Multi-Channel Mode
This setup is recommended if you will use your subwoofer in a dedicated home theater or other multi-channel system. When a signal is connected to the subwoofer’s LFE In, the setting for the Low-Pass Filter control is not used. Your processor handles most of the bass management.
Signal Connection:
1Connect the LFE out of the processor to the LFE In. Use either an RCA or an XLR interconnect—do not use both at the same time.
Recommended Control Settings:
IMPORTANT! If you intend to use PBK (Perfect Bass Kit) room correction we recommend running PBK and optimizing place- ment of your subwoofer prior to adjusting the subwoofer’s controls. When engaged, PBK will affect the acoustic output of your subwoofer and influence the settings described below.
1If your front speakers are large (e.g. full-range floorstanding type speakers) set your processor controls for front speakers to wide, large, or full mode. If your front speakers are small (e.g. bookshelf type speakers) set your processor control for front speakers to narrow, small, or limited mode. Set proces- sor controls for center and effects type speakers to narrow, small, or limited mode. Remember, few center and effects type speakers are designed to go much lower than 70Hz, which means that any bass information in a soundtrack lower than this frequency will normally be lost. When you set your center and effects type speakers to narrow, small, or limit- ed mode, all of the bass lower than the assigned crossover point will be redirected to the subwoofer along with the LFE output—guaranteeing that no bass information from these channels is lost.
Please note: some processors allow the changing of speaker configuration based on source material type. Under these conditions the user may want to run the fronts in narrow, small, or limited mode for multi-channel source material and run the fronts in wide, large, or full mode for 2-channel stereo source material.
WARNING! Based on the performance of most processors it is recommended that MartinLogan center and effects type speakers not be run in large, wide, or full range mode. Doing so may potentially damage the speaker if the processor
attempts to drive the speaker beyond its rated frequency range. This warning also applies to products from other manufacturers.
2With multi-channel source material playing, adjust the Level control to your preferred level.
3Adjust the Low-Pass Filter setting to the same frequency as the crossover setting being used in your processor (although this may seem redundant, it actually optimizes effectiveness of the phase control). Try the phase control in different set- tings until the best blending is obtained. Play familiar music with deep, repetitive bass. Adjust the phase control so the bass notes seem their loudest and without blur when heard from your typical listening position. If you are augmenting MartinLogan loudspeakers, we suggest you start with Phase set at 0° (although we suggest 90° elsewhere, in this specific connection method we suggest 0° since your processor will be doing most of the bass management). If you are using a Custom Low-Pass filter, we also suggest you start with the Phase set at 0°. Custom Low-Pass filters provided for these subwoofers are already phase optimized.
4If you have completed steps 1–3 and still have weak or booming bass consider adjusting the 25Hz Level knob to compensate for these anomalies. Experiment with the controls and listen to the result. Try to find a position that sounds cor- rect to you. Experiment by changing the Level control while adjusting these knobs. Find a position that gives you deep extended bass and good blending with your main speakers.
5Use the bass management section of your processor’s speak- er setup to set the subwoofer level at an appropriate level. Follow the instructions in your processor’s manual to fine-tune the subwoofer level.
6If you have completed steps 1–5 and still have weak or booming bass consider adjusting the 25Hz Level knob to compensate for these anomalies. Experiment with the controls and listen to the result. Try to find a position that sounds cor- rect to you. Experiment by changing the Level control while adjusting this knob. Find a position that gives you deep extended bass and good blending with your main speak- ers. If you still have weak or booming bass you may want to consider moving your subwoofer and go through these setup steps again (especially if it is located in or near a room cor- ner). Remember, room position has a major impact on overall bass performance.
