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S E T U P (continued)
MODEL 500 Controls
The MODEL 500 subwoofer amplifier has four variable controls to integrate its output to the subwoofer and
for tailoring the subwoofer's output to the room and to the primary speakers (also known as satellites).
These controls are Level, Crossover Frequency, Phase, and Subsonic Filter. The control with the most audible
effect is the Level control, followed by the Crossover Frequency, Phase, and then Subsonic Filter, which has
the least audible effect.
The following legend shows graphically how each control affects the audio signal.
SPL
(dB)
Frequency (Hz)
Level
A
Fine Tuning the Controls
We recommend the following method as a starting point for fine tuning the MODEL 500 subwoofer amplifier.
Level and Frequency
A
B
Begin with the amplifier's Level control all the way down and the Frequency adjustment set to 120Hz.
With the Frequency control in this position the woofer will output higher frequencies that will likely be
duplicated by the satellite speakers. "Satellite speakers" is a term used to describe the primary listening
speakers that cover the frequency range above the subwoofer's.
Play some familiar music through the system (music with robust bass content) and increase the Level
control until the bass passages sound robust or exaggerated. Then reduce the Frequency control to
blend the subwoofer with your main system speakers. We have found that most speakers with 6" to 8"
woofers blend well with the crossover set somewhere between 50Hz and 80Hz.
Readjust the Level and the Frequency controls (up or down) as necessary until the bass sounds full,
extended, and natural. Use multiple musical pieces to test the system while fine tuning the controls.
If it sounds like your subwoofer is always producing the same bass note with different recordings it is
possible that the bass level is adjusted too high.
Phase
C
The effect of the Phase control is less noticeable than the Level or Frequency controls. If you have
difficulty hearing the changes while making this adjustment it can be helpful to temporarily adjust the
Frequency control up to 120Hz. Return the Frequency control back to its desired position after you get
a feel for its effect. Also, be patient and take time to get used to the way your system sounds. It will
become easier to hear the effects of the Phase control as you become more familiar with the sound of
your system through many hours of listening.
When adjusting the Phase use various pieces of music with significant bass content. Rotate the Phase
control back and forth across its range and listen for the localization of the bass to change and for the
bass level to increase and decrease slightly. Rotate the control to the position that gives you the best
overall response. Ideally, this is the setting where the bass sounds the most defined and most coherent.
It may be helpful to have someone else adjust the control while you are at the optimum listening
position. If the effect is not immediately apparent have them make abrupt 90 or 180 degree changes.
MODEL 500 AMPLIFIER
SPL
(dB)
Frequency (Hz)
Frequency
B
O W N E R ' S M A N U A L
SPL
(dB)
Frequency (Hz)
Phase
C
SPL
(dB)
20
35
Phase (Degrees)
Subsonic Filter
D
Note: SPL is "Sound Pressure Level" (Volume)
SPL
(dB)
Frequency (Hz)
9
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