Infinity FIFTEEN manual Room Adaptive Bass Optimization System R.A.B.O.S

ROOM ADAPTIVE BASS OPTIMIZATION SYSTEM™ (R.A.B.O.S.™)

Infinity’s R.A.B.O.S. is a simple-to-use, yet sophisticated, low-frequency calibration system. It is designed to work in conjunction with the Cascade Model Fifteen self-amplified subwoofer. The subwoofer contains a parametric equalizer that you will adjust as indicated by the R.A.B.O.S. test results. Following these instructions, you will optimize the Cascade Model Fifteen’s response characteristics to complement its environment. This will dramatically improve the sound of your system. The optimization process takes less than 30 minutes.

The R.A.B.O.S. Kit Includes

the Following Components:

•Specialized Sound-Level Meter

•Test CD

•Instructions

•Measurement Templates

•Width Selector

•Adjustment “Key”

What R.A.B.O.S. Does

The Test CD provides specially designed signals you will use while performing measurements. The Sound-Level Meter provided is used to “acquire” the information needed for adjustments. You will create a response plot on the Measurement Template. Using the Width Selector, you will then determine the appropriate equalizer settings. The “Key” is used to adjust the parametric equalizer built into the Cascade Model Fifteen. After adjustment, the test sequence is repeated to confirm your settings.

The R.A.B.O.S. Goal

It is a fact of audio that what we hear at low frequencies is determined as much or more by the listening room than by the loudspeaker itself. Placement of the loudspeakers and listeners and the acoustical characteristics of the room surfaces are all important determinants of bass quantity and quality. In most practical situations, there is little that can be done about this, except for patient trial-and-error repositioning of the loud- speakers and listeners. Usually, the practical constraints of

a living space and the impracticality of massive acoustical treatment mean that equalization is the only practical solution.

Professional sound engineers routinely employ sophisticated measurement systems and equalizers to optimize speakers to the installation. This has never been practical for the home audiophile. This is why R.A.B.O.S. was created. R.A.B.O.S. enables you to identify the dominant low-frequency response characteristic of your room. Once you know the problem, R.A.B.O.S. provides the tools needed to optimize the low-frequency characteristics of the speakers to the room they are in, exactly as the professional sound engineers do it.

Performing R.A.B.O.S.Tests

These instructions assume you have already installed your subwoofer according to the information provided in the Owner’s Guide. It is also assumed that all equipment in your entertainment system is interconnected properly and is in good operating condition.

Preparations

Before beginning R.A.B.O.S. tests, please check the following:

•Set R.A.B.O.S. Switch ª to the ON position.

•Make sure all three R.A.B.O.S. controls, ‚, ⁄ and B, on the subwoofer are turned fully clockwise.

•Make sure the loudness contour (if any) on your receiver/ processor/preamp is turned off.

•Set the tone controls (Bass and Treble) to their center or

flat positions.

•Bypass all surround and effects features of your receiver/ processor/preamp or set to “Stereo Bypass.”

•If you are using a multichannel surround processor or receiver, make sure all bass-management features are properly set. The Audio channels should all be set to “Small” or “High-Pass,” and the subwoofer set to “On.”

You must have a CD player in the system. A CD player remote control is quite convenient but not essential.

For best results, it is recommended that all major furnishings are in place and that all doors and windows in the listening area are in their normal positions. That is, if you normally listen to music with all doors closed, then this is how they should be during this procedure.

Try to minimize ambient noise while running tests. Turn off all major appliances and any air conditioning or furnace fans. These can create significant subsonic noise that may be barely perceptible but which can wreak havoc on low-frequency measurements.

Critical information is highlighted with this mark:

Helpful hints are marked with this symbol:

5CASCADE MODEL FIFTEEN