Focal SUB AIR User manual

SUB AIR
User manual / Manuel d'utilisation

1. Description
Package contents
∙ 1 x Sub Air
∙ 1 x Sub Air Transmitter
∙ 1 x grille cable cover
∙ 1 Sub Air wall mounting kit
SUB AIR
User manual English
Sub Air
Power supply
Wired inputs
L/R or LFE
Power supply
mode selector
Wireless connection
button Level control
Phase
control Low pass control
21 cm
loudspeaker
Wall-mount
insert
Connection
status LED

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SUB AIR
User manual
Sub Air transmitter
LEFT
RIGHT
LFE
Power supply
connector Connection
status LED
Wireless
connection button
(underneath unit)

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2. Positioning the Sub Air in your listening room
Unlike loudspeakers, which have to be at sufficient distance from the walls and corners of the listening room, our
advice is to position the Sub Air subwoofer in a corner.
If the Sub Air is positioned up against a wall not in a corner, or a long way away from the room walls, the very long
wavelengths of the low frequencies reproduced will cause random excitation of resonances in the listening space.
The frequency response will not be linear and the quality of the bass will be seriously affected (lack of depth, "tinny
sound", poorly defined and/or poorly held bass, difficult or impossible overlap crossover with main speakers).
By placing Sub Air in a corner, the room resonance will be excited in a more linear and predictable way. Not only
will perception of the bass be optimal, but this arrangement will make it possible to boost the bass by + 6 dB. If, for
practical reasons, you cannot position the Sub Air in a corner, try different positions in the room until you arrive at
the best possible compromise.
Generally speaking, it is best to take care to position the sub-woofer towards the front of the room.
As the frequency bands in question are omni-directional, the bass is not, in principle, affected by an object or item of
furniture placed between the sub-woofer and the listening position.
Zone A
Zone B
Zone C
Zone A
Zone B
Zone C
+6 dB
+3 dB
0 dB
20 Hz 150 Hz
Bass level
SUB AIR
User manual

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SUB AIR
User manual
3. Sub Air setup
Please refer to the "Positioning the Sub Air" section for optimal positioning of your Sub Air in your listening room.
May be placed on the floor or fixed to a wall.
Using the Sub Air wall mounting kit. Screw the female part to the Sub Air, using the screws supplied. Secure the male
part to the wall where you want to fit the Sub Air. Attach the rubber feet to the rear of the Sub Air.

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SUB AIR
User manual
Connect to the LFE input
When a multi-channel audio/video amplifier is used, the Sub Air transmitter's single LFE input should be connected
to the "Subwoofer" output on the audio/video amplifier.
R
Subwoofer
RIGHT
LFE
Connect low level RCA inputs
When a 2-channel amplifier with pre-out line outputs is used, Sub Air transmitter must always be connected using
the RCA stereo Right/Left inputs.
Pre-out
L R
RIGHT
LFE
LEFT
4. Connecting the Sub Air in wireless mode
Sub Air transmitter setup
Plug the 5 volt supply into the Sub Air transmitter.
or

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SUB AIR
User manual
Switching Sub Air on
Automatic power-up and standby.
Sub Air is fitted with an automatic audio signal detection system. If "Auto" mode is selected on the "Power" switch,
the unit powers up the moment it detects an audio signal. In "Power On" mode, the audio signal detector is disabled
and the unit remains permanently powered up.
When, on the other hand, the unit goes without detecting an audio signal, it automatically goes into standby.
If the unit is going to be unused for an extended period of several days or more, it is recommended to put the "Power"
switch to its "Off" position.
Caution: in the event of lightning, disconnect the power lead from the mains supply.
Connect mains power and put the "Power" switch into "On" or "Standby" mode.
The connection status LED should be glowing steadily. This shows that the Sub Air Transmitter and Sub Air are
connected. Installation is now complete and you can go on to adjust your Sub Air's Phase, Low pass control and level.
Please refer to the Settings and Operation section to make the most of these settings.
Note: synchronization procedure
Your Sub Air Transmitter and Sub Air come from the factory already wirelessly connected. If, after powering up, the
connection status LED does not glow steadily, but instead flashes slowly (one flash per second), you will need to carry
out the connection procedure by taking the following steps:
• On Sub Air, hold down the connection button for 4 seconds. The connection status LED will flash
quickly.
• You now have 30 seconds in which to hold the connection button on Sub Air Transmitter down for 4 seconds. The
connection status LED on Sub Air Transmitter will flash quickly.
• Connection is now complete and the connection status LEDs on Sub Air and Sub Air transmitter will
be glowing steadily.
Note: It is only possible to connect one Sub Air to one Sub Air Transmitter at a time and the other way round. Once
the connection has been made you will not have to repeat the procedure.

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SUB AIR
User manual
Settings and operation
Low pass control
If you are using the LFE input on Sub Air or Sub Air Transmitter, turn the low pass rotary control (LO PASS) to its
LFE position.
If you are using the Left and Right inputs on the Sub Air or Sub Air Transmitter, low pass setting depends on which
satellite speakers you use and their diameter. Here are our recommendations for Focal satellites:
If using Sub Air with satellite speakers other than those shown above, adjust the low pass frequency using the di-
ameters for midrange speakers.
Phase control switch
The phase setting on your Sub Air is heavily dependent on your room interior, listening point and satellites. However,
once you have installed your system we advise you to take the following steps to ensure the best setting:
• Play a piece of music with high bass energy.w
• From you ideal listening position, listen to the music with the switch first in the 0° position and then in the 180°
position.
• Choose the switch setting which gives you the strongest sensation of the bass. This shows that the Sub Air is in
phase with your satellites.
If there is no detectable difference between the two settings, put the phase selector in its 0° position.
Level control
f you have a 5.1 set-up, we advise you to set the Sub Air at ¾ volume and to then adjust the sub-woofer volume with
your Home Cinema amplifier. If you have a 2.1 set-up, the volume setting of your Sub Air is heavily dependent on your
room interior and listening point.
Simply adjust its volume to suit your wishes and taste in listening.
Satellite speaker/
diameter
Little Bird / Dôme /
10 cm woofer
Sib / 13 cm woofer Bird / 14 cm woofer Super Bird / 14 cm
woofer with 14 cm
passive radiator
Low pass frequency 120Hz 110Hz 100Hz 80Hz

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SUB AIR
User manual
5. Wired connection of Sub Air
Pre-out
L R
Connection to low level RCA inputs
When a 2-channel amplifier with pre-out line outputs is used, Sub Air must always be connected using the RCA
stereo Right/Left inputs.
SUBWOOFER
Connection to LFE input
When a multi-channel audio/video amplifier is used, the Sub Air's single LFE input should be connected to the
"Subwoofer" output on the audio/video amplifier.
or

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SUB AIR
User manual
6. LED meaning guide
Connection LED on Sub Air and Sub Air Transmitter.
LED status Meaning Additional information
Glowing continuously Sub Air and Sub Air Transmitter are
synchronized
The transmitter is able to send audio
signals to Sub Air and the system is
ready for use.
Flashing slowly
(1 flash per second)
Sub Air and Sub Air Transmitter are not
synchronized
Please see the end of the "Connecting
the Sub Air in wireless mode" section
to connect your Sub air with its Sub Air
Transmitter.
Flashing quickly
(5 flashes per second)
Sub Air and Sub Air Transmitter are
pending synchronization.
The LED enters this state when you
press the connection button. To
complete connection, please see the
"Connecting the Sub Air in wireless"
mode" section.
White LED on front of Sub Air.
LED status Meaning Additional information
Lighted Sub Air is powered up. Sub Air is reproducing or is able to
reproduce an audio signal.
OFF Sub Air is not powered up or standby. Sub Air is not receiving an audio signal.

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SUB AIR
User manual
Spécifications
Type Flat bass-reflex subwoofer, integrated 150W
BASH amp
Speaker driver (diameter) 21cm (8")
Bass cutoff frequency (-6dB) 35Hz
Frequency response (+/- 3dB) 40Hz - 200Hz
Crossover cutoff frequency variable 50Hz - 200Hz
Input panel Left Right / LFE
RMS power 110W
Peak power 150W
Phase adjustment 0 - 180° switch
Power functions ON Auto (1 W) OFF (0,5 W)
Dimensions (HxWxD) 16.1"x14.2"x6.3" (410mmx360mmx160mm)
Weight 17 lbs (7,65 Kg)
Type Wireless connection
Range in Meter 15m (in a room)
Sound Sampling 16 bits
Sampling Frequency 44,1kHz
Coding delay (latency) 13ms
Radio transmission powers
or sensitivity
0dBm
Radio transmission
frequency band
2,4 Ghz ISM band
Running-in period
The driver used in the Sub Air is made up of complex mechanical elements and requires an adaptation period before
it delivers the best of its performances. They must get adapted to the temperature and humidity conditions of
their environment. This breaking-in period depends upon the encountered conditions and can last several weeks.
In order to shorten this period, we advise you to let your subwoofer operate for about twenty hours at medium
level, playing standard music programs, but with a large amount of bass. Once the components of the speaker are
completely stabilized, it is possible to enjoy the true performances of your self powered subwoofer.

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Your Focal-JMlab product was developed and manufactured with high-quality materials and components
which can be recycled and/or re-used. This symbol indicates that electrical and electronic equipment
must be disposed of separately from normal garbage at the end of its operational lifetime.Please dispose
of this product by bringing it to your local collection point or recycling centre for such equipment. This will
help to protect the environment in which we all live.
Conditions of guarantee
All Focal loudspeakers are covered by guarantee drawn up by the official Focal distributor in your country.
Your distributor can provide all details concerning the conditions of guarantee. Guarantee cover extends at least to
that granted by the legal guarantee in force in the country where the original purchase invoice was issued.
SUB AIR
User manual