JL Audio Fathom IWS-SYS-2 Owner's Manual page 18

Input Mode Switches:
Two switches are located on the rear panel to control unbalanced signal
grounding and master/slave operation.
"Grounded / Isolated" Switch
The "Grounded / Isolated" Input Mode switch affects only the unbalanced
RCA inputs and is designed to facilitate a quiet, hum-free connection to your
audio or home theater system. This feature is included to deal with the signal
grounding issues often encountered in home theater systems when several
components from different manufacturers are interconnected.
The Fathom IWS ships with this switch in the "Isolated" mode. If, with all
system components connected and turned on (but no source material playing), you
hear a continuous low-frequency hum through your Fathom IWS, flip this switch
to the "Grounded" position and evaluate the difference in the noise level. Use
whichever switch position provides the least hum or noise.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE
THAT CHANGING ANY COMPONENT IN THE OPTIMIZED SYSTEM (RECEIVER,
AMPLIFIER, DVD PLAYER, CABLE OR SATELLITE BOX, ETC.) COULD ALTER THE
SIGNAL GROUNDING SCHEME AND CAUSE HUM TO APPEAR IN YOUR PREVIOUSLY
QUIET SYSTEM. IF YOU ADD OR CHANGE AN UPSTREAM COMPONENT IN YOUR
HOME THEATER SYSTEM, YOU MAY NEED TO REVISIT THIS INPUT MODE SETTING
ON THE Fathom IWS SUBWOOFER FOR OPTIMUM NOISE PERFORMANCE. CABLE
& SATELLITE BOXES ARE PARTICULARLY TROUBLESOME IN THIS WAY.
Master / Slave Switch
The Fathom IWSs are designed to easily accommodate the implementation
of multiple subwoofers in your home theater system through a Master/Slave
connection chain. This method allows you to utilize the signal processing
features of one Fathom IWS to centrally control multiple Fathom IWSs in the
room. Master/Slave functionality also makes it possible for the A.R.O. system to
optimize the response of a multiple subwoofer installation.
The Fathom IWS ships with this switch in the "Master" position. If you are
using a single Fathom IWS you will use the "Master" position and you need not
concern yourself with this section any further.
If your installation incorporates two or more Fathom IWS amplifiers, you will
designate one Fathom IWS as the "Master" and all others in the system as "Slave"
via the "Master/Slave" switch on the rear amplifier panel of each Fathom IWS.
LED's on the front panel of the Fathom IWS are provided to indicate whether the
"Master" or "Slave" mode is selected for a given subwoofer.
From the Fathom IWS operating in "Master" mode, the "Output to Slave"
signal carries any signal processing selected on the Master Fathom IWS
(including the Master Level setting and A.R.O. processing) to further Fathom
IWSs operating in "Slave" mode. "Slave" subwoofer signal processing and level
controls will be inoperable. In this mode, the user does not have to worry about
level, crossover, and other settings for the slave subwoofers.
Technical Notes:
• Selecting the "Slave" position defeats all user-definable signal processing and
the master level control. Because of this, there are some special situations
in which you may want to operate a single Fathom IWS in "Slave" mode. If
you are utilizing outboard signal processing and level-matching controls,
activating the "Slave" mode will prevent anyone from affecting system
parameters with the manual controls on the Fathom IWS.
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IMPORTANT
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