THIEL SmartSub ® Subwoofers SW1 SS2 SS3 SS4 Owner Information
Thank you for purchasing a THIEL SmartSub® system. It has been engineered to provide a very high level of performance and also incorporates innovative (patent pending) concepts in its design to solve the several special problems subwoofer systems usually exhibit. Consequently, it performs at a very high level with a wide variety of speakers and room locations. You are welcome to contact our Customer Service department with any questions or for help in setting up this system.
Product Features THIEL SmartSubs are very high performance, innovative subwoofer systems that provides exceptionally deep, uniform, dynamic and low distortion bass reproduction. In addition, they provide near-ideal performance with any room placement and when used with any type of main loudspeaker.
Temperature Correction Accurate Matching to Main Speakers These SmartSub models contain unique circuitry (patent pending) that corrects for compression distortion due to heating of the drivers’ voice coils. Without this correction subwoofer output levels could decrease by as much as 5 dB and the response altered at times of high demand. The correction allows the subwoofer to provide more accurate, uncompressed and dynamic reproduction.
System Configurations The SmartSubs can be used in four ways depending on your requirements: 1. As a stand-alone unit. 2. With a passive crossover. 3. With the SmartSub Integrator in augment mode. 4. With the SmartSub Integrator in crossover mode. The configuration chosen will determine your required equipment, hookup connections and processor settings. Which system configuration is best for you depends mainly on the capabilities of your main left/right speakers.
3 4 The SmartSub Integrator in augment configuration should be used if a passive crossover is not available for your main speakers, you desire adjustability of the main channel bass level or extension, or if you desire more than one subwoofer in your system, or two stereo subwoofers. If your main speakers do not play sufficiently loudly due to bass overloading, then the Integrator should be used in crossover mode to allow the transfer of low frequency energy from the main speakers and into the subwoofer.
Crossover Use Do you require a crossover? Processor Bass Management Without a crossover the subwoofer will provide very high quality reproduction of the Low Frequency Effects (LFE), or “point 1”, channel of a multi channel sound system.
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Setting up the Subwoofer Hookup If the subwoofer is being used with a passive crossover or SmartSub Integrator, a balanced XLR interconnect cable is connected from the unit’s subwoofer output to the subwoofer’s Normal Input. If more than one subwoofer is used, they are “daisy-chained” by connecting an additional XLR interconnect cable from the Normal Output connector of the first subwoofer to the Normal Input of the next subwoofer.
Feet The SS2 and SS3 are supplied with four pointed, screw-in feet that can be used to provide firmer coupling to the floor for slightly better sound quality and to prevent the unit from moving during use. Please be advised that their use can put dents in hardwood floors. They are screwed into the bottom of the unit, and should be individually adjusted until the unit is firmly seated onto the floor without rocking. Then tighten each of the back-nuts to lock the feet in place.
Hookup Processor Setup Crossover decision Y Tell processor main speakers are small Y Subwoofer will be used for effects channel and enhancing bass of main channels with very good blending.
integrator Adjustment Subwoofer Setup Finished Y N Adjust subwoofer level Add subwoofer N Y Does subwoofer play loudly enough? Is effects channel level balanced? Finished Y N Increase crossover frequency Increase Low Frequency Extension setting, decrease LFE Level setting or add subwoofer Adjust Low Frequency Level Adjust LFE Level Is effects channel correct loudness? N Y Do main speakers play loudly enough? Y N Set Main speaker amp gain. Set crossover frequency as low as it will go.
Fuse Replacement If the subwoofer is completely dead, with no indicator lights on, the main fuse has probably blown and will need to be replaced. The fuse should be replaced only with an equivalent type. The fuse type is 5 x 20 mm size, slo-blow or time delay type, with a rating of 5 amp for 230 volt units and 10 amp for 115 volt units. The BUSS number is GMC-5A or GMC-10A, respectively. Littlefuse numbers are 232005 or 218010. Or contact THIEL for a replacement fuse. Specifications Amplifier Type .......
THIEL 1026 Nandino Blvd., Lexington, KY 40511, USA www.thielaudio.
