A3-EVO

2 way Bookshelf Loudspeaker

OWNER’S MANUAL

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR

BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED

SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

WARNING

TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD,

DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN

OR MOISTURE

Do not disassemble any part of the product.

Do not use any part of the product for other purposes.

For service and problems of any kind, contact qualified Gold Note personnel.

Protect the product from rain and humidity and keep away from heat sources, electric and electronic motors etc.

The power Chord supplied must be used only on this unit.

Gold Note does not have responsibility for any improper use of this unit

This appliance has a serial number located on the rear panel.

Please record the model and serial numbee and retain them for your records.

Serial Number: Model:

OWNER’S MANUAL page 1

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

1 Read these instructions.

normally, or has been dropped.

2 Keep these instructions.

3 Heed all warnings.

• Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes.

• Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.

4 Follow all instructions.

• Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a book case or similar unit.

5 Do not use this apparatus near to any water.

6 Clean only with dry cloth.

• The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the

AC outlet with its POWER or STANDBY/ON switch not in the ON position.

7 Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

• The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC outlet so that you can easily grasp the power cord plug at any time.

8 Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

• The main plug is used as the disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.

9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

• If the product uses batteries (including a battery pack or installed batteries), they should not be exposed to sunshine, fire or excessive heat.

• Caution should be taken when using earphones or headphones with the product because excessive sound pressure

(volume) from earphones or head- phones can cause hearing loss.

10 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11 Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12 Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as 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

OWNER’S MANUAL page 2

INTRODUCTION

A3 EVO is a two-way bookshelf speaker with bass reflex and a 16cm mid-woofer in a special hardened woven polypropylene and a 25mm dome tweeter in silk.

The mid-woofer of A3 EVO is produced by SEAS following our specific instructions in order to obtain a driver in hardened polypropylene which can deliver exceptionally low and powerful frequency responses and a non comune linearity of the transients to achieve the most natural and dynamic reproduction possible.

The custom 1” dome tweeter with fluid iron is produced by Audax and features a big magnet in ferrite as well as an aluminium extra rigid flange in aluminium.

The silk dome permits to keep the frequencies always ultra clean with a noteworthy extension.

The speaker cabinet’s insides are made of hardened HDF.

The reflex pipe on the back is made of anodised aluminium.

The principal body of the speaker is splendidly lacquered in shiny black or in walnut wood.

The A3 EVO therefore represent an elegant completion of furniture in the homes of even the most demanding audiophiles.

OWNER’S MANUAL page 3

SPECIFICATION and KEY FEATURES

KEY FEATURES:

16cm ultra rigid woven polypropylene cone driver mid-woofer , 25mm pure silk dome tweeter, rear aluminum bass reflex

2 WAY REAR BASS REFLEX BOOKSHELF

SPEAKER

Frequency response: 45-20000Hz ±3dB

Sensitivity: 87dB SPL 2,83Vs/1m

Tweeter: 25mm soft elliptical dome driver

Midwoofer: 16cm ultra rigid woven polypropylene cone driver

Suggested power amplifier: 20-100W

Max power handling: 100W RMS

Impedance: 8ohm nominal

Crossover: 2200Hz at 12dB/Octave

______________

FINISHES

Italian Glossy Walnut | Black Glossy Grand Piano

PHYSICAL

Dimensions: 240mm W x 345mm H x 295mm D

Weight: ca. 20kg (packed pair)

UPGRADE

Dedicated Stand

OWNER’S MANUAL page 4

CONNECTING the SPEAKERS

Example Connection

Right

Speaker

Left

Speaker

-

R

+

Stereo Power Amplifier

-

L

+

OWNER’S MANUAL page 5

SPEAKER POSITIONING

Identifying the ideal sound/acoustic room to play an audio system well is not that strictly related to the dimension proportion of the rooms as many audiophile believes.

The sound played through an audio system is just “Energy diffused in a closed environment” that is all, absorbed, reflected and dispersed.

The loudspeaker position is the most important thing because managing the reflections is a key factor to get the best sound. The first 2 reflections are crucial, after them the energy of the reflection starts being low to not particularly affect the sound performance.

The first reflection creates a 25m/s delay. Such delay is very bad creates a disturb overwhelming the sound while the delay in between 40 and 80m/s create what is called ambience.

It is so important to reduce the first reflection keeping the speaker as fare as possible from the side walls and using some carpets on the floor in front of them better.

A symmetrical position for the speakers in the room having the same distance from the side and the rear walls is also very important when possible.

As better it is as better the focus and the sound stage is obtained.

WALL MATERIAL

Generally most the wall are thick the best there is a bass extension control as well as good acoustic isolation.

The drywalls vibrate quite a bit for which normally it is the reason why they are not suggested or should be treated accordingly.

CEILING

A better pretty taller than not. The ideal works between 250 and 360cm having the same regular height.

The vaulted ceiling is quite critical because it works like a magnifier lens increases the power in specific areas.

In case o attic where typically the ceiling slopes down is better positioning the speaker closer to the shorter ceiling and the listening point in the higher ceiling area.

FLOOR

The worst are the marble because extremely reflecting but even the all carpet floors because indiscriminately absorbing. The best are the wooden ones. Anyway all floors maybe easily corrected with a 2/4cm thick carpet in front of the speakers.

SPEAKER SIDE WALLS

Cover the side walls with a carpet is wrong. Leave them naked is also not the ideal solution. Picture with frames on the wall are ok if they are without glass and symmetrical placed both side of the speakers. Eventually some small specific traps could be a good solutions

SPEAKER POSITIONING

SPEAKER REAR WALL

The rear wall does not need to be symmetrical like the side walls but some acoustic treatment able to diffract the energy of the sound wave is important to get good results.

A traditional library with books and records is a very good no cost solution.

LISTENING POINT REAR WALL

The listening point rear wall is not that critical at all. If it is too close to the listening point itself it would be better treating it with some absorbing material or with a thick curtain.

WINDOWS and DOORS

They always vibrate. It would be better not to have them in the room’s corners or in the middle of the side walls. Treating them with absorbing material could be good but they also must be well closed not waving.

Having a door behind the listening point could work fine once opened.

Curtain in front of the windows should be light to avoid stopping to much energy, except for the eventual ones behind the listening point.

FURNITURES

Ideally avoiding big furniture with glass/many doors. Open shelf furniture are the best.

If possible avoiding the table in between the speakers and the listening points because the tend to reflect strongly the highs and the mid quite much.

AUDIO RACKS

Though the best position is not in the middle of the speaker some special racks such like the Gold Note Galileo because the special all curved shape helps diffracting the sound wave very well. In case of standard racks to put in the middle of the speakers is preferable to have small ones enhance a better sound focus.

SUBWOOFER

A general thinking believes the subwoofer does not have direct emission of sound so the position is not important. In fact the energy of the waves generated by the subwoofer create a sound stage follows similar rules of the full range speakers then the same rules should be applied to it.

OWNER’S MANUAL page 7

SPEAKER POSITIONING

WIDER STEREO SOUND STAGE SPEAKER POSITION

(for some instrumental music, symphonic orcherstra, etc.)

Listening Point

•

•

•

WIDE STEREO IMAGE SPEAKER POSITION

(for some instrument music, synfonic orcherstra etc.)

The distance between both the speakers and the side walls should be the same

The distance between both the speakers and the rear wall should be the same

As more distance there is between the speakers as wider sound stage but less focus.

To balance the focus the speakers can be directed to the Listening Point as indicated in the image of the page 9, 10 and 11 of this manual.

SPEAKER POSITIONING

NARROWER STEREO SOUND STAGE SPEAKER POSITION

(Eventually for solo instrument music like piano, guitar and voice etc.)

Listening Point

WIDE STEREO IMAGE SPEAKER POSITION

(for some instrument music, synfonic orcherstra etc.) sound stage.

SPEAKER POSITIONING

DISTANCE BETWEEN SPEAKER AND LISTENING POINT ORIENTATION

A

B

C

Listening Point

The distance between the speakers should be the same of the one to the speakers.

If the distance is shorter the speaker must be directed to the Listening point accordingly.

Empirical tests are necessary to find the right proportion between wide stereo sound stage focus and crispy details

WARRANTY

WARRANTY REGISTRATION

To validate the warranty is necessary to register the unit on the Gold Note internet web site within 15 days from the purchase on the appropriate area of the web site: http://www.goldnote.it/

If the unit is not registered correctly or is been purchased from a different country of the purchaser origin/home the unit will not be covered by any warranty and the eventual registration refused.

The warranty does not does not cover in any case: Tubes, Phono Cartridge Styli and Batteries.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

All GOLD NOTE® products are the result of meticulous technological research, and consequently their correct functioning is guaranteed. In spite of this it is possible that problems may emerge which non-specialist users cannot resolve.

In this case, contact your dealer who will advise you on how to resolve the problem.

Do not return any object directly to the factory or to the national distributor or without being authorized to do so. In such cases both GOLD NOTE® and the distribution agents operating within your territory decline responsibility of any kind.

Please Note: Descriptions and technical characteristics may vary in any moment without notice.

OWNER’S MANUAL page 11

FAQ AND TROBLESHOTING

ACTION

CLEANING THE UNIT

FAQ

DESCRIPTION

•The Unit is dirty and needs to be cleaned

HOW TO ADJUST IT

•With EXTREME care use ONLY diluted alcohol and a very soft 100% cotton cloth to sweep dust and stains out.

•Any acid or not extremely soft cloth will irreversibly damage the amplifier fine aesthetic.

•Do not use any alcohol to clean the unit anodised label, or printed parts. Only dry cloth is allowed.

TROUBLESHOTINGS

SYMPTOM

SPEAKER HUMMING

PROBLEMS

OUT of PHASE

SOME DRIVERS DO NOT

WORK

DESCRIPTION

The speakers hum when the amplifier is connected to the system

The sound does not have a proper focus even well positioned

CAUSE

•The unit is correctly coupled with the Ground on DC.

•The interconnect input and/or output cables are not shielded.

• The speaker terminals are inverted Negative/positive pole some way on the amp or speaker

•Bridges are not well conncted to the speaker terminal (Binding

Posts)

•the speaker cables are not well connected to the speaker.

•the amplifier does not play music

REMEDY

•Be sure your area and personal environment are well grounded eventually isolate the ground Pin of the power chord plug for verification.

•Be sure to always use shielded cables for the amp connections.

•Turn Off the amplifier as first rewire the speaker terminal well the bridges well

•Connect them properly

•verify connectivity and music played through a correct source

For spare parts visit the official Gold Note store at: http://www.akamaiaudio.it/

OWNER’S MANUAL page 12

USER NOTE

OWNER’S MANUAL page 13

USER NOTE

OWNER’S MANUAL page 14

Via della Gora, 6

Montespertoli (Florence) Italy 50025

Tel. + 39 0571 675005

Fax. + 39 0571 675013 www.goldnote.it