WISDOM Sage L150i Tri Amplified In Wall Line Source Coaxial Planar Magnetic Loudspeaker Owner’s Manual

WISDOM Sage L150i Tri Amplified In Wall Line Source Coaxial Planar

Magnetic Loudspeaker

Sage L150i Tri-amplified In-Wall Line Source Coaxial Planar Magnetic Loudspeaker

DOCUMENT CONVENTIONS

This document contains general safety, installation, and operation instructions for the Wisdom Audio Sage Series L150i Speaker. It is important to read this document before attempting to use this product. Pay particular attention to:

• WARNING: Calls attention to a procedure, practice, condition or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in injury or death.
• CAUTION: Calls attention to a procedure, practice, condition or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part of or the entire product.
• Note: Calls attention to information that aids in the installation or operation of the product.

Introduction

Congratulations on purchasing your Wisdom Audio system. It incorporates many design features engineered to give you decades of pleasure and performance. Many of these design choices are uncommon among loudspeaker manufacturers and bear some explanation. See the following section entitled “Overview” for more information. Our unique driver designs and our emphasis on achieving real- world performance account for the “system” approach taken. These are not speakers that are simply connected to speaker wires and promptly forgotten. We recognize that setting up a Wisdom Audio system can be a bit more involved than connecting a common set of loudspeakers, which is why we recommend that our systems be engineered and calibrated by Factory Personnel Your Sage L150i series loudspeaker are specifically designed to avoid the compromises inherent in conventional speaker designs. There are no passive crossover components inside the speaker. Instead, there are direct connections from the amplifiers to their respective High-Pass and Low-Pass drivers and an external active crossover is used, such as the ones inside of our Wisdom SA-DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Amplifiers. It is truly a “system” design, and not merely a collection of loudspeaker drivers in a box. Please contact us to learn which products/amplifiers/ surround processors outside of our DSP Amplifiers will work with our speakers and subwoofers. Info@wisdomaudio.com

Overview

Your Sage Series L150i loudspeakers take advantage of several critical technologies to deliver a level of performance that has never been available in a loudspeaker that intruded so modestly on your living space. In fact, this level of performance has rarely been attained, regardless of the space and budget at one’s disposal. Since several of these technologies cannot readily be found elsewhere, we will take the time to describe them in more detail than would be necessary for more conventional designs. Our planar magnetic drivers use an advanced, thin film membrane to move the air. This film can respond instantly to the smallest detail in the signal. It has vastly less inertia than traditional “cone & dome” drivers, so the signal is never blurred in any way. One of the most remarkable things about the sound of well-designed planar magnetic speakers is their lack of thermal or dynamic compression. There are several reasons for this:

• The lightweight diaphragm responds quickly to even the smallest signals yet is robust enough to handle a great deal of power.
• The voice coil is laid out at and is exposed to the air on both sides; the large resulting surface area dissipates heat extremely quickly and efficiently.
• Since heat does not build up in the voice coil (as it does in conventional dynamic drivers), the load seen by the amplifier does not change at high power levels.

When you become accustomed to the sound of your new Sage Series L150i speakers, conventional speakers sound a bit bland and lifeless. You may also discover yourself hearing details at even modest levels on the L150i that were previously inaudible even at loud volumes on more conventional speakers.
The “voice coil” in the planar magnetic driver is spread out over a large, at area that is exposed to the open air. As such, when a huge transient comes along, any heat that is generated is immediately dissipated. This compares quite favorably to other designs in which the voice coil is buried inside a massive piece of metal, where the heat has effectively no place to go. The excellent heat dissipation of these drivers makes them remarkably reliable. Planar magnetic speakers can handle a great deal of power without undue stress or audible strain. In fact, for a given size, they can handle many times the power of a traditional dynamic driver. Because the conductor of a planar magnetic driver is essentially a long, thin wire, it presents a purely resistive load to the amplifier. This is comparable to the simple test loads that amplifier companies use when measuring their amplifiers to show how terrific they are. As such, you can be assured that your amplifiers will sound and work their best. Authoritative, deep bass requires that you move a lot of air. We have chosen to use dynamic woofers for the bass because they can provide excellent performance at lower frequencies.

To get comparable bass performance from a planar magnetic design, you would need to have a huge speaker that would be impractical in most domestic living spaces. It simply makes more sense to use the best transducer technology in each area of the reproduced spectrum. One of Wisdom Audio’s strengths is in seamlessly blending these technologies – particularly important given the high standards set by our planar magnetic drivers. Of course, the dynamic woofers themselves must be rather extraordinary to “keep up” with the planar magnetic drivers right up to the crossover frequency. Our woofers are different because they must be to do their job. Specifically, we need highly dynamic, uncompressed bass (to keep up with the planar magnetic drivers) that does not depend on a critical amount of enclosure volume (since these speakers are mounted in your wall and use the space inside the wall as their “enclosure”). These two design goals require rather extraordinary attention to myriad details. The motor and suspension system of these woofers, therefore, includes all the critical damping required for optimal operation. (In most speakers, the woofers depend on the air trapped inside their enclosures as an additional “spring” to help them behave properly.) Technically, this approach is known as an “infinite baffle” design. In practice, the volume of air behind the speaker does not have to be infinite, of course. It just needs to be large enough to not act like an acoustic “spring”. Recommended and minimum enclosure volumes for the speaker are listed in the Specifications section and repeated on the Dimensions page. Many speakers include a mid-bass “bump” in their response to give the illusion of going deeper in the bass than they actually do. Unfortunately, this “bump” makes blending them seamlessly with a high-quality subwoofer almost impossible. All Sage Cinema Series speakers have been designed to optimally crossover at 80 Hz, which is the most common bass management transition used to integrate with subwoofer(s).

Line Source Speakers
Almost all loudspeakers radiate sound into the room as imperfect “point sources”. This means that most of the energy they put into the room expands as an ever-enlarging sphere, as though emerging from a single point in space. This results in a multitude of reflections from the ceiling and floor that can degrade sound quality.

By contrast, the Wisdom Series L150i speakers radiate sound as a “line source”. The sound moves into the room as an expanding cylinder, rather than as an expanding sphere – as though from a vertical line suspended in space.

Line source speakers provide two significant advantages:

• Ceiling and floor reflections are minimized, resulting in greatly reduced interference, letting you hear more of the speaker and less of the room.
• The sound pressure level (SPL) throughout the room is much more evenly distributed, making it much easier to set the “right” volume, no matter where the audience is seated.

To achieve this highly desirable line source behavior, it is essential to have a tall and slim driver. (Simply stacking multiple “cone & dome” high frequency drivers does not create a proper line source. Instead, it creates a series of point sources, which end up interfering with each other). With Wisdom Audio’s planar magnetic technology, it becomes possible to have drivers that are extremely tall and slim. Because of this shape, the sound (even at high frequencies) is distributed uniformly across the width of the room from a driver that “looks” only less than an inch wide acoustically. However, the sound is launched in a much more directional way vertically. By minimizing early reflections from the ceiling and the floor, the clarity of the system is greatly enhanced. This is heard in both tremendous musical detail and in much- improved dialog intelligibility.

For more detailed information on planar magnetic drivers and the difference between point source and line source speakers please visit wisdomaudio.com.

Unpacking and Installing the L150i

The Wisdom Audio Sage L150i in-wall speaker is a substantial piece of equipment. Please exercise caution when unpacking your L150i to ensure that you do not strain yourself from its (perhaps unexpected) weight.

Caution! Do not attempt to lift your L150i while bending or twisting from the waist. Use your legs for lifting, not your back. Always stand as straight as possible and keep the L150i close to your body to reduce strain on your back.

There are three major pieces involved in a single L150i loudspeaker:

• the Uni-Grip™ in-wall mounting system
• the high operating pressure bass module
• the planar magnetic midrange/treble module

Note that the two Uni-Grip™ frames for the L150i are not interchangeable, due to differences in the pattern of threaded holes used to attach the planar and woofer speaker modules to the frame of each Uni- Grip™. Pay close attention to the labeling on each, which indicates “Planar Section, Top” or “Woofer Section, Top” respectively. In most cases, the planar magnetic section of the L150i will be inside of the woofer sections. In addition, the two sections must be within approximately 5″ of each other and should typically flank either side of a stud. Because of the magnitude of the bass energy of which the L150i is capable, it is strongly recommended that the walls into which the L150i is installed are rein- forced and as strong as feasible. In new construction or remodeling applications, we recommend framing in dedicated spaces that are between 10–11 inches wide for the woofer sections, just slightly wider than the 9.52 inches required by the Uni- Grip™ frame. If the wall is going to be skim-coated with plaster after construction, consider using ¾” inch MDO plywood or MDF for the wall for superior strength. (This approach is advantageous for the woofer sections; the reaction mass of the planar section is extremely low and does not require this level of reinforcement.)

1. Determine the area for the speaker installation and locate the cutout guide using pushpins to secure it in place. Ensure that the template is plumb using a bubble level or similar. Note: Make certain that there are no studs, plumbing or electrical conduit in the intended area behind the wall before you begin marking and cut- ting!
2. Trace the outer perimeter of the cutout guide with a pencil or a utility knife.
3. Remove the traced section of sheet rock using a keyhole saw, and clear debris from the edge of the hole.
4. Push any insulation to the side.
5. Disassemble the bezel/Uni- Grip™ and place the supplied Allen head screws to the side. Place the bezel in the wall cutout and insert the Uni-Grip clamping bar through the opening at an angle, working on one side first. Reinstall the Allen head screws with the supplied 3/32″ drill bit, securing both pieces to each other (sandwiching the wall between them), but do not tighten yet. Repeat on the other side.
6. Using a level, adjust the assembly in wall cutout to ensure that the assembly is plumb. Tighten the Allen screws. Do not over-torque or strip these screws. The large clamping area of the Uni-Grip system does not require unusually high torque on the screws to be secure.
7. Paint the bezel and grill as necessary, being careful not to plug up the holes in the grille. Note that the speaker modules are not mounted in the bezel and grille assembly at this time. They can be mounted later, after all the paint is dry.
8. Using assistance to hold the speaker modules away from the wall, connect both high and low pass speaker cables to the two connectors at the ends of the back boxes, paying attention to assign the correct band-pass and polarity to their respective speaker connectors.
9. Insert the speaker/back box assembly into the Uni-Grip frame and attach using the supplied Allen head screws and 3/32″ drill bit. Do not over torque or strip these screws.

After unpacking your L150i, keep all packing materials for future transport. If you need to ship your L150i, only the original, purpose- designed shipping carton is acceptable. Any other method of shipping this product runs a significant risk of damage to the L150i – damage that would not be covered by the warranty. (If you lose your packaging and need to ship your speakers, replacement packaging can be purchased from Wisdom Audio.)

Proper Planar Placement for front L &R and Rear Surrounds
When using the L150i for front L&R and or Rear Surrounds the planar drivers should always be placed on the inside as shown below in a front screen wall LCR example.

Making the L150i Connections

As with any system, you should make changes to the connections only when the power is turned off to avoid any chance of inadvertently causing a problem (such as a short-circuit).

Note: The Wisdom Audio L150i is a tri-amplified speaker that requires three sets of speaker wire to each location rather than the usual two. One pair of connections is for the planar magnetic module, whereas the woofer module uses two sets of connections, one each for six of the 12 woofers. We recommend using heavy-gauge speaker wire, the gauge will vary dependent on your speaker run length. Please consult an authorized dealer to determine what gauge would be best for your application. Connect the outputs of your Wisdom Audio SA-series amplifier to the appropriate woofer sections, taking care to get both the channel assignments and the polarity correct. Connect the positive (+) terminals on the SA Series amplifier to the positive (+) terminals for the woofer on the loudspeaker; likewise, connect the negative (–) terminals on the amplifier and the speaker, respectively. Next connect the outputs of your chosen amplifier for the midrange/treble to the Sage L150i planar sections in a similar fashion, taking care with both channel assignments and polarity.

Care and Maintenance

To remove dust from the front of your L150i, use a feather duster or a lint- free soft cloth. To remove stubborn dirt and fingerprints from the grille, we recommend isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth. Lightly dampen the cloth with alcohol first and then clean the grille of the L150i with the cloth. Do not use excessive amounts of alcohol – there is no need for the cloth to be wet; merely damp is better. Never attempt to clean the drivers themselves.

CAUTION!
Do not touch the surface of the planar magnetic drivers, under any circumstances. The thin film has been carefully pre-tensioned at the factory; any subsequent contact can only damage it.

North American Warranty

Standard Warranty
When purchased from and installed by an authorized Wisdom Audio dealer, Wisdom Audio loudspeakers are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of 10 years from the original date of purchase. Furthermore, the transducers (“drivers”) in your Wisdom Audio speakers are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of 10 years from the original date of purchase.

Harsh Conditions Use
Wisdom Audio loudspeakers are designed for installation and operation in environmentally controlled conditions, such as are found in normal residential environments. When used in harsh conditions such as outdoors or in marine applications, the warranty is three years from the original date of purchase.During the warranty period, any Wisdom Audio products exhibiting defects in materials and/or workmanship will be repaired or replaced, at our option, without charge for either parts or labor, at our factory. The warranty will not apply to any Wisdom Audio products that has been misused, abused, altered, or installed and calibrated by anyone other than an authorized Wisdom Audio dealer.

Any Wisdom Audio product not performing satisfactorily may be returned to the factory for evaluation. Return authorization must first be obtained by either calling or writing the factory prior to shipping the component. The factory will pay for return shipping charges only if the component is found to be defective as mentioned above. There are other stipulations that may apply to shipping charges. There is no other express warranty on Wisdom Audio products. Neither this warranty nor any other warranty, express or implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness, shall extend beyond the warranty period.

No responsibility is assumed for any incidental or consequential damages. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and other states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. This warranty is applicable in the United States and Canada only. Outside of the U.S. and Canada, please contact your local, authorized Wisdom Audio distributor for warranty and service information.

Obtaining Service

We take great pride in our dealers. Experience, dedication, and integrity make these professionals ideally suited to assist with our customers’ service needs.
If your Wisdom Audio loudspeaker must be serviced, please contact your dealer. Your dealer will then decide whether the problem can be remedied locally, or whether to contact Wisdom Audio for further service information or parts, or to obtain a Return Authorization. The Wisdom Audio Service Department works closely with your dealer to solve your service needs expediently.

IMPORTANT: Return authorization must be obtained from Wisdom Audio’s Service Department BEFORE a unit is shipped for service. It is extremely important that information about a problem be explicit and complete. A specific, comprehensive description of the problem helps your dealer and the Wisdom Audio Service Department locate and repair the difficulty as quickly as possible. A copy of the original bill of sale will serve to verify warranty status. Please include it with the unit when it is brought in for warranty service.

WARNING: All returned units must be packaged in their original packaging, and the proper return authorization numbers must be marked on the outer carton for identification. Shipping the unit in improper packaging may void the warranty, as Wisdom Audio cannot be responsible for the resulting shipping damage. Your dealer can order a new set of shipping materials for you if you need to ship your loudspeaker and no longer have the original materials. There will be a charge for this service. We strongly recommend saving all packing materials in case you need to ship your unit someday. If the packaging to protect the unit is, in our opinion or that of our dealer, inadequate to protect the unit, we reserve the right to repackage it for return shipment at the owner’s expense. Neither Wisdom Audio nor your dealer can be responsible for shipping damage due to improper (that is, non-original) packaging.

Specifications

All specifications are subject to change at any time to improve the product.

• Number of required amplifier channels: 3
• Frequency response: 30Hz – 20 kHz ± 2dB relative to the target curve
• Impedance, planar section: 3Ω
• Impedance, woofer section: 6Ω
• Sensitivity, planar section: 96 dB/2.83V/1m
• Sensitivity, woofer section : 96 dB/2.83V/1m
• System impedance: 4.2Ω
• System sensitivity: 96 dB
• Power handling, peak: >1000w
• Dimensions: See appropriate dimensions drawings on next page
• Shipping weight, each HF Planar : 53 lbs. (24 kg)
• Shipping weight, each LF Planar: 90 lbs. (41 kg)

For more information, see your Wisdom Audio dealer or contact:

Wisdom Audio
1572 College Parkway, Suite 164 Carson City, NV 89706 wisdomaudio.com information@wisdomaudio.com 775-887-8850

L150i Dimensions
All PDF and DWG drawing files are in the RESOURCES section at the bottom of each product page.

WISDOM and the stylized W are registered trademarks of Wisdom Audio. Wisdom Audio
1572 College Parkway, Suite 164 Carson City, Nevada 89706 USA TEL 775-887-8850 FAX 775-887-8820 wisdomaudio.com

References

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