THOR SUBWOOFER
10
11
MODEL: 10.6
• Crossover frequency should be selected. We recommend 80Hz for the satellite speakers
to start with. Higher or lower crossover point may yield better results in your system
depending on your speaker setup
•
Note
: some receivers do not have an adjustable frequency, instead there is only a choice
of “small” or “large”. In this case, we recommend choosing “small”.
• Gain settings for each channel should be reasonably close (e.g. if the speakers are placed
at even distances, the gain setting for each channel should typically be within a couple dB
from channel to channel). If the receiver/processor gain trim setting for the subwoofer
channel is a large value (e.g. +12 or -12dB) you may need to increase the subwoofer’s gain
to achieve a better match
Low subwoofer gain/trim settings (on your receiver/processor) effect the operation of the
“AUTO ON/OFF” signal sensing circuit. If your receiver/processor gain is set to a low values
(e.g. attenuating the signal -6dB or more) this reduces the signal available to properly
“turn on” the subwoofer when using the “AUTO ON/OFF” feature. If your subwoofer turns
off unexpectedly when watching movies at low volumes, you may wish to increase the
receiver’s/processor’s subwoofer gain trim, and manually reduce the volume using the
subwoofer’s “VOLUME” control to maintain proper balance.
•
Polarity/phase
; This should be adjusted for smoothest frequency response near the
crossover point.
•
EQ settings
; if your receiver/processor allows you to see the eq settings for each channel,
verify that it is not adding any extra “limiter”, or “HPF” to the subwoofer channel, and
that it is not adding a high level of boost (e.g. >+3dB) or cut (e.g. -10db).
NOTE
: In some installations, automated room eq algorithms may make undesired
changes to the subwoofer signal settings trying to obtain what they believe is the best
room response curve. In some systems these changes have been known to degrade the
overall sound quality of the subwoofer. If using a receiver/processor with automated
room EQ- function, we advise you listen to the system first with the EQ disabled, then
again with the EQ enabled, to determine if the changes are beneficial.
RECEIVER/PRE-AMP WITHOUT AUTOMATED SETUP
Older receivers and/or music preamplifier’s may not provide an automated setup function.
With these systems, optimal calibration usually requires some type of test equipment be
utilized to provide test tones and take measurements to properly calibrate your system.
Some equipment you may use for this are:
• Test signal source; pink noise and/or sine wave of various frequencies (CD, DVD, your
receiver/preamp, or external measurement equipment)
• SPL meter or other frequency response measurement tool.
• Start with a quiet room free of excess background noise (e.g. people talking, kids playing,
dogs barking, etc.).
• Verify that subwoofer control settings match illustrations for your type of system
configuration
• Set any receiver/pre-amp speaker settings at an appropriate starting point (e.g.
crossover). We recommend 80Hz crossover as a good starting point.
• Start playing a test signal with energy in the subwoofer crossover region (e.g. full
bandwidth pink noise) through all speakers
• While observing an SPL meter (or listening to the mid-bass level), have an assistant adjust
the “PHASE” switch between 0° and 180° and observe any change in mid-bass level near
the crossover frequency. Set the control to the position with the greatest amount of bass.
• Play a test signal (e.g. pink noise) through only 1 speaker at a time. If using your receiver,
you may need to enter it’s setup mode to perform this function.
• Place an SPL meter in your typical listening position, approximately at ear height (use of
a tripod may be required), and set to “C” weighting and “Slow” response (if those settings
are available)
• Adjust volume to a modest level -typically 75-85dB (loud enough to clearly hear, but not
excessively loud)
• Adjust controls as necessary to play the same test tone through each speaker and
subwoofer/-s in the system, 1 speaker at a time.
• Adjust the individual channel gain/trim of your equipment to obtain the same SPL reading
from each speaker as you measured from the first speaker.
NOTE
: A home theater receiver may walk you through portions of this procedure. Follow
any instructions from your receiver’s owner’s manual as applicable to your system setup.
Once finished, listen to some familiar music and movie tracks. Minor adjustment of the
levels may be desired. Do not be afraid to experiment with adjustments and try different
EQ settings to find what may improve the sound in your system and room the best!
Volume, phase and crossover frequency (also placement of listening position and
placement of the sub) are depending on each other, so if one of this parameters is
change the other is also changed. i.e. if the crossover frequency is changed it also
influences the volume and phase, so they need to be compensated for this effect.
In a room there is never any absolute correct phase over all frequency range , so phase
need to be set for the arrange best result spread over the frequency range.
There are limitations on how well the bass management works in a receiver/processor.
The settings for the subwoofer/-s might need to be adjusted manually either on the
subwoofer/-s OR preferably in the receiver/processor. For some cases when having only
one “SUBWOOFER” output jack and multiple subwoofers and the subwoofers are not
placed symmetrically in the room (e.g. having an opening on one side of the room) you
might need to apply different settings for the “PHASE”, “VOLUME” and EQ setting on
the subwoofers. Do not be afraid to experiment with slight adjustments to find what may
improve the sound in your system and room the best!
