Placing The Subwoofer - Harman Kardon HKTS 220 SUB Owner's Manual

HKTS 220 SUB
Subwoofer Unit
Phase switch: This switch determines whether the subwoofer transducer'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 from the satellites could
cancel out some of the subwoofer's sound waves, reducing bass performance and sonic
impact. This phenomenon depends in part on the placement of all the speakers in the
room. In most cases, the Phase switch should be left in the "Normal" position. However,
it does no harm to experiment, and you can leave the Phase switch in the position that
maximizes bass response and impact.
Bass Boost switch: Set this switch to "On" to enhance the subwoofer's low-frequency
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 and will enter the standby mode after it has received no audio
signal for about 15 minutes. When this 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 state:
Power switch is set to "Off," the LED will not be illuminated, 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.
Input Mode switch: When this switch is in the "Normal" setting, the input signal from the
Line-Level L/R In connectors is active. When this switch is in the "LFE" setting, the input
signal from the Line-Level LFE In connector is active.
External Trigger Input connector: Use the mini plug of the supplied combination LFE
and trigger cable to connect the External Trigger Input connector to the trigger output
of another compatible component. Whenever the subwoofer detects a trigger signal
between 3V and 30V (AC or DC), its amplifier will turn on. The amplifier will turn off after
the trigger signal ceases, even when the Power On Mode switch is in the "Auto" position.
Line-Level LFE In connector: The signal from this connector bypasses the subwoofer's
internal low-pass crossover. When you're connecting the subwoofer to the dedicated
subwoofer output of a receiver/processor that has its own low-pass crossover network,
use the Line-Level LFE In connector. You must also set the subwoofer's Input Mode
switch in the "LFE" position.
Line-Level L/R In connectors: The signals from these connectors pass through the
subwoofer's internal low-pass crossover. When you're connecting the subwoofer to
the preamp or subwoofer outputs of a receiver/processor that does not have its own
low-pass crossover network, use both Line-Level L/R In connectors. You must also set
the Input Mode switch in the "Normal" position. If your receiver/processor has only one
subwoofer output, you can use either the L or R connector.
Wireless Code switch: This switch selects between four different channels for the
wireless subwoofer signal.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to set the subwoofer's Wireless Code switch to the same
channel that you set the transmitter module's Wireless Code switch. See Wireless
Code Switches, on page 6, for more information.
Power switch: Set this switch in the "On" position to turn the subwoofer on. The
subwoofer will then be either on or in the standby mode, depending on the setting of the
Power On Mode switch.
Power Cord (non-detachable): After you have made and verified all the connections
described in this manual, plug this 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.
Subwoofer Rear-Panel Controls
and Placing the Subwoofer
Transmitter Unit
Power connector: Plug the transmitter power supply into this connector and into a
working AC outlet.
Wireless Code switch: This switch selects between four different channels for the
wireless signal.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to set the transmitter unit's Wireless Code switch to the same
channel that you set the subwoofer's Wireless Code switch. See Wireless Code
Settings, on page 6, for more information.
Input connectors: Connect the supplied LFE cable from your receiver's or processor's
subwoofer output to either of the transmitter unit's Input connectors.

Placing the Subwoofer

The performance of a subwoofer is directly related to its placement in the listening room
and its physical position relative to the other speakers in the system.
While it is true that in general our ears do not hear directional sounds at the low
frequencies where subwoofers operate, when installing a subwoofer within the limited
confines of a room, the reflections, standing waves and absorptions generated within the
room will strongly influence the performance of any subwoofer system. As a result, the
specific location of the subwoofer in the room does become important to the amount and
quality of bass that is produced.
For example, placing the subwoofer next to a wall generally will increase the amount of
bass in the room; placing it in a corner (1) generally will maximize amount of bass in the
room. However, corner placement can also increase the destructive effect of standing
waves on bass performance. This effect can vary depending on the listening position –
some listening positions may yield very good results while others may have far too much
(or too little) bass at certain frequencies.
In many rooms, placing the subwoofer along the same plane as the left and right
speakers (2) can produce the best integration between the sound of the subwoofer and
that of the left and right speakers. In some rooms, the best performance could even result
from placing the subwoofer behind the listening position (3).
We strongly recommend that you experiment with placement before choosing a final
location for your subwoofer. One way you can determine the best location for the
subwoofer is by temporarily placing it in the listening position and playing music with
strong bass content. Move around to various locations in the room while the system is
playing (putting your ears where the subwoofer would be placed), and listen until you find
the location where the bass performance is best. Place the subwoofer in that location.
1.
TV
Front Left Center
Speaker Speaker
Surround Left
Speaker
3.
2.
Front Right
Speaker
Surround Right
Speaker
3