Infinity PS212 User Manual

Powered Subwoofer

PS212

Owner’s Guide

(120V)

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Read First!

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 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 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,par ticularly 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 power­supply 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 use attachments not recommended by
the product manufacturer,as they may cause
hazards.

16.This product should be operated only from the
type of power source indicated on the marking
label.If you are not sure of the type of power
supply to your home,consult your product dealer
or local power company.For products intended to
operate from battery power,or other sources,refer
to the operating instructions.

17. If an outside antenna or cable system is
connected to the product,be sure the antenna
or cable system is grounded so as to provide
some protection against voltage surges and
built-up static charges. Article 810 of the
National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, provides
information with regard to proper grounding of
the mast and supporting structure,grounding
of the lead-in wire to an antenna discharge
unit,size of grounding conductors,location of
antenna-discharge unit,connection to grounding
electrodes,and requirements for the grounding
electrode.See Figure A.

18.An outside antenna system should not be
located in the vicinity of overhead power lines or
other electric light or power circuits,or where it
can fall into such power lines or circuits.When
installing an outside antenna system,extreme
care should be taken to keep from touching such
power lines or circuits,as contact with them might
be fatal.

Figure A.
Example of Antenna Grounding as per
National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70

19. Do not overload wall outlets,extension cords,
or integral convenience receptacles,as this can
result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

20. Never push objects of any kind into this
product through openings,as they may touch
dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that
could result in a fire or electric shock.Never spill
liquid of any kind on the product.

21.The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping
or splashing,and no objects filled with liquids,
such as vases,shall be placed on the apparatus.

22. Do not attempt to service this product yourself,
as opening or removing covers may expose you to
dangerous voltage or other hazards.Refer all
servicing to qualified service personnel.

23.When replacement parts are required,be
sure the service technician has used replacement
parts specified by the manufacturer or that have
the same characteristics as the original part.
Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
electric shock or other hazards.

24. Upon completion of any service or repairs to
this product,ask the service technician to perform
safety checks to determine that the product is in
proper operating condition.

25.The product should be mounted to a wall or
ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer.

PS212 (120V)

2

INTRODUCTION

Infinity PS212 Powered Subwoofer

The Infinity PS212 powered subwoofer continues Infinity’s longstanding
commitment to accurate sound reproduction.Our proprietary technology
and engineering resources work together to deliver uncompromised
low-frequency performance in any stereo or multichannel home
theater system.

Unpacking the Subwoofer

If you suspect damage from transit,report it immediately to your dealer.
Keep the shipping carton and packing materials for future use.

PLACEMENT

Since the installation of a subwoofer can be somewhat more complicated
than installing full-range speakers,it is essential that you read this
section very carefully prior to connecting the subwoofer to your system.
Should you have questions relating to your installation,it is advisable
to call your dealer or visit www.infinitysystems.com for assistance.

The performance of the subwoofer is directly related to its placement
in the listening room and how you align the subwoofer with its satellite
speakers.Setting the volume of the subwoofer in relationship to the left
and right speakers is also of critical importance because it is essential
that the subwoofer integrate smoothly with the entire system.Setting the
subwoofer’s volume level too high will result in an overpowering,boomy
bass.Setting the volume level too low will negate the benefits of
the subwoofer.

Here are several additional facts on installation that may prove useful.
It is generally believed by most audio authorities that low frequencies
(below 125Hz) are nondirectional and,therefore,placement of a sub­woofer within any listening room is not critical. While in theory it is true
that the larger wavelengths of extremely low frequencies are basically
nondirectional,the fact is that,when installing a subwoofer within the
limited confines of a room,reflections,standing waves and absorptions
generated within the room will strongly influence the performance of any
subwoofer system.As a result,specific location of the subwoofer becomes
important,and we strongly recommend that you experiment with placement
before choosing a final location.

Placement will depend upon your room and the amount and quality of bass
required (for example,whether or not your room permits placement of the
subwoofer near either satellite).Be sure to leave a minimum of six inches
between the wall and the port on the subwoofer.

SUB

RIGHT­CHANNEL

SPEAKER

PRIMARY
LISTENING
AREA

Figure 1.This example shows the subwoofer positioned behind the
right-channel satellite speaker to re-create the actual location of
bass instruments in an orchestra and/or add impact to movie
soundtracks.

PS212 (120V)

3

CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS

Rear Panel

PS212

¡

Power Switch

™

Line-Level/LFE Input

£

Status LED

¢

Crossover Adjustment

∞

Subwoofer-Level Control

§

LFE/Normal Selector

¶

Phase Switch

Power

0

Line In

LFE

Input

1

Green: On
Red: Standby

2

Crossover

[Hz]

3

Level

Phase

LFE

4

MaxMin

Normal

5

6

15050

4

PS212 (120V)

SYSTEM CONNECTIONS

If you have a Dolby
DTS®receiver/processor with a
low-frequency effects (LFE) or
subwoofer output:

Set LFE/Normal switch to “LFE.”

®

Digital or

If your receiver/processor does
not contain a Dolby Digital or

DTS processor but has
subwoofer outputs:

Set line-level/LFE switch to “Normal.”
NOTE: If your receiver/processor

has only one sub out,you may use
either the L or R input.

PS212 (120V)

5

OPERATION

Power On

Plug your subwoofer’sAC cord into a wall outlet.Do not use the outlets on
the back of the receiver.

∞

Initially set the Subwoofer-Level Control
Turn on your sub by pressing the Power Switch

on your entire audio system and start a CD or movie soundtrack at a
moderate level.

Auto On/Standby

With the Power Switch ¡in the ON position,the Status LED £on
the back panel will remain lit in red or green to indicate the
On/Standby mode of the subwoofer.

RED = STANDBY (No signal detected,Amp Off)
GREEN = ON (Signal detected,Amp On)
The subwoofer will automatically enter the Standby mode after approxi-

mately 10 minutes when no signal is detected from your system.The
subwoofer will then power ON instantly when a signal is detected.During
periods of normal use,the Power Switch ¡can be left on.You may turn
off the Power Switch
you are away on vacation.

¡

for extended periods of nonoperation,e.g.,when

Adjust Gain

Turn your Subwoofer-Level Control ∞up to the halfway position.If no
sound emanates from the subwoofer,check the AC-line cord and input
cables.Are the connectorson the cables making proper contact? Is the
AC plug connected to a “live”receptacle? Has the Power Switch
been pressed to the “On”position? Once you have confirmed that the
subwoofer is active,proceed by playing a CD,record or cassette.
Use a selection that has ample bass information.

Set the overall volume control of the preamplifier or stereo to a comfort­able level.Adjust the Subwoofer-Level Control
pleasing blend of bass.Bass response should not overpower the room
but rather be adjusted so there is a harmonious blend across the entire
musical range.Many users have a tendency to set the subwoofer volume
too loud,adhering to the belief that a subwoofer is there to produce lots
of bass.This is not entirely true.A subwoofer is there to enhance bass,
extending the response of the entire system so the bass can be felt as
well as heard.However,overall balance must be maintained or the music
will not sound natural.An experienced listener will set the volume of
the subwoofer so its impact on bass response is always there but is
never obtrusive.

to the “min”position.

¡

on the rear panel.Turn

∞

until you obtain a

¡

Crossover Adjustment

The Crossover Adjustment Control ¢ determines the highest frequency at
which the subwoofer reproduces sounds.If your main speakers can comfort­ably reproducesome low-frequency sounds,set this control to a lower
frequency setting,between 50Hz and 100Hz.This will concentrate the
subwoofer’s efforts on the ultradeep bass sounds required by today’s
films and music.If you are using smaller bookshelf speakers that do
not extend to the lower bass frequencies,set the Crossover Adjustment
control to a higher setting, between 120Hz and 150Hz.

NOTE: This control will have no effect if the LFE/Normal Selector
to LFE.If you have a Dolby Digital or DTS processor/receiver,the Low-Pass
Frequency is set by the processor/receiver.Consult your owner’s manual
to learn how to view or change this setting.

§ is set

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE

The enclosure may be cleaned using a soft cloth to remove fingerprints
or to wipe off dust.

The grille may be gently vacuumed.Stains may be removed with an
aerosol cleaner,following its instructions.Do not use any solvents on
the grille.

All wiring connections should be inspected and cleaned or remade
periodically.The frequency of maintenance depends on the metals
involved in the connections,atmospheric conditions,and other factors,
but once per year is the minimum.

In the event that your subwoofer ever needs service,contact your
local Infinity dealer or distributor,or visit www.infinitysystems.com
for a service center near you.

Phase Control

The Phase Switch ¶determines whether the subwoofer speaker’s
piston-like action moves in and out with the main speakers,0˚,or opposite
the main speakers,180˚.Proper phase adjustment depends on several
variables such as room size,subwoofer placement and listener position.
Adjust the phase switch to maximize bass output at the listening position.

6

PS212 (120V)

SPECIFICATIONS

PS212

Frequency Response: 25Hz – 150Hz (±3dB)
Maximum Amplifier Output: 400 Watts RMS

(20Hz – 150Hz with 700 Watts Peak
no more than 0.1% THD)

Crossover Frequencies: 50Hz – 150Hz,

24dB/octave,continuously variable

Driver: 12" (300mm) MMD

®

Dimensions (H x W x D): 18" x 14-3/8" x 18-3/4"

(with grille) (457mm x 365mm x 476mm)

Weight: 44.7 lb (20.3kg)

Infinity continually strives to update and improve existing products,as well
as create new ones.The specifications and construction details in this
and related Infinity publications are therefore subject to change without notice.

PS212 (120V)

7

Infinity Systems,250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury,NY 11797 USA 516.674.4INF (4463) (USA only) www.infinitysystems.com

Infinity, Harman International and MMD are registered trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.
Part No.406-000-05522-E 11/06

© 2006 Harman International Industries, Incorporated.All rights reserved.