Parasound
®
ZoneMaster
™
650 Owner’s Manual
Page 10
Rear Panel Controls for Each Zone
Input Select Switch
The Input Select switch selects which audio source will play in that zone.
There are two options:
Line Input:
The zone will play the audio source that is connected to
the zone’s L and R Line Input jacks.
Bus
Input:
The zone will play the audio source that is connected to
either the Bus L and R RCA jacks or the L and R Speaker
Level input connector. The L and R level controls will still
adjust the channel levels for the zone.
Mode Select Switch
The Mode select switch determines how the amplifier is utilized in that zone. The Mode select switch has
the same effect whether you have selected the Line inputs or one of the Bus input.
There are three options:
Stereo:
The Stereo setting routes the Left channel input to the Left channel speaker outputs and the
right channel input to the Right channel speaker outputs.
Mono:
The Mono setting combines the Left and Right channel inputs into a summed L + R mono signal
and routes it to both the Left and Right channel speaker outputs. In the Mono mode you can connect two
mono speakers to the A output (one speaker connects to the L+ and L- and the other speaker connects to
the R+ and R- terminals). An additional two mono speakers can be connected to the B output terminals.
All speakers will play the same Mono signal.
The Mono Mode is particularly useful for applications such as bathrooms and hallways where mono
speakers and a single speaker wire are more practical than separate L and R wires and a single one-
point stereo speaker.
Bridged:
The Bridged Mode setting internally reconfigures the left and right amplifier channels into a
single channel amplifier with more than the twice as much power output to drive a single speaker. The
bridged mode can be used to drive larger or less efficient speakers in larger spaces where more power is
needed. Another application for the Bridged mode is to power a single passive subwoofer.
Note:
When the Bridged Mode is selected only the R channel Input jack and Level control are used.
When connecting the speaker wires to a zone where you selected Bridged Mode you must only
use the L+ and R− terminals. The L− and R+ terminals will not be used. Follow the markings on
the rear panel located below the speaker terminals. You can connect two 8 ohm speakers (one to
the A and one to the B bridged output terminals) but be aware that the power will be split between
the two speakers. Two 8 ohm speakers is a 4 ohm load at 200 Watts. Each speaker will be getting
100 watts. It is not recommended to run 2 subwoofers in this configuration as subwoofers require
more power than a full range speaker.
Safety Caution Bridged Mode 4 Ohm Minimum Speaker A+B Impedance
If you plan to connect two speakers in the bridged mode, the speakers connected to the A and B
Bridged outputs must each be 8 ohms.
Do NOT connect two speakers in the bridged mode if the speakers connected to the A and B
Bridged outputs are each 4 ohms.
Sustained high power operation in Bridged Mode driving two speakers could overheat the
ZoneMaster 650 if it is installed in a confined space without adequate ventilation. As with any high
powered amplifier,
continuous overheating can damage the amplifier and could ultimately pose a
risk of fire.
