STA-235  (310-2065)            Hints and Tips          Faxback Doc. # 16065

QUATRAVOX

One of the STA-235's outstanding features is its built-in Quatravox
circuitry.  Quatravox synthesizes 4-channel sound from almost any stereo
source - discs, tapes and FM broadcasts take on a rich, new, spacious
sound like you've only heard at live performances.

And it's not a trick - Quatravox actually recovers the important ambient
(reflected) sound hidden in ordinary stereo playback.  When this reflected
sound is channeled through the rear speakers, it helps recreate the
acoustics of the studio or concert hall where the recording was made. 
That makes the system sound more realistic - and after all, that's what
hi-fi is all about.

NOTE:  Quatravox will reveal astounding 4-channel effects in some programs
       and very little in others.  It all depends on the recording
       techniques used and the acoustics of the studio or concert hall.

POSITIONING THE SPEAKERS

Where you put the speakers is a highly personal matter, depending largely
on the arrangement of your listening room and the way you listen to music. 
Where you put the speakers does make a difference in how the system will
sound, so before settling on a final arrangement, try several
alternatives.

Bass response is highly dependent on speaker location.  For maximum bass,
place the speakers in the corners of the room.  Putting the speakers
directly on the floor will make the bass even stronger.  If the bass sounds
boomy and exaggerated, move the speakers away from the corner slightly,
pull them out from the wall a little or raise them 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45
cm) off the floor.

Stereo

Stereo speakers should be 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) apart.  Putting
them too close together reduces the stereo effect, while placing them too
far apart reduces bass response and creates a "hole in the middle."  Also,
most speakers have a tweeter dispersion angle of about 60 degrees.  Ideally
your listening position should be in the overlap, so you may want to angle
the speakers toward you for better stereo.

Quatravox

The theoretically ideal position is shown in Figure A - one speaker in
each corner of the room.  Since this arrangement is frequently impractical,
you may want to modify it.  Figure B shows a common living room
arrangement.  The listener faces the two front speakers while the rear
speakers face each other.

Figures C and D produce a different type of sensation.  Instead of being
surrounded by sound, the two rear speakers create a sense of depth - as if
you were sitting in the audience at a live performance.  Depending on the
size of the room and the efficiency of the rear speakers, you may want them
to face you or to face each other.

There are almost an infinite number of satisfying Quatravox arrangements,
so if one of these doesn't suit your needs, invent your own.

ANTENNAS

Under most conditions the STA-235's built-in antennas should be adequate
for AM and FM reception.  If you are not satisfied with the reception, try
one of the arrangements listed below.

For FM,  build the low-cost folded dipole (illustrated); or buy one ready-
made from Radio Shack (42-2385).  Just splice regular 300-ohm lead-in wire
as shown.  Apply a small amount of solder and heat the twisted ends until
solder flows evenly over each strand of wire.  Attach the lead-in to the
300-ohm terminals on the back of the receiver.  The antenna itself can be
tacked to the back of a record cabinet or onto a wall - the higher the
better.

A set of VHF-TV rabbit ears or ones made specially for FM reception work
well in suburban areas.  Some deluxe models feature electronic "tuning"
for better directionality.  Connect such antennas to the 300-ohm terminals.

An outside VHF-TV antenna provides excellent FM reception.  An inexpensive
"splitter" permits you to connect a TV set and the Receiver to the same
antenna.  In fringe areas, a special outdoor FM antenna may be the only
solution.  Such antennas can pick up stations up to 175 miles (280 Km) away
over flat terrain.  If you use 300-ohm lead-in, connect it to the 300-ohm
terminals and if you use 75-ohm lead-in, connect it to the 75-ohm
terminals.  (Attach the braided ground wire of 75-ohm lead-in to the
terminal common to the 75-ohm and 300-ohm antenna terminals.)  For AM, a
long piece of wire hung outdoors between two insulators can greatly improve
long-distance AM reception.

NOTE:  To protect the receiver use a lightning arrestor on any outdoor
       antenna.

HEADPHONES

Any stereo system can benefit from a good pair of headphones.  They provide
convenient private listening and many people find the heightened stereo
effect very exciting.  Stop by your Radio Shack store and listen to some of
the ones on display - you'll be pleasantly surprised.

The STA-235 will accept any low impedance stereo headphone through its
front panel jack.  Through its speaker outputs it will drive even the
finest electrostatic headphones.


(llg/all-07/21/95)