Bowers & Wilkins SA1000 Subwoofer Amplifier Manual
Overview
Installation and Setup Manual
Important Safety Instructions
- Read these instructions.
- Keep these instructions.
- Heed all warnings.
- Follow all instructions.
- Do not use this apparatus near water.
- Clean only with a dry cloth.
- Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
- Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for the replacement of the obsolete outlet.
- Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
- Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
- Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
- Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
- Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
WARNING:
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
- When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorised substitutions may result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.
- Check that there are no cables under the carpet that may be damaged by the spike feet. Do not walk the product on the spike feet as this may cause them to become detached from the cabinet and cause damage. Take care not to impale yourself with the spike feet.
- For continued protection against fire hazard, use fuses only of the correct type and rating. Mains fuses are located inside the appliance as well as on its back panel. Replacement of the internal fuse should be entrusted to an authorised operative. User-replaceable fuse types are shown in the specification.
- Isolation of the appliance from the power supply is by means of removal of the power cord from the rear of the appliance or removal of the power cord from the wall power outlet. Either the wall outlet or the rear of the appliance must remain freely accessible at all times while the apparatus is in use.
Introduction
Dear customer, Thank you for choosing Bowers & Wilkins. Please read this manual fully before unpacking and installing the product. It will help you to optimize its performance. B&W maintains a network of dedicated distributors in over 60 countries who will be able to help you should you have any problems your dealer cannot resolve.
Environmental Information
All B&W products are designed to comply with international directives on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment and the disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). These symbols indicate compliance and that the products must be appropriately recycled or processed in accordance with these directives. Consult your local waste disposal authority for guidance. This manual covers the CT SW10, CT SW12 and CT SW15 subwoofers and their matching SA1000 automated rack mount power amplifier.
Carton Contents
Check the subwoofer carton for:
- 1 Accessory pack containing:
- 4 x M6 spike feet
- 4 x M6 rubber feet
- 4 x Lock nuts (10mm across flats)
- 1 x Two-pole Neutrik Speakon plug
Check amplifier carton for:
- 1 x Mains Cable
- 1 x Four-pole Neutrik Speakon plug
- 2 x Rack Mount Brackets
- 6 x Short Philips screws and washers
- 4 x Rubber hole plugs
- 2 x Handles
- 4 x Long Philips screws and washers
The CT SW10, 12 and 15, and the SA1000 dual subwoofer amplifier are designed both for Home Theatre installations and to augment the bass performance of ‘full range’ speakers in 2-channel audio systems. All audio installations require some thought in installation if they are to reach their full performance potential and this manual will guide you through the process. The subwoofer amplifier requires connection to the mains power supply so it is important that you familiarise yourself with the safety instructions and heed all the warnings. Keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.
Subwoofer Installation and Positioning
The CT SW Series subwoofers are intended to be installed either within existing or custom-designed home theatre system cabinetry close to, or on, the floor. If the subwoofer is to be installed within cabinetry it is important to ensure that the cabinetry is capable of carrying the weight and that it is structurally reliable. Significant vibration of the cabinetry panels may seriously affect the subjective performance of the audio system. Screw-in rubber feet are supplied for attachment to the underside of the subwoofer in order to protect the cabinet finish and reduce vibration.
If the subwoofer is to be installed free-standing on the floor, it is important to ensure it stands firmly using the spike feet supplied whenever possible. The spike feet are designed to pierce carpet and rest on the floor surface. Initially, screw the lock nuts onto the spikes enough to leave the nuts floating just above the carpet when the spikes are resting on the floor beneath. Screw the spikes fully into the threaded inserts in the base of the cabinet. If the cabinet rocks when placed on the floor, unscrew the spike that does not touch the floor until the cabinet rests firmly without rocking.
Continued
Finally, lock the nuts against the cabinet. It may be more convenient to fit and adjust the spike feet after speaker positioning has been optimized. The ear poorly perceives the source location of low frequency sound so the position of subwoofers in the listening room is generally less critical compared to full-range speakers. That said, however, the best results are usually obtained if the subwoofer is placed between the left and right speakers or in the vicinity of one of them. If two subwoofers are used it is best to put one near the left and one near the right speaker. Placing a subwoofer behind the listening position, even in multi-channel surround sound installations, generally results in inferior imaging but may be an acceptable compromise if domestic considerations dictate.
As with all speakers, the proximity of room boundaries affects the sound of a subwoofer. Bass volume increases as more surfaces come into close proximity to the speaker. Unlike full-range speakers, however, the overall system balance can be corrected by adjusting the volume level of the subwoofer. The more boost gained from the room, the lower the volume can be set and the less hard the subwoofer has to work; but there is a downside. Subwoofers positioned near corners often generate more low-frequency room resonances, making the bass more uneven with frequency.
Continued
There is no substitute for experiment as all rooms behave differently, so the subwoofer should be tried in a variety of positions before a final decision is made. A piece of music with a bass line ascending or descending the musical scale is useful for assessing the smoothness of the bass response. Listen for exaggerated or quiet notes.
Using multiple subwoofers in a single installation can improve performance in the following ways:
- Maintains stereo separation to the lowest frequencies.
- Smooth out the effects of low-frequency room resonances.
- Enable a higher maximum sound output
In the case of two subwoofers used in a 2-channel audio system, stereo separation will only be improved if each channel has its own subwoofer located close to the appropriate satellite speaker.
Stray Magnetic Fields
The subwoofer drive units create stray magnetic fields that extend beyond the boundaries of the cabinet. We recommend you keep magnetically sensitive articles (CRT television and computer screens, computer discs, audio and video tapes, swipe cards and the like) at least 0.5m (20 in) from the speaker. LCD and plasma screens are not affected by magnetic fields.
Grilles
The CT SW Series subwoofers are fitted with magnetically attached fabric grilles which may be removed if desired. Take care not to damage the drive units when removing or replacing the grilles.
Subwoofer Amplifier Installation
The SA1000 subwoofer amplifier is intended to be installed in standard 19-inch equipment racks. It is supplied with rack-mount ears but rack-mount bolts and nuts are not supplied. Ensure that, once mounted in the rack, the amplifier is well-ventilated and that its ventilation apertures are not obstructed.
Rack Mounting the SA1000
The SA1000 is supplied with two rack mounting brackets for installation in standard equipment racks. To install these brackets: Install the rack mount bracket, insert three of the small Philips head machine screws through the bracket, and thread holes in the side of the amplifier. Repeat for the bracket on the other side of the amplifier.
Subwoofer Amplifier Connections
The SA1000 subwoofer amplifier is fitted with a variety of connection sockets on its rear panel: 1 x Mains input socket: Connect mains power using the appropriate cable for your territory. 1 x Neutrik Speakon Output Socket: A four-pole Speakon enabling connection of one or two (identical) subwoofers. Speakon sockets provide a more secure and reliable connection than bare-wire or 4mm sockets. 4 x Binding Posts Outputs:
Alternative balanced output socket for connection to the input of a second subwoofer amplifier. 2 x 3.5mm Jack Trigger Inputs: 12V trigger inputs to enable automated control of amplifier standby and movie/music function selection. Connecting the subwoofer amplifier to the subwoofer, including the use of Speakon plugs, is covered in the Connecting Sections below.
Connecting the Subwoofer
All connections should be made with the equipment switched off. The CT SW10, 12 and 15 have a pair of binding post connection terminals and one Neutrik Speakon connection socket on their rear panels. The binding post terminals provide quick and easy connection of stripped wires while Speakon sockets provide a more secure and reliable connection method. If the binding post terminals are to be used, connect the positive cable to the red terminal and the negative cable to the black terminal. Incorrect connection can result in poor imaging and loss of bass.
Figure 1 illustrates the use of the binding post terminals. If the Speakon option is to be used, disassemble the Speakon plug as shown in Figure 2. Connect the positive cable to the terminal marked +1 and the negative cable to the terminal marked -1. Incorrect connection can result in poor imaging and loss of bass. Once the plug is reassembled it can be inserted into the socket and locked by twisting clockwise. Ask your dealer for advice when selecting speaker cable. Keep its total impedance below the maximum recommended in the speaker specification and use a low-inductance cable.
Connecting the Subwoofer Amplifier
All connections should be made with the equipment switched off. The SA1000 amplifier has two pairs of binding post connection terminals and one four-pole Neutrik Speakon connection socket on its rear panel. The binding post terminals provide quick and easy connection of stripped wires while Speakon sockets provide a more secure and reliable connection method.
Two identical subwoofers can be connected to the amplifier through the use of either the two pairs of binding posts or the supplied four-pole Speakon plug. If the binding post terminals are to be used, connect the positive cable or cables to the red terminals and the negative cable or cables to the black terminals. Incorrect connection can result in poor imaging and loss of bass. Figure 3 illustrates the use of the binding post terminals to connect one or two subwoofers.
If the Speakon option is to be used, disassemble the Speakon plug as shown in Figure 2 and connect the positive cable to the terminal marked +1 and the negative cable to the terminal marked -1. Terminals +2 and -2 are to be used when two subwoofers are connected. Incorrect connection can result in poor imaging and loss of bass. Once the plug is reassembled it can be inserted into the socket and locked by twisting clockwise. Figure 4 illustrates the use of the Speakon plug to connect one or two subwoofers.
Subwoofer Amplifier Setup and Control
Before Auditioning
Before auditioning your new subwoofer installation and fine-tuning it, double-check the connections. Make sure in particular that the phasing is correct. The positive terminals on the subwoofer (marked + and colored red) should be connected to the positive output terminals on the amplifier and the negative terminals on the subwoofer (marked – and colored black) connected to the negative output terminals on the amplifier. An incorrect connection can result in a confused sound with poor bass.
Switching On and Off
The subwoofer amplifier is best switched on after any other item and switched off first. The On/Auto/Standby and Status Indicator operate as follows: On: With the switch set to “On”, the subwoofer amplifier will remain fully active and the indicator will glow green. Auto: With the switch set to “Auto”, the subwoofer amplifier will initially become fully active and the indicator will glow green. After about 5 minutes without an input signal, the subwoofer amplifier will automatically enter “sleep” mode. The indicator will glow red.
When an input signal is detected, the subwoofer amplifier will automatically become active and the indicator will glow green. The subwoofer amplifier will return to sleep after about 5 minutes with no input signal. Audio-visual processors incorporating an “automatic” setup procedure may be “confused” by a subwoofer amplifier with an auto switch-on/sleep function. A potentially damaging fault condition can arise. The subwoofer amplifier is best left switched on and fully active during set up if such a processor is used.
Home Theatre Settings
Set the VOLUME control initially to the 9 o’clock position. Setting the LOW-PASS FREQ setting is irrelevant as the filter is switched OUT. Set the EQUALISATION switch to MOVIE. See the “Fine Tuning” section for more. The subwoofer and subwoofer amplifier are not a THX® licensed component but may be used with a THX® controller if desired.
If a THX® controller is used, ensure that the subwoofer function is enabled. This incorporates all the filtering and level settings required for the subwoofer in all modes. For level calibration, the internal test noise and channel level controls in the THX® controller should be used. In all cases, the levels should be set to obtain 75dB SPL (C-weighted) at the listening position from the controller’s internal noise test signal. With other processors, configure the front and surround speakers to “large” or “small” as appropriate before setting the levels.
Use the internal noise test signal and volume controls of the processor to set the levels of all the speakers. Only change the VOLUME control on the subwoofer amplifier if there is not enough range in the processor to achieve the correct levels. Inexpensive sound level meters are readily available from electronics stores and can be used to calibrate the levels. Refer to your processor manual for further details on how to set the levels.
Running-in Period
The performance of the speaker will change subtly during the initial listening period. If the speaker has been stored in a cold environment, the damping compounds and suspension materials of the drive units will take some time to recover their correct mechanical properties. The drive unit suspensions will also loosen up during the first hours of use.
The time taken for the speaker to achieve its intended performance will vary depending on previous storage conditions and how it is used. As a guide, allow up to a week for the temperature effects to stabilize and 15 hours of average use for the mechanical parts to attain their intended design characteristics.
Aftercare
The cabinet surfaces usually only require dusting. Spray aerosols onto the cleaning cloth, not directly onto the product. Test a small area first, as some cleaning products may damage some of the surfaces. Avoid products that are abrasive, or contain acid, alkali or anti-bacterial agents. Do not use cleaning agents on the drive units. The grille fabric may be cleaned with a normal clothes brush whilst the grille is detached from the cabinet.
Limited Warranty
This product has been designed and manufactured to the highest quality standards. limited warranty is valid for a period of five years from the date of purchase or two years for electronics including amplified loudspeakers.
Terms and Conditions
- The warranty is limited to the repair of the equipment. This warranty is only valid for the original owner. It is not transferable.
- This warranty will not be applicable in cases other than defects in materials and/or workmanship at the time of purchase and will not be applicable:
- for damages caused by incorrect installation, connection or packing,
- b. for damages caused by any use other than correct use described in the user manual, negligence, modifications, or use of parts that are not made or authorized by B&W,
- c. for damages caused by faulty or unsuitable ancillary equipment,
- d. for damages caused by accidents, lightning, water, fire heat, war, public disturbances, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of B&W and its appointed distributors,
- e. for products whose serial number has been altered, deleted, removed, or made illegible,
- f. if repairs or modifications have been executed by an unauthorized person.
How to claim repairs under warranty
- If the equipment is being used in the country of purchase, you should contact the B&W authorized dealer from whom the equipment was purchased.
- If the equipment is being used outside the country of purchase, you should contact the B&W national distributor in the country of residence who will advise where the equipment can be serviced. You can call B&W in the UK or visit our website to get the contact details of your local distributor.
Alternatively, you will need the original sales invoice or other proof of ownership and date of purchase.
