Acoustic Energy Aego-T - Manual (Page 6)

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6. Controls and System Setup 7. Specifications
Subwoofer Controls
Accompanying the mains and signal input sockets on the subwoofer
connection panel are a level control, an auto power switch and a phase
reversal switch. Their function and use is described in the following
paragraphs.
Subwoofer Level
The level control adjusts the volume of the subwoofer relative to the satellites.
Begin with the level control set to around 50%. Detailed subwoofer level
adjustment guidelines can be found below.
Subwoofer Phase
The phase switch reverses the subwoofer acoustic polarity. With the switch
set to 0° the subwoofer output is in phase with the satellites. With the switch
set to 180° the subwoofer output is out of phase with the satellites. Reversing
the subwoofer phase can help optimise the sound of Aego-T satellite and
subwoofer systems. Further subwoofer phase advice can be found below.
Subwoofer Auto Power
The subwoofer mains power switch incorporates an automatic switch-on/
off function. With the switch set to “Auto” the subwoofer will switch on
automatically when an audio signal is present. It will switch off again when
no signal has been present for around 10 minutes. With “on” selected the
subwoofer remains switched-on permanently.
System Setup
Before listening to your Aego-T system make one final check of the cables and
connections. If all appears well begin listening at a relatively low volume to
confirm that the system is operating as expected. Only increase the volume
if you are happy that the sound at low volume is fundamentally as expected.
If you are unhappy, turn the system off and re-check all the cables and
connections.
Aego-T systems may take a little time to reach normal operating temperatures
and to “run-in”. Your ears too will take some time to adjust to the new sound,
so it is unwise therefore to make rapid judgements about the performance of
the system.
The most important aspect of Aego-T system setup is the integration of the
satellites and subwoofer. Assuming the locations chosen for the satellites are
satisfactory, adjusting the subwoofer’s location in the room, its volume level
and phase, and the subwoofer filter frequency selected on the audio-visual
processor should enable a good end result to be achieved.
Select a few short examples of familiar programme material - both movie and
music - to use while adjusting the setup. Listen also from a variety of different
positions in the room. Check for balance and consistency of sound - neither
too much nor too little bass across the range of programme material and
listening positions. Experimentation and careful listening is the key to finding
a good subwoofer setup.
Subwoofer Filter Frequency
The Aego-T satellite and subwoofer are designed to
work together with a crossover frequency of 80Hz
so the first setup parameter to adjust is to set the
audio-visual processor’s subwoofer filter frequency
to this value. As you adjust other parameters you
may find that moving the filter frequency a little,
say 10Hz either way, is beneficial. Adjust other
aspects of the setup, particularly subwoofer phase,
before selecting a filter frequency higher than 90Hz
or lower than 70Hz.
Note: Despite their small size, Aego-T satellites
can handle and reproduce full range audio, so the
audio-visual processor should be set to treat them
as “large” speakers.
Sub-woofer Volume
Setting the subwoofer volume is important in terms
of both overall system balance and the demands
of different types of programme material. You
may find that material with an emphasis on music
works better with a lower subwoofer volume than
movie material with an emphasis on “effects”.
Finding a compromise between the two is a matter
of subwoofer volume adjustment in parallel with
adjusting its position in the room.
Sub-woofer Location
Broadly speaking, the closer a subwoofer is to the
walls of the room (assuming they are solid brick
walls) the more bass it will generate in the room
(and the lower its volume need be set). Moving
the subwoofer closer to the walls however will also
tend to reduce the consistency subwoofer volume
over the listening room (a corner location being
the worst in this respect). Positions closer to the
wall with also tend to change the character of the
bass produced by the subwoofer - it will emphasise
the very lowest signals more. This change in bass
character with location is the variable that enables
a good compromise position for the subwoofer to
be found.
Sub-woofer Phase
Switching the subwoofer phase should be left to
last. If a good subwoofer position is proving difficult
to find, try again with the phase reversed.
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