Velodyne Acoustics Optimum 12 Owners manual
Optimum-8
Optimum-10
Optimum-12
Series
USER’S
MANUAL
High Output Digital EQ Subwoofer
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Optimum User’s Manual
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Table of Contents
C
ongratulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Front Panel Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Rear Panel Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Rear Panel Connections - Detailed Explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Interconnect Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Care of Your Subwoofer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Troubleshooting and Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Velodyne Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
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Optimum User’s Manual
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Restoring Defaults
Congratulations
C
ongratulations on your purchase of a Velodyne Optimum subwoofer. This system represents
the state-of-the-art in low frequency reproduction. Please, read and follow the instructions below
to insure safe and proper system operation.
Warning!
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture. To avoid
electrical shock, do not open speaker enclosure or amp chassis cover. Please observe all
warnings on the equipment itself. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Please refer all
service questions to your authorized Velodyne dealer.
Prior to Installation
Please unpack the system carefully. Please save the carton and all packaging materials
for future use. Record the serial number in the space provided on page 17 of this manual for
future reference.
PRODUCT FEATURES
• DSP-Controlled
• 4 selectable preset modes for customized listening
• Automatic 6-band room equalizer with microphone included
• Night-mode setting
• Mute control
• Woofer
- 8” (6.5” piston diameter) subwoofer with 2.5” high-temp voice coil and
107 ounce magnet/204 ounce motor structur
- 10” (8” piston diameter) subwoofer with 3” voice coil and 162 ounce magnet/
346 ounce motor structure (Optimum-10)
- 12” (9.7” piston diameter) subwoofer with 3” voice coil and 162 ounce magnet/
346 ounce motor structure (Optimum-12)
• Built-in 2400 watts Dynamic/1200 watts RMS high efficiency Class D amplifier
• Adjustable (40 to 120 Hz) low-pass cr
• Line-level (RCA) inputs and outputs
• Speaker-level inputs with five way binding post connections
• Signal sensing auto turn on/off (defeatable)
• Variable volume control
• Selectable phase control (0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees)
• Frequency response of 28-120 Hz (Optimum-8), 24-120Hz (Optimum-10),
22-120Hz (Optimum-12),
Magnetically shielded for video use (Optimum-10 and Optimum-12)
•
• Multiple staggered low-pass crossovers; 12 dB/octave initial, 48 dB/octave ultimate
Driver Displacement Contr
•
• Blue level indicator LED
• High-excursion EPDM r
• Oversized spider for linearity at high excursion
• Hand-rubbed black lacquer or cherry veneer cabinet
ol circuit to prevent over excursion and amp clipping
ubber surround
ossover (defeatable)
e (Optimum-8)
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Optimum User’s Manual
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Prepare for Installation
Your new Velodyne subwoofer provides for a number of installation options. Read all of the
i
nstallation information below in order to determine which installation option is best for your
system.
to prevent possible damage.
Remember to perform all installation procedures with system power turned off
Placement
The first step in installing your new Optimum sub is to determine where it will be placed in the
room. Unpack the system carefully and use the following guidelines in order to find the best
room placement option.
True subwoofers operate at extremely low frequencies which are primarily omni-directional.
Keep in mind that frequency response and output level can be drastically influenced by
placement, depending on the acoustic properties of the listening room. To obtain the best
output from your subwoofer, try placing it within a foot of a corner. This location will offer the
greatest output levels and maximize low frequency extension. If at all possible, your subwoofer
should be placed along a wall. The worst location for a subwoofer is typically far away from any
walls and close to the center of your room. Avoid these locations when possible. When using
a pair of Velodyne subwoofers in stereo, it is preferable to feed each subwoofer with one
channel and place each subwoofer near the satellite of the same channel.
Depending on the size and type of fur
possible. Finding the best location within your environment will likely require some
experimentation. W
best to you when seated in your typical listening position.
Regardless of where you install your Velodyne subwoofer, it must remain in an upright position
(woofer facing forward). Using, shipping or storing the subwoofer in any other position for an
extended period of time may result in damage to the unit not covered by warranty.
Caution!
This subwoofer has electronics built into the cabinet. Do not place the cabinet next to sources
of heat such as furnace registers, radiators, etc. Do not place the unit near sources of
excessive moistur
routed in such a way that it will not be walked on, pinched or compressed in any way that could
esult in damage to the insulation or wir
r
Although the Velodyne Optimum-10 and the Optimum-12 are magnetically shielded, the
Optimum-8 subwoofer is NOT magnetically shielded. Should you find it necessary to use it with
an older CR
distance by minimizing distortion of the picture and colors.
T monitor or TV
e suggest you experiment with the location during setup to find what sounds
e such as evaporative coolers, humidifiers, etc. The power cord should be
, keep it at least two feet fr
nishings in the r
e.
oom, perfect placement may not be
om the monitor
. Experiment for cor
r
ect
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Optimum User’s Manual
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Installation
Inputs
Your new subwoofer is equipped with speaker-level and line-level inputs. Use the LINE LEVEL
jacks when connecting your subwoofer to a pre-amp, signal processor (such as LFE out), linelevel crossover, or receiver with pre-amp level outputs. When using the line level jacks, some
receivers may not provide enough signal to have the unit’s auto-on feature operate properly.
Additionally, this lack of signal may also cause the subwoofer to produce less output than it is
capable of.
To alleviate this condition, we recommend the following steps:
1) If using line level jacks, BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT INPUT SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED –
never use just the left or just the right input. If using line level connections from a
preamp or signal processor, use both Left and Right inputs from your preprocessor or
preamp and connect them to the Left and Right inputs on your subwoofer.
2) If using a receiver with LFE out, be sure the LFE channel is sending adequate signal to the
subwoofer. The subwoofer’
volume). Adjust the LFE channel on your receiver or pr
output. See your receiver or processor’s owner’s manual for more information.
s default volume setting is 30 on a
ocessor to achieve the desired bass
1-80 scale (roughly 1/3
Volume Control
This control allows you to balance the output from the subwoofer to the main speakers in your
system. This control should be set to achieve similar output levels from both the main speakers
and subwoofer when listening to music. The default volume setting is 30 on a 1-80 scale.
Warning:
Some manufacturers preset their receivers with the Sub-Out channel signal at a minimum level.
It is ver
as your fr
level adjustment procedure. If your receiver Sub-Out channel is set too low, the subwoofer may
appear to have a weak output, it may sound noisy or distorted, and the Auto On/Off feature
may not operate properly.
y impor
tant to verify that your receiver Sub-Out channel is set to the same output level
ont right and left channels. Refer to your receiver manual for the individual channel
Low-pass Crossover - 40 to 120 Hz
All inputs sum the left and right channels together
adjustable low-pass cr
the upper limit of the subwoofer’s frequency response from 40 to 120 Hz. The subwoofer’s
response will begin rolling off above the frequency you set this control to. You should set the
crossover frequency to obtain a smooth and seamless transition from the subwoofer to the
main speakers in your system. If your main speakers are smaller with limited low frequency
output, you may wish to choose a higher frequency (such as 100 - 120 Hz) than you would with
ger speakers which have gr
lar
80 Hz. With larger speakers, you may want to set this even lower, for example 70 Hz.
ossover befor
e being amplified. The crossover control allows you to adjust
eater low fr
, with the r
equency output. The default cr
esulting signal passing thr
ossover setting is
ough an
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Optimum User’s Manual
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Phase Adjustment - 0°/90°/180°/270°
This control allows you to change the phase of the subwoofer’s output signal to correct for any
p
ossible mismatch and resulting cancellation between the subwoofer and your main
speakers/amplifier. To adjust, simply listen to the system with music playing, then depress the
various phase switches on the remote control and listen for a change in mid-bass frequency
output. The correct position will have a greater amount of apparent mid-bass frequency output.
If the settings sound similar, we recommend the “0” position. See the remote control section
for more information.
Auto Turn on Function
The subwoofer will turn itself on automatically when an audio signal is present. If no signal is
present for approximately eight minutes, the unit will switch to standby mode (blank LED). While
in standby mode, your subwoofer will draw very minimal power. Your sub is shipped in
the “INACTIVE” (always on) position. In order to activate the circuit, change the switch
to “ACTIVE”.
Warning:
If the Sub-Out channel signal level from your receiver is too weak, this feature will not operate
properly and shut the subwoofer off while you are listening to it. To correct this, see the
VOLUME CONTROL section on previous page.
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Optimum User’s Manual
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