Vienna Acoustics Principal Grand User manual

PRINCIPAL GRAND - Subwoofer
Owner´s Manual
Thank you for your investment in our PRINCIPAL
GRAND Subwoofer, we trust that you will enjoy the
musical performance this product offers!
Please read this manual carefully and utilize the setup
suggestions discussed. Ultimately, the most important
part of the process is to listen to music and enjoy. Our
suggestions are just that, suggestions.
If you find in your listening environment that a slightly
different adjustment in setup results in a more
enjoyable sonic picture, then follow it. All rooms are
different and thus, we cannot give an accurate, single
installation instruction guide that will cover all possible
environ-ments. Please feel free to contact us or your
local distributor with any setup related questions. It is
our collective goal to ensure that you achieve the best
possible performance out of this sophisticated product.
Thank you again and happy listening.
Sincerely,
Vienna Acoustics

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Explanation of symbols used in this manual and on the
product:
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated dangerous voltages within the
enclosure of sufficient magnitude to cause electric
shock.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important maintenance and servicing
information in the instruction and service manuals.
WARNINGS
SHOCK HAZARD. DO NOT OPEN –NO USER
SERVICEABLE PARTS.
TO AVOID THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE THE BASS DRIVER, THE REAR AMPLIFIER
PANEL OR THE FILTER NET-WORK HOUSING ON THE
BOTTOM OF THE SUBWOOFER.
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER ALL
SERVICE TO A QUALIFIED SER-VICE PROFESSIONAL.
FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST THE RISK OF
FIRE, REPLACE THE PROTECTION FUSE ONLY WITH

THE CORRECT TYPE AND RATING (1 ADDITIONAL
FUSE FOR REPLACE-MENT IS INCLUDED).
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATING
THE PRINCIPAL GRAND SUBWOOFER
1. Observe all warnings: Observe all warnings on
the subwoofer and in the operating instructions.
2. Follow instructions: Follow all operating, in-
stallation and use instructions.
3. Damage requiring service: The product should
be serviced by qualified personnel if:
a. The product does not appear to operate
normally or exhibits a marked change in
operation.
b. The power cord or plug has been damaged.
c. Objects or liquid has fallen into the product.
d. The product has been exposed to rain.
e. The product has been dropped or the enclosure
is damaged.

4. Servicing: Do not attempt to service the Principal
Grand subwoofer beyond that described in the
operating instructions. All other services should be
referred to qualified service personnel.
5. Indoor use: Principal Grand is designed for indoor
use only in a dry, domestic environment and for
use within a temperature range of 10° –40°C (50°
–105°F).
6. Objects and liquid damage: Do not let objects or
liquids fall into the Principal Grand. Do not place a
container with liquid on top of this product.
7. Water and moisture: Do not operate the
Principal Grand near water, for example near a
bath-tub, or in a wet basement nor near a swim-
ming pool.
8. Wall or ceiling mounting: Principal Grand is
neither suitable for mounting into the wall nor for
mounting on the ceiling. If you choose a position
on the wall or on a shelf, it will be necessary that
the subwoofer be properly secured into position.
Otherwise the subwoofer could fall due to the
exceptional vibrations that can cause the unit to
move or “walk.”
9. Ventilation: Be sure to position the subwoofer so
that its location or position does not interfere with
its proper ventilation. The rear of the Principal
Grand contains a metal panel that acts as a heat
sink for the amplifier. It is particularly important
that this area be clear to allow for proper air flow.

For this reason it is not recommended to build the
Principal Grand into any cabinetry that does not
contain special cooling capabilities.
10. Heat: Position the Principal Grand away from heat
sources such as radiators, heaters, stoves or other
appliances (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.
11. Power sources: Connect this subwoofer to an
appropriate AC power outlet only of the voltage
type marked on the Principal Grand (this will vary
depending on the voltage in the country you
purchased the unit in).
12. Power cord protection: Route the power cord so
that it is not likely to be walked on or pinched by
items placed on or near it paying particular atten-
tion to the plug end, power socket and the input of
the subwoofer itself.
13. Lightning storms: Unplug the Principal Grand as
well as the rest of your entire audio video system
during electrical storms.
14. Cleaning: This product should only be cleaned in
accordance with this manual.
15. Retain the instruction manual: Retain the safety
and operating instructions for future reference.

1 –Power Cord Input
2 –Fuse Socket (use only the supplied fuse or one
that is the same type and rating only!)
3 –Master Power Switch
4 –High-Level Inputs: This input derives the signal
directly from the amplifiers output. This should be
used when the Phono (RCA) –Plug inputs are not
available.
5 –Phono (RCA) –Plug Inputs: This is the most
common connection input that derives the signal
either from the pre-amplifiers output or the subwoofer
output of an audio video pro-cessor/receiver.
Attention: If only one Phono (RCA) –Plug connection
is used for the subwoofer output of an audio/video
processor/ receiver, it does not matter which, either
left or right, input you use. If you have a need for
additional gain, it may be necessary to use a Y-
Adapter to use both Left and Right labeled inputs.
6 –Adjustable Crossover (Frequency) Control: The
crossover point is determined by listening. Where this
ultimately sets up best is determined by the in-room
performance of your main loudspeakers unless the
Principal Grand is being used exclusively for LFE. In
such an application the crossover should be set to the
highest point, thus relying exclusively on the base
control available through your audio video
processor/receiver.

7 –Volume Control: This adjusts the overall volume
level of the Principal Grand relative to the main
loudspeakers regard-less of whether the High-Level or
the Line-Level inputs are used.
8 –Phase Switch: This critical switch allows for the
timing of the subwoofer to be in phase (in time) with
the main loudspeakers. The correct location is the
position that produces the greatest output when
combined with the loudspeakers. After finding this
stronger or louder position, it may be necessary to
lower the overall volume of the Principal Grand.
9 –On/Auto Switch: The On-Position places the
Principal Grand in an always On- position while the
Auto-Position automati-cally places the Principal Grand
into standby when there is no signal for 15 minutes.
While in the Auto-Position the Principal Grand with
return to On once signal is detected.
Accessories
Power cord –1 piece
Fuse –1 piece (1 fuse already installed)
Gloves –2 pieces (for protecting the delicate finish –
please use)

Setup procedure for the Principal Grand
subwoofer
1. In order to prevent scratches and finger-prints we
have supplied with each Principal Grand a pair of our
special cloth gloves. We highly recommend using
these throughout the entire setup process.
2. Connect the Principal Grand subwoofer using either
a pair of speaker connections, a pair of Phono (RCA)
cables for stereo or a single LFE cable subwoofer
cable. In each case we recommend that you discuss
the best connection scheme with your retailer and
purchase the appropriate cable choice.
3. Connect the Principal Grand to the AC power
outlet.
4. Turn on the Master Power Switch.
Note: If the power LED does not immediately
illuminate, please check that the On/Auto switch is in
the Auto position. If this is the case, it will be
necessary for the subwoofer to receive and audio
signal before the LED will illuminate. For the setup
procedure you may want to place this switch in the
On-Position and then return it to the Auto-Position for
normal operation.
5. For the ideal final setup as well as the most
efficient use of setup time, please follow these simple
dial-in instructions.

6. After the Principal Grand subwoofer is fully broken
in, it may be necessary for you to make some final,
minor adjustments to the crossover and overall gain
settings.
Start with the controls in the following positions:
i. Crossover Control: middle position
ii. Volume: start in the middle position
iii. Phase: 0°
6. Listen: It is important that you listen to music
while making the final proper adjustments to the
Principal Grand. Start with a piece of music that has
an abun-dance of consistent and rhythmic low bass. A
recording with a plucked double-bass properly
recorded should work quite well for this process.
a. Volume: Make necessary adjustments so that the
volume of the subwoofer is similar to that of the main
loudspeakers. It is possible that you will have to turn
the Principal Grand´s gain control to near maximum.
The choice of operating range of this special gain
control we have used was determined by obtaining the
best possible sound quality.
b. Phase: While listening to music, switch the Phase-
Control between 0° and 180°. Select the position that
offers the greatest overall bass output –this is the
position that the Principal Grand subwoofer is working
in time or in-phase with your main loudspeakers.

c. Crossover: After adjusting the Phase-Control, it will
be necessary to determine the best crossover range
for your in-room performance. Turn this control to the
lowest setting available. It may be necessary to again
adjust the overall volume. Most frequently at this point
it will be necessary to raise the volume a position or
two. Then adjust or raise the crossover setting until
the overall bass performance begins to become
overwhelming or “boomy.” When this happens, lower
the crossover setting until the “boominess” goes away.
e. Fine Adjustments: At this point you may find that a
position or two higher on crossover will sound better
with the overall volume a position or two lower. This
will produce a slightly “warmer” bass contour while the
opposite of having the volume a bit higher but a
crossover setting that is slightly lower will produce a
“faster” and more powerful lower bass output. This
final fine adjustment process is of personal preference
and thus listening to a couple different pieces of music
should be used for this step.
Note: It is usually better to use a lower crossover
setting with slightly higher overall volume settings in
order obtain the optimum in room bass extension.
Since all speakers have different performance in all
rooms and with different associated other equipment,
it is impossible to determine what the final setting for
the crossover, gain or even phase will ultimately be.
The only way to properly setup this device, or any
other piece of a fine audio or audio/video equipment,
is by listening.
Thank you and Happy Listening!
Vienna Acoustics

Specifications
Bass System
Bass-Reflex Design –Bottom
vented (requires 25mm/1” to
50mm/2” from vent to floor)
Frequency
Response
20Hz –100 Hz
Driver Design
Proprietary Pulp-Paper Carbon
filled cone manufactured by
ScanSpeak, designed by Vienna
Acoustics
Amplifier
300 Watts
SMD Technology
Inputs
(2) High-Level (~1,000Ω)
(2) Line-Level via Phono (RCA) –
Plugs
Controls
Power on/Standby (standby
<1watt)
0° - 180° Phase switch
Variable crossover control
Variable gain control
Weight
26kg / 58lbs
Dimensions (w x h
x d)
385mm/15.25” x 495mm/19.5” x
385mm/15.25” (including spikes)