Harman-Kardon SB15-230 User Manual

User Guide
English

SB 15/230

Active Speaker Soundbar

Designed to Entertain.

™

SB 15/230 Soundbar Home Theater Speaker System Owner’s Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................. 3

Description and Features

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Included
Soundbar Top-Panel Controls
Soundbar Rear-Panel Controls and Connections
Subwoofer Rear-Panel Controls
Speaker Placement
Placing the Soundbar on a Table
Wall-Mounting the Soundbar
Placing the Subwoofer
Connections

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Source Connections
Power Connections
Operation

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Turning the Soundbar On and Off
Turning the Subwoofer On and Off
Adjusting the System’s Volume
Muting the System
Soundbar Surround Mode Button
Subwoofer Volume Knob
Soundbar Trim Switch
Wireless Code Switches
Subwoofer Crossover Knob
Subwoofer Phase Switch
Programming the Soundbar to Respond to Your TV Remote
Troubleshooting
Specifications

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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 a 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 amplifiers) that produce heat.

9. Do not defeat t he safety purpose of the polar ized 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 is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit
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 specified by the manufacturer.

12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table specified 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 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.

15. Do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects filled with liquids,
such as vases, are placed on the apparatus.

16. To completely disconnect this apparatus from the AC Mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug
from the AC receptacle.

17. The mains plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily operable.

18. Do not expose batteries to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

THE LIGHTNING FLASH WITH AN ARROWHEAD SYMBOL,
WITHIN AN EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE, IS INTENDED TO ALERT
THE USER TO THE PRESENCE OF UNINSULATED “DANGEROUS
VOLTAGE” WITHIN THE PRODUCT’S ENCLOSURE THAT MAYBE
OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE TO CONSTITUTEA RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK TO PERSONS.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

SEE MARKING ON BACK OF PRODUCT.

THE EXCLAMATION POINT WITHIN AN EQUILA-TERAL
TRIANGLE IS INTENDED TO ALERT THE USERTO THE PRESENCE
OF IMPORTANT OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE (SERVICING)
INSTRUCTIONS IN THE LITERATURE ACCOMPANYING THE
PRODUCT.

2

Harman Kardon® SB 15/230 Included

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Harman Kardon® SB 15/230 speaker system, with which
you’re about to begin many years of listening enjoyment. The SB 15/230 has been
custom-designed to provide the excitement and power of the cinema experience in
your own living room.

While sophisticated electronics and state-of-the-art speaker components are hard at
work within the SB 15/230, hookup and operation are simple.

To obtain maximum enjoyment from your new soundbar speaker system, we urge
you to take a few minutes to read through this manual. This will help ensure that
the connections you make are correct. In addition, a few minutes spent learning the
functions of the various controls will enable you to take advantage of all the power
and refinement the SB 15/230 is able to deliver.

If you have any questions about this product, its installation or its operation, please
contact your dealer, the best local source of information.

Description and Features

The SB 15/230 is a complete home theater speaker system that includes:

A video-shielded stereo soundbar speaker (the SB 15CNTR) with two-way dual-

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driver left and right speakers and built-in 25-watt x 2 stereo amplifier

A 10-inch (250mm), 100-watt wireless powered subwoofer (the SB15SUB)

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Wall-mount brackets for the soundbar

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A 6.5-foot (2m) stereo audio cable for connecting the system directly to your TV’s

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audio output.

The SB 15CNTR soundbar contains the system’s left and right speakers and stereo
amplifiers, and features digital signal processing with virtual 3D surround circuitry
that creates a complete surround-sound experience without any extra speakers or
wires. You can set the soundbar on a table in front of your TV, and the system includes
hardware that makes it easy to mount the soundbar on the wall along with your
flat-panel TV. You can program the soundbar to respond to your TV remote’s volume,
power and source commands.

The SB15SUB subwoofer receives its signal from the SB 15CTR soundbar via wireless
technology, so you can place it anywhere in your room without having to run any
wires. Its 10-inch (250mm) woofer and built-in 100-watt amplifier deliver a movie’s
impact and excitement. Other conveniences include a volume control, a phase switch
for fine-tuning bass response to suit your listening environment, and an efficient
switching system that senses the presence of an audio signal and automatically
switches the subwoofer on.

Harman Kardon invented the high-fidelity receiver more than 50 years ago. With
state-of-the-art features and time-honored circuit designs, the SB 15/230 will turn
your flat-screen TV into a fun and exciting home theater.

One SB 15CNTR soundbar speaker

One SB 15SUB 10-inch (250mm) 100-watt wireless subwoofer

Two wall-mount brackets for the SB 15CNTR soundbar

One 24V DC power supply and AC power cord for the SB 15CNTR speaker

One 6.5-foot (2m) stereo audio cable

ENGLISH

Important

If anything is missing, or if any part of your SB 15/230 system fails to operate
properly, contact your dealer immediately.

Soundbar Top-Panel Controls Soundbar Rear-Panel Controls

and Connections

Power

Button

Power

Indicator

Surround

Mode

Button

Surround

Mode

Indicator

Volume

Up/Down

Buttons

Source

Selector

Button

Source

Indicator

Power Button: When the soundbar is in the Standby mode (the Power Indicator is
amber), press this button to turn the SB 15/230 system On. (The Power Indicator
turns blue.) NOTE: When the soundbar is in the Standby mode, it will automatically
turn On whenever it detects an audio signal at the Source 1 (analog) inputs.

When the SB 15/230 system is On:

Momentarily press the Power button to mute the SB 15/230 system. (The Power

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Indicator flashes blue.)

Hold down the Power button for three seconds to put the soundbar in the Standby

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mode. (The Power Indicator turns amber.) NOTE: The subwoofer will remain on for
approximately 15 minutes after the audio signal ceases, then will automatically
go into the Standby mode.

Surround Mode Button: This button turns the SB 15/230 system’s 3D Surround
processing On and Off. The Surround Mode Indicator turns blue when 3D Surround
is active, and turns white when 3D Surround is not active (normal stereo sound). See
Soundbar Surround Mode Button, on page 8, for more information.

Volume Up/Down Buttons: Press the ( – ) button to reduce the volume; press the
( + ) button to increase the volume.

Source Selector Button: This button switches between the sources connected
to the Source 1 (analog) and Source 2 (digital) inputs. When Source 1 is active, the
Source Indicator turns white; when Source 2 is active, the Source Indicator turns
blue.

Wireless Code Switch: Selects between four different channels for the wireless
subwoofer signal.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to set the subwoofer’s Wireless Code switch to the same channel
that you set the soundbar’s Wireless Code switch. See Wireless Code Switches, on
page 9, for more information.

EQ Switch: This switch adjusts the soundbar’s bass for either wall or table mounting.
If you’re mounting the soundbar on a wall with the included wall-mount brackets, set
this switch to the Wall position for the most natural-sounding bass performance. If
you are placing the soundbar on a table, set the EQ switch to the Table position for the
most natural-sounding bass performance.

Trim Switch: This switch adjusts the soundbar’s input sensitivity so it will work
with TVs that have different audio signal output levels. See Soundbar Trim Switch, on
page 9, for more information.

Source 1 Connection (analog): Use the included stereo audio cable to connect the
stereo analog outputs of your TV, DVD player or cable/satellite tuner here.

Source 2 Connection (digital): If your TV, DVD player or cable/satellite tuner has a
coaxial digital output, you can connect it here.

NOTE: If you connect your TV or another component to the soundbar’s Source 1
connection, you can connect a different component to the Source 2 connection.

Power Connection: Connect the included DC power supply here. See Power
Connections, on page 7, for more information.

IMPORTANT: Do not connect the power supply’s AC cord to an AC outlet until you have
made and verified all connections.

Power Switch: Set this switch to the On position (press the switch’s white dot) to
activate the soundbar. In normal operation, this switch will be left in the On position.
See Turning the Soundbar On and Off, on page 8, for more information.

Wireless Code

Switch

EQ

Switch

4

Trim

Switch

Source 1

Connection

Source 2

Connection

Power
Switch

Power

Connection