Heathkit AR-14 - Page 59

Page 52
Speaker Placement
Generally, for stereo listening, the two speakers
should be spaced four to eight feet apart. They
should be placed along a wall either facing
straight ahead or "firing in" slightly toward each
other's axis. The optimum positions can best be
determined by experiment. A great deal depends
upon the size and acoustics of the room and upon
the high frequency dispersion characteristics
of the speakers. Identical speakers or speaker
systems are recommended.
Correct speaker spacing also depends to some
extent upon the listener's position and distance
from the speakers. In other words, if the listen-
ing position is restricted to one that is rela-
tively close to the speakers, some improvement
could probably be obtained by moving the speak-
ers closer together.
Remember that stereophonic reproduction is
striving to recreate, as accurately in position as
possible, not only the sounds that originate at
the "right" or "left", but also those near the
center. Best results will be obtained if you
experiment with speaker and listening positions;
this will help you arrive at the best set of con-
ditions for your installation.
Stereo Headphone Jack
A set of stereo headphones can be plugged
directly into this jack. The external speakers
are disconnected when the.. switch on the BASS
control is pulled out. Program material can be
tape recorded by plugging the high level input
of the tape recorder into this jack.
Figure 8 shows a type of plug that can be installed
on the end of a stereo headphone or tape recorder
cable. The tip of the plug connects to the right
channel of the jack.
LEFT AND RIGHT
CHANNEL
COMMON WIRES
Figure 8
I
INDOOR ANTENNAS
Several types of indoor TV and FM antennas are
available that will provide satisfactory mono
FM operation of the Receiver in strong signal
areas, or from strong local stations. For stereo
FM however, an outdoor antenna should be used,
A
simple folded dipole antenna can be made as
shown
in Figure 9, from standard 300 n twin
lead. This antenna can be placed on the rear
of a large cabinet or nailed or stapled to a piece
of wood
to reinforce it. Best reception will be
obtained from the stations that are broadside
to this antenna. Weakest reception will occur
with
those stations that face the ends of the
antenna.
5 FEET
ANTENNA
ANTENNA LEAD - IN
ANY LENGTH
TERMINALS
FOLDED DIPOLE ANTENNA
MADE FROM 300 OHM TWIN
LEAD TRANSMISSION LINE .
Figure 9
OUTDOOR ANTENNAS
To receive weaker stations, or in weak signal
areas, an outdoor antenna will be necessary,
BEST RECEPTION FOR STEREO FM WILL
OCCUR WITH A COMMERCIAL
FM OUTDOOR
ANTENNA. A VHF TV
antenna can also be
used as an FM antenna, since FM stations are
actually located between TV channels 6 and 7.
Do not connect a T"J antenna to both the TV set
and the Receiver at the same time, unless a
TV
antenna coupler is used, or a weak and dis-
torted signal may occur in both units. Pad type
couplers are not recommended because large
amounts of signal are lost in them. Use a pre-
amplifier type of coupler instead, where there
is no loss of signal.