Ultra-X13 Owner’s Manual
Outlaw Audio
Ultra-X13 THX Ultra Powered Subwoofer
6
Bass and Overall System
Performance
The goal of an audio system is to recreate the
source material as accurately as possible. The
components needed to perform this task are an
audio source, a receiver or processor/amplifier
combination, and speakers.
In the era of digital, multi-channel sound, many
listeners have chosen to use frequency-limited
“satellite” speakers for the front, center and
surround channels. By limiting their frequency
range, these speakers may be made smaller, to
more easily fit into a wide range of spaces.
However, by eliminating the capability to
reproduce bass frequencies, a separate speaker
that is custom designed to deal with signals below
200Hz is required. That speaker, along with its
companion, built-in amplifier is a powered
subwoofer.
Even in two-channel systems with traditional
bookshelf or tower speakers the bottom two
octaves of sound (20 Hz to 80 Hz) are frequently
rolled off or not reproduced at all. Here, too, a
specialized speaker/amplifier combination is
required to deliver the full spectrum of sound from
a system.
Finally, many multi-channel digital soundtracks
contain a special audio channel devoted
specifically to extreme low frequency extension.
This signal is the “.1” in 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 systems
and is sometimes referred to as the LFE channel.
Regardless of which of these situations create the
need, a subwoofer is absolutely essential for
accurate audio reproduction of both movies and
music. A properly designed subwoofer such as
the Outlaw Ultra-X13 can provide a visceral
impact that most speakers are not able to provide
on their own. No matter what type of speakers
comprise the rest of your system or what your
favorite movie or music is, the Ultra-X13 is up to
the task of completing the sonic presentation by
providing the impact that only a subwoofer can
provide.
Setup Guide
Connecting to Your System
To get the maximum performance from your new
Ultra-X13 it must be properly connected,
positioned properly within the room and
configured to match your speakers. To connect
the Ultra-X13 you will need either a single audio
interconnect cable (in the case of systems with a
subwoofer output), a pair of audio interconnects
(in the case of systems with a left/right pre-amp
output), or an XLR interconnect cable for use
when connecting from a receiver or processor
with a balanced subwoofer output jack. We also
recommend the Outlaw Audio PCA sub cable, but
any high quality, shielded audio interconnect will
work properly.
Connecting with Subwoofer Output
If a low-level subwoofer output is available, use
this jack to connect your Ultra-X13 subwoofer to
your receiver or processor.
To connect the Ultra-X13 to a subwoofer preamp
output:
1. Turn off all system components and unplug
the processor or receiver and the Ultra-X13
from their AC power source.
2. Locate the “Subwoofer/LFE Output“ on the
rear panel of your receiver or processor.
Any audio product that decodes Dolby Digital
or DTS soundtracks will have this type of jack.
Depending on the particular brand or model,
this RCA or XLR jack may be labeled “Sub”,
“Subwoofer”, or “LFE Out”. If your receiver or
processor does not have this type of output
you will need to follow the “Connecting to a
System with No without a Subwoofer Preamp
Output, but with Standard Left/Right Preamp
Outputs“ instructions that follow this section.
3. Connect one end of the subwoofer cable to
the subwoofer output on the receiver or
processor.
4. Locate the connection labeled “LFE & Line
Inputs” or “XLR Balanced Input” (H) on the
rear panel of the Ultra-X13 and connect the
other end of the subwoofer cable to that jack.
5. Plug the Ultra-X13’s power cord into an un-
switched AC outlet.
CAUTION: Due to the power requirements of
the Ultra-X13, it must not be connected to the
accessory outlets on a receiver or processor.
