XTZ SUB AMP1 DSP User manual

XTZ SUB AMP1 DSP
Subwoofer Amplifier
User manual
© 2009 XTZ AB , www.xtz.se

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Table of contents
Page
Contents
3
About XTZ
4
Technical presentation
5
Preparations
6
Sound philosophy / Installation and placement tips
7
Mounting and connection tips
9
Functional reference
10
uick reference
12
Functions/ Area of usage/ Sound adjustment
13
Technical explanations
21
Technical specifications
23
Service & Support
24

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Contents
Contents
XTZ SUB AMP1 DSP o e
rs a wide range o
possibilities. In order
to utilize your new ampli ier
in the best way,
you should care ully read through
this manual be ore using the ampli ier
or the irst
time. It may take some patience
in order to make
the hi i equipment sound optimal.
I you have no previous experience o these kinds o
installations, or i you have any questions, eel ree
to contact our ree o charge support and we will
help you. (See urther under the heading o
Support on the last page o this manual).

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About XTZ
Philosophy
Our re erence and starting point is to reproduce
a
natural sound, but also in respect to the act that
acoustics always is a matter o personal taste.
XTZ Goals To provide the optimal relation
between price, perform
ance and quality
on the market.
Our concept:
- To produce the per ect compromise.
- Cost-e ective manu acturing in large volumes.
- Our priority is product quality be ore marketing,
so the customer should get the best ratio o price
and quality.
- Reduce the number o middlemen.
Contact us
Website: www.xtz.se
E-mail: [email protected]

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Technical presentation
SUB AMP 1 DSP
works just as good or those who
want to power the passive subwoo ers (XTZ 99
W10.17P) or any other subwoo ers. SUB AMP1
DSP
can be per ect as an ampli ier or bi-amping
ull
range speakers.
By using one or two subwoo ers (with correct
placement), it is o ten easier to achieve
a better
requency response. SUB AMP1
DSP gives you
valuable bene its when struggling with the roo
m
modes.
Why buy an active
Amplifier with
integrated DSP?
Finding an acoustically acceptable
listening room is
o ten hard
. Normally you can not change your
living room that much and you need to accept a lot
o losses in the sound quality. This is
a known act,
but many brands do not touch this
issue because it
is not easy to solve this problem with traditional
analogue technology.
It’s impossible to construc
t a normal analogue
subwoo er that sounds per ect in every room.
Every room has unknown and
unique acoustical
characteristic that a ect
the sound quality. The
biggest problems are ound in the low-
requency
spectrum. A regular (not
acoustically treated) room
has severe resonances and dips in this
spectrum
caused by so called standing waves. Depending
on
listening positions they pro
duce severly
unbalanced sound.
The requency response o a good loudspeaker
should be in the range o ±
3dB, but a normal room
can introduce
variations o ± 15dB. This leads to
the conclusion that even a very good
loudspeaker
can per orm poor in a "bad" room.
And the act is
that most regular rooms su er rom
acoustical
problems.
To build a per ect listening room is extremely
expensive.
With the DSP technology we can create a good
balanced sound in every room.
Amplifier
We have equipped the XTZ SUB AMP1
DSP with a
very power ul 300 watt ampli ier
and a large heat
sink
or e ective cooling. For pro essional use
(studio, PA etc.), it is equipped with a balanced
input. The terminal connectors are gold-
plated and
very solid.
To achieve a high power and
long durability, the
ampli ier is built with a large ring-
coil trans ormer,
large electrolyte capacitors, and has
MosFet
transistors in the output stage .
DSP
The built-in DSP module is equipped with 24
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bit/96-
kHz AD/DA converters and the best
so tware on the market today allowing you per ect
adaptation o the subwoo er to the room
characteristic and adjustment o the
sound
character, always maintaining the
best possible

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quality o sound.
In order t
o provide the highest sound quality the
DSP runs advanced low-
noise ilter algorithms with
32-
bit calculation precision. The so tware consists
o parametric and graphic equalizer, phase
correction, low-cut and high-cut ilters, and delay.
There are many "cheap
" equalizers on the market,
but most o them
are not good enough to maintain
the high sound quality or low requencies because
o using not appropriate algorithms. The DSP
so tware used in the subwoo er has been developed
by a world leading German company with 25-
years
tradition in pro essional audio.
There are many years o development b
ehind the
so tware we use in SUB AMP1 DSP.
The cabinet
The cabinet is made o MDF.
The sur ace is
varnished, black piano paint, giving it
a proper
look.
Preparations
Unpacking
Care ully unpack the speaker, and pay attention so
you don't break anything. I possible, save the
packing box or uture transportations. I there
should be any damage on the product
, please
contact your retailer.
C
heck that the mains voltage marking on the back
panel matches your local mains voltage.
I the product is cold, wait until
it reaches room
temperature be ore connecting the power cord
. I
you don’t do this you can cause damage o the
product.
Accessories
Mains power cord
User manual
Logotype
Rubber eet
PC-Remote
PC-Remote is a so tware, allowing you to control
SUB AMP1 DSP rom a PC.
You can sit in listening position and do all settings.
The program is included in price, but you need
to
download the so tware rom www.xtz.se

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Sound philosophy / Installation and placement tips
This chapter contains common in ormation on
loudspeaker placement and installation.
These are general rules, so there are exceptions.
In which room do
you achieve the best
sound?
No matter how good the equipment is, in the wrong
listening environment it will inevitably sound bad.
There are some basic rules concerning a proper
loudspeaker installation:
Reflections
Carpets, curtains and so t urniture absorb mid
range and high requency sound, and this is
pre errable. Big empty area
s, on the other hand,
re lect it and produce
hard re lections that may
lead to a
blurry dialogue. Apart rom colouring the
sound, also the perspective o the sound will
deteriorate. Re lections in the room can roughly be
compared to the re lections that yield ghost
pictures on a TV screen.
Amplification of bass
frequencies
A loudspeaker that is placed near a wall, ce
iling or
loor will ampli y lower requencies in a sometimes
not desirable way (since it may lead to an indistinct
sound recreation). This ampli ication becomes even
more obvious i the loudspeaker is placed near a
corner. Thus, or a sound as clear as pos
sible, the
loudspeaker should be placed at least 30 cm (about
12 inch) away rom the wall
Some constructions are made to be placed closed to
a wall.
Room dimensions
Quadratic rooms or rooms where the length is
exactly twice as long as the width sho
uld be
avoided, since they may create unwanted
resonance.
Furniture
Be aware that urniture may vibrate and thus create
bad sound at loud bass.
Front speakers
To get the best result the ront speakers should be
placed symmetrical in ront
o the listener. The
distance between the ront speakers should be
around 80% o the distance to the listener. In other
words, the recommended angle between the ront
speakers should be 45°
Angling?
Either you can have the loudspeakers angled in
towards the listener or you can have them directed
straight ahead. Some loudspeakers sound
better
when angled, but this may also depend on
re lections rom the side walls. By angling the
loudspeakers inwards, you decrease unwanted
re lections and thus you
get a better stereo
perspective.

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Placement of the
subwoofer
The placement o the subwoo er in the room
dramatically a ects the overall requency response
and sound level o the system. At low requencies
the e ect o the room is strong. Even a
slight
change in the subwoo er's location can make a
signi icant di erence in the requency balance.
Patience and methodical experimentation is needed
to ind an optimal placement. The placement
a ects the phase di erence between the main
loudspeakers and the subwoo er.
One basic rule is to place the subwoo er together
with or near the ront system (especially important
i the ront loudspeaker also propagate bass
requencies) as this will minimize the risk o phase
eliminations in the room.
The correct height
I the loudspeakers are small, they should be placed
on stands or tilted so that they are on the same
level as the ears.
Cables
Try to keep them as short as possible. By its
electrical parameters, a long conductor will have a
bigger in luence on the sound than a short one.
The subwoo er cable should be shielded, to avoid
noise.
Make sure that all connections are clean and not
oxidised. All connections should be mechanically
stable, both power, signal and loudspeaker cables.
Signal
cables should be separated rom other
cables.
Finally
Please remember that good sound is a matter o
taste, so you have to experiment to obtain your
avourite one. We wish you best o luck!

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Mounting and connecting tips
Mounting
alternatives
SUB AMP1 DSP
is constructed to be placed lying
down or standing up.
Place the logotype in same
direction as SUB AMP1 DSP
Mount the eet on the side you want to be
down.
Connect using the
correct phase
Always connect using the correct p
hase, rom the
+-pole on the ampli ier to the +-
pole on the
loudspeaker and corresponding or minus (-).
I you by accident connect the other way,
there is no risk o damage. However, the
sound will not be correct, especially in the
lower requencies.
Overload
With high power load under long time there is risk
o overloading the driver and/or the ampli ier.
I you play extremely
loud or a long time
there is a big risk that you destroy the
product.
Load
We recommend that no more than 2pcs o
8 Ohms
subwoo er should be connected to SUB AMP1 DSP.
This is because the impedance could be
extremely
low.

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unctional reference
Rear
panel
1. Input gain meter
2. Standby indicators
3. LCD display
4. Function button
5. Value buttons
6. IR port
7. Contrast adjustments or
LCD Display
8. Volume knob
9. Balanced input
10. Ground select
11. Low level input
12. RS-232 PC connector
13. Input selections
14. High level input
(speaker input)
15. Power connector
16. Mains switch
17. Voltage select
18. High level Output
1 Input gain
INPUT GAIN METER
Indicate the input level.
Should be as high as possible but without
getting the red INPUT GAIN diode
lashing; this gives the best signal/noise
ratio.
2 Standby indicator
Turns red in standby.
Turns blue when the subwoo er is ON.
3 LCD display
LCD Display that shows all unctions and values.
4 Function button
FUNCTION
Select unction with this two buttons.
5 Value buttons
VALUE
S
elect value with this two buttons to adjust the
18

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unctions.
6 IR
In rared eye or possible remote control
Not in use
7 LCD Contrast
Adjust the contrast in the display
8 Volume knob
VOLUME
Adjust the main volume.
9 Balanced input
XLR
Balanced input.
10 Ground choice
Depending on equipment us "GRD" or "LIFT".
Only in use i you connected with XLR.
11 Low level input
RCA input.
12 RS 232 PC
connector
Connector or PC. For the PC-remote so tware.
The
program is in price included but you
need to download it rom www.xtz.se
13 Input selector
INPUT SELECTOR
Select input between: XLR ,RCA or High-
level
input
14 Speaker input
SPEAKER INPUT
High-level input.
I your ampli ier does not have subw
oo er output
use this input rom your normal speaker output.
15 Power connector
Mains power connector.
16 Main switch
Main switch or main power.
17 Power switch
Select your local mains voltage.
230V in EU
110V in USA
18 High Level Output
High level output. To connect to your subwoo er

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Quick reference
I you want to use the product quickly, ollow
these instructions.
Connection
Connect to input: XLR, RCA or Speaker input.
Select your local mains voltage with
the power
switch. Connect the power switch and turn the
main switch on.
INPUT SELECTOR
Choose one o : XLR, RCA or Speaker input.
Input gain
INPUT GAIN : Select the value 15.0dB
Subsonic Filter
Frequency: Select the value 20Hz
Slope: Select the value 24dB
High-Cut Filter
Frequency: Select the value 120Hz
Slope: Select the value 24dB
Graphical Equalizer
The graphical Equalizer is an easy and well-
known
way to adjust the sound character.
Adjust the requency response in unctions 2-11.
The level can be adjusted in the range o ± 12dB
Select the requency with the buttons
"FUNCTION". Select the level with the buttons
"VALUE".
It is also possible to do a setting with the
parametric equalizer and make a rough adjustm
ent
to the sound character you like.
Read the next chapter.
Parametrical
Equalizer
It is possible to do a setting with the parametrical
equalizer and make a rough adjustment to the
character you like.
Do the ollowing:
PE Q 1
Frequency : 40 Hz
Q- actor : 1.40
PE Q 2
Frequency : 90 Hz
Q- actor : 1.40
PE Q 3
Frequency : 140 Hz
Q- actor : 1.40
Adjust the levels on PEQ 1, 2 and 3 to the sound
character that you like.
With this setting the bass requency is split in to 3
bands:
PEQ 1 =deep bass,
PEQ 2 = mid bass,
PEQ 3 = upper bass.
Level adjustment
Adjust the main volume with the volume knob ( 8 )

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unctions / Area of usage / Sound adjustments
Connection
Connect to input: XLR, RCA or Speaker input.
Select your local mains
voltage with the power
switch.
Europe: 230Volt
US: 110Volt
Turn the main volume to a low value.
Connect the power cable and turn the main switch
on. Now the LCD display show "INPUT Gain".
How to control the
functions
Functions that indicated o
n the LCD display can be
controlled by buttons below LCD display or via the
PC-remote program.
PC-
Remote is a so tware allowing you to
control SUB AMP1 DSP rom a PC.
You can sit in listening position and do all
settings.
The program is in price include
d but you
need to download it rom www.xtz.se
The manual or PC-
remote can you also
download rom www.xtz.se
Select function
With the "FUNCTION"-
buttons, you select which
unction you want to change
Select value
With the "VALUE"-
buttons, you select which value
you want or each unction.
One push = One step
Hold down the button = Quick step.
Function 1
INPUT - Gain
Adjust the input gain.
The level indicates the input gain on the display.
In the le
t bottom corner o the Function 1 display
the number o recently selected preset (e.g. P4) and
the time o day is shown.
One step = 0,1 dB
How to use function 1
The level indicates the signal level at the input o
the DSP module. In order to get the best signal-to
-
noise ratio it is very important to adjust the proper
gain. You should try to adjust the Gain with the
Value buttons as high as possible, but just below
getting the red LED ("clip") is lashing.
Do the ollowing:
1. Turn the main volume to zero (0
) or low level
with the volume knob.
2. Play a laud music CD observing the “INPUT
GAIN” LED display while you adjust the Gain with
the “VALUE” buttons. All, but the red LEDs should
lash or be on. I the red LED (“Clip”) turns on
decrease the
“Gain” with the “VALUE” buttons
appropriately.
Use a music CD with high output level.
I you not want to play music loud, you can do the
same operation with the main speakers
disconnected.
The level should be as high as possible but without
the red I
nput Gain is getting on, this gives the best
signal/noise ratio.
Adjust main volume with the volume knob.

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Function 2 - 11
Function 2 - 11 contents the graphical equalizer.
One step = 0,1 dB
How to use functions
2 - 11
The graphical equalizer has
10 band ( requencies)
Band centre requencies :
Function 2 – 16Hz
Function 3 – 20Hz
Function 4 – 25Hz
Function 5 – 31,5
Function 6 – 40Hz
Function 7 – 50Hz
Function 8 - 63 Hz
Function 9 – 80Hz
Function 10 - 100 Hz
Function 11 - 125 Hz
The level can be adjusted in the range o ± 12dB.
Select the band ( requency) o interest with the
buttons "FUNCTION" and adjust the level with the
buttons "VALUE".
How to use unction 2 - 11 via PC-remote.
So tware can be downloaded rom
www.xtz.se
Function 12
SUBSONIC FILTER - Frequency
Low-cut ilters to cut the lowest requencies.
Adjustable rom 10-40Hz.
One step = 1 Hz
Function 13
SUBSONIC FILTER / Slope
Select the slope on the subsonic ilter.
Select 12dB or 24dB.

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How to use function
12 and 13
The subsonic ilter cuts unwanted requencies in
the deepest bass range. An example o unwanted
sound is "rumble" rom a turntable or wind noise
rom a microphone.
The reason to cut these unwanted requencies:
- To decrease the noise level in the listening room.
- Subsonic noise causes unnecessary
high power rom the ampli ier.
- To decrease non-linear distortions
in the ampli ier and the loudspeaker.
- Increase the power "headroom"
- Some rooms ampli y the lower requencies
so the bass requencies get "uncontrolled".
Select requency:
A typical value is 20Hz, but use whatever is most
suitable.
Select slope:
A normal value is 24dB but try what suits you best.
With a per ect adjusted subsonic ilter you achieve
the bene its:
- Higher use ul power
(the subwoo er can handle higher sound levels).
- More control and a better sounding bass
- Decreased noise level in the listening room.
The unctions 14, 15, 16 and 17 are dependant on
each other and should
there ore be used in a
certain order.
Function 14
HIGH-CUT FILTER / Frequency
High-cut ilters cut the upper requencies.
Adjustable rom 40-250Hz.
Reason to use high-cut ilter:
-To avoid requency overlapping
with the main system
-To create an optimal acoustical cross-over
to the ront system and/or home cinema system.
One step = 1 Hz
Function 15
HIGH-CUT FILTER / Slope
Select the slope on the high-cut ilter.
Select 12dB or 24dB.

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Function 16
OUTPUT / Polarity
Select polarity.
Select: Negative or Positive
Here you can select the polarity.
You can select either: Negative or Positive.
Function 17
OUTPUT / Phase 1st Ord.
Phase.
The phase adjusts rom 0 - 180 degrees.
Incorrect phase alignment between
the main
loudspeakers and subwoo er causes a drop in the
requency response o the whole system at the
crossover requency. The graphs to the right (Fig. 1)
show the e ect o phase di erence to the requency
response. The phase di erence between the ma
in
loudspeakers and subwoo er at the listening
position is dependent upon the position o the
subwoo er, so the phase adjustment should be done
only a ter the pre erred position is ound.
One step = 1 degree

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How to use function
14, 15, 16 and 17
Incorrect requency, polarity and phase alignment
between the main loudspeakers and subwoo er
causes a gap in the requency response o the whole
system at the crossover requency. The graph to the
right shows the e ect o phase di erence to the
r
equency response. The phase di erence between
the main loudspeakers and subwoo er at the
listening position is dependent upon the position o
the subwoo er, so the phase adjustment should be
done only a ter the pre erred position has been
ound.
To choose the right high-
cut requency is very
important but this is also depending on the setting
o polarity ( unction 16) and phase ( unction 17).
These setting should be done in this order:
Select polarity:
Normally "positive" is the right value but
depend
ing on placement and equipment try ind
the mode that gives the most bass energy (the
polarity change is equivalent to change the phase
by 180 degree).
1. Adjust the level o the bass to the equal level as
the ront speaker bass level.
2. Switch between
"Negative" and "Positive" and try
to ind the mode that gives you most bass energy.
Select the slope:
Normally the 24dB/octave is the best value but set
the slope or the best sound balance between the
subwoo er and the main loudspeakers.
Select o requency:
Select the requency or the best sound balance
between the subwoo er and the main loudspeakers.
Select the phase:
Adjust the phase or the best sound balance
between the subwoo er and the main loudspeakers.
I you not are satis ied whit the sett
ing repeat
iteratively the steps above again and again.
Function 18
OUTPUT / Delay
Adjust the time delay.
Adjustable rom 0 to-50ms or rom 0 to
17,261 m
One step = 0,021 ms or 0,719 cm

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How to use function
18
With the unction OUTPUT /D
elay you can store a
time delay.
There ore you can per ectly adapt SUB AMP1
DSP
together with a subwoo er
to your main speaker to
avoid time and phase problem.
1. Measure the distance between main speaker and
listening position.
2. Measure the distance between subwoo er
and
listening position.
3. Set the di erence between these values as delay.
I you not can delay the signal to the main speakers
avoid having longer distance to the subwoo er
than
the main speaker.
Function 19 - 33
Function 19 -
33 contains the parametrical
equalizer.
The parametrical equalizer has 5 bands.
Each band has 3 unctions.
1. Frequency
2. Amplitude
3. Q- actor
Each band contains 3 unctions:
Function 19,20,21= PEQ 1
Function 22,23,24= PEQ 2
Function 25,26,27= PEQ 3
Function 28,29,30= PEQ 4
Function 31,32,33= PEQ 5
Symbolic picture
We only show PEQ 1; the other 4 bands work in
exactly the same way.
Function 19
PEQ 1 - Frequency
Frequency.
Select requency.
You can select requencies between 16 - 250 Hz.
One step = 1 Hz
Funktion 20
PEQ 1 - Amplitude
Amplitude.
Adjust amplitude (boost or cut).
You can select amplitudes between +12dB - -24dB.
One step = 0.2/0.3dB

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Function 21
PEQ 1 - Q Factor
Q-Factor.
Select Q- actor.
You can select Q- actor between 0.5 - 50
One step = 0.1
Q- actor - See: Technical explanations.
How to use Function
19-33
The parametrical equalizer is a precision tool to
achieve per ect sound balance.
The parametrical
equalizer allows contro
lling over the centre
requency, bandwidth, and amplitudes
(parameters) o the bell ilters. That makes it
possible to adjust the requency response with very
high precision.
Dips and overshoots in the requency response can
be compensated.
Example:
With a high Q-
actor (narrow ilters) you can cut
very narrow requency band which can be used or
hum cancelling (50Hz).
In the parametric equalizer 3 parameters can be
adjusted:
1. Frequency
Measured in Hz.
2. Amplitude (boost or cut)
Measured in dB
3. Q- actor ( ilter bandwidth)
This re ers to the width o the bell curve.
Frequency is measured in Hz (Herz) and decides
were in the spectra compensation can be done.
Range: 16-250Hz
Amplitude is measured in dB and decides how
much compensation should be d
one on a mode or
dip. A positive value is an ampli ication o the
signal. A negative value is a reduction o the signal.
Range: +12dB to -12dB
Q-
Factor between 0.5 and 50 settles the width o
the peak or dip. A high value means a narrow
peak/dip and a low value means a wide peak/dip.
Function 34
BACKLIGHT AUTO-OFF
Choose i the LCD display should be on constantly
or be shut o a ter a certain time.
Choose between ON or Auto-o 1-30 minutes.
How to use Function
34
In ON mode the LCD display is on constantly.
In Auto-
o mode the ampli ier switched to standby
a ter the chosen time.
Choose between 1 to 30 minutes.
I you use any button the LCD display turns on
automatically.
Function 35
AMPLIFIER AUTO-OFF
Choose i the ampli ier s
hould be on constantly or
be shut o a ter a certain time.
Choose between ON or Auto-o 1-30 minutes.

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How to use Function
35
In ON mode the ampli ier is on constantly.
In Auto-
o mode the ampli ier switched to standby
a ter the chosen time.
Choose between 1 to 30 minutes.
Function 36
REAL-TIME CLOCK
Adjust the clock.
How to use Function
36
Adjust the clock with "Function" and "Value"
buttons.
Function 37 - 46
PRESET
These unctions handle the presets.
You can store di
erent settings or di erent rooms,
choices o music, ront system, surround system
etc. Then it’s very convenient to change the sound
character with di erent presets.
Recall (VALUE -) = Selects the stored setting.
Store (VALUE +) = Store the chosen setting.
How to use Function
37-46
I you want to store a setting:
Go to the preset that you want to store the setting.
Push the "VALUE +" button (store) to store the
setting.
I you want to restore a previously saved setting:
Go to preset you want to restore.
Push the "VALUE -
" button (recall) to restore the
setting
All DSP setting can be stored in the presets.
A ter switching o and again on the subwoo er the
last used preset will be active.
PRESET 1 MUSIC
Suitible or music.
Preset 1 is special read-only
setting which lattens
all equalizer bands and set up all the other
parameters to use ul de ault values. I you have
done too many changes
resulting in a bad sound
you can easily discard your setting by re-
calling the
PRESET 1.
PRESETs 2 HOMECINEMA
Suitible or homecinema
PRESET 3 FLAT
Settings or deep bass and more energy in the
higher bass area. Broad band settings ron 20
-
100Hz
Preset 2 and 3 are two settings examples that you
can adapt to your needs. However as soon as you
overwrite them using “Store” they are lost.
PRESET 10 is a special preset with all ilters
switched to o and equalizer latten. It is used or
system measurement in ull-
band mode in the
actory. It is not recommended as a use ul setting
and can be overwritten by user speci ic setting.
All remaining presets (4 –
9) are equal to the
PRESET 1, but only as long as you do not overwrite
them.
Be aware that with the PC-
remote you can store the
internal subwoo er presets and any number o
additional settings in your computer. Th
ey can be
Preset 2 and 3 are preinstalled
settings, but have
no security or
overwriting.