Hookup
If the subwoofer is being used with a passive crossover or SmartSub Integrator, a balanced XLR interconnect cable is connected from the unit’s subwoofer output to the subwoofer’s Normal Input. If more than one subwoofer is used, they are “daisy-chained” by connecting an additional XLR interconnect cable from the Normal Output connector of the first subwoofer to the Normal Input of the next subwoofer.
If the Integrator is not being used, then an RCA interconnect cable is connected from the processor’s subwoofer output jack to the subwoofer’s LFE Input. If more than one subwoofer is used, an additional cable is connected from the LFE Output connector of the first subwoofer to the LFE Input of the next subwoofer.
The subwoofer’s power cord must be plugged into an AC outlet and the power switch turned to the “on” position.
Setting the Surround Processor
Tell the processor that you have a subwoofer.
If you are using a Passive Crossover or the Integrator then the surround processor should be set to deliver the left/ right channel bass to the main speaker channels by telling it that the main speakers are full-range (even if they are not).
If you are not using a Passive Crossover or Integrator and the main speakers are not able to reproduce deep bass, you can tell the processor that the front speakers are “small” so that the main channel bass is redirected to the subwoofer.
If you are using the Integrator set the subwoofer channel level in the processor to the same level as the left and right channels and use the Integrator to adjust the LFE level. If you are not using the Integrator use the processor’s subwoofer level setting to adjust the LFE level.
Control Settings
There are three adjustments which are made by using the three buttons below the numeric readout. Use the Select button to select which adjustment will be active, indicated by which light is lighted. The setting of the active adjustment is displayed in the readout for 10 seconds after any of the buttons is pressed. Adjust the active setting by using the Increase and Decrease buttons.
The LFE Level is functional only for the LFE input. If you are not using the LFE input, set this to minimum (OFF). If you are using the LFE input then the subwoofer level must be adjusted to achieve the proper balance with the other speakers. It is usually more convenient to adjust the subwoofer level with the processor’s subwoofer level control, and in this case a good starting point for the level setting is
90.If the system’s processor cannot control subwoofer level, then the subwoofer’s level adjustment is used. The level can be adjusted “by ear” to achieve a pleasing balance so that the low frequency sound effects are not too weak or too strong.
Unfortunately, an SPL meter cannot be used to accurately adjust subwoofer level due to differences in bandwidth between the subwoofer and the main speakers.
The placement settings should be adjusted to correspond to the placement of the subwoofer. Set the Side Wall Distance to the distance from the side of the subwoofer to the side wall and the Rear Wall Distance to the distance from the rear of the subwoofer to the rear wall. The distance is displayed in meters, which is the distance in feet divided by 3.3. If a distance is greater than 2.5 meters (or 8 feet) set the control to maximum (OFF). If the subwoofer is placed in a cabinet the settings should correspond to the room wall distances, not the distances to internal cabinet walls. If the subwoofer is recessed into the wall so the front is flush with the wall, then the rear control should be set to -0.5.
If the norm/auto switch is turned to the “On” position
the subwoofer is always on, ready to reproduce a signal. If the switch is set to the “Auto” position, the subwoofer’s amplifier will automatically turn on when it detects a signal to reproduce and stay on for approximately 1/2 hour after a signal.
The unit is equipped with a control input that will turn the unit on when a DC voltage between 5 and 25 volts is applied, if the Auto/On switch is set to the “Auto” position.
Pilot light
The pilot light on the back panel and the front of the subwoofer glows green during normal operation. This green light can be turned off if you desire by pressing both the increase and decrease buttons simultaneously when the numeric display is not on. The light can be turned back on in the same way.
Auto shutdown
The subwoofer is equipped with an automatic shutdown feature that will turn off the output of the subwoofer if the drivers, amplifier or rear panel get too hot or if the line voltage is too low. This can occur if a very high input level lasts too long or if the subwoofer has insufficient ventilation. If the automatic shutdown is activated, subwoofer output will be interrupted and the light on the input panel will flash. The unit will resume operation when conditions return to safe levels. Here is a list of the light flash modes and the conditions they indicate.
Green / Red | Hot drivers |
Red long / Green short | Hot rear panel |
Red / Yellow | Hot amplifier |
Yellow blinking | Low line voltage |
If the unit shuts down often, this indicates that you should improve its ventilation, turn down the system’s volume control, turn down the subwoofer’s level control or add an additional subwoofer.
