Samson Sub120 - Manual (Page 8)

7
Setting up the SUB120
SAMSON SAMSON
SAMSON
CONFIGURING YOUR SPEAKER SYSTEM
Before you start plugging in cables, you should take a minute and decide how you want to interface your new
subwoofer. There are several ways you can interface the SUB120 and two specific categories should be consid-
ered. First, Stereo vs Mono operation, and second, whether High (powered) or Low (line) level inputs and outputs
will be used.
SAMSON SAMSON
SAMSON SAMSON
Common Sub Operation
In most cases, a common sub ( mono) bass operation
is desired. This is true for several reasons, but mostly
because low frequencies produced by a subwoofer
tend to be non-directional. Since low frequency waves
take so much space to actually develop, you can’t tell if
the sub-bass is coming from the left or right side.
Unless of course you’re in a very large room. Because
of this phenomena, just about all sub-bass material is
mixed in mono.
Stereo Sub Operation
Two SUB120’s can be used in stereo in larger control
rooms for increased low end. In addition, two
SUB120’s can be used in stereo, even in smaller con-
trol rooms, to help minimize standing waves. By using
two subwoofers at lower power, you can achieve a
more even response throughout the room.
Placing the SUB120
Because the low frequencies reproduced by the
SUB120 are non-directional, you can position the unit
almost anywhere. It is however, a good idea to keep
the SUB 120 away from corners. Ideally the SUB120
should be positioned in the middle, and up close to, the
wall you are facing in the mixing position.
SUB120 Control Panel
The SUB120’s control panel provides the connections and user interface to the SUB120’s internal electronic
crossover and power amplifier section. The internal amplifier is a 120 Watt power amplifier capable of producing
incredible bass output. The SUB120 employs an electronic crossover that adjusts the high frequency cutoff point
for the subwoofer, and also, a high- pass output for your satellite speakers. You will achieve a tremendous bene-
fit in sound quality by running your satellites speakers from the SUB120’s High-Pass outputs. The reason for this
is that when your satellite speaker receives the filtered output from the SUB120, it will no longer be looking at the
frequency below the crossover point. Let’s say your satellite speaker has a natural frequency roll-off at 70 Hz,
and you are sending full range signal (as low as 20Hz) to the satellite amplifier and speaker. Even though the
speaker can only reproduce 70Hz and up, the amplifier is still outputting 20-70Hz, which is wasted power and ulti-
mately turns into heat. By using the SUB120’s High-Pass output, the satellite amplifier and speaker never see
the frequencies lower than what’s set by the Sweep frequency. This means you’ll have more power dedicated to
Operating the SUB120