Revel B12 User Manual

Revel Concerta B12 Subwoofer

Owner’s Manual

(120V/230V)

®

™

2

3 Oak Park, Bedford, MA, 01730-1413 USA

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

www.revelspeakers.com

Customer Service:

Telephone: [phone]

Sales Fax: [phone]

Service Fax: [phone]

Product Shipments

16 Progress Road
Billerica, MA 01821-5730 USA
Part No. 354111-001 | Rev A | 12/04

Kapton is a registered trademark of the E.I. du Pont de
Nemours Company.

"DTS" is a trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

"Dolby" is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories.

“Revel,” “Concerta,” and the Revel logo are registered trade­marks of Harman International Industries. U.S. patent numbers
and other worldwide patents issued and pending.

©2004 Harman Specialty Group.All rights reserved.

This document should not be construed as a commitment on
the part of Harman Specialty Group.The information it con­tains is subject to change without notice. Harman Specialty
Group assumes no responsibility for errors that may appear
within this document.

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

3

CAUTION

To r educe the risk of electric shock, do
not remove cover (or back). No user­serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing
to qualified service personnel.

CAUTION

To prevent electric shock, do not use
this (polarized) plug with an extension
cord, receptacle or other outlet unless
the blades can be fully inserted to pre­vent blade exposure.

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 are
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 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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

4

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. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

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

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

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
(below).

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.

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

Figure A: Outdoor Grounding

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Documentation Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

About the B12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Highlights • Product Registration

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Subwoofer Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Front View • Rear Panel

Placement/Optimization Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

General Placement Guidelines • Feet and Optional Spikes

Making Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Typical Configuration with a Receiver or Multi-Channel Processor

• Two-Channel Applications without an External Crossover

• Multiple B12 Connections • Typical Configuration with a
Receiver/Processor with two subwoofer outputs • Alternate
Configuration with a Receiver/Processor with two subwoofer outputs •
Stereo Bass Connections with Multiple B12s

Obtaining Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

6

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

DOCUMENTATION CONVENTIONS

This document contains general safety, installation, and operation
instructions for the Revel Concerta B12 Subwoofer (both the 120V and
230V models). It is important to read this document before attempting
to use this product. Pay particular attention to safety instructions.

Appears on the component to indicate the
presence of uninsulated, dangerous voltage
inside the enclosure – voltage that may be
sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.

Appears on the component to indicate important
operating and maintenance instructions in the
accompanying literature.

WARNING Calls attention to a procedure, practice, condition,

or the like that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in injury or death.

CAUTION Calls attention to a procedure, practice,

condition, or the like that, if not correctly
performed or adhered to, could result in damage
to or destruction of part or all of the product.

Note Calls attention to information that is essential to

highlight.

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REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

ABOUT THE B12

Thank you for purchasing the Revel
Concerta B12 Subwoofer. The B12 is a
high-performance powered subwoofer that
produces prodigious low-frequency output.
The B12 perfectly augments the Revel
Concerta Series loudspeakers in stereo music
or home theater entertainment systems.

The B12 subwoofer system features a
10-inch (254mm) woofer powered by a
650-watt amplifier. The B12 subwoofer
reproduces deep, realistic bass sounds
down to the lowest frequencies with low
distortion. The B12 woofer produces up to
2-inch (50.8mm) peak-to-peak excursion
providing extraordinarily high output
down to the lowest frequencies.

Combining superior form and function,
the B12’s proprietary woofer features a
distinctive design that allows for low distor­tion, even at high output levels. The
woofer is constructed with an anodized
aluminum diaphragm for high strength at
high output levels. The spider is constructed
with a high-strength Nomex blend with
optimized geometry for increased linearity.

The subwoofer’s motor structure features a
Symmetrical Field Gap (SFG) configuration.
The motor includes a large ceramic mag­net motor system. An integrated stabiliza­tion ring minimizes modulation inside the
motor’s static gap flux field, which aids in
reducing distortion. A 3-inch (76mm) cop­per voice coil is wound on a Kapton® bob­bin for impressive power handling and
freedom from compression. A vented center
pole facilitates heat dissipation which
allows for high power handling and low
compression.

The B12 cabinet is constructed with medi­um-density fiberboard (MDF) walls and
extensive internal bracing to reduce cabi­net-induced colorations. Rubber feet are
attached to the bottom of the cabinet for

optimal stability, accommodating installa­tions on tile and hardwood floors. Optional
(included) spikes can be installed for place­ment on carpeted surfaces.

The Concerta B12 features adjustable
controls and multiple connection options
which allow you to optimize its perform­ance in any system and listening room.

Since 1996, Revel has stood at the forefront
of loudspeaker design. Backed by Harman
International’s extensive research and
design facilities, the Revel Concerta Series
Loudspeakers benefit from cutting-edge
development tools. A multi-channel listen­ing lab allows for double-blind listening
tests. A laser interferometer enables
detailed driver and cabinet analysis.
Multiple large anechoic chambers provide
for precise tests and measurements. Finite
element analysis allows for advanced loud­speaker modeling. A stereo lithography appa­ratus aids in achieving tight tolerances.

Adding to the proud lineage of Revel’s
Ultima and Performa Series Loudspeakers,
the Concerta B12 solidifies Revel’s reputa­tion as the leading designer and manufac­turer of high-quality, high-performance loud­speakers and subwoofers.

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REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

HIGHLIGHTS

• Powerful bass output

•Proprietary 10-inch (254mm) anodized
aluminum diaphragm woofer

• Built-in 650W amplifier

• Line Level RCA inputs

• Advanced woofer motor structure

• Large voice coils for wide dynamic
range without compression

• Phase Switch

• Low Pass Frequency control

• Bass Volume Level control

• Parametric Room Equalization controls

• Rubber feet/spikes

• Elegant cabinet design in vinyl finishes

PRODUCT REGISTRATION

Please register the B12 within 15 days of
purchase. To do so, register online at
www.revelspeakers.com or complete and
return the included product registration
card. The product registration card serves
no warranty purposes. Retain the original,
dated sales receipt as proof of warranty
coverage.

UNPACKING

The B12 requires special care and handling
during unpacking. Pay particular attention
to the precautions that appear in this section
and to other precautions that appear
throughout this owner’s manual.

WARNING

Do not attempt to lift or move the B12
alone. Proper lifting requires at least
two strong adults.When lifting the B12,
stand as straight as possible using the
leg muscles to lift. Do not attempt to
lift the B12 while bending at the waist.
When moving the B12, rock it side-to­side into the desired position. Failure to
follow these procedures may result in
personal injuries and/or loudspeaker
damage.

When unpacking, save all packing materials
for possible future shipping needs. Refer to
the Obtaining Service section on page 21
for additional information.

To unpack the B12:

1. Place the packing carton on its side
and fully open the top flaps as shown
in Figure 1 (page 9).

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REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

Unpacking

(continued)

2. Without allowing the top flaps to close,
stand the packing carton upside-down
as shown in Figure 1 (above).

3. Lift the packing carton off of the
subwoofer as shown in Figure 2
(above). Use caution to avoid dam­aging the cabinet and objects locat­ed above the packing carton. At
this point, the subwoofer will be
upside-down.

Note

While the subwoofer is upside-down, it is
recommended to adjust the spike feet if
the B12 will be placed on a carpeted
floor. Refer to the Feet and Optional
Spikes section that begins on page 17
for instructions.

4. Grasping the sides of the cabinet, place
the B12 on its side. Then, place the B12
in the upright position.

5. When the B12 is in the upright posi­tion, remove the Owner’s Manual,
Warranty Card and microfoam sheet.

1

2

3

Figure 1: Unpacking the B12

Figure 2: Lifting the Carton

Figure 3: Packing Materials

10

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

SUBWOOFER OVERVIEW

CAUTION

To prevent cabinet damage, do not use
a cloth made with steel wool or use
metal polish to clean the cabinet.

REAR PANEL

The numbers in Figure 5 (page 11) corre­spond with the numbered items in this
section.

1. Line-Level Inputs

Gold-plated stereo RCA line-level
inputs allow you to connect the sub­woofer to a receiver or surround proces­sor's subwoofer output using an RCA
patch cable.

2. Power Indicator LED

Indicates whether the B12 is in Standby
or Normal operation mode. Lights red
to indicate Standby mode. Lights green
to indicate Normal operation. The B12
will automatically enter Standby mode
after approximately ten minutes when
no signal is detected from your system.
The B12 will power on instantly when
a signal is detected.

3. Subwoofer Level (Volume)
Control

Adjusts the woofer’s volume level.

4. Low Pass Frequency Control

Adjusts the variable 50Hz-175Hz low­pass crossover. Determines the highest
frequency at which the B12 reproduces
sounds.

• Set to a lower frequency setting,

between 50Hz and 100Hz, for larg­er main loudspeakers that can
comfortably reproduce some low­frequency sounds.

Figure 4: B12 Subwoofer (Front View)

The numbers in Figure 4 (shown here) correspond with the
numbered items in the Front View section that begins
below.

FRONT VIEW

The numbers in Figure 4 (above) corre­spond with the numbered items below.

1. Woofer

2. Cabinet

Reduces cabinet-induced colorations
with MDF walls and extensive internal
bracing. Rubber feet/spikes are
attached to the bottom of the cabinet
for optimal stability, accommodating
installations on tile, hardwood, and
carpeted floors. The cabinet’s vinyl
finish does not require routine mainte­nance. However, cabinet surfaces that
have been marked with fingerprints,
dust, or other dirt can be cleaned using
a soft cloth. Do not use any cleaning
products or polishes on the cabinet or
grille.

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REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

dB

L

6

6

OFF

ON

ROOM EQ

Octave

Hz

20

80

-14

0

.05

.53

BANDWIDTH

FREQUENCY

LEVEL

POWER
GREEN: ON
RED: STANDBY

44

22

33

63

-6

-13

-10

-1

.40

.18

.33

.49

P/N: 354223-001

Revel
Northridge, California, USA

6

Low Pass Frequency Control
(continued)

A lower frequency setting will con­centrate the B12 subwoofer’s efforts
on the deep bass required by con­temporary music and film sound­tracks.

• Set to a higher setting, between
100Hz and 175Hz, for smaller
bookshelf loudspeakers that do not
extend to the lower bass frequen­cies.

If the frequency control is set too high,
bass will sound “too boomy” and over­power the overall sound. If it is set too
low, some low frequency sounds may
be difficult to hear, or absent altogeth­er.

This control will have no effect if the
Low-Pass Filter Switch (No. 6 in Figure 5) is
set to OFF (Normal) because in that case
the receiver/processor will set the crossover
frequency. If using a DTS or Dolby Digital
receiver/processor, set this control to OFF
(Normal).

Note

This control does not limit the frequency
range of the main speakers in the system.
The objective of adjusting the Low Pass
Frequency control is to result in the repro­duction of all frequencies, while minimiz­ing any overlap. (It is undesirable for the
subwoofer and the main speakers to both
reproduce the same frequencies, as this
would result in very irregular response.
That is because there would be reinforce­ment at some frequencies where they
happened to be in phase, and cancellation
at others where they are out of phase).

The numbers in Figure 5 (shown here) correspond with the
numbered items in the Rear Panel section that began on
page 10.

Figure 5: B12 Subwoofer (Rear View)

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REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

5. Phase Switch

Compensates for the absolute phase of
the B12’s output relative to the front
speakers. Some associated electronics
can invert the absolute phase. Use this
switch to correct such occurences.
Proper phase adjustment can also
depend on variables such as room size,
subwoofer placement and listener posi­tion. Use this switch to maximize bass
output at the primary listening posi­tion.

• Select the 180 setting to invert the
B12 output (180 degrees) relative to
the input.

• Select the 0 setting to set the B12
acoustic output in phase
(0 degrees) with the input.

6. Low Pass Filter Switch

Activates or deactivates the Low Pass
Frequency Control. This switch opti­mizes the B12 for receiver/processor
connections to ensure proper low-fre­quency reproduction.

• Select the OFF (Normal) setting if
you have a 5.1-, 6.1- or 7.1 chan­nel Dolby Digital or DTS home
theater receiver/processor with a
subwoofer output. When set to OFF
(Normal), the receiver/processor
will set the crossover frequency.

• Select the ON setting if your
system does not include a crossover.
For example, most 2-channel
configurations do not include a
crossover.

Note

Some processors might incorrectly label
the subwoofer output connector as "LFE."
If there is no connector labeled “sub­woofer,” but there is an LFE output, that is
the correct connection. Some processors
offer both "Subwoofer" and "LFE" outputs.
In those cases, the "Subwoofer" outputs
should always be used.

Some processors offer multiple subwoofer
outputs. If there are two subwoofer
outputs, a few connection options are
possible. You can set the processor to
“mono subwoofer” and use either the Left
or Right outputs. An alternative method is
to connect the two subwoofer outputs to
the B12 Left and Right inputs. If two B12s
are used, each subwoofer output can be
connected to a separate B12. If four B12s
are included in your system, use Y-adapters
to make connections.

7. Room EQ (Equalizer)
Parametric Control

Optimizes the subwoofer’s response for
the listening room. The parametric
equalizer includes variable controls to
adjust Frequency, Bandwidth and
Level.

• Use the Frequency control to select

the center frequency of the particu­lar problem area. The range is
from 20Hz to 80Hz.

• Use the Bandwidth control to

define the range of frequencies over
which the equalizer will have an
effect. The range is from 0.05
octaves to 0.53 octaves.

• Use the Level control to set the

amount of cut (in dBs) the equaliz­er is set for. The range is from 0dB
to -14dB.

8. Power Switch

Connects or disconnects power from
the AC input cord. During periods of
intermittent use, the Power Switch can
be left on. Turn off the Power Switch for
extended periods of nonuse.

9. AC Input Cord

Provides power to the B12 through the
attached power cord.

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REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

PLACEMENT/OPTIMIZA­TION OVERVIEW

Below 300Hz, loudspeaker and listener
locations have a profound impact on the
way sound is reproduced. All rooms have
“standing waves,” where certain frequen­cies are emphasized or diminished. Their
complex patterns can combine to intro­duce tremendous sound coloration at low
frequencies.

The B12’s Room EQ parametric equaliza­tion system offers a powerful tool to help
compensate for these effects. However, no
electronic system alone can fully compen­sate for the dramatic effects of room
acoustics. Every room will have locations
where “nulls” at specific frequencies occur.
These cancellations of the sound are like
“black holes,” which no amount of equal­ization can fill. The best results are always
achieved through careful placement of
both the loudspeakers and the listening
position. Optimum placement can be
determined through the use of computer
modeling programs, or by trial-and-error
measurements. If at all possible, find the
best loudspeaker and listener locations
before proceeding with adjustments of the
Revel parametric equalizers.

•To help determine good locations for
the subwoofer(s) and the listener(s), we
recommend making high-resolution
in-room response measurements. Your
authorized Revel dealer can make the
appropriate measurements using suit­able equipment to assure optimum
results. Further information, including
how to perform in-room measurements
yourself can also be found at
www.revelspeakers.com.

Note

The Concerta B12 parametric equalizer
can be used with sound measurement
equipment having at least one-tenth­octave resolution at 20Hz. Do not use
crude measurement devices, such as most
real-time or any one-third-octave analyz­ers, to measure low-frequency performance
in a listening room. Room boundaries
often cause modes or standing waves with
very narrow-band peaks and dips that are
beyond this equipment’s measurement-res­olution capability. Adjusting the paramet­ric equalizer based on this data can result
in very misleading results and degraded
sound quality.

GENERAL PLACEMENT
GUIDELINES

• As a general rule, placing a subwoofer
in the corner of a room, as shown in
Figure 6 (below), will result in the max­imum number of “peaks” and mini­mum number of “dips” in the
response. Most dips cannot be equal­ized, but they can be minimized
through optimum placement of sub­woofer(s) and the listening position.
The resulting peaks can be corrected
through the use of the B12 subwoofer’s
built-in parametric equalization.

Figure 6: B12 Placement

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REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

Figure 7: B12 Placement in Opposite Corners

Figure 8: Subwoofer Placement at Opposite Walls

General Placement Guidelines
(continued)

• Due to the nature of room acoustics,
experiment with different listening
location(s), as well as loudspeaker loca­tions, to obtain the best sound at low
frequencies.

• For best results, place the Concerta B12
subwoofer(s) near solid walls to rein­force bass response, and avoid
windows which can rattle and transmit
sound to the outside world.

• The use of two properly placed
Concerta B12 subwoofers will result in
smoother low frequency response and
more consistent sound throughout the
listening area.

• If you plan to use two B12 subwoofers
and you cannot make high-resolution
measurements, try placing the
subwoofers at diagonally-opposite
corners as shown in Figure 7 (right), or
at the mid-points of opposite walls, as
shown in Figure 8 (right) and Figure 9
(page 15). Use of a modeling program
or trial-and-error measurements to
further determine the best locations is
recommended. Using precise measure­ments to determine subwoofer place­ment will minimize response dips due
to standing wave cancellation. See
your Revel dealer for assistance.

• For large rooms (greater than 2,000 to
3,000 cubic feet or 57 to 85 cubic
meters) consider adding one or more
B12 subwoofers for more bass output
and lower distortion.

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REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

General Placement Guidelines
(continued)

• The use of four properly placed

Concerta B12 subwoofers can achieve
the smoothest low frequency response
with the most consistent sound
throughout the listening area. When
using four B12s, the flattest response is
usually obtained by placing one pair
at the mid-way point of the opposite
front and back walls, and a second
pair at the mid-way points of the side
walls as shown in Figure 10 (right).
Your Revel dealer can use in-room
measurements to fine-tune the loca­tions to account for variations in
construction among the room walls.

• Another option is to place the four

Concerta B12 subwoofers in the corners
of the listening room as shown in
Figure 11 (right).

Figure 11: Four B12s Corner Placement

Figure 10: Four B12 Subwoofers PlacementFigure 9: Alternative Placement at Opposite Walls

16

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

General Placement Guidelines
(continued)

• Another alternative is to place the four
B12s on the front and back walls one­third of the distance into the room as
shown in Figure 12 (above).

• The placement of the other system
loudspeakers in the listening room will
also affect the way sound (below
300Hz) is reproduced. Just as you
would for the subwoofers, use a model­ing program or trial-and-error meas­urements to determine the best loca­tions.

• Since listening and speaker locations
are equally important, the trial-and­error process can be time consuming.
However, the sonic rewards are well
worth the time spent determining the
ideal placement locations. Remember
that peaks (below the subwoofer
crossover frequency) can be eliminated
by the proper adjustment of the
Concerta B12’s EQ controls, but dips
cannot be corrected. Therefore, the
most important objective is to find
locations that result in the minimum
number (and severity) of dips. See your
authorized Revel dealer for additional
information.

Note

For detailed B12 Room Equalizer
Parametric Control instructions, go to
www.revelspeakers.com.

• After placing the B12s, begin playback
of a familiar music or film source that
has substantial bass content. Listen
from the primary listening position,
increasing the overall volume of the
system to a comfortable level. Adjust
the Subwoofer Level (Volume) Control
until you obtain the desired blend of
bass. Also, test the subwoofer level by
playing a recording of a deep male
voice. Setting the subwoofer level (or
crossover frequency) too high will
result in unnaturally “thick” or “boom­ing” vocal reproduction. Bass response
should not overpower the room. The
bass should be adjusted to achieve a
harmonious blend across the entire
audible range.

• If you are using a multi-channel
receiver or processor with a subwoofer
output, it is preferable to use the sub­woofer level adjustment on the proces­sor. Set the B12 level control to the
indicated "Nominal" position.

Note

Setting the volume level of the subwoofer
in relation to the left and right front
speakers is of critical importance because
it is essential that the subwoofer integrate
smoothly with the entire system. Setting
the volume level too high will result in an
overpowering bass. Setting the volume
level too low will negate the benefits of the
B12.

Figure 12: Third Alternative for Four B12s Placement

17

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

FEET AND OPTIONAL SPIKES

When shipped, rubber feet are attached to
the bottom of the cabinet for optimal
stability, accommodating installations on
tile and hardwood floors. The B12 is
shipped as shown on the left side of Figure
13 (above).

Four metal spikes are included for use
when the subwoofer is placed on carpeted
surfaces. Insert the spikes into the threaded
inserts at the bottom of the feet as shown
on the right side of Figure 13 (above), so
that the spikes protrude from the cabinet.

Note

When moving the B12, avoid dragging it
across the floor, as this will damage the
feet, the spikes and/or the cabinet itself.
Always lift the B12 and carry it to its new
location.

To install the spikes:

1. Place the B12 on its side on a soft towel

or carpeted floor.

2. Rotate the spike clockwise into the

threaded insert in the center of a rub­ber foot, round end first, as shown on
the right side of Figure 13 (above).

3. Repeat step 2 for the remaining three

spikes. Make sure to thread each spike
fully to achieve a level balance.

4. When all four spikes have been

installed, stand the B12 in the upright
position. If needed, repeat steps 1 and
3 to achieve a level balance.

5. Repeat these steps to install the spikes

on the other B12.

Figure 13: Adjustable Spike feet

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

18

MAKING
CONNECTIONS

The B12 features gold-plated stereo RCA
line-level inputs to accomodate connec­tions.

CAUTION

Never make or break connections
unless all system components are
powered off.

• Review the owner’s manuals for
associated audio components to
determine their connection procedures.

Note

Some processors might incorrectly label
the subwoofer output as "LFE." If there is
no subwoofer output, but there is an LFE
output, use the LFE output. Some proces­sors offer both "Subwoofer" and "LFE" out­puts. In those cases, the "Subwoofer" out­put should always be used.

TYPICAL CONFIGURATION WITH
A RECEIVER OR MULTI-CHANNEL
PROCESSOR

Summed (mono) subwoofer connections
are made between one B12 input and the
receiver/processor Subwoofer output as
shown in Figure 14 (right).

To make single-wired connections to a
receiver/processor with a subwoofer out­put:

• Connect a single cable from the
Subwoofer or LFE output on your
receiver/processor to either the left or
right input on the B12 as shown in
Figure 14 (right).

Note

In this case, you do not need to use a Y­adapter. Simply connect the subwoofer
output on your receiver/processor to
either the left or right RCA input on the
subwoofer.

Figure 14: Typical Connection

TWO-CHANNEL APPLICATIONS
WITHOUT AN EXTERNAL
CROSSOVER

This configuration is for use with 2-chan­nel pre-amplifier/power amplifier combi­nations or 2-channel receivers. The inter­nal low-pass filter in the B12 is used to
limit its frequency range and prevent
undesirable overlap with the main loud­speakers.

19

Two-Channel Applications Without
An External Crossover (continued)

To make connections to a receiver or
2-channel pre-amplifier with full-range
outputs for left and right channels:

1. Connect a pair of cables to the left and

right main outputs on your
receiver/pre-amplifier.

2. Connect the other end of the cables to

the B12 subwoofer’s right and left line­level inputs as shown in Figure 15
(below).

Note

This configuration applies to receivers with
pre-amp outputs, or to pre-amp/power­amplifier configurations in which there are
two sets of "Main" outputs on the
pre-amplifier. If the receiver has jumpers
from the "Pre-" or Main-out" to the "Amp
in" connectors or if the pre-amplifier has
only one set of "Main-out" connectors, a
Y-adapter should be used to send the same
signal to both the main power amplifier
and the subwoofer(s). The "Tape Out" or
"Record Out" connectors cannot be used.

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

Figure 16: Connecting Multiple B12s

MULTIPLE B12 CONNECTIONS

Connections are made between multiple
B12s and a receiver/processor with a sub­woofer output as shown in Figure 16
(below).

To make connections between two B12s
and a receiver/processor with a sub­woofer output:

1. Connect a single cable from the sub­woofer output on your receiver/proces­sor to the single input on the Y-adapter
as shown in Figure 16 (below).

2. Connect cables from the two outputs
on the Y-adapter to the B12 left inputs
as shown in Figure 16 (below).

3. Additional B12s may be connected by
using additional Y-adapters.

Figure 15: B12 Connecton to Main Outputs

20

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

TYPICAL CONFIGURATION WITH
A RECEIVER/PROCESSOR WITH
TWO SUBWOOFER OUTPUTS

Connections can also be made between a
receiver/processor with multiple subwoofer
outputs as shown in Figure 17 (below).

To make a connection between a B12
and a receiver/processor with two
subwoofer outputs using a single cable:

1. Set the processor to “mono subwoofer.”

2. Connect cables from either subwoofer
output to either B12 input as shown in
Figure 17 (below).

Figure 18: Alternate Connection with
Receiver/Processor with Two Subwoofer Outputs

Receiver/Processor

ALTERNATE CONFIGURATION
WITH A RECEIVER/PROCESSOR
WITH TWO SUBWOOFER OUT­PUTS

Connections can also be made between the
B12 inputs and a receiver/processor with
multiple subwoofer outputs as shown in
Figure 18 (below).

To make connections between a B12 and
a receiver/processor with two subwoofer
outputs using a pair of cables:

1. Set the processor to “stereo sub­woofers.”

2. Connect cables from the two subwoofer

outputs to the B12 left and right inputs
as shown in Figure 18 (below).

Figure 17: Typical Connection with
Receiver/Processor with Two Subwoofer Outputs

STEREO BASS CONNECTIONS
WITH MULTIPLE B12S

Connections are made between two B12s
and a receiver/processor with multiple
subwoofer outputs as shown in Figure 19
(below).

To make connections between multiple
B12s and a receiver/processor with

multiple subwoofer outputs:

1. Set the processor to “stereo subwoofer”
(if stereo bass is desired).

2. Connect a single cable from one
processor output to one B12 left input
as shown in Figure 19 (below).

3. Connect a single cable from the other
processor output to the other B12
subwoofer’s left input as shown in
Figure 19 (below).

If four B12s are used, use Y-adapters to
enable connections.

Figure 19: Stereo Bass Connection for Multiple B12s

6

4

R

L

21

OBTAINING SERVICE

To obtain warranty or non-warranty serv­ice, contact your authorized Revel dealer.
Refer to the included Revel Warranty Card
for warranty information.

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

ValueSpecification

Value

Specification

22

Frequency Response

Maximum Amplifier
Output

(20Hz-150Hz with no
more than 0.1% THD)

+/- 0.5dB in the pass
band

650 watts

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Low Pass Crossover
Frequencies

50Hz-175Hz,

24dB/octave,

continuosly variable

SPECIFICATIONS

Width

14.10 inches (35.81cm)

(including feet)

Height

13.12 inches (33.32cm)

Depth

15.21 inches (38.63cm)

(not including grille)

15.96 inches (40.54cm)

(including grille)

Weight

63.9 pounds (29.0kg)

(not including grille)

64.4 pounds (29.2kg)

(including grille)

Low Frequency
extension (anechoic)

-3dB at 28 Hz

-6dB at 25 Hz

-10dB at 23Hz

Power

120 Vac@ 60Hz, 577 W

rms

230 Vac@ 50Hz, 600 W

rms

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

23

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Application of Council Directive(s):

89/336/EEC and 73/23/EEC, as amended.

Standard(s) to Which Conformity is Declared:

EN 55013 : 2001

EN 55020 : 2002

EN 61000-3-2 : 2000

EN 61000-3-3 : 1995 + A1 : 2001
EN 60065 : 1998

Manufacturer: Harman Specialty Group

3 Oak Park
Bedford, MA 01730-1413 USA

The equipment identified here conforms to the Directive(s) and Standard(s) specified above.

Type of Equipment: Powered Subwoofer

Model: Concerta B12

Date: December 2004

Harman Specialty Group

Vice President of Engineering

3 Oak Park

Bedford, MA 01730-1413 USA

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

24

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

NOTES

25

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

NOTES

NUMERALS

0 setting, Phase Switch, 12

180 setting, Phase Switch, 12

A

About the B12, 7

absolute phase, 12

AC Input Cord, 12

Amplifier Output, maximum, 22

B

B12, About the, 7

B12 Highlights, 8

B12 Room Equalizer Parametric

Control, 13, 16

Bandwidth Parametric control,

12

bass output, increasing, 14

C

Cabinet, 7, 9, 10

CAUTION, 3, 6, 10, 18

Compression, 8

Connecting Multiple B12s, 19

connections, making, 18-21

Connections, Stereo Bass, 21

Connections, Two Sub Outputs,

20

D

Depth, 22

dips, 13, 14, 16

Distortion, Reducing, 7

Documentation Conventions, 6

Dynamic Range, 8

F

feet, 7, 10, 17

Feet and Optional Spikes, 17

Frequency Parametric control, 12

Frequency Response, 22

Front View, 10

G

General Placement Guidelines,

13, 14, 15, 16

H

Heat Dissipation, 7

Height, 22

how to clean cabinet, 10

how to install spikes, 17

I

Important Safety Precautions, 3

in-room response measurements,

13

Input Channels, 10, 18

Input Panel, 11

Installation Considerations, 7

Internal Bracing, 7

L

Level Parametric control, 12

Line-Level Inputs, 10

Loudspeaker Overview, 10

Loudspeaker Placement, 13

Low Frequency extension, 22

Low Pass Crossover Frequencie,

22

Low Pass Filter Switch, 12

L (continued)

Low Pass Frequency Control, 10,

11

low-pass crossover, 10

low-pass filter switch, 18

M

Making Connections, 18

Maximum Amplifier Output, 22

mono subwoofer, 12, 20

Motor Structure, 7, 8

Multiple B12 Connections, 19

N

Normal operation, 10

Note, 6, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19

O

Obtaining Service , 21

OFF (Normal) setting, Low Pass

Filter, 12

ON setting, Low Pass Filter, 12

optimum placement, 13, 14

Outdoor Grounding, 4

26

INDEX

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

P

Packing Carton, 8, 9

peak-to-peak excursion, 7

peaks, 13, 16

phase adjustment, 12

Phase Switch, 12

placement of a single B12, 13

placement of four B12s, 15, 16

placement of two B12s, 14, 15

Placement/Optimization

Overview, 13

Power Indicator LED, 10

Power Switch, 12

primary listening position, 13,

14, 15, 16

Product Registration, 8

R

RCA line-level inputs, 10, 18

Rear Panel, 10, 11

reduced distortion, 7

Revel Warranty Card, 22

room acoustics, 13

Room EQ Parametric Control,

B12, 12, 13

S

Shipping, 8

Specifications, 22

Spike Footing, 7

spikes, 7, 10, 17

standing waves, 13

Stereo Bass Connections, 21

stereo subwoofer, 21

Subwoofer Level (Volume)

Control, 10, 16

T

Table of Contents, 5

test, subwoofer level, 16

Two-channel application con-

nections, 18

Typical configuration with a

receiver/processor, 18

U

Unpacking, 8, 9

Unpacking Contents, 9

V

Voice Coil, 7, 8

volume level, 10, 16

W

WA RNING, 6, 8

Warranty, 8

Weight, 22

Width, 22

Woofer, 7, 10

Y

Y-adapter, 18, 19, 21

27

REVEL Concerta B12

Owner’s Manual

3 Oak Park, Bedford, MA, 01730-1413 USA | Telephone: [phone] | Fax: [phone] | www.revelspeakers.com

Customer Support: Telephone: [phone] | Sales Fax: [phone] | Service Fax: [phone]

Part No. 354111-001 | Rev A | 12/04