4:1998 [ii] Low Voltage Directive (Safety) 73/23/EEC as per EN 60950: 1992 Japanese Users: This equipment is in the Class 2 category (Information Technology Equipment to be used in a residential area or an adjacent area thereto) and conforms to the standards set by the Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment aimed at preventing radio interference in such residential area. When used near a radio or TV receiver, it may become the cause of radio interference. Read instructions for correct handling. Australian and New Zealand Users: This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to the Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 3548 set out by the Spectrum Management Agency. Caution! Disconnect power before servicing. Attention! Couper le courant avant l’entretien.