System Configurations

The SmartSubs can be used in four ways depending on your requirements:

1.As a stand-alone unit.

2.With a passive crossover.

3.With the SmartSub Integrator in augment mode.

4.With the SmartSub Integrator in crossover mode.

The configuration chosen will determine your required equipment, hookup connections and processor settings. Which system configuration is best for you depends mainly on the capabilities of your main left/right speakers.

Additional discussion of these options can be found in the section Crossover Use. In addition, there is a comprehensive flow chart for your reference on pages 12 and 13 that guides you through all aspects of system configuration, hookup, and adjustment. More information on Integrator hookup and adjustment can be found in that product’s manual.

1If your main speakers play sufficiently loudly for all your uses and they reproduce the bass with satisfying completeness, then the subwoofer is only needed to

If your main speakers play sufficiently loudly for all your uses but do not reproduce the full low frequency range of the left/right channels, you should also use the subwoofer to augment the bass response of your main speakers. This can be accomplished without altering the signal or wiring to your main speakers by using one of the next two configurations.

2A SmartSub Passive crossover can be used if one is available to match your main THIEL speakers and if low frequency adjustments are not required.

A two-channel crossover is illustrated but a five-channel unit is also available to allow the subwoofer to augment the bass of five channels.

Passive Crossover Configuration

This configuration has connections and benefits identical to the following one except the passive crossover provides no adjustments and is available for only selected THIEL model main speakers.

Preamp or Processor

Power Amplifier

reproduce the LFE (low frequency effects, or subwoofer) channel and it can be used in the LFE configuration without a crossover or Integrator.

for main speakers

 

 

 

 

INPUT

SUB

LEFT RIGHT

CENTER

 

 

 

L

 

 

 

 

REAR

R REAR

 

 

 

 

OUTPUT

LFE Configuration

In this configuration the subwoofer is used only for reproduction of the ‘point one’ subwoofer channel and is driven by the processor’s subwoofer output connected to the subwoofer’s LFE input.

This configuration is a good choice when the main speakers play sufficiently loud and their bass is satisfactory for applications other than movie effects.

Sub Left/Right output outputs

+

+

Subwoofer

SmartSub

Passive

Crossover

Preamp or Processor

Power Amplifier

for main speakers

 

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT

 

SUB

LEFT RIGHT

CENTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

L REAR

 

L +

 

 

 

 

R REAR

L –

 

 

 

 

 

 

R –

R +

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUTPUT

 

Sub Left/Right output outputs

Subwoofer

THIEL

SmartSub®

!

Main Left/Right speakers

THIEL

SmartSub®

!

Main Left/Right speakers

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Thiel Audio Products SS4, SW1, SS3 manual System Configurations, Passive Crossover Configuration