Velodyne X1008 User manual

"Ifyou know subwoofers, you know about Velodyne."
.... . it's safe to say that when it comes to woo fin , done right
Velodyne's biggermodels are probably the safest bet there is ." '
.. . .. we just sat there marvelling at the sheerpower and majesty of
this junior varsity Velodyne."
-Corey Greenberg
Home Theater Technology/February 1995
Face Off: Comparison
of five subwoofers
Model Tested: VA-1012X
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 recyded paper.
~1008/1210
Owner's Manual
(
[
Velodyne
AudiolVideo Subwoofer System

A
Caution
To reduce the risk of electric shed<,do not reroove cover (or back) . No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified service personnel.
The lighting flash with arroVvtlead symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsUated
"dangerous voltage" within the prcduct's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitWe to constiMe a risk
of electric shed< to persons.
The exdamation 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 operatirg instructions should be read before the sub'MXlfer is operated.
2. Retain Instructions -- The safety and operatirg instructions should be retained for Mure reference.
3. Heed Wamirgs -- All wamings on the subwoofer and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.
4 Follow Instructions -- All operatirg and use instruct iOns should be followed .
5.
Water and Moisture -- The sub'MlOfer should not be used near water -- for example. neara bathtub , waShbowl.
kitchen sink , laundry tUb , in a wet basement, near a swimming pool or the like .
6. carts and Stands -- The sub'MXlfer should be used only with a cart or stand recommended by the manufacturer.
7. Wall orCeilirg Mountirg -- The sub'MlOfer should be rncunted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the
manufacturer.
S. Ventilation -- The sub'MXlfer should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper
ventilation. For example, the sub'MXlfershould not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, orsimilarsurface that may block
the ventilation openirgs; or placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase orcabinet that may impede the flow
of air through the ventilation openings.
9. Heat -- Thesub'MXlfershould be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, orother
subwooters that produce heat.
10. Power Sources - Thesub'MlOfershould be connected to apowersupplyonlyof the type descnbed in the operatirg
instructions or as marl<ed on the sub'MXlfer.
11. Power-Cord Protection -Power-supplycordsshouldbe routed so thattheyarenotlikelytobewalkedonorpinched
by items placed upon or against them, payirg particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptades, and
the point at which they exit from the subwoofer.
12. "caution: To prevent electrical shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully inserted." "Attention: Poureviter
les chocs eiectriques, introduire lame Ia plus large de la fiche dans la bome correspondante de la prise et pousser
jusqu' au fond"
13. Cleaning -- The sub'MXlfer should be deaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.
14. Nonuse Periods -- The power cord of the sub'MlOfer should be unplugged from the outiet when left unused for a
Iorg period of time .
15. Object and Lquid Entry -- care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled onto the
enclosure.
16. Damage Requirirg Service -- The sub'MlOfer should be serviced by qualrtied service personnel when:
a. The power-suppty 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 subwoofer does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marl<ed charge in performance.
e. The subwoofer has been dropped or damaged.
17. Servidrg -- The user should not attempt to service the subwoofer beyond what is described in the operating
instructions.
All other selVicirg should be referred to qualified service personnel.
Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of a Velodyne VA-1 008/121 0
subwoofer system. This system represents the state of the art in
accurate low frequency reproduction. Read and follow the instruc-
tions below to insure safe and proper system operation.
Warning!
To prevent fire orshock hazard, do not expose this equipment to
rain or moisture. To avoid electrical shock, do not open speaker
enclosureorampchassiscover. Pleaseobserveallwarnings onthe
equipmentitself. There are no userserviceable partsinside. Please
refer all service questions
to your authorized Velodyne dealer.
Prior to installation
Please unpack the system carefully. 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. Record the serial
number
in the space provided on the warranty card for future
reference.
Product Features & Controls
• Built-in 100 watt (RMS) power amplifier
• Adjustable (40 to 120hz) low-pass crossover with by pass option
• Selectable (80 or 100hz) high-pass crossover
• Line-level inputs & outputs
• Speaker-level inputs & outputs with 5 way binding post connec-
tions
• Signal sensing auto turn on/off with bypass option
• Variable volume control
• selectable phase control (0 or 180 degrees)
• Detachable power cord (available on some versions)
• Magnetically shielded for video use
• Dual staggered low-pass crossover; 12dB/octave initial, 24dB/
octave ultimate
• Gain compression circuit to protect woofer from over excursion
• Input overload protection
continued ..

Installation
Your-ne.w VA-l008l1210 s ubw oo l ersyste m pr ov ides lor a num ber
01installation options. Read all t he installation informationb elow in
order todete rm i ne whi ch inst al lation option is besllo r yo ur system.
Remember to perform all installation procedures with system
power turned off.
Inputs
You rnew VA-l 0081121 0subwoofer isequipped with both speake r-
l eve l and line-level inputs. Use the LINE-IN jacks when connecting
your subwoo ler to a pre-amp, signal processor, or line-levelcross-
over. The FROM AMPLIF IER jacks co nnect direct ly lothe speaker
outputs of a integrated amplifieror receiver. Your
amp lifier secti on
will n ol ice no addilionalloading effects whe n you use these inputs
because of their high impedance.
Note
Do not use both LINE-IN and FROM AMPLIFIER inputs simulta-
neous ly.
Volume control
This control allows you to balancethe output from the subwoofer to
the main speakers
in your system. This control should be set to
achieve similar
volume level from both the main speakers and
subwoofer.
Low-pass crossover
Both sets of inputs sum the left and right channelstogether and the
resulting signal ispassedthroughan adjustablelow-passcrossover
before being amplified. The crossover control allows you to adjust
the upper limit of the subwoofer's
frequency response from 40 to
120 hz. The subwoofer's response will begin rolling off above the
frequency
yo u set this control to.
YO u should set the crossov er frequency to obtain a smooth and
seamless transi
ti on from the subwoofer to the main speakers in
yoursystem. If your mainspeakersare smaller units with limited low
fr equencyoulput, yo u ma ywish to choose a higherfrequency (such
3
as laO -120hz) than you would with larger speakers which have
greater
low frequ ency 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 yo u are not using an external crossover, we recom-
mend that you use the one provided within the unit for optimum
performance.
Phase adjustment
Thi s control allows you the ability to compensate for having the
sub\v oo fer in a different location than the main speakers. Ideally,
you will have the sound from the subwoofer reach the listening
pos ition the same time as the sound from the main speakers.
H
ow e ver ,if th edistancefrom the listeningposition to thesubwoofer
andthedist
ance from listening pos itiontothemain speak ers differs,
t
he sound fr om each will reach your ears at a different time.
This
co nlr ol all ows the signal to be delayed 180 degrees so the
ou tput of the subw oo ter will blend in to that of your main speakers
wilhoul any ca ncellation.
Auto turn on switch
The au lO tu rn on switch all ow s Ihe user to bypass the auto turn on
fun ct IO n if desired. When se t in the· au to· mode withmain power on,
the
VA- l 0081 1210 wi lilum it self on wh en an inp ut signal is present.
If no signal is present, after se v eral mi nu t es the unit will shut Itself
oft. When se t in the ·o n- mode . the auto turn onlo ff function is
bypassed and the unit will be on whenev
er th e main powe r switch
is on .
High pass crossover switch
This switch selects the trequency f or the high pass cr ossover. This
crossover is lunctional
on bOth line a nd speake r ~ l eve l o utpu ts.
Smaller speakers with limited low fr equency outp ut may prefer Ihe
higher 100hz setting which will reduce the t ow fre quencie s sen t 10
them . larger speakers wi th 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
r
ocker style sw it ch is the main onloff for the uni t. This switch should
4

be set to position 1 for on (up), 0 for off (down).
Detachable power cord (available on some versions)
Allows for easy replacement should the original be damaged.
Line-level connection
Figure 1 shows connection to a pre-amplifier's main outputs and
returning them to your amplifier inputs.
When installed
in this fashion, your satellite speakers will be
crossed over at
80/1 OOhz which removes the lower bass from your
amplifier and speakers, enabling them to do a better job reproduc-
ing high frequencies. By utilizing this method, you will have a bi-
amplified system, gaining improved power and headroom for your
system.
Figure 1: Installation using line-level (line in) inputs
PRE-AMP
MAINOUTPUTS
RIGHT LEFT
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Velodyne
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AMPLIFIER
MAIN INPUTS
RIGHT LEFT
MAIN OUTPUTS
RIGHT LEFT
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~~ ~~
TO SATELLITE SPEAKERS-
A word about subwoofer outputs
TheVelodyne subwoofer
is designed to operate using the full range
audio signal for input when using the built-in crossover. Some
surround sound processors/receivers, including the Dolby AC3
system with there
.1 channel output, have a "subwoofer out" jack
that is already crossed over and designed to be used with a
conventional amplifier and speaker. Combining both
an external
[
f
t
crossover and the one internal to the subwoofer may result in low
output and increased noise. In these cases, to optimize your
subwoofer performance you should bypass the internal crossover
in your Velodyne subwoofer.
To bypass the crossover within the subwoofer, simply locate the
switch marked "out / in" on the back panel of the subwoofer and set
to the "out" position. This will eliminate the internal crossover
function.
Note
If not using an external crossover, you should use the built-in
crossover for optimal performance.
Subwoofer out from AN
Processor
From the low pass output of your signal processor Install into right
or left RCA line in connector in the back of the subwoofer or use a
"Y" connector adapterinto both right and left RCA line in connectors
in the back of the subwoofer.
Speaker-level connection
Figure 2 shows an easy way to connect your VA-1008/1210
subwoofer directly to your receiver or integrated amplifier.
When connected in this fashion, your satellite speakers will be
crossed over at 80/1 OOhz, which removes the lower bass from your
speakers thus, 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 subwooferifyou wish to bypassthe internal
high-pass crossover.
Caution!
To avoiddamage to your mainamplifier, be sure to maintaincorrect
polarity when making a/l connections.
Red (positive) to red, and
black(negative) to black. Besure thata/lconnections are tight, and
that there are no loose strands or frayed wires. continued
...

Figure 2: Installation using speaker-level (from amplifier) inputs _
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MAIN OUTPUTS
(speaker· level )
INTEGRATED AMP I RECEIVER (!)
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S ATELLITE SPEAKERS
Interconnect cables
When installing your VA-1 008/121 0 using the line-level inputs/
outputs, you should use standard shielded phono cables. Always
keep the lines as short as practical to minimize noise.
When using the speaker-level inputs/outputs, use the same quality
speake,r cable to your subwoofer as you run to your satellites.
Placement
The VA-1008/1210 operates at very low frequencies which are
primarily non-directional. While it is recommended that the sub-
woofer be placed on the same plane as the satellite speakers, room
and system conditions often dictate otherwise. See your dealerfor
help in placement.
When using a pair of VA-1008/1210 subwoofers in stereo, it is
preferable to place each subwoofer adjacent to the satellite of the
same channel.
Keep in mind that frequency response and output level can be
drastically influenced by placement depending on the acoustic
properties of the listening room. Typically the
VA-1 008/1210 will
sound louder when placed next to a wall or in a corner.
Caution!
The VA seriessubwoofers have amplifiersbuiltinto the cabinet. 00
not place the cabinet next to sources of heat such as furnace
registers, radiators, etc. The
power cord should be routed in such
a way that it will not be walked on, pinched, orcompressed in any
way.
Regardless of where you install your VA-1 008/121 0 subwoofer, it
must remain in an upright position (passive radiator facing down-
ward). Using, shipping, or otherwise storing the VA-1 008/121 0
subwoofer in any other position for an extended period of time may
result in damage to the unit not covered by warranty.
The
VA-1 008/1210 Subwoofer is magnetically shielded to reduce
magnetic emission from its cabinet to increase the number of
possible locations available for placement. However, this shielding
maynot be adequateforall installations. Certain typesof televisions
are particularly sensitive to stray magnetic fields. If your television
produces distorted colors after installation of your VA-1 008/121 0
subwoofer, simply increase the distance between your television
and the VA-1 008/121 0 until normal color and operation is returned.
Care of your subwoofer
Do not use any harsh detergents or chemicals to clean the cabinet.
Abrasives, detergents, orcleaning solutions may damage the finish
on the cabinet. We recommend using a damp cloth to clean the
cabinet.
During normal conditions, the
VA-1 008/121 0subwoofermay 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
contmued ..

several minutes when there is no longer any signal at the inputs.
If you plan to leave the VA-1 008/121 0 unused for an extended
period of time, we recommend thatyou turn offthe unit bythe master
power switch on the rear panel.
Troubleshooting & Service
Before seeking service for your VA-1 008/121 0 subwoofer, please
re-check all systems. Following is asimple 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 turn 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. If unit has been running at high levels, one of the protection
circuits may be engaged.
Has the built-in amplifier overheated?
Has the speaker's voice coil started
to heat up?
If the protection Circuitry is active, the unit may cycle on and off until
operating parameters return to normal. Under more serious condi-
tions, the unit may shut off completely. Normal operation will return
upon cooling, but you may
be required to turn the poweroff 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 part of the cabinet or circuitry is physically damaged.
Thank you for purchasing a Velodyne!
SPECIFICATIONS VA-1008 VA-1210
Cabinet (incl. legs) 15.5'x14.8'x14.8' (H,W,D) 17.5"x16.5"x16.5"
Frequency Response 35hz-200hz +/- 3 dB 35hz-200hz +/- 3 dB
High Pass Crossover 80hz
or 100hz (6 dB/octave).........................................
Low Pass Crossover 40hz -120hz (6 dB/octave, 24 dB ultimate).................
Amplifier Class
AJB, 100 watts, 250 watts peak........................ ..
Woofer
8" forward firing 10" forward firing
Magnet 55 oz. 55 oz.
Voice Coil 2"
2"
Passive Radiator 10" downward firing 12" downward firing
Inputs Line-level & speaker-level..............................................
Outputs Line-level & speaker-level......................................... .. ..
Warranty One year (parts & labor)..............................................
.. .
Weight 44 Ibs. (approx.) 58 Ibs. (approx.)
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
FOR YOUR RECORDS. ..
DATE PURCHASED ____________ _
DEALER
__________________________________ _
SER~L# ________________________________ ___
"NOTE: Please complete and return your warranty card within ten (to) days.