SONY SA-W3000 - Active Subwoofer Manual

WARNING

To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
To reduce the risk of fire, do not cover the ventilation opening of the apparatus with newspapers, tablecloths, curtains, etc.
Do not place the naked flame sources such as lighted candles on the apparatus.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing, and do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.
To prevent injury, this apparatus must be securely attached to the floor/wall in accordance with the installation instructions.
Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet.
The unit is not disconnected from the mains as long as it is connected to the AC outlet, even if the unit itself has been turned off.
As the main plug is used to disconnect the unit from the mains, connect the unit to an easily accessible AC outlet. Should you notice an abnormality in the unit, disconnect the main plug from the AC outlet immediately.
The mains switch is located on the rear exterior.

For customers in the United States
Owner's Record
The model and serial numbers are located on the rear of the unit. Record these numbers in the space provided below. Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No.
Serial No.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Important Safety Instructions

To reduce the risk of electric shock, the speaker cord should be connected to the apparatus and the speakers in accordance with the following instructions.

Also disconnect the AC power cord from the MAINS before disconnecting the speaker cord from the apparatus and the speakers.

Precautions

On safety

• Before operating the subwoofer, be sure that the operating voltage of your subwoofer is identical with that of your local power supply.
• Unplug the subwoofer from the wall outlet if it is not to be used for an extended period of time. To disconnect the cord, pull the cord by grasping the plug. Never pull the cord itself.
• Should any liquid or solid object fall into the subwoofer, unplug the subwoofer and have the subwoofer checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further.
• AC power cord must be changed only at the qualified service shop.

When turning on or off an amplifier or other equipment
Lower the volume of the amplifier to minimum.

To avoid damaging the subwoofer

• Be careful in setting the volume control of the amplifier to avoid an excessive input power.
• Do not attempt to open the enclosure or remove speaker units and networks.
• Do not press the dust cap intentionally or unintentionally.

In case color irregularity is observed on the nearby TV screen
With the magnetically shielded type of the speaker system, the subwoofer can be installed near a TV set. However, color irregularity may still be observed on the TV screen depending on the type of your TV set.

If color irregularity is observed...

• Turn off the TV set once, then turn it on after 15 to 30 minutes.

If color irregularity is observed again...

• Place the subwoofer further apart from the TV set.

When howling occurs
Relocate the speaker or turn down the volume of the amplifier.

On installation

• Do not install the subwoofer near heat sources such as radiators or air ducts, or in a place subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust, mechanical vibration or shock.
• Good ventilation is essential to prevent internal heat build-up in the subwoofer. Place the subwoofer in a location with adequate air circulation. Do not place the subwoofer on a soft surface or too close to a wall as this may obstruct the ventilation hole on the back.
• Use caution when placing the subwoofer on a specially treated (waxed, oiled, polished, etc.) floor, as staining or discoloration may result.
• Take care to avoid any possible injury on the corners of the subwoofer.
  

On cleaning the cabinet
Clean the cabinet with a soft cloth lightly moistened with water. Do not use any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder or solvent such as alcohol or benzine.
If you have any questions or problems concerning your subwoofer that is not covered in this manual, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Installation

Since the human ear cannot detect the direction and position where the bass sound being reproduced by a subwoofer (below 200 Hz) comes from, you can install the subwoofer wherever you like in your room. To obtain a better bass reproduction, we recommend you to install the subwoofer on a solid floor where the resonance is unlikely to occur.
You can obtain a sufficient heavy bass reproduction from a single subwoofer.
However if you use a couple of the subwoofers, you can obtain an even more effective heavy bass reproduction.

Notes

• Always install the subwoofer vertically, keeping a few centimeters away from the wall.
• Do not place an object on the subwoofer or sit on it.
• If the subwoofer is installed in the center of a room, the bass could be extremely weakened. This is due to the influence of the standing wave of the room. If this happened, move the subwoofer away from the center of a room or eliminate the cause of the standing wave, by installing a bookshelf on the wall, etc.

Hooking Up the System

Overview
Use the LINE IN jacks or the SPEAKER IN terminals of the subwoofer when you connect the amplifier. ()

• If your amplifier has one of the following types of output jacks, connect the LINE IN jack and the amplifier's jack using the supplied audio connecting cord.
  • MONO OUT jack
  • MIX OUT jack
  • SUBWOOFER output jack(s)
  • SUPER WOOFER output jack(s)
• If your amplifier does not have the above mentioned output jacks, connect the speaker terminals of the amplifier to the SPEAKER IN terminals instead.

Before you get started

• Turn off the power of the amplifier and the subwoofer before making any connection.
• Use the audio connecting cords that are supplied to the respective equipment. If there are not enough audio connecting cords to make the necessary connections, you need to purchase some optional audio connecting cords.
• Be sure to make connections firmly to avoid noise.
• Connect the AC power cord from the subwoofer to a wall outlet.
• You cannot connect the CENTER output jack for use with Dolby Pro Logic function to the subwoofer. Bass sound is not output with some Dolby Pro Logic modes.

Connecting to an amplifier with a single set of speaker terminals
Connect the subwoofer to the amplifier and then connect the front speakers to the subwoofer.

1. Connect the subwoofer to the amplifier. ()
   
   Connect the SPEAKER IN terminals of the subwoofer to the amplifier's speaker terminals with the speaker cords. Be sure to connect both L and R channels.
2. Connect the front speakers to the subwoofer. ()
   
   Connect the speakers to the SPEAKER OUT terminals of the subwoofer.

Connecting to an amplifier with double (A + B) sets of speaker terminals
If your amplifier has double (A + B) sets of speaker terminals, connect both the subwoofer and the front speakers to the amplifier.

1. Connect the front speakers to the amplifier. ()
   
   Connect the speakers to your amplifier's SPEAKER A terminals.
2. Connect the subwoofer to the amplifier. ()
   
   Connect the SPEAKER IN terminals of the subwoofer to the amplifier's SPEAKER B terminals using speaker cords (not supplied).

When using the double (A + B) sets of speakers, make sure that you select the "A + B" position with your amplifier.

Note
When you are using SPEAKER A terminals only (front speaker only) or when the power of the amplifier is turned off, turn down the volume or turn off the power of the subwoofer otherwise, hum noise may be heard.

Connecting to an amplifier with a special jack for a subwoofer
If your amplifier has a special jack for a subwoofer (like a MONO OUT jack, MIX OUT jack, SUBWOOFER jack or SUPER WOOFER jack), connect the LINE IN jack of the subwoofer to one of those jacks using the supplied audio connecting cord. ()

Hookups
Connect the MONO OUT jack of your amplifier to the LINE IN jack of the subwoofer with the supplied audio connecting cord. ()

Note
If the output level of your amplifier is not large enough, the sound may not be loud enough. In this case, connect the speaker terminals of the amplifier directly to the SPEAKER IN terminals of the subwoofer.

When using two or more subwoofers ()

Connect the MONO OUT jack of your amplifier to the LINE IN jack of this subwoofer. Then, use the supplied audio connecting cord to connect the LINE OUT jack of this subwoofer to the LINE IN jack of another subwoofer.

Connecting the AC power cord

• Connect the AC power cord from the subwoofer and from your amplifier to a wall outlet.
• Make sure that power to the subwoofer is turned off before you plug in or unplug any power cord.

Listening to the Sound

1. Turn on the amplifier and select the program source.
2. Press POWER.
   The subwoofer turns on and the POWER indicator lights up in green.
3. Play the program source.
   Adjust the VOLUME so that sound from the front speakers is not distorted. If it is distorted, the sound from the subwoofer will also be distorted.

To turn on and off the power automatically
— Auto power on/off function ()

When the subwoofer is on (i.e, the POWER indicator lights up green) and there is no signal input for a few minutes, the POWER indicator changes to red and the subwoofer enters power saving mode. While in this mode a signal is input to the subwoofer, the subwoofer automatically turns on (auto power on/off function).
To turn this feature off, slide the POWER SAVE switch on the rear panel to OFF.

Notes

• Never set the amplifier's tone control (BASS, TREBLE, etc.) or the equalizer output to a high level or input sine curves of 20 Hz to 50 Hz recorded on a commercially-available test discor special sound (bass sound of electronic musical instrument, pop noise of analog disc turntable, sound with abnormally enhanced bass, etc.) in a high level to this unit. These actions may cause damage to the speakers. When a special disc containing abnormally enhanced bass is played, noise may be output in addition to the original sound. In such a case, decrease the sound level.
• The subwoofer output signal (DOLBY digital signal) of the digital surround processor sold singularly is set 10 dB higher by Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. In the case of using normally, adjust the subwoofer level.
• If you turn down the volume level of the amplifier too low, the auto power on/off function may activate, causing the subwoofer to enter power saving mode.

Adjusting the Sound

You can adjust the sound of the subwoofer to suit the sound of your front speakers. Reinforcing the bass sound gives you a greater sense of atmosphere.

1. Adjust the cut-off frequency. ()
   
   Turn the CUT OFF FREQ control, depending on the reproduction frequencies of your front speakers.
   Refer to the following when adjusting.
   1. Typical very small sized speakers: 4 cm − 5 cm (1 ⁵/8in. − 2 in.) dia.
   2. Typical small sized speakers: 6 cm − 8 cm (2 ³/8in. − 3 ¹/8in.) dia.
   3. Typical medium sized speakers: 9 cm − 15 cm (3 ⁵/8in. − 5 ⁷/8in.) dia.
   4. Typical large sized speakers: 16 cm − 24 cm (6 ³/8in. − 9 ¹/2in.) dia.
   5. Typical very large sized speakers: more than 25 cm (9 ⁷/8in.) dia.
      To make the most of the low level converter function
      When playing back the sound of LFE signals, Dolby digital, or DTS, we recommend to set the CUT OFF FREQ control to 200 Hz (maximum) to obtain the best performance from the low level converter function.
2. Adjust the volume level of the subwoofer. ()
   
   Turn the LEVEL control so that you can hear the bass sound a little more than before. To increase the volume, turn the control clockwise. To decrease the volume, turn the control counterclockwise.
3. Play your favorite song and movie. Male vocal tunes and voice containing bass sounds are most suitable for adjustment. Turn the volume for front speakers to the same level as usual.
4. Select the phase polarity. ()
   
   Use the PHASE selector to select the phase polarity.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 to adjust for your preference.
   Once you have adjusted the subwoofer to the settings you desire, use the VOLUME control on the amplifier to adjust the volume of the subwoofer with that of the other speakers. You don't need to adjust the subwoofer settings when you change the volume level of the amplifier.

Notes

• If the sound distorts when you turn on the bass reinforcement from your amplifier (such as, D.B.F.B., GROOVE, the graphic equalizer, etc.), turn off the bass reinforcement and adjust the sound.
• Do not turn the LEVEL knob to maximum. Doing so may weaken the bass sound. Moreover, extraneous noise may be heard.
• Selecting NORMAL or REVERSE with the PHASE selector reverses the polarity and may provide better bass reproduction in certain listening environments (depending on the type of front speakers, the position of the subwoofer and the adjustment of the cut-off frequency). It may also change the expanse and tightness of sound, and effect the feeling of the sound field. Select the setting that provides the sound you prefer when listening in your normal listening position.

Setting the subwoofer ()

To prevent subwoofer vibration or movement while listening, attach the supplied foot pads to the subwoofer.

Troubleshooting

If you experience any of the following difficulties while using the subwoofer, use this troubleshooting guide to help you remedy the problem. Should any problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer.

There's no sound

• Check that this subwoofer and components are connected correctly and securely.
• Turn LEVEL clockwise to turn the volume up.
• Reset the level.

The sound has suddenly stopped

• The speaker cords may have short-circuited.
  Connect the cords properly.

The sound is distorted

• The input signal is imperfect.
• The input signal level is too high.
• Set the CUT OFF FREQ as high as possible when playing back the Dolby digital.

Severe hum or noise is heard

• Connect the ground wire of the turntable properly.
• The contacts between the plugs of the connecting cords and the corresponding jacks have not been made properly. Connect the plugs firmly.
• The audio system is picking up some noise from a TV set. Move the audio system away from the TV set or turn the TV set off.

Specifications

AUDIO POWER SPECIFICATIONS
For the USA model
POWER OUTPUT AND TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION:
With 6 ohm loads, from 20 – 200 Hz; rated 100 watts, minimum RMS power, with no more than 1% total harmonic distortion from 250 milliwatts to rated output.

System

Inputs/Outputs
LINE IN: input pin jack
SPEAKER IN: input terminals
LINE OUT: output pin jack
SPEAKER OUT: output terminals

General

Supplied accessories
Foot pads (4)
Audio connecting cord (1 phono – 1 phono), 2 m
(6 ft 6 ¹/2in.) (1)

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.