Velodyne FSR-18 User manual

"If you know subwoofers, you know about Velodyne. "
-Corey Greenberg
Home Theater Technology/February 1995
Face
Off : Comparison of five subwoofers
" ... the clean, full, andextended quality of the F-1800R's bass caused me
to gasp with the recognition that I was finally listening to a real subwoofer."
"
... our entire listening room swelled with solid, satisfying bass, as if both
musician and instrument were
in the room. "
"
.. .scenes such as the pre-battle sequence in Braveheart ... mayvery well
have threatened
the room's structural integrity had we not backed off the
volume a bit
... "
-AI Griffin
Home Theater/December 1996
Gear Guide
Velodyne Acoustics, Inc.
1070 Commercial St. Suite # 101
San Jose, CA 95112
408.436.7270 voice
408.436.7276 fax
Web Site: http://www.velodyne.com
E-mail: [email protected]
@Printed on recycled paper
11-97, #63-618
FSR-18
Ovvner's Manual
Velodyne
SERVO-CONTROLLED
Audio/Video Subwoofer System

A
Caution
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user-serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
The lighting flash with arrowhead symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage"
within the product's enclosurethat may be ofsufficient magnitude to constitute a
risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the subwoofer.
1. Read Instructions - All safety and operating instructions should be read before the subwoofer is operated.
2. Retain Instructions - The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed Wamings - All wamings on the subwoofer and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions - All operating and use instructions should be followed.
5. Water and Moisture- The subwoofer should not be used nearwater- for example. near a bathtub, washbowl,
kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, near a swimming pool or the like.
6. Carts and Stands- The subwoofershould be usedonlywitha cart orstand recommended by the manufacturer.
7. Wall or Ceiling Mounting - The subwoofer should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by
the manufacturer.
S. Ventilation - The subwoofer should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper
ventilation . For example, the subwoofer should not be situated on a bed , sofa , rug ,orsimilar surface that may
block the ventilation openings; or placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or cabinet that may Impede
the flow of air through the ventilation openings.
9.
Heat - The subwoofer should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators , heat registers,stoves,
or other subwoofers that produce heat.
10 . Power Sources - The subwoofer should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the
operating instructions or as marked on the subVo{)()fer .
11 . Power·Cord Protection -Power-supplycords should be routed so that they are not likely to be wa l ked on or
pinched by items placed upon or against them , paying particular attention to cords at plugs ,convenience
receptacles, and the point at which they ex it from the subwoofer.
12 . ' Caution : To prevent el ectrical shock, match wide blade of plug towide slot , fully inserted. ' " Attention :Poureviter
les chocs electriques,i ntroduire lame Ia plus large de la fiche dans la bome correspondante de la prise et
pousser j usqu' au fond .'
13. Cleaning - The subwoofer should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.
14. Nonuse Periods - The power cord of the subwoofer should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for
a long period of time.
15. Object and Liquid Entry - Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled onto the
enclosure .
16. Damage Requiring Service - The subwoofer should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
a. The power-supply cord or plug has been damaged.
b. Objects have fallen or liquid has been spilled into the subwoofer.
c.
The subwoofer has been exposed to rain.
d. The subwooferdoes not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance.
e. The subwoofer has been dropped or damaged.
17 . Servicing - The user should not attempt to service the subwoofer beyond what is described in the operating
instructions .
All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
1
SPECIFICATIONS
Cabinet (incl. legs)
Frequency Response
Harmonic Distortion
Subsonic Filter
High Pass Crossover
Low Pass Crossover
Phase
Amplifier
Woofer
Magnet
Magnet
Structure
Voice Coil
Inputs
Outputs
Warranty
Weight
FSR-18
21-1/4" x 23-1/4 x 18-1/2 " (W ,H'o)
16Hz - 120Hz +/- 3 dB
<1 "10 (typical)
15Hz or 35Hz
80Hz or 100Hz (6 dB/octave)
40Hz - 120Hz (12 dB/octave initial.
48 dB/octave ultimate)
00/1800
Class D, 1250 watts RMS, 3000 watts peak
18" forward firing , high-excursion 2" max.
2200z. (13.7Ibs.)
3800z . (24Ibs .)
Tandem 3" push-pull
Line-level. Balanced & speaker-level
Line-level & speaker-level
Two years (parts & labor)
105 Ibs. (approx.)
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
FOR YOUR RECORDS. __
DATEPURCHASED ______________________________ _
DEALER ____________________________________ ___
SER~L# ____________________________________ __
'NOTE: Please complete andreturn your warranty card within ten (10) days.
14

cloth to clean the cabinet. During normal conditions, your new subwoofer may be left on
continuously without any problems . The unit is equipped with a signal-sensing turn on/off
that will automatically turn on the unit when a signal is present at the inputs and turn off
the unit after several minutes when there is no longer any signal at the inputs. If you plan
to leave the subwoofer unused for an extended period of time, we recommend that you
turn off the master power switch on the rear panel.
Troubleshooting & Service
If you should experience a problem with the operation of your subwoofer, please check all
of the following before seeking service . Following is a simple troubleshooting guide to
assist you.
1. Verify unit is plugged in and power outlet used is active.
2. Is power switch on?
3. Is auto tum on/off set properly?
4. Is unit receiving an input signal from your source?
5. Have all controls on subwoofer (volume, crossover , phase , etc.) been properly set'
6. Is the mute on the remote control engaged?
7. Are both volume controls properly set?
8. If unit has been running at high levels for an extended period of time , one of the
protection circuits may be engaged.
• Has the built-in amplifier overheated?
• Is your power line voltage sagging under heavy use?
If the protection circuitry is active , the unit may cycle on and off until operating parameters
return to normal. Protection circuit operation is usually indicated by a blinking power led.
Under more serious conditions, the unit may shut off completely. Normal operation will
return upon cooling, but you may be required to turn the power off and then on again to
reset the unit.
The following conditions require service by a qualified technician:
1. The power cord has become damaged.
2. The unit does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in
performance .
3. The unit has been exposed to water.
4. Some pan of the cabinet or circuitry is physically damaged.
Thank you for purchasing a Velodyne!
13
Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of a Velodyne subwoofer system. This system
represents the absolute state oftheart in accurate low frequency reproduction. We
believe this to be the finest subwoofer available anywhere! In this new subwoofer,
we have combined our radical new driver & amplifier deSigns to obtain our
traditionally accurate sound while increasing efficiency and output to newstandards.
This exceptional subwoofer will provide you with years of unparalleled listening
pleasure. Enjoy!
Caution!
Please observe the following instructions to insure safe and proper system
operation.
Note: Do not move unit while turned on or plugged in!!! Do not leave
unit in direct sunlight or use in high humidity environments!!!
Warning!
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.
To avoid electrical shock, do not open speaker enclosure or amp chassis cover.
Please observe all warnings on the equipment itself. There are no user serviceable
pans inside. Please refer all service questions to your authorized Velodyne dealer.
Prior to installation
Please unpack the system carefullyl This unit is extremely heavy . Use caution when
lifting of moving to avoid injury. Remove all staples used to seal the carton as they
can scratch the cabinet. Please save the carton and all packaging materials for
future use. Packing this unit in any other carton may result in severe damage when
shipping. Please take a moment to record the serial number and datellocation of
pu r chase in the space provided on the warranty card for future reference.
continued ..
2

Product Features & Controls
• 18" subwoofer with tandem 3" voice coils & 220 oz. magnet
• Built-in 1250 watt (RMS) high efficiency class D amplifier
• Accelerometer based seNO control system for extreme accuracy
• Adjustable (40 to 120Hz) low-pass crossover (defeatable)
• Selectable (80 or 100Hz) high-pass crossover outputs
• Balanced (XLR) inputs
• Line-level (RCA) inputs & outputs
• Speaker-levelinputs& outputswith5 way binding post connections
• Signal sensing auto turn on/off (defeatable)
• Variable volume control
• Selectable phase control (D· or 180·)
• Selectable subsonic filter (15Hz or 35Hz)
• Frequency response of 16Hz - 120Hz +/- 3dB
• Detachable power cord
• Magnetically shielded for video use
• Multiple staggered low-pass crossovers; 12dB/octave initial,
48dB/octave ultimate
• Gain compression circuit prevents over excursion & amp clipping
• Infrared remote control with power, volume & mute functions
• External remote connector for custom installation
• Power on & protection indicator LED (green)
Installation
Your new Velodyne servo subwoofer provides for a number of installation options . Read
all the installation information below in order to determine which installation option is best
for your system. Remember to perform all installation procedures with system
power turned off!!!
Inputs
Your new subwoofer is equipped with speaker-level, line - level and balanced (XlR) inputS.
Use the LINE LEVEL jacks when connecting your subwoofer to a pre-amp, signal
processor , line-level crossover , or receiver with pre-amp level outputS. The SPEAKER
LEVEL jacks connect directly to the speaker outputs of any amplifier, integrated amplifier
or receiver. Your amplifier section will notice no additional loading effectS when you use
these inputS due to their very high impedance.
3
the amount of linear motion we desired. This inadequacy led us to design an improved
motor structure by incorporating two coils, operating out of phase in a push-pull
configuration within two magnetic gaps & suspended by dual spiders for even greater
linearity. We designed this motor to produce over one inch (1-1/8" to be exact) of linear
motion, with a maximum mechanical limit of 2" peak to peak. Also, with this unique
configuration, the distortion products are reduced by a factor of two over conventional
single coil structures with dramatically improved cone control. This driver alone would
result in less distortion than any other non servo design. We also designed thi s motor to
be magnetically shielded from the start, to allow for convenient placement near the
television monitors of home theater systems. After optimizing every remaining part of the
loudspeaker, we then turned to the electronics .
As in our other servo productS , we then incorporated closed-loop accelerometer based
servo-control of the loudspeaker. At the heart of this control system is a low mass
accelerometer rigidly attached to the voice coil. The accelerometer continuously monitors
cone motions, providing us with a feedback signal for the servo control circuitry . This high-
gain system is designed to improve linearity and reduce dist0l1ion approximately 30 times
over conventional non-servo systems. While the input signal is being sent to the amplifier
which powers the driver, a continuous signal repre s enting cone motion is being sent to a
comparator circuit. This circuit constantly adjustS for any deviation between the input
signal and the subwoofer's output. This self regulation results in extreme control over cone
movement, and very accurate low distortion sound.
To provide the power for driving this massive loudspeaker, we incorporated an extremely
efficient class 0 switching amplifier. One that is capable of running cool to the touch and
providing 1250 watts (RMS) of power! At typical listening levels, the FSR-18 produces le ss
than 0.3 % harmonic di s tortion with input signals extending to 20Hz and below . At higher
levels the distortion barely exceeds 1%, far better than any conventional design currently
on the market. This combination provides you with the best combination of clean, deep,
accurate bass, without making any sacrifice to distortion.
Care of your subwoofer
Do not use any harsh detergentS or chemicals to clean the cabinet. Abrasives, detergentS,
or cleaning solutions may damage the finish on the cabinet. We recommend using a damp
continued .. .
12

Distortion in loudspeakers
Nonlinear distortion is a problem which plagues all speakers. This particular type of
distortion is a common problem in subwoofers, which must move large amounts of air to
produce adequate levels of deep bass. Nonlinear distortion is defined as any form of
distortion that moves energy from one portion of the audio frequency spectrum to
another. When a single tone is applied to a nonlinear system, the result is harmonic
distortion. In which some of the energy leaves the system at multiples of the original
frequency. When multiple tones are applied , intermodulation tones are produced, usually
as simple combinations of the input frequencies. Generally, 3% distortion is considered a
reasonable amount for speakers . This means that 3% of the total energy leaving the speaker
is at frequencies other than the intended input signal.
Most subwoofers on the market today however, produce much more than 3% distortion
at common listening levels. Many models we have tested produce greater than 20%
distortion @ 20Hz when driven to 100dB. This is a typical output level obtained in many
systems, particularly home theater systems. Even at 1 watt, many conventional units
produce several percent distortion. Secondly, the odd order, higher harmonics are much
more offensive to the human ear than the closer 2nd harmonic.
An interesting result of this reduced distortion is that some of the bass , when played over
an extremely accurate subwoofer system, seems to actually be missing . The truth , however,
is that the "missing" bass was never there to begin with! Distortion products of conventional
woofers actually add to the bass spectrum making it appear louder than recorded. This is
due to the additional and unwanted harmonics (distortion) of the fundamental signal.
While conventional subwoofers offer little to combat distortion products, we at Velodyne
have developed another way ...
The Velodyne servo-control solution
The Velodyne FSR-18 produces sound in the same manner as conventional loudspeakers:
a cone-shaped piston is forced to move by means of a linear motor. However , this is about
the only conventional part of the subwoofer.
We determined that conventional motors are unacceptable when called upon to produce
11
Important
l
!!
Do not use both LINE LEVEL and SPEAKER LEVEL connections si multaneously'
Volume control
This control allows you to balance the output from the subwoofer to the main speakers /
amplifier in your system. This control should be set to achieve similar output level from
both the main speakers and subwoofer when listening to music. The remote may then be
used for minute / temporary adjustments, such as increasing the volume for home theater
usage. A good starting point for the volume control is 3 or 4 dots from minimum.
Low-pass crossover- 40 to 120Hz
All inputs sum the left and right channels together, with the resulting signal passing
through an adjustable low-pass crossover before being amplified. The crossover control
allows you to adjust the upper limit of the subwoofer's frequency response from 40 to
120Hz. The subwoofer's response will begin rolling off above the frequency you set this
control to . You should set the crossover frequency to obtain a smooth and seamless
transition from the subwoofer to the main speakers in your system. If your main speakers
are smaller units with limited low frequency output , you may wish to choose a higher
frequency (such as 100-120Hz) than you would with larger speakers which have greater low
frequency output. With larger speakers, you might start with this control set lower, such
as 80Hz.
A bypass switch is also provided if you wish to use an external crossover. If you are not
using an external crossover, we recommend that you use the one provided
within the unit for optimum performance
l
Phase adjustment- O· / 180·
This control allows you the "reverse" the phase of the subwoofer's output signal 180 • to
correct for any possible mismatch & resulting cancellation between the subwoofer and
your main speakers/amplifier. To adjust, simply listen to the system with music playing.
Then move the switch from one position to the other and listen for a change in low
frequency output The correct position will have a greater amount of apparent low
frequency output
continued ..
4

Subsonic- 15Hz / 35Hz
This adjustment alters the low frequency limit of the subwoofer. For most systems we
recommend the 15Hz setting which will allow the subwoofer to deliver the maximum low
bass output it was designed for. In certain movie theater installations which suggest that
the extreme low bass be limited , move the switch position to 35Hz and the response will
be attenuated below this frequency.
Crossover switch - In / Out
This switch allows the electronic crossover circuitry to be removed from the signal path.
This is required in certain installations which route the signal through external processors
with a crossover circuit of their own, such as the new digital units . Simply move the switch
to OUT to disengage the built in crossover. For all other installations which do not have
a separate electronic crossover we recommend you leave the internal crossover IN to
provide optimum performance.
Auto turn on switch- Auto / On
The auto tum on switch allows the user to utilize or bypass the automatic signal sensing
circuitry . When set in the AUTO mode with main power ON, the subwoofer will tum itself
on when an input signal is present. If no signal is present, after several minutes the unit will
shut itself off. When set in the ON mode, the auto tum on/off function is bypassed and the
unit will be on whenever the main power switch is on. If you prefer to use the remote to
control unit power , we recommend you leave the switch in the ON position to defeat the
automatic sensing function .
External remote jack
This connection allows an auxiliary infrared remote receiver "eye" to be installed and
placed where most convenient. This option is usually only required when the subwoofer
is to be part of a custom installation in which the built in "eye" Oocated adjacent to the
speaker on the front baffle) will be hidden in a location where it can not adequately receive
signals from the remote.
High pass crossover switch- 80 / 100Hz
This switch selects the frequency for the high pass crossover outputs. This crossover is
functional on both line and speaker-level outputs. Smaller speakers with limited low
frequency ability may prefer the higher 100Hz setting which will reduce the low frequencies
5
Regardless of where you install your Velodyne subwoofer, it must remain in an upright
position ( woofer facing forward ). Using , shipping, or otherwise storing the subwoofer in
any other pOSition for an extended period of time may result in damage to the unit not
covered by warranty .
The FSR-18 subwoofer is magnetically shielded to reduce the amount of stray magnetic
energy emitted from the speaker's motor structure. This greatly increases flexibility when
placing the unit close to video monitors as there is very little stray magnetism. However,
this shielding may not be adequate in certain extremel y sensitive installation s. Certain
types of televiSions are particularly sensitive to stray magnetic fields. If your television
produces distorted colors after installing your subwoofer, simply increase the distance
between your television and the subwoofer, until normal color and operation is returned.
Protection circuitry
Your new subwoofer is equipped with special prote c tion circuitry to provide maximum
performance with greatest· reliability.
The unit is protected against:
1) Overdriving the speaker or amplifier.
2) Overheating the amplifier.
3) Excessive drop in power line voltage .
The first type of protection circuitry which prevents overdriving of the speaker or am plifier
operates constantly without being audible under most situations . In some extreme
situations ( sustained high output levels such as pro sound usage) , the unit may shut down
momentarily. The green power led may also blink rapidly. This indicates operation of the
thermal or undervoltage protection circuitry. If this should happen , you should reduce the
volume setting or shut the unit off until normal operating conditions return. You may also
want to plug the unit into a different wall outlet, as dropping power line voltage will be most
noticeable under strenuous conditions .
contmued ..
10

In terconnect cables
When installing your new Velodyne subwoofer using the line level connections, you should
always use shielded phono cables. There are many decent cables available today, most any
of which will work perfectly well. We do recommend that you keep the length of cable as
short as possible to avoid any potential noise problems.
When using speaker level connections, use a decent quality speaker cable that mates well
with the connectors. Be very careful to avoid any loose strands or frayed wires which may
result in a short, which may damage your equipment. Cables of extremely large size are
typically not required. Extremely large gauge wire may not properly fit in the binding pos ts,
resulting in a poor connection and possible short circuits.
Placement
True subwoofers operate at extremely low frequencies which are primarily non-directional.
While it is recommended that the subwoofer be placed on the same plane as the satellite
speakers, room and system conditions often dictate otherwise. Keepin mind that frequency
response and output level can be drastically influenced by placement, depending on the
acoustic properties of the listening room. Typically, the optimum location for a subwoofer
is tucked away in a corner of your listening room. This location will usually offer the greatest
output levels and optimum low frequency extension. The worst location for a subwoofer
it typically far away from any walls, and close to the center of your room. Avoid these
locations when possible. When using a pair of Velodyne subwoofers in stereo, it is
preferable to place each subwoofer by the satellite of the same channel.
Caution!
This subwoofer has electronics built into the cabinet. Do not place the cabinet
next to sources of heat such as furnace registers, radiators, etc. Do not place
the unit near sources of excessive moisture, such as evaporative coolers,
humidifiers, etc. The power cord should be routed in such a way that it will not
be walked on, pinched, or compressed in any way that could result in
damaging the insulation or wire.
9
sent to them. Larger speakers with greater low frequency output may be able to handle the
80Hz setting without strain.
Power switch
The master power switch is located on the right half of the unit. This rocker style switch is
the main on/off for the unit. This switch should be set to position 1 (up) for on, and 0
(down) for off. If the unit is to be left unused for an extended period of time, the master
power switch should be turned off.
Detachable power cord
Allows for easy replacement should the original be damaged.
Infrared remote control
The remote control unit supplied with your subwoofer allows for convenient adjustment
of select subwoofer functions. The power button turns the unit on/off. The volume +/-
buttons on the remote allow you to increase or decrease the output volume of the unit
relative to the setting of the main volume control on the rear panel. The middle reset button
returns the remote volume control to neutral, output level will then be determined by the
manual volume control setting. Initial setup of the unit should be performed with the
remote volume at neutral, while you adjust the manual volume knob to match playback
levels. The mute button silences the unit. If you choose to utilize the remote to tum the
unit on/off, we suggest setting the auto turn on switch to the on position. This deactivates
the sensing circuitry allowing the remote to have total control of unit power.
NOTE: Two AM batteries are required & included for operation. If the remote
control operating range deteriorates, please check batteries for deterioration.
Do not leave remote placed on heat generating items, such as amplifiers.
Line-level connection
Figure 1 shows connection to a pre-amplifier's main outputs and returning them to your
amplifier inputs.
continued. .
6

Figure 1: Installation using line-level inputs
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PRE-AMP
AMPLIFIER
MAIN OUTPUTS
MAIN INPUTS
MAIN OUTPUTS
LEFT RIGHT LEFT
RIGHT
RIGHT
LEFT
(ij) @----
(;~
:~ a
TO SATELLITE SPEAKERS _
\'V'hen installed in this fa s hion , your satellite speakers will be crossed over at 80 / 100Hz
whi ch remove s the lower bass from your amplifier and speakers, enabling them to do a
better job reproducing high frequencies. By utilizing this method, you will have a bi-
amplified system, gaining improved power and headroom for your system.
Subwoofer outputs
The Velodyne subwoofer is designed to operate using the full range audio signal for input
when using the built-in cro s sover. Some processor s/ receivers , have a "subwoofer out" jack
that is internally filtered and designed to be used with a conventional amplifier and speaker.
In some rare c as es , combining both an external crossover and the one internal to the
s ubwoofer may result in low output and increased noise. In these installations you may
need to bypass the internal crossover in either the processor or Velodyne subwoofer. In
some installations , simply setting one crossover to a higher frequency (such as 120 Hz) will
re s tore maximum performance. To bypass the subwoofer's internal crossover when the
unit is being fed a low pass signal from another crossover, simply locate the switch marked
X-over , OUT - IN on the rear panel of the subwoofer and set to the OUT pOsition. This
will eliminate the internal cros s over from the signal path.
Note ...
If not using an external crossover, you should use the built-in crossover for
optimal performance.
7
II
Speaker-level connection
Figure 2 shows an easy way to connect your Velodyne subwoofer directly to your receiver
or integrated amplifier.
When connected in this fashion, your satellite speaker s will be crossed over at 80 / 100Hz,
which removes the lower bass from your speakers, enabling them to do a better job
reproducing high frequencies. You may also connect your satellites directly to your
receiver or amplifier along with the subwoofer if you wi sh to bypass the internal high-pass
crossover.
Caution!'!
To avoid damage to your main amplifier , be sure to maintain correct polarity
when making all connections. Red (positive) to red , and black (negative) to
black . Be sure that all connections are tight , and that there are no loose strands
or frayed wires.
Figure 2: Installation using speaker-level (from amplifier) inputs
MAIN OUTPUTS
, (speaker-level)
INTEGRATED AMP I RECEIVER
8
((
SATELLITE SPEAK ERS
continued ..