Earthquake Sound SuperNova MKV User Manual
Sound That Will Move You
SuperNova MKV Subwoofer
Operator’s Manual
“Simply The
Most Amazing
Subwoofer I've
Ever Tested.”
“There Might
Be Better
Subwoofers
On The Planet,
But I Haven’t
Heard Them.”
“For The
Ultimate In Gut
Wrenching
Bass.”
On A Personal Note...
Dear Valued Customer,
Welcome to the eclectic world of Earthquake High
Fidelity sound systems; you are about to experience the
SuperNova MKV subwoofer. This system is designed to
dramatically enhance your enjoyment of music and films at
home by adding power and impact to low frequency sound
effects.
Earthquake Sound Corporation is located in the heart
of the Silicon Valley. It specializes in manufacturing high end
home and car audio products ranging from the smallest driver
to the loudest subwoofer system. In its dedication to excellence, Earthquake has maintained extensive programs in
research and development to provide you with the highest
quality audio products.
This owner’s manual is designed to better acquaint
you with the SuperNova MKV subwoofer system and to guide
you through the phases of system design and application. It is
imperative that you read this manual in its entirety.
EARTHQUAKE technicians and staff look forward to answer
any questions you might have, please call (1-800-576-7944).
Joseph J. Sahyoun - President and
inventor of the SLAPS - proudly
showing off a SLAPS12 at one of the
SuperNova assembly lines.
CAUTION: the SuperNova MKV is capable of generating high
sound pressure levels. You should exercise caution when
operating this subwoofer system. Long term exposures to high
levels of sound pressure will cause permanent damage to your
hearing. Sound pressure levels exceeding 85dB can be
dangerous with constant exposure. Set your audio system to a
comfortable loudness level. The SuperNova MKV subwoofer
system is designed to generate high levels of low frequencies
(110 dB to 128 dB at 15 Hz to 20 Hz) and this will transmit a
tremendous amount of vibration into walls, shelves and the
structure; thus causing sheet rock flexing, glass and other
objects to fall off shelves. Earthquake Sound Corporation does
not assume liability for damages resulting from the direct use of
the SuperNova MKV, and urges users to play the SuperNova
MKV in moderate levels.
Safe & Proper Handling Of Your SuperNova
SuperNova MKV
The subwoofer system weighs over 80 Lbs. It is considerably heavy for
an average person to carry or maneuver. To prevent injuries and eliminate any possible
damage to your SuperNova MKV, we encourage you to employ the help of a friend when
unpacking the unit; further we suggest the following:
#1. Always wear a back support belt when carrying / lifting the SuperNova MKV.
#2. If possible, get someone to help you move the SuperNova MKV.
#3. Do not apply pressure or push against the face of the speaker; this will cause
irreparable damage to the cone and suspension.
#4. When carrying the SuperNova MKV, make sure that the speaker is on the other
side, away from your chest (eliminating the chance of pushing against the face of the
speaker).
#5. Do not drop the SuperNova MKV or subject it to sudden shocks. This will damage
the external finish and weaken the enclosure, creating air leaks.
#6. Avoid exposing the SuperNova MKV to moisture. Water will damage the wood
structure as well as the amplifier and speakers.
#7. Cleaning the SuperNova MKV is best done using soft cloth; if needed, use mild
detergent with water. Like with any other electrical unit, always unplug the MKV before
cleaning it.
Unpacking Your SuperNova
The SuperNova MKV is double boxed for product safety. We highly suggest having a
padded surface and at least two (2) people to safely unpack the SuperNova MKV.
Step 1
On a padded
surface, carefully
place the box on its
side to remove the
bottom packing tape
and staples.
Step 2
Without tilting the
box too much, tug
the bottom flaps
outward and keep
the protective foam
in place.
Step 3
Gently reposition the
box upright.
Step 4
Slide the box off,
minding the protective
foam on the top,
bottom, and sides of
the subwoofer.
SLAPS.
What Makes A SuperNova?
Premium Earthquake Subwoofers
Every component of an Earthquake driver is designed for
accurate reproduction of bass and sub-bass frequencies. With a
massive moving structure, these subwoofers operate with
extremely low distortion and impressive transient response. Their
performance is attributed to a non-conventional motor structure
design that integrates components such as:
* Double stacked, high-gauss magnets, with a total height of
1.5 inches
* Over 7 inch (D), epoxy coated super spider. Chill-plated for
long lasting linear performance
* 3” diameter, high temperature voice coil, with 1.85” copper
winding (height)
* 1.5” thick, single layer, thermally pressed poly-ether foam
surround
The SuperNova subwoofer structure allows high excursions (19
to 21mm) without physical deformation or running out of Reactive
Electromagnetic Coupling.
SLAPS
Besides its many advanced features, the SuperNova MKV is
armed with the Symmetrically Loaded Audio Passive System SLAPS (patented by Earthquake Sound Corporation). The
SLAPS is capable of moving more than 4” peak to peak at 15Hz.
More air movement translates to higher SPL; the new passive
system adds an excess of 5dB at 15Hz, that is more than twice as
loud at that frequency.
Telling The Difference Between The Passive
and Active Drivers
10” models: The 10” SuperNova MKV has a
deep-cone active driver with the Earthquake logo
on the front of it. Its SLAPS passive radiator is
flat and has no logo.
12” and 15” models: Both of these models use
flat active drivers and passive radiators which
both look almost identical. But they are not; the
one with the bolt head in the center is the SLAPS
passive radiator.
How is that possible? Current passive woofer technology relies
upon non linear, limited movement suspension. In contrast, the
SLAPS employs dual (identical) suspensions, allowing the
passive driver to move the same amount of air in either direction.
Further, the components used to build the suspension allow for
long excursions with no physical deformation or limitations.
THX Standards... One Octave Lower!
The SuperNova MKV performance exceeds THX
requirements of 105 dB at 30 Hz by far... In flat mode,
it achieves 123 dB at 30 Hz and reaches upwards of
128 dB when the bass boost from an audio processor
(source) is used. More impressive is its capability to
dish out 108 dB at 15 Hz and near 100 dB at 10 Hz as shown in the graphs below. Keep in mind that
typical subwoofer systems fail to reproduce frequencies below the 20 Hz mark.
Brace yourself and everything else in the room... This
SuperNova will extend the already flat, accurate, and
on-time low frequency response to deeper levels
where no other subwoofers have gone before. It can
put out enough bass energy to fill even large rooms
with sonic rumbling.
SLAPS used in SuperNova MKV are tuned by
adding mass to the structure of the passive
radiator. Steel cylinders are used to tune the
SLAPS to the desired frequency.
The SuperNova MKV delivers an impressive amount
of features aimed at fulfilling the promise of groundshaking bass, as suggested by its name.
Corner Loading = + 9 Decibels Of Free Power
Fact: Subwoofers reproduce frequencies with wavelengths
that are long in relation to the dimensions of most living rooms.
Standing waves will boost or cancel various frequencies due
to the interaction with the room boundaries. Moving a
subwoofer in a room will change what you hear in the listening
position a lot.
For maximum bass reinforcement, the SuperNova MKV
system should be placed in the corner of your living room with
the subwoofers facing the wall. This creates acoustical
coupling with the walls, which in turn leads to a 9 decibels of
boost in the overall response of the Supernova. Keep a 3"
clearance between the subwoofer and the walls.
Fine tuning the SuperNova MKV requires adjustments to the
crossover point, volume control and the phase switch. These
controls are located on the side of the enclosure. For ease of
tuning, we recommend that you turn the SuperNova MKV
around to expose the controls, and place it in position (corner).
Set your stereo system to a moderate listening level and adjust
the SuperNova MKV accordingly. The SuperNova MKV is
equipped with a 24 dB/Oct. low pass filter designed to
eliminate vocals from entering the system. When tweaking,
gradually reduce the crossover point setting to eliminate
vocals from seeping into the amplifier.
Positioning Options
Consider that room permissibility plays a big role in
positioning. One thing is certain, achieving a
perfect subwoofer setup in your living room will
require time and experimentation.
When used for special effects reinforcement
(10Hz to 40Hz range), the SuperNova MKV fares
well in corner loading position; as corner loading
naturally boosts the subharmonic frequencies by
9dB.
Used with music (10Hz to 100Hz), it is recommended that the SuperNova MKV is placed in a
corner, yet it can be placed in a centered position.
By using two MKV subwoofer systems (one in each
corner), corner loading effects can be achieved
without disturbing the balance of front stereo
images.
Corner Loading will give you an added 6 to 9 decibels of
sound pressure; also it reduces the level of vocals - if
present - emitted from the subwoofer. We recommend
that the active subwoofer face the listener, while the
passive faces the wall (corner). Keep a clearance of 5” to
7” between the SLAPS and the wall - remember that the
SLAPS can travel up to 4”.
SUPERNOVA MKV
CORNER LOADING
Corner Loading is recommended for
movies and sound tracks effects.
MKV
Widescreen
Viewing position
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