Polk Audio 440wi, 550wi Adjusting Your Subwoofer, Making Binding Post/Speaker Wire Connections

Making Binding Post/Speaker Wire Connections

Note that one of the speaker input terminals on the rear of the subwoofer is marked red (+) and the other black (-). Make certain that you connect the wire from the red (+) terminal of your receiver to the red (+) terminal on your subwoofer and the wire from the black (-) terminal of the receiver to the black (-) terminal on your subwoofer. Speaker wire has some indication (such as color coding, ribbing, or writing) on one of the two conductors to help maintain consistency.

Note: If your subwoofer doesn’t seem to produce much bass, it is most likely that one of the speaker wires is connected backwards. Double check all connections for correct polarity.

Strip 1/2" (12mm) of insulation from each of the two conductors on both ends to expose the bare wire. Twist the exposed wire of each conductor to form two un-frayed strands (one on each end).

Unscrew the binding post hex nuts several turns. Insert the exposed wire, ensuring that none of the bare wire ends touch each other, because contact could result in an electrical short and cause your receiver to turn off or malfunc- tion. With the speaker wire inserted into the binding post, turn the hex nut clockwise until it's snug.

ADJUSTING YOUR SUBWOOFER

Note: When you set up your subwoofer for the first time, you will probably have to make adjustments several times before you hear what you personally like.

Don’t forget to turn the AC MAIN power switch on.

INITIAL SETTINGS

Your wireless-ready subwoofer offers a range of settings. The unit’s initial settings are as follows:

•Phase: 0

•Volume: 50% (20, on a scale from 0-40)

•PROsetting: mid-room

The settings that are best for you depend upon your subwoofer placement, electronics and personal taste. After you’ve become familiar with what the settings do, experiment with alternate options to find the method that works best for your system setup. You’ll find an informative article on “Subwoofer Positioning and Adjustment” in the set up section at: www.polkaudio.com/education/article.php?id=19.

POLK ROOM OPTIMIZER (PRO)

Where you place your subwoofer in your room affects its response. wireless-ready subwoofers incorporate the Polk Room Optimizer (PRO) feature—four push- button room equalization presets that maximize your subwoofer’s performance for typical room placements: “cabinet,” “corner,” “mid-wall” and “mid-room.”

A traditional subwoofer’s response is affected by its location in a room. The Polk Room Optimizer (PRO) feature allows you to place your wireless-ready subwoofer where you want it in your listening room. Based upon the four most common room placements for subwoofers, PRO maximizes sound quality for you, smoothing out the bass response that a particular room placement creates. You simply choose the location you want and select the corresponding button on your subwoofer’s remote control.

FINE TUNING YOUR SUBWOOFER

•Volume: Adjust by ear using a wide variety of CDs and video sources. Adjust for deep, powerful bass without “boominess.”

•Low Pass Filter Control: NOTE: This control does not operate when the subwoofer is connected with Option #1 (wireless/wired LFE Input). This control, which is located on the back of the amplifier, adjusts the frequency range over which the subwoofer operates. When using smaller main speakers the upper range of the control will probably yield the best results. With larger speakers the lower end of the control range will probably sound best, but always let your ear be the final judge. If male vocals sound “thin,” turn this control up until the voice sounds rich but not “boomy.” If male vocals sound too “thick” or “chesty,” turn this control down until the voice sounds natural.

•4 Button Phase Control (0, 90, 180 and 270 degree settings): This control enables the subwoofer to blend more seamlessly with your main speakers. Sit in your favorite listening position. Using the subwoofer’s remote control, play music (not a movie) with a walking bass line. We recommend playing jazz or country music. Now listen carefully for the point at which the subwoofer transitions to your main speakers. This is the crossover point, and this point should be below the frequency of a male human voice. Whichever phase setting sounds louder or fuller at the subwoofer’s crossover (transition) point is the optimum setting. If after trying all four possible phase settings you cannot hear any difference, leave the phase setting at “0.”

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