Cambridge Audio SX-120 Subwoofer User Manual

Cambridge Audio SX-120 Subwoofer

Product Information

The SX-120 Subwoofer is a high-performance audio device that delivers powerful and accurate bass. It comes with an 8-inch long throw woofer and a frequency response range of 50Hz to 150Hz. The subwoofer has a sensitivity of 180mV for full power output and a rated output power of 70 watts. The crossover frequency is adjustable between 50Hz to 150Hz, and the subwoofer has a maximum power consumption of 100W. The speaker dimensions are 300 x 310 x 300mm, and it weighs 7.7kg (16.9 lbs).

What’s included with the SX-120?

When you purchase an SX-120 subwoofer, you will receive the following items:

• SX-120 subwoofer
• Installation guide
• 4 x spikes and nuts
• UK Mains lead (depending on where the SX-120 was purchased)
• EU Mains lead (depending on where the SX-120 was purchased)
• CU Mains lead (depending on where the SX-120 was purchased)

Front Panel

The front panel of the SX-120 subwoofer features an 8-inch long throw woofer.

Rear Panel:

The rear panel of the SX-120 subwoofer contains the line-input for connecting to your amplifier or receiver.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Fix the supplied feet to the subwoofer cabinet using the included screws.
2. Using high-quality interconnects, connect the SX-120 subwoofer line-input to either the sub-out or pre-out of your amplifier or receiver.
3. Position the subwoofer almost anywhere within the room as low-frequency content is largely non-directional.
4. Connect the mains power cable to the AC power socket, and power on the unit.
5. Adjust the crossover frequency, phase settings, and volume tosuit your setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is meant by speaker sensitivity?
  Speaker sensitivity refers to how efficiently a speaker converts power into sound. It is measured in decibels (dB) and indicates how loud a speaker can get with a given amount of power.

• What is a crossover?
  A crossover is an electronic circuit that separates audio frequencies and directs them to the appropriate speaker driver. In the case of a subwoofer, the crossover directs low-frequency sounds to the woofer while sending mid and high-frequency sounds to other speakers in the system.

• What is impedance?
  Impedance is the measure of opposition to the flow of an electric current. In audio systems, impedance is measured in Ohms () and refers to the amount of resistance a speaker places on an amplifier. It’s important to pay attention to amplifier specifications and suggested impedance ratings when setting up an audio system to avoid damage to the amplifier and speakers.

Troubleshooting

No troubleshooting information provided in the user manual.

Introduction

Last updated: January 19, 2023 01:52. Revision #8382
Thank you for purchasing this Cambridge Audio SX-120 subwoofer. Installed and used properly the subwoofer will deliver astonishing sound quality, whether playing music or movies, whatever the listening environment. Please read this guide carefully, as it contains essential information in getting the very best from your subwoofer.
Thank you for taking the time to read this manual; we do recommend you keep it for future reference.
© Copyright Cambridge Audio Ltd .

For upcoming news on future products, software updates and exclusive offers, make sure you register your product at http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/register

What’s included with the SX-120?

Last updated: January 19, 2023 01:52. Revision #8383

1. SX-120 subwoofer.
2. Installation guide.
3. 4 x spikes and nuts.
4. UK Mains lead (depending on where the SX-120 was purchased) EU Mains lead (depending on where the SX-120 was purchased) CU Mains lead (depending on where the SX-120 was purchased)

Front panel

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• 1. 8″ long throw woofer.

Rear panel
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1. Phase switch – Set phase to ‘0’ (Normal) or ‘180’ degrees. Experiment with this setting to achieve the best sound for your system.
2. Mains power switch – Switch the subwoofer between on, off, and auto. In ‘auto’ mode, the unit will turn off after 30 minutes of inactivity.
3. Crossover frequency control – Adjust the crossover frequency to integrate the subwoofer into your system.
4. Volume control – Adjust the volume of the subwoofer.
5. Line input sockets – For connection to an amplifier or receiver.
6. AC power socket.

Unboxing your SX-120
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Follow the diagram and take care when unboxing your SX-120 so not to damage the speaker cone.

Installation instructions

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1. Firstly, fix the supplied feet to the subwoofer cabinet using the included screws.
2. Using high quality interconnects, connect the SX-120 subwoofer line-input to either the sub-out, or pre-out of your amplifier or receiver.
3. As low frequency content is largely non-directional you can position the subwoofer almost anywhere within the room.
4. Connect the mains power cable to the AC power socket, and power on the unit.
5. Adjust the crossover frequency, phase settings, and volume to suit your setup.

Technical specifications

• Sensitivity
  180mV for full power output.

• Frequency Response
  50Hz – 150Hz

• Rated output power
  70 Watts

• Drivers
  1 x 8″ long throw woofer.

• Crossover
  50Hz – 150Hz continuous/active

• Max power consumption
  100W

• Speaker Dimensions (H x W x D)
  300 x 310 x 300mm.

• Weight
  7.7kg (16.9 lbs)

Frequently asked questions

What is meant by speaker sensit ivity?
Speaker sensitivity is the level produced by the speaker at one meter, when supplied with one watt of power from an amplifier. It’s a way of
describing how well the speaker produces acoustic energy, based on a given input. The level is measured in dB SPL – this shorthand for ‘sound
pressure level’ – sound is basically fluctuations in air pressure, so any time you see SPL, this means ‘sound in the real world’. So, let’s say we have a
speaker with an 87dB sensitivity, and a speaker with a 90dB sensitivity – the 90dB speaker is going to be considerably louder, as every 3dB added
represents a doubling of power.

What is a crossover?
Most speakers will have multiple drivers. A driver is sometimes called a transducer, which is a device that turns one type of energy into another – in
this case, electrical energy to sound energy. In a loudspeaker, it is often the case that we might want multiple drivers – one to handle low-end, one
to handle the mid-range, and one to handle the treble. This latter driver is often called a tweeter. To get the benefit of this arrangement, we need to
split the signal into different frequency components. The circuit that does this is called a crossover.

What is impedance?
You will often see impedance mentioned when researching speakers, and amplifiers. Impedance is basically resistance measured at a given
frequency, given as a value in Ohms (Ω), and is incredibly important to consider when setting up an audio system as it determines the ‘load’ placed
on an amplifier by the speakers.
For example, let’s say we have an amplifier that is rated to deliver 100W into an 8Ω speaker load. If we were to then use speakers with an
impedance of 4Ω with the same amplifier, the amp would then need to supply 200W as a halving of the impedance results in a doubling of the
required power due to the reduction of the load on the amplifier.
In a situation such as this, if the amp can’t supply the required power for a lower impedance, then it can result in overheating, and damage to the
amplifier and speakers.
For this reason, it is important to pay attention to amplifier specifications, and suggested impedance ratings.

Troubleshooting

Last updated: January 19, 2023 01:53. Revision #8390

No sound through subwoofer.

• Check that the amplifier is turned on.
• Ensure that the correct input source is selected on the amplifier.
• Check that the subwoofer is turned on.
• Confirm that all connections between the amplifier and subwoofer are secure.
• Check that the connections between the source equipment and amplifier are secure.
• Check that the volume control is set correctly on the amplifier.
• Check that the volume control is set correctly on the subwoofer.

There is distorted or inconsistent sound.

• Confirm that all connections between the amplifier and loudspeakers are secure.
• Check that the connections between the source equipment and amplifier are secure.

There is no power to the subwoofer.

• Confirm that the connection to the mains is secure.
• Confirm that the plug is switched on at the wall.

References

• Register your product | Cambridge Audio US

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