Thule Audio SPHERE AV100, SPHERE AV120, SPHERE AV100S, SPHERE AV120S Owner's Manual

Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. ”Dolby”, ”ProLogic II” and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Confidential unpublished works. © 1992-1997 Dolby Laboratories Inc. All rights reserved.

Manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems, Inc. US Pat. No. 5,451,942, 5,956,674, 5,974,380, 5,978,762, 6,487,535 and other U.S. and world-wide patents issued and pending. "DTS", "DTS-ES Extended Surround" and "Neo:6" are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc. Copyright 1996, 2003 Digital Theater Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Thule Audio ApS has the right to make changes without prior notice

Owner’s Manual

SPHERE AV100, AV120, AV100S and AV120S

___________________________________________________________________________

page 3

INDEX

OVERVIEW OF REMOTE CONTROL......................................................................................................... 4

OVERVIEW OF REAR AND FRONT PANELS ........................................................................................... 5

OVERVIEW OF CONTROL PANEL AND DISPLAY................................................................................. 9

CONGRATULATIONS WITH YOUR NEW SPHERE AV100/120! ......................................................... 10

0. INSTALLATION......................................................................................................................................... 12

1. INPUT SELECTION ................................................................................................................................... 12

2. VOLUME CONTROLS .............................................................................................................................. 13

3. ZONE 2 ......................................................................................................................................................... 14

4. DELAY ......................................................................................................................................................... 14

5. SURROUND MODES ................................................................................................................................. 16

5.1 D

OLBY DIGITAL

....................................................................................................................................... 16

5.2 DTS ......................................................................................................................................................... 17

5.3 D

OLBY PROLOGIC

II ................................................................................................................................ 18

5.4 PCM

AND ANALOGUE INPUTS

.................................................................................................................. 18

5.5 S

IDE CHANNELS

....................................................................................................................................... 19

6. CONFIG MENU .......................................................................................................................................... 19

6.1 S

PEAKERS

................................................................................................................................................ 20

6.2 I

NPUTS

..................................................................................................................................................... 21

6.3 N

OISE

....................................................................................................................................................... 21

6.4 C

ROSSOVER FREQUENCY

.......................................................................................................................... 21

6.5 E

XTENDED SURROUND

............................................................................................................................. 21

6.6 D

YNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSION

............................................................................................................... 21

6.7 V

OLUME SCALE

........................................................................................................................................ 22

6.8 S

AVING SET-UP PARAMETERS IN THE MEMORY BANK

................................................................................ 22

6.9 R

ETURN TO FACTORY DEFAULT SETTING

.................................................................................................. 23

6.10 OSD (O

NLY APPLICABLE FOR

AV100S

AND

AV120S.) ......................................................................... 23

6.11 SPDIF OUT........................................................................................................................................... 23

6.12 P

OWER AMP CONTROL

........................................................................................................................... 23

6.13 PROL

OGIC

II .......................................................................................................................................... 24

6.14 V

IDEO INPUT OUTPUT (ONLY ACTIVE IN

AV100S/AV120S)................................................................... 24

6.15 V

IDEO MISCELLANEOUS (ONLY ACTIVE IN

AV100S/AV120S)................................................................ 24

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................................. 25

7.0 YOUR NOTES ........................................................................................................................................... 26

APPENDIX A: SPECIAL FUNCTIONS ....................................................................................................... 27

A.1 A/D

LEVEL

.............................................................................................................................................. 27

A.2 E

LECTRICAL (COAXIAL) VERSUS OPTICAL DIGITAL INPUT

......................................................................... 27

A.3 A

UTOMATIC FAILURE CORRECTION SYSTEM

............................................................................................ 27

STBY

MUTE

[MODE]

TAPE 1

DIM

SL SUB SR

LD TAPE 2

[STATUS]

SAT

DVD

[CONFIG]

ENTER

VOL

PURE A.

VOL

standby | mute -20dB | increase volume

REMOTE CONTROL

change light | return to master volume | decrease volume

left | center | right

surround left | subwoofer | surround right

DVD player | sattelite receiver | TV-set

laser disc | audio/video tape1 | audio/video tape2

pure audio input

enter config mode

navigate in config menu

change surround mode

received input status

channel balance

double push: delay

input selection

SURROUND OUTPUTS

ZONE 2ZONE 2

MADE IN DENMARK BY THULE AUDIO

SURROUND AMPLIFIER

DIGITAL I/O

DATA I/O SURROUND OUTPUTS

ZONE 2

PURE AUDIO INPUT

CAUTION - RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK - DO NOT OPEN!

CSC

SSL

SUB SUB

SSR

SUB

SAT

LD/CD

TAPE1 TAPE2IN DVD

OUT

SAT

DVD

LD/CD

TV OUT

RS232

220-230 V

50-60 Hz

Manufacturedunder licence from Dolby LaboratoriesLicensing Corporation.

“Dolby”,“AC-3” and the double-D symbolare trademarks of Dolby Laboratories

MODEL: SPHERE AV100

Manufacturedunder license from Digital Theater Systems, Inc.US Pat. No. 5,451,942, 5,956,674, 5,974,380, 5,978,762 andother world-wide patents issued and pending. “DTS”, “DTS-ESExtended Surround” and “Neo:6” are trademarks ofDigital Theater Systems, Inc. Copyright 1996, 2000 DigitalT heater Systems, Inc. AllRights Reserved.

HIGH EFFICIENCY - VIRTUAL CLASS A

FRONT PANEL AND REAR PANEL - AV100

analog audio inputs

to DSP

power

connector

connector to control other

Thule Audio equipment or

RS232 communication

pre-out surroundelectrical digital

connectors

optical digital inputs

zone 2 out

6 x speaker outputs

inputs bypassing

DSP circuits

SURROUND

MODE

PURE

AUDIO

MUTE/

STBYCHANNEL INPUTVOL

PURE

AUDIO

MUTE/

STBY

pure audio input

INPUT

input selector

SURROUND

MODE

VOL

CHANNEL

channel balance

short push: change surround mode

2 sec. push: input format information

back to master volume

short push: mute to “40”

2 sec. push: standby

CONTROL PANEL

display: see page 9

SURROUND OUTPUTS

ZONE 2

MADE IN DENMARK BY THULE AUDIO

SURROUND AMPLIFIER

DIGITAL I/O

DATA I/O SURROUND OUTPUTS

ZONE 2

PURE AUDIO INPUT

CAUTION - RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK - DO NOT OPEN!

CSC

SSL

SUB SUB

SSR

SUB

SAT

LD/CD

TAPE1 TAPE2IN DVD

OUT

SAT

DVD

LD/CD

TV OUT

RS232

220-230 V

50-60 Hz

Manufacturedunder licence from Dolby LaboratoriesLicensing Corporation.

“Dolby”,“AC-3” and the double-D symbolare trademarks of Dolby Laboratories

MODEL: SPHERE AV120

HIGH EFFICIENCY - VIRTUAL CLASS A

FRONT PANEL AND REAR PANEL - AV120

analog audio inputs

to DSP

power

connector

connector to control other

Thule Audio equipment or

RS232 communication

pre-out surroundelectrical digital

connectors

optical digital inputs

zone 2 out

6 x speaker outputs

inputs bypassing

DSP circuits

volume control | control panel: see page 9

display: see page 9

SURROUND

MODE

PURE

AUDIO

MUTE/

STBYCHANNEL INPUTVOL

PURE

AUDIO

MUTE/

STBY

pure audio input

INPUT

input selector

SURROUND

MODE

VOL

CHANNEL

channel balance

short push: change surround mode

2 sec. push: input format information

back to master volume

CONTROL PANEL

SURROUND OUTPUTS

ZONE 2

MADE IN DENMARK BY THULE AUDIO

SURROUND AMPLIFIER

DIGITAL I/O

DATA I/O SURROUND OUTPUTS

ZONE 2

PURE AUDIO INPUT

CAUTION - RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK - DO NOT OPEN!

CSC

SSL

C/B

b C/Rr Y/G

SUB SUB

SSR

SUB

SAT

LD/CD

TAPE1

TAPE1 TAPE2

TAPE2IN

IN DVD

DVD

OUT

SAT

DVD

OUT OUT

SAT

LD/CD

TV OUT

RS232

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

220-230 V

50-60 Hz

Manufacturedunder licence from Dolby LaboratoriesLicensing Corporation.

“Dolby”,“AC-3” and the double-D symbolare trademarks of Dolby Laboratories

MODEL: SPHERE

V100 S

HIGH EFFICIENCY - VIRTUAL CLASS A

FRONT PANEL AND REAR PANEL - AV100S

S-video inputs

composite/component

video inputs

analog audio inputs

to DSP

power

connector

connector to control other

Thule Audio equipment or

RS232 communication

pre-out surroundelectrical digital

connectors

optical digital inputs

zone 2 out

6 x speaker outputs

inputs bypassing

DSP circuits

RGB/component

video output

display: see page 9

short push: mute to “40”

2 sec. push: standby

SURROUND OUTPUTS

ZONE 2

MADE IN DENMARK BY THULE AUDIO

SURROUND AMPLIFIER

DIGITAL I/O

DATA I/O SURROUND OUTPUTS

ZONE 2

PURE AUDIO INPUT

CAUTION - RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK - DO NOT OPEN!

CSC

SSL

C/B

b C/Rr Y/G

SUB SUB

SSR

SUB

SAT

LD/CD

TAPE1

TAPE1 TAPE2

TAPE2IN

IN DVD

DVD

OUT

SAT

DVD

OUT OUT

SAT

LD/CD

TV OUT

RS232

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

220-230 V

50-60 Hz

Manufacturedunder licence from Dolby LaboratoriesLicensing Corporation.

“Dolby”,“AC-3” and the double-D symbolare trademarks of Dolby Laboratories

MODEL: SPHERE

V120 S

HIGH EFFICIENCY - VIRTUAL CLASS A

FRONT PANEL AND REAR PANEL - AV120S

S-video inputs

composite/component

video inputs

analog audio inputs

to DSP

power

connector

connector to control other

Thule Audio equipment or

RS232 communication

pre-out surroundelectrical digital

connectors

optical digital inputs

zone 2 out

6 x speaker outputs

inputs bypassing

DSP circuits

RGB/component

video output

volume control | control panel: see page 9

display: see page 9

SURROUND PURE MUTE/

MODE

SURROUND

MODE

AUDIO STBY

SAT

TAPE 2

SUB

DVD

TAPE 1

VOL

short push: surround left channel balance

2 sec. push: surround left channel delay

/ enter

left channel balance

/ left

Dolby Digital surround

Dolby ProLogic II surround

2 channel stereo

Adjustments Zone 2

DTS digital surround

short push: change surround mode

2 sec. push: input format information

short push: back to master volume

2 sec. push: enter config mode

/ exit config menu

short push: center channel balance

2 sec. push: center channel delay

/up

right channel balance

/ right

short push: surround right channel balance

2 sec. push: surround right channel delay

DVD player

remote sensor

multi functional display

standby indicator

surround mode

TV-set

audio/video tape1

audio/video tape2

laser disc player or

CD player

sattelite receiver

pure audio input

short push: mute -20dB

2 sec push: standby

short push: subwoofer balance

2 sec push: LFE balance

/ down

main function

/ function in config mode

CONTROL PANEL - AV120, AV120S

DISPLAY

MUTE/

STBY

PURE

AUDIO

volume level

100: max

0: min

ZONE 2

STEREO

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page 10

Congratulations with your new SPHERE AV100/120 integrated surround amplifier!

The SPHERE AV100/120 offers you an outstanding range of features and sound performance due to its use of highly advanced technology. We feel confident that the AV100/120 will give you many enjoyable moments while watching films and listening to music. To ensure you the full benefit of this advanced product, please read this manual carefully before you proceed.

The SPHERE AV100/120 includes the following features:

- Pure analogue input with 6 channels

- 32 – 96 kHz PCM stereo

- 96kHz Dolby ProLogic II decoding

- Dolby Digital decoding with auto detection

- DTS 5.1, DTS 6.1 discrete, DTS 6.1 matrix and DTS 24bit/96kHz decoding with

auto detection

- Extended precision decoder improves dynamic range for 24-bit DTS up to 115dBA

- New Motorola DSP 56367 with 150 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second)

- Upgradeable design for coming sound formats

- 10x Burr Brown 24-bit/192kHz D/A converters

True differential D/A conversion in all channels

- Direct-key access (AV120 only) to channel trim adjustments with 0.5dB adjustment step Precision volume control for all 10 channels with 0.5dB adjustment steps and 100dB range

- Delay adjustment for centre, surround left, surround right and surround centre channels

- Common delay (Lip sync) for all channels up to 5ms to compensate for possible video delays

- Direct-key access to input selection (AV120 only)

- Most inputs can be assigned as analogue, electrical digital or optical digital

- Sensitivity for analogue inputs to DSP is adjusted automatically for improved

dynamic range

- Test Noise signal for the individual channels’ volume trim

- Flexible speaker settings with extensive bass management

- Adjustable crossover frequency (60 – 120Hz) for bass management

- Dynamic range compression for both DTS and Dolby Digital, e.g. for improved

performance in noisy environments

AV100S and AV120S only:

- Component, S-video and composite video switching with 4-line adaptive comb filter, so that only one RGB or Component video connection to TV / Projector is necessary.

- Progressive video pass-through with 100MHz bandwidth

- Video encoder with On Screen Display (OSD), which is automatically bypassed

when not used

Each feature is described further in the following pages.

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page 11

Following formats are used in this manual: Cursive text indicates display readout, e.g.: CONFIG Key type is indicated with “”, e.g.: “ENTER” key.

Stereo speakers: “L” : left speaker “R” : right speaker

Surround speakers: “C” : centre speaker placed in front of the listening position “SL” : surround left speaker placed rear left of the listening position “SR” : surround right speaker placed rear right of the listening position

Extended surround speakers: “SC” : surround centre speaker placed back of the listening position. “SSL” : Left side speaker, placed between L and SL speaker. “SSR” : Right side speaker, placed between R and SR speaker.

All video specifications apply only for AV100S and AV120S.

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page 12

0. Installation

Please ensure carefully that all following rules are complied to; otherwise you may void your warranty and Thule Audio will accept no responsibility for any damages incurred:

- Place the amplifier on a hard and flat surface.

- The ventilation holes should not be covered. There must be at least 10 cm (4

inches) of free air on top of the amplifier. Do not place any other equipment on top of the amplifier.

Do not expose the amplifier to direct sunlight.

Do not place the amplifier in warm or dusty environments.

Caution: Because of risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the amplifier to rain or moisture.

Caution: Because of risk of electric shock, do not open the amplifier.

1. Input selection

The input selection is very flexible, so it can suit many different home theatre and stereo installations. It is possible to switch between seven different inputs, which are directly accessed by keys on the front panel (only AV120) or on the remote control. Each input can be configured in different ways, shown below with an “X”. The factory settings are marked with [ ] brackets. Changes to this setting can be made in the config menu.

INPUTS

DVD

SAT

Tape 1 Tape 2 Pure A.

Analogue

[X]

Coax digital [X]

[X]

Dig. Direct X

Optical

[X]

Composite

[X]

S-video

[X]

Component [X]

For audio signals, one of four options in the upper three rows must be selected under the config.input menu.

Similarly, the video inputs configuration must be selected for AV100S/AV120S in the config.video-input-output menu. After video switching, the built-in adaptive comb filter converts the selected video source into component or RGB video format. Therefore, your projector or TV must be set correctly to either RGB or component, and the “intelligent” video switching in AV100S/120S will take of the rest.

The Pure Audio input will bypass the DSP circuits and is recommended for high quality music listening in stereo e.g. to a CD player or another analogue source. Alternatively, for high quality music listening in stereo, connect the digital output from a CD player or DVD player to one of the available digital inputs in the AV100/120

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page 13

and use the built-in balanced 24-bit D/A converters. This will bypass the CD-player’s own normal 16-bit D/A converters and improve playback quality significantly.

The Sphere AV100/120 is also optimised for D/A conversion of the 24bit/96kHz stereo DVD music discs.

2. Volume controls

The master volume level is set by rotating the volume knob on the front panel or by using the “VOL ⇑” or VOL ⇓” key on the remote control.

The volume adjustments are scaled, so that at normal listening levels, the setting is extremely accurate with 0.5dB steps, while at lower levels the step size increases to allow a more rapid setting. The scaled volume setting is the most convenient for normal users, and is therefore set as default. However, it is possible to change the volume to 0.5dB steps for the entire volume range by changing it in the config.volume menu. The volume trims between each channel are set under the config.noise menu by comparing the perceived sound volume from each channel via the built-in noise generator, so that you can compensate for speaker sensitivity differences and distances from listening position. We recommend that the settings for each channel after using the config.noise option are stored as initial settings for each of the individual Stereo, ProLogic II, Dolby Digital and DTS memory banks. See further description of the memory banks in section 5.

However, each surround mode may lead to a different setting of volume trims based on individual requirements. In Thule Audio’s experience, Dolby Digital and ProLogic II mode gain can be increased 3 – 6 dB more in the surround speakers than “measured” under the noise test to obtain a more realistic surround image. Also in DTS mode, the gain can be increased 2 – 4 dB in the surround speakers. These more practical settings based on individual requirements can then be stored under each memory bank for automatic reload depending on chosen surround mode.

Each movie or music source may also lead to a different setting of volume trims. Therefore it is possible to adjust the volume trim “on the fly” directly by pushing the channel “L”, “C”, “R”, “SL”, “SUB” or “SR” key on the front panel or remote control. However, for setting the volume trim from the front panel on AV100/100S, it is necessary to toggle the “channel” knob. Subsequently, the extended surround channels “SC”,”SSL” and “SSR” can be selected for adjusting by using the arrow keys. The channel level can then be adjusted by rotating the volume knob on the front panel or by pressing the “VOL ⇑” or VOL ⇓” key on the remote control.

The volume trim settings changed “on the fly” will return to the default settings stored in the memory banks when the AV100/120 is set into standby or power is turned off.

By pushing the “SUB” key on the front panel or remote in for 2 seconds, the LFE (low frequency effect) channel is activated for adjusting. The LFE channel is the bass information, which is sent to the subwoofer or alternatively sent to the “L” and “R” channels if the subwoofer is deactivated. In this way, it is possible to adjust the

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page 14

low frequency content even when no subwoofer is present.

The normal display returns 15 sec. after the last action on any of the channel select keys, or immediately after the ”>VOL” key is pushed.

3. Zone 2

With zone 2, it is possible to redirect the sound to other audio systems, e.g. in the kitchen or bedroom. The zone 2 has a separate volume control and input selector. Adjustments for zone 2 are achieved by holding down the same input knob as currently selected. When e.g. DVD input is selected, hold down the “DVD” knob on remote or front panel for approximately 1 sec. Then the ZONE2 indicator becomes active.

Possible inputs are:

SAT ANLG TV ANLG LD ANLG TAPE1 ANLG Z1 -> Z2 (Input selected in the main zone is played in zone 2)

Even if an input is defined as digital in the main zone, the analogue option is chosen in zone 2.

The operation returns to the main zone 15 sec. after the last adjustment made to zone 2, or by pressing the ”>VOL” key.

4. Delay

To experience the best surround sound quality, it is important that the sound signal from all the speakers arrives at the same time at the listening position. If the listening position is placed closer to the rear surround speakers, the sound from these speakers will arrive earlier at the listening position. In this case, it is necessary to delay the sound slightly from the rear speakers. The important issue here is the difference in distance from the listening position to the front and rear speakers. The same problem arises if the centre speaker is placed closer to the listening position than the front speakers.

On some video sources, the video is delayed compared to the audio, due to video processing. To compensate for video delay, it is possible to delay all audio channels up to 5ms. This common delay is called “Lip sync”.

The delays can be set directly from the front panel keys by pushing the “SL”, “SR” or “C” keys for more than two seconds (only AV120/120S) or double-push on the same knobs on the remote control. The display responds briefly with the message DELAY, and afterwards the delay setting for the selected channel is displayed, e.g. SL 5.0ms. Subsequently, the delay of the extended surround channel SC and “Lip Sync” can be selected by using the arrow keys. The delay can then be changed in steps of 1.0ms by turning the volume knob or

___________________________________________________________________________

page 15

pressing the “VOL ⇑” or “VOL ⇓” key on the remote control.

The normal display will return after 15 seconds from last change or by pushing the “>VOL” key. The setting is expressed in milliseconds, but the delay can be calculated from the physical distance. A sound wave travels at approx. 340 metres per second, which is equivalent to:

1 foot per 1 millisecond or 1 metre per 3 milliseconds

The following example demonstrates how to calculate the delay setting for SL, SR, SC and C. The distances mentioned from the listening position to each speaker are used as an example only and are not meant to be an ideal guideline:

Example Your measurements Listening position <-> Left speaker: 3.8 m (= 11.4 ft) Listening position <-> Right speaker: 3.8 m (= 11.4 ft) Listening position <-> Centre speaker: 2.9 m (= 8.7 ft) Listening position <-> Left surround speaker: 2.1 m (= 6.3 ft) Listening position <-> Right surr. speaker: 2.1 m (= 6.3 ft) Listening position <-> Centre surr. speaker: 1.8 m (= 6.3 ft)

The delays when measuring the distance in metres are then calculated as:

SL delay : (L - SL distance) x 3 = (3.8 - 2.1) x 3 = 5.1ms SR delay : (R - SR distance) x 3 = (3.8 - 2.1) x 3 = 5.1ms C delay : (L - C distance) x 3 = (3.8 - 2.9) x 3 = 2.7ms SC delay : (L - C distance) x 3 = (3.8 - 1.8) x 3 = 6ms

or when the distance is measured in feet:

SL delay : L - SL distance = 11.4 - 6.3 = 5.1ms SR delay : R - SR distance = 11.4 - 6.3 = 5.1ms C delay : L - C distance = 11.4 - 8.7 = 2.7ms SC delay : L - SC distance = 11.4 - 5.4 = 6ms

In this example, we would set the delay at: SL 5.0ms C 3.0ms SR 5.0ms SC 6.0ms

The above calculations for delay are based on the physical installation and should be stored as the initial settings in the memory banks (see section 5).

For each surround mode, the preferred settings should be stored in the memory banks for automatic reload.

The user may still prefer to change delays during playback of a movie, based on subjective preference in a specific movie.

___________________________________________________________________________

page 16

Hence the delay can also be set “on the fly”. The intermediate delay settings will return to the default settings stored in the memory banks when the AV100/120 is set into standby or turned off.

5. Surround Modes

The actual surround mode of the AV100/120 is constantly indicated in the display:

Possible input types:

- Stereo analogue input, PCM or Dolby Digital 2.0 bitstream

- Dolby ProLogic II analogue input, PCM or Dolby Digital 2.0 bitstream

- Dolby Digital Dolby Digital 5.1 bitstream.

- DTS DTS bitstream: 5.1, ES 6.1 discrete or 96kHz 5.1

5.1 Dolby Digital

If a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround bitstream is detected, the AV100/120 will automatically switch to Dolby Digital surround, and the Dolby Digital indicator will light up. By pushing the “SURROUND MODE” key on the front panel or “mode” on the remote control, information about which outputs can be expected to be active are indicated, thus:

L: left speaker R: right speaker C: centre speaker

SC: surround centre speaker

SL: surround left speaker SR: surround right speaker SW: subwoofer

The number of active outputs will depend on which speakers are activated in the config.speaker and config.extended surround menu, the received input type (analogue, PCM, Dolby Digital bitstream or DTS bitstream), and if applicable, also the selected surround mode. By pushing the “SURROUND MODE” key for more than one second, information about the received bitstream will be displayed:

Active audio channels in the received bitstream:

2/0 : L, R are present 2/1 : L, R, Sub are present* 2/2 : L, R, SL, SR are present*

3/0 : L, R, C are present* 3/1 : L, R, C, Sub are present* 3/2 : L, R, SL, SR, C are present*

*If not all speakers are selected under the config.speaker menu, down-mixing will occur automatically.

+ 37 hidden pages

Thule Audio SPHERE AV100, SPHERE AV120, SPHERE AV100S, SPHERE AV120S Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual