Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I connect the Planets?
The Planets connect just like any other speakers. The only difference is the binding posts are on the bottom of the speaker and not on the back. Simply tip the speaker back and attach positive and negative cables to their respective terminals (and be sure your equipment is powered off!).
Will my receiver work with the Planets?
Almost all receivers, amplifiers and integrated amplifiers will work with the Planets. The Planets are easy to drive and feature hi-fi standard five-way binding posts that allow either spades, bananas or bare wire.
How much power do the Planets need?
The Planets need as little as 10 watts to sing. If you're familiar with speaker sensitivity, you may ask yourself how this is possible with the Planets' rated sensitivity of 85dB. The reason is that all omni speakers measure differently from traditional speakers. Omnis disperse the sound in a 360 degree pattern. So where the studio measurement microphone won't pick up this omni information, your ears will. This means that where a traditional speaker with a sensitivity of 85dB would require serious amounts of power to come alive, the Planets need as little as 10 watts. The Planet drivers, if measured facing forward, would rate in the low to mid 90s, thus revealing their true high efficiency. Of course, if you have any questions about whether an amplifier of yours will work with the Planets, don't hesitate to contact us.
Where should I place the Planets in my room?
The Planets, like all high performance loudspeakers, should be placed a couple feet out from the wall. The Planets, because they are omni speakers, utilize this space behind the speakers to create their amazing sense of space and depth. Two to three feet is perfect. Anything more than three feet out from the back wall will affect the bass.
Additionally, place the Planets farther apart than usual. Also, placing the Planets -- and any speaker, for that matter -- directly next to the side of a TV will squash the sonic image. While it will sound acceptable, moving the speakers farther out will make them sound concert-like.
Tweeters inside or outside?
Follow this simple rule: position the tweeters on the inside for stereo systems and outside for home theater systems with a center channel. When the tweeters are on the inside, they create a more defined center image for stereo listening. When on the outside, the tweeters create a wider image and rely on the center channel for fill.
Does my floor type matter?
If you have a wood, tile or other type of hard surface floor, the Planets are ready to go. If you have thick carpet, you will need to place something under the Planets in order to allow the bottom bass ports to breath property. Customers typically use a single large tile or piece of wood. The platform really doesn't matter, as long as the bottom of the speaker has space for airflow.
I'm an audiophile! Any tweaking ideas?
Of course! The Planets' ingenious design allows them to be time aligned to your liking. Twist the speaker to move the tweeter sphere closer and farther away from you and see which you like. Chances are within a few minutes you'll find a place that sings to your ears.
Additionally, bass can be modified in the typical way: move the speakers closer to and farther from the back wall to suit your taste. The closer to the back wall, the deeper and more boomy the bass (this effect is called "room gain"). Move the speakers away from the back wall and the bass will flatten out. You should be able to find your happy place in just a few minutes (make sure you run a single bass heavy track on repeat).
Don't hesitate to contact us (customerservice@urbanfidelity.com) if you have any questions.
