Instruction Manual Model T70.1 PBM High Performance Powered Subwoofer Atlantic Technology® I NNOVATIVE H OME T HEATER 343 Vanderbilt Avenue Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 762-6300 www.atlantictechnology.com Model T70.1 PBM MODEL T70.1 PBM High Performance Powered Subwoofer Congratulations on your purchase of an Atlantic Technology T70.1 PBM powered subwoofer. With proper care, your new subwoofer will provide many years of trouble-free performance. The T70.1 PBM is capable of delivering very high output levels and wide dynamic range. When properly placed it will provide smooth inroom bass response down to approximately 25Hz, with a peak SPL of 103dB (1500 cubic foot space). The built-in proprietary high-current amplifier is conservatively rated at 125 watts RMS. This amplifier, coupled with a massive 10" longthrow treated cellulose pulp woofer in a sealed enclosure, generates musically accurate deep bass with a minimum of distortion. Your Atlantic Technology powered subwoofer will smoothly integrate with virtually all other brands of loudspeakers on the market as all its internal electronics have been designed to maintain optimum signal integrity. From the premium quality amplifier to the clearly marked controls, this is one of the most versatile high performance subwoofers you can buy. An added benefit is its relatively compact size and straight forward design. Features Your Atlantic Technology powered subwoofer has been engineered using the latest technology and finest components available. It features: q A long-throw 10" driver with vented motor structure and 2" high temperature, 4-layer voice coil This powerful driver has a very stiff treated cellulose pulp cone that acts as an almost perfect piston throughout its operating range. Its massive magnetic motor assembly and high temperature component parts deliver high performance and exceptional reliability. A sealed enclosure for low distortion and deep bass output Sealed enclosure designs are inherently low in distortion and naturally deliver deep, smooth bass response with a gradual and predictable roll-off below resonance. As with all Atlantic Technology subwoofers, we have paid inordinate attention to giving you accurate musical bass reproduction along with terrific special effects. A linear power high current Class A/B amplifier conservatively rated at 125 watts RMS The T70.1 PBM's custom-designed discrete amplifier has been precision matched and equalized to its 10" driver. It exerts accurate and powerful control over the driver for the best performance possible. A useful in room working frequency range of 25Hz to 150Hz A continuously adjustable 24dB/octave crossover with a range of 60 Hz to 150Hz This sophisticated crossover's steep upper end roll-off slope of 24 dB per octave allows for exceptional integration with most any brand or type of satellite speaker on the market. In particular, the 24dB/octave design makes the T70.1 PBM ideal for use with compact, bass restricted satellite speakers. q q q q 2 Atlantic Technology® Important Note: If you are using a surround receiver/processor that includes its own filtered subwoofer output we recommend that you set the crossover switch on the T70.1 PBM to Bypass. q Two line inputs, two line outputs The outputs allow daisy chaining of multiple subwoofers, or can act as a return path back to the processor. Two high level inputs, two high level outputs These let you connect the subwoofer to your amplifier using the amplifier's speaker outputs. The speaker outputs may be connected to the left and right front satellite speakers. q Figure 1: Typical amplifier panel and controls for Model T70.1 PBM. Your amplifier may differ from this illustration. 3 Model T70.1 PBM q A Phase Invert switch (Normal/Invert) This switch allows precise acoustic matching with speaker systems whose output may be phase reversed. This switch also allows you to compensate for unusual room acoustics that occur when a woofer is physically separated from the midrange/high frequency units. Be sure to try the Phase switch in both positions when you set up the T70.1 PBM. Even if you just change the built-in crossover settings it's a good idea to try the Phase switch in both positions, since the crossover control and the Phase switch acoustically interact with each other. A rear panel mounted level control Automatic standby operation Automatic standby features automatic signal sensing turn on and a 7-12 minute turn-off delay. Designed and built to meet all CSA and CE safety requirements q q q Connecting Your Subwoofer The Atlantic Technology System T70.1 PBM Powered Subwoofer is simple to hook up, offering several connection methods for maximum flexibility. Study the system diagrams starting on the next page. Once you have found the example which most closely matches your system, hook up your subwoofer(s) as shown in that diagram. Low-Level Connection If you have purchased the entire System T70, we suggest using the low-level (RCA jack) subwoofer line out or preamp output if your receiver/processor has one. Simply connect your subwoofer with high quality shielded cables as shown in the diagrams. Use the diagram that best suits your connection requirements. Using the Low-level Output If desired, you can run a line level signal through the T70.1 PBM and out to another unit. This way you can add an additional subwoofer with minimal additional wiring. The signal that comes out of the Output jacks is identical to the input signal. High-Level Connection Alternately, you may use the high-level (speaker) inputs. We recommend that you connect your new T70.1 PBM Powered Subwoofer(s) using high quality wire of 16 gauge or larger. There are many respected manufacturers in the audio industry that specialize in speaker wire and interconnect cables suitable for your new system. Please consult your audio/video dealer for more specific information. High-level Output If desired, you can run a high level signal into the T70.1 PBM and directly out to the left and right front speakers. This method is primarily intended for systems without a built-in crossover or a dedicated subwoofer output. The signal that comes from the High-level Output jacks is identical to the input signal. Warning: To prevent risk of electrical shock or damage to your equipment, always unplug all component AC cords before proceeding with speaker and component connections! The last step in wiring your system should be plugging in the AC cords! 4 Atlantic Technology® Example 1: Subwoofer Line Out/ Low Level In When using this connection method, please see the Important Note on page 3. Receiver/Amplifier/Processor Single Subwoofer Optional Second Subwoofer Example 2: Preamp Line Out/Low Level In for 1 Subwoofer This arrangement is for owners of stereo receivers/ amplifiers with Preamp outputs. If your receiver/ amplifier uses jumper links between the Pre-out and Main In, then you must remove them and use option 1 or 2. If your receiver/ amplifier uses a switch instead of jumpers, then use option 3. Receiver/Amplifier/Processor Single Subwoofer Option 1 LEFT RIGHT MAIN IN PRE OUT Y-adapters Option 2 LEFT RIGHT MAIN IN PRE OUT Option 3 INTERNAL EXTERNAL PRE AMP LEFT RIGHT MAIN IN PRE OUT 5 Model T70.1 PBM Example 3: Preamp Line Out/Low Level In for Stereo Subwoofers Note that the L/MONO input is used on both subwoofers. Instead of Y-adapters, you may also use the outputs to connect back to the Main Inputs as shown in Option 2 of Example 2. Receiver/Amplifier/Processor Right Subwoofer Left Subwoofer Y-adapters Example 4: Speaker Out/ High Level In for 1 Subwoofer This is the most common method for connecting a subwoofer to a system without a dedicated subwoofer line out or Preamp outputs. The signal that comes from the High-level Output jacks is identical to the input signal. Right Speaker Subwoofer Left Speaker Receiver/Amplifier 6 Atlantic Technology® Example 5: Speaker Out/ High Level In for Stereo Subwoofers This is the most common method for connecting 2 subwoofers to a system without a dedicated subwoofer line out or Preamp outputs. Note that the L/MONO High Level input is used on both left and right subwoofers. Right Speaker Right Subwoofer Left Subwoofer Left Speaker Receiver/Amplifier You can connect to the High-level inputs by removing 1/2" of insulation from each wire end, twisting the strands of wire together and placing the wire into the appropriate binding post on the rear of the woofer as illustrated. Be careful that no stray strands of wire touch across connections. It is important to observe polarity while making speaker connections: red (+) terminals on the amplifier to red (+) on the speaker, black (­) on the amplifier to black (­) on the speaker. Look carefully at the wires you are using and note that one of the wires in each pair will be marked by either the conductor color, printing on the wire jacket, a ridge on one side of the wire jacket, or a thread intertwined with the wire strands. By convention, the marked wire is connected to the red (+) terminal. Power Connection Connect the power cord to an AC outlet only after making all other connections to the subwoofer. This will avoid any chance of accidentally activating the subwoofer while wiring. Atlantic Technology does not recommend plugging the subwoofer into the switched outlet of an amplifier, preamplifier, or receiver. The power demands of the subwoofer amplifier may exceed the power rating of the switched outlet and may damage the equipment. The T70.1 PBM is totally automatic in its operation. The automatic on/off circuitry will only activate the subwoofer in the presence of an audio signal from your audio/video system. After 7-12 minutes 7 Model T70.1 PBM with no signal detected from the rest of the system, the amplifier will shut itself off and go into standby mode. Power consumption in the standby mode is negligible. Standby operation can be completely bypassed by placing the "Auto" switch in the "On" position. In this mode, the subwoofer will be controlled by the position of the Main Power switch. Placement and Operation Generally speaking, the best location for your new Subwoofer will be in the front of the room, in or close to a corner (Figure 2). Every room has its own unique sound characteristics, and flexibility in the exact placement of the subwoofer is always desirable. The closer the subwoofer is placed to a wall and especially a corner, the more and deeper the bass response you will hear. However, in some rooms, corner placement can produce too much bass or a "one note" boomy effect. Under such circumstances the subwoofer may work better away from the wall or corner. You should experiment to find the best position in your room. Figure 2: Typical arrangement for a single subwoofer in a home theater. Start here Less Bass More Bass Helpful Hint: A particularly useful experiment is to place the subwoofer right at the prime listening position (move that couch or chair out of the way and put the sub in its place). Then play something with lots of good bass (preferably music), and walk around the room, listening to the subwoofer's response. When you locate an area that has ample amounts of well defined bass you have found a good potential place to locate the sub. Dual Subwoofer Placement When two subwoofers are used you may wish to place them asymmetrically; that is, in slightly different positions in the room (Figure 3). This will reduce common mode room resonances that typically occur with symmetrically placed subwoofers. Another good option is to place the subwoofers in the same corner. Several tests have shown this to be a viable means of producing smooth bass response in many rooms. 8 Atlantic Technology® Figure 3: Assymmetrical arrangement for 2 subwoofers in a home theater, for example, one closer to a corner than the other. Subwoofer Tuning Using the Variable Level Control Assuming that you do not have access to a Sound Pressure Level meter for system set up, start your listening with the subwoofer crossover control set at approximately two-thirds of its range (which corresponds to approximately 100Hz), the phase switch set to normal, and the variable level control set to the bottom of its range (fully counterclockwise facing the back of the woofer). Play some music that you know has good bass content, and turn the level control up until you just start to hear the subwoofer working. Now, from your normal listening position, determine whether the subwoofer is playing loudly enough and filling in the bass frequencies of the music evenly. If adjustment is necessary, start by changing the setting of the rear mounted level control to compensate. If the bass seems too heavy, move the subwoofer away from the wall/corner. If the bass seems too thin, move the subwoofer closer to the wall/corner. Small differences in positioning can make big differences in ...