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AMPLIFIER POWER REQUIREMENTS
Your new EX3 Loudspeakers will work well with a variety of electronic components. As little as 10 watts
per channel will deliver adequate listening levels in most cars. If you have a noisy car or intend to play
your system at loud listening levels, more power may be necessary to achieve the best performance.
Consult your Polk Audio dealer for specific requirements.
SAFE LIMITS OF OPERATION
Your new EX3 Loudspeakers are made with the highest quality materials for years of durable,
trouble-free performance. However, damage can occur to loudspeakers when an amplifier, regardless
of its wattage, is made to play at higher listening levels than its power can clearly produce. This is
usually beyond the “1 to 2 o’clock” position on the volume control. This results in very high levels
of audible distortion, originating in the amplifier, which add a harsh, gritty sound to your music.
Contrary to popular belief, a speaker is more likely to be damaged by trying to get too much volume
from a low-powered amp or receiver than from a high-powered one.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR SERVICE
If, after following these hookup and installation directions, you experience difficulty, please double-
check all wire connections.
Make certain your electronic equipment is operating correctly by hooking up another speaker to the
speaker output. For example, if you are not getting sound from the left channel speaker, connect the
right channel speaker to the left output. If you still get no sound from that side, the problem is in your
amp or source electronics. Should you isolate the problem to the speaker, contact the authorized Polk
Audio dealer where you bought your speakers. Authorized Polk Audio dealers are the best source for
advice and assistance.
Polk Audio’s Customer Service Department is available from 9am–6pm, EST, Monday through Friday,
at 800-377-7655. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have questions about your speaker system.
You will find additional information, informative articles, manual updates and cool
stuff to buy that has “Polk Audio” all over it by visiting www.polkaudio.com.
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For more info and accessories, visit www.polkaudio.com
EX3500 Component Tweeter Hook Up
When purchased as a separate unit, the EX3500 tweeter includes a second order (12dB/octave)
crossover network integrated into the tweeter assembly. This high pass filter allows the EX3500 to be
used with other components.
If your system contains an active crossover, you may bypass the in-line crossover and wire the tweeter
directly to the output terminals of an amplifier that has a high pass filter (crossover) on it input. The
minimum crossover point should be 4kHz @ 12dB/octave. It is important to maintain correct polarity.
The red wire connect to the positive (+) amplifier terminal and the black wire connects to the negative
(–) amplifier terminal.
DO NOT USE THE TWEETER WITHOUT A CROSSOVER NETWORK. Damage to the tweeter from
thermal overload will result without the protection provided by a crossover and will void your warranty.
POLARITY/BLENDING
If it seems that your tweeters and mid-woofers are not “blending” or not working together in harmony
(as we all should), try changing the polarity of both of the tweeters by reversing the positive (+) and
negative (–) tweeter wires that connect to the crossover. This reversal of the tweeter’s “absolute phase”
may help the blending or integration of all of your system components. This could be particularly
useful if your tweeters and mid-woofers are spaced far apart in your setup.
LOW FREQUENCY CUT-OFF FOR SYSTEMS WITH SUBWOOFERS
If you have a subwoofer in your system, you may want to decrease the amount of bass going to
your mid-range speakers. This will get you better mid-range sound and increase the power handling.
There are two ways to roll off the bass before it gets to your mid-range speakers. One way is to use a
“bass blocker,” a capacitor placed in series with the speaker input. Bass blockers are installed in series,
one end connected with the positive lead from your amplifier and the other end connected to the
positive lead of each of your speakers [figure 7]. Bass blocker capacitors (200 microfarad @ 100volts,
non-polarized) are available at any RadioShack or parts supply house. The other route is to use an
electronic crossover device that allows filtering below 100Hz or so. Find these devices at your authorized
Polk Audio dealer.
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Contact Polk Customer Service: 800-377-7655 polkcs@polkaudio.com
Radio/Amp Speaker
Bass blocker
or capacitor
++
––
FIG. 7
Bass
Blockers