Thank you for your purchase of the NHT SW10 ll or SW12 powered subwoofer.
Like all NHT loudspeakers, the SW10 ll and SW12's development has been guided by the study of human hearing, it’s design rigorously tested, and its components optimized to deliver clean, clear musical sound.
Since the quality of your speakers is one of the most important factors in maximizing the sound you'll get from your music and home theater system, we're sure that you'll find your purchase of the SW10 ll and SW12 a good investment, and invite your comments.
If you find your experience with the SW10 ll and SW12 as satisfying as we believe you will, and wish to enjoy its high quality sound through your entire system, you'll find information about other sonically matched NHT Super Series loudspeakers on the back of this manual.
Background
The NHT SW10 ll and SW12 Powered Subwoofer is a compact, versatile and powerful amplified subwoofer designed to provide low frequency reinforcement for high performance audio and home theater systems.
The SW10 ll and SW12 features:
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•independent gain, phase and low pass filter controls
•boundary control for adjusting system sound for various room placement
Please take a few minutes to read through this owner's manual before setting up your speakers; this information will help you get the most out of them. Also, please keep the SW10 ll or Sw12’s packaging to use in case you move or transport them.
If you have questions at any time during setup or use, feel free to call your NHT dealer or our
Placement
Note: To prevent the SW10 ll and SW12 subwoofer amplifier from overheating, always be sure to provide adequate space for proper ventilation. Do not place the subwoofer directly against the wall or any other surface.
The key to placing your subwoofer for optimal enjoyment
is to remember that low frequencies produce sounds with long wavelengths, which interact in complex ways with room boundaries, such a walls and corners, and other large objects as well.
Placing the subwoofer near to a room boundary will tend to increase its apparent bass output, but may result in "boomy" or "muddy" sound. Conversely, placing it farther away from room boundaries will tend to decrease its apparent bass output, but may result in improved articulation and clarity.
When possible, place the subwoofer in the same horizontal plane and along the same wall as the main speakers.
And since small changes in subwoofer position can have a significant effect on sound, experimenting with the effects of different placements in your own listening/view- ing room is the key to finding the sound you like best.
SW10 ll and SW12 Features & Controls
Volume: This control allows you to adjust the gain of the Subwoofer relative to the rest of your system. Many lis- teners make the mistake of setting subwoofers too loud, which can cause excess bloat and loss of detail and musicality. A properly calibrated subwoofer blends in with the speakers and does not call attention to itself. To properly set volume:
•Turn down the volume control on the SW10 ll or SW12 to its lowest position
•Turn on your audio system, including the SW10 ll or SW12. Play some music you are familiar with and set your receiver/preamplifier volume to a comfortable lis- tening level.
•Slowly increase the volume of the SW10 ll or SW12, lis- tening for proper frequency balance. When balanced, you will hear improved bass extension, but not be aware
that it is coming from the subwoofer.
From this point on, the volume control on your receiver/preamplifier will control the overall volume of your system, including the subwoofer.
The Boundary EQ: This is a feature unique to NHT Evolution products. Reflective boundaries (such as walls) reinforce a speaker’s bass output (3dB for two walls, 6dB for a corner) if the subwoofer is placed near them. Conversely, placing a subwoofer out in the room results in a relative decrease in bass output. Boundary reinforcement may lead to low frequency response that
