Cerwin-Vega! Operation Manual

Safety Instructions

Read all safety and operating instructions before operating the product. Retain all safety and operating instructions for future reference. Read all warnings on the product and in the operating instructions. Follow all operating and use instructions.

Water and Moisture: Do not use the product near water, such as bathtubs, sinks, laundry tubs, wet basements, or swimming pools.

Ventilation: Do not place the product where ventilation is blocked, such as on beds, sofas, rugs, or in built-in situations like bookcases or cabinets that impede airflow.

Placement: This product is designed for floor placement only. Do not place it on carts or tables. Do not place objects on top of the product.

Heat: Place the product away from heat sources like radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other heat-producing appliances.

Power Sources: Connect the product only to a power receptacle described in the instructions or marked on the product.

Grounding or Polarization: Do not defeat the product's grounding or polarization feature.

Power Cord Protection: Route power-supply cords to prevent them from being walked on or pinched. Pay attention to cords at plugs, receptacles, and where they exit the product.

Cleaning: Clean the product only with a dry cloth. Do not use liquids or solvents.

Power Lines: Locate outdoor antennas away from power lines.

Non-Use Periods: Unplug the product's power cord when left unused for a long period.

Object and Liquid Entry: Use care to prevent objects or liquids from entering the enclosure through openings.

Damage Requiring Service: Refer to qualified service personnel if:

• The power supply cord or plug is damaged.
• Objects have fallen or liquid has spilled into the product.
• The product has been exposed to rain.
• The product does not operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance.
• The product has been dropped or the enclosure is damaged.
• A fuse blows repeatedly.

Servicing: Do not attempt to service the product beyond what is described in the operating instructions. Refer all other servicing to qualified personnel.

If your Cerwin-Vega Subwoofer fails to operate properly, contact your dealer or Cerwin-Vega Customer Service Department.

The HT and LW powered subwoofers are UL, cUL, and CE compliant.

Warranty Information

Who's Covered: Cerwin-Vega's Limited Warranty extends only to the original purchaser of residential speakers, evidenced by the original Bill of Sale, purchased from authorized Cerwin-Vega dealers. Retain your original bill of sale.

What's Covered: Cerwin-Vega warrants that all new residential speakers shall be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal and proper use. Cerwin-Vega will repair or replace defective parts at no charge for labor or materials.

What's Not Covered: This warranty does not apply to equipment that has been altered or repaired by unauthorized personnel, subjected to negligence, misuse, or accident, damaged by improper line voltage, had its serial number altered, or used for purposes contrary to written instructions.

Warranty Duration: Five (5) years for system speaker components and two (2) years for associated electronics components (amplifiers, controllers) from the date of purchase. The warranty period will not expire until the defect is fixed.

Obtaining Warranty Service: Contact your original dealer, distributor, or an Authorized Cerwin-Vega Service Center. For assistance, contact Cerwin-Vega's Customer Service Department at 555 East Easy Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065, PHONE: 805-584-5300 or FAX: 805-526-3653.

Product Returns: If the product must be returned for service, a Return Authorization will be issued. Ship the defective merchandise freight prepaid with a copy of the Return Authorization and the original Bill of Sale. Cerwin-Vega will repair or replace the product and pay for return postage. Pack carefully, preferably in the original carton.

Other Remedies: This Limited Warranty does not affect protections or remedies available under other laws.

Cerwin-Vega reserves the right to make changes in product design and specifications without prior notice.

Introduction

This manual covers operation information for all Cerwin-Vega Powered Subwoofers in the HT-S and LW series. Illustrations of control locations and hook-up wiring may differ from your specific product, but the operation information remains the same.

Prior to Installation

Carefully unpack your subwoofer, saving the box and packing materials for future transport. Ensure the subwoofer is unplugged and the power switch is turned OFF before installation.

Installation

Please read the following pages for installation procedures. Refer to your A/V receiver, processor, or amplifier's manual for additional hook-up connections. Be sure to read and observe the "Safety Instructions" (on page 2) before starting installation.

Control Descriptions

Each subwoofer has speaker-level and line-level input connections. Choose only one option for hook-up. DO NOT USE BOTH INPUT CONNECTIONS AT THE SAME TIME!

1. LINE-LEVEL INPUT: Stereo line-level inputs (RCA jacks) for connecting to A/V receiver/preamp/processor line-level outputs.

2. SPEAKER-LEVEL INPUT: Stereo speaker-level inputs for connecting to A/V receiver/preamp/processor speaker outputs when line-level connections are unavailable.

3. SUBWOOFER INPUT (HT-S15A & LW-15*): Connect to a line-level source, such as a subwoofer output, or use a "Y" connector to combine left and right line-level outputs from an A/V receiver.

4. VOLUME CONTROL: Adjusts the subwoofer's volume level to balance with the main speakers.

5. CROSSOVER FREQUENCY: Adjusts the upper limit of the subwoofer's frequency response (50-120 Hz). Set to match the lower value of your main speakers' manual or use the factory setting. Adjust for a smooth sound transition.

6. SPEAKER-LEVEL OUTPUT: Audio loop for speaker-level inputs. Use these terminals to loop full-range signal to drive main speakers.

7. LINE-LEVEL OUTPUT (LW-10/12*, HT-S10A/12A): Use to loop the full-range line-level signal back to the receiver/preamplifier/amplifier for distribution to main speakers.

8. LINE-LEVEL OUTPUT (HT-S15A & LW-15*): Use to loop signal back to the receiver/preamplifier/amplifier for distribution to main speakers. This output can filter low frequencies from the signal going to your main speakers.

9. HIGH PASS CROSSOVER (HT-S15A & LW-15*): Two-position switch used with subwoofer's line-level output connections. Select the appropriate audio signal filter (e.g., 80 Hz for bookshelf speakers, 40 Hz for full-range speakers) based on your main speakers' specifications.

10. POWER LED: Indicates power status. Glows green when signal is present in "ON" or "Auto" mode. Glows red in "OFF" mode if receiving AC power, or in "Auto" mode if no audio signal is present.

11. AUTO POWER: Three-position switch: "ON" activates the subwoofer, "OFF" shuts off power, and "AUTO" activates the amplifier when an audio signal is present, becoming inactive after approximately 9 minutes of no signal.

12. PHASE: Compensates for differences in distance between the subwoofer and main speakers to the listening position. Setting to "180" delays the subwoofer output by 180 degrees to blend with the main speakers. Adjust for optimal midbass output.

13. A/V +3 dB BOOST (HT-S15A & LW-15*): Switch to increase subwoofer output by +3 dB, enhancing movie soundtracks.

Figure 1. Connection panel for the HT-S15A and LW-15/15X.

Figure 2. Connection panel for the HT-S10A, HT-S12A, LW-10/10X, and LW-12/12X.

*Designates LW or LW-X model. LW Series models are 115 volt; "X" designates 230 volt with detachable AC power cord.

Placement

Cerwin-Vega Subwoofer Systems can be positioned anywhere on the room's floor. For best performance, place the subwoofer on the same wall as your main speakers. Experiment to find the area of optimum performance. The subwoofer usually sounds louder when placed next to a wall or in a corner.

Attention: Do not place the subwoofer too close to your television, as some televisions are sensitive to the magnetic field produced by the subwoofer. If your television produces distorted colors, move the subwoofer further away until normal color is restored.

Caution: Cerwin-Vega Subwoofers are intended for floor placement only! Do not place heavy objects, such as televisions, on top of a Cerwin-Vega Subwoofer!

Connecting Your Subwoofer

Line-Level Connections

Figure 3. Connecting left and right line-level outputs of an A/V receiver to left and right line-level inputs of the Cerwin-Vega subwoofer. Remember to maintain left to left, right to right, (+) to (+) and (-) to (-) connections!

Connect the left and right line-level outputs of an A/V receiver to the left and right line-level inputs of the subwoofer. Use an RCA "Y" adapter for mono sources like SUB OUT if necessary. An optional connection to LINE-LEVEL IN may be required, check your receiver's Owner's Manual.

Speaker-Level Connections

Figure 4. Connecting left and right speaker-level outputs of an A/V receiver to left and right speaker-level inputs of the subwoofer. Then connect left and right speaker-level outputs of the subwoofer with the main left and right speakers of your system. Remember to maintain left to left, right to right, (+) to (+) and (-) to (-) connections.

Connect the left and right speaker-level outputs of an A/V receiver to the left and right speaker-level inputs of the subwoofer. Then connect the left and right speaker-level outputs of the subwoofer to the main left and right speakers of your system, maintaining correct polarity.

Troubleshooting

Specifications: HT-S Series

HT-S10A

• Frequency Response: 30 to 150 Hz
• Amplifier Power Output: 100 watts
• Driver Design: 10" high efficiency woofer/diecast aluminum frame
• Crossover: Continuously variable from 40 to 120 Hz @ 18 dB/octave
• Polarity Switch: 0° or 180° (user selectable)
• Subsonic Filter: 18 dB per octave below 30 Hz
• Voltage: 115 Vac
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 17" x 15" x 15" / 43.2 cm x 38.1 cm x 38.1 cm
• Unpacked Weight: 55 lb (25.0 kg)
• Finish: Black woodgrain vinyl

HT-S12A

• Frequency Response: 28 to 150 Hz
• Amplifier Power Output: 150 watts
• Driver Design: 12" high efficiency woofer/diecast aluminum frame
• Crossover: Continuously variable from 40 to 120 Hz @ 18 dB/octave
• Polarity Switch: 0° or 180° (user selectable)
• Subsonic Filter: 18 dB per octave below 28 Hz
• Voltage: 115 Vac
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 19" x 17" x 17" / 48.3 cm x 43.2 cm x 43.2 cm
• Unpacked Weight: 60 lb (27.3 kg)
• Finish: Black woodgrain vinyl

HT-S15A

• Frequency Response: 25 to 150 Hz
• Amplifier Power Output: 200 watts
• Driver Design: 15" high efficiency woofer/diecast aluminum frame
• Crossover: Continuously variable from 40 to 120 Hz @ 18 dB/octave
• Polarity Switch: 0° or 180° (user selectable)
• Subsonic Filter: 18 dB per octave below 25 Hz
• Voltage: 115 Vac
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 23.5" x 18.75" x 18.75"/59.7 cm x 47.6 cm x 47.6 cm
• Unpacked Weight: 72 lb (32.8 kg)
• Finish: Black woodgrain vinyl

Specifications: LW Series

LW-10/10X

• Frequency Response: 32 Hz to 150 Hz
• Amplifier Power Output: 100 watts
• Driver Design: 10" high efficiency woofer/diecast aluminum frame
• Crossover: Continuously variable from 40-120 Hz @ 18 dB/octave
• Polarity Switch: 0° or 180° (user selectable)
• Subsonic Filter: 18 dB per octave below 32 Hz
• Voltage: 115 Vac (LW-10), 230 Vac (LW-10X)
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 18.5" x 12" x 15.75" / 47 cm x 30.5 cm x 40 cm
• Unpacked Weight: 55 lb (25.0 kg)
• Finish: Black woodgrain vinyl

LW-12/12X

• Frequency Response: 30 Hz to 150 Hz
• Amplifier Power Output: 150 watts
• Driver Design: 12" high efficiency woofer/diecast aluminum frame
• Crossover: Continuously variable from 40-120 Hz @18 dB/octave
• Polarity Switch: 0° or 180° (user selectable)
• Subsonic Filter: 18 dB per octave below 30 Hz
• Voltage: 115 Vac (LW-12), 230 Vac (LW-12X)
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 19.5" x 14" x 17.3" / 49.5 cm x 35.6 cm x 44 cm
• Unpacked Weight: 60 lb (27.3 kg)
• Finish: Black woodgrain vinyl

LW-15/15X

• Frequency Response: 27 Hz to 150 Hz
• Amplifier Power Output: 200 watts
• Driver Design: 15" high efficiency woofer/diecast aluminum frame
• Crossover: Continuously variable from 40-120 Hz @18 dB/octave
• Polarity Switch: 0° or 180° (user selectable)
• Subsonic Filter: 18 dB per octave below 27 Hz
• Voltage: 115 Vac (LW-15), 230 Vac (LW-15X)
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 21" x 17" x 18"/53.3 cm x 43.2 cm x 45.7 cm
• Unpacked Weight: 72 lb (32.8 kg)
• Finish: Black woodgrain vinyl

Cerwin-Vega is constantly striving to maintain the highest consumer standards. As a result of these efforts, modifications may be made from time to time to existing products without prior notice. Specifications and appearance may differ from those listed or shown in this manual.