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5

Turning the subwoofer ON for the first time

On the subwoofer, check that the phase switch is set to 0 degrees, the Q control set to .7, EQ switch set to 1, the 4˝ port unplugged (3˝
port plugged) and with the volume level knob set to minimum. If you are using a controller with bass management, set the crossover
switch to out. If your controller does not have bass management, set the crossover switch to in with crossover set to 90 Hz.

Step 4: Volume Level

Set the volume knob to the 9 o’clock position to start. Many people use ordinary music recordings or 
soundtracks for setting the subwoofer’s volume level. If you are using this method, try adjusting the sub-
woofer’s volume level so it matches the main speakers at the listening position. Since most people do
not listen to material at very loud reference levels and the ears are less sensitive to bass at lower levels,
some listeners prefer to set the bass level a little higher than the main speakers. A good approach is to
set the subwoofer level to the highest level where it sounds nice and where bass and kick drums still
sound tight and non-boomy. For home theater applications, most prefer to set the subwoofer level high-
er than the other speakers. We suggest setting it about 3 dB higher. Some processors/receivers allow you
to set different bass levels for different sources.

Optional: subwoofer integration will be more accurate when using test tones and a SPL meter. See Step 6 (Fine Tuning).

Step 5: Crossover

If you are using the SUBWOOFER or LFE output on your controller, you may optionally set the CROSSOVER switch to OUT. This lets
the controller handle the crossover between the subwoofer and other speakers. However, if the bass sounds boomy, it may sound better
with the crossover switched IN and the CROSSOVER FREQUENCY set to 90 Hz. You may skip the rest of this step.

If you are using the HIGH LEVEL speaker connections, you will be using the subwoofer’s crossover. Look up the lowest frequency your
left and right speakers will output (the frequency they are“ -3 dB” at) and set the crossover approximately to this point. Play program mate-
rials with steady, consistent bass around this frequency such as filtered pink noise or music containing bass drums, double basses, bass
guitar, etc. Turn the crossover to the left until you hear the subwoofer and L/R speakers as separate sources. Slowly turn the control back
to the right until the sound of all three speakers is well integrated. When using small satellites that don’t have much bass, the 90 Hz set-
ting on the control will probably yield the best results.

Your subwoofer has a sharp 24 dB/octave low pass filter to remove upper bass and midrange from the subwoofer when CROSSOVER
is switched IN. This makes your subwoofer non-directional. Unlike many other subwoofers on the market, the 24 dB/octave slope stays
steep at all available frequencies, not just the high ones.

Step 6: Fine Tuning

Now that the basic setup is complete, it’s time for optimization. Mark down the current volume and crossover settings with a soft pencil
so you can go back to where you started.

Variable Tuning

By adding or removing a foam port plug(s) and flipping a switch on the sub amplifier, the user can operate this subwoofer in one of five
different hybrid operating modes, providing the user with ultimate performance and flexibility for virtually all types of music and movie
program material.

1) Ported Max Output Mode: 2 ports open, and operating mode switch set to ‘EQ2”. This mode is ideal for those with medium-to-large 

room sizes who listen at high playback levels and want the strongest mid-bass possible. NOTE: Never operate the subwoofer with 2
ports open and operating mode switch set to ‘EQ1’, as this may damage the driver and void the warranty.

2) Ported Max Extension Mode: 4˝ port open, and operating mode switch set to ‘EQ1’. This mode is ideal for those with medium-to-large

room sizes, or small to medium rooms but who listen at low-to-moderate playback levels where the rising low bass from room gain
will help compensate for the ear’s insensitivity to bass at lower levels.

3) Ported Max Headroom Mode: 4˝ port open, and operating mode switch set to ‘EQ2’. This mode is ideal for those with medium-to-

large room sizes who listen at high playback levels and want the deepest bass extension.

4) Sealed Max Extension Mode: 0 ports open, and operating mode switch set to ‘EQ1’. This mode is ideal for those who prefer a sealed

box sound and deepest bass extension.

5) Sealed Max Headroom Mode: 0 ports open, and operating mode switch set to ‘EQ2’. This mode is ideal for those who want the sealed

box sound and listen at high playback levels.

Summary of Contents for VTF-3 MK5 HP

Page 1: ... lesser subwoofers Powerful BASH amplifiers Our custom built amplifiers have ultra high headroom soft clipping subsonic filtering adjustable Q and class A B output stage to provide extremely high fidelity low distortion and high output Flexible room placement The luxurious and smooth non vinyl finishes rounded corners and edges and front firing woofer and ports allow for close placement next to li...

Page 2: ...d particularly at plugs convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from the apparatus 11 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time 12 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way such as power supply cord or plug is damaged liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen...

Page 3: ...void placing the subwoofer half way between the front and back walls This is where you get a strong null from your room s standing waves You should also avoid sitting in that area No matter how powerful the subwoofer is there will not be much bass around the center of the room Use corner placement Subwoofers usually sound best tucked in a corner A good corner is far from wall divisions and has at ...

Page 4: ...ord This wire is not included with your subwoofer but can be purchased at electronic or home improvement stores Strip 1 2 of insulation from each end of the wire to expose the bare metal If your speaker wire is fraying tightly twist the metal Unscrew the plastic hex nut on the binding post to insert the exposed wire into the hole Tighten the binding posts by hand Run the wires from your system s a...

Page 5: ... drums double basses bass guitar etc Turn the crossover to the left until you hear the subwoofer and L R speakers as separate sources Slowly turn the control back to the right until the sound of all three speakers is well integrated When using small satellites that don t have much bass the 90 Hz set ting on the control will probably yield the best results Your subwoofer has a sharp 24 dB octave lo...

Page 6: ...erage equals the upper range average ie if the lower range average is 5dB more than the upper range average then adjust the subwoofer level down by 5dB If your controller allows you to adjust subwoofer channel level use this to adjust the subwoofer level Otherwise simply adjust the subwoofer volume knob instead A less accurate method uses the receiver s test tones which are usually not in one thir...

Page 7: ...ables power transformers or other EMI sources Use an AC line filter or plug the unit into a different circuit If hum goes away when interconnects are disconnected the hum is coming from the rest of your equipment Add them back one piece at a time The one that causes the system to hum is the source of the hum The unit is going into STANDBY mode during the quiet passages Try turning the source signa...

Page 8: ...ofer s speaker level input Connect only to the channel that has a true ground If neither channel has a true ground e mail call technical support Increase the volume of the subwoofer and the subwoofer level or LFE level on the receiver or other source It is best to set the level of the subwoofer relative to the other speakers using a test disk and a Radio Shack SPL meter or built in tones on your p...

Page 9: ...or incidental or consequential damages of any kind or character because of product defects Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and or do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the above limi tations and exclusions may not apply This Warranty Does Not Cover Damage caused by abuse accident mis use negligence or improper ...

Page 10: ...10 Notes ...

Page 11: ...11 Notes ...

Page 12: ...12 HSU Research 985 N Shepard St Anaheim CA 92806 1 800 554 0150 HSURESEARCH COM ...

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