Initial Listening Tests; Adjustments - BIC V815 Owner's Manual

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INITIAL
LISTENING TEST
It's now time to introduce the V815, V1020,
and V1220 amplifier's potent and plentiful
bass into your listening environment.
o 1. Double-check all connections.
o 2. Make sure that the volume controls
on both the V815/V1020/V1220 and your
receiver/integrated amp/preamp are turned
all the way down (fully counterclockwise).
Set the PHASE switch to normal. Set the
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY knob to 80 Hz.
Set the SUB IN switch to the type of receiver
you have.
o 3. Turn on your stereo system. THEN
turn on the V815/V1020/V1220. Confirm
that the V815/V1020/V1220's green POWER
indicator is glowing. If it isn't, check the
power connections between
V815/V1020/V1220 and the wall socket.
o 4. Play a musical selection that you are
familiar with. Pick a song that has regular
low bass beats. Advance the receiver/inte-
grated amp/preamp's volume control up to
a normal listening level. If you don't hear
sound through your main speakers, turn off
the system and check connections. Also
consult the troubleshooting tips on page 10.
o 5. If sound is indeed coming out of your
main speakers, turn the V815/V1020/V1220's
VOLUME control clockwise until you hear
noticeable additional bass. If you don't hear
bass by the time you have advanced the sub-
woofer's VOLUME control halfway, turn off
the system and check connections. Also
consult the troubleshooting tips on page
10.
o 6. Adjust the V815/V1020/V1220's VOL-
UME control until you are satisfied with the
amount of bass. You may want to try sever-
al different albums, tapes or compact discs
while determining how high to adjust the
V815/V1020/V1220's VOLUME. The amount
of bass varies from album to album and
between different types of music.
o 7. Now that you have adjusted the
quantity of bass via the volume, it's time
to work on the quality of the bass with the
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY control, PHASE
switch – and experimentation with
V815/V1020/V1220 room position.
• While playing music, move the subwoof-
er around, in and out of corners, closer
and farther from the wall, etc. as much as
the power cord and other connections will
allow.
• Change the PHASE switch back and forth
from 0º to 180º while someone sits in the
main listening position. Leave the switch in
the position where you like the bass most.
• Change the CROSSOVER FREQUENCY
control (for Dolby Pro-Logic receivers) to
higher and lower settings. If the
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY control is set too
high, you'll start to hear low midrange
(voices and instruments) through it. This
will negatively affect the stereo imaging of
your main speakers. Back the CROSSOVER
the
FREQUENCY setting off until you hear only
bass from the V815/V1020/V1220. If the
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY control is set too
low, you simply won't get much output
from the subwoofer. Move it back closer to
80Hz.
o 8. After you are satisfied with the output
of your V815/V1020/V1220, you can make
all your volume settings through your main
stereo system's volume control. The only
time you might want to re-adjust the
V815/V1020/V1220'sx VOLUME is when
you encounter a musical selection that has
abnormally low – or high – bass.
You can leave the V815/V1020/V1220
turned on and in AUTO mode when not in
use. It does not draw much power in this
state and will be ready to add low bass the
moment you begin to play music.
Remember, you don't have to do anything
except leave the POWER switch in the
AUTO position. The V815/V1020/V1220
will automatically go into STANDBY mode
after 10 to 20 minutes, when no music is
playing.
If you're not using your stereo system for
a long period of time (such as when you're
on vacation), turn the POWER switch to the
OFF position.
Caring for Your
V815/V1020/V1220
The V815/V1020/V1220 enclosure is
finished in a very high quality polymer
laminate covering that is both attractive
and excellent protection for the wood
cabinet. To remove fingerprints, splatters
of diet soda, peanut butter or other real-
world substances that mysteriously seem
to appear on stereo components, use a
damp, soft cloth on the laminate. You
may also use a high-quality furniture pol-
ish to maintain the original luster.
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