similar explanation of bass management or terms such as designating speakers as
“large” or “small”. “Small” is a code word for “send my bass to the subwoofer”. Note
that you can typically set this channel-by-channel and might conceivably set Left
and Right Channels to “large” and Center and Surrounds to “small”.
If you are adding an HD Sub to a 2 channel music system then clearly you will want it
to take over all bass duties and will connect it in a way that filters bass from the front
channels. Some will advocate running front speakers full range and then using the
subwoofer in addition for bass extension (perhaps with a very low crossover
frequency setting) but we would recommend that you steer clear of this approach.
An HD sub will improve the power handling of all but the largest systems and there
are pitfalls (the possibility of bass cancellation) when subs and mains share bass
together.
VII. Quick Start
If you cannot wait to hear your new PSB subwoofer: Turn off all other components,
and follow one of the connection diagrams. Connect the supplied power cord to the
AC power socket. Set the PSB subwoofer Bass Level control to its minimum position
(counterclockwise), then plug the subwoofer into an active AC outlet. The same
receptacle as the rest of your audio/video system or another on the same electrical
circuit should be used to avoid ground hum. Set the subwoofer's Sub Crossover
Frequency control to its midpoint, and the Variable Phase control to 0°. Flip the
Power Switch to the on position. Play a bass-rich program source, and slowly bring
up the Bass Level control (clockwise) until the subwoofer contributes a natural level
of low frequency sound at the listening position. Now please read the rest of this
guide and fine-tune your installation accordingly—it will be time well spent!
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