KII AUDIO THREE Manual

Hide thumbs Also See for THREE:

Owner's manual (36 pages)

page of 57

/ 57
Troubleshooting
Bookmarks

Quick Links

Download this manual

Support Center | Kii Audio Support

Important Safety

Instructions

KiiLink is NOT a standard network connection !

Although common CAT5 cable and RJ45 connectors are used,

KiiLink employs its own proprietary protocol.

Connecting a KiiLink port to a non-Kii product can cause

permanent damage to your Kii THREE and voids the warranty!

NEVER connect a Kii THREE to a home network!

NEVER connect a Kii THREE to the Ethernet port of

a computer!

Instructions for safe operation:

1 | Dangerous voltage is inside this apparatus. Opening is only

allowed by qualiﬁed service personnel.

2 | Do not defeat the safety purpose of the safety earth connection.

Use the provided three-prong power cord to insure the product is

connected to safety earth. If the provided mains cord does not ﬁt

your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete

outlet.

3 | Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched,

particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point

https://www.support.kiiaudio.com/support-center

24/09/2024, 15:11

Home

Page 1 of 57

Table of Contents

Need help?

Do you have a question about the THREE and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for KII AUDIO THREE

Page 1 2 | Do not defeat the safety purpose of the safety earth connection. Use the provided three-prong power cord to insure the product is connected to safety earth. If the provided mains cord does not ﬁt your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
Page 2 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 where they exit from the apparatus. 4 | Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 5 | Do not use this apparatus near water. Do not expose the apparatus to dripping or splashing.
Page 3 Package Content Kii THREE The Kii THREE System consists of the follwing parts: 2x Kii THREE speaker 1x Kii Control Cabling (2x mains cable, 2x CAT6 KiiLink cable, 1x USB cable for Kii Control) ...
Page 4 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES: Kii THREE speaker stands (sofa height, typical for domestic listening) Kii THREE speaker wall mount Connecting the Kii THREE System HOW TO CONNECT YOUR Kii THREE SYSTEM: 1. Mains cables for both speakers.
Page 5 This can DAMAGE your speakers and will void the warranty! Connectors on the Kii Control: The connector panel on the Kii Control o"ers three digital inputs for your source devices: 1. USB (audio) 2. COAX (S/PDIF format) 3. Toslink / Optical (S/PDIF format) The KiiLink port connects to the KiiLink In port of...
Page 6 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 Connectors on the Kii THREE Here is an overview of the connector panel from left to right: a) SERIAL NUMBER - This is the individual Serial No. for each speaker. b) XLR INPUT - This is the single XLR Input connector which can be set to process analog or digital audio signals, depending on the setting in the XLR Input Settings menu on the Kii Control.
Page 7: Power / Standby
ﬁeld. POWER / STANDBY The Kii THREE has no power switch. Simply plug the power cable into the IEC socket (f) . If no audio signal is present at the input for more than 15 minutes the speaker will automatically go into standby mode.
Page 8: How Does It Work
Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 HOW DOES IT WORK? The Kii CONTROL is operated by a single knob with push/click function surrounded by seven dedicated capacitive touch buttons . The two lowermost buttons in conjunction with the knob are used for navigating the menu on the OLED colour display. ...
Page 9: Choosing An Input
The Optical Input (TOSLINK jack) accepts digital signals in TOSLINK format. TOSLINK optical is the common digital output for TVs or SAT-receivers, enabling you to use the Kii Three as speakers for your TV. The USB Input o"ers audio input over the in-built USB audio interface. This enables you to play your digital audio ﬁles directly...
Page 10 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 connected to the XLR input on the master speaker. (Kii Control -> Setup Menu -> XLR Input Settings -> digital) THE PRESET BUTTON The preset button o"ers direct access to up to six user speciﬁed preset settings. ...
Page 11: Menu Overview
Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 To enter the menu press Enter. Now use the knob to scroll through the main menu level until the menu item you want to adjust is highlighted. Press Enter again to move the cursor right to the next level and set the values with the knob.
Page 12 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 rotary switch available on the speaker. Where the switch o"ered a choice of various pre-conﬁgured settings, the Kii CONTROL o"ers two independent ﬁlters, a low shelf and a high shelf ﬁlter, that are fully user conﬁgurable. This EQ type is called a Baxandall EQ and o"ers great ﬂexibility with only 4...
Page 13 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 2. PRESETS In this menu you are able to enable your own presets, which you then can toggle through with the dedicated preset button. The presets will be indicated by colour-coded bars that appear in the upper area of the display as soon as a second preset is deﬁned. ...
Page 14 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 + Mid/Side/Polarity (default: Yes) + Tone Control (default: Yes) 3. BLUETOOTH The Kii Control allows you to stream audio wirelessly to your Kii speakers from any Bluetooth device (mobile phone, tablet, computer etc.)
Page 15 4a) Latency In the latency menu you can choose whether you are able to run the Kii Three in their most exact setting, which o"ers a full phase correction but introduces roughly 90ms of latency. In an audiophile listening environment this doesn’t impose any practical problems, so the „Exact“...
Page 16 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 the Kii THREE however remains fully functional in Minimum Latency mode! The parameter choice is: Phase: Exact / Minimum Latency Frame Delay (ms) (general) Fine Adjust (us) Settings (per speaker) 4b) Polarity This setting o"ers control over either the absolute polarity of the playback (True/Inverse). ...
Page 17 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 4c) Limiter Indicator The advanced limiters in the Kii THREE is a custom software algorithm designed by Bruno Putzeys. While internally consisting of multiple intelligent detection algorithms precisely predicting at which point the incoming signal will be harmful to ampliﬁcation or drive units in the...
Page 18 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 The up to eight ﬁlters per speakers are a global setting. You can not choose di"erent ﬁlters per preset. The Bypass all setting however acts as a master bypass for all advanced ﬁlters at once and can be saved per preset! ...
Page 19: Setup Menu
Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 level in a mastering studio. Nothing else is changed other than the number in the display read out. The parameter choice is: Set reading (current reading displayed) to 0 5. SETUP MENU The Setup Menu comprises all functionality needed to install a set of Kii THREEs in a new location and establish the proper connections to your source devices. ...
Page 20 Other than conventional speakers the Kii THREE can correct for those reﬂections with the help of the Boundary EQ.
Page 21 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 Master 0 Slave 1 0 5c) Mute / Dim To mute the speakers push the volume knob brieﬂy, push again to unmute. Activation is indicated by the two blinking LEDs on the Kii CONTROL and a reading in the display. ...
Page 22 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 XLR Input: Analogue/Digital 5e) Auto Standby The Kii CONTROL o"ers the possibility to power on or put your Kii THREEs into standby manually. The speakers automatically power on when an input signal is detected, respectively go into standby after 15 minutes of no input signal present.
Page 23 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 THREE to Kii THREE BXT operation or back. 5g) IR Remote Settings The Kii CONTROL will recognise both Apple Remote and RC5 handsets. To tell the Kii CONTROL which handset you want it to respond to select Imprint Remote and then on your handset push any button.
Page 24 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 5h) LED Brightness Here you can set the brightness of the two indicator LEDs on the speaker exactly to your liking, depending on whether they are powered on or in standby. Likewise the brightness of the Kii Control display can be set.
Page 25 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 About Slave speaker Unpacking the BXT The BXT modules are delivered in a wooden crate. Each crate contains: 2x BXT cabinets (stored resting on their back face) 2x footplates 2x matching connector plates for the Kii THREEs ...
Page 26 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 Take out the Kii THREE connector plates (if option 1 applies), put them aside. Take out the two BXT footplates, packed underneath in a protective carton. Unpack and put them aside. Take out the fullsize top foam cover, so you can see the two BXTs packed in Tyvek bags underneath.
Page 27 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 rest on the felt gliders only. Position the footplates in the preferred location for the speakers. The footplates have felt gliders that will protect wooden, laminate, vinyl or other hard ﬂoors and will o"er a ﬁrm positioning. ...
Page 28 Kii THREE BXT System Setup (4K) Step 1 - How to mount the Kii THREE connector plate: Place your Kii THREE upside down onto a ﬂat and clean surface, using a soft blanket or towel underneath to protect the cabinet from scratches.
Page 29 Gently lift the Kii THREE onto the top connector plate of the BXT with the front of the Kii Three connector plate ﬁtted into the back half of the groove. Make sure the Kii THREE is upright and slowly push the speaker forward into the groove of the BXT connector plate.
Page 30 The connectors on the Kii THREE and BXT line up vertically, please connect the four cables as shown on the picture below. Make sure they are not twisted. Your Kii THREE and the BXTs will now behave as a single large ﬂoorstanding speaker, we will therefore...
Page 31: Package Contents
Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 DONE ! - You can now control the Kii THREE BXT system with your Kii Control. For further operation please revert back to the Kii Control manual here to see the full overview of the menu functions.
Page 32: Assembly Steps
Mount System In situations where setting up a pair of Kii THREEs on its matching speaker stands is not an option, we o"er a matching Kii Audio "Wall Bracket" as a solution for a fully wall mount Kii THREE System. https://www.support.kiiaudio.com/support-center...
Page 33 Here are the dimensions: Operation without Kii Control The Kii THREE can be operated without a Kii Control, if you only use a single source which o"ers a high quality volume control. Analog signals can be connected via two cables to the respective XLR Input of the left and the right speaker.
Page 34: Xlr Input
Select switch (c) is set. SELECT SWITCH This is a three way switch. If it is set in the middle position the XLR input functions as an analog input. The outer two positions operate the XLR input as an AES digital input and set the speaker to play either the left or right channel.
Page 35 (As soon as the Kii Control is connected they will be overruled) Boundary Switch explained The Kii THREE has a very controlled and well behaved dispersion, di"erent from most common speaker designs. The complete frequency spectrum from 50Hz on upwards has a cardioid radiation pattern thanks to our Active Wave Focusing technology.
Page 36 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 Boundary Switch Setting Start by setting the Boundary switch according to the positioning in the room ﬁrst (free/wall/corner) and then adjust it by ear if necessary. Both switches (Boundary and Contour) have a groove, which has a visible hole in one end, this is the pointer of the dial.
Page 37 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 1 | A low-shelf at 300Hz 2 | A high-shelf at 3kHz 3 | A high-shelf at 10kHz Choosing a preset is easy. Each position is marked with two letters. Simply choose a combination of upper and lower case letter to ﬁnd the preset you prefer: The upper case letter (B/F/C) marks the setting of the low shelf.
Page 38: Firmware Updates
This article helps you update the ﬁrmware on your Kii Control and Kii THREE or Kii THREE BXT. All Kii Audio products are DSP based and run on a dedicated ﬁrmware designed by our engineering team. This o"ers the big advantage that we are able to improve features...
Page 39 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 3. Connect the USB Input on the Kii Control to a free USB port on your Mac or PC with the included USB cable. 4. Start the Kii Update Tool by doubleclicking the icon.
Page 40: Troubleshooting
Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 two ﬁrmware ﬁles (PIC & DSP). Each BXT one ﬁrmware ﬁle. In case it´s necessary to reboot the Kii Control after it has been updated, the update tool will show an instructional message. ...
Page 41: Technical Data
3. If you are unable to successfully update the system, please contact our customer service at: support@kiiaudio.com Technical Data Kii THREE - Compact DSP controlled monitor speaker LATENCY Minimum Latency Mode: Analog input (A/D - D/A) = 1030us (or 1,03ms) Digital input (D/A only) = ...
Page 42: Drive Units
1 x 5” midrange, 1 x 1” waveguided tweeter, all active drivers AMPLIFICATION Kii THREE (single unit): 1.500 Watt full-custom Class-D BXT (single unit): 2.000 Watt full-custom Class-D Active Wave Focusing crossover ﬁlter Frequency response: ± 0,5dB - 25 kHz; ...
Page 43: Input Connections
USB Audio - LPCM up to 24/384kHz (DXD) and DSD64 (as DoP) (direct connection to computer recommended, no USB hub) POWER CONSUMPTION Kii THREE System: average music playback: 90 Watts / short term peak: 3.000 Watts Kii THREE BXT System: average music playback 120 Watts / short term peak: 7.000 Watts...
Page 44 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 Threadsizes for spikes: Kii THREE stand: M8, pitch 1,25mm BXT footplate: M8, pitch 1.0mm, (5mm allen key hole for tightening) (*) IEC60268-5 Paragraph 20.6 Pro Audio FAQs Speaker setup steps - Place the Kii THREEs on solid and sturdy stands! Acoustically solid speaker stands are defnitely preferable to placing them on a meterbridge or desk platforms.
Page 45 5m distance in an equilateral triangle. - Where to put them in the room? Regular speakers with the cabinet size of a Kii THREE are usually working best in a nearﬁeld setup. Don ́ t let the size fool you: ...
Page 46: Important Note
Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 connector on the backpanel of the Kii THREE and to your mains socket Step 2.: KiiLink cable (CAT5 or CAT6) between Kii Control and the KiiLink In port of your master speaker. ...
Page 47 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 The Kii THREE System is both: a high end speaker and monitor controller in one The digital inputs (AES, SPDIF, Toslink, USB Audio) are fed directly into the DSP. The analog inputs (XLR on the speaker) employ a high-end A/D converter and then are also fed into the DSP as well.
Page 48 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 Apogee, Lynx etc.), the best option is to use a digital output from this audio interface as your monitoring source feeding S/PDIF or Toslink into the Kii Control or AES/EBU into the master speaker (thus avoiding an unecessary extra conversion step).
Page 49 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 You want to be able to hear and evaluate your ﬁnal results as exact as possible with your monitoring system. You want to avoid any uncessary extra D/A <-> A/D conversion steps in your monitoring chain. ...
Page 50 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 Advanced Filters (PRO MENU) The Advanced Filters menu o"ers up to eight (8) individual ﬁlters per speaker, accessible from your Kii Control. You can ﬁnd them by entering Main Menu => Pro Menu =>...
Page 51 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 These can be programmed either for ALL speakers (Link all with master => YES), or each speaker individually (Link all with master => The up to eight ﬁlters per speakers are a global setting. You can not choose di"erent ﬁlters per preset.
Page 52 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 The Kii THREE system and the Kii THREE BXT system o"er lots of connectivity for your music source devices. Whether you are listening to a Music Streamer / Server, CD Player or Drive, a Mac, a PC, a Linux based mini PC with ROON, your turntable + phono preamp, or a good old FM tuner..
Page 53 The analog outputs can be used in theory, but keep in mind that you are converting your CD data to analog, then in the Kii THREE it get´s converted back to digital for the DSP, after which it is again https://www.support.kiiaudio.com/support-center...
Page 54 Support Center | Kii Audio Support 24/09/2024, 15:11 converted back to analog for each individual ampliﬁer & driver. This is unnecessary, will degrade sound quality and is not recommended. When using a digital medium, connect it digitally! The preferred connections to the Kii Systems are:...
Page 55 NOT the same music. If you enjoy your vinyl records, nothing should stop you from doing so on pair of Kii THREEs or Kii THREE BXT. The preferred connection to the Kii Systems is: https://www.support.kiiaudio.com/support-center Page 55 of 57...
Page 56: Analog Levels
Turntable -> Analog PHONO Preamp -> XLR Inputs on each Kii THREE or Kii THREE BXT speaker Turntable -> PHONO Preamp with internal A/D Converter -> AES/SPDIF/Toslink Output to the master Kii THREE (BXT) or Kii Control The output of a turntable has a very low level and can not be connected to a regular input! It needs to be plugged into a PHONO PREAMP which ampliﬁes the...

This manual is also suitable for:

Seven