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18 S
Owner’s
manual
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Hello
Welcome to Dynaudio 18S
Active DSP Subwoofer
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This is
18 S
6 Introduction
8 Important safety instructions
10 Getting to know the 18S
12 Unpacking
14 Disposal
14 Carton contents
16 Installation
16 Positioning
18 Mains and signal connections
19 Subwoofer connections
22 Control and conguration
25 Subwoofer controls
26 In use
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Introduction
Introduction
Dear music lover
Welcome to Dynaudio 18S active DSP subwoofer. The 18S is a very high
performance product that rewards thoughtful setup and installation so we
suggest that you take a little time to read this manual before you begin.
Dynaudio
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Important safety instructions
Important
safety
instructions
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 in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources
such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including
ampliers) that produce heat.
9. 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. A grounding 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 t into
your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being
walked on or pinched particularly at
plugs, convenience receptacles, and
the point where they exit from the
apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories
specied by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand,
tripod, bracket, or table specied
by the manufacturer, or sold with
the apparatus. When a cart is used
use caution when moving the cart/
apparatus combination to avoid
injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during
lightning storms or when unused for
long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualied 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
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence
of important operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
15. WARNING: To reduce the risk of
re or electric shock, this apparatus
should not be exposed to rain or
moisture and objects lled with
liquids, such as vases, should not be
placed on this apparatus.
16. To completely disconnect this
equipment from the mains,
disconnect the power supply cord
plug from the receptacle. The mains
plug of the power supply cord shall
remain readily operable.
WARNING
Risk of electric shock. Do not open.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do
not remove the rear panel and do not
expose the apparatus to rain or moisture.
No user serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualied personnel.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence
of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
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Getting to know the 18S
Getting to know the 18S
The Dynaudio 18S is a DSP controlled
active subwoofer intended to augment the
bass performance of full range monitors
in near-eld or mid-eld monitoring
installations.
The 18S features a closed box acoustic
system and incorporates dual opposed
200mm drivers to minimise mechanical
vibration.
Connection facilities include balanced XLR
and unbalanced stereo inputs with output
sockets provided to enable the connection
of a second subwoofer.
The 18S incorporates low-pass lter
presets congured to match a range of
Dynaudio monitor models, three bands of
parametric equalisation and four generic
low pass lter presets that can be used
with main speaker models from alternative
manufacturers.
18S conguration and control is
accomplished through a rear panel
mounted display combined with a rotary
controller.
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Unpacking
Unpacking
1. Open the carton from the top and
remove the subwoofer accessories.
Do not remove the upper element of
the internal packaging.
2. Carefully rotate the carton on to its
side and again to turn it upside-
down.
3. The carton can now be lifted away
from the subwoofer. Remove the
lower internal packaging now on
top to reveal the underside of the
subwoofer.
4. Open the plastic bag and remove
it from around the base of the
subwoofer.
5. Carefully rotate the subwoofer on to
its side and again to turn it onto its
feet. The internal packaging can now
be removed followed by the plastic
bag.
After unpacking, make sure the
components are complete and check
the subwoofer and all accessories for
transport damage. Transport damage
may be expected if the packaging is
severely marked. Do not attempt to
install the subwoofer if it is damaged. If
the contents are incomplete or damaged,
please contact your Dynaudio retailer or
local distributor. Distributor addresses
can be found at: www.dynaudio.com.
Packaging material
The packaging has been designed
so that it may be reused if it was not
damaged during initial transport. Keep
the packaging and use it for all further
transport.
Note
The 18S is heavy and is best
unpacked close to its installed
location by two people working
together.
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Disposal
Disposal
Disposal of used electrical and electronic
equipment (applicable in European
countries with separate collection
systems for this equipment).
This symbol on the product or its
packaging indicates that the product
may not be treated as household waste.
Instead it must be handed over to
the applicable collection point for the
recycling of electrical and electronic
equipment. By ensuring this product
is disposed of correctly, you will help
prevent potential negative consequences
for the environment and human health.
The recycling of materials helps to
conserve natural resources. For more
detailed information on recycling this
product, please contact your local
authority, community waste disposal of,
or the shop where you purchased the
product.
Carton contents
• 1 x Dynaudio 18S active
DSP subwoofer.
• 1 x Mains power cable
• 1 x Document pack
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Installation
Installation
Positioning
The position of subwoofers in studio
rooms is generally less critical compared
to full-range monitors. However, best
results will most likely be obtained if
your 18S is placed between the left and
right monitors or in the vicinity of one of
them. If this is not practical, a subwoofer
position to the side of the left or right
monitor, or against a side wall can also
provide good results.
Placing a subwoofer close to or behind
or the listening position, even in multi-
channel surround sound installations,
generally results in inferior performance,
especially in terms of stereo imaging.
Note
Two subwoofers used in a
single installation can improve
performance by maintaining low
frequency stereo separation and
effectively averaging the effects of
low frequency room resonances.
Moving the subwoofer closer to walls
and corners will generally increase the
amount of bass. Although the extra
amount of bass can be compensated
for by reducing the volume level of
the subwoofer relative to the rest of
the system, this can result in uneven
bass response at the listening position.
Experiment with the position of your
18S to nd one which yields the best
compromise between convenience,
volume and even bass response.
Note
Every studio room will have
“room-modes”, where at specic
locations and frequencies,
the bass may be under or
overemphasised. This effect is
likely to be stronger in square
and rectangular shaped rooms.
Experimenting with the position
of the subwoofer is likely to reap
benets in terms of minimising
room modes.
The 18S incorporates signal processing
that can compensate for the time delay
and volume level differences between
the subwoofer and monitors resulting
from their relative positions with respect
to the listening position. Once you have
positioned your subwoofer, measure the
distances as illustrated. The measured
distances should then be specied at the
appropriate locations in the subwoofer
conguration menu. The conguration
menu is described in Section 3 of this
manual.
The 18S signal processing is able
to compensate for a maximum
of 5.35m difference between
subwoofer and monitor distances
to the listening position.
Left monitor
distance
Subwoofer distance
Right monitor
distance
Listening position
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Installation
Mains and signal connections
The 18S is tted on its rear face with a
connection and control panel carrying
mains, signal and conne ction sockets.
The panel is illustrated in Diagram 3 and
its connection facilities are described in
the following paragraphs.
1. Mains power socket. Connect the
subwoofer to a mains power supply
using the cable supplied. If multiple
cables are supplied with your
subwoofer, use the one appropriate
for your territory.
Note
Do not switch on your subwoofer
until all other connections have
been made.
2. Balanced XLR input sockets
(left and right). If your monitoring
hardware provides balanced outputs
connect them to these sockets using
high quality balanced XLR audio
cables.
Note
Balanced signal connection is a
feature of professional audio and
of some high-end domestic audio
equipment. It is inherently more
resistant to interference and noise
than unbalanced connection.
3. Balanced XLR output sockets
(left and right). The XLR output
sockets are intended for the
connection of active left and right
monitors or for a power amplier
driving passive monitors.
4. Unbalanced phono input sockets
(left and right). If your monitoring
hardware provides unbalanced
phono outputs connect them to
these sockets using high quality
phono audio cables.
Note
If your audio source provides only
a mono subwoofer output it can
be connected to either 18S phono
input. In this case however the
main speakers must be driven
from the audio source and not via
the 18S outputs.
5. Unbalanced phono output
sockets (left and right). The phono
output sockets are intended for the
connection of active left and right
monitors or for a power amplier
driving passive monitors.
6. Trigger input. The trigger input
enables wired remote control of
subwoofer standby and operational
modes in automated systems. Your
Dynaudio retailer or installer will be
able to provide more information
on the use of the 18S in home
automation systems.
Note
The USB socket present on the
18S connection panel is intended
for fault diagnosis and rmware
update only. It cannot be used
for audio connection or playback.
Contact your Dynaudio retailer
or Dynaudio directly for more
information of rmware updates.
Subwoofer connections
Service
Auto
ON/OFF
Trigger
in
6
Max. 12 V DC
1
100-120 V~, 200-240 V~
50/60 Hz 490 W
Right
out
5
Right
Right
Left
Right
in
4
in
out
Left
out
in
5
4
Left
2
3
in
Left
out
Note
The 18S distance compensation
signal processing can only
function correctly if the monitors
are driven via the subwoofer
outputs.
Note
The 18S distance compensation
signal processing can only
function correctly if the monitors
are driven via the subwoofer
outputs.
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It’s time
to create
Here’s how to optimise your new 18S
for your own studio
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Control and conguration
Control and conguration
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With the 18S subwoofer positioned in
the listening room and connected to
signal cables and mains power it can be
switched on via the mains switch above
the mains input socket on the rear panel.
The 18S must be congured
appropriately for the monitoring system
and main speakers with which it is to
be used. This is achieved via the rotary
controller, display and menu based
interface on the rear panel. Turn the
rotary controller to select conguration
parameters and press the control to
select options.
Note
If multiple subwoofers are
employed they should be
congured identically.
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Subwoofer controls
Control and conguration
The 18S conguration menu parameters
and their options are described in the
following paragraphs:
• Input sensitivity: Adjusts the input
sensitivity to match the output level
of your pre-amplier or audio-
visual processor. Initially select the
0dB option. Only adjust the input
sensitivity if the subwoofer volume
adjustment doesn’t provide a
suitable range.
• Volume: Set to match the volume of
your main speakers so that bass at
your main listening position is neither
too prominent or too quiet.
Note
Setting the subwoofer volume is
important in terms of both overall
system balance and the demands
of different types of programme
material.
• Presets: The 18S incorporates low
pass lter presets to match a range
of Dynaudio speaker models. If
your 18S is to be used in a system
with one of the Dynaudio models
listed, select it to congure the 18S
low pass lter appropriately. If your
subwoofer is to be used for the LFE
channel in a home theatre system
select the lter Bypass option.
• Parametric EQ: Provides three
bands of low frequency parametric
equalisation. Each band offers
frequency, gain and Q parameters.
Parametric is best used in
combination with low frequency
room acoustic analysis to identify
frequency response anomalies. The
equalisation is set to “at” by default.
Note
If your Dynaudio speaker model
is not listed among the 18S
presets, or your 18S is to be
used with speakers from an
alternative manufacturer, select
the generic lter preset closest to
the speaker’s specied -6dB low
frequency cut-off.
• Auto standby: Select to specify
the delay time before the subwoofer
will switch to Standby mode when
unused. The auto standby feature
can also be switched off.
• Line Wake-up: Select to enable or
disable trigger input switch on.
• Left main speaker distance:
Select to specify the distance in
metres of the left channel monitor
from the listening position.
• Right main speaker distance:
Select to specify the distance in
metres of the right channel monitor
from the listening position.
• Sub speaker distance: Select to
specify the distance in metres of
the subwoofer from the listening
position.
• Status: Select to display the
subwoofer operational status.
• Factory Reset: Select to return
your 18S to its default settings.
The rear panel Auto ON/OFF switch will
engage or defeat automatic switch on
and off in response to the presence or
absence of an input signal.
Rotary controller:
Rotate to select.
Press to conrm.
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In use
In use
Once installed and congured, your
18S should require little attention other
than perhaps occasional volume control
adjustment to suit different types of
programme material.
Cleaning your subwoofer
Bush the grille surfaces with a soft brush
and the cabinet surfaces with a clean
lint-free cloth. Do not use a vacuum
cleaner. If you wish to use a cleaning
agent, apply it to the cleaning cloth
and not directly to the subwoofer. Test
a small area rst, as some cleaning
products may damage some of the
surfaces.
Support
Should you require help or advice there
are a variety of support options for
Dynaudio products. These can be found
at dynaudio.com.
Data 18 S
System Twin opposed driver, closed box, active DSP subwoofer
Frequency response 20Hz – 230Hz ±3dB
Inputs 2 x balanced XLR, 2 x unbalanced RCA phono
Max. input voltage 1.01Vrms @ +6 dB Sensitivity, 2.0Vrms @ 0 dB Sensitivity
4Vrms @ -6 dB Sensitivity, 10.1Vrms @ -14dB (LFE) Sensitivity
Outputs 2 x balanced XLR, 2 x unbalanced RCA phono
XLR output impedance Differential: 200Ω, Single-ended: 100Ω
Phono output impedance 100Ω
XLR Pin-out Pin 1: ground, Pin 2: signal +, Pin 3: Signal –
Auto ON/OFF Yes
Amplier power 500W
Power consumption (standby) <0.5W
Power consumption (max) 650W
Driver 2 x 24cm
Weight 20.5kg
45.2lb
Dimensions (W x H x D) 470 x 333 x 268mm
18.5 x 13.1 x 10.6in
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18 S
Designed,
engineered
and assembled
in Denmark
Dynaudio A/S
8660 Skanderborg
Denmark
www.dynaudio.com
18S Owner’s Manual
Item no. 4556202
All text and image copyrights reserved.
Subject to change without notice.
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