Boston Acoustics XB2 User Manual
Powered Subwoofer Featuring BassTrac
®
Important Safety Instructions
This symbol found on the apparatus
indicates hazards arising from dangerous voltages.
This symbol found on the apparatus
indicates the user should read all safety
statements found in the user manual.
This symbol found on the apparatus
indicates double insulation.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8.
9.
10.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by
12. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms
Do not install near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized
or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has
two blades with one wider than the other.
Agrounding type plug has two blades and a
third grounding prong. The wide blade or the
third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet.
Protect the power cord from being walked on
or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the apparatus.
the manufactur
or when unused for long periods of time.
er.
Warning! To reduce the risk of fire or electric
shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or
moisture.
This symbol found on the apparatus indicates
that the apparatus must be placed in a separate collection facility for electronic waste and
not disposed of with household waste.
13.
in
14. Maintain a minimum distance of 50 mm around
15. No naked flame sources, such as lighted
16. The apparatus shall not be exposed to drip-
17. Either the power inlet connector on the r
18.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.
the front, rear and sides of the apparatus for
sufficient ventilation. The ventilation should not
be impeded by covering the ventilation openings or placing on or around the apparatus
items such as newspapers, table-cloths, curtains, etc.
candles, should be placed on the apparatus.
ping or splashing. No objects filled with liq-
uids, such as vases, shall be placed on the
apparatus.
the apparatus or the power plug at the wall
must remain accessible, to be able to disconnect power from the apparatus.
To completely disconnect this apparatus from
the AC Mains, disconnect the power supply
cord plug from the AC receptacle.
ear of
2
Specifications*
Frequency Response (±3dB) 45Hz–200Hz
Subwoofer Amplifier Power 210 watts dynamic power output
Subwoofer Crossover 75Hz–200Hz
Crossover Bypass Yes
Bass Unit 8" (203mm) DCD
Enclosure Type Ported, Front Firing
Dimensions (HxWxD) 11.69 x 14.6 x 13.2"
(with feet and rear connectors) (297 x 371 x 336mm)
Weight 21 lbs (9.52kg)
*In keeping with our policy of continual product improvements, specifications are subject to change without notice.
FTC Rated Power: 50 watts @ 50 Hz into 4 ohms
at less than 1% THD+N
24dB/octave lowpass
Description
Boston’s XB2 subwoofer delivers the dynamic bass foundation that is essential for lifelike reproduction of movie
soundtracks and music in the home. This attractive, powered subwoofer will complement any stereo or home theater
sound system with its impressive bass output and compact size.
®
This subwoofer utilizes our rugged Deep Channel
engineering facility in Peabody, Massachusetts. Every one is tested as it comes off the line to be within ±1dB of
the lab reference unit, an incredibly tight tolerance. The amplifier has a built-in variable crossover that makes it
easy to achieve a seamless blend with the front/main speakers, while a 24dB/octave lowpass filter prevents the
subwoofer from being easily localized by ear, increasing placement flexibility. A crossover bypass function is
provided for use with home theater electronics that perform their own bass management.
Because of its str
high output from a remarkably compact enclosure. In addition, it features BassTrac
designed circuit that tracks the input signal to the subwoofer and prevents its amplifier from being driven into
audible distortion. The benefit: The bass stays clean and strong at almost any listening level.
ong amplifier and computer
Design (DCD) bass unit designed in Boston’s state-of-the-art
-optimized tuning, the XB2 is capable of impr
essive deep bass and
®
, a proprietary Boston-
Connections
Line level: Use the jack labeled “line level in” with most systems. These inputs accept the line level signal from your
receiver’s subwoofer output. The subwoofer’s circuitry filters out the high frequencies and sends the remaining low
equencies to the subwoofer power amplifier
fr
Speaker level: Use these high-level terminals labeled “speaker level in” with receivers that do not have
asubwoofer output. The speaker inputs accept both left and right channel speaker signals from your receiver.
.
3
crossover (Hz
crossover (Hz)
volume
volume
power
power
0º0º180º
180º
polarity
polarity
line level in
line level in
left
left
right
right
speaker level in
speaker level in
75
75
100
125125125
125
CAUTION: Disconnect supply cord before replacing
fuse. For continued protection against risk of fir
fuse. For continued protection against risk of fire,
r
replace only with same type fuse.
A
A
TTENTION:TTENTION:TTENTION:
TTENTION:
Debrancher
Debrancher
avant
avant dede rr
emplacer
emplacer lele fusible.
Utiliser un fusible de r
Utiliser un fusible de r
echange de même type.
echange de même type.
Powered Subwoofer Featuring BassTrac
®
120V 60Hz 0.75A
~
ononoff
off
T 0.75A L 250V
T 0.75A L 250V
~
~
XB2
bypass
bypass
0
0
10
power
power
C US
CAUTION
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR
How to Connect Using the Speaker Terminals
We recommend 18-gauge wire or thicker for runs up to 15 feet (4.5m), and 16-gauge wire or thicker for longer runs.
Separate the first few inches of the wire conductors. Strip off
speaker wire to expose the two conductors and tightly twist the wire strands.
WARNING: To prevent electrical shock hazard, always switch off the amplifier or receiver when making connections
to the speaker.
1
⁄2-inch (13mm) of insulation from the ends of each
When making all connections, be sure to connect the
+ (red) on the speaker to the + (red) on the amplifier, and
the – (black) on the speaker to the – (black) on the amplifier.
–
+
IMPORTANT: Typically, one side of the wire is smooth.
Connect this side to the – (black) connection. The
other side has a rib or stripe. Connect this to the +
(red) connection.
Using the five-way binding posts: The binding
posts permit easy connection to banana plugs,
spade lugs, and bare wire. Insert the wire in the
hole and tighten.
Connecting the Subwoofer to Digital Home Theater Systems
Digital 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 home theater electronics dedicate one channel (the “.1”) to reproduce the special
low-frequency information (such as explosions and thunder) contained in digitally-encoded soundtracks.
Select ”subwoofer-yes“ from your receiver’s set-up menu. Hooked up this way, the receiver’s amplifier is relieved
of having to reproduce the difficult low bass signals that can drive the receiver into audible distortion.
Use an RCA cable (not included), as shown, to connect your digital receiver’s subwoofer output to the subwoofer.
Set the crossover to the
bypass position and connect to “line level in”.
back of receiver
subwoofer out
4
crossover (Hz
crossover (Hz)
volume
volume
power
power
0º
0º
180º
p
olarity
p
olarity
line level in
line level in
left
left
right
right
speaker level in
speaker level in
75
75
100
125
C
AUTION: Disconnect supply cord before replacing
f
use. For continued protection against risk of fir
f
use. For continued protection against risk of fire,
r
r
eplace only with same type fuse.
A
A
T
TENTION:
TTENTION:T
TENTION:
T
TENTION:
D
ebrancher
D
ebrancher
a
vant
a
vant
d
e
d
e
r
r
e
mplacer
e
mplacer
l
e
l
efusible.
Utiliser un fusible de r
Utiliser un fusible de r
echange de même type.
echange de même type.
P
owered Subwoofer Featuring BassTrac
®
120V 60Hz 0.75A
120V 60Hz 0.75A
~
ononoff
off
T 0.75A L 250V
T 0.75A L 250V
~
~
XB2
bypass
bypass
0010
10
p
ower
p
ower
C US
C
AUTION
C
AUTION
R
ISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
D
ONOT OPEN
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR
RL RR
F
RONT A
LL
S
URROUNDFRONT B CENTER
S
PEAKER SYSTEMS
F
RONT A ORB, CENTER, SURR, SURR BACK
:
MINIMUM
6
OHMS
F
RONT A AND B: MINIMUM 8 OHMS
If you do not wish to run RCA cables to your subwoofer, you may use speaker wire to connect the subwoofer in
arallel with your front/main speakers (see diagram below). The subwoofer does not present any additional load
p
to your receiver.
Select “subwoofer-no” from your receiver’s set-up menu. This sends the subwoofer signal to the front/main left
and right speakers, and thus, to the subwoofer. Consult your receiver’s owner’s manual for more details.
When using the speaker wire hookup, the subwoofer’s built-in crossover is engaged. As a starting point, set the
crossover control on the subwoofer to roughly the lower limit of your front/main speakers’ bass response. Fine-tune
the crossover setting by ear for the smoothest blend with your front/main speakers. The best setting of the
crossover control will depend on speaker placement and personal preference.
Connecting the Subwoofer to Stereo or Dolby®Pro Logic
Systems
For stereo or Dolby Pro Logic systems, the easiest method is to use speaker wire connections as shown.
to main speakers
back of receiver
front
speakers
right
left
Be sure to connect + to
+ (red) and – to – (black).
®
When using the speaker wire hookup, the subwoofer’s built-in crossover is engaged. As a starting point, set the
ossover control on the subwoofer at roughly the lower limit of your front/main speakers’ bass response. Fine-
cr
tune the crossover setting by ear for the smoothest blend with your front/main speakers. The best setting of the
ence.
ossover contr
cr
ol will depend on speaker placement and personal pr
efer
For stereo or Dolby Pro Logic systems, the easiest method is to use the same speaker wire connections as shown above.
You may also use the “sub out” connection from your receiver to the input on the subwoofer marked use crossover con-
trol. When using speaker wire or the use crossover control input, the subwoofer’s built-in crossover is engaged. As a start-
ossover setting by ear for the smoothest blend with your main speakers. The best setting of the
ing point, set the crossover control on the subwoofer about 10Hz higher than the lower limit of your main speakers’ bass
esponse. Fine-tune the cr
r
crossover control will depend on speaker placement and personal preference.
5
Controls
crossover (Hz
crossover (Hz)
volume
volume
power
power
0º
0º
180º
polarity
polarity
line level in
line level in
left
left
right
right
speaker level in
speaker level in
75
100
125
CAUTION: Disconnect supply cord before replacing
f
use. For continued protection against risk of fir
f
use. For continued protection against risk of fire,
r
r
eplace only with same type fuse.
A
A
TTENTION:TTENTION:TTENTION:
TTENTION:
Debrancher
Debrancher
avant
avant dede rr
emplacer
emplacer lele fusible.
U
tiliser un fusible de r
U
tiliser un fusible de r
e
change de même type.
e
change de même type.
P
owered Subwoofer Featuring BassTrac
®
120V 60Hz 0.75A
~
ononoff
off
T 0.75A L 250V
T 0.75A L 250V
~
~
XB2
bypass
bypass
0
0
10
power
power
C US
CAUTION
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR
Crossover (Hz): Adjusts the frequency of the lowpass filter for the subwoofer.
Power off/on: Switches the amplifier on and off. Once switched to the “on” position, the XB2’s auto-on circuitry
turns the subwoofer on when a signal is presented, and turns it off after no signal is detected for several minutes.
Polarity (0° or 180°): Selects regular (0°) or inverted (180°) polarity for the subwoofer. Set this switch to provide
the fullest, most dynamic bass. The effect of phase will be most audible on low-frequency percussion instruments
or music with a continuously repeating bass line.
Volume: Adjusts the sound level of the subwoofer. A typical setting is around 11 o’clock.
Placement
Place the subwoofer next to a wall or in a cor
subwoofer is within 15 feet (5m) of the front/main speakers. However, the sharp 24dB/octave cr
mits placement farther from the front/main speakers if necessary. Since the ear is unable to localize the low
frequencies of the subwoofer, the bass still appears to come from the front/main speakers. In most cases, the
subwoofer may be placed anywhere in the listening room.
The level of bass output from the subwoofer will vary at different positions in a room. When placed near walls, its loudness is emphasized. Corner placement provides the most bass output, while placement near only one wall will provide
somewhat less bass. Placement completely away from walls may produce too little bass. Regardless of how you place
the subwoofer, you can adjust the subwoofer’s level with its rear panel level controls. If you move the
subwoofer
ner near your fr
echeck the setting of the polarity switch. Use the setting that yields the louder and mor
, r
ont/main speakers. Typically, the sound is best when the
6
ossover roll-off per-
e dynamic sound.
IMPORTANT: Do not place the subwoofer where there is a chance of contact between the rear panel and drapes
AUDIO
AUDIO
AUDIO
AUDIO
VIDEO
VIDEO
VIDEO
VIDEO
SVIDEO
S VIDEO
V-AUX
V-AUX
IN
IN
VCR
VCR
OUT
OUT
D-TV
D-TV
/CBL
/CBL
DVD
DVD
SVIDEO
S VIDEO
VIDEO
VIDEO
SUB
SUB
WOOFER
WOOFER
MONITOR OUT
MONITOR OUT
OUTPUT
OUTPUT
MONITOR
MONITOR
OUT
OUT
D-TV
D-TV
/CBL
/CBL
DVD
DVD
CD
CD
FM
FM
ANT
ANT
IN
IN
(PLAY)
(PLAY)
MD
MD
/CD-R
/CD-R
OUT
OUT
(REC)
(REC)
7575Ω
Ω
UNBAL.
UNBAL.
TUNER
TUNER
COMPONEN T VIDEO
COMPONENT VIDEO
DIGITAL
DIGITAL
OUTPUT
OUTPUT
D
IGITAL
DIGITA
L
I
NPUT
INPU
T
6CH INPUT
6 CH INPUT
CD
CD
COAXIAL
COAXIAL
R
R
L
L
R
R
L
L
MAIN
MAIN
SUB
SUB
WOOFER
WOOFER
DVD
DVD
MD/CD-R
MD/CD-R
MD/CD-R
MD/CD-R
OPTICAL
OPTICAL
O
PTICAL
OPTICA
L
D-TV/CBL
D-TV/CBL
Y
Y
P
P
B
B
/C
/C
B
B
P
P
R
R
/C
/C
R
R
SURROUNDSURROUND
CENTER
CENTER
AM
AM
ANT
ANT
GND
GND
line level in
right
speaker level in
speaker level in
r furniture.
o
Position XB2 in corner
for maximum bass output
If Speaker Wire Connections Cause the Subwoofer to Hum
Certain receivers use speaker grounding circuits that may be incompatible with the speaker level inputs of external powered audio products, such as powered subwoofers. When speaker wire is used instead of line level cables,
this incompatibility can result in an audible hum when the receiver is turned off or switched to a different speaker
channel.
If this should happen with your Boston Acoustics subwoofer, you will need to make a ground cable and connect it
to the RCA line input on the subwoofer and any unused RCA line input or output on your receiver (see diagram).
The proper ground cable for this application should consist of two male RCA plugs that have theirnegative outside ter
positive (or “pin”) terminals should not be wired or removed in either plug.
If you do not wish to make your own
grounding cable, please contact the
Boston Acoustics Customer Service
Department directly (next page) and
we will pr
suitable length at no charge.
minals (or “sleeve”) connected to each other by any length of single conductor copper cable. The inside
RCA jack
omptly ship one to you of
back of subwoofer
single conductor (-) RCA to (-) RCA ground cable
back of receiver
7
use any
available
RCA jack
If Service Seems Necessary
First, contact the dealer from whom you purchased the XB2. If that is not possible, write to:
Customer Service
Boston Acoustics, Inc.
300 Jubilee Drive
Peabody, MA 01960 U.S.A.
Or contact us via e-mail at: support@bostona.com
We will promptly advise you of what action to take. If it is necessary to return your subwoofer to the factory, please
ship it prepaid. After it has been repaired, we will return it freight prepaid in the U.S. and Canada.
Limited Warranty
For one year from the date of purchase, Boston Acoustics will repair for the original owner any defect in materials
or workmanship that occurs in normal use of the subwoofer, without charge for parts and labor.
Your responsibilities are to use the system according to the instructions supplied, to provide safe and secure transportation to an authorized Boston Acoustics service representative, and to present proof of purchase in the form
of your sales slip when requesting service.
Excluded from this warranty is damage that results from abuse, misuse, accidents, shipping, or repairs or modifications by anyone other than an authorized Boston Acoustics service representative.
This warranty is void if the serial number has been removed or defaced.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
BassTrac, Boston, Boston Acoustics, Deep Channel are registered trademarks of
Boston Acoustics, Inc. Dolby and Pro Logic are registered trademarks of Dolby
300 Jubilee Drive
Peabody, MA 01960 U.S.A.
978.538.5000
bostonacoustics.com
Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
© 2006 Boston Acoustics, Inc. All rights r
Specifications subject to change without notice.
eserved.
142-002499-0
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