Harman Kardon HKSUB 12 Owners Manual - Page 17

OPERATING THE HKSUB 12 SUBWOOFER Power Press the Master Power Switch ⁄ (marked Power) at the "•" (On) marking. The HKSUB 12 subwoofer will automatically turn on or go into Standby mode, depending on whether or not a signal is being sent to it by your receiver or surround processor, and provided that the Music-Sense On/Off Switch § is moved to the left so that it is in the AUTO position. When your receiver or amplifier is off, or is not sending program material to the subwoofer, the subwoofer will be in Standby mode and the LED Indicator ¶ on the amp panel will turn red. When the subwoofer senses an audio signal, it will automatically turn on and the LED Indicator ¶ will turn green. If the subwoofer does not sense a signal after approximately fifteen minutes, it will automatically go into Standby mode. When the Music-Sense On/Off Switch § is switched to the ON position, the subwoofer will remain on, whether or not program material is playing. When you are away from home for an extended period of time, switch the Master Power Switch ⁄ to the OFF position to prevent accidental activation of the HKSUB 12. Subwoofer Level MIN MAX The Subwoofer Level Control , adjusts the volume of the subwoofer relative to the rest of the system. Proper level adjustment depends on several variables such as room size, subwoofer placement, type of main speakers and listener position. Adjust the subwoofer level so that the volume of the bass information is pleasing to you. frequencies that the subwoofer reproduces best. This allows the subwoofer to perform more efficiently and with superior bass reproduction, minimizing distortion that might occur if the subwoofer attempted to reproduce higher frequencies. This switch should be left in the ON position, except: 1. When the SUB Input ¢ is being used, in which case it has no effect, or 2. When the Speaker-Level Inputs ¡ or the Line-Level Full-Range Inputs £ are being used with a crossover or filter aboard the receiver or processor. In these two circumstances, place the switch in the OFF position. If your receiver or processor allows you to select the crossover frequency for the main speakers, choose the setting just above the lowest frequency the main speakers are capable of reproducing. This will send the low-frequency portion of the signal to your HKSUB 12, which is best able to reproduce these frequencies with greatest efficiency and minimal distortion. In this case, you may use the SUB Input ¢ connection, or if that is not compatible with your receiver or processor, place the High-Cut (Low-Pass) Filter Switch • in the OFF position in order to avoid filtering the signal twice, which may lead to signal loss and distortion. In most situations, the Phase Switch ∞ should be left in the NORMAL position. If you suspect that the subwoofer is playing out of phase with the other speakers, which would tend to diminish bass response, try placing this switch in the REVERSE position. There is no harm in experimenting, and you may return the switch to the NORMAL position at any time. If you rearrange your room and reposition the speakers, it would be a good idea to check whether they are in phase by flipping this switch. Additional Bass Adjustments In addition to the volume adjustments described above, the HKSUB 12 subwoofer includes a Crossover Frequency Control ª, a Filter Switch • and a Phase Switch ∞ that can be used to adjust the bass response to suit your listening environment or taste. The Crossover Frequency Control ª determines the highest frequency at which the subwoofer reproduces sounds when the Speaker-Level Inputs ¡ or Line-Level Full-Range Inputs £ are used. Consult the specifications for your main speakers on page 19 to determine the lowest frequency they are capable of reproducing, and set this control slightly above that frequency. For example, if the specified frequency response for your HKB 4 main speakers is 80Hz - 20kHz, then set the Crossover Frequency Control ª slightly to the left of the 100Hz marking on the HKSUB 12's amplifier panel. The Crossover Frequency Control ª has no effect when the SUB Input ¢ is in use, or when the High-Cut (Low-Pass) Filter Switch • is in the OFF position. The High-Cut (Low-Pass) Filter Switch • limits the frequencies of the audio signal inputted to the subwoofer to the low Volume Volume may be adjusted using the Subwoofer Level Control ,, as shown. Turn the control knob clockwise to increase the volume of the subwoofer, and counterclockwise to decrease the subwoofer's volume. Subwoofer Level MIN MAX OPERATING THE HKSUB 12 SUBWOOFER 17