Harman-Kardon HKSB16BLK Operation, SB 16/230, Subwoofer Volume Knob, Subwoofer Crossover Knob

SB 16/230

Operation

Subwoofer Volume Knob

Use the subwoofer’s Volume knob to balance the bass with the rest of the sound. Play music or movies that you are familiar with and adjust the subwoofer’s Volume knob so the bass sounds balanced on both music and films. Listen to several different music recordings and film soundtracks that contain strong bass passages, and find a setting for the Volume knob that doesn’t over-emphasize the bass or make it sound weak.

Subwoofer Crossover Knob

The subwoofer’s Crossover knob adjusts the subwoofer’s crossover between 50Hz and 150Hz. The higher you set the Crossover knob, the higher in frequency the subwoofer will operate and the more its bass will “overlap” that of the soundbar. This adjustment helps achieve a smooth transition of bass frequencies between the subwoofer and the soundbar for a variety of different rooms and subwoofer locations.

Volume Knob

Crossover Knob

Once you find a setting for the subwoofer’s Volume knob that balances the bass with the rest of the sound, you shouldn’t have to change it.

Soundbar Trim Switch

This switch adjusts the soundbar’s audio input sensitivity so it will work with TVs that have different audio signal output levels. If your TV’s audio signal output is low, the soundbar may not play loud enough. In this case, set the Trim switch to position 3 so the soundbar will play louder. If your TV’s audio signal output is high, you may hear distortion in the soundbar at normal listening volumes. In this case, set the Trim Switch to position 1 to reduce the distortion and improve the sound.

TrimSwitch

Wireless Code Switches

In the unlikely event that you encounter interference when operating the system, or if you have more than one SB 16/230 system in operation, you may change the wireless channel at which the system operates. There are four-position Wireless Code switches on both the soundbar and subwoofer. To change the wireless channel, simply set each of the switches to one of the other three positions. IMPORTANT: The switches on the soundbar and the subwoofer must be set to the same position for the wireless system to work properly.

Wireless Code	Wireless Code
Switch	Switch
Soundbar	Subwoofer

NOTE: The maximum wireless operating distance between the soundbar and subwoofer is approximately 50 feet (15.3m).

To set the Crossover knob, listen for the smoothness of the bass. If the bass seems too strong at certain frequencies, try a lower Crossover knob setting. If the bass seems too weak at certain frequencies, try a higher Crossover knob setting.

Subwoofer Phase Switch

This switch determines whether the subwoofer’s piston-like action moves in and out in phase with the speakers in the soundbar. If the subwoofer were to play out of phase with the soundbar speakers, some of the sound waves produced by the soundbar and subwoofer could be canceled out at some frequencies, reducing bass performance and sonic impact. This phenomenon depends in part on the relative placement of all the speakers in the room.

Phase Knob

Although there is no absolutely correct setting for the Phase switch, in most cases it should be left in the 0° position. When the subwoofer is properly in phase with the soundbar speakers, the sound will be clearer and have more impact. This will make percussive sounds like drums, piano and plucked strings sound more lifelike. The best way to set the Phase switch is to listen to music that you are familiar with and adjust the switch so that drums and other percussive sounds have maximum impact.

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