Harman Kardon BDS 800 Owners Manual - Page 7

BDS Subwoofer Controls and Connections Subwoofer Controls and Connections Phase Switch Bass-Boost Switch Power-On Mode Switch Subwoofer Level Control External Trigger Input Connector Line-Level In LFE Connector Line-Level In L/R Connector Power Switch Power Cord PL0004-01001 Phase Switch: This switch determines whether the subwoofer driver's piston-like action moves in and out in phase with the satellite speakers. If the subwoofer were to play out of phase with the satellite speakers, the sound waves produced by the subwoofer could be cancelled out, reducing bass performance and sonic impact. This phenomenon depends in part on the relative placement of all the speakers in the room. Although in most cases the Phase switch should be left in the "Normal" position, there is no absolutely correct setting for it. When the subwoofer is properly in phase with the satellite speakers, the sound will be clearer and have maximum impact. It will make percussive sounds like drums, piano and plucked strings sound more lifelike. The best way to set the Phase switch is to listen to music that you are familiar with and set the switch in the position that gives drums and other percussive sounds maximum impact. Bass-Boost Switch: Set this switch to "On" to enhance the subwoofer's lowfrequency performance. Set this switch to "Off" for normal low-frequency performance. Power-On Mode Switch: When this switch is set in the "Auto" position and when the Power switch is set to "On," the subwoofer will automatically turn itself on when it receives an audio signal. It will enter the Standby mode if it receives no audio signal for 20 minutes. When the Power-On Mode switch is set in the "On" position, the subwoofer will remain on whether or not it is receiving an audio signal. An LED on the subwoofer's top panel indicates whether the subwoofer is in the On or Standby mode: s7HENTHE,%$GLOWSBLUE THESUBWOOFERISTURNEDON s7HENTHE,%$ISNOTLITUP THESUBWOOFERISIN3TANDBYMODE When the Main Power Switch is set to Off, the LED will not light up, no matter what setting the Power-On Mode switch is in. Subwoofer Level Control: Use this control to adjust the subwoofer's volume. Turn clockwise to increase the volume; turn counterclockwise to decrease the volume. External Trigger Input Connector: NOTE: This connector is NOT used with the BDS receiver. If you connect the subwoofer to a different component that has a voltage trigger output connection, connect the External Trigger Input to the trigger output of the other compatible component. Whenever the subwoofer detects a trigger signal between 3V and 30V (AC or DC), the subwoofer's amplifier will turn on. The subwoofer's amplifier will turn off after the trigger signal ceases, even when the Power-On Mode switch is in the "Auto" position. Line-Level In LFE Connector: Use the supplied mono RCA audio cable (with the purple connectors) to connect the Line-Level In LFE connector to the BDS receiver's Subwoofer output. Line-Level In L/R Connectors: NOTE: These connectors are NOT used with the BDS receiver. If you connect the subwoofer to a different receiver that does not have a dedicated, low-pass-filtered subwoofer output, use these connectors. s If the receiver has a separate subwoofer output, use the supplied mono RCA audio cable to connect the receiver or preamp/processor's subwoofer output to either one of the subwoofer's Line-Level In L/R connectors. s If your receiver or preamp/processor does not have a separate subwoofer output, use two Y-adapters (not supplied). Connect one adapter's single end to the unit's preamp output for that channel. Connect one of this adapter's dual ends to the main amp input for that channel, and connect the adapter's other dual end to one of the subwoofer's Line-Level In L/R connectors. Repeat this process with the other Y-adapter, preamp channel, main amp input and subwoofer's Line-Level In L/R connector. Main Power Switch: Set this switch in the On position to turn the subwoofer on. The subwoofer will then either be on or in Standby mode, depending on the setting of the subwoofer's Power-On Mode switch. Power Cord: After you have made and verified all subwoofer and speaker connections described in this manual, plug the Power cord into an active, unswitched electrical outlet for proper operation of the subwoofer. DO NOT plug this cord into the accessory outlets found in some audio components. 7