In this area we have collected our most frequently asked questions. If you can't find your question here, please contact our customer support.
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Where can I find an Audio Pro dealer in my area?
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Contact the Audio Pro distributor in your country for information on how to find an Audio Pro dealer near you. You can find the distributors contact information in our find distributor section in the main menu of this web site.
To find Swedish dealers, go to the Swedish version of this web site: www.audiopro.se
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How do Audio Pro's speakers compare to other leading brands?
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Since 1978 we have created loudspeakers that have gained acclaim, both within the trade press and among our customers. As Audio Pro products are continuously being tested in HiFi magazines around the world, it's worth checking our web site every so often for new tests and the latest word. To give you the opportunity to read the entire test, we always tell what magazine and issue the test has been published in. But remember: You are the final judge. Visit a quality HiFi retailer, and let your ears, your plans and your pocketbook guide you to good sound in your home and your everyday life. |
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Who do I turn to when I need service or spare parts to Audio Pro speakers?
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If your Audio Pro speakers need service or spare parts, always first contact the dealer or distributor in your country, especially for warranty issues. Otherwise contact Audio Pro Service in Sweden on telephone +46 (0)13 - 31 02 86 (Monday-Friday, 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00 Central European Time. |
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What about warranty issues?
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Please contact your dealer or distributor for warranty issues and warranty information in your country (the country you bought your Audio Pro product). |
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Can I still get spare parts for my Audio Pro speakers?
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Availability of spare parts depends to some extent on how old your speakers are. We aim, wherever possible, to ensure good service quality regardless of the age of your equipment. Always first contact the dealer or distributor in your country. Otherwise contact Audio Pro Service in Sweden at telephone +46 (0)13 - 31 02 86 (Monday-Friday, 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00 Central European Time). |
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I have lost the manual that came with my Audio Pro speakers. How do I get a new one?
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Speaker manuals can be downloaded in PDF format from this website. If you don't find your manual here, go to the 'Contact' page of the website and fill in the questionnaire you find there. You can also phone Audio Pro Customer Support in Sweden on telephone +46 (0)13 - 31 02 86 (Monday-Friday, 14.00-16.00 Central European Time) or Audio Pro Service +46 (0)13 - 37 08 27 (Monday-Friday, 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00 Central European Time). |
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What amplifier should I use with my Audio Pro speakers?
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The sound quality of your system will never be stronger than its weakest link. If you spend good money on high-quality speakers, then you should make sure that the rest of your system is of comparable quality. A well-recognized brand that has received good reviews is always a good investment, and your hi-fi dealer can also recommend components that complement your speakers. Remember, however, that a speaker's sound reproduction may differ slightly from one set of components to another, so it is always best to (a) test the alternatives, and (b) let your ears be the final judge. Your taste in music also plays an important part in the kind of system you choose.
The label on the back of each speaker states the power capacity of the amplifier that should be connected to it. This website also provides detailed technical information about the recommended amplifier capacity for each speaker in our range. Please note, however, that the amplifier's power capacity (measured in amperes) is more important than its effect (measured in watts) when you want to know how well an amplifier can drive the speaker.
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Power, or current – which is most important for an amplifier?
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One of the most used terms in HiFi is 'watt', the measurement unit that describes how much electric energy an amplifier can deliver per second to a speaker, and how much energy per second the speaker is capable of receiving. But a watt is a measurement of quantity -- how loud the music can be played -- rather than quality.
The amplifier's quality is more closely related to its ability to deliver current to the speaker. A speaker needs current in order to be able to transform the electrical music signal into music that pleases the ear. Current strength is measured in amperes, and the more current the amplifier can deliver to the speaker, the better the speaker will reproduce the music. A good speaker can dynamically deliver between 50 and 100 amperes.
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What is impedance?
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Impedance is a measurement of resistance. The speaker's resistance defines how difficult the speaker is to run. Resistance is measured in ohms. The lower the ohms, the “easier” it is for the amplifier to run the speaker. A speaker's impedance -- or electrical resistance as a function of the frequency -- is a measure of the electrical load placed on the amplifier by the speaker. The greater the impedance, the smaller the amount of current flowing through the speaker will be.
A speaker's normal impedance is 4 or 8 ohms. This means that a speaker with an impedance of 4 ohms needs an amplifier that can deliver more current. The lower the impedance, the higher the demand has to be that is placed on an amplifier.
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Will I have a problem with Audio Pro’s 4-ohm speakers?
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For instance, a 4-ohm speaker can easily 'empty' an amplifier of its current reserve. Therefore, be careful when connecting double pairs of loudspeakers. The amplifier looks upon two pairs of 8-ohm loudspeakers as 4 ohm. (Note that this does not apply when setting up a home theatre system.)
Audio Pro has many loudspeakers designed as 4-ohm. We do this simply to give you more sound value for your money. In our case, if a speaker measures less than 6.4 ohms, we describe it as 4-ohm. They won't give you any impedance problems. Many amplifiers specify 8 to 16 ohm, or maybe just say "minimum 8 ohm". This is a clear indication that the amplifier is of lower quality.
In a home theater set-up, there will be no problems unless the amplifier is of very poor quality. With two pairs of speakers (where all speakers are 4-ohm), there may be a problem if they are connected to both the A and B outputs and are played at the same time. The amplifier will go quiet and will go into protection mode. It won't break. We don't know of any case where the impedance caused problems in a home theater set-up of Audio Pro speakers.
Normally, a speaker that is under 6.4 ohm is described as 4-ohm. If greater than 6.4 ohm, it is described as 8-ohm.
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What speaker wire should I choose in my sound system?
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Your sound system will never be better than the weakest component. If you have put your money into expensive electronics and speakers, you should also look at your choice of speaker wire. Wire of good quality can make a difference in how your sound system performs. The best wires are made of higher-grade copper, which has excellent conductivity. Wires come in several thicknesses. Choose a thick cable, at least between 12 – 16 AWG (American wire gauge), which suits most systems of good quality. The speaker wire can be connected between speakers and receivers/amplifiers in different ways. It is best to choose electronics and speakers with heavy-duty nickel- or gold-plated binding posts that accept bare wire, banana plugs or spade lugs. It is also an advantage if there is a good amount of space in the area around the binding posts, allowing you to have ample maneuvering room for your fingers so that speaker wires can be securely fastened. |
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How do I correctly connect my new speakers?
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The wires between amplifier and speaker must always be 100% correctly connected. Otherwise your system will sound strange. Always connect with marked wires (color coded or patterned). This reduces the risk of a mistake. The same is true for the connection to the amplifier.
What happens when the speakers are incorrectly connected?
When the wires to the left and right speakers are connected differently (for example + to + on the left speaker and + to – on the right speaker), then the drive units will play in counter phase. This means that when one speaker's drive cone is moving inwards, the other speaker's drive cone is moving outward. This makes the bass sound disappear almost completely, because the sound waves will cancel each other out.
How to check that phase is correct?
By turning the speakers so that their fronts face each other, you can hear whether you have connected the phase correctly or not. Play music with some strong bass in it and, if the bass sound disappears with this placement, then the wires are incorrectly connected. Change the + and – cable connection on one of the speakers (not both!). If the bass sound increases, then it is now correct.
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My brand-new speakers sound 'wooden' and all-round poor. Is there something wrong with them?
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This need not be a fault of the loudspeaker. A brand new speaker has never been used, and its membranes and mountings are stiff to begin with, which may result in a slightly unsatisfactory sound. Like a new car, the speaker needs to be 'broken in', and the more it is played the better it will sound. A good rule is to not judge the speaker until is properly broken in, and this may take from 100 to 200 hours of playing time, depending on the model. To expedite this process you might, for example, switch on your radio before you leave for work, and let it 'exercise' the speakers until you come home. If you nonetheless feel that an unsatisfactory sound reproduction is due to a fault of the loudspeaker, you should contact your retailer as soon as possible. |
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Are bookshelf speakers or satellites just as good as larger tower models?
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It all depends. A loudspeaker must move a lot of air in order to sound good. The larger the cabinet, the more air the speaker can move. But sound quality is also affected by the speaker's quality – the cabinet's composition and construction, and the speaker's components. Even the speaker's location, the room it is in and the room's other furnishings will affect the sound quality. If the room is sufficiently large and you have no objection to prominent loudspeakers, they will undoubtedly sound very good. But smaller speakers are more appropriate to a more limited space and, because of their smaller size, they can usually be more easily maneuvered until you have a fully satisfactory sound picture. Small satellites cannot be played as loud as bigger speakers, and they often are unable to perfectly reproduce the lower bass tones. For this reason, a subwoofer is a worthwhile addition to a satellite system, as it will help 'round out' the sound picture with a strong lower register. |
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Do I need a subwoofer?
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A subwoofer is a speaker specifically designed to reproduce low bass tone – frequencies below 100 Hz. By adding a subwoofer to your speaker system, you will direct the deep bass register to it. This reduces the load placed on the other speakers, enabling them to more faithfully reproduce the mid-range and treble registers. The end result is a clear improvement in overall sound reproduction, and you will discover sounds that you never heard before in your old discs and films. |
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What does Audio Pro's ace-bass® technology do?
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Ace-bass® technology gave Audio Pro its start nearly thirty years ago, and the problem it solved is just as valid today. Bass reproduction usually requires moving large volumes of air, which dictates large, obtrusive enclosures and elements. Ace-bass technology enables us to build subwoofers that deliver a deep, clean, fast and powerful bass reproduction from a surprisingly small enclosure. Ace-bass uses electronics to affect the bass element's mechanical characteristics in such a way that the element 'believes' that it is working in a much larger enclosure than it actually is. This is equally true for music- and home theatre sound reproduction. |
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How can I hook up my powered subwoofer?
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Connection to amplifiers without sub-out
Connect left- and right speaker wire from the amplifier to Speaker Level IN on the subwoofer. Then connect the speaker wire from Speaker Level OUT on the subwoofer to the left and right side speakers. This allows the Audio Pro subwoofer to always be connected to the system. Speakers that are connected this way have a limited bass at approx. 100Hz (called HI-PASS).
Connection to amplifiers with sub-out
Connect the enclosed low-level cable from the amplifier's SUB-OUT to LINE IN on the subwoofer. NOTE! With this connection, the speaker level output won't work – the speakers must then be connected through the regular amplifier. With the LO-PASS frequency control, you can adjust to how high a frequency the sub will perform (i.e. its upper limit). With the control LEVEL you can adjust the volume of the subwoofer.
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Which Audio Pro subwoofer should I choose?
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All our subwoofers can be used for both HiFi and home theatre systems. The best advice we can give is to let your personal taste decide. Test each one that interests you, preferably together with the other speakers and components that make up your sound system. |
