Paradigm X-850 - Manuel (Page 11)

FINE TUNING
When fine tuning your subwoofer to best integrate with the rest of your
system use music and video soundtracks that you know well. They should
contain selections with extended bass that is continuous and repetitive.
Assess subwoofer bass output for best blend with your main speakers. It
should not be overbearing or draw attention to itself, nor should it be thin
and difficult to hear. It should add “weight” and “punch” to the overall sound
and keep pace with your main speakers.
If you are using a receiver, preamplifier or preamp/processor with tone controls,
set them to flat (i.e. “0”) and switch loudness controls off.
Some subwoofer locations may result in bass frequency cancellations. If bass
sounds dislocated or weak, adjust the phase according to the Phase Alignment
Control instructions that follow.
Setting Subwoofer Controls
For convenience, the Subwoofer Controls are located on the front panel of the
amplifier. You will require a standard slothead screwdriver
(not included) to
adjust these controls:
1. Turn the Subwoofer Level control completely counter-clockwise to
its minimum;
2. Turn the Subwoofer Cut-off Frequency control to its highest frequency
(i.e.150 Hz);
3. Turn the Phase Alignment control to 0° (completely counter-clockwise);
4. Listen to a bass music or video selection while seated in your primary
listening area and have an assistant turn up the Subwoofer Level control
until the subwoofer can be clearly heard;
5. Have an assistant slowly rotate the Phase Alignment control until you
hear the most bass. Your subwoofer and front speakers are now in phase.
Do not change phase alignment again unless you move the subwoofer or
front speakers to a different location in your room, or move or remove any
large items of furniture or room furnishings (i.e. carpet, draperies, etc.);
6. Turn the Subwoofer Level control completely counter-clockwise to
its minimum;
7. Turn the Subwoofer Cut-off Frequency control to its lowest frequency
(i.e. 50 Hz);
8. Slowly rotate the Subwoofer Level control until you match the subwoofer’s
volume with the volume of your front speakers. Bass should be clearly
audible, but not intrusive;
OPTIONAL BYPASS FEATURE: If you are using an A/V receiver or
processor to control crossover setting, skip the next step and simply set
the subwoofer cut-off frequency control to “Bypass”.
9. Slowly rotate the Subwoofer Cut-off Frequency control until you hear the
best subwoofer/front speaker blend. If the sound is too thin you have not
set the frequency high enough; if the sound becomes boomy you have set
the frequency too high. Adjust until you find the most natural bass balance.
10. Attach glass faceplate to front panel.
11
SUBWOOFER CONNECTION
(continued)
Control Facilities
This Owners Manual applies to more than one X-Series amplifier. Examine
your amplifier’s front and rear panels and place a check mark in the box
beside each facility listed below that applies to your model. Before you begin
to fine tune your system, read through the control descriptions and become
familiar with them.
❑ Auto-On/Off
Eliminates need for a manually operated power switch. Turns the subwoofer
on when there is an input signal. If no input signal is sensed after a period
of 20 minutes the subwoofer will turn off automatically.
❑ Trigger-In
Allows power on/off to be controlled remotely by components that have
trigger outputs.
❑ Subwoofer Level
Balances the subwoofer’s output level with the other speakers in your
system. Once set, to make on-the-fly changes for particular program
material or personal taste, use your Processor’s or A/V Receiver’s subwoofer
level control.
❑ Subwoofer Cut-Off with Bypass Option
Controls the subwoofer’s upper-frequency cut-off. This can be set to match
the low-frequency roll-off characteristics of your system’s speakers. For
example: If your speakers play to approximately 80 Hz, you can set the
subwoofer cut-off frequency to approximately 80 Hz. If you are using
an external subwoofer cut-off control, set this control to "Bypass".
Bypass option allows you to bypass the subwoofer’s built-in cut-off control
to let your preamp/processor’s or receiver’s internal bass management
system provide the crossover function.
❑ Phase Alignment
Depending on where the subwoofer is placed in your room, there may be
bass frequency cancellation. This can occur because your subwoofer and
front speakers are out-of-phase—they work against each other through
their frequency overlap region. Bass is then reduced and may even sound
disjointed. This control accurately synchronizes your subwoofer and front
speakers through their bass frequency overlap region.