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© Monitor Audio Ltd 2001
Subwoofer connections
There are a number of ways to connect your subwoofer into your system. One uses
loudspeaker cables, the other uses interconnect cables with RCA phono plugs.
Looking at the rear panel of your subwoofer you will see two sets of speaker
terminals, one labelled ‘high level input’, the other ‘high level output’, and RCA
phono socket labelled ‘input’ (left and right).
The configuration of your system will determine how you will connect your
subwoofer.
1. Power Switch with Auto Off facility:
The power switch provided for
ASW100/FB110 has two positions: Off - Auto On. In the Auto On position the sub-
woofer unit will remain in stand by mode until the unit receives an input signal. If
the subwoofer unit does not receive a signal for around 15-20 minutes, it will switch
to stand by mode until it receives a further signal. The FB210 is provided with a three
position switch, which also has a permanently ‘On’ position
2. Mode switch:
This facility is used to set the desired gain level for your music or
home cinema system. Factory set in the audio position, the subwoofer possesses an
optimum frequency response for music playback. In the video mode the output is
increased by 3dB at 30Hz in order to allow for a greater impact to cinema material.
3. Level/Gain:
This control allows the subwoofer level or loudness to be adjusted in
order that you can achieve a totally controlled balanced sound. To use this feature,
firstly take a selection of your favourite music with good bass content and listen,
judge the bass quality and content and whether or not the level is integrated with
the main/satellite speakers. Once you achieve the correct integration in your
system then there should be no further reason to touch this control.
4. Crossover/Frequency:
This feature controls the frequency at which the subwoofer
rolls off. This should be set in conjunction with the fine tuning instructions.
5. Phase:
The phase control is used to synchronise the phase of the subwoofer and
the main/satellite speakers. Monitor Audio choose to use a linear potentiometer
rather than the standard 0/180 degree switch to enable perfect tuning between the
subwoofer and the front main speakers. However, this depends on the position of
the subwoofer in relation to the front main/satellite speakers and their types, i.e.
bass frequency and type. Simply using a switch between 0 and 180 degrees, as with
most subwoofers, is insufficient for optimising a perfect balance, as the correlation
factors are considerable.
What to listen for? The point at which the subwoofer is in phase with the main/
satellite speakers, the sound should be full bodied and integrated. At this point the
subwoofer should almost be undetectable. Experimentation is advisable in order to
obtain the optimum result.
NB Re-adjusting the crossover frequency should also be considered.
