Bellman Audio Mino (BE2030) — Personal Amplifier User Manual

Full user manual for the Bellman Audio Mino (BE2030) Personal Amplifier — a high-definition personal listening amplifier with built-in telecoil and dual omni/directional microphones, from Bellman & Symfon.

Overview

The Bellman Audio Mino is a digital communicator developed to provide an exceptional sound experience even in demanding listening situations, working well for both speech and music. It fully exploits High Definition Audio technology to clarify speech and reduce background noise and feedback. Mino is equipped with a first-class telecoil that picks up sound in venues fitted with hearing loop systems (theaters, churches, concert halls), and has both an omnidirectional and a zoom/directional microphone so you can "point" at a speaker to reduce background noise. It uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, just like a modern cell phone, and connects easily to a TV, stereo system, computer, or MP3 player. It comes with a two-year worldwide warranty.

Please note: the BE2030 Audio Mino Personal Amplifier is not a hearing instrument. Bellman & Symfon recommends that anyone experiencing hearing loss consult a doctor.

Important Safety Instructions

• Read, keep, and follow these instructions; heed all warnings.
• Do not use near water. Clean only with a dry cloth.
• Do not block ventilation openings or install near heat sources (radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other heat-producing apparatus).
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of a polarized or grounding-type plug.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched. Only use manufacturer-specified attachments/accessories.
• Unplug during lightning storms or when unused for long periods. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.
• Warning: Mino has a very powerful amplifier — sound level can cause discomfort or endanger hearing if used carelessly. Always turn the volume down to a low level before putting on headphones.
• Warning: Mino is powered by rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries. Do not expose to fire or direct sunlight. Batteries must only be changed by Bellman & Symfon staff and replaced with the same type — risk of explosion if replaced incorrectly. Charge fully before first use, in temperatures between +5°C and +40°C.
• Warning: Only charge with charging accessories recommended by Bellman & Symfon (BE9142 charger).
• Warning: The AC/DC adapter must not be exposed to water/moisture; keep it accessible for disconnecting.
• This product may include small parts — keep packaging and small parts out of reach of children.

Controls & Indicators

Getting Started

1. Connect headphones to the headphone output (13).
2. Give one short press on the On/Off button (6) to start Mino.
3. Listen to the internal microphone and adjust the volume using the Volume buttons (+9 / -10).

Mino always starts with the internal microphone selected and volume set low to avoid unpleasant sound levels. The Volume/Tone LED Indicator (8) shows the current setting and goes out 5 seconds after adjustment. To switch off, press and hold the On/Off button (6) until the Battery Status LED (3) goes out.

Charging

Mino contains a Lithium-Ion battery and ships with a universal charger. Charge fully before first use. Connect the charger as illustrated in the fold-out section of the printed manual, and check the plug is locked properly before connecting to the wall socket. The Battery Status LED (3) changes from green to orange while charging, and back to green (after about 2.5 hours) once fully charged. The product may only be charged with the supplied charger or accessories from Bellman & Symfon.

Choosing Microphones & Sound Sources

• Microphone selection — Press the M button (5) to switch between the omnidirectional microphone (green LED) and the directional/zoom microphone (orange LED), which is useful in crowds or noisy environments for "pointing" at a sound source.
• Telecoil/T position — The built-in telecoil is angled 45° to catch inductive signals whether Mino is horizontal (in hand/on a table) or vertical (on a clip/neck strap). Use the T position in venues fitted with an inductive/hearing loop — look for the loop symbol or ask staff.
• External sound source — Connecting the supplied audio cable (2.5mm jack) to input (16) automatically disconnects the internal microphone and selects the external source; the External Sound LED (4) lights green and orange together. Disconnecting the cable returns Mino to the internal microphone.
• External microphone — Connect to input (16); the External Sound LED (4) lights orange, and input sensitivity auto-adjusts.
• Combined signal sources — While listening to an external source, hold the M button (5) until both the MIC and T LEDs light up to mix external sound with the internal microphone. Adjust the balance by holding M (5) while pressing < (11) or > (12).

Battery Indicator

The Battery Status LED (3) lights green when switched on with a satisfactory charge. It blinks green when the battery is low, then blinks orange when nearly flat — charge the unit at this point, or it will switch off automatically. Charging starts automatically when a charger is connected to the Charging Socket (14): orange while charging, green when fully charged (with continuous trickle charging while the charger stays connected).

Troubleshooting

Settings Menu (Advanced)

To enter the Settings Menu: start the unit with the On/Off button (6); hold it down while pressing the Volume − button (10) within 1 second, until the T LED (4) starts to blink; release both buttons; then press and hold the T button (7) within 2 seconds of the T LED starting to blink, releasing once the LED goes out. This puts you in Balance Control mode. Press T (7) to move clockwise or M (5) to move anti-clockwise through the settings list. Give a short press of the On/Off button (6) to exit back to normal user mode.

• Balance control — Compensates for hearing loss in one ear. Press < (11) to adjust left, > (12) to adjust right. Default: centered.
• Basic attenuation — Compensates for headphones with different sensitivity, in 3dB increments. Default: 0dB (max output).
• Stereo/Mono — Press + (9) for Stereo, − (10) for Mono (can improve speech intelligibility, e.g. watching TV). Default: Stereo.
• Bass reduction — Press + (9) to reduce low-frequency interference (fans, road noise); − (10) to deactivate. Default: deactivated.
• Tone Control blocking — Press + (9) to activate the Tone Control buttons in user mode, − (10) to deactivate (with a preset tone level via </>). Default: activated, centered.
• Blocking the T position — Press + (9) to activate, − (10) to deactivate the T position (for users who never use it). Default: activated.
• Factory reset — Hold + (9) until all LEDs on the display (8) light up.

Testing Mino

• Internal microphones — Confirm the Battery Status LED (3) is green; scrape the microphone and listen for sound in the headphones; press M (5) to switch microphones (LED changes color) and repeat; press volume/tone buttons and confirm the LED indicator responds.
• External sound — Press T (7), confirm the External Sound LED (4) lights green; hold the unit near a mechanical watch and listen for ticking via the telecoil; connect an external source (e.g., CD player via a BE9126 cable) and confirm sound is heard.
• Charging — With Mino switched off, connect the charger to the mains and to the charging socket (14), and confirm the Battery Status LED lights up.

Key Technical Information

Accessories

• BE9122 Stereo headphones
• BE9124 In-ear phones
• BE9125 Stetoclip
• BE9126 Stereo cable kit, 5m (16 ft)
• BE9127 External microphone, 5m (16 ft)
• BE9128 Neck loop
• BE9129 MicroSet
• BE9143 USB car charger
• BE9147 Travel case
• BE1360 Scart switch

FCC Compliance

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, providing reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Warranty

Bellman Audio Mino is developed in Sweden by Bellman & Symfon and comes with a two-year worldwide warranty.

© 2010, Bellman & Symfon AB. Bellman, Bellman Audio, and Bellman & Symfon are registered trademarks owned by Bellman & Symfon AB. All product designs are patented.