• Speaker Location
• Source Connections
• Grounding
• Power Considerations
• Noise & Distortion Problems
• Microphone Use
• Microphone Feedback

Below is a list of helpful tips when choosing a location for your speaker system. These tips are meant to supplement your product's Quick Start Guide only. QSG's can be downloaded in the Literature section of this website.

• Rooms will have power in one or many locations, in the ceiling or down in the room. Choose a location for the speaker where power is accessible by the power supply (6 reach). If required, we offer an assortment of long run power extension cables for up to 40' runs.
• Astronaut: Generally, the Astronaut is installed near a projector on the ceiling for easy source connection and power access to an in-ceiling power outlet.
• Ensémble: The Ensémble is a portable system. In some cases, the best place for the speaker is near audience members where there are no power outlets. In this instance, long run power cables are required.
• When using a microphone, avoid feedback by placing the speaker far from where the transmitter will be used while close to the audience members.
• Always consider the location of multimedia devices when installing or setting up an audio system. Make sure you have the appropriate length and type of speaker cables to accommodate your installation.
• Place speakers near the intended audience since sound levels decrease quickly over large distances. For the Ensémble, ensure the intended audience is within a 40' radius of the speaker.
• Cetacea's patented speaker designs are very forgiving for placement because of their omni-directional acoustic horn design. This means all audience members benefit from hearing the same sound regardless of where they are seated around the speaker. However, if possible, locate speakers at least 4 feet away from vertical walls.
• Caution: Do not locate any ceiling speakers directly over or within 3' of the hot air created by projector exhausts.

All Cetacea speakers can be hooked up to a variety of different A/V devices using stereo or mono speaker cables with 3.5 mm mini jacks. Common devices include: projectors, DVD/VCR's, microphones, whiteboards, and portable music players (iPod®). Refer to your product's Quick Start Guide for input specifications and hookup diagrams.

• The Astronaut and Ensémble speakers have a built-in 3-channel mixer which accepts up to 3 simultaneous devices (A, B, C channels).
• Do not connect 3rd party amplifiers to Cetacea powered speakers as they could overdrive the speakers, causing distortion or premature failure.
• Most fixed and variable line outputs are suitable sources. If distortion or other audible noise is detected, make sure the source is functioning and any applicable software is set up correctly.
• Stereo connections: Max input voltage should not exceed 300mv per input channel.
• Mono connections: Max input voltage should not exceed 150mv per input channel. Cetacea speakers require line level, not microphone level inputs.
• When connecting to a fixed line output, a separate attenuator must be purchased to adjust volume. There is no remote volume control for the Ensémble or Astronaut products.
• Always plug AC power in last after plugging in all source cables.
• Observe all audio 101 installation standards when routing cables across a ceiling. For instance, do not lay source cables parallel to power cables or place them too close to fluorescent light ballasts. This may cause unwanted noise or hum.

All Cetacea audio systems include an external power supply. There are a few advantages to this: they save weight; allow us to upgrade as new technology becomes available; and, we can offer various styles for different installation needs.

• Desktop style power supplies are handy for swapping out different length AC power cords. Additionally, the plugs are small and do not take up as much space in a power outlet as a wall mount power supply brick.
• Some installations may require plenum-rated power cables. Visit the power and cabling section of this website for plenum-rated cabling options.
• Cetacea speakers can handle long run power extensions of up to 40'. Check out our line of AC and DC power extension cables.
• Tip: In the case that your power supply fails, please recycle it according to local laws. Older supplies can be returned to use for a 25% discount on a new ENERGY STAR®model.

Cetacea Sound speakers can and often are affected by inappropriate electrical grounding. Although all current Cetacea Sound power supply models are isolated from ground, problems can still arise during installation.

Do not assume that proper safety grounding and electronic noise reduction are one and the same. The building electrical contractor is rarely asked to do the latter which exposes every audio installation to ground noise both on the power line as well as the signal line.

Cetacea Sound powered speakers have built in low and high voltage, thermal, and diode protection for polarity; however, ground noise can still be caused from ground loops within projectors, DVDs, and computers plugged into the same circuit. If you hear a 60 cycle hum from the speaker, try plugging it into another AC outlet either in the room or across the hall using an extension cord. If the hum is eliminated, then a different source of AC power will have to be used or an electrical contractor will have to provide a common ground for all equipment on the circuit in question.

Ground noise, hiss, and distortion can be caused on the signal line if the signal wire is connected to an improperly designed source. Projectors, personal computers, wall plates, and other devices are all suspect if it is determined this is the case.

To diagnose the noise source, first disconnect the power cord at the speaker. Second, disconnect the signal wire from the speaker. Connect another source to the speaker like a personal computer, portable CD player, or iPodreg;. Finally, reconnect the power cord. If the noise was eliminated, then the first signal source is suspect.

Systematically remove each source of the signal path one by one until the culprit is discovered. Once the source with the noise is discovered, find its fault through another process of elimination. Some signal sources just don't work the way they are supposed to and mislead one to think the speaker has a problem, which in fact it does not.

Do not assume that noise in the form of hum, static, pops, or distortion is the fault of the speaker. Noise is mostcommonly caused by multimedia sources or power issued within an installation. Here are some of the most common causes to consider:

• Ground loop AC hum, 60 Hz (see grounding tips)
• Bad sources like improperly grounded portable computer docking stations
• Ungrounded or improperly grounded wall switch plates.
• Bad cables; especially custom cables
• Bad MP3 files or corrupted audio files from the internet, CD, or computer
• Volume turned up too high (properly designed speakers should sound distorted at maximum v olume)
• Distortion is commonly caused by an incorrectly set up source. Deactivate, disable, and under no circumstances use equalizers or compression algorithms that are resident in most source player setup menus. These software controls can be easily identified as "Bass Boost", "Cinema Sound ", "Q-Sound", "Surround Sound", "Brightness", "Rock and Roll", "Blues", etc.

Rule of Thumb
The larger the number of connections in a source path, the more likely that noise will transfer to the speaker. Each and every source and connection is a potential cause of noise and must be investigated through a process of elimination.

Cetacea Sound speakers are very easy to diagnose. For additional support, refer to our Troubleshooting section.

Practice Makes Perfect
Learning to use a wireless microphone is like learning to drive a car—practice, practice, practice! Always prepare for a presentation by setting up your equipment in the room you will be speaking in beforehand. Make sure the equipment is working properly and then walk around the room.

Spend time practicing in the area of the room where you will be speaking. Listen for any unwarranted noise or feedback as you walk the room and avoid those noisy areas that cannot be eliminated by equipment adjustments.

Have a second person help you hear and make volume adjustments. In most cases, the appropriate microphone volume is when the presenter cannot hear themselves over the speakers.

Microphones will experience feedback unless used with care. Feedback is caused by a variety of factors, including speaker and microphone placement, the room environment, and volume.

Volume
Set the appropriate volume level for your room with the help of a second person. High microphone volume is a common cause for feedback.

1. Stand as far away from the speaker as possible but close to the audience and adjust volume until it is loud enough for the audience to hear.
2. Have a second person determine appropriate loudness by standing or sitting in the audience location.
   
   
   Note:
   The appropriate audience volume level may sound low to the person with the transmitter.
   
   
3. Lower volume if any sign of feedback is detected.

Speaker Placement
Microphone proximity to the speaker is a common cause of feedback. Speakers can easily be relocated with extension cables. Contact us for an extension cable kit.

Room Environment
Always walk the room to detect sensitive feedback areas. In some cases, these areas will be unavoidable due to the unique properties of the room. Avoid these areas during microphone use.