Bowers & Wilkins ASW608, Manual

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English
Owner’s manual
Introduction
Dear customer,
Thank you for choosing Bowers & Wilkins. Please read
this manual fully before unpacking and installing the
product. It will help you to optimise its performance.
B&W maintains a network of dedicated distributors in
over 60 countries who will be able to help you should
you have any problems your dealer cannot resolve.
Environmental Information
All B&W products are designed to comply
with international directives on the
Restriction of Hazardous Substances
(RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment and the
disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE). These symbols indicate compliance and that
the products must be appropriately recycled or
processed in accordance with these directives. Consult
your local waste disposal authority for guidance.
Carton Contents
Check in the carton for:
1 Mains cable
1 Accessory pack containing:
4 M6 spike feet
4 M6 rubber feet
4 Lock nuts (10mm across flats)
Installation
The subwoofer has been designed both for Home
Theatre installations and to augment the bass
performance of ‘full range’ speakers in 2-channel
audio systems. All audio installations require some
thought in installation if they are to reach their full
performance potential and this manual will guide you
through the process.
The subwoofer requires connection to the mains
power supply, so it is important that you familiarise
yourself with the safety instructions and heed all the
warnings. Keep this manual in a safe place for future
reference.
The Subwoofer Connection and Control
Panel (Figure 1)
1. Status indicator.
2. On, Auto, Stand-by switch.
3. Line-level input volume.
4. Speaker level input volume.
5. Low-pass filter frequency.
6. Low-pass filter selection switch.
7. Bass extension switch.
8. Equalisation switch.
9. Phase reverse switch.
10. 12V trigger input.
11. Line level input sockets (left and right).
12. Speaker level input binding posts (left and right).
13. Mains input.
14. External fuse holder.
Subwoofer Applications
The primary function of a subwoofer is to reproduce
signals from an audio-visual processor Low Frequency
Effects (LFE) channel. In addition, the processor may
be configured to divert the low bass portion from
some or all of the other channels and add it to the LFE
information. This is usually done by selecting “small”
loudspeakers in the processor set-up procedure.
In 2-channel audio applications a subwoofer is used to
extend the bass response lower than that provided by
the satellite speakers. The subwoofer low-pass filter
should be set so that the subwoofer takes over as the
output of the satellite speakers falls.
Subwoofer Positioning and Installation
The ear poorly perceives the source location of low
frequency sound so the position of subwoofers in the
listening room is generally less critical compared to
full-range speakers. However, best results are usually
obtained if the subwoofer is placed between the left
and right speakers or in the vicinity of one of them. If
two subwoofers are used, it is best to put one near
the left and one near the right speaker. Placing a
subwoofer behind the listening position, even in multi-
channel surround sound installations, generally results
in inferior imaging, but may be an acceptable
compromise if domestic considerations dictate.
As with all speakers, the proximity of room boundaries
affects the sound of a subwoofer. Bass volume
increases as more surfaces come into close proximity
with the speaker. Unlike full-range speakers, however,
the overall system balance can be corrected by
adjusting the volume level of the subwoofer. The more
boost gained from the room, the lower the volume can
be set and the less hard the subwoofer has to work;
but there is a down side. Subwoofers positioned near
corners often generate more low-frequency room
resonances, making the bass more uneven with
frequency. There is no substitute for experiment as all
rooms behave differently, so the subwoofer should be
tried in a variety of positions before a final decision is
made. A piece of music with a bass line ascending or
descending the musical scale is useful for assessing
the smoothness of the bass response. Listen for
exaggerated or quiet notes.
If the subwoofer is to be used in a confined space
(e.g. built into furniture), the space must be ventilated
to allow sufficient air to circulate and cool the unit. Ask
your dealer for advice.
The subwoofer is intended to be floor mounted only. It
is important to ensure the subwoofer stands firmly on
the floor using the spike feet supplied whenever
possible. The spike feet are designed to pierce carpet
and rest on the floor surface. Initially, screw the lock
nuts onto the spikes enough to leave the nuts floating
just above the carpet when the spikes are resting on
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