Ascendo THE 12 SUB Active Vented User manual

The information contained in this manual is subject to change without prior notice. The most
current version of this manual is available on our official website at: www.aia-cinema.com
Copyright © 2022. Ascendo Immersive Audio GmbH. All rights reserved.
THE 12 SUB Active Vented
ACTIVE SUBWOOFER
Freestanding Powered Subwoofer
OWNER’S MANUAL

3
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PURCHASE
OF AN ASCENDO POWERED SUBWOOFER!
Your subwoofer is the result of many years of research and development dedicated to producing
powerful, accurate bass in home audio systems. This manual contains operating procedures and
specications. We recommend you thoroughly read through the material contained in this manual
before connecting your subwoofer. This will ensure you have an understanding of how to setup and
operate your subwoofer for optimum performance.
The lightning ash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral
triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of un-insulated
“dangerous voltage” within the product enclosure that my be of
sufcient magnitude to constitute a risk of shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
When using your subwoofer, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of
re, electric shock, and injury.
1. Read and understand all instructions in the user’s manual before operating the powered
subwoofer.
2. Retain this user manual for future reference.
3. Follow all warnings and instructions in this manual and any marked on the back of the
powered subwoofer.
4. Never touch the woofers or push objects of any kind into the woofer.
5. The powered subwoofer should be connected to a power supply compatible with the power
consumption requirements, see Specications on pages 8-9.
6. If mounting the powered subwoofer on a stand, the wall, or other device only do so as
recommended by an authorized technician.
7. Place the powered subwoofer a safe distance from all heat sources such as radiators, stoves,
or heaters.
8. Do not operate the powered subwoofer near water — for example, near a bathtub, kitchen
sink or in a wet basement; or a swimming pool.
9. Power supply cords should be routed so they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by
items placed upon or against them.
10. Any service or repair required on the powered subwoofer must be performed by qualied,
authorized technician.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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POWERED SUBWOOFER THE 12 SUB Active Vented

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BREAK IN PERIOD
Allow several hours of listening time to adequately break-in the subwoofer. As the subwoofer breaks-in,
the driver suspensions will loosen. The result of break-in will be an increase in low frequency response,
improved denition, and increased clarity and detail.
CARE AND CLEANING
To maintain your subwoofer’s appearance, we recommend wiping it down with a clean damp soft cloth.
To clean dust from the grille cloth, use a vacuum with a brush attachment.
FEATURES
A powered subwoofer is a must-have component for any high-end home theater or audio system.
The performance of your subwoofer can greatly improve the overall performance of your system.
Without a powered subwoofer, the deep bass on your music or special effects on movie tracks may not
be heard and/or felt. Think of a subwoofer as a vital component that adds excitement to your theater
or music experience. The powered subwoofer has its own source of amplification (as opposed to
passive, non-amplified subwoofers which require an additional power amplifier). Subwoofers can add
considerable low-frequency, deep bass performance to any home theater or audio system.
At the heart of the powered subwoofer is a stiff composite cone driver. The driver material
composition produces enhanced bass definition and accuracy. A powerful magnet, enhanced
suspension and heavy duty voice coil give the driver elevated performance allowing high output
capability and accurate dynamic reproduction.
The powered subwoofer incorporates a class D amplier with switching power supply technology,
resulting in higher power output, improved bass performance and maximum energy efciency.
Variable crossover, adjustable phase control and auto on/off are also used for convenience and easy
integration with other speakers. Audio can be supplied to the subwoofer by either XLR or RCA
interconnects (LFE/line level inputs).
Cabinets are constructed from medium density berboard because of its inert properties. The thickness
of the front baffle also prevents excess acoustic radiation. Sophisticated computer modeling and
measurement techniques are used extensively in our powered subwoofer design process.

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ROOM SETUP RECOMMENDATIONS
To obtain the best possible sound from your subwoofer integrating with your speaker system, it is
important to determine where the subwoofer and speakers will sound best in your listening room.
Room reections and room modes inuence the tonal balance, imaging and overall sonic quality at
the listening position. Experiment with placement to determine which location offers the best overall
sound. As a general guide, use the room layout diagram and the following descriptions when
setting up a home theater or two channel system. The subwoofer and speakers shown in the
diagram may not always be applicable to your system. For best results always use multiple
subwoofers.
Placement of the subwoofer will largely determine quality, quantity, and extension of the bass
frequencies within your listening room. Bass frequencies are reinforced by close room boundaries.
Placing the subwoofer in a corner will make the subwoofer sound louder and boost the very lowest
frequencies.
Placing the subwoofer away from corners will provide the least reinforcement, making the bass
sound subjectively thinner than if the woofer were closer to a corner. Good results can usually be
obtained by placing multiple subwoofers of the same model in each corner of the room. Sometimes
placing the woofers in each center position is good, sometimes placing the woofers 1/4th along the
side walls yields good results taming the first length room mode since you place it in the modal null.
Experiment with placement of the subwoofer and the sub- amplifier controls, especially the phase,
to achieve the proper bass balance and integration between the front speakers and the sub.

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ROOM SETUP RECOMMENDED DIAGRAM

8
SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER CONTROLS & SETUP
This section describes the functions and/or use for each of the amplier controls located on the back
of the subwoofer. Refer to the diagrams on the pages 8 and 9.
1. Voltage Selector Switch:
Before connecting the amplier to any power source make sure the AC Voltage Selector is
set to either 110V or 220V to match the power voltage in your area.
NOTE: If switching voltage, also make sure to change the fuse (see #8).
WARNING! If the voltage setting does not match the AC power supplied, damage to the
Subwoofer Amplier may result.
2. Volume/Gain Control:
The volume/level control should be at the minimum setting (all the way counter-clockwise)
before plugging the subwoofer into an AC wall socket. Once plugged in, turn the level
control up one quarter of a turn (9 o’clock position) for an initial setting. The level control
may be adjusted while playing to match the subwoofer level with the rest of the system.
IMPORTANT! The volume control should be at the minimum setting (all the way counter-
clockwise) before plugging the subwoofer into an AC wall socket.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING BASS MANAGEMENT
It is important the signal being sent to the subwoofer be a non-boosted
or “at” signal. Every 3dB of boost relate to doubling the output from the
amplier and may eventually overload the amplier and speaker. Check
the settings on your receiver or processor to make sure any “bass boost”,
“super-bass” or “loudness” is set to Off. In most cases a home theater
receiver or processor will determine the crossover frequency through
bass management settings. In this conguration, connect the receiver or
processor to the LFE (Low Frequency Effect) output. Your subwoofer will
now reproduce the bass frequencies as they were originally recorded. Use
the subwoofer level control and the individual bass management control
within the receiver or processor to adjust the subwoofers’ volume. Once
set, the volume controls should not need to be altered as the subwoofers’
volume will track with the master volume control of your receiver or
processor. Use Line Input only if bypassing your preamp or receivers
internal processing to deliver a full signal to your subwoofer which is then
managed by the subwoofer’s frequency and volume control.
SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER CONTROLS & SETUP

9
3. Crossover Frequency Control:
The variable crossover frequency control allows you to set the low-pass crossover point
of the subwoofer anywhere from 40-150 Hz. If using this input, experiment with setting
the crossover frequency control at highest setting initially. Increasing the crossover
frequency will allow higher frequency bass output from the subwoofer. Decreasing the
frequency will allow only deeper bass from the subwoofer.
NOTE: Read “IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING BASS MANAGEMENT” on previous page.
4. Auto Signal Tracking:
The subwoofer amplifier uses “smart” signal tracking circuitry. Once the power cord is
plugged in and the switch set to auto, the amplifier automatically turns on when a signal
is detected at the preamplifier or high level inputs and turns off when no signal has been
detected for 15 minutes.
5. Phase Control:
This control changes the phase of the subwoofer. Changing the phase will change the
way the subwoofer and main speakers interact (sum) with each other at the set crossover
frequency. Varying the phase dial may result in more or less mid bass depending on the
phasing between the main speakers and the subwoofer. Ideally set with a SPL meter or a
measurement system like REW at the crossover frequency.
6. Line Inputs:
Line level input should only be used if no subwoofer crossover is being utilized through the
receivers bass management.
7. LFE In:
The LFE input is used to connect to most receivers or processors output. The “LFE” output of
receiver may be called “subout”. The LFE Input applies no internal crossover!
8. Fuse Access:
This is the power fuse access.
WARNING! In the event the fuse must be replaced, the replacement fuse must match exactly
to the original fuse value. If the replacement fuse is not of the same value, damage to the
Subwoofer Amplifier may result. Please see Fuse type and values in Specifications below.
CAUTION! Before replacing the fuse, disconnect the power cord from the power receptacle.
9. Power:
Power on and off switch.
10. LFE Out:
This RCA terminal is for “daisy chaining” to another subwoofer.
11. Balance LFE Out:
This XLR terminal is to connect to another subwoofer for daisy chaining.
12. Balance LFE In:
Balance level input is used to connect to most receivers or processors. The balance “LFE”
output of the receiver may be called “subout”.

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SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER CONTROLS & SETUP
CONTINUED