|
Can't find your question?
Email your question to us at - technical@mjacoustics.co.uk
Sub answers
Why buy an MJA sub over anyone else?
It is
not always that you can have your cake and eat it! Value
for money comes without asking, so too does quality,
performance and features.
Our subwoofers
are the best performers and sound for pound blow the
competition away. Outstanding quality in every respect.
Highly efficient power output, true RMS wattage (not
mythical), connectivity, furniture grade hand crafted
cabinet build and finishes make our subs not only truly
excellent hifi but also gorgeous furniture, large range
of paint and real wood finishes and above all are very
affordable. No other manufacturer has achieved so many
excellent 5 star and glowing reviews plus subwoofer
group test awards and national best buy awards in such
a small timescale as MJ Acoustics. M J Acoustics subwoofers
compliment the most discerning cinema and music system!
All amplifiers feed massively engineered ultra long-throw
super-rigid sub-bass drivers of exquisite design and
finish.
Add to this the battleship construction, beautiful finish,
and attention to the finest and smallest detail, which
ensures our subwoofers deliver adroit punch and solid
slam – without the dreaded overhang – down
to a gut-wrenching lows. Our unique
combination of state-of-the-art electronics and tuned
hand-built cabinets, afford the user the ultimate in
sub-bass control. Deep and powerful enough for the most
demanding movie sound-track, yet subtle, agile, fast,
and accurate for the highest fidelity in music listening.
It’s just like being there! When
sub-woofers look and sound this good, there is truly
no alternative. 100% British designed and built at our
cambridgshire factory.
Back to the FAQ
Do
I need to buy a subwoofer?
YES. Remember, if it makes a sound, put a sub on it!!
The cheapest most nasty small PC-like speakers are vastly
improved with the addition of one of our subwoofers. This
is also relevant to very expensive speakers. Our award
winning entry level Pro 50 sub at £299 has improved
the sound stage of speakers ranging from £10 to
£10,000+ now that's some achievement I'm sure you'll
agree. Our Audiophile quality subs will seamlessly integrate
and improve stereo, home cinema and studio applications.
Its abit like experiencing airconditioning in a car for
the first time. Once you have you simply cannot do without
it again. Your sound stage will be fuller and more true
to the original recording whether it be music , movies
or the dedicated SACD, DVDA or DTS sound tracks that are
now present on all good media.
Back to the FAQ
Which
sub model is best for my room size?
This is a difficult one as so many customers
differ in their choice of models and room sizes. Really
depends on how loud you want to listen to your music /
movies!! If you're a "bass greedy head", then
you need one of our more powerful subs, if you're not,
you don't.
Back to the FAQ
Can
I use more than one sub?
Yes. Many customers have purchased more than one sub for
their setups using them in many various combinations.
The most common for Audiophiles are two Pro 50's - one
on the left main and one on the right main. This setup
extends their maybe already excellent setup into true
full range giving the extended lower octaves for pure
stereo listening pleasure.
A common setup for Home Cinema enthusiasts is a Pro 50
on the centre channel and a Reference I or Ref 200 handling
the LFE channel. This is what we consider to be a excellent
setup for enhanced dialog (centre channel) and superb
LFE handling. The amount of bass / sub bass information
that is sent to the centre channel is equal to and in
some cases, more information than is sent to the LFE channel.
You may have heard people say to you "make sure you
spend a fair share of your budget on your centre speaker"
it's because it handles a good 70% - 80% on and off throughout
the movie. As a large centre would normally be right in
the way of your viewing area, your setup leans towards
having a good quality small centre (for example the SUBLIMINAL
S1RM) with a sub connected to it. You won't believe the
enhanced overall cinema experience until you add a centre
channel sub....try it.
Back to the FAQ
Can
I leave my sub switched on?
No, is our official line - would you leave your cooker
on just to make sure its warm enough incase you want to
cook something? It is safe practice to turn off all electrical
goods if they are not to be in use for some length of
time.
Back to the FAQ
Can
I connect both the high & low level inputs simultaneously?
Yes you can connect both the high &
low level inputs simultaneously. This question is asked
by many music lovers who have the high level cable connection
for music and want the added benefit from their sub with
movies through the low level connection and movie buffs
who respectively wish to use their sub for music. With
respect to movies, connecting both the high & low
level inputs simultaneously, starts to benefit when there
is little or no LFE signal being sent to the sub from
a dedicated sub out on an AV amp. Having the high level
cable connected from the main or centre (recommended)
speaker outs on an amp or wired off the back of the speakers,
adds a full range signal into the high level input of
your sub. Cleverly blended together using the independent
volume controls, both the high and low level signals can
give you the ultimate in depth reproduction throughout
the entire movie, as well as exploding, thumping LFE (low
frequency effects) bundled into one subwoofer for the
ultimate listening pleasure.
Back to the FAQ
What
is the "Phase" control for?
The "Phase" control is used to
make sure your sub is responding in the same manner as
your main speakers.
The Pro series, and Reference series subs are all downward firing and should have their "phase" control set to 0° as a starting point. Most systems will not experience phasing problems, but going through the above procedure will eliminate any phasing problems should they occur. To keep things simple we suggest that you set the phase to the point at which the bass is the loudest. This will confirm that the sound waves reaching the listening position are all in phase in the lower octaves. Phasing problems result when the subwoofer is outputting bass frequencies similar to the bass frequencies output from the speakers. If the phase is not correct a certain amount of bass cancelling will occur which results in a reduced bass output. When the bass output is the loudest the phase can be assumed as correct.
Back to the FAQ
What
does LFE mean?
LFE stands for Low Frequency Effects. It
is the (.1) of a 5.1 setup. Low Frequency Effects are
usually crashes, rumbles, thumps, explosions etc sent
down the (.1) channel to your subwoofer for the bottom
end growl of a movie.
Back to the FAQ
What
cabinet finishes are available?
The cabinet finishes available are as follows: Black Satin
is standard for the Pro 50Mk2, Black Ash, Silver Satin, Cherry
Wood, Beech, Maple, Rosewood, Light Oak and Walnut are
the standard production finishes throughout the Reference
ranges.
Back to the FAQ
What is the best position for my sub?
Positioning of a subwoofer can play an
important part to the overall performance and role of
the sub depending on the natural acoustics of your listening
room. This is a difficult question to answer, but we'll
do our best to paint a picture of your environment and
give some guidance.
Rooms that are naturally bass heavy would not benefit
from placing a subwoofer in a tight corner or a small
alcove which will add boominess due to many nearby reflective
surfaces. A better position would be in a space that gives
the sub a chance to produce its note without any colouring
from reflective surroundings - somewhere near your main
speakers would be best as this is the area where the majority
or all of sound is produced.
Rooms that are bass light could benefit from the sub being
placed in a corner or an alcove. Slow moving sub bass
waveforms can benefit from the reflection of two adjacent
walls - this will increase the response time of the waveform
and increase bass perception to the overall soundstage.
Please note, although we say that placing a sub in a tight
corner in a bass heavy room will add boominess, it may
not be the case in a bass light room. If you add more
bass to a bass heavy room the results are usually boomy,
but in a bass light room the results can be extremely
different. You are the best judge as to where your sub
should be placed as we can only offer guidance. We don't
live where you do!! Most common placement for subs are,
behind a TV, beside a TV, next to one of the main speakers,
in between the main speakers, beside a sofa or behind
a sofa. You may find yours performs better in a completely
different place!
The most important point to remember is that a subwoofer
is doing its job correctly when it is blended in with
the rest of the soundstage and not standing out on its
own. The art is to mix in the sub so you can't easily
tell where its positioned - you just know its there.
Back to the FAQ
How
do I setup a multi-sub system?
If you're setting up a multi-sub setup
comprising of 6 subs - five main subs and one for the
LFE, the best way to connect them is via a high level
cable from the back of the 5 main speakers into the high
level input of each sub situated next to the 5 speakers
and a low level connection from the phono sub out on an
AV amp to the low level input of the sub you've chosen
to handle the LFE.
This setup is what we consider to be the ULTIMATE in Home
Cinema experience. With the DTS and Dolby Digital surround
sound formats , a full range signal is sent to all 5 channels,
therefore they can all benefit from having a sub on them.
You may be thinking MJ Acoustics must be mad to expect
most people to be able to afford a setup like this, but
no, we are not mad, with the award Pro 50 from just £299.00,
its more affordable than you could ever imagine.
Other excellent configurations
we recommend / suggest you try are:
2 sub setup - one sub on the LFE (low level) and one sub
on the centre channel (high level).
2 sub setup - one sub on both left and right mains (high
level), with one sub being fed the added LFE signal into
its low level input.
3 sub setup - all front channels with a sub on left, right
and centre (high level), with the centre sub being fed
the added LFE signal into its low level input.
3 sub setup - one sub on LFE (low level), one sub on centre
(high level) and one sub wired to the rear surround speakers
(high level).
4 sub setup - all front channels with a sub on left, right
and centre (high level), with the centre sub being fed
the added LFE signal into its low level input and one
sub on the rear surrounds (high level).
5 sub setup - one sub on all 5 speakers (high level),
the centre sub being fed with the LFE signal (low level).
There are many other
possibilities for multi-sub setups. Although just one
of our subs will be the norm for most people, the luxury
of a multi-sub setup far exceeds the Home Cinema experience.
Back to the FAQ
Why
is it so important to have a sub on the centre channel?
The centre channel receives a vast amount
of bass / sub bass information during your average movie.
It's placement, usually central to the viewer, makes it
a very important part of the 5.1 setup that should delivery
true full range dynamic capability. A common setup for
Home Cinema enthusiasts is a Pro 50 on the centre channel
and a Reference I or Reference 200 handling the LFE channel.
This is what we consider to be an excellent setup for
enhanced dialog (centre channel) and superb LFE handling.
The centre channel information is equal to and in some
cases, more information than is sent to the LFE channel.
You may have heard people say to you "make sure you
spend a fair share of your budget on your centre speaker"
it's because it handles a good 70% - 80% on and off throughout
the movie. As a large centre would normally be right in
the way of your viewing area, your setup leans towards
having a good quality small centre (for example the XENO XC1 or the SUBLIMINAL
S1RM) with a sub connected to it. You won't believe the
enhanced overall cinema experience until you add a centre
channel sub....try it.
Back to the FAQ
Will
I benefit from having two smaller subs or one larger sub?
The decision whether or not to have two
smaller subs like the Pro 50 over one larger sub like
the Reference 200 or Reference I, raises a few pro's &
con's issues. Using only one larger sub, has one set of
cables to setup, can handle more power than the smaller
subs and only takes up one space in your room - but a
larger space of course. It is not as flexible as two subs
and can only be configure in one place.
Using two smaller subs, has two sets of cables to be setup,
has less power handling than larger subs and needs two
different placement positions in your room - but fits
into a smaller area. Two subs can have their advantages
regarding their placement within the stereo or 5.1 sound
arena - see question - Can I use more
than one sub? and question - How
do I setup a multi-sub system? for more information
related to setups of more than one sub.
Back to the FAQ
Are
MJA subs good for both music & movies?
All MJ Acoustics products are designed first and foremost
to be musical. This is by far the hardest to achieve.
Anyone can make a "diy bodge job boom box" that
might go ummph! pop! bang! with your movies, but not everyone
can design and manufacture a subwoofer with fast response
time, musically accurate tone and precision controlled
warmth and depth all packed into a beautifully finished
cabinet at a size and price to die for....we can....nuff
said. Don't take our word for it, read what the reviewers
say - reviews.
Or read our testimonials
page and get a better feel from the people who own
MJ Acoustics sub bass systems- perhaps most important
of all because theu have put there money where there mouths
are.
Back to the FAQ
Can I buy
MJA products outside of the UK?
Yes is the simple answer. We do not have
dealers / distributors in every country yet, but we
are working on this area all the time.
Please see our International
Dealers page for countries that distribute MJ Acoustics
products.
Back to the FAQ
How
do I connect up my high level cable?
There are three types of connection you
might make whilst using the high level cable.
1. Would be to add bandwidth to your existing
speakers in stereo mode, 2. Enhance
the performance of your main satellites in a movie setup,
or 3. To compliment a single speaker
in a movie or stereo setup.
Warning
Before connecting up your MJ Acoustics Subwoofer please read this!
If you are going to connect both high level & LFE inputs at the same time please make sure that your Stereo or AV amplifier does not have a ‘Digital Output Stage’ or is wired in ‘BTL’ (Bridge Tied Load) mode.
Both of these amplifier designs will need an optional interface module (Available from your dealer or direct from MJ Acoustics).
Please note that without this interface module damage may occur to the amplifier and/or Subwoofer and is not covered under warranty.
If you are unsure please contact your supplying dealer in the first instance.
1. Stereo Mode:
You connect the 3 bare end wires of the Neutrik Speakon
cable alongside your existing speaker cables on the
back of your amp as follows:
RED to left + (positive)
YELLOW to right + (positive)
BLACK to ONE of the - (negatives) NOT BOTH.
This is the most common connection for stereo amplifier
users who do not have a dedicated sub output and wish
to extend the bandwidth and add a new depth dimension
to their existing speakers.
2. Movie Setup:
This connection is made the same way as the above "stereo
mode" but is usually in addition to the sub having
the low level input from the dedicated sub out on a
5.1 AV amplifier. Connections are as follows:
RED to left + (positive) - front speakers
YELLOW to right + (positive) - front speakers
BLACK to ONE of the - (negatives) - front speakers,
NOT BOTH.
The only question you may ask yourself is, do I add
the high level cable to my main front satellites? or
do I wish to add the high level connection to my very
often smaller rear satellites to extend their bandwidth?
As the rear channels these days in DTS or Dolby Digital
are receiving full range signals, it can make a huge
difference to your movie experience when you add a sub
to your rear satellites. Your high level cable connection
is then configured the same as it would be if connected
to your main satellites, just connected to your rear
satellite speaker outs on you AV amplifier. Of course,
multipul subs can be added to any of the 5 speaker setup.
3. Single Speaker Connection:
This configuration is often used when two subs are used
in stereo mode, or multipul subs are used in a 5.1 movie
setup. When connecting a single speaker to the subs
high level input the 3 bare end wires are connected
as follows:
RED and YELLOW are wound together and
connected to the + (positive) terminal of either the
speaker itself or the speaker out of the AV amp. The
BLACK wire is then connected to the
- (negative) terminal of either the speaker itself or
the speaker out of the AV amp, depending on where you
placed the red and yellow cables.
A common movie setup is to have a larger sub on the
LFE (Low Frequency Effects) via a phono sub out, and
a smaller sub on the centre channel via the high level
cable. The addition of a centre sub enhances and breathes
new life into the dialogue and your movie experience
takes on a new dimension due to the amount of action
and low end bass produced through the centre channel
- the sweet spot of a 5.1 system.
You could be missing out if you
haven't experience additional subs on various channels
?!?
Have the benefit of small satellite speakers then add
a small sub to whichever channel or channels you wish
to turn into a full range speaker without having to
accomodate or pay for large bulky floorstanders in very
often limited spaces.
The various subwoofer setup options
are endless, so please give our staff a call to discuss
your requirements and we will be more than happy to
help and to offer you advice on how to get the maximum
performance out of your sub/subs on any given budget.
Tel: MJ Acoustics on 01945 467770.
XENO Satellites
answers.
Can
I mount my Xeno's on the wall?
Yes. The Xeno XM1's have special brackets available for this purpose.
Back to the FAQ
Do
the Xeno Satellites have any feet?
Each pack of Xeno's have small
rubber stick on feet that can be placed on the bottom
of each speaker. Remember there are also dedicated stands available.
Back to the FAQ
What's
the best placement for my Xeno satellites?
A good rule of thumb is to have your front
speakers close to your viewing area. Left and right mains
should be approx 6' (feet) apart for good stereo imaging
and your centre speaker placed comfortable in the middle
of the two mains. Your rear speakers can be placed at
a similar width to the front speakers or maybe a little
wider, say 7'-8' (feet) apart. Your rears can be placed
beside your seated position or behind your
seated position. Most AV amps offer various adjustable
settings for speaker placement. Speakers that are not
wall mounted should be placed on stands that are of similar
height to your ears whilst in a seated position - 24"-26"
(inches) is a average ear level when seated. Everyone's
living environment is different, so speaker placement
is largely dictated by surrounding furnishings - use as
a guide only.
Back to the FAQ
Do
the satellites only come in 5's, or can I but them in
6's or pairs?
The Xeno system is available in
2's, 5's 6's and 7's. they are in production now with special Piano Gloss finish.
Back to the FAQ
Are
the satellites good enough for 2 channel stereo?
Yes. If you want quality musical reproduction,
the Xeno XM1's are for you. The Xeno XM1's have
been designed to go with any one of our subwoofers to give
a full range spectrum of sound. Dedicated specially designed stands are also available along with wall brackets.
Back to the FAQ
Are
the Xeno's magnetically shielded?
Yes. They are fully shielded, so there
will be no problem placing them next to TV's or monitors.
Back to the FAQ
Setting up your sub:
Setting up one of MJ’s subs is a simple procedure. For people with little or no knowledge of subwoofers, we describe in simple layman's terms, how to get the best results. This section offers a generalized setup instruction to cover all subwoofer models in our ranges and should be used as a guide only due to the variations of user’s equipment and model variable feature sets. A clock face type description is used to describe the controls positioning, ie; 12 o'clock would be upright (north facing) and 9 o'clock would be facing left (west facing), hopefully you get the picture.
Make a note of how the packaging and contents are placed in the box and keep it in a safe place for the unlikely event of a return. Your subwoofer package should contain:
Pro range: 1 x subwoofer, 1 x power cable (IEC), 1 x low level cable (Phono / RCA) and a manual. (Options are - high level cable (Neutrik Speakon), M8 spikes and the Digital Interface.)
Reference range: 1 x subwoofer, 1 x power cable (IEC), 1 x low level cable (Phono / RCA), 1 x high level cable (Neutrik Speakon), 1 x M8 spikes and a manual, Rubber decoupling inserts for the feet, Remote control and Remote Extender Eye.
Step 1. Position your sub in your desired location and connect the power cable and the signal cable to either the high or low level input on the sub. Low level connection comes from a dedicated sub output on AV amps and processors into the low level RCA/phono input on your sub. High level connection comes from your speaker output terminals on your amp into the high level Neutrik Speakon input on your subwoofer back panel. (Pro versions do not come with this lead as standard so be sure to order one at time of purchase)
The 3 bare end wires on the MJ Acoustics high level cable are connected to your amps speaker output terminals as follows:
Red to Left (+ positive terminal)
Yellow to Right (+ positive terminal)
Black to either Left or Right - negative terminal - NOT BOTH. You have now completed cable connection and are ready to start using your sub.
Warning
Before connecting up your MJ Acoustics Subwoofer please read this!
If you are going to connect both high level & LFE inputs at the same time please make sure that your Stereo or AV amplifier does not have a ‘Digital Output Stage’ or is wired in ‘BTL’ (Bridge Tied Load) mode.
Both of these amplifier designs will need an optional interface module (Available from your dealer or direct from MJ Acoustics).
Please note that without this interface module damage may occur to the amplifier and/or Subwoofer and is not covered under warranty.
If you are unsure please contact your supplying dealer in the first instance.
Step 2. Ensure all gain controls are set to their lowest position 7 o'clock (full travel anticlockwise) and crossover controls are set to approx 80hz. For Reference series products with DAMP 2nd gen, which incorporates full microprocessor control and remote control memory presets the factory default will be minimum gain (-99db) and maximum crossover settings(120/LFE). Turn your sub on and adjust accordingly.
NOTE
If you are only connecting your subwoofer with the Low level RCA lead then only signals sent via the sub out on the AV amplifier will be received by the sub. This is fine for the most basic of uses and only gives you the most basic of integration possibilities. This method of connection relies on the bass management within the AV amplifier to redirect the bass signals through the sub out on the AV amp. MJ Acoustics provides you with multiple inputs and these are always best used to the full to enable a seamless integration and best possible sound stage from your system in either music or movie setups. With the provision of twin crossovers you can set different settings for each input. It is our recommendation that you study the instruction for your particular AV amp and disable bass management and set the speakers to Large full range for the front channels including the centre speaker. The rear channels can be left to small but again we would suggest that they be set to large.
In the case of multichannel DVD material there is almost always a separate LFE encoded channel and therefore even if bass redirection management is not activated the LFE information for this channel will be present. However on some SACD and DVD Audio material there is sometimes not LFE channel information and in this situation the full range lower octaves are present in the main front channels. It is therefore useful to take note of this, which forms the basis for the sensible use of the High level input.
In the case of Stereo material from CD,Vinyl, Radio,MP3 etc the full range frequency band including the lower octaves will, if bass redirection management is disabled, be only present on the main 2 front channels. This was the way that the original recordings were mastered and therefore is the most accurate and natural way to play them. The use of the High Level input of the subwoofer is essential. The best and most accurate reproduction of the sound stage can be achieved by this method using the subwoofer to enhance the lower octaves which the speakers are unable to properly produce.
Step 3. It is a good time at this point to make sure the sound levels and sound geometry are correct and this is achieved by using the test tone and distance setting features of the AV amp. Set the distances accurately in accordance with the AV amplifiers instructions. Also set the test tone levels to ensure that the sound output from each speaker is similar in level to your ear. This includes the subwoofer, but remember that this applies to the LFE input only and so the gain on the subwoofers LFE input will need to be raised to increase the test tone noise to match speaker levels. When this is done leave the crossover and gain settings for the LFE input and do not alter them. (save for fine tuning later). At this point you have setup the subwoofer to perform with DVD movies and you will enjoy and experience the bass content from the LFE encoded data in the DVD when it is present in the movie. If Movies is your only requirement then you are largely done and can make finer adjustments to either raise the bass level or reduce the level depending on your tastes and preferences by raising or lowering the LFE gain control.
Step 4. Now pick a familiar piece of material to audition, stereo music like CD or an MP3 track. If you have a test disc, this can also be used. It is a good idea to audition the same piece of material over and over again whilst setting up your sub in order to keep the input content the same throughout adjustments. A piece with a good steady bass rhythm would be a good choice. A track full of hi-hats and triangles would not be best choice for a subwoofer setup process!! Remember that the only channels that should be producing music will be the left and right front channels. The subwoofer output from the AV amp should not be selected (This confirms that bass redirection has been disabled). If the subwoofer is producing bass then the following procedures will add even more bass and make the sound stage boomy and unnatural. At this point you have the High level cable connected but the gain is turned down so there is no bass produced from the subwoofer.
Step 5. With your CD/MP3 material playing through your main speakers at average listening levels, turn the "crossover frequency" control for the High level input to approx match the point at which the speakers you have are specified to go down to. The best setting for this really depends on how capable your main speakers are. A couple of examples would be; if your main speakers are of small type, like satellites or bookshelf speakers that usually handle low frequencies down to approx 60 to 100 Hz, you should set the subs "frequency" control to start at where your main speakers roll off - maybe a touch higher as your main speakers are not designed to be super efficient with a high dB output at low frequencies. If on the other hand your main speakers are of larger size stand mounted or floor-standers, their low frequency handling may be slightly better. So, if your main speakers go as low as 40 or 30Hz, set your subs High Level "frequency" control to 40 or 30Hz). If you are not sure of the speakers lower frequency figure then try a starting point of between 60 to 80Hz.
The High Level "gain" control should now be raised to the desired level for proper integration. You should now be experiencing some subwoofer activity. If not, check that all cabling is correctly connected. For products with DAMP 2nd gen you will need to select the gain control in the menu for the "Hi" input and slowly raise the gain level from -99(minimum) to about -40. This is by far the ultimate usage of our subwoofer capabilities. On products with twin crossovers you can set the crossover point and the gain relevant to each input separately. This is the process you are now completing. The whole essence of the MJ Acoustics twin crossover facility is for proper sound stage formation. It can be likened to having multiple subwoofers in one box and for the price of one subwoofer! Aren’t you glad you bought a subwoofer from the British Bass Masters.
NOTE
Some people have asked how to know when the gain level is correct. The answer can be as simple or complex as you may prefer. What we can tell you is that the only way to setup the levels with infinite accuracy, taking into account room acoustics, sound wave refractions, ambient floor noise level etc is to have a very expensive and highly accurate Real Time Analyser (RTA) monitor the output from the speakers and the subwoofer at the same time. This is beyond the scope of this setup guide. However we can tell you that the design team at MJ Acoustics have been working on an RTA system which will be shortly available from the first quarter of 2008 to dealers and installers who will be trained by us and certified for subwoofer installation and integration. This service will be offered by dealers and installers as part of their range of services for those customers that purchase from them. We will be posting, on our dealers page, those dealers that have the hardware and certified training completion. However, for the purposes of this guide, we can only say that you should let your ears be the judge of the sound stage which if sounds pleasant to you and enhances your enjoyment of the music will be the best setting for you.
Step 6. Now adjust the "phase" control to make sure your sub is responding in the same manner as your main speakers. The Pro series, and Reference series subs are all downward firing and should have their "phase" control set to 0° as a starting point. Most systems will not experience phasing problems, but going through the above procedure will eliminate any phasing problems should they occur. To keep things simple we suggest that you set the phase to the point at which the bass is the loudest. This will confirm that the sound waves reaching the listening position are all in phase in the lower octaves. Phasing problems result when the subwoofer is outputting bass frequencies similar to the bass frequencies output from the speakers. If the phase is not correct a certain amount of bass cancelling will occur which results in a reduced bass output. When the bass output is the loudest the phase can be assumed as correct.
A few final hints & tips:
All initial setups may not be your perfect combination at first, but give it some time along with plenty of auditioning and some fine tweaking and you'll soon have your desired full range setup. Try turning the sub off whilst playing some material - this is usually the point at which you realize the sound you had before was most definitely lacking a subwoofer.
The true art of blending a sub into any system is for it to go un-noticed. If your sub bass is thumping out huge beans, then its probably too loud. Remember the purpose of a sub is to add the lower octaves that are not usually heard with normal speakers and not just add more bass. Subtlety is the key to an excellent full range spectrum experience. Of course if "more bass" is what you're after then our subs can do that also.
The addition of a sub to produce the lower octaves does not only add warmth and better sound staging, but also cleans up the mid frequencies to give the impression of even fuller, richer musicality to the listener. Instruments become more alive and vivid than ever before. The reason for this is due the harmonics that are present in all musical frequencies. Take a piano note at say 440hz. All speakers can produce this frequency note, even the smallest and nastiest tiny speakers. However when a subwoofer is added you get a fuller body to the sound as the frequencies of the harmonics are produced lower down the spectrum. This is true of all frequencies.
You may wish to sit in your favourite chair whilst auditioning your favourite piece and get some assistance to help you adjust the subs gain control until you're happy its seamlessly integrated into your system to your tatste. The great thing about the Reference series is the ability to do this via the remote control feature without havig to get help or jump in and out of your chair. Once again, you could turn off the sub to hear the difference it is now making. This is where the new reference range with DAMP 2nd gen comes most handy because not only can you use the remote control to adjust all the settings from your listening position and thus make more accurate settings and easier integration, you can store these settings in the memory to recall at a later date. This feature enables you to have special settings stored for different sources or perhaps a day time and night time setting. The choices are plenty.
NOTE
Because we know that the bass frequencies are the single most important part of the sound stage that lack in today’s speaker systems. We would suggest that if it makes a sound, put a sub on it!! The cheapest most nasty small PC-like speakers are vastly improved with the addition of one of our subwoofers. This is also relevant to very expensive speakers. Our award winning entry level Pro 50Mk2 sub at £299 has improved the sound stage of speakers ranging from £10 to £10,000+ now that's some achievement I'm sure you'll agree.
Adding a subwoofer to your system could be the best piece of Hifi / Home Cinema equipment you've ever bought!!
For archive information only
as the Pro Cinema I satelite speakers are no longer
manufactured.
Setting up your
satellites:
Setting up your Pro
Cinema I satellite speakers is a simple process. This
setup process will explain in simple layman's terms how
to get the best results from your Pro Cinema I satellites.
Make a note of how the packaging and contents are placed
in the box and keep it in a safe place for the unlikely
event of a return. Your satellite package should contain:
2 - pack - left and right satellite speakers, 2 x screws,
2 x raw plugs, 8 x small stick on rubber feet and a manual.
5 - pack - left and right front, left and right rear and
centre satellite speakers, 5x screws, 5x raw plugs, 20x
small stick on rubber feet and a manual.
6 - pack - left and right front, left and right rear and
front and rear centre satellite speakers, 6x screws, 6x
raw plugs, 24x small stick on rubber feet and a manual.
Firstly, smugly congratulate
yourself for purchasing probably the most transparent
sounding satellite speakers you're likely to hear. Now
you've finished praising yourself for having good taste,
lets set out to get the best results from your new satellite
speakers.
Step 1. Find the best position for your satellites
- height and stereo imaging (width). Take some time to
decide what would be the best placement for your satellites
from your main listening position as the final results
will be better than just chucking 5 speakers into a room
just any old way. See - What's
the best placement for my satellites?
Step 2. Prepare your cabling ready for connection
between you amp and your satellites. Make sure, whether
using 2, 5 or 6 satellites, that you keep the cable length
the same for each speaker. The reason for this is to keep
the resistance load the same on each channel of your amp.
Once all cables are connected, you're ready to audition
some material to complete the set up.
Step 3. Now pick a familiar piece of material
to audition, either a music CD or a DVD movie. If you
have a test disc, this can also be used. It a good idea
to audition the same piece of material over and over again
whilst setting up your satellites in order to keep the
input content the same throughout adjustments. A piece
of material that has a good wide range of frequencies
would be a good choice. Whilst the material is playing,
sit in your favourite position and take a view on the
overall sound. It is good practice whilst setting up speakers,
to audition them at both high and low listening levels
to familiarize yourself with the dynamic and power handling
range.
If you are using a pair of satellites for stereo music
with an MJA sub, you would benefit from reading - setting
up your sub to get the best integration between sats
and sub.
If you are using 5 or 6 satellites,
its a good idea to set your speaker size to small on your
AV amp (if it has that facility). Some AV amps offer a
crossover / bypass facility once speakers are set to small,
so you can decide what lower frequencies are passed through
to the sub/LFE channel. The settings are usually somewhere
between 60Hz - 120Hz. You should try all of these settings
to decide which one sounds best in your environment.Once you're happy with
your levels, the volume of both the Pro Cinema I satellite
and an MJA sub will go up and down in volume as you change
it on your amp.
That's it.
A few final hints & tips:
All initial setups may not be your perfect combination
at first, but give it some time along with plenty of auditioning
and some fine tweaking and you'll soon have your desired
setup.
Try a few different
positions for your satellites just to see if there is
any improvement in sound reproduction. A few suggestions
could be:
Tight up against your TV or screen, on a shelf next to
your viewing area, wall mounted or on speaker stands.
All of the previous suggestions have a different result
for different people depending on the natural acoustics
of your listening environment.
Don't always take what's written down as red. Try something
else, it may be better!!
|
|
|
