SubSonic 5
i
The SubSonic 5
i
has more power and a larger bass unit than the SubZero
i
. It
also has a very different Class H design for its power amplification. Class H is a
special high efficiency amplifier design. Briefly, audio amplifiers are inherently
inefficient because they are designed to have the capability of delivering great
output power yet spend most of their life delivering fairly low power. Their out-
put devices must deliver current while withstanding the high power supply “rail”
voltages needed for peak outputs. With a Class H design the rail voltages are
not
constant. They swing high when the music demands it and stay low during quiet
passages. This is achieved by a sophisticated high frequency switching power
supply. Power dissipated as heat is greatly reduced and more power is available
per dollar of cost. A second benefit is that they tend to have high peak power
relative to their steady state power. The SubSonic 5
i
, for example, has 150 watts
continuous but is capable of 450 watt peaks. The result is a subwoofer capable
of the great transients required by dynamic music and explosive sound effects.
SubSonic 6
i
The SubSonic 6
i
has a design much like the 5
i
but with larger drive units and
greater power for even more awesome output. In the words of our engineering
staff it “Cranks pretty good.”
Additional features of the 6
i
are its high and low level passive and active filtering
circuits that allow greater flexibility in installation.
Whichever PSB subwoofer you have chosen, we hope that you appreciate the
attention to detail that has gone into its design and, of course, that you enjoy
using it. Please take the time to read the following sections about the placement
of your subwoofer, and its connections and adjustments.
We suggest you save the original carton and packing materials, at least for an ini-
tial period. Should you ever need to ship or store your PSB subwoofer, it is the
best packaging in which to do so.
III.
QUICKSTART
If you cannot wait to hear your new PSB subwoofer: Turn off all other compo-
nents, and follow one of the connection diagrams. Connect the supplied power
cord to the AC power socket. Set the PSB subwoofer volume control to its min-
imum 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 sub-
woofer’s Sub Cut-Off Frequency control to its midpoint, and the phase switch to
0°. Flip the Power Switch to the on position. Play a bass-rich program source,
and slowly bring up the Sub Volume control (clockwise) until the subwoofer
contributes a natural level of low frequency sound. Now please read the rest of
this guide and fine-tune your installation accordingly—it will be time well spent!
5
