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blue sky SAT 6.5 Active Satellite & SUB 12 Active Subwoofer
Owners Manual for 2.1 (stereo) Applications Issue 1
3. Quick Setup
1. Carefully remove the SAT 6.5 Active Satellite and the SUB 12 Active
Subwoofer from their respective packaging. Please make sure to
retain all packaging materials for future shipping requirements.
2. The SAT 6.5 and SUB 12 leave the Blue Sky factory fully calibrated.
With the gain controls set to the reference mark (which is at
12 o’clock on the gain control) on the subwoofer and monitor
speakers, a 200mV -7dBu pink noise signal, with a bandwidth of
500 to 2kHz, will yield 90dB SPL at 1 meter for the satellite. Because
most small monitoring rooms have some gain at low frequency
a good starting point for the subwoofer level is -3dB from the
reference position.
3. The SAT 6.5 and SUB 12 use XLR connectors. You will need a total
of four (4) XLR cables for a stereo monitoring confi guration (not
supplied).
4. The fi rst step in the installation process is to position the active
subwoofer. Although you have great fl exibility in where the active
subwoofer is positioned, a good starting point is centered between
the left and right satellite speakers. This could be under the
console, behind the console, etc.
5. Once the subwoofer is in position, connect two XLR cables from
the left and right monitor outputs on the mixing console or digital
workstation to the Left and Right inputs on the subwoofer. Then
connect the remaining two XLR cables to the left and right satellite
outputs of the subwoofer. You will connect these cables at the end
of Step 6. Please note that the SUB 12 has a sophisticated auto
mute circuit, which mutes the subwoofer’s active monitor outputs
when there is no audio signal present for 15 minutes. Please plug
in the power cord to the IEC connector on the subwoofer. Also set
the subwoofer Phase switch to “+” and the Mute switch to “Auto”.
6. Next, place the SAT 6.5 Active Satellite Speakers into position. The
recommended position for the monitors is based on ITU standards
and sets the speakers at 60 degrees from the listener, forming
an equilateral triangle (a triangle with equal sides). See Figure 1.
Fortunately, this setup eliminates most of the math and is easily
simplifi ed to the following guidelines: If you want to sit 1 meter
(39.37 inches) from the speakers, place the speakers 1 meter apart.
If you want to sit 6 ft from the speakers, place the speakers 6 ft
apart. Etc. The active monitors can be positioned on the console,
on stands, etc. Ideally the SAT 6.5 active monitors should be at
seated ear height. If this is not possible, tilting the cabinet at the
listening area can improve high-frequency coverage.
7. Once the speakers are in position, plug the two XLR cables from
the Left and Right Subwoofer outputs into the SAT 6.5 inputs, and
then plug the power cord into the IEC connector on the SAT 6.5.
Confi rm the system is wired as shown in System Signal Connection
Diagram on - page 6.
8. At this point the Blue Sky monitoring system is correctly confi gured,
and ready for the fi nal step in the installation. Prior to plugging
the system into the wall, and powering up the system, do a quick
check of all connections.
9. If everything is correct, plug in all power cords. Do not turn on
the power switches, yet! Some mixers and out-board equipment
such as D-to-A converters and equalizers generate loud rail-to-rail
pops when they initially turn-on. Depending on the level and
the gain settings of the monitors, these pops could damage the
tweeters in the SAT 6.5 monitors. To avoid this, always turn on
equipment in the following sequence: Mixer 1st, subwoofer 2nd,
and satellite speakers last.
10. At this point the Blue Sky monitoring system is fully operational, and
ready for use. Begin by playing familiar pieces of music, which
can assist you in the fi ne-tuning and exact positioning of both the
active monitors and active subwoofer. It is important to remember
that the positioning of the subwoofer in the room will impact
the subwoofer level. You may fi nd it necessary to increase or
decrease the level from the reference position. This is OK, and is
anticipated.
11. If a more exacting setup is required, a pink noise generator, used in
conjunction with a real time analyzer can be used to fully optimize
the system (See Page 10 - Expanded Setup Guide).
12. Just remember - Use your ears, they are the best audio tool you
have and you will be amazed how accurate the setup can be if you
use familiar audio material during the setup of the system.
13. Congratulations! You have now completed the set up of one of
the world’s fi nest monitoring systems. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact us directly with your questions.
(631) 249-1399 (9:00am to 5:30pm EST)