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SW380 Powered Subwoofer
ABOUT SUBWOOFERS
Subwoofers extend the bass response of your system beyond the limitations of most speakers. The SW 380 powered subwoofer
is used in conjunction with you left, center and right front speakers, as well as the left and right rear speakers of the System 230
to dramatically enhance the low frequency performance of the overall system with music, television and movies.
FEATURES OF THE SW380
The AudioSource SW380 features a highly efficient ported enclosure, a rugged 8-inch reinforced driver and an eighty watt
amplifier with a passive low frequency crossover network. A choice of line level or speaker level input is provided for fast and
easy connection to virtually any system. If your component has only a single RCA (Line Level ) output, it is recommended to
use a “Y” connector to feed information to both the left and right RCA (Line Level) inputs. If a “Y” connector is not readily available
the subwoofer can be operated nominally with a single RCA connection at the right channel line level input.
PLACEMENT GUIDELINES
Prior to installing your SW 380 Subwoofer, please consider the following guidelines. Placing a subwoofer near a wall or in a
corner will greatly increase it’s perceived bass response. As frequencies reproduced by subwoofers are long and need room
to propagate, a subwoofer placed near the listening position will not sound as full as one placed farther away. Please be careful
about placing anything directly on top of your subwoofer, as the vibrations of the speaker cabinet could cause these items to
shake loose or fall.
USING THE CONTROLS
Power
The Power Switch has two positions: OFF and ON. When the LED is lit, the power is on. Be sure that you have correctly
connected the UL Approved AC Power Supply to your SW 380 before trying to operate the subwoofer.
Frequency
The Frequency Control sets the frequency below which the electronic crossover pass information to the amplifier to be reproduced
as bass. If the frequency is set too low the subwoofer and the satellites will not blend together smoothly. If the frequency is
set to high the mid-bass will be overstated and muddy. Since room conditions will cause variations in how individual speakers
perform, the ability to adjust the crossover frequency of the subwoofer enhances its ability to work seamlessly with the other
speakers. Start with the frequency at about mid point and work in both directions from there until you find the point where the
sub seems to blend smoothly with your satellites. The satellites should be positioned before beginning to make adjustments to
the subwoofer.
Level
The Level Control adjusts the volume of the SW 380. Once set, the level control should not require further adjustment. Begin
with the level control at the minimum position. Slowly increase the volume of the SW 380 until you can hear the subwoofer. A
Subwoofer playing too loud can give your system a “muddy” sound, so be sure to balance the level or volume of the SW 380
carefully with the your other speakers. Output level is relative and can vary from location to location within the listening area.
Always return to your listening position to evaluate and changes. Note: Your surround receiver may provide the ability to balance
the level of all speakers in the system using a Test Tone and the receivers remote control. See the manufacturers user manual
for details on the proper procedure for this operation.
CONNECTING THE SW380
Line In
The RCA-type jacks of your SW 380 are designed to accept a line level signal from a receiver, preamp, surround processor,
television or similar device. When using a single line level output from another component, a “Y”connector should be used to
send the signals to both the left and right channel inputs.
Speaker Level Inputs
The Spring Clamp type speaker level connectors are provided to be used in the event that your receiver, preamp, surround
processor, television or other component does not have a dedicated line-level subwoofer output, or other full range line-level
output. The speaker level inputs should be connected to your components speaker outputs, and then you may connect your
speakers to the speaker level outputs on the rear of the SW 380 subwoofer. The SW 380 extracts the information (signal) it
needs from the speaker level signal, and then passes on the full range speaker level signal to your other speakers. Note: The
speaker level and line-level inputs should never be used at the same time as damage to the subwoofer and your other components
could result from such improper usage.