Kii Audio THREE Advanced Loudspeaker Owner’s Manual
- June 10, 2024
- Kii Audio
Table of Contents
Kii THREE
OWNER´S MANUAL
THREE Advanced Loudspeaker
Warranty Information:
Kii Audio provides a full FIVE (5) YEAR WARRANTY on the Kii THREE.
Beginning of the warranty period is the date of purchase.
Kii AUDIO – OWNERS CARD
Thank you for purchasing the most advanced loudspeaker to date.
We truly believe that music is the common language of the world.
It can make you laugh, it can make you cry and it can share emotions unlike
any other medium.
We hope the Kii Three provides you with many of these joyous moments with your
music collection.
– It´s all about the music!
Unpacking your Kii THREE – what is in the box?
Each pair of Kii THREE speakers is delivered in two identical packed boxes,
each box contains:
1x Kii THREE Speaker
1x Power Cable
1x Cat5 Cable (5m)
1x Owner´s Manual
Installation + Connector Panel
Power – The Kii THREE has no power switch.
Simply plug the power cable into the IEC socket (f) and if no audio signal is
present, the speaker will automatically go into standby mode.
As soon as the input detects any audio signal (analog or digital) it will
automatically power on.
This can take up to 7 seconds.
Here is an overview of the connector panel from left to right:
a) SERIAL NUMBER – This is the individual Serial No. for each speaker.
b) XLR INPUT – This is the single XLR Input connector which can be set to
process analog or digital audio signals, depending on how the Select switch
(c) is set.
c) SELECT SWITCH – this three position mini switch selects whether the XLR
Input functions as an analog input for this individual speaker, or if either
the right or left channel of the AES signal will be played by this speaker.
d) P/R button – Pair (WISA source) / Reset, this button will be used for
interaction with future Kii Audio products.
e) Kiilink – Input and Thru (or Output) – When a digital input (AES) is used,
both channels of the stereo signal will be sent together via a single digital
cable from your source.
You simply choose the speaker that is located closest to your digital source
and connect the AES cable to its input, this is now the „master speaker“ while
we call the other one the „slave speaker“.
The slave speaker gets its signal directly from the master speaker.
Both speakers are connected with the supplied CAT5 cable. Simply plug it into
the right CAT5 port (labeled „Thru“) of your master speaker and into the left
CAT5 port (labeled „In“) of your slave speaker.
Boundary Switch explained
The Kii THREE has a very controlled and well behaved dispersion, different
from most common speaker designs. The complete frequency spectrum from 40Hz on
upwards has a cardioid radiation pattern thanks to our Active Wave Focusing
technology.
The result is that the sound is directed only towards the listener, thus
eliminating the most common negative acoustical problems of the average
listening room in the low to mid frequencies.
Only the very low frequencies below 40Hz (down to approx. 19Hz/-3dB) are
radiated omnidirectional around the speaker.
If you place the Kii THREE freestanding in your room, the Boundary switch
should be set to „free“.
This means the speaker has a flat frequency response and will put out equal
energy over its whole frequency range.
With the help of the Boundary switch the Kii THREE can be placed very close
against the wall or even into corners, while the DSP in the speaker will
compensate the natural overemphasis in bass response in these positions.
The result is that you always have an even energy response at the listening
position. A nice side-effect of positioning the Kii THREEs against the wall
is, that the headroom is improved (because they have to put out less bass
energy) and the speakers can play even louder than in a free standing
position.
Setting up is easy
Start by setting the Boundary switch according to the positioning in the room
first (free/wall/corner) and then adjust it by ear if necessary. Both switches
(Boundary and Contour) have a groove, which has a visible hole in one end,
this is the pointer of the dial.
Dial the switch counter-clockwise (towards free) for more energy/level below
40Hz and likewise clockwise (towards corner) for less energy/level below 40Hz.
Depending on the size and construction of your listening room and its
boundaries, a few clicks towards either side can help to even out the bass
response in the listening spot perfectly.
The default setting of the Boundary switch upon delivery is free standing (9
0´clock position, free).
Advanced tweaking:
Unlike any passive speaker system the Kii THREE offers the ability to adapt to
a non-symmetrical room. It often happens in regular living rooms, that your
walls are different behind both speakers.
For example a window behind the left speaker on one side and a concrete wall
behind the right speaker on the other side.
In such a case setting the right speaker 1-2 clicks further down (towards the
corner setting) can help to achieve a perfectly symmetrical center image.
Contour Switch explained
The Contour switch provides an easy method to slightly tailor the speaker´s
linear frequency response to your personal taste.
The default setting of the Contour switch upon delivery is linear (9 o´clock
position, Ff).
For the Kii Three we use a single 16 position rotary dial that provides 14
different presets.
Whenever the slot of the Contour switch is in a horizontal position (no matter
if pointing to the left or right), the frequency response is set to flat
(marked Ff).
Always start listening in the flat position and try out different settings in
comparison.
Three different filters are implemented.
A low-shelf at 300Hz
A high-shelf at 3kHz
A high-shelf at 10kHz
You can either use a single one,
or a combination of low and high shelf.
Choosing a preset is easy. Each of the 14 different EQ positions is marked
with two letters.
The first upper case letter (B/F/C) marks the setting of the bass shelf.
The second lower case letter (b/a/f/s/c) marks the choice and setting of one
of the two different high shelves.
Simply choose a combination of upper and lower case letter to find the preset
you prefer.
Please use the graph to document your personal settings in this manual:
| B = Boost | enhanced low frequencies < 300Hz |
|---|---|
| F = Flat | no change to the low frequencies |
| C = Cut | reduced low frequencies < 300Hz |
| b = boost | enhanced high frequencies > 3kHz |
| a = air | enhanced high frequencies > 10kHz |
| f = flat | no change to the high frequencies |
| s = soft | reduced high frequencies > 10kHz |
| c = cut | reduced high frequencies > 3kHz |
Setup examples
a) Kii THREE used with computer + USB to digital interfac
You can use any third party USB interface that provides a digital output in
AES or SPDIF format to connect the Kii THREE to your computer or laptop.
If your interface has an SPDIF output via RCA, a simple adapter cable can be
used between the interface and the Kii THREE (RCA to XLR)
In this use case the internal volume control of the playback software is used,
therefore we recommend a good player like JRiver, Roon or Audirvana.
b) Kii THREE used as an active speaker within a regular, classic Hifi system.
The Kii THREE simply replaces a poweramp (or two monoblocks) and the passive
speakers.
Multiple sources can be connected to an analog preamp which provides source
selection and volume control.
The preamp outputs are connected to the analog inputs of the Kii THREE:
(Select switch in middle position)
No CAT5 connection is necessary.
c) Kii THREE used with a Streaming Bridge / Network Music Player / Music
Server
Some high quality streamers have built-in digital volume control.
This provides the most elegant and straightforward setup, only consisting of
the streamer/network player and a pair of Kii THREEs.
If your streaming bridge or network player doesn´t provide a high quality
digital volume control, there are two other options:
The streamer offers a good DAC and preamp functionality, so you can connect
its analog outputs directly into the Kii THREEs and set the Select switch to
“analog”.
Another option is to use a third party device like a Weiss INT203 inbetween
streamer and the Kii THREE, to provide digital volume control..
Technical Specifications:
Compact DSP controlled monitor speaker
4x 6.5” woofer, 1×5” midrange, 1” waveguided tweeter, all individually driven
Amplification: 6x250W full-custom Ncore
Active Wave Focusing crossover filter
Frequency response: 20Hz to 25kHz +/- 0.5dB
Phase response: minimum (best possible time coherence).
Long term SPL(): 105dB
Short term SPL(): 110dB
Peak SPL: 115dB
Controlled Directivity: 4.8dB (80Hz – 1kHz, slowly rising thereafter)
Size: 20x40x40cm, 8”x16”x16” (WxHxD)
Weight: 15kg (33lbs)
Inputs: Analogue, AES/EBU
Selectable correction for free-standing, near wall or in corner
(*)IEC60268-5 Paragraph 20.6
Safety Warning:
KiiLink is NOT a standard network connection !!
Although common CAT5 cable and RJ45 connectors are used, KiiLink employs its
own proprietary protocol..
Connecting a KiiLink port to a non-Kii product can cause permanent damage to
your Kii THREE.
NEVER connect a Kii THREE to a home network!
NEVER connect a Kii THREE to the Ethernet port of a computer!
Instructions for safe operation:
-
Dangerous voltage is inside this apparatus.
Opening is only allowed by qualified service personnel. -
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the safety earth connection. Use the provided three-prong power cord to insure the product is connected to safety earth. If the provided mains cord does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
-
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
-
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
-
Do not use this apparatus near water. Do not expose the apparatus to dripping or splashing. Do not place objects filled with liquids (flower vases, drink cans, coffee cups, etc) on the apparatus. Do not use this apparatus out of doors.
-
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
-
Use only with a speakerstand or table designed for use with audio or music equipment. In any installation, make sure that injury or damage will not result from cables pulling on the apparatus and its mounting.
-
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when the power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
-
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
Any damage resulting from the violation of these safety measures (especially
by opening the apparatus or connecting non-Kii devices via the KiiLink ports)
is not covered by the warranty.
Please be careful and reasonable with your extended listening levels.
Excessive sound pressure levels during longer periods of time can cause
irreversible damage to your ears and health.
****Kii Audio GmbH
Herrlinghausen 43
42929 Wermelskirchen
Deutschland/Germany
info@kiiaudio.com
www.kiiaudio.com
Kii THREE Manual (v1.0)
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>