Genelec 5051A Operating Manual page 3

CONNECTOR
FOR OPTIONAL
WIRED SYSTEM
VOLUME CONTROL
Figure 2. Connectors and controls of the 5051A.
nect the subwoofer to the main loudspeak-
ers with RCA or XLR cables from the cor-
responding output (OUT) connectors on the
subwoofer to the signal inputs of the main
loudspeakers.
You can also connect an unbalanced
source to the RCA L and R inputs and use
the parallel LEFT and RIGHT XLR output
connectors as outputs. This provides bal-
anced signal from the subwoofer onwards,
and facilitates easy connection to main
loudspeakers with XLR inputs, such as the
8020B or 8030A.
Connecting a
surround system
The 5051A has an integrated crossover
network for the five main channels which
directs the frequencies below 85 Hz to the
subwoofer and higher frequencies through
the output connectors to the main loud-
speakers. When using a surround sound
processor, select a loudspeaker setting
"Large" for the channels routed through the
subwoofer.
Connect the five main channel signal RCA
cables from the signal source to the RCA
input connectors L, R, C, LS and RS.
The LFE channel of the preamplifier or
processor can be connected to the LFE IN/
LINK IN connector. The LFE channel on the
5051A can reproduce signals up to 120 Hz.
Next connect the main loudspeakers
INPUT CONNECTORS
IN
SYSTEM
LEFT
RIGHT
VOLUME
CONTROL
OUT
LEFT RIGHT
OUTPUT CONNECTORS
to the corresponding L, R, C, LS and RS
signal outputs on the subwoofer with RCA
cables.
Once all connections have been made, the
subwoofer and main loudspeakers are ready
to be powered up.
Positioning in the room
The placement of the subwoofer in the room
affects the overall frequency response and
sound level of the system dramatically, as at
low frequencies the effects of the room are
strong. Even a slight change in the location of
the subwoofer can cause a marked difference
in the frequency balance and often patient
and methodical experimentation and testing
is needed to find the optimum placement.
The placement will also affect the bass
roll-off rate and the phase difference between
the main loudspeakers and the subwoofer.
These effects can be compensated using the
controls in the subwoofer but we recommend
that at first you leave the switches untouched
and concentrate on finding the position where
the subwoofer gives the smoothest response,
and only then use the controls to fine-tune
the balance and phase alignment between
the subwoofer and the main loudspeakers.
Start by placing the subwoofer close to the
center of the front wall. We recommend a dis-
tance of less than 60 cm / 24" to the wall. This
position gives increased acoustic loading and
MAINS INPUT
L LS C
R LFE/LINK IN
RS
SUBWOOFER
LINK IN LEVEL
LEVEL - 10 dB
MAX
LS ON
L C
-180°
-4 dB -90°
-2 dB -270°
BASS PHASE
ROLL-OFF
R RS LINK OUT
CONTROL SWITCHES
-LINK IN
-LEVEL-10 dB
-BASS ROLL-OFF
-PHASE
POWER SWITCH
ON
MAINS INPUT
50 / 60 Hz
120 W 230 V~
POWER
MIN
SUBWOOFER LEVEL
ADJUSTMENT
SPL due to the proximity of the front wall and
floor. Ideally the subwoofer and main loud-
speakers should be positioned symmetrically
and at an equal distance from the listening
position.
If the frequency balance is not quite right,
try moving the subwoofer to the left or right
along the wall so that different room modes
are excited at different levels. Positioning
the subwoofer close to a corner will boost
the bass level at lower frequencies and may
cause asymmetrical spatial imaging.
Although the 5051A is magnetically
shielded, it may cause colour distortion if
placed near to very sensitive CRT monitors
or computer displays.
Using the 5051A with Genelec
6010A, 8020A/B and 8030A
When using the 5051A with Genelec 6010A
there will be a 10 dB difference in sensitiv-
ity between the subwoofer and main loud-
speakers, which needs to be compensated
by setting the LEVEL -10 dB switch on the
subwoofer's connector panel to "ON".
The factory default setting for this switch
is "OFF", which is the correct setting to be
used with Genelec 8020A/B or 8030A active
loudspeakers.
If your system has both 6010A's and
8020A/B's or 8030A's, the LEVEL -10 dB
switch on the subwoofer should be set to
"ON" and the playback level on the 8020A/B's