Sony SA-VA1 User Manual

Home Theater

Active Speaker System

3-759-251-22(2)

Operating Instructions

SA-\/AJ

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
expose the unit to rain or moisture.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

A

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

A

DO NOT OPEN

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.

This symbol is intended to alert the

user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing)

instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.

A

INFORMATION

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Howe\’er, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:

— Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
— Increase the separation between the equipment and

receiver.

— Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different

from that to which the receiver is connected.

— Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician

for help.

CAUTION

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not
expressly approved in this manual could void your authority
to operate this equipment.

Owner's Record

The model and serial numbers are located on the rear of the
imit. Record the serial number in the space provided below.
Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer
regarding this product.

Model No. SA-VAl Serial No.

Table of Contents

Precautions

Introduction

Precautions
Overview

Identifying the Parts and Controls.......................................6

Left-speaker operation panel/remote commander

Getting Started

Unpacking............................................................................7

Checking the supplied accessories
Inserting the batteries into the remote commander

Hooking Up the System.......................................................7

Positioning the speaker system
Notes on speaker connection

Connecting the speakers to video equipment.................8

Basic Operations

Enjoying Surround Sound

Adjusting the Audio...........................................................12

Advanced Operations

Enjoying Surround Sound with an External

Center Speaker...................................................................14

Four types of DOLBY PRO LOGIC modes
Speaker configurations and their respective DOLBY
PRO LOGIC modes

AddKional Information

SpeciBcations

Troubleshooting.....................................................Back cover

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4

7

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10

14
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15

On safety

• Operate the system only on 120 V AC, 60 Hz.

• Unplug the system from the wall outlet during extended
periods of non-use. To disconnect the cord, pull it out by

6

7

grasping the plug. Never pull the cord itself.

• Should any liquid or solid object fall into either speaker,
unplug the system and have the system checked by
qualified personnel before operating it any further.

• For safety purposes, one blade of the power plug is wider
than the other to allow connection to the power outlet only
one way. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the
outlet, contact your dealer.

Before turning on the power

Turn the speaker volume down.

To avoid damaging the speakers

• Keep the volume level to a moderate level since
excessively high sound output may damage the speakers.

• Do not attempt to open or modify the speaker units or
enclosures.

G>lor interference on nearby TVs

The speakers in this system are magnetically shielded to
minimize electrical interference to nearby TV sets.
Depending on your TV model, you may experience color
interference during operation of the speaker system. If this
happens, turn the TV off for 15 to 30 minutes, then turn it on
again. If color interference persists, move the speakers
further away from the TV set.

On instaliation

• Do not install the speakers near heat sources such as
radiators or air ducts, or in a place subject to direct
sunlight, excessive dust, mechanical vibration or shock.

• Good ventilation is essential to prevent internal heat build
up. Place the speakers at a location with adequate air
circulation, and in a way that does not block the rear
ventilation holes.

On cleaning the speaker cabinets

Clean the speaker cabinets with a soft cloth lightly
moistened with water. Do not use abrasive pads, scouring
powder or solvents such as alcohol or benzine.

For detailed safety precautions, see the leaflet entitled

"IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS."

If you have any question or problem concerning your system
that is not covered in this manual, please consult your
nearest Sony dealer.

Overview

The SA-VAl is a home-theater active speaker system incorporating a Dolby Pro Logic* decoder and super woofer speakers. This
all-in-one, "Tail-boy" style speaker system features a freestanding tower design styled to match your iV. Other design features
include easy connection to your video equipment and easy operation with the supplied remote commander, ensuring
maximum enjoyment of the true home theater sound this system provides.

Enhanced theater mode speaker system

The front speakers come with built-in center-channel
speakers to provide true Dolby Pro Logic surround sound
without the need for complicated s)rstem settings. This

"enhanced theater mode speaker system" provides a clear
center-signal sound image for accurate reproduction of
centrally positioned sounds such as dialogue.
Furthermore, by using the supplied rear speakers, you can
obtain full surround sound that gives you the feeling of
being in the movie itself. See "Enhanced theater mode
speaker system" on the facing page for details.

DBR (Dynamic Bass Roar) super woofer system

To provide truly dynamic bass sound for full movie
enjoyment, the SA-VAl uses SAW (Super Acoustically­loaded Woofer) type super woofers in the front speaker
system. See "SAW (Super Acoustically-loaded Woofer)" on
the facing page for details.

100-watt multi-drive amplifier system

The SA-VAl uses five ampliflers to independently drive the
super woofers, center channel tweeters, front left and right
speakers and rear speakers, achieving excellent sound
separation.

Easy connection

The SA-VAl speaker system is designed for easy
connections, including fast, one-touch connectors to connect
front speakers and simple push-terminals to connect rear
speakers with the front left speaker. You can also connect
your TV simply with an audio connecting cord.

Easy operation

The simple, logical key layout of the supplied remote
commander and the built-in operation panel on the left front
speaker result in much easier operations than conventional
AV systems.

Automatic power mode switching

Press the POWER switch and the SA-VAl enters READY
mode. In this mode, the SA-VAl turns on automatically
whenever an audio signal is input from a program source. If
the audio signal is cut off, the SA-VAl's display
automatically turns off after about 30 seconds, and after
another two and a half minutes the SA-VAl returns to
READY mode.

Three types of surround sound modes — DOLBY, HALL and SIMULATED

Enjoy any of these surround sound modes provided by the
SA-VAl (see page 10 for detaik).

Four DOLBY PRO LOGIC modes using an external
amplified center speaker

Four DOLBY PRO L(5g1C modes are available when an
amplified center speaker k connected to the left speaker's
CENTER OUT jack (see page 14).

* Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories

Licensing Corporation. Additionally licensed under one or
more of the following patents: U.S number 3,959,590;
Canadian numbers 1,004,603 and 1,037,877. "Dolby","Pro
Logic" and the double-D symbol □□ are trademarks of
Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

Enhanced theater mode speaker system

SAW (Super Acoustically-loaded Woofer)

Inner duct

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□

A key point in obtaining maximum surround effect when
playing sources with the Dolby Pro Logic surround sound
system is the use of a center speaker. The center speaker
makes dialogue and other centrally positioned sounds
clearer and the sound image more unified. For this reason,
true home theater systems use a center speaker equivalent in
quality to the front speakers and positioned very close to the
screen image.
With its "enhanced theater mode speaker system", the
SA-VAl offers a simple, high-performance home theater
system that produces high-quality center channel sound
with only two ftont speakers.
In this system, high-frequency center channel sound is
product by center channel tweeters, situated in the fiont
left and right speakers and oriented inwards at an angle of
30** (see diagram), and low-frequency center channel sound
is produced by mixing with front channel signak and
reproduction through the front speakers. The result k a
high-quality center sound with the same high quality as the
front channel sound, and a superior, imified sound image for
maximum surround sound effect.

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Tweeter for center
channel

-<■ Front speaker/woofer

for center channel

Super woofer

, Super woofer

drive unit

Super woofer cross section

The SA-VAl incorporates SAW-type super woofers in the
fiont left and right speakers to form a DBR super woofer
system. The SAW design features two inner chambers and a
centrally-positioned super woofer drive unit. Through
precise control of the acoustic characteristics of the front and
rear chambers, the system reproduces ultra-low firequendes
with high power and clarity.
The SA-VAl features a SAW-type super woofer in both left
and right front speakers, produdng powerful sounds for
impressive movie effects.