FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What room sizes is the System 4 suitable for?
2. Can the System 4 replace my Hi-Fi speakers?
3. Which complete System 4 sets are available?
4. Should I choose the cinema or concert version?
5. What are the benefits of having dipoles in the rear area?
6. When should I use a direct speaker in the rear area?
7. How do I get a System 4 set in 7.1 configuration?
8. What is the advantage of 7.1 configuration?
9. What is the best way to set up a System 4?
10. What is the best way to set up the System 4 centre and front speakers?
11. What is the best way to set up the System 4 subwoofer?
12. How do I set up the rear speakers in the 5.1 cinema set?
13. Can I also place the M 450 D dipoles on bases?
14. How do I set up the rear speakers in the 5.1 concert set?
15. Should I choose dipoles or direct speakers as rear centre in 7.1 configuration?
16. How do I set up the rear centre in 7.1 configuration?
17. Will the System 4 harmonise with my receiver?
18. Which receiver should I buy to go with the System 4?
19. Do I need extra cabling for the System 4?

1. What room sizes is the System 4 suitable for?
   Sound can be reproduced very successfully in rooms up to 35m², using the System 4. These dimensions make the most of outstanding sound quality.
   
   It's important that you only take into consideration the area that is used for acoustics when calculating the number of square metres; you should deduct any adjoining areas such as dining areas. In particularly high rooms of 3.50 metres of more, the number of square metres should be multiplied by a factor of 1.5, whereby the permitted room size naturally decreases.
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2. Can the System 4 replace my Hi-Fi speakers?
   Of course.
   
   The System 4 is perfect as a replacement for stereo standing speakers and for music reproduction such as cinema sound.
   
   Lautsprecher Teufel is a pioneer in the field of high quality satellite-subwoofer combinations. As a result of careful development of the M 450 FCR satellites, we can guarantee stereo sound comparable with much more expensive (and, above all, bulkier) standing speakers. A standard speaker would have to be about the same size as a fridge to reproduce a deep bass that is comparable with a separate subwoofer such as the M 4500 SW.
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3. Which complete System 4 sets are available?
   The System 4 is available as a 5.1 set in two different versions: cinema or concert.
   
   The three front speakers and the subwoofer are each identical and only the back speakers are different: one is the same conventional, direct M 450 FCR model as in the front area (concert) and the other is the dipole M 450 D (cinema).
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4. Should I choose the cinema or concert version?
   The question of whether to choose a dipole or direct speaker for sound production in the rear of the room (i.e. if you want a cinema or concert version) will depend on the following conditions:
   
   1. Setting up the speakers
   We recommend selecting the cinema variation with dipole speakers if you plan to hang the rear speakers on the wall, to the side or behind your listening position and if the distance between the speaker and listening position is less than 1.5 metres.
   
   The concert variation with direct speakers is recommended if you can't hang the rear speaker on a wall but you want to place the speaker on a stand or shelf and where the distance from the speaker to the listening position is therefore more than 1.5 metres.
   
   2. Application / intended use
   If you're lucky enough to be able to choose between both of the set-up scenarios outlined above, we recommend making the selection based on the way you want to use the speakers.
   
   If you want to use the unit to watch DVDs/TV for more than 50 percent of the time and/or only ever listen to music in stereo, we recommend the cinema variation with dipoles. If, on the other hand, more than half of your time is spent listening to music, mostly in multi-channel mode, then the concert version with direct speakers is the better choice. Impressive cinematic sound effects, e.g. an aircraft flying at the back from right or left, can also be enjoyed to the full with the concert set up.
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5. What are the benefits of having dipoles in the rear area?
   Dipoles not only emit sound forwards, but also phase-shifted to the front and back.
   
   That means that if you're sitting on an axis between the dipoles, the direct sound from the front and back sides of the dipole cancels itself out and you mostly hear room reflections, so the dipoles always need to be set up near walls. This simulates the sound field of a cinema, where the surround channels of several speakers are reproduced. The advantage of dipoles is that the surround field becomes wider and fills the entire rear area, whereas with direct speakers (normal speakers) you always hear the speaker directly.
   
   That is why dipoles always guarantee atmospheric sound in the rear area and create the most emotionally appealing experience.
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6. When should I use a direct speaker in the rear area?
   If you can't place the dipoles near a wall and / or prefer positioning on stands in the room, direct speakers are the best choice.
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7. How do I get a System 4 set in 7.1 configuration?
   The System 4 can be ordered in pre-configured 5.1 sets. A 7.1 configuration can be achieved using the "Direkt" EX expansion set that can be ordered as an option.
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8. What is the advantage of 7.1 configuration?
   The 5.1 channel set plays back all sound tracks on DVDs and creates an excellent home cinema experience. With the new 7.1 sound format, a rear centre channel is also generated in addition to these channels and distributed to two additional speakers (the "rear centre").
   
   This channel, which is encoded in the stereo effects channels, allows better location of effects and music signals directly behind the sitting position. If you use two speakers for the rear centre channel (i.e. installed 7.1 set), the optimum sitting position is not restricted to one specific place, so you don't have to be sitting exactly in the middle and several listeners can enjoy the best sound.
   
   A 7.1 combination is also available if your AV Receiver / amplifier has corresponding connection options, i.e. two additional power amplifiers for two rear centres. They can be recognised easily by the output information (e.g. 7 x 100 watts). Two additional rear centres are used (7.1 technology) in addition to the rear speakers that are already present for right and left (5.1 technology).
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9. What is the best way to set up a System 4?
   The compact size and pleasantly unobtrusive design make it easy to integrate the System 4 harmoniously in your home. However, there are some configuration criteria for home theatre systems that need to be observed in order to create the ideal sound from the Teufel speaker set. For home theatre systems, we recommend concentrating on the area actually used – i.e. the (part of the) room where the TV/screen and seats are located. It is useful to position the screen as centrally as possible, from the perspective of the listening point.
   
   The recommended set-up information below represents the best possible arrangement for perfect multi-channel playback in your home. Your available space, your partner or your furniture may not always allow you to arrange the speakers in the ideal manner. Try to meet as many of the requirements as possible. Modern AV Receivers offer numerous options for compensating electronically for any compromises in the set-up. Generally speaking, the following rule always applies: you can always use our recommendations to experiment with what works best for you, acoustically and optically. Let your ears (and eyes) decide!
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10. What is the best way to set up the System 4 centre and front speakers?
    Because the centre reproduces actors' dialogue, the speaker must be positioned as centrally as possible under or over the TV/screen and inclined or angled towards the listener.
    
    Using the old stereo tradition (distance to listener = distance between the left and right speaker), the front speakers are set up next to the TV with the same distance to left and right or are fixed to the wall. The M 450 FCR have an integrated M6 tamping screw in the base for assembly on Teufel L-Lock brackets and Multilock wall brackets. This tamping screw is also for attaching optional bases. Using bases automatically guarantees optimum playback height for satellite speakers.
    
    The following applies to wall or shelf placement: the set-up heights should be between 40 centimetres and 1.20 metres. If these values have to be outside of the recommended range, you can slightly tilt the front speakers up or down towards the listening area. It is important that the centre and main speakers are placed in a straight line or an even arc, possibly slightly curved towards the TV. Otherwise possible run-time differences can affect the homogeneity of the playback.
    
    The M 450 FCR satellites have also been exclusively designed for landscape set-up. They can only realise their full sound potential in this format.
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11. What is the best way to set up the System 4 subwoofer?
    With the recommended cut-off frequency of 80Hz for the System 4, the location of a subwoofer can be freely selected and does not affect the other speakers.
    
    Placement within a straight line between both front speakers is ideal, but all other positions in the room are possible.
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12. How do I set up the rear speakers in the 5.1 cinema set?
    The following applies to the rear boxes in a cinema set: it is best to assemble the dipoles to the sides of the listening position at a height of 1.50 to 2.10 metres. The M 450 D dipoles already have an integrated wall bracket. The dipoles emit sound forwards (in the direction of the TV/screen) and backwards (in the direction of the rear wall), so that no direct sound can be heard at the listening point. The distance between the side of the dipole that has speakers and the back wall should be at least 10 centimetres.
    
    The dipoles can alternatively be attached using a wall bracket behind your sitting position at a height of 1.50 to 2.10 metres. The M 450 D have an integrated M6 tamping screw in their base for attaching the wall bracket. We recommend mounting the dipoles using matching wall brackets that are also available so that they swivel and arranging them at a 45 degree angle with the inner speaker side facing the back wall and the other speaker side facing the side wall.
    
    This means that the dipoles reflect onto the back and side walls, creating the required diffusivity. The distance between the dipole speaker side and the back wall should be at least 10 centimetres.
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13. Can I also place the M 450 D dipoles on bases?
    In theory, the M 450 D dipoles can be placed on bases, but we cannot supply any bases that are of the recommended height of 1.50 metres. Stability at this height can only be guaranteed if the base plate is very big. A base of around 1 x 1 metre isn't going to look very attractive. Perhaps your joiner will be able to make you something that will match your room.
    
    Otherwise you should use direct speakers for the surround channels, preferably of the same model as the front speakers, i.e. M 450 FCR.
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14. How do I set up the rear speakers in the 5.1 concert set?
    For the concert set with direct speakers, the rear speakers should be arranged so that they mirror the front speakers, ideally at the same height, e.g. on shelves or preferably on a base. If the speakers have to be set up so that they are much higher or lower, it might be useful to align them to the listening point. For wall mounting it is best to use wall brackets that allow for vertical movement.
    
    For direct speakers, we recommend that the distance between the rear speakers and the listening point is more than 1.00m. But if you (have to) sit closer, please ensure that the front of the speaker is not pointing directly at you. Instead, angle the speakers more into the room and towards the TV.
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15. Should I choose dipoles or direct speakers as rear centre in 7.1 configuration?
    If the distance from the listening point to the rear centre speaker pair is less than 1.00 metre, e.g. because you are sitting on a sofa right next to the back wall, we recommend using the M 450 D dipole.
    
    If the distance from the listening point to the rear centre speaker pair is more than 1 metre and / or wall assembly at a height of 1.50m to 2.10m isn't possible, you can also choose the M 450 FCR direct speaker and set it up at the same height as the front speakers.
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16. How do I set up the rear centre in 7.1 configuration?
    The ideal placement of a 7.1 system assumes that the rear effect speaker is fixed to the side wall next to the listening point and the rear centre speakers are on the back wall, always at a height of 1.50–2.10 metres.
    
    The following applies to a 7.1 set-up: If you visualise the set-up graphically and join the four rear speakers together with lines you should ideally get a trapezium with equal sides. Each side should be longer than 1.00 metre. If the sides are different lengths or if the four rear speakers are set at different heights, you can balance this asymmetry by entering the distances of the individual speakers in the AV Receiver's/amplifier's speaker management.
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17. Will the System 4 harmonise with my receiver?
    The System 4 can be successfully combined with a wide range of AV Receivers providing that they have output performance of at least 5 x 40 watt sinus.
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18. Which receiver should I buy to go with the System 4?
    Our homepage features a number of up to date AV Receivers recommended for use with the System 4. When making your decision you should also consider later models, comparable earlier models and appliances made by other manufacturers that meet the same technological requirements.
    
    Recommended devices
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19. Do I need extra cabling for the System 4?
    Yes.
    
    Because of differing customer requirements, the sets are supplied without cables.
    
    To work to its full potential, a high quality speaker combination like the System 4 benefits from the best attachments. For the System 4, we recommend Teufel speaker cable 2 x 4mm2 for connecting the speakers to the AV Receiver / amplifier, the Teufel NF mono RCA cable for connecting a Line In input from the active subwoofer M 4500 SW with the Sub Out output of the AV Receiver / amplifier and, last but not least, a Teufel Y adapter. The Y adapter allows the Line In RCA inputs on the subwoofer to be used for stereo, which increases the bass volume again.
    
    You can simply order these attachments in different lengths from our attachments area.
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