SV Subwoofers
O WNERS’
G
SVS PB12-Ultra, PB12-Plus
and PB12-ISD/V Powered Box,
Single Driver Subwoofers
UIDE
Contents:
• Page 1 Welcome
• Page 2 About your new SV Subwoofer
• Pages 4- 7 Setup, integration, and calibration
• Page 7- 8 Powered box amp features
• Pages 9 - 11 Parametric EQ (Ultra and select Plus subs only)
• Pages 12 - 13 Variable tuning
• Pages 14 - 15 Bass demos
Last update: 03 April, 2005
Page 2
SV Subwoofers
Welcome.
From the entire SVS team, congratulations on your purchase
of the new standard in home theater and music bass!
Your new subwoofer isn’t some generic, mass-produced box built someplace you can’t even find on a map. It’s built in our Ohio factory, by
home audio enthusiasts... like you. Designed, tested and assembled by our
crew, while using state of the art automation and materials, your SVS is
without a doubt one of the best investments you’ll ever make in bringing
music and theater home.
What’s more, we’ll help you to set up your sub right, and in no time,
you’ll be giving “demos” of your favorite music, DVDs or digital music
to all your friends and neighbors (we pity them if you live in an apartment…please, be kind!). This isn’t just a “subwoofer” after all, it’s a
carefully designed audio component carefully tuned in our labs, by bass
authority and “Sub-human”, Tom Vodhanel.
You’re unlikely to have heard, or felt, bass like this before, unless it was
in a top-notch commercial movie theater or high-end (high cost) audio
boutique. Movies and music in your home will never be quite the same
again. That’s a promise.
Already have a question about your sub? You might answer it by
reading this manual; we think you’ll find it simple and more informative
than most. For even more detailed discussion about set-up topics check
out our FAQs page at www.svsubwoofers.com. We touch on all the key
points you need to know, and then some.
Maybe you just want to share a bit of bass news? Or perhaps you have a
story about your SV Subwoofer to share with us? Maybe something we
missed in our website? No matter, feel free to send a note straight to me:
rons@svsubwoofers.com .
It’s not often you can talk to the guys who made your audio components.
In this case, we look forward to it.
Ron Stimpson
Co-Founder SVS
SV Subwoofers
Page 3
About your SVS Subwoofer
Other subwoofers might look like them — but virtually none work like them.
Not at this price. SVS’s are decidedly different, in how they are designed, produced,
sold, and even in the exceptional customer service after the sale. No surprise then, you
could have spent much more and still not come close to the value and performance our
Powered Box lines provide. But what makes a subwoofer an SVS???
Quality parts, sane prices. You might be surprised at how inexpensive the
components in most not-so-inexpensive subwoofers might be. At SVS we scour the
earth for the best, most cost effective parts (the few we don’t make ourselves), and
meld them into finely tuned designs that define high performance home theater and
music bass. Still, cost is always the secondary consideration at SVS. Want woofers,
amps, or even binding posts? We’ve tested and discarded plenty that didn’t meet our
tough standards. If we use it, whatever “it” is, you know it made the grade.
Get “cube-ular”. Many subs we’ve seen are simply poorly made. We did a host of
studies that optimized the materials, the size, and even the enclosure finish to ensure a
rigid design that was still compact for its performance and able to take the abuse your
family and friends can dish out. Hand built like most other SVS parts, the cabinet is no
ordinary box. Selling direct means your sub, and not glossy ads, gets first priority.
SVS is quality you can hear.
Stable downward firing woofer. Our enclosure design is one benefit of our
commitment to you, but we’ve also taken great lengths to allow for downward firing
woofers. Coupled with our unique base-plates, which minimize driver reactive forces
and even strengthen the cabinet itself, you’ll find our subs can take a tremendous
amount of power and remain rock solid. Two kinds of compliant rubber feet allow for
stable placement on a variety of surfaces. No rattling, or buzzing allowed!
Custom low turbulence port designs. When you listen to your trend-setting
ported sub you’ll hear (and feel) bass like never before, with exceptionally low noise
and distortion. Huge, patented flared port fittings and expert tuning makes the
difference! One DVD or music CD and you’ll realize something special went into this
product.
Stylish, and understated. From the hand-finished craftsmanship of the enclosure,
to the elegant base, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to lose your sub in a corner.
SVS’s aren’t tiny, but this is one of those times size does matter. There are countless
brands of “wannabe” subs out there. Fortunately, you didn’t just unpack one.
World-class power. Our Canadian-built amps are manufactured with a level of fit
and finish, plus a collection of features and power practically unheard of at this price.
Did we mention power? It’s there in spades (though we rate them conservatively).
And SVS starts with efficient subwoofer designs which don’t require significant levels
of power-robbing equalization to go low and flat. So our amps can work harder at
reproducing low frequencies, instead of struggling against a lack of enclosure space
(the bane of clean, deep bass). As a result, we don’t require the megawatts some subs
do, instead running cool and reliable in our vented enclosures. These digital hybrid
amps run so cool, we can even dispense with old-fashioned “cooling fins”!
Page 4
SV Subwoofers
Setup, calibrating and integration
W
hat’s to know?
pretty darn easy. There are a few key things to get right if you want to
get the most out of your new equipment however.
U
npacking.
same way), but take time to carefully unpack your sub. Set the box and
other protective shipping materials aside; saving them in case you ever
need to return the subwoofer for any reason. Fold your box flat for
storage even.
L
ocation.
setting up your subwoofer. So, where to put it?
can, and avoid putting your sub where it might adjoin large open areas
Studies have shown the deepest and flattest bass response is typically
attained when a subwoofer is placed within a few feet of one of your
room’s corners. Whether you put the sub in front or to the rear of your
seating area usually makes surprisingly little audible difference. Deep
movie and music bass, like that from Dolby Digital (DD) “5.1 channel”
DVDs and digital audio is largely non-directional. You can’t tell where
it is coming from, even though you can hear, and feel it.
Hook-up
new sub. Usually, a simple mono, shielded 75 Ohm A/V RCA type
cable (a.) is used to take the subwoofer output of your DD/DTS
surround sound receiver
amp. There is no need to “split” the signal going to the sub (c.). You
can feed either one of the two amp inputs, it doesn’t matter, right or left.
They say it’s
(see Fig. 1). There are a variety of ways to configure your
(c.)
Well, first of all, setting up an SV Subwoofer is
You’re probably eager to fire up your sub (we’re the
all
about location right? It’s the same with
Fig. 1
(a.)
Go for a corner
(b.)
and feed the low-level input of the sub’s
NOTE: Stop now if you aren’t
!
TOTALLY familiar with your receiver’s manual. Ensure all power to
your equipment is off when making
these connections. Also, be certain
your power outlet can handle a minimum of 600 watts. (Use of
“convenience outlets” on receivers
are not recommended for your SVS).
(b.
DD/DTS Processor/Receiver
(Subwoofer “Out”)
if you
.
SV Subwoofers
Page 5
More Setup, calibrating and integration
If you are running a pair of SV Subwoofers (Fig. 2), you will need to use
a standard “Y” cable adapter (d.) The best adaptor to use for this task has
one male RCA connection and two female RCA outputs. (Radio Shack ®
stocks them.) From the “Y” cable you can run a standard 75 Ohm RCA
to RCA signal cable (e.) to each sub, thus “splitting” the Low Frequency
Effects (LFE) and other bass signals from your receiver and effectively
feeding both subwoofers with the same signal.
NOTE: Now is a good time to select if
!
you want “ON” (always on) or “AUTO
ON” which turns your sub on only when a bass
signal is present.
(e.
“Y” cable/splitter from
receiver
Fig. 2
(d.)
DD/DTS Processor/Receiver
(Subwoofer “Out”)
“
C
alibration
proper configuration of your home theater sound system. Fortunately,
adjusting channel balance (or, calibration) is as easy to do as it is important. The first order of business is making sure your DD/DTS surroundsound system is set up properly. We recommend you consult your audio/
video receiver (or processor) manual to refresh on the procedures to do
this. Generally, this requires ensuring the receiver’s test tones, or a special test disk (like
system’s full range speakers. That’s left, center, right, left surround and
right surround (and if equipped, center rear) speakers, plus the subwoofer . (More on sub level in a second). Skip to Page 7 (“
Features
calibration.
S
ome things to check as you get ready to calibrate:
•
A
re your speakers set to the correct “size”?
processor should allow you to indicate if your speakers are “Small” or
“Large”. Selecting the size accordingly will ensure bass goes to most appropriate speakers, and use the subwoofer correctly too. In most instances set-
”:
This isn’t only for tech minded folks, it’s
Avia
) play back at the same volume from each of your
”) if you aren’t familiar with your sub’s amp, and come back to
critical
Powered Box
Your receiver/
to a
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