Westlake Lc8.1 Operating Manual

Thank you for your purchase of
your Westlake Audio Lc-Series loud
speaker system. If you are reading
this, you have probably already
opened the shipping carton and
removed the speaker. At this point,
please save your purchase
documentation with all other
important records, especially the serial
numbers on the rear of the speaker
cabinets. This will be invaluable
information to have when ordering
replacement parts, insuring your
loudspeakers, and making warranty
claims. Save the box and foam pieces
if possible for use during transit of the
speakers such as moving or returning
to dealer or factory for service. If it is
not practical to retain the shipping
carton, you may order a replacement
through your dealer or directly from
Westlake Audio. Units should always
be transported in proper cartons to
prevent damage.
SETTING UP:
Position the speakers on a stable
surface, equidistant (+ or – 2mm) to the
listener location, preferably at ear level
as referenced to the acoustic center line
of the speaker. Use the rubber
isolation pad under the speaker to
keep it in position and prevent
vibration from exciting the supporting
structure. The acoustic center is
approximately mid way between the
mid/woofer and tweeter. On the 2-way
systems with stepped front boards,
1
Operating the Lc-Series
Speaker System
referencing the tweeter front board at
the point it joins the woofer baffle at
45º is advised. If the speakers must be
located at a position other than ear
level, the speaker should be directed
towards the prime listening location
with each loudspeaker at the identical
elevation, angle of inclination and
azimuth (L & R) if at all possible. The
preferred operating position is in the
vertical or upright position with the
Westlake Audio logo in the horizontal
position. However, the speakers may
be operated on their sides with the
caveat that the off axis listening
position will experience some
reduction in output level at the
crossover frequency. Also, the logos
will be difficult to read. With the
tweeters towards the inside of the
stereo listening triangle the listener
can sit closer to the speakers. With the
tweeters to the outside, the listener can
sit further away. With no position
change of the listener, the inside
location for the tweeters will present a
compressed stereo image, the outside
location, an expanded image.
The imaging of the system will
be best with the grill frames off and
nearby objects as far away as possible.
Keep in mind that the symmetry of the
environment around the speakers can
affect the L/R balance. Positioning the
speakers where one side wall is glass
while the other is open or damped, will
be difficult (at best) to balance left to
right. The closer you are to the
speakers (within reason) the better the
imaging will be. The optional Speaker
Muffs™ can add an extra amount of
detail and enhance the imaging on
well recorded source material. The
muffs should be placed flush with the
front board, bevel side forward
towards the listener if there are no