Soundmatters MAINstage User manual
start here – quick set-up guide
You should have a MAINstage unit, owner’s manual, remote control, batteries, optical cable, stereo 1/8” mini-jack cable,
four Angle-Ease™ feet, and a power cord.
Use the widest spacing possible for best stability. Adjust
angle to aim front at your head.
TV Sound
nFrom Cable TV
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Digital Audio Out Optical In
OR RCA In
Cable Box
MAINstage
If there’s a digital audio out, connect either
the RCA or the optical cable to one of the
digital inputs of the MAINstage
If no digital audio out, connect the
analog left and right RCA output to the
Analog 2 RCA inputs on the MAINstage
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In
Cable Box
R
L
If your cable connects directly to your TV with
no cable box, you will need to connect the
audio out from your TV (RCA pair) to one of the
two audio inputs on the MAINstage. (Analog 2
uses RCA pair. For Analog 1 use RCA pair to
1/8” mini-jack adapter such as Radio Shack
catalog #274-769 or #274-883 gold.
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In
TV
R
L
OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-
j
ack In using ada
p
ter
Cable
Cable
Box
Box
Cable
Box
Best –Digital 5.1 Direct
Good –Analog Direct
Basic –Analog via TV
STEP
one
STEP
two
STEP
three
Unbox and check contents
Adjust Angle-Ease
™
feet
Connect inputs
The MAINstage has 4 inputs for connecting 4 different sound sources.
Use the following guide to optimize your connections.
Use AngleEase™feet
to aim MAINstage
at ears
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Digital Audio Out Optical In
OR RCA In
Satellite Box
MAINstage
Use either the single Digital “coax” RCA or the
optical output (optical cable included) to the
appropriate digital input of the MAINstage
Best –Digital 5.1 Direct
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In
Satellite Box
R
L
If no digital audio out, connect the analog left
and right RCA output to the Analog 2 RCA inputs
on the MAINstage
Basic –Analog Direct
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Analog L+R Audio Out
From TV
Antenna
Analog RCA In
TV
R
ANTENNA
INPUT
L
OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In using adapter
Connect the audio out from your TV (RCA pair) to
one of the two audio inputs on the MAINstage.
(Analog 2 uses RCA pair. For Analog 1 use RCA
pair to 1/8” mini-jack adapter such as Radio
Shack catalog #274-769 or #274-883 gold.
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Digital Audio Out Optical In
OR RCA In
DVD Player
Use either the single Digital “coax” RCA or the
optical output (optical cable included) to the
appropriate digital input of the MAINstage
Important DVD notes:
1. Your DVD player cannot play 5.1 surround unless a digital output is used.
2. Confirm that your DVD player is optimized for MAINstage using your DVD set-up menu
as follows: Dolby
®
Digital 5.1 out selected, DTS
®
out OFF (if available)
nFrom Satellite TV Box
nFrom TV Antenna
Best –Digital 5.1 Direct
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In
DVD Player
R
L
OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In using adapter
If no digital audio output is available on your DVD,
in order to truly take advantage of the potential
of the MAINstage, we suggest you upgrade to a
unit that has one. (Cost: about $80) Otherwise,
connect the analog left and right RCA output to
the Analog 2 RCA inputs on the MAINstage.
If that input is in use, connect to Analog 1 using
stereo 1/8” mini-jack. Get adapter from Radio
Shack, catalog #274-769 or #274-883 gold.
Basic –Analog Direct
DVD Player
VCR
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In
R
L
OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In using adapter
Connect the audio out from your TV (RCA pair) to
one of the two audio inputs on the MAINstage.
(Analog 2 uses RCA pair. For Analog 1 use RCA
pair to 1/8” mini-jack adapter such as Radio
Shack catalog #274-769 or #274-883 gold.
VCR
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Digital Audio Out Optical In
OR RCA In
DVR
MAINstage
Use either the single Digital “coax” RCA or the
optical output (optical cable included) to the
appropriate digital input of the MAINstage
Important note: DVR won’t playback 5.1 digital surround unless a digital output is used.
Best –Digital 5.1 Direct
Digital Video Recorder (i.e., TiVo
®
, replaytv
®
)
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
su
ou
analog 1
Digital Audio Out Optical In
OR RCA In
If your Mac or PC has a digital audio out use
either the single Digital “coax” RCA or the
optical output (optical cable included) to the
appropriate digital input of the MAINstage
Important note: Playback in 5.1 digital surround requires digital output to be used.
Best –Digital 5.1 Direct
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
su
ou
analog 1
Digital Audio Out Optical In
OR RCA In
Using a digital portable? Connect with either
digital optical or RCA “coax,” if available.
Best –Digital Direct
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Analog L+R Audio out
or Headphone out Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In
sens
low hi
Connect headphone or audio out to Analog 1
using stereo 1/8” mini-jack cable provided.
Use Analog 1 Low/Hi Sensitivity switch for
best volume matching with source.
Basic –Analog Direct
Computer
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Headphone Out Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In
sens
low hi
Connect “headphone” output to Analog 1 using
stereo 1/8” mini-jack cable provided. Use
Analog 1 Low/Hi Sensitivity switch for best
volume matching with source.
Basic –Analog Direct
Portables & Radios
DVR
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Analog L+R Audio Out Analog RCA In
R
L
OR Stereo 1/8" Mini-jack In using adapter
Connect the audio out from your TV (RCA pair) to
one of the two audio inputs on the MAINstage.
(Analog 2 uses RCA pair. For Analog 1 use RCA pair
to 1/8” mini-jack adapter such as Radio Shack
catalog #274-769 or #274-883 gold.
Basic –Analog Direct
STEP
four
Connecting optional subwoofer
nSelect source and enjoy
soundmatters, inc. san francisco, california
tel 415.255.1960 toll-free (usa) 800.698SOMA (7662)
fax 415.255.1965
email [email protected] www.soundmatters.com
rev 9.03a (8.5x11)
digital 2
digital analog
digital 1 analog 2
sub
level
L
Rsens
low hi
sub
out
analog 1
Subwoofer Audio Input
Analog RCA In “Sub Out” 1/8" Mini-jack Out
using mono adapter
Connect the subwoofer output (mini-jack) from
your MAINstage to the input on your amplified
subwoofer. Refer to your subwoofer owners
manual for specific hookup and adjustment
instructions. External powered subwoofers
typically have RCA input(s) for connections so it
will be necessary to utilize a mono mini-jack to
RCA adapter such as the Radio Shack #42-2444.
sub
level
A
djust subwoofer output
(view from back shown here)
Full
maximum
Off
To adjust subwoofer output level while standing in front of the
MAINstage, turn the knob counter-clockwise to increase, and
clockwise to reduce. This is reverse of typical operation, but much
more intuitive when adjusting the bass while standing
in front of the unit.
nConnect power cord nLoad batteries into remote
nConfirm that master
power switch is on
nSet bass level for internal subwoofer
