Zvox Audio ZB550 HSD User manual

All safety and operating instructions should be read before your ZVOX®ZB550 HSD is
operated.
Safety instructions and operating instructions should be kept for future reference.
All warnings on the product or in the operating instructions should be followed.
Operate your ZVOX ZB550 HSD in accordance with the instructions.
Do Not Use Near Water. Do not use your ZVOX ZB550 HSD near water, such as a bathtub,
sink, swimming pool or wet basement. To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not
expose this apparatus to rain or moisture, To avoid dripping and splashing,
no objects lled with liquids, such as vases, should be placed on your ZVOX
ZB550 HSD.
Object Entry. Never use probes of any kind to reach into the ZB550 HSD as
they may touch voltage points or short out parts that could result in a re
or electric shock.
Ventilation. The heat sink (a large black metal panel on the back of the
ZVOX ZB550 HSD) REQUIRES ventilation to ensure reliable operation of the
system and to prevent it from overheating. This area must not be blocked
or covered. Do not allow a soft surface such as carpet or bedding to cover
the heat sink. The system should not be placed in a built-in installation
such as a bookcase without proper ventilation.
Do Not Abuse The Power Cord. Install the ZB550 HSD where no one can
step on or trip on the power cord. Never yank to disconnect the cord from
an outlet. Keep the cord away from heated surfaces. Do not pull the cord
around sharp edges or corners. Do not allow cord to hang over the edge of
table or counter.
Heat. Place system away from radiators, stoves, heat vents or other heat
sources.
Do Not Defeat The Safety Purpose Of The Polarized Or Grounding Plug.
A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. The wide
blade is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not t into
your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
Power Supply. Do not use a power supply with a higher voltage rating than the unit
supplied.
Power Sources. The ZVOX ZB550 HSD can be operated only with a 50/60HZ 120-240VAC
power source.
Do Not Overload Outlets. Don’t overload your wall outlets or power strip. This can result
in the risk of re or electric shock.
Damage Requiring Service. Unplug your ZVOX ZB550 HSD and refer servicing to an
authorized service center when the following conditions occur:
• When the power supply cord or plug is damaged or frayed.
• If liquid is spilled into the unit.
• If the unit has been exposed to rain or water.
• If the unit does not work normally by following the operating instructions.
• If the unit has been dropped or physically damaged.
• If the unit exhibits a distinct change in performance.
Lightning. Unplug your unit during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and
unused for long periods of time. This will prevent damage due to lightning and power
line surges.
Unplug Before Cleaning. Unplug your ZVOX system from wall outlet or other power
source before cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Do not use solvents or chemical
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user of the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying this product.
ATTENTION:
POUR UTILI-
SATION A
CAUTION:
RISK OF ELEC-
TRIC SHOCK
DRY LOCATION
USE ONLY
cleaning agents.
Attachments. Do not use any adapters or attachments not recommend-
ed by ZVOX Audio, as they may cause hazards.
Servicing. Do not attempt to service this product yourself. Do not re-
move the cover. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel.
Replacement Parts. Do not allow anyone to use replacement parts other
than those recommended by the manufacturer. Unauthorized substitu-
tions may result in re, electric shock or other hazards.
Safety Check. Upon completion of any service or repair to this product, ask the service
technician to perform safety checks to determine whether the product is in proper
operating condition.
READ AND HEED IMPOR-
TANT SAFETY WARNING
ON POWER SUPPLY.
READ THIS FIRST – IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR ZVOX ZB550 SYSTEM
Stable Placement. Do not place the ZB550 HSD on an unstable cart, stand,
bracket or table. The ZB550 HSD may fall, causing serious injury to a child or
adult and serious damage to the product. Do not use the ZB550 HSD on any
unstable surface.
Special Safety Warnings Regarding
Placement Of ZB550 HSD And Other Equipment
Placement of a TV on the ZB550 HSD. Televisions weighing less than 100 pounds, and
with base dimensions of less than 26” in width and less than 14” in depth, can be placed
on top of the ZVOX ZB550 HSD -- BUT ONLY WHEN THE FOLLOWING SAFETY PRECAU-
TIONS ARE STRICTLY OBSERVED. PLACING A TV ON TOP OF THE ZB550 HSD WITHOUT
FOLLOWING ALL THE PRECAUTIONS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE DONE.
• The television must weigh 100 pounds or less.
• The base of the TV, or the TV stand, must be 26” wide or less.
• The base of the TV, or the TV stand, must be 14” deep or less.
• The TV MUST be anchored to the rear wall using anchor bolts and supporting cables
supplied by the TV manufacturer, following the installation guidelines provided by the
TV manufacturer.
• Be sure to take measures to prevent the ZB550 HSD from becoming uneven or un-
stable. Install the ZB550 HSD on a solid and at surface. Do not allow the ZB550 HSD to
be installed at an angle or incline.
• Do not install the ZB550 HSD in a place subject to direct sunlight or near a heater.
• Do not install the ZB550 HSD in a hot or humid place, or outdoors.
• Be sure to install the ZB550 HSD on a solid and perfectly at surface.
• Be sure that the circular feet on the bottom of the ZB550 HSD are properly and rmly
attached to the bottom of the cabinet.
• Do not use the ZB550 HSD if it has sustained any cracks.
• Do not lean on or hang from the TV. This may cause the TV and/or the ZB550 HSD to fall
and cause serious injury or death.
• Do not allow children to climb on the ZB550 HSD or the TV. If children climb on the
ZB550 HSD or the TV serious injury or death could occur if the ZB550 HSD or the TV were
to topple over.
• Do not move the ZB550 HSD when anything is on top of it, or when it is connected to
other equipment. A TV on top of the ZB550 HSD when it is moved could topple over
and cause serious injury. Connected equipment may fall and cause injury or property
damage.
ZVOX
Great Sound Made Simple

1. Unpack ZB550 HSD cabinet, external power supply and AC cord,
remote control and audio connecting cord.
2. Place cabinet on sturdy surface. Warning: Threaded inserts on bot-
tom of ZB550 HSD are 6mm metric threads. Unit should face listening
area.
3. Connect AC power supply cord to 19V outlet on back panel.
Warning: Don’t plug AC cord into outlet before it is connect-
ed to the power connector on the rear of the unit.
4. There are three ways to connect your TV to the ZVOX ZB550 HSD:
1) Analog Stereo – labeled Input 1, 2) Digital Coaxial –labeled Coaxial
and 3) Digital Optical – labeled Optical.
Analog Stereo (Input 1) is the simplest approach and, with many TVs,
allows you to control volume with your TV remote. To use it, plug your
supplied analog connecting cable into the red and white RCA jacks
labeled “Input 1” on the back of the ZVOX ZB550 HSD. Then plug the
other ends of the audio connecting cord into the“Audio Out” jacks of
your TV, DVD player, cable box or satellite receiver.
Setting TV To “Variable Audio Ouput.” If you use the analog stereo
input (Input 1), push the “MENU” button on your TV remote control
and then, if you have these options, choose “AUDIO”-- and navigate
through the menu options to choose“SPEAKER: OFF”and“AUDIO OUT:
VARIABLE” (sometimes called “AOV” on a TV’s menu). This allows you
to control the volume of the ZVOX system using your TV’s remote con-
trol. If your TV’s audio output can’t be switched to“VARIABLE,”simply
control the volume of the ZVOX ZB550 HSD by using the supplied
remote control. Alternatively, you may be able to program your TV re-
mote, or a programmable/learning remote to control audio levels with
any of the following codes: Candle 1004, Hisense 1237 or Aiwa 1036.
Coaxial Digital Input. To use the Coaxial Digital input, rst acquire a co-
axial digital connecting cable. Connect one end to the coaxial digital
ouptut of your TV, cable box or DVD player and connect the other end
to the “Coaxial” input.
Optical Digital Input. To use the Optical Digital input, rst acquire an
optical digital connecting cable (sometimes called a TOSLINK cable).
Connect one end to the optical digital ouptut of your TV, cable box or
DVD player and connect the other end to the“Optical” input on the
ZVOX ZB550 HSD.
6. Insert the battery in the ZVOX ZB550 HSD remote control. To do so,
use a thumbnail to gently pinch in the two small vertical ribs on the
bottom of the back of the remote -- while at the same time pulling
out the battery tray, using the horizontal slot. Place the battery in the
battery tray (with the printed side facing up), and gently push the tray
back into the remote.
7. Turn on the ZVOX ZB550 by pushing the power button on the
remote control. A blue LED light should come on.
NOTE: In normal operation the unit will go into standby mode 2-3
minutes after it stops receiving an audio signal (for example, when
you turn o your TV). The front panel light will turn from blue to green
in standby mode. When the signal returns (after you turn your TV on),
the light will turn blue again. To defeat this“automatic standby” mode,
press the “AUTO ON/OFF” button once (the light will blink). To restore
the setting, press the button again.
8. Adjust volume with the Volume “+”
and “–” buttons. Note that the blue LED
light under the grille will ash with every
push of a button. When you have reached
maximum (or minimum) volume, the blue
LED will stop blinking. The LED reacts this
way for all settings – VOLUME, PHASECUE,
SUBWOOFER and TREBLE.
9. When “MUTE” button is pushed, and vol-
ume is muted, the blue LED will ash until
volume is un-muted with a second push of
the button.
10. PHASECUE buttons control the ZVOX
virtual surround sound system. There are
nine (9) levels of PHASECUE adjustment.
When you turn up the PHASECUE control,
the audio should sound wider or “bigger.”
In many cases you will hear sounds from
places where there are no speakers. This ef-
fect is stronger with live music, live sporting events and well-recorded
movies and TV programs. With many programs -- especially news
shows and sitcoms -- PHASECUE will have little eect.
NOTE: If you nd that crowd noises or movie special eects are
“drowning out” the dialog, try turning down the PHASECUE control.
This will put more focus on dialog clarity.
11. There are nine (9) levels of SUBWOOFER control. You may need to
experiment with SUBWOOFER levels because speaker position and
program material have a big eect on bass. If the audio sounds thin,
try turning up the SUBWOOFER control. If the bass sounds overly
loud, “boomy” or distorted, turn down the SUBWOOFER control.
12. There are nine (9) levels of TREBLE control. The adjustment this
control makes is very subtle. Experiment until you think the sound is
not too “bright” and not too “dull.”Most people set the treble control
once and leave the setting in that position.
• If you hear a consistent “hiss” or hum when using the Analog Input
(Input 1), try turning UP the volume of your TV or other audio source,
and then set the ZVOX volume level LOWER.
• Please keep in mind that your ZVOX ZB550 is a highly accurate audio
system that may reveal noise or distortion that other speakers did not
reproduce.
• The PhaseCue control adjusts the size of the perceived “sound stage.”
Feel free to adjust it when playing dierent kinds of audio. Some
people prefer slightly more, or less PhaseCue eect. Some people
prefer higher settings for movies, and slightly lower settings for music.
The “ve” setting (of nine) is the default setting.
A few opportunities for ne-tuning.
Installation and Operating Instructions: ZVOX ZB550 HSD Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System
Questions? Email us at [email protected]
• The “Output” jack on the rear panel is for use with an optional exter-
nal powered subwoofer. This is a “full range” (all frequencies, not just
bass) monaural connection, and should only be used with a subwoofer
that has a variable crossover. We suggest you set the subwoofer’s
crossover at approximately 90 Hz – but you should experiment with
dierent settings near there.
Connecting an external subwoofer.
1 Year Limited Warranty.
To the original purchaser, ZVOX Audio will warrant the ZVOX
ZB550 system to be free of defects in material and workmanship
for a period of one (1) year from date of purchase. With respect
to defects, ZVOX will, at its option, replace the product or repair
the defect in the product with no charge to the original purchaser
for parts or labor. Customer is responsible for shipping charges
where required.
This warranty does not extend to any defect, malfunction or fail-
ure caused by misuses, abuse, accident, faulty hookup, defective
associated equipment or use of the system with equipment for
which it is not intended.
This warranty is only valid when the system is returned to the re-
tailer that sold the ZVOX ZB550 system to the original purchaser.
This is the sole and express warranty. This warranty is in lieu of all
other warranties, expressed or implied, of merchantability, tness
for purpose or otherwise. In no event shall ZVOX Audio LLC be li-
able for incidental or consequential damages or have any liability
with respect to defects other than the obligations set forth as
stated. Except as provided herein, ZVOX Audio LLC shall have no
liability or responsibility to the purchaser or any other person or
entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage caused directly
or indirectly by use of the product, including, but not limited to,
any incidental or consequential damages.
To ensure warranty coverage, it is incumbent upon the original
purchaser of the ZVOX ZB550 system to inform the retailer of the
defect within the warranty period. The only acceptable method
of establishing warranty status is a copy of the original proof of
purchase indicating customer’s name and purchase date.
ZVOX Audio, LLC, 59 Thomas Road, Swampscott, MA 01907 USA
[e-mail] www.zvoxaudio.com 781-599-5493
ZVOX
Great Sound Made Simple