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INTRODUCTION
Product Description
The Complement® SUB85 is a compact, high-powered
active subwoofer. Its powerful amplifi er couples with
an acoustically optimized cabinet and driver to provide
high performance with a deep low end and smooth
response.
Features
For installation fl exibility, the SUB85 offers stereo line-
level inputs, a line-level LFE input, and stereo speaker-
level inputs with pass-through.
An adjustable level control, a variable crossover, and a
phase switch allow the user to precisely balance the sub
with the other speakers in the audio system.
An automatic standby mode turns the subwoofer on
as soon as it senses an audio signal and mutes it 20
minutes after the signal ends. A front-panel power
indicator glows amber for standby mode and green for
fully on.
The subwoofer’s attractive compact design provides
versatile placement options without compromising the
home décor.
Applications
The SUB85 is ideal for use in small home theater and
stereo music systems. The perfect match for Russound
Complement LCR7 on-wall speakers, it can also be used
with any Russound in-wall or in-ceiling speakers.
Subwoofer Placement
Room acoustics and modes
Room acoustics have a great effect on the sound of
speakers, especially subwoofers. When sound is refl ected
back and forth between two parallel surfaces, such as
opposite walls in a rectangular room, it creates standing
waves. These make bass response uneven by creating
sound peaks and nulls at certain locations within the
room.
Because the subwoofer’s location affects how stand-
ing waves are created, correct subwoofer placement is
important to avoid such peaks and nulls. They can’t be
fi xed by equalization, which could overdrive the speaker
and amplifi er, causing distortion or damage.
The fi rst step toward getting accurate bass response is
to set the subwoofer’s crossover to match the low-fre-
quency roll-off point of the main speakers. Once you’ve
set the crossover, you can then experiment to fi nd the
best possible location for the subwoofer.
Corner placement
Placing the subwoofer in a corner will result in maxi-
mum volume, greatest effi ciency, and lowest distortion.
This is because the adjacent walls and fl oor reinforce
the fundamental bass tones. However, corner placement
can also make the subwoofer sound boomy, emphasiz-
ing a single frequency above others and resulting in
uneven frequency response.
Other placement options
To get a smoother, more even frequency response, place
the subwoofer at varying distances from the walls of
the room. The key to minimizing standing waves is to
avoid symmetry. Also, place the subwoofer close to the
main speakers. This will help blend and integrate the
sound of the sub and the main speakers. At the very
least, keep the subwoofer in the front half of the room.
A common technique for fi nding the best location is
to put the subwoofer in the main listening position, at
seated ear height on a sturdy, nonresonant platform.
Play music with ascending and descending bass notes,
such as a jazz recording with a walking bass line. Crawl
around the fl oor until you fi nd the spot where the bass
sounds smoothest, and where each bass note has about
the same volume and clarity. Avoid positions where
some notes resonate longer or sound heavier than oth-
ers. When you’ve found the place where the bass sounds
best, put the subwoofer there.
Multiple subwoofers
Using multiple subwoofers provides greater dynamic
range and smoother bass response throughout the room
than using only one subwoofer. Placing two subwoof-
ers in the corners behind the main speakers will reduce
room resonances and increase directly radiated sound.
When placing two subwoofers in adjacent corners,
position them asymmetrically to minimize the effects of
standing waves.