Niles SWA-500M Installation Manual

Niles SWA-500M Installation Manual

Subwoofer amplifier
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I N S T A L L A T I O N G U I D E
FOR U SE W I T H NI L E S PAS S I V E S U BWOOF E RS
S U B W O O F E R A M P L I F I E R
SWA - 500M

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Summary of Contents for Niles SWA-500M

  • Page 1 I N S T A L L A T I O N G U I D E FOR U SE W I T H NI L E S PAS S I V E S U BWOOF E RS S U B W O O F E R A M P L I F I E R SWA - 500M...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you for purchasing the Niles SWA-500M. The SWA-500M is a Class D mono amplifier designed to power up to two passive (non-powered) subwoofers. Like all Niles products, the SWA-500M is built to the highest standards of quality and reliability, and with proper installation and operation, you’ll enjoy years of trouble-free use.
  • Page 3: Introduction

    Bass or low frequency effect (LFE) is a critical part of a well designed audio/video system. The Niles SWA-500M is a highly efficient Class D amplifier designed specifically for up to two passive (non-powered) subwoofers. When combined with high quality subwoofers, the SWA-500M will provide excellent bass reinforcement for home theater and home audio applications.
  • Page 4: Important Safety Instructions

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle CAUTION is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, The exclamation point within an equivalent triangle is intended to alert...
  • Page 5: Features And Benefits

    PERSONAL BASS CONTROL The SWA-500M’s controls are located in the front and enable you to set the desired bass level according to your personal taste for music and movies. A bass boost selector located on the back enables you to select a frequency to enhance the sound of the connected subwoofer(s).
  • Page 6: Cleaning

    Make sure that there is a minimum of 3-1/2" of free air space above the amplifier for proper ventilation. Allow a minimum of 3-1/2" of depth behind unit to accommodate cables and connectors.
  • Page 7 2. Place the SWA-500M in desired location within rack. Support the weight of the amplifier from the bottom and carefully install the left and right lower rack ear screws first.
  • Page 8: Connecting The Swa-500M

    SYSTEM, INCLUDING LOUDSPEAKERS. CONNECTION TO AUDIO/VIDEO SOURCES The SWA-500M connects to audio/video sources via RCA audio cables (also called line level). These inputs accept audio signals from a receiver or surround sound processor. For line-level connections, only use high-quality RCA cables that feature low impedance, double shielding and gold-plated connectors.
  • Page 9: Controls And Connectors

    CONTROLS AND CONNECTORS The SWA-500M’s easy operation controls are located on the unit’s front panel, as shown in Figure 6. The controls function as follows: Figure 6. Front Panel control on the SWA-500M 1.
  • Page 10: Signal Connectors And Power Controls

    Figure 7. Back Panel Control on the SWA-500M 1. 12V POWER TRIGGER: The SWA-500M can be turned on or off using the power switch on the back panel or it can turn on or off automatically via the 12V Power Trigger. For external power triggering, use a mini (3.5 mm) plug to connect the IN jack to a power...
  • Page 11 IN jack to a movie trigger signal from a home theater surround processor or receiver. The 3 to 30 Volts (AC or DC) signal will set the SWA-500M to movie mode, while a 0 Volts (AC or DC) signal will keep it in the music mode. Again, tip is positive.
  • Page 12 8. Loudspeaker IN Binding Posts: As an alternative to the AUDIO IN jacks, use the loudspeaker-level, gold-plated, five-way binding posts to connect loudspeaker-level, stereo audio signals from a home theater receiver or whole-home audio system. Use this connection only if your home theater receiver does not have a subwoofer, LFE or pre-amp output.
  • Page 13: Applications

    APPLICATIONS The SWA-500M subwoofer amplifier is very flexible and can be configured for use in various applications with associated external audio components, as shown in Figures 8 through 11. For other SWA-500M applications, consult your local Niles dealer for help in configuring your home theater system.
  • Page 14 SWA-500M AND LINE-LEVEL CONNECTION Set LOW PASS to closely Adjust PHASE to Set switch to ON and adjust FREQUENCY Position SET UP switch match HIGH PASS integrate subwoofer to match low frequency cutoff of your to the mode you wish to...
  • Page 15 SWA-500M AND LOUDSPEAKER LEVEL CONNECTION TO SATELLITE LOUDSPEAKERS Set LOW PASS to Adjust PHASE to Controls not used Position SET UP switch about 100Hz integrate subwoofer to the mode you wish to sound with system adjust MUSIC OR MOVIE and adjust level controls...
  • Page 16 SWA-500M AND SATELLITE LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM WITH EXTERNAL POWER AND MODE TRIGGERS Optional Trigger Output Home Theater Receiver SWA-500M Back Second SWA-500M (Optional) Figure 11. Trigger connection...
  • Page 17: Calibrating The Swa-500M

    (or surround processor) manufacturer’s instructions. CALIBRATING THE SWA-500M After installing the amplifier and making all the connections, set up the SWA-500M by performing the following steps. Performing these steps will maximize the SWA-500M’s performance (see CONTROLS AND CONNECTORS page 7 for information on control operation).
  • Page 18 3. While playing a favorite music track, adjust your system’s volume control to a comfortable level and listen to the bass level at your favorite listening position (e.g., couch). Next, move the LEVEL SETUP switch to MOVIE and play a favorite movie chapter, preferably a movie with a good amount of low frequency information.
  • Page 19: Checking Phase On The Satellite Loudspeakers

    3. Listen to the richness of the bass and the loudness of the sound 4. Turn off the amplifier and reverse the connections on one (Left or Right) of the SWA-500M Loudspeaker OUT binding post pairs 5. Repeat the listening test with the same volume control setting. When the sound has a richer bass and is slightly louder, the satellite loudspeakers are working together or “in-phase”...
  • Page 20: Troubleshooting Guide

    TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE If you experience a problem operating the SWA-500M, consult this guide first. The most common problems relate to hook up or improper control settings. Try to isolate the problem and check the control settings to determine the fault and make the necessary changes. If the problem persists, or you have additional questions, contact your local Niles dealer or Niles Technical Support at 1-800-289-4434, 305-238-4373 or techsupport@nilesaudio.com.
  • Page 21: Specifications

    12 dB per octave selectable switch 12dB/Octave Auto Turn on sensitivity 3.0mV 50 Hz input • 3dB @ 60Hz – Knob full counter clockwise Input Sensitivity Rated Power • 3dB @160Hz – Knob full clockwise 250 mV of input NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI...
  • Page 22: Limited Warranty

    ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY ACCIDENT, MISHANDLING, IMPROPER INSTALLATION, ABUSE, NEGLIGENCE, OR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, OR ANY DEFECT CAUSED BY REPAIR TO THE PRODUCT BY ANYONE OTHER THAN NILES OR AN AUTHORIZED NILES DEALER.
  • Page 23: Warranty Registration Card

    $99,999-$200,000 about Niles? ❍ Which factor(s) influenced Over $200,000 Architect/Developer ❍ ❍ Are there products/ the purchase of your Niles Custom Installer ❍ capabilities that you would product? (Please check Occupation: Direct Mail ❍ like to see introduced? all that apply)
  • Page 24 ® L E N D I N G I G H I D E L I T Y R C H I T E C T U R E N i l e s A u d i o C o r p o r a t i o n 1 2 3 3 1 S .

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