Setup guide

Now, play some music through your system to make sure that the satellite speakers are working properly. If they

are, carefully advance the "BASS LEVEL" control. The subwoofer should begin to play. Set the "BASS LEVEL" control

where the subwoofer sounds in balance with the satellite speakers. If the system is not working properly, unplug the

subwoofer and check all of your connections. Call your dealer or the factory if you cannot solve any problem.

6. PHASE SWITCH

You are now almost finished with the basic set-up. But before you can sit down to enjoy your new subwoofer, you

need to perform one simple Phasing Test. This test insures optimum sound in the critical bass frequencies where your

subwoofer and Satellite speakers overlap.

Play a familiar CD, LP, or tape with steady, consistent bass. Listen carefully to the mid-bass (70 - 100 Hz) region

— the part of the spectrum where electric or string basses and drums are found. Then, slide the "PHASE" switch on the

SUBWOOFER's back panel from either (+) or (—).

Now listen to the same musical passage, concentrating on the mid-bass region. If you hear less bass, the original

connections were correct. If you hear more bass, the new connections are correct. If you have two subwoofers,

perform one test for each subwoofer. When you perform each test, make sure the other subwoofer is not operating by

either unplugging its input cable or its power cord.

Another method of setting phase uses a pink noise source and a spectrum analyzer. If you have these, place the

microphone at the main listening position and look at its display in the mid-bass region of 70 - 100 Hz. The wiring/ switch

position showing the most output in that region has the correct phase.

You need to perform this test because when satellite speakers are located separate from a subwoofer, each

speaker is at a different distance from your ear. In some cases, the difference will be just enough so that the output from

the subwoofer arrives out of phase with the output of the satellites. When this happens, that critical mid-bass is actual-

ly cancelled. You should re-do this test any time you move your speakers.

If you want to experiment further, you can move the satellite speakers either towards or away from your listening

position, making changes in small increments. This will focus the system's sound to its optimum. When you hear the

best balance between stereo image localization and maximum impact and output in the mid-bass, you have the ideal

location.

7. USE OF THE "LOW PASS FILTER" CONTROL

The back panel control "LOW PASS FILTER" sets the upper rolloff point of the subwoofer, eliminating mid-bass and

midrange that are being reproduced by your satellite speakers. The control is a means of fine-tuning the transition

between your subwoofer and satellite speakers, and it provides a rolloff of 12 dB/octave up to 200 Hz, where the filter

shifts to 36 dB/octave. In most systems, including M&K satellites, 85 Hz gives the best blend. If you don't want to

experiment, set the control at 85 Hz. If you are using the K-5 / K-7 Satellites, set the control to 100Hz. If you are using

Xenon satellites (LCR45, LCR35, or LCR25), or the MP4512, set the control between 125 and 200 Hz.

The goal is to get a balanced acoustic output in your room. This is not necessarily the same as flat electrical out-

put. Rooms typically reinforce bass frequencies around 100 Hz, so by leaving an electrical gap, you may actually get a

smooth acoustical response where it matters, in the room.

Think of this control as a mid-bass fine tuning adjustment that you set to achieve the best transition between the

satellite speakers and the subwoofer. When you hear a smooth sound overall, well balanced between the deep bass

and the rest of the audible spectrum, the control is set properly.

8. USE OF THE "BYPASS" SETTING

If you have a THX, Dolby Digital, or DTS component with a built-in Low-Pass filter as part of its subwoofer output,

or if you are using a separate Electronic Crossover, set the “LOW PASS FILTER” switch on the back of the subwoofer

to “BYPASS” position. This bypasses the internal low-pass filter so that there is no interaction between the subwoofer’s

filter and your component’s filter. If you have any questions regarding the filters, please contact your M&K dealer or the

M&K factory.

POWERED SUBWOOFER