FINE TUNING
Once you have the rest of your speakers positioned in the room and have
set speaker distances and calibrated speaker levels with your Processor
or A/V Receiver, it’s time for a little fine tuning of the subwoofer(s).
Subwoofer Controls
When setting the subwoofer controls use music and video soundtracks
that you know well. They should contain selections with extended bass
that is continuous and repetitive. When you are adjusting your subwoofer,
remember: Bass should not be overbearing—the subwoofer should not
draw attention to itself—but sound shouldn’t be “thin” or difficult to hear.
Certain subwoofer placement may result in bass frequency cancellations—
this occurs when your front speakers and subwoofer are “out-of-phase”, in
other words, they work against each other through the crossover region.
This will result in bass being reduced. If bass sounds weak or dislocated
adjust the phase according to the instructions that apply to your subwoofer
in the setup procedures that follow.
For Subwoofers that have a Sub/Sat Phase Switch
1. Turn the
Subwoofer Level
control completely counter-clockwise to
its minimum;
2. Turn the
Subwoofer Cut-Off Frequency
control to 150 Hz;
3. Turn the
Sub./Sat. Phase Alignment
control to 0°
(completely
counter-clockwise) ;
4. While you listen to a selection in your primary listening area, have an
assistant turn up the
Subwoofer Level
control until the subwoofer
can be clearly heard;
5. Have your assistant slowly rotate the
Sub./Sat. Phase Alignment
control until you hear the most bass. Your subwoofer and front
speakers are now “in phase.” Do not change phase alignment again
unless you move your subwoofer or front speakers;
6. Turn the
Subwoofer Level
control completely counter-clockwise to
its minimum;
7. Turn the
Subwoofer Cut-Off Frequency
control completely counter-
clockwise to 50 Hz;
8. Slowly rotate the
Subwoofer Level
control until you match the
subwoofer output level with the level of your front speakers. Bass
should be clearly audible, but not intrusive;
9. Slowly rotate the
Subwoofer Cut-Off Frequency
control until you
hear the best subwoofer/main speaker blend. If the sound is too
“thin,” you have not set the frequency high enough; if the sound
becomes “boomy” you have set the frequency too high. Adjust until
you find the most natural balance.
SETTING SUBWOOFER CONTROLS
SETTING SUBWOOFER CONTROLS
For Subwoofers that have a Sub./Sat. Phase Alignment Control
Set tone or equalizer controls on your receiver or preamplifier to flat (or 0°) and switch any loudness controls off.
Set tone or equalizer controls on your receiver or preamplifier to flat (or 0°)
and switch any loudness controls off. If your subwoofer is positioned in
the front of the room, the optimal position for the Phase Switch is typically
at the 0° position; if your subwoofer is positioned in the rear of the room,
the switch should be set to the 180° position.
1. Turn the
Subwoofer Level
control completely counter-clockwise to
its minimum;
2. Turn the
Subwoofer Cut-Off Frequency
control completely counter-
clockwise to 50 Hz;
3. Slowly rotate the
Subwoofer Level
control until you match the
subwoofer output level with the level of your front speakers. Bass
should be clearly audible, but not intrusive;
4. Slowly rotate the
Subwoofer Cut-Off Frequency
control until you
hear the best subwoofer/front speaker blend. If the sound is too “thin,”
you have not set the frequency high enough; if the sound becomes
“boomy” you have set the frequency too high. Adjust until you find the
most natural balance.
NOTE:
If bass sounds weak or dislocated, you may have a phase alignment
problem. Simply flip the Phase switch to the opposite position and listen
to see which switch position gives you the most bass energy in the room.
To further enhance performance, you can also experiment with the
subwoofer's location in the room to find an area that yields the best
overall bass balance and fidelity.
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