Boston Acoustics PowerVent PV400 User manual

PV400
PV600
PV800
PowerVent®Powered Subwoofers
PV 4/6/8 MANUAL 7.1.99 ƒ 7/30/99 4:01 PM Page 1
SERVICE GUIDE - PV600

5
Description
Boston’s new PowerVent subwoofers deliver the dynamic bass foundation that is essential for
lifelike reproduction of movie soundtracks and music in the home.
All the new subwoofers utilize rugged DCD™ (Deep Channel Design) bass units built in
Boston’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Peabody, Massachusetts. Every one is tested
as it comes off the line to be within ±1dB of the lab reference unit, an incredibly tight tolerance.
The amplifiers have built-in variable crossovers that make it easy to achieve a seamless blend
with the main speakers, while 24dB/octave low-pass filters prevent the subwoofer from being
easily localized by ear, increasing placement flexibility. A crossover bypass position is provided
for use with home theater electronics that perform their own bass management functions.
Because of their high-powered amplifiers and computer-optimized tuning, all three models are
capable of impressive deep bass and high output from remarkably compact enclosures. In addi-
tion, they all feature BassTrac™, a proprietary new Boston-designed circuit that tracks the input
signal to the subwoofer and prevents its amplifier from being driven into audible distortion. The
benefit: The bass stays clean and strong at any listening level.
Auto on-off amplifier switching and easily accessible controls make the PowerVent subwoofers
as convenient to use as they are exciting to listen to.
Specifications
PV800 PV600 PV400
Frequency Response (±3dB) 26–150Hz 29–150Hz 44–150Hz
Subwoofer Amplifier Power 300 watts continuous, 4Ω120 watts continuous, 4Ω65 watts continuous, 4Ω
<0.5% THD, 250 watts, <0.5% THD, 100 watts, <0.5% THD, 50 watts,
20–150Hz 20–150Hz 20–150Hz
Subwoofer Crossover 50–150Hz 75–150Hz 75–150Hz
24dB/octave low-pass 24dB/octave low-pass 24dB/octave low-pass
Crossover Bypass Yes Yes Yes
Bass Unit 12" (300mm) DCD 10" (250mm) DCD 7" (180mm) DCD
down-firing down-firing internal
Enclosure Type Dual ported Dual ported Bandpass
Dimensions (HxWxD) 18 x 141/4 x 19" 161/2 x 117/8 x 161/8"19
1/2 x 10 x 11"
(458 x 363 x 483mm) (420 x 302 x 410mm) (496 x 254 x 280mm)
Weight 40 lbs (18kg) 30 lbs (14kg) 25 lbs (12kg)
Finish Black ash or white Black ash Black ash
vinyl veneer vinyl veneer vinyl veneer
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Connections
NOTE: Power is always supplied to the subwoofer electronics unless it is unplugged.
The auto-on circuitry only activates or deactivates the power amplifier. Make sure your
subwoofer and receiver are unplugged when making the connection.
Line level: Use the line level in with most systems. These inputs accept the line level signal from
your receiver’s subwoofer output. The subwoofer’s circuitry filters out the high frequencies and
sends the remaining low frequencies to the subwoofer power amplifier.
Speaker level: Use these high-level terminals with receivers that do not have subwoofer
output. The speaker inputs accept both left and right channel speaker signals from your receiver.
Connecting Your Subwoofer to Digital 5.1 Channel
Home Theater Systems
Digital 5.1 home theater electronics dedicate one channel (the “.1” of 5.1) to reproduce the
special low-frequency (LFE) information (such as explosions and thunder) contained in digitally-
encoded soundtracks.
Select ”subwoofer-yes“ from your receiver’s set-up menu. Hooked up this way, the receiver’s
amplifier is relieved of having to reproduce the difficult low bass signals that can drive the
receiver into audible distortion.
Use an RCA cable (not included), as shown, to connect your digital receiver’s subwoofer output
to the subwoofer. Use the bypass crossover control input. On the PV400, set the crossover to the
direct position and connect to line level in.
use
crossover
control *
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
bypass
crossover
control **
75
100 125
150
crossover (Hz) power
0°
180°
polarity
left right
speaker level in
line level in
** bypass crossover control: direct to woofer;
use with sources having built-in crossover
controls or bass management (most products
with Dolby Digital or THX).
NRTL/C
ANSI/UL-1492
LR106476
subwoofer out
BACK OF RECEIVER
PV600 REAR PANEL
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If you do not wish to run RCA cables to your subwoofer, you may use speaker wire to connect
the subwoofer in parallel with your main speakers. The subwoofer does not present any addi-
tional load to your receiver.
Select “subwoofer-no” from your receiver’s set-up menu. This sends the LFE signal to the main
left and right speakers, and thus, to the subwoofer. Consult your receiver’s owner’s manual for
more details.
When using the speaker wire hookup, the subwoofer’s built-in crossover is engaged. As a start-
ing point, set the crossover control on the subwoofer about 10Hz higher than the lower limit of
your main speakers’ bass response. Fine-tune the crossover setting by ear for the smoothest
blend with your main speakers. The best setting of the crossover control will depend on speaker
placement and personal preference.
Be sure to connect +to +(red) and –to –(black).
BACK OF RECEIVER
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Connecting Your Subwoofer to Stereo or Dolby®
Pro Logic®Systems
For stereo or Dolby Pro Logic systems, the easiest method is to use speaker wire
connections as shown.
You may also use the “sub out” connection from your receiver to the input on the subwoofer
marked use crossover control.
When using speaker wire or the use crossover control input, the subwoofer’s built-in crossover is
engaged. As a starting point, set the crossover control on the subwoofer about 10Hz higher than
the lower limit of your main speakers’ bass response. Fine-tune the crossover setting by ear for
the smoothest blend with your main speakers. The best setting of the crossover control will
depend on speaker placement and personal preference.
BACK OF RECEIVER
3.0A 250V
CAUTION: Disconnect supply cord before replacing fuse. For continued protection
against risk of fire, replace only with same type fuse.
ATTENTION: Debrancher avant de remplacer le fusible. Utiliser un fusible de
rechange de même type.
120V 60Hz 3.0A
0°
180°
polarity
on
power
off
auto
50
80
150
120
left right
speaker level in
crossover (Hz)
use
crossover
control *
bypass
crossover
control **
line level in
* use crossover control: removes high frequencies; use with sources lacking
suitable filtering (most products without Dolby Digital or THX), or where manual
control is desired.
** bypass crossover control: direct to woofer; use with sources having built-
in crossover controls or bass management (most products with Dolby Digital
or THX).
subwoofer out
BACK OF RECEIVER
PV800 REAR PANEL
PV 4/6/8 MANUAL 7.1.99 ƒ 7/30/99 4:01 PM Page 8