Connect to a PC, Mac or Notebook
This loudspeaker ensemble is perfectly suited for direct use with computers. It features three 3.5 mm mini cinch connectors for connection with any 5.1-enabled sound card. Three Y-adapters (3.5 minijacks on 2 x cinch) _can be used to connect inputs for the front R/L, rear R/L, center and subwoofer to the back of the Concept E woofer. The Teufel system then further transmits the surround signal decoded by the sound card.
If your sound card only has one 3.5 mm stereo minijack connecter, then a 3.5 minijack cinch adapter can be used to connect it to the front subwoofer inputs 'In R/L.' Connected this way, the Concept E amplifier uses an integrated 'upmix' function to distribute sound to all loudspeakers. The generated sound is significantly better than simple stereo, although it admittedly doesn't reach Dolby Digital or DTS levels. The system's functionality can always be upgraded to Dolby Digital/DTS with an additional, external or internal 5.1 sound card.
Use with Blu-ray or DVD player/recorder
Concept E can be used for connection with more than a PC. It's also a great solution for use with a Blu-ray or DVD player/recorder. It's a unique chance to put together a complete home cinema sound system using just two devices!
In order to connect Concept E directly to a Blu-ray or DVD player/recorder the device needs an integrated Dolby Digital/DTS Decoder. To determine if this is the case, check the back of the player/recorder. It should have a 5.1 cinch output (six cinch connectors for front R/L, rear R/L, center and subwoofer). Connect the three stereo cinch cables directly to the subwoofer - from the 5.1 cinch outputs of the DVD player to the 5.1 cinch inputs of the subwoofer. The five satellites are connected to the subwoofer using two-veined loudspeaker cable. Simply clamp the cables _down - no plugs or connectors are needed.
However, you can also use Concept E with Blu-ray or DVD player/recorders which don't have six analogue cinch-outputs. Connect the device's stereo output to the Concept E subwoofer's R/L inputs. An integrated 'Upmix' function then delivers an audio signal to the loudspeakers. Concept E's integrated upmix function may not sound as perfect as Dolby Digital or DTS, but it's a significant improvement over stereo sound.___ You can always expand the system to full Dolby Digital/DTS sound later using a Decoderstation.
Connection with an MP3-Player, sat-receiver, TV, gaming console, CD player, DJ mixer, etc…
Concept E is a system with universal functionality. It works with any of the devices listed above. Stereo sources can be 'upmixed' to virtual surround sound using all six of the system's speakers. Here's how:
Connect the stereo output of the MP3 player, sat receiver, TV or CD player to the front left/front right inputs on the back of the subwoofer. A 3.5 mm mini cinch cable using a stereo-cinch Y adapter can be used for this. Gaming consoles like the Xbox360, Wii or PS3 require a special adapter. All five satellite speakers are connected to the subwoofer using double-veined loudspeaker cable. The subwoofer then delivers signals to the individual speakers.
Connect with any digital source
Concept E is shipped with six analogue inputs, giving it optimal sound quality in its price class. To avoid making compromises to audio quality, Teufel chose to not integrate a decoder, which would have been cost-prohibitive.
However, a Decoderstation 5 can be brought into play for connection to digital audio sources. With four optical coax connections for DVD players/recorders, the PS3, notebooks or sound cards, original 5.1 sound can be delivered via a Dolby Digital/DTS decoder.
More information about Decoderstation 5 >
Connection with analogue sources
A Concept E system is shipped ready for direct connection with a signal source. ___If you want to connect multiple stereo devices at the same time, ControlStation 2 represents the perfect solution. Two additional devices can be connected to Concept E in parallel. An infrared remote control makes it easy to switch between sources, and a headphone and microphone can also be connected.
More information about ControlStation 2 >
Connecting to Decoderstation 5
Concept E is a loudspeaker system which is connected directly to a decoder using six cinch cables. You can plug all of your source devices into the Decoderstation 5: four digital inputs with optical or coaxial connections are designed for DVD players/recorders, the PS3, notebooks or sound cards. A 5.1 analogue input enables connections with 5.1 sound cards.
Three additional analogue inputs make it possible to connect: stereo sound cards, a sat/DVB-T receiver, a TV, a video recorder, a cassette recorder, _Discman, Walkman, MP3 player, MiniDisk player, iPod, DJ mixer or a record player (with a line output) - basically any device you want to. If it's got two stereo outputs, it connects with Decoderstation 5.
Recommended space
Concept E is perfectly designed for use directly at a PC workstation - so a relatively short distance. But you can also use the system to fill an entire room with home cinema sound. It's important to stay within the listening surface area recommended by us, though.
Operational characteristics
Once you've connected your set, you can make use of the system's most significant functions right on the front part of the subwoofer: adjust the volume and bass mix, or use the standby function.
Connect with a PC system
When setting up a PC sound system, it's a good idea to focus on the area being used - i.e. the area around the screen. The speakers can be slightly angled towards the listening position. The front loudspeakers should be set up to the left and right of the computer monitor at equidistance spaces, or mounted on the wall. Placing them at ear-level is optimal, but anywhere between 0.80 and 1.60 metres is also good. It the distance needs to be outside of the recommendation, then you can also angle the front loudspeakers out into the room a bit. An integrated wall mount makes it possible to hang all the loudspeakers - except for the subwoofer - on a wall by using a conventional screw.
The subwoofer can be placed anywhere in the room - except in the corner, as this can lead to uncontrollable frequency buildups. The location of the subwoofer doesn't have an effect on the other loudspeakers, but ideally it should be placed on a straight line between the front loudspeakers. The rear loudspeakers should be located directly across from the front ones at the same height. Imperfections in the placement and height of the speakers can be compensated for using the control software of your sound card.
Setup as a home cinema system
When using Concept E as a home cinema system, it's a good idea to concentrate on the part of the room where the actual listening will take place - the area where the TV and seating are located. Locating the TV as centrally as possible in relation to the seating is also advisable.
Because the center speaker renders speech in home cinema, it should be located directly under the television and can be angled towards or away from the listener. The front loudspeakers should be set up next to the TV in concordance with old stereo tradition (distance from the listener = distance between left and right speaker). Teufel's optionally-available stand feet are perfect for this, as they guarantee the speakers will be located at the ideal height. Wall mounts enable swiveling too or from the listener.
When it comes to wall-mounting the speakers or placing them in shelves, the rule of thumb is somewhere between 40 centimetres and 1,60 metres. If the speakers must be placed outside of this range, they can be angled towards the listening point. What's vital is that the center and main loudspeakers are in a line, which may be slightly bent around the television.
The subwoofer can be placed freely throughout the room without affecting the loudspeakers. Ideally, it can be placed between the two front loudspeakers. It should not, however, be placed in a corner, as this can lead to an uncontrollable frequency buildup.
The rear speakers should be set up as a mirror image of the front speakers - ideally at the same height. If it's necessary to place the rear speakers higher or lower than the front speakers, then they can be angled towards the listening position, if need be. We recommend a distance of 1 metre between the rear speakers and the listening position. If you have to sit closer to the rear speakers, then it can be a good idea to angle them out into the room instead of pointing them directly at the listening position. It should also be noted that inconsistencies in the physical setup of the loudspeakers can be compensated for using your AV receiver's loudspeaker management functions or a Decoderstation compensation.
The right accessories
Because each customer has a unique set of demands, the Concept E is shipped without a cable set. We have a couple of attractively-priced cable bundles available:
For PC/Soundcards: AC 2005 WS or AC 3005 WS
For DVD-Players/Decoderstation: AC 2015 WS or AC 3015 WS
For ControlStation 2: AC 2045 WS
Mounts/stands
This loudspeaker set is shipped with five table stands for the satellites. Alternatively, wall-mounts are available separately. That makes vertical or horizontal swiveling possible. The speakers also fit with Teufel's M 50 P speaker stands.
