SV Sound PB13 User Manual
SV Sound
O W NE R S ’
G UI D E
SVS PB13-Ultra and
PC13-Ultra Subwoofers
Contents:
Chapter 2 Safety instructions
Chapter 3 SVS Welcome
Chapter 4 About your SVS subwoofer
Chapter 5 General subwoofer features
Chapter 6 Setup, integration, and calibration
Chapter 7 Variable tuning feature
Chapter 8 Parametric equalizer (PEQ)
Chapter 9 Room compensation control
Chapter 10 Subwoofer specifications
Chapter 11 Terms and Conditions
Last update: 27 April, 2008
Chapter 2-1
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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 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 any polarized or grounding-type plug. A
polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type
plug has two prongs and a third grounding point. 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.
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.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Chapter 2-2
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. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, this apparatus should not be exposed to rain or moisture and objects filled with
liquids, such as vases, should not be placed on this apparatus.
16. To completely disconnect this equipment from the mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the receptacle.
17. The mains plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily operable.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of un-insulated "dangerous voltage " within
the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons.
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The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in
the literature accompanying the product.
Page 4
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SV Subwoofers
Chapter 3
Welcome!
At SVS, you can actually hear the
tireless research and design efforts
built in to our subwoofers and speakers. Years are spent developing any
SVS product — with work typically
spanning from our Ohio headquar-
ters… to US west coast technology
centers… and over to the finest component suppliers in Asia and
Europe as well. Nothing in our speaker offerings is an ―off the shelf‖
product. SVS is committed to making better sound systems with elegant looks, robust construction and world-class technology and materials. We believe you deserve nothing less.
This manual and the printed ―Quick Start‖ sheet will help you integrate
speakers and subwoofer quickly and with professional results.
Armed with only a few basic tools, such a sound pressure level (SPL)
meter, and the test tones built in to most audio/video receivers (AVR),
you will achieve smooth, detailed and powerful reproduction of all your
favorite music and movie audio. Expect to hear things you never
heard before… and expect not to hear some of the artifacts you might
have accepted in the past with inferior brands.
Have a question about your surround sound system? For more
information about SVS products check out our US website, or the exclusive dealer for your region, contact us via phone or e-mail should
you have questions regarding our products.
SVS was founded by audio enthusiasts — our commitment to service
is the only thing that rivals the products we create. Our resellers
around the world feel the same way.
The SVS Team, Ohio, USA
September, 2008
www.svsound.com
SV Subwoofers
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Chapter 4
About your SVS Subwoofer
There maybe be other subwoofers that look like them, but
virtually none work like them. SVS subwoofers are decidedly
different in how they are designed, produced, sold, and the
exceptionally high quality components we use. You could have
spent much more on other brands and still not come close to the
performance our products provide. What makes a subwoofer an
SVS?
Quality components, sane prices. You might be surprised at how
inexpensive the components in some not-so-inexpensive
subwoofers are. At SVS, performance is king... not cutting a few
dollars from our ―cost to build‖.
Innovative designs, rich materials. We test all our materials, and
features in the real world, and test size and shape, before any
design is deemed ready. Cabinet construction must ensure rigid
and durable products. All our subwoofers offer computer controlled
panel cutting, steel fasteners, and recessed components. Tap the
side of your sub, look at the solid construction or remove your grill,
and you’ll know what we mean.
Sealed, or vented, down-firing or front-firing cabinets. An SVS
tradition is to offer a variety of ―form factors‖ which provide
exceptional performance yet also a compact ―foot print‖ which
complements your room style.
Features and controls. Variable phase, crossovers which can be
defeated, and on select models, variable tuning, equalizers or other
advanced controls are built in to allow customers to make their SVS
fit their needs. Spend time exploring this guide and contact your
dealer if you require assistance on any feature.
World class power. Our advanced amplifiers are designed and
manufactured with a level of fit and finish, and genuine power which
is rare at our competitive prices. Loaded with comprehensive of
easy to use controls, and our tremendously efficient Ohio-built
woofers, all our subs achieve exceptional depth, tremendous power
and flat, natural sound. Hear everything on your music CD’s and
DVD’s with SVS products..
Chapter 5-1
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Powered Box Basic Common Features.
SVS subwoofer amps use the most durable and accurate designs
possible. Get familiar with yours!
Volume/Gain Use ―gain‖ (in conjunction with your Audio Video
Receiver (AVR) subwoofer output level control) to achieve bass
level calibration to your liking. Start your setup with the sub’s vol-
ume/gain no more than 1/4 to 1/3 of the way up (turned clockwise
from the left).
Crossover Frequency. If you use your AVR’s internal crossover
to manage bass frequencies (highly recommended), the setting of
this knob on your SVS sub is irrelevant. (Note: Use the sub’s
crossover ―Enable/Disable‖ switch discussed below to take advan-
tage of this configuration.)
Phase. Think of long bass waves as conflicting or enhancing
each other, depending on the timing of their arrival at your listening location (either together, or not). Set phase to zero if your
AVR offers settings for the distance from your seat to your subwoofer. Adjust in small steps for smooth sound with music playing
if your AVR lacks a subwoofer distance setting.
Line In/Out. Use either of the sub’s ―Line In‖ jacks (RCA or XLR
type) to connect the subwoofer to the output jack of your AVR.
Feeding just one input is enough. If you are using a conventional
amp and/or a stereo setup you can use the ―Line Out‖ jacks to
send sound (filtered of deep bass information) back to your system amp, or switch off this filter. A simple RCA or XLR signal
cable is all you need for either type configuration. See ―Crossover
Feature‖ discussion below for more on Line Out options.
Auto-On. Your Powered Box allows itself to be in an ―Auto-On‖
mode… or ―On‖ all the time. With the former setting (the switch in
the ―Auto‖ position) your subwoofer will ―sense‖ that a DVD or CD
etc. has begun and switch its audio circuits on immediately (the
―hard‖ power switch mentioned below must be set to ―on‖, natu-
rally). A few minutes after a movie, the Auto-On light will turn from
Green to Red, switching portions of the sub’s power supply back
off.
Chapter 5.2
Sometimes, with very low listening levels, your subwoofer might
not get enough of a bass signal from your AVR to ―trip‖ the AutoOn circuit. Should you ever find this to be the case you may leave
this switch to ―On‖, or turn up the AVR’s subwoofer level some (be
sure to recalibrate channels levels with your sound meter afterwards).
Crossover Feature Switches. If you allow your DD/DTS surround-sound receiver or processor to manage bass frequencies
(again, highly recommended), this switch should be set to
―Disabled‖, eliminating the effects of the ―Crossover Frequency‖
knob and allowing your sub to reproduce just what is fed from the
receiver. If you use the sub in a two channel (stereo only) con-
figuration, then ―Enable‖ the crossover and adjust the knob to best
blend the sub into the output of your speakers.
XLR and RCA Hi-Pass filters can be switched ―Off‖ if
you desire to ―daisy chain‖ the output of one sub to the input of
another without frequency response conflicts; or pass full-range
audio signals to an outboard stereo amp/receiver.
Power. This heavy-duty two-position switch next to the power
cord will completely cut the power to your sub amp. Flip this
switch to off before you ever move the sub or change inputs or
outputs. Do not plug this sub into receiver convenience power
outlets. Allow five minutes of ―off‖ time before switching back
―on‖.
Fuse. User replaceable, contact your dealer if you have trouble
finding one. The fuse can be accessed by a small door immediately next to the power cord fitting
(where you should also find a spare one for your use).
Read ahead for advanced features including Room Compensation, Variable Tuning and Parametric Equalization (PEQ).
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