INTRODUCTION

We appreciate your discern in choosing and investing in this Gersman Acoustics product. In a world of mass production and formula designs, we are sure you will agree that these loudspeakers stand out from the crowd in terms of their craftsmanship, design, and sonic capabilities. Our team of skilled craftsman and technicians has accepted no compromise in this design and with a little care on your part, these loudspeakers should continue to entertain and delight your senses for years to come. To obtain the best results from your new loudspeakers, please pause to read these notes before setting up your system.

LOUDSPEAKER AFTERCARE

We strongly suggest that you retain all packaging in case the loudspeakers need to be transported at a later date.

The high quality finish used on your Gershman loudspeakers should be treated in the same manner as any other quality furniture. Dusting with a soft lint-free cloth will retain the cabinets’ good looks. All grilles may be cleaned by removing from the cabinet and then brushing lightly with a quality soft brush.

We should also point out that although all Gershman cabinets are made from the finest quality materials, it is important to protect loudspeakers from environmental extremes. These would include heat sources such as radiators, etc., extreme cold and damp as well as direct sunlight.

AMPLIFIERS AND POWER HANDLING

All Gershman Acoustics loudspeakers present an easy load they are therefore compatible with most good quality amplifiers through the very best audiophile systems. The latest design and construction techniques have been used, making the loudspeakers equally suited to the demands of both digital and analog sound reproduction systems. For information regarding power handling and recommended amplifier requirements, please see the specifications appertaining to your model, but the time being, please take note of the following paragraph.

Gershman’s power handling figures are based on undistorted speech and music signals and are primarily intended for use in a normal domestic environment. Provided you do not overdrive your amplifier or make excessive use of bas or treble boost you should never damage the either the amplifier or speakers. If you do hear distortion when the volume level is increased, then this is a sign of overdriving the amplifier and the volume level should be turned down immediately.

The components used to produce these loudspeakers are of the highest quality. This means they will all accurately reproduce the signal fed into it. Used properly, loudspeakers will rarely fail and if both units reproduce the same fault or distortion, then it is likely that the problem lies elsewhere in the system. In the unlikely event of loudspeakers failure, please contact your dealer in the first instance or , if you prefer

POLARITY AND CHANNEL IDENTIFICATION

When connecting loudspeakers to your amplifiers, it is very important to observe correct polarity. If correct polarity is no maintained, stereo imaging, depth of field and bass are greatly affected. Most quality speaker cables have either printing, arrows or a line running along one of the conductors for identification. Normally, the positive terminals on the amplifier are connected to the positive terminals on the speaker, although we recommend that you experiment by using this method first and then by altering the phase so the positive terminal from the amplifier connects to the negative on the speakers. This is easily done by simply reversing the connections on the speakers. With certain amplifiers that are phase inverting, you may find that sound quality is improved by this reverse of phase. Providing both loudspeakers are connected up the same, no harm can come to your amplifier or speakers.

For loudspeakers channel identification, always class the speaker on your left view from the listening position, as the left channel and the right speaker as the right hand channel and connect to your amplifier accordingly.

BI WIRING

Where possible, we recommend you take advantage of this facility. If you use different types of cable for each drive unit, please bear in mind that this may change the sound balance of the loudspeaker. In certain circumstances, this may be desirable, but we recommend initially that all cables should be of the same type, make and length.

Before BI wiring, it is important to remove the linking bars between the terminals on the rear of the loudspeaker.

POSITIONING OF LOUDSPEAKERS

Due to the sophisticated design of your Gershman speakers, it is recommended that the loudspeakers receive a running period of at least 70-100 hours before final positioning. During this period the speakers will settle in and perform as intended. It should be noted, however, that the running in period need not be continuous. Playing your system as normal will achieve the same results but you should remember that after a few weeks final adjustment to the positioning may be necessary.

The positioning of your new loudspeakers in the listening room will be critical if you desire to obtain the very best results. In general, please follow the guidelines laid down below, but do experiment yourself, as individual room conditions can very much effect the performance of your system and loudspeakers. All the methods are based on the assumption that your listening room already has good acoustic properties, is of a normal shape and size and has an average quantity of soft furnishings, like curtains, carpets/rugs, chair, etc., to absorb standing waves. Unless there are some forms of sound absorbing materials in the room, then no matter the quality of your equipment, your time and money will be wasted trying to achieve a natural sound balance.

If you are unsure as to whether or not your room meets the above requirements, then there are two simple tests:

1) When you talk in the room, does your voice sound unnatural?
2) Stand in various sections of the room and clap your hands sharply together. Can you hear a distinct(slap-back) echo that seems to take time to decay?

If your answer to both these questions is yes, then some time spent in improving the acoustics of your room will do more to improve the sound quality of your system that you suspect and can normally be easily achieved by simply adding a few soft furnishings, bookshelves, pictures or acetone acoustics treatment.

TIP TOES & SPIKES

We highly recommend the use of our Tip Toes in order to achieve clarity, tight and controlled base.

CABLES AND AMPLIFIERS

There are many exotic cable and connection systems available and the use of these depends very much on the listener’s preferred choice or the amplifier system being used. The type of cable use will not harm your loudspeakers, but certain cables have been known to cause problems with certain amplifiers. These manufacturers often recommend their own cables but if in doubt, please seek your dealer’s advice. Please also ensure that you speaker cables are connected securely to both your amplifier outputs and loudspeaker inputs, with no loose strands.

Cable runs from the amplifier to speakers should, where possible, be kept below 7 meters (23ft) with the run to each speakers of the same length. Cable longer than this may degrade sound quality due to losses within the cable.

To ensue minimal degradation over time, make sure all connections in your hi-fi system are clean and a tight fit. Good maintenance should involve the periodic remaking of connections as oxidation between contacts can occur even in the cleanest environment.

Setting Up Your Speakers

(click for large view)

Black Swan Back Wiring

Single Wiring	Bi- Wiring

X-cube Wiring