SUB 15 - Subwoofer Paradigm - Free user manual and instructions
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| Product type | Subwoofer |
| Brand | Paradigm |
| Model | SUB 15 |
| Power supply | Alternating current (AC), voltage per nameplate |
| Maximum power consumption | Up to 1,500 W for high-power models |
| Automatic power on/off | Yes, automatic activation with signal, shutdown after inactivity |
| Audio inputs | RCA (line level) and balanced XLR |
| Volume control | Yes, output level adjustment |
| Crossover frequency | Adjustable from 50 Hz to 150 Hz |
| Phase alignment | Yes, adjustable from 0° to 180° |
| Bass contour | Yes, from 0 dB (flat) to +6 dB at 60 Hz |
| Break-in | Several hours of operation recommended before critical listening |
| Maintenance and cleaning | Soft damp cloth, no detergent or abrasive, avoid water on parts |
| Safety | Do not open, risk of electric shock; protection against moisture; adequate ventilation |
| Warranty | 3 years against defects in materials and workmanship (residential use) |
| Documents included | User manual (downloadable PDF) |
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USER MANUAL SUB 15 Paradigm
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Abstract logo design featuring a stylized 'P' with concentric wave patterns and a registered trademark symbol (no text or symbols present)PARADIGM® REFERENCE
OWNERS MANUAL OM-576
PARADIGM® REFERENCE SUBWOOFERS
Thank you for choosing Paradigm® Reference subwoofers and congratulations! You will soon experience the stunning difference that these state-of-the-art high-end subwoofers will make in your music and home theater system.
Comprehensive R&D, leading-edge design, use of the finest materials and sophisticated manufacturing and quality control techniques provide vastly superior performance for each component part at every stage of design. Paradigm ^® Reference subwoofers will provide you with stunning high-end sound and unparalleled listening pleasure for many years to come.
To achieve all of the exceptional sound that these subwoofers are capable of requires care in installation and operation. Please take the time to read this manual in its entirety and follow all instructions. If you have further questions, contact your Authorized Paradigm® Reference Dealer or visit the Q&A page in the Tech Support section of our website at www.paradigm.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Safety Precautions | 1 |
| Important Safety Instructions | 2 |
| Unpacking Instructions | 3 |
| Subwoofer Placement and Connection (pictorial) | 4 |
| Your New Subwoofer | 4 |
| Power Requirements | 4 |
| Room Acoustics | 5 |
| Subwoofer Placement | 5 |
| Subwoofer Connection | 6 |
| Fine Tuning | 6 |
| Limited Warranty | 8 |
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!
WARNING
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE, AND OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES, SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THIS APPARATUS.
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.
The lightning flash with arrowpoint within an equilateral triangle warns of 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.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle warns users of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
CAUTION: FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST RISK OF FIRE, REPLACE THE FUSE ONLY WITH THE SAME AMPERAGE AND VOLTAGE TYPE. REFER REPLACEMENT TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: UNIT MAY BECOME HOT. ALWAYS PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION TO ALLOW FOR COOLING. DO NOT PLACE NEAR A HEAT SOURCE, OR IN SPACES THAT CAN RESTRICT VENTILATION.
RECYCLING AND REUSE GUIDELINES FOR EUROPE
In accordance with the European Union WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive effective August 13, 2005, we would like to notify you that this product may contain regulated materials which, upon disposal, according to the WEEE directive, require special reuse and recycling processing. For this reason Paradigm® Electronics Inc. (manufacturers of Paradigm® speakers and Anthem® Electronics) has arranged with our distributors in European Union member nations to collect and recycle this product at no cost to you. To find your local distributor please contact the dealer from whom you purchased this product or go to our website at www.paradigm.com.
Please note that the product only falls under the WEEE directive. When disposing of packaging and other shipping material we encourage you to recycle through the normal channels.
DIRECTIVES EUROPEENNES SUR LE RECYCLAGE ET LE TRAITEMENT DES DECHETS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
- Read Instructions – All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is operated.
- Retain Instructions – The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
- Heed Warnings – All warnings on the product and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.
- Follow Instructions – All operating and use instructions should be followed.
- Cleaning – Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp, soft cloth for cleaning.
- Water and Moisture – Do not use this product near water – for example, near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool; and the like.
- Accessories - Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table. The product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with the product. Any mounting of the product should follow manufacturer's instructions and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer.
- Ventilation – Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, and these openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer's instructions have been adhered to.
- Power Sources – This product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company. For products intended to operate from battery power, or other sources, refer to the operating instructions.
- Grounding and Polarization – This product may be equipped with a polarized alternating-current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.
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Power-cord Protection - Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the product.
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Lightning – For added protection for this product during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable systems. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power-line surges.
- Overloading – Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
- Object and Liquid Entry – Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing, and ensure that no objects filled with water, such as vases, are placed on the apparatus.
- Servicing – Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
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Damage Requiring Service – Unplug this product from wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified personnel under the following conditions:
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When power supply cord or plug is damaged.
- If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into product.
- If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
- If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions as an improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to its normal operation.
- If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.
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If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance – this indicates a need for service.
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Replacement Parts – When replacement parts are required, be sure the technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.
- Safety Check – Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.
- Wall or Ceiling Mounting – The product should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Heat - The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS DE DÉBALLAGE
SUBWOOFER PLACEMENT AND CONNECTION (pictorial)
POSITIONNEMENT ET RACCORDEMENT DES CAISSONS (illustrations)
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Simple 3D diagram of a rectangular plane with shaded regions and a small cube on top (no text or symbols)Fig. 1a
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3D diagram of a rectangular block placed on a checkered floor, with no text or symbols present.Fig. 1b
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Simple 3D diagram of a room layout with a monitor, chairs, and two small boxes on the sides (no text or symbols)Fig. 2
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RCA SUB-OUT RCA SUB-IN / LFE-INFig. 3
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BALANCED SUB-OUT BALANCED SUB-IN / LFE-INFig. 4
YOUR NEW SUBWOOFER
Break-In
Although your Paradigm® Reference subwoofer will sound great "out of the carton" it will sound even better when broken in. Allow it to operate for several hours before you listen critically.
Cleaning
Paradigm® Reference subwoofers have a durable premium finish. To clean, use a damp soft cloth. Do not use a strong or abrasive cleaner. Avoid getting any part of the subwoofer system wet. Do not place wet objects (drinking glasses, potted plants, etc.) on top of the subwoofer—if allowed to soak in, even a small amount of water may permanently damage the subwoofer enclosure.
POWER REQUIREMENTS
The 'Watts' (W) rating indicated on the rear panel is the maximum AC power your subwoofer will draw when producing its maximum power output. However, the actual wattage draw will vary with the bass content of the program material—more if there is a lot of deep bass, less when there is not as much bass.
Although generally not required for typical music and movie program material, if the bass content of your program material is very loud and more continuous in nature, we recommend connecting subwoofers with higher wattage ratings (i.e. 1500 W) to dedicated AC circuits.
ROOM ACOUSTICS
You are about to experience the astonishing bass performance of a state-of-the-art Paradigm® Reference subwoofer. These subwoofers incorporate highly advanced patented technology and set all new standards for deep bass extension, ultra-low distortion and sound power output and provide unprecedented bass articulation and slam.
It is important to note that just as the amount of soft furnishings has a decided impact on mid and high frequencies, those below 150 Hz are dramatically affected by the room itself—its size, shape, as well as by physical boundaries throughout the room. Experimenting with subwoofer placement and control adjustments is the best way to achieve optimal
bass performance in any room. Keep in mind the following guidelines when deciding on best subwoofer placement:
- Concrete floors and walls tend to aggravate low-frequency standing wave problems and are less preferred.
- Rooms where height, width and length are similar should be avoided as they can exhibit significant low-frequency standing wave problems. This may result in reduced clarity. If no other room is possible, experiment with subwoofer placement to minimize acoustic problems.
SUBWOOFER PLACEMENT
SAFETY PRECAUTION: Before proceeding with this section, be sure to read and follow all safety precaution notices at the beginning of this manual.
Bass is less and less directional as it goes down in frequency. For best sonic integration, locating your subwoofer between your front speakers or beside one of them and close to the back wall will usually provide the best bass performance. If this location is not possible your subwoofer may be placed anywhere in the room without affecting the stereo image of your front speakers or the soundstage of your multichannel speaker system.
Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b on page 4, highlight how bass output is generally affected by room placement. When seated in a typical listening area of your room, placing the subwoofer inside the "shaded" areas will typically result in bass performance as follows:
Fig. 1a: Corner placement provides the most bass, but sometimes at the expense of accuracy.
Fig. 1b: A subwoofer placed near a wall usually provides a good balance of quantity and accuracy.
Controls are provided to align your subwoofer's output to the other speakers in your system, see "Fine Tuning," page 7.
THE ADVANTAGES OF USING TWO SUBWOOFERS IN YOUR LISTENING ROOM
When using two subwoofers, placing one in the front of the room and the other in the rear of the room (Fig. 2) usually provides the best bass performance and sonic integration. Consult the "Fine Tuning" section of this Owners Manual for more information on adjusting phase settings. If those locations are not possible, or if you want to experiment with placement options using two subwoofers, the following procedure will be a helpful guide to achieving better bass performance. Refer to "Subwoofer Connection" (below) then proceed as follows:
- Temporarily turn all speakers off (either by turning your amplifier off or disconnecting them).
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Connect and place one subwoofer in the central area of your listening room. Follow directions for connection, as outlined in the following section.
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At a moderately loud level, play music or a video soundtrack with extended bass that is repetitive or continuous.
- Walk around your room and note where the bass sounds louder and where it sounds quieter.
- Place the first subwoofer within a louder bass area of your room; then place the second subwoofer within a quieter bass area of your room.
- Connect both subwoofers and switch all speakers back on; and switch the amplifier on, or reconnect it.
- Follow "Fine Tuning" instructions, page 7, to optimize your system's overall bass performance.
(See your Dealer for connection instructions using two subwoofers.)
NOTE: The preceding is only a guideline. You may want to use a bass test disc and SPL meter to more accurately determine the bass characteristics of your listening room (see your Dealer for more information).
Remember that room acoustics vary, which means that it may take some experimenting with subwoofer placement to achieve the best subwoofer performance.
SUBWOOFER CONNECTION
SAFETY PRECAUTION: Before proceeding with this section, be sure to read and follow all safety precaution notices and warnings at the beginning of this manual.
Turn all components OFF before connecting the subwoofer.
NOTE: Speakers set to "Large" with your processor or A/V receiver will still be reproducing bass frequencies—be careful not to overdrive them!
We recommend the use of high-quality cables and connectors. (See your Dealer for more information.)
INPUT FACILITIES
This Owners Manual applies to a number of different Paradigm® Reference subwoofers. Connection options vary by subwoofer model. Examine your subwoofer's rear panel to determine the input(s) that apply to your model, then choose the one that best suits your needs:
Low-Level Input — RCA (Fig. 3)
Connects from the RCA (S/E) Sub/LFE-Output of your Preamplifier/Processor, A/V Receiver or other suitable low-level source. If connecting to a Stereo Preamplifier, a subwoofer control unit (not included) is required.
Low-Level Input — Balanced XLR (Fig. 4)
Connects from the Balanced XLR Sub/LFE—Output of your Preamplifier/Processor, or other suitable low-level source. This input provides the lowest noise and distortion possible. It is particularly important for long cable runs where noise and distortion could degrade performance.
CONTROL FACILITIES
This Owners Manual applies to a number of different Paradigm® Reference subwoofers. Examine your subwoofer's rear panel and place a check mark in the box beside each facility listed below that applies to your model. Take the time to read through the descriptions and become familiar with them before you begin to fine tune your system.
□Auto-On/Off
Eliminates the need for a manually operated power switch. Turns the subwoofer on whenever there is an input signal. If no input signal is sensed after a period of time the subwoofer will switch off automatically.
Trigger-On/Off
Allows the subwoofer's power on/off to be controlled by components that have trigger outputs (Preamp/Processor or A/V Receiver, etc.).
Subwoofer Level
Balances the subwoofer's output level with the other speakers in your system. Once set, to make on-the-fly changes for particular program material or personal taste, use your Processor or A/V Receiver's subwoofer level control.
Subwoofer Cut-Off
Controls the subwoofer's upper-frequency cut-off. This can be set to match the low-frequency roll-off characteristics of your system's speakers. For example: If your speakers play to approximately 80 Hz,
you can set the subwoofer cut-off frequency to approximately 80 Hz. If you are using an external subwoofer cut-off control, setting this to maximum effectively bypasses the subwoofer's built-in cut-off control.
Phase Alignment
Depending on where the subwoofer is placed in your room, there may be bass frequency cancellation. This can occur because your subwoofer and front speakers are out-of-phase—they work against each other through their frequency overlap region. Bass is then reduced and may even sound disjointed. This control accurately synchronizes your subwoofer and front speakers through their bass frequency overlap region.
□Bass Contour
Adjusts the contour of the bass frequency response, from flat (0.0 dB), which provides the most accurate bass for music, up to a +6.0 dB boost at 60 Hz for more bass impact with movies in a home theater system. This control can be used to tailor bass to best suit your personal listening preferences.
FINE TUNING
Once you have your speakers positioned in the room and have set speaker distances and speaker level calibration with your Processor or A/V Receiver, it's time for a little fine tuning.
When fine tuning your subwoofer to best integrate with the rest of your system, use music and video soundtracks that you know well. They should contain selections with extended bass that is continuous and repetitive.
Assess subwoofer bass output for best blend with your main speakers. It should not be overbearing or draw attention to itself, nor should it be thin and difficult to hear. It should add 'weight' and 'punch' to the overall sound and keep pace with your main speakers.
If you are using a receiver, preamplifier or preamp/processor with tone controls, set them to flat (i.e. '0') and switch loudness controls off.
Some subwoofer locations may result in bass frequency cancellations. If bass sounds dislocated or weak, adjust the phase according to the Phase Alignment Control instructions that follow below:
SETTING SUBWOOFER CONTROLS
- Turn the Subwoofer Level control completely counter clockwise to its minimum.
- Turn the Subwoofer Cut-off Frequency control to its highest frequency (i.e. 150 Hz).
- Turn the Phase Alignment control to 0^ (completely counter clockwise).
- Listen to a bass music or video selection while seated in your primary listening area and have an assistant turn up the Subwoofer Level control until the subwoofer can be clearly heard.
- Have an assistant slowly rotate the Phase Alignment control until you hear the most bass. Your subwoofer and front speakers are now in phase. Do not change phase alignment again unless you move the subwoofer or front speakers to a different location in your room, or move or remove any large items of furniture or room furnishings (i.e. carpet, draperies, etc.)
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Turn the Subwoofer Level control completely counter clockwise to its minimum.
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Turn the Subwoofer Cut-off Frequency control to its lowest frequency (i.e. 50 Hz).
- Slowly rotate the Subwoofer Level control until you match the subwoofer's volume with the volume of your front speakers. Bass should be clearly audible, but not intrusive.
- Slowly rotate the Subwoofer Cut-off Frequency control until you hear the best subwoofer/front speaker blend. If the sound is too thin you have not set the frequency high enough; if the sound becomes boomy you have set the frequency too high. Adjust until you find the most natural bass balance.
- Adjust the Bass Contour control to suit your personal preference. The '0.0dB' position provides accurate bass extension to the lowest limits of the subwoofer's design. Increasing the Bass Contour control provides more output in the 60 Hz region which provides more visceral bass impact with movies.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Paradigm® Reference subwoofers are warranted to be and remain free of manufacturing and/or material defects for a period of three (3) years from the date of the original retail purchase. Within this specified period, repair, replacement or adjustment of parts for manufacturing and/or material defects will be free of charge.
Thermal or mechanical abuse/misuse is not covered under warranty.
Limitations:
- Warranty begins on date of original retail purchase from an Authorized Paradigm® Dealer only. It is not transferable
- Warranty applies to product in normal home use only. If the product is subjected to any of the conditions outlined in the next section, warranty is void
- Warranty does not apply if the product is used in professional or commercial applications
Warranty is Void if:
- The product has been abused (intentionally or accidentally)
- The product has been used in conjunction with unsuitable or faulty equipment
- The product has been subjected to damaging signals, derangement in transport, mechanical damage or any abnormal conditions
- The product (including cabinet) has been tampered with or damaged by an unauthorized service facility
- The serial number has been removed or defaced
Owner Responsibilities:
- Provide normal/reasonable operating care and maintenance
- Provide or pay for transportation charges for product to service facility
- Provide proof of purchase (your sales receipt given at time of purchase from your Authorized Paradigm® Dealer).
Should servicing be required, contact your nearest Authorized Paradigm® Dealer, Paradigm Electronics Inc., or Import Distributor (outside the U.S. and Canada) to arrange, bring in or ship prepaid any defective unit. Visit our website at www.paradigm.com for more information.
Paradigm Electronics Inc. reserves the right to improve the design of any product without assuming any obligation to modify any product previously manufactured.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties expressed or implied, of merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose and may not be extended or enlarged by anyone. In no event shall Paradigm Electronics Inc., their agents, or representatives be responsible for any incidental or consequential damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion may not apply to you.
Retain this manual and your sales receipt for proof of warranty term and proof of purchase.
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Abstract 3D logo design with concentric wave patterns and a stylized 'P' shape, no text or symbols present.PARADIGM ^w REFERENCE
MODE D'EMPLOI
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SONORITÉ À HAUTE DÉFINITION
