1.0 Introduction
The introduction will be short because we know that you want to
get this subwoofer up and running as soon as possible. But,
there are some important things you need to know before under-
taking the unpacking and connecting process. This subwoofer
has features that you need to be familiar with prior to installation
to get the best performance.
2.0 Unpacking your Subwoofer
After opening the box, check the unit for shipping damage before
connecting to the AC supply and note if any damage relates to
any holes or crushing of the outer carton. There are no rattles or
loose pieces inside the subwoofer system by design, so if you
hear anything that sounds inappropriate for a powered subwoofer
while unpacking it, stop now, and check the carton for signs of
damage. If damage has occurred, contact your freight carrier
right away and have them register your damage claim.
3.0 Placement of the Subwoofer
The subwoofer is a compact device, which allows the unit to be
easily placed where it can provide optimum performance. As part
of the placement process, the performance can be fine-tuned by
adjusting the user controls provided. You only have to do this the
first time you set your system up. Once the balance is set
between the subwoofer and the main speakers, the installation is
complete. The general rule for placement is between the left and
right channels in a two channel system or under the center chan-
nel in a 5.1 or other surround system. If two subwoofers are
used, they are ideally positioned under, or close to the front left
and front right main
speakers.
The governing factor in
bass response heard at a
given location in any
room, are room modes. In
addition, it is important to
remember that a corner
position offers the best
chance of exciting the most room modes (diagonal, orthogonal,
and axial), but this also changes the loading on the subwoofer
which increases the amount of bass output. Placing the sub-
woofer in a corner (two walls and a floor) gives another 3 dB
more low frequency energy over the two-boundary location, for a
total of 6 dB over the unit in the middle of the floor. When you’re
setting things up the first time, adjust the subwoofer level for the
various room positions you try, keeping the overall system bal-
ance the same. The point of playing with the subwoofers room
placement is to get a smooth and even bass response, rather
than just getting lots of low frequency sound.
If you’re using Tannoy main speakers, you may want to consider
experimenting, using the closed cell reflex port foam plugs that
were originally included in the speaker packaging. This will help
tighten up the mid bass (80 Hz+) performance, since we don’t
need the ports to enhance the bass below 80 Hz. This plug is a
pressure fit, so it can be removed at a later date if required. Here
are some additional tips that will help you get the best during set-
up:
Experiment with the subwoofer features
Make sure you’re not being impressed with more bass instead
of smooth bass
Don’t rely on a one third Octave RTA (Real Time Analyzer) to
look for accurate guidance on level adjustment, or for room mode
response at any specific position. It doesn’t have the time or fre-
quency capability. The best way to listen is with a progression of
low frequency notes. Are there drastic variations in the level of
those notes? If they come out of the signal source at the same
level, you can be sure that any problems are room related. If one
listening position seems to provide significant variations, try
another position several feet away. Because the wavelength of
bass frequencies is quite long, it usually takes a change of posi-
tion equal to a good fraction of the wavelength to hear the differ-
ence.
You also want to strive for a large listening area. It doesn’t help
to have a point in your listening space be perfect, but have that
point be so small that you can’t get both ears into it at the same
time. Every listening situation will be different, and we can’t offer
more specific guidance on positioning than experiment and listen
to material you trust.
A subwoofer is an excellent tool for finding new sources of rattles
and buzzes in the listening area. Because there is a concentrated
low frequency source involved, nearby objects, such as wall panels,
equipment cover plates, and other objects may become excited and
pollute your systems performance. You need to track down each rat-
tle and buzz and correct it at the source of the problem.
4.0 Installation
Sit the subwoofer in, or close to, where you believe its final posi-
tion will be. Make sure you have easy access to the amplifier
panel and controls. Plug the subwoofer into a wall outlet, prefer-
ably the same outlet, or at least the same circuit as your main
speaker amplifier. Connect the signal source outputs to the input
connectors of your subwoofer. Here is where you have two choices:
Note:
For the PS110 version the following options also apply to
using the speaker level wiring option. However, speaker level
needs to be fed to the subwoofer from a two channel amplifier,
not a line level signal from a signal source. The speaker wires on
the subwoofer output side will go directly to the main speakers’
inputs, not the main speakers’ amplifier (fig. 1).
a:
(Recommended)
Another set of cables can be used to connect
the subwoofer outputs to the L and R inputs of the main speaker
amplifier. Please, don’t use cheap cables to connect the sub-
woofer. Buy quality components for your audio installation. It will
pay off in the final experience. Using this connection method
allows use of the subwoofers built-in high pass filter network to
provide smooth transition of frequencies between the subwoofer
and the main speaker system (PS110 fig. 2, PS110B fig. 3).
Example
3 Room Boundary
(2 Walls and 1 Floor = +6 dB)
Right Speaker Out
AMPLIFIER
Speaker Level IN
High Pass OUT
IN OUT
LEFT
RIGHT
LEFT RIGHT
+
+
-
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
-
-
Left
Speaker
Left
Speaker
Right
Speaker
Right
Speaker
PS110
Left Speaker Out
Figure 1
Speaker level setup using
internal high pass filter.
