MK Sound VX-850 User's Manual
Contents
1. This will give you better bass quality than using the speaker inputs because it bypasses your amp or receiver s amplifier stage To connect the subwoofer in this way simply run one or a pair of shielded RCA RCA interconnect cables from the output jacks on your component to the LINE LEVEL jacks on the Subwoofer s backplate If you run one cable connect it to the LEFT input jack See Figure 1 It is not necessary to use both input jacks on the sub woofer FIGURE 2 CONNECTING TO A STEREO AMP OR PREAMP SURROUND PROCESSOR OR RECEIVER MAIN PRE OUT ME MeK SOUND MR POWERED SUBWOOFER If you don t have a subwoofer output available check to see if you have preamp outputs on your preamp amp or processor to be able to use these inputs If you have only one set of preamp outputs use a Y connector to feed both the amplifier and the subwoofer See Figure 2 Use a Y connector to connect the signal to both the LEFT and RIGHT inputs of the subwoofer These inputs are summed to mono in the amplifier input stage of the subwoofer USING SPEAKER WIRE CONNECTIONS Some M amp K subwoofer owners hook up their subwoofer by connecting it to their receiver or amplifier using speaker wires To do so you make the same kind of connections that you would use for your satellite or main speakers except that both the left and right channels go to the subwoofer If you are using two subwo2. Refer to Section 6 Phasing Test on page 9 Reverse the and connections at the back of BOTH Satellite speakers OR switch the PHASE switch from to or vice versa The wiring configuration that gives the most bass is correct E If you are using the FROM PREAMP input terminals and you hear a thump through the Subwoofer every time you turn the system on F If you hear a persistent hum or buzz through the subwoofer Because the subwoofer reproduces the 60 Hz hum frequency it is often blamed for causing hum that originates elsewhere in the system Always avoid running all speaker wires and RCA interconnect cables near to AC cords and component power supplies Wires and cables running close to AC lines are acommon source of hum If necessary reroute your cables To identify the source of hum remove all input cables to the subwoofer but leave it plugged into the AC outlet Carefully turn the BASS LEVEL control up towards the MAX position If you hear hum coming from the subwoofer s speaker driver the subwoofer is the source of the hum If you hear no hum or less hum the problem is probably coming from another component Hum can also be caused by AC ground loops If the subwoofer is plugged into a separate AC outlet try plugging it into the same outlet used for your amplifier or receiver or reverse the polarity of its AC plug If these suggestions do not solve your problems contact your dealer or M amp K G If
3. subwoofer When you hear a smooth sound overall well balanced between the deep bass and the rest of the audible spectrum the control is set properly 8 USE OF THE BYPASS SETTING If you have a THX Dolby Digital or DTS component with a built in Low Pass filter as part of its subwoofer output or if you are using a separate Electronic Crossover set the LOW PASS FILTER switch on the back of the subwoofer to BYPASS position This bypasses the internal low pass filter so that there is no interaction between the subwoofer s filter and your component s filter If you have any questions regarding the filters please contact your M amp K dealer or the M amp K factory ME POWERED SUBWOOFER 9 USING MULTIPLE SUBWOOFERS Using two or more subwoofers in your system gives you the ultimate in bass performance You ll hear improved impact and definition as well as greater output and dynamic range If multiple subwoofers are used place them in the same location Stacking is best but you can also put them side by side Alternately you can put multiple subwoofers in different locations This is appropriate when you have limited choices in locating the subwoofer and none of the available locations work well Try to place multiple subwoofers at equal distances from the listening position to avoid phase cancellation With two subwoofers simply run one speaker wire or interconnect to each subwoofer Because the left and right channel input
4. there is an unusual sound coming from the subwoofer with no music playing Try removing the input cables as described in Step 5 above If the noise disappears it is coming from another component If it does not go away contact your M amp K dealer or the factory ME POWERED SUBWOOFER IF YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE EXTERNAL FUSE Disconnect supply cord before changing fuse Replace fuse only with same type Remove the fuse cap and inspect the fuse Look carefully at the fuse If the wire filament inside the glass is bro ken replace the fuse ONLY with one of the identical size and value Using a fuse of a larger value will void your war ranty AND MAY CREATE A FIRE HAZARD Plug the subwoofer back in If it does not work unplug it immediately and contact your dealer or M amp K for service 12 IF YOU NEED SERVICE Contact your dealer or M amp K Please have the unit s model and serial numbers found on the back of the cabinet date of purchase the name of your dealer and a complete description of the problem You can call M amp K between 8 30 AM and 5 00 PM Pacific Time Monday through Friday at 818 701 7010 If you call outside these hours leave a mes sage and we will return your call Alternatively an e mail can be sent to service mksound com DO NOT RETURN YOUR SPEAKERS TO THE FACTORY FOR SERVICE WITHOUT OBTAINING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION All M amp K powered subwoofers carry a five year limited parts and labor warranty This warranty is
5. to the subwoofer and a significant amount of the bass in the mate rial you are listening to will be lost 11 TROUBLESHOOTING Your M amp K subwoofer amplifier circuit provides high reliability and if necessary easy modular replacement of parts This guide will help you to solve or diagnose most problems that can occur with your subwoofer In the event that a fuse blows you must replace it with a fuse of the correct value to avoid a fire hazard and to maintain your warranty protection A If your subwoofer has no output is Make sure that the subwoofer is plugged into an AC outlet and that the cord is securely plugged into the back of the subwoofer 2 Make sure that the POWER switch is set to the AUTO or ON position If you hear no output with the switch set to AUTO move the switch to the ON position 3 Check the BASS LEVEL control and make sure that it is set above the MIN position Rotate it clockwise if it is set to the MIN position 4 Check the red LED on the subwoofer s back panel Ifthe LED is not lit check the AC fuse next to the LED Unplug the subwoofer before changing the fuse See instructions on Page 12 If the element inside the fuse is broken replace the fuse If it blows again contact your dealer or M amp K M R POWERED SUBWOOFER 5 If the red LED is lit try this test Turn the BASS LEVEL control to MIN Plug a standard RCA cable into the FROM PREAMP jacks Lightly to
6. 850 are provided with a detachable power cord This cord must be attached to the subwoofer BEFORE the cord is plugged into the AC wall socket 4 WHERE TO LOCATE YOUR SUBWOOFER M amp K subwoofers perform well in most room locations Unless your ear is a foot or two away from the subwoofer you will hear the deep bass coming exclusively from your satellite or main speakers There is no need to place your subwoofer in between the satellite speakers For the best performance we recommend that your subwoofer be placed against a wall preferably in a corner The ideal place for the subwoofer is the corner with the best structural strength If the corners of your room are roughly equal in construction use the corner nearest the listening position If the listening position is in the front half of the room place the subwoofer in a front corner If the listening position is in the back of the room it may be best to place the subwoofer in a back corner Feel free to experiment with the orientation of the subwoofer cabinet Sometimes the best sound results from aiming the subwoofer s driver directly into the wall 1 to 2 from the wall itself If possible avoid corners near doorways or openings Another option to find the best location for the subwoofer is to place the subwoofer at the listening position and walk around the room Stand in and near each corner The location where you hear the tightest bass with the most impact is probably the best
7. Do not use attachments not recommended by the product manufacturer as they may cause hazards WATER amp MOISTURE Do not use this product near water for example near a bathtub washbowl kitchen sink or laundry tub in a wet basement or near a swimming pool and the like ACCESSORIES Do not place this product on an unstable cart stand tripod bracket or table The product may fall causing serious injury to a child or adult and serious damage to the product Use only with accessories recommended by the manufacturer or sold with the product Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer s instructions and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer POWER SOURCE This product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label If you are unsure of the type of power supply to your home consult your product dealer or local power company OVERLOAD Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock LIQUID ENTRY Never spill any liquid of any kind on the product SERVICING Do not attempt to service this product yourself Opening or removing covers including any over bottom or side speaker drivers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards Refer all service to qualified service personnel DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified personnel under th
8. POWER RATING FREQUENCY RESPONSE DIMENSIONS HxWxD WEIGHT VX 850 ENCLOSURE TYPE WOOFER POWER RATING FREQUENCY RESPONSE DIMENSIONS HxWxD WEIGHT Sealed Box Single 12 Driver 250 watts RMS 20Hz 200Hz 3dB 0 x 0 x 0 lbs kg Sealed Box Single 12 Driver 250 watts RMS 20Hz 200Hz 3dB 0 x 0 x 0 lbs kg VX 860 VX 850 subwoofer manual 10 26 04 pt qrk PN 70054
9. S ies sees sees se AAR Eks 7 FIGURE 4 SATELLITE SPEAKER WIRING OPTIONAL a 8 Please record the following information for your records Serial Number Date of Purchase Dealer Name Dealer Address City State Zip Country Invoice Number ME POWERED SUBWOOFER 10 11 12 13 14 15 CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN The exclamation point within an CAUTION The lightning flash with arrowhead equilateral triangle is intended to TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK within an equilateral triangle is alert the user of the presence of intended to alert the user of the important operating and mainte DO NOT REMOVE COVER OR BACK NO USER presence of uninsulated dangerous nance servicing instructions in SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE REFER SERVIC voltage within the product s enclo the literature accompanying the ING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL sure that may be of sufficient magni appliance tude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS READ INSTRUCTIONS All safety and operating instructions should be read before this product is operated RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference HEED WARNINGS All warnings on this product and in the operating instructions should be adhered to FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS All operating and use instructions should be followed ATTACHMENTS
10. TO switch position the subwoofer is in an idle condition when your system is turned off and no signal is being fed to the subwoofer When the subwoofer receives a signal from your receiver or processor it automatically switches on ON SWITCH POSITION In the ON switch position the subwoofer is fully active whether or not your other components are turned on Do not plug the subwoofer into a switched outlet on another component Now play some music through your system to make sure that the satellite speakers are working properly If they are carefully advance the BASS LEVEL control The subwoofer should begin to play Set the BASS LEVEL control M R POWERED SUBWOOFER where the subwoofer sounds in balance with the satellite speakers If the system is not working properly unplug the subwoofer and check all of your connections Call your dealer or the factory if you cannot solve any problem 6 USE OF THE PHASE CONTROL Your subwoofer has a phase control that allows for continuous adjustment between O and 180 degrees This con trol let you fine tune the transition between the subwoofer and your other speakers To optimize the sound of your new subwoofer you need to perform a Phase Test This test insures optimum sound in the critical bass frequencies where your subwoofer and Satellite speakers overlap Play a familiar CD LP or tape with steady consistent bass Set the PHASE control to the 0 position Li
11. X 5 x 8 u v 7 Da 8 x operation manual VX 860 VX 850 ME Mek SOUND Miller amp Kreisel Sound Inc 9351 Deering Avenue Chatsworth CA 91311 5858 USA 818 701 7010 fax 818 701 0369 www mksound com 2004 Miller amp Kreisel Sound Inc ME POWERED SUBWOOFER TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 SAFETY INSTRUC ONS SG ee ee pe ae 3 2 INTRODUC TION se ee ee een 4 3 VOLTAGE SELECTOR amp POWER EORD ss ie besien bes ese See ee eke 4 4 WHERE TO LOCATE YOUR SUBWOOPFER unsre 4 5 SUBWOOFER HOOPER ees GE es GR Ge N ee ee ie Ge vd bes ee eke 5 WIRING WITH THE RCA JACK INPUTS is soas esse een 5 USING SPEAKER WIRE GONNEGTIONS esse esse eg ee ee Ee Ges RES 7 SATELLITE SPEAKER WIRING GOPTIONS 2 sis ss sees ee 8 PLUGGING IN THESUBWODFER anne ee 8 6 Use OF THE PHASE CONTROL suk ee ee 9 7 USE OF THE LOW PASS FILTER CONTROL 2232222 Een 9 8 USE OF THE BYPASS SWITCH een iin 9 9 USING MULTIPLE SUBWODFERS sessie 2 une an 10 10 HOME THEATRE USAQE an a iii 10 CONNECTING TO A SURROUND SOUND RECEIVER OR PROCESSOR 10 11 TAOLUBLESHOOTINE une esate ee SE EG pepe De ve ee pe ee Ee ER eN SEE 10 12 IF ie id aa Els aid oo RE AE 12 13 M amp K 5 1 CHANNEL amp PRO LOGIC SYSTEM SETUP GUIDE 12 14 SPECIFICATIONS zen ea ae 15 WIRING DIAGRAMS FIGURE 1 CONNECTING TO A SURROUND PROGESSOR u ea 6 FIGURE 2 CONNECTING TO A STEREO AMP OR PREAMP u 6 FIGURE 3 TO AN AMP OR RECEIVER USING SPEAKER WIRE
12. e following conditions When the power supply cord or plug is damaged elf liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into this product elf the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions Adjust only controls that are covered by the operating instructions as an improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to its normal operation elf the product has been dropped or damaged in any way When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance this indicates a need for service REPLACEMENT PARTS When replacement parts are required be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part Unauthorized substitutions may result in risk of fire electric shock or other hazard SAFETY CHECK Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition HEAT This product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators heat registers stoves or other products including amplifiers that produce heat ME POWERED SUBWOOFER 2 INTRODUCTION Congratulations You have just made perhaps the most exciting and dramatic addition that you could make to your audio or multichannel audio video system The
13. he sub woofer s power amplifier is mounted on the backplate and it generates heat 1 Leave clearance around the subwoofer s heatsink Do not cover it with drapes 2 Do not place the subwoofer near baseboard heaters or forced air heating outlets 3 Do not use the subwoofer outdoors or in a humid environment Do not plug the subwoofer into an AC outlet until all system wiring is complete 5 SUBWOOFER HOOK UP There are two different ways to connect the subwoofer to your system One uses speaker wire and the other uses interconnect cable with RCA type jacks If your receiver or processor has a SUBWOOFER OUTPUT RCA type jack use it This is the preferred connection for your M amp K subwoofer If your component does not skip to USING SPEAKER WIRE CONNECTIONS on page 7 You cannot use TAPE OUT jacks to connect your subwoofer because these jacks have a fixed output level that does not change when you adjust the system volume control WIRING WITH THE RCA JACK INPUTS The LINE LEVEL RCA jacks on the back panel of your subwoofer allow you to directly connect the subwoofer to preamp level components such as surround sound processors preamplifiers integrated amps and receivers with pre amp outputs Electronic High Pass filters crossovers etc ME POWERED SUBWOOFER FIGURE 1 CONNECTING TO A COMPONENT S SUBWOOFER OUTPUT ME MeK SOUND SUBWOOFER Q OS SURROUND PROCESSOR OR RECEIVER
14. hers and the overall sound is powerful and clean The goal is to achieve a smooth sound quality with the entire bass spectrum equally prominent In most rooms this is directly in the corner not the center of the room Because the subwoofer generates a great deal of energy its output may vibrate objects close to it If you hear such vibration you may need to damp the vibration of nearby objects One subwoofer is sufficient in a stereo system because of the nature of human hearing The ear brain hearing system is unable to locate the direction of bass sounds below approximately 150 Hz The direction of low frequency sounds drums basses etc is determined by the higher frequency overtones and harmonics that are reproduced by the satellite speakers Your powered subwoofer has an exceptionally sharp 86 dB octave low pass filter to remove the midbass and midrange frequencies unwanted in a subwoofer This makes your M amp K subwoofer truly non directional Your M amp K subwoofer is magnetically shielded Shielding avoids magnetization of the shadow mask of the televi sion s picture tube which will distort the television s picture If this ever happens to your set turn it off and on a few times to use the set s built in degaussing circuitry If the problem persists contact a TV technician and ask him to use an exter nal degaussing coil No matter where you put the subwoofer you must allow room for ventilation of its heatsink and backplate T
15. imes the same description for different functions Your component may use terminology different from that used below 1 High Pass Filters All Dolby Digital processor receivers have built in high pass filters for the Left Center Right Left Surround and Right Surround channels Always turn these filters ON by using the SMALL setting If you have a THX component use the THX setting See the owner s manual of the processor receiver for instructions 2 Bass Management If the processor receiver has a setting to turn the Subwoofer off or on make sure that it is set to SUBWOOFER YES or ON 3 Dialog Normalization If your component has this function turn it off to avoid any possible effect on sound quality 4 THX Dolby Digital units have an adjustable limiter for the subwoofer feed called Bass Peak Level Management Turn it off or set it for the highest possible level M amp K subwoofers do not need this limiter ME POWERED SUBWOOFER G If you have a Pro Logic only processor receiver follow these instructions SPECIAL NOTE Always check the processor receiver receiver s owner s manual Different manufacturers use different descriptions for the same function and sometimes the same description for different functions Your component may use terminology different from that used below 1 If the component has high pass filters for the Left Center and Right channels usually only THX components have these filters they
16. is at a different distance from your ear In some cases the difference will be just enough so that the output from the subwoofer arrives out of phase with the output of the satellites When this happens that critical mid bass is actually can celled You should re do this test any time you move your speakers 7 USE OF THE LOW PASS FILTER CONTROL The back panel control LOW PASS FILTER sets the upper rolloff point of the subwoofer eliminating mid bass and midrange that are being reproduced by your satellite soeakers The control is a means of fine tuning the transition between your subwoofer and satellite speakers and it provides a rolloff of 12 dB octave up to 200 Hz where the filter shifts to 36 dB octave In most systems including M amp K satellites 85 Hz gives the best blend If you don t want to experiment set the control at 85 Hz If you are using the K 5 K 7 Satellites set the control to 100Hz If you are using Xenon satellites LCR45 LCR35 or LCR25 or the MP4512 set the control between 125 and 200 Hz The goal is to get a balanced acoustic output in your room This is not necessarily the same as flat electrical out put Rooms typically reinforce bass frequencies around 100 Hz so by leaving an electrical gap you may actually get a smooth acoustical response where it matters in the room Think of this control as a mid bass fine tuning adjustment that you set to achieve the best transition between the satellite speakers and the
17. location in the room for the subwoofer If you are using multiple subwoofers place them in the same location Stacking is best but you can also put them side by side See Section 9 page 10 Alternately you can put multiple subwoofers in different locations This is appropriate when you have limited choices in locating the subwoofer and none of the available locations work well Try to place multiple subwoofers at equal distances from the listening position to avoid phase cancellation MR POWERED SUBWOOFER Ultimately the amount and quality of bass you get in your room are dependent on the room itself Low frequency bass sounds are affected most by the size of the room and the method of construction used to build it All rooms are different when it comes to reproducing bass and in any given room bass quantity and quality changes when the sub woofer is moved from one location to another A simple rule to remember is that you get more bass when you move the subwoofer towards any wall or corner Moving it away from a wall or corner gives you less bass Remember that the floor also loads the subwoofer and that maximum bass is found with the woofer on the floor in a corner In some rooms a corner location may excite resonance modes resulting in a muddy or boomy sound In these rooms a more central location along a wall away from the corner may give better results If you experiment try to find a spot where no bass notes seem to overpower ot
18. n t have one you can order it by visiting www videoessentials com Here are the instructions for speaker setup A Locate the front speakers The left right and center speakers should be equidistant from the main listening position Try to set up the speakers so that they are reasonably symmetrical to room surfaces A tape measure may be very helpful M R POWERED SUBWOOFER B Locate the subwoofer A The best place for the subwoofer is the corner with the best structural strength If the corners are roughly equal in construction use the corner nearest the listening position If the listening position is in the front half of the room place the subwoofer in a front corner If it is in the back of the room place the subwoofer in a back corner If possible avoid corners near doorways or openings 2 If you are willing to experiment another option is to place the subwoofer at the listening position and walk around the room Stand in and near each corner The location where you hear the tightest bass with the most impact is probably the best location in the room for the subwoofer 3 If multiple subwoofers are used place them in the same location Stacking is best but you can also put them side by side Another option for multiple subwoofers is to place them in different locations This is appropriate when you have limited choices in locating the subwoofer and none of the available locations work well Try to place multiple subwoofer
19. new dimension of deep and powerful bass provided by your M amp K VX series powered subwoofer will thrill and excite you We encourage you to read this owner s manual as there is a great deal of information provided here to help you get the best possible performance This manual gives you basic hook up instructions first followed by more detailed technical installation and service information If you have any questions about your subwoofer please contact your M amp K dealer or call us directly at 818 701 7010 from 8 30 AM to 5 00 PM Pacific Time We will be more than happy to help you with any question You can also access our web site at www mksound com or send us an email to support mksound com 3 VOLTAGE SELECTOR AND POWER CORD Adjacent to the AC power cord receptacle on the back of the subwoofer you will find a Voltage switch This switch is pre set at the factory for the proper local voltage so there is no need to change the switch setting For U S and Canada operation the proper voltage setting is 115V WARNING This voltage selector must be set to the correct local voltage with the proper fuse installed Attempting to operate the subwoofer with the switch set to the incorrect position may damage the subwoofer and there is a risk of fire Any such damage is not covered by warranty If you have any questions regarding this switch please contact your dealer or the M amp K factory DETACHABLE POWER CORD The VX 860 and VX
20. ofers connect one channel only to each subwoofer 1 Run speaker wire between the Amplifier s Left channel output terminals and the subwoofer s Left channel FROM AMPLIFIER terminals A Connect the Amplifier s Left channel Positive terminal and the subwoofer s Left RED FROM AMPLIFIER terminal B Connect the Amplifier s Left channel Negative terminal and the subwoofer s Left BLACK FROM AMPLIFIER terminal 2 Make matching connections for the Right channel See Figure 3 IMPORTANT NOTE FOR DOLBY PRO LOGIC SURROUND SYSTEMS NOT DOLBY DIGITAL 5 1 When the subwoofer is connected to the Left and Right amplifier outputs the Center channel WIDE NORMAL switch MUST be set to the NORMAL mode If the switch is set to the WIDE mode the bass content of the Center channel will not be fed to the subwoofer and a significant amount of bass in the program material will not be reproduced FIGURE 3 WIRING TO AMP OR RECEIVER USING SPEAKER WIRES AMPLIFIER OR RECEIVER SATELLITE SPEAKER WIRING OPTIONS If you use speaker wires to connect the subwoofer you have two options for the Satellite speakers f Connect both the satellite speakers and the subwoofer direct to your amp or receiver with one set of wires running to the satellites and another set to the subwoofer See Figure 4 below ME POWERED SUBWOOFER 2 You can also connect your satellite speakers to the subw
21. oofer If you choose to do this connect the amplifier to the From Amplifier terminals on the back of the subwoofer and connect the satellite speakers to the To Speakers terminals on the back of the subwoofer For each channel make sure that the Positive terminal on the amplifier is connected to the Positive From Amplifier terminal and the Negative terminals are connected and that the Positive To Speakers terminal is connected to the Positive terminal on the speaker the Negative terminals should also be connected If your amplifier has two sets of speaker outputs e g A and B you can connect the satellites to one set and the subwoofer to the other But if you get weak or no output when you connect your speaker this way connect both sets of speaker wires to the same output terminals FIGURE 4 SATELLITE SPEAKER WIRING OPTIONAL AMPLIFIER OR RECEIVER GE SATELLITE SPEAKERS PLUGGING IN THE SUBWOOFER Once all the speaker wires or preamp interconnect cables are in place you are ready to plug in the subwoofer Set the BASS LEVEL control to MIN Attach the power cord to the receptacle on the subwoofer s back panel Then plug the cord into the AC outlet Slide the power switch to either the AUTO or ON position If your hear a thump from the subwoofer this is the normal sound of its power supply charging AUTO SWITCH POSITION In the AU
22. s at equal distances from the listening position to avoid phase cancellation C Locate the surrounds Determine the best position in the room It will probably be the position used for THX speaker directly to the right and left of the main listening position on the side walls so that a listener in the center seat is directly between the speakers If that doesn t work or is not practical because of the room try these locations on the ceiling on the back wall or in the back corners using an M amp K ST Corner bracket D Install all wiring and interconnects E Aim the front speakers this is a must for THX front speakers Use a laser level to align each speaker Place the level on the flat surface between the midranges and tweeters that is roughly in the center of the front baffle The red dot of the laser should be aligned to the center of the listener s fore head at ear height Make sure that the volunteer who sits in the main listening position keeps their eyes closed Make sure that you aim the left and right speakers in both the horizontal and vertical planes Horizontal toe in is important for the best possible imaging F If you have a Dolby Digital AC 3 5 1 channel processor receiver follow these instructions If you have a Pro Logic processor receiver go to item 7 below SPECIAL NOTE Always check the processor receiver s owner s manual Different manufacturers use different descriptions for the same function and somet
23. same level If your meter measures a different level it is probably a limitation of this type of meter measurement method and not an actual audible level difference Set the channels using identical speakers to the same level unless you actually hear a difference later when you are doing listening to verify the system setup Check phase Make sure that all five main channel speakers are wired in phase The Video Essentials disc has tests for main speaker phase Make sure that the subwoofer and main speakers are in phase at the 80 Hz crossover point Listen to something with a consistent bass line around 80 Hz while a partner switches the Phase control on the subwoofer from to The switch position that results in the greatest bass at the listening position is the correct setting Play something that is familiar to you through the system to verify the system s overall performance If something does no sound right recheck your connections and settings Re measure re check re align Switch the processor receiver to each input that you will use Check your settings for each input and each mode Some processor receivers require that you enter settings separately for each mode and or input Before playing the system check levels and speaker alignment one last time Make sure that you write down all processor settings for future reference 4 POWERED SUBWOOFER 14 SPECIFICATIONS VX 860 ENCLOSURE TYPE WOOFER
24. should be turned on or set to THX if you have a choice use the frequency closest to 80 Hz The surround channels in a Pro Logic only system do not have switchable filters 2 Set the center channel to Normal unless you have a THX controller With a THX controller set the center channel to the THX setting 3 Turn off all limiters and compressors auto azimuth controls auto balance controls etc 4 If the processor receiver receiver has an input level control calibrate it per the manufacturer s instructions 5 If the component has a digital input and you are using a source component with a digital output always use the digital input not the analog input Set levels for each channel You can take a measurement at the listening position to establish the reference level but it is usually more accurate to take levels at about one meter from each speaker Set all channels to exactly the same level Use a Sound Level Meter Point it directly at the speaker being measured Set all channels to the same level using the processor receiver receiver s internal test signal Set the meter to C weighting and Slow response Set the levels to 75 dB if you have a THX processor receiver receiver or are using the Video Essentials disc as a source for setting levels NOTE If you using identical speakers anywhere in your system e g S 150THX speakers for the left center and right channels all of those channels should be set to the
25. signals are combined in the subwoofer s input stage the only thing this changes is amplifier gain To com pensate just set the BASS LEVEL control slightly higher 10 HOME THEATRE USAGE If you are using your subwoofer in a multichannel Home Theatre system make sure you are using the subwoofer Output jack to connect your subwoofer Check Use of the Bypass Setting above as well as M amp K s System Setup Guide on page 12 Compared to music sources in some cases you may prefer the subwoofer set to a higher playback level for video sources This may occur when video sources especially older films and some television have very little deep bass present You may also want to exaggerate the effect to make spectacular video sources even more impressive CONNECTING THE SUBWOOFER TO A SURROUND SOUND RECEIVER OR PROCESSOR The preferred connection from a surround sound amp or controller is from a SUBWOOFER OUTPUT or MONO RCA jack This connection insures that a full bass signal is fed to the subwoofer If your component doesn t have a sub woofer output jack connect the subwoofer to the front Left and Right channel speaker outputs do not use the Center channel speaker output VERY IMPORTANT When the subwoofer is connected to the Left and Right amplifier outputs using speaker wires the Center channel WIDE NORMAL switch MUST be set to the NORMAL mode If the switch is set to the WIDE mode the bass content of the Center channel will not be fed
26. sten care fully to the mid bass 70 100 Hz region the part of the spectrum where electric or string basses and drums are found Then adjust the PHASE control to the 180 position Now listen to the same musical passage concentrating on the mid bass region If you hear less bass the previous 0 position would be the correct If you hear more bass the new 180 position is correct If you have two subwoofers perform one test for each subwoofer When you perform each test make sure the other subwoofer is not operating by switching it to the OFF position or unplugging the power cord Once you have established which position gives the most bass you can further fine tune the control to produce the best possible sound by adjusting it between 0 and 180 When you hear the best balance between stereo image local ization and maximum impact and output in the midbass you have found the correct setting If you hear little or no difference when you adjust the PHASE control knob set it to the default 0 position Another method of setting phase uses a pink noise source and a spectrum analyzer If you have these place the microphone at the main listening position and look at its display in the mid bass region of 70 100 Hz The wiring switch position showing the most output in that region has the correct phase You need to perform this test because when satellite speakers are located separate from a subwoofer each speak er
27. transferable to sub sequent owners up to three years from the date of original purchase and it includes subwoofer amplifiers It does not cover abuse misuse repairs by unauthorized service stations speakers without serial numbers and speakers dam aged in shipping or by accident If you have any questions about the warranty please contact M amp K 13 M amp K 5 1 MULTICHANNEL amp PRO LOGIC SYSTEM SETUP GUIDE The 5 Most Important Items In System Setup 1 Find the best location for the subwoofer for maximum output and flattest response usually the corner closest to the listening position 2 Aim the front speakers and the surrounds if possible vertically for the flattest response and best imaging 3 Set all speakers to the Small setting for proper High Pass and Low Pass Filter operation to get the lowest distortion and maximum dynamic range 4 Calibrate all speakers and the subwoofer to the identical level for proper imaging and balance 5 Make sure all speakers are in phase for proper imaging and impact These instructions will help you make sure that you cover all steps in setting up a 5 1 multichannel or Pro Logic sur round sound system In addition to following this list make certain that you study and understand the owner s manual for each and every component used in the system especially the processor receiver s manual Have fun and good luck A useful tool for system setup is the DVD called Video Essentials If you do
28. uch the plug at the free end of the cable while slowly turning the BASS LEVEL control clockwise If you hear noise from the subwoofer when you touch the cable the subwoofer is functioning Look elsewhere in your system for the problem If you hear no noise contact your dealer or M amp K 6 Make sure that the input cables are OK Double check your connections If necessary replace any defective cables or speaker wires B If after operating the woofer at high volume levels for a long time the woofer cuts out or becomes intermittent Your subwoofer has a protection circuit that protects it from overheating After hours of continuous operation at extremely high volume levels this circuit may cut off the power to the subwoofer When it activates the sound may switch in and out rapidly with a fluttering sound If this happens unplug the unit and let it sit for at least half an hour After that time plug it back in It should operate normally If you find this happens frequently contact the factory for advice C If you are using the FROM AMPLIFIER terminals and the subwoofer has very little output Make sure that the input cables are in phase Reverse the and the connections for ONE CHANNEL ONLY at the FROM AMPLIFIER terminals If the problem remains put the cables back as they were Then perform the test in Step 4 D If the midbass range the area of transition between Subwoofer and Satellite speakers sounds weak
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