ADAM AUDIO Sub15 Active Subwoofer Instruction Manual

: July 8, 2024
: ADAM AUDIO

ADAM AUDIO Sub15 Active Subwoofer

Specifications

Model: Sub15
Connectors: Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA)
Power Supply: Three-conductor AC mains power cord
Input: LEFT and RIGHT INPUT jacks
Satellite Out: LEFT and RIGHT SATELLITE OUT jacks
Sub Out: Balanced output for daisy-chaining multiple Sub15s

Product Usage Instructions

Safety Instructions:
Please read the safety instructions provided in the manual before setting up the system. Ensure to keep the instructions for future reference and strictly adhere to the warnings and guidelines provided.

Setting Up the System:

Unpack your Sub15 and allow it to acclimate to the room temperature for about an hour.
Position the subwoofer on a stable surface. Retain the original packaging for safe transportation.
The subwoofer requires a break-in time for optimal performance.

Connecting the Subwoofer:

Locate the balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) connectors on the rear side of the speaker.
Connect the left and right line-level signals from your source to the LEFT and RIGHT INPUT jacks using XLR or RCA cables.
Connect the LEFT and RIGHT SATELLITE OUT jacks to your main powered speakers or amplifier inputs.
Use the Sub Out balanced output to daisy-chain multiple Sub15s, adjusting the Sub Level as needed.

FAQ

What should I do if the specified voltage does not match my power supply?
If the voltage does not match, do not connect the subwoofer to a power source. Contact your local dealer or distributor for assistance.
Can I wet the inside of the subwoofer with liquid?
No, never wet the inside of the subwoofer with any liquid or expose it to rain or moisture.

Safety Instructions

Please read the following safety instructions before setting up your system. Keep the instructions for subsequent reference. Please take notice of the warnings and follow the instructions.

Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not open the subwoofer. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualiﬁed service person-nel.
This product, as well as all attached extension cords, must be terminated with an earth ground three-conductor AC mains power cord like the one supplied with the product. To prevent shock hazard, all three components must always be used.
Check if the speciﬁed voltage matches the voltage of the power supply you use. If this is not the case do not connect the subwoofer to a power source! Please contact your local dealer or national distributor.
Do not place this unit on an unstable cart, stand or tripod, bracket or table. The unit may fall, causing serious injury and/or serious damage. When cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination.
Do not expose this product to rain or moisture, never wet the inside with any liquid and never pour or spill liquids directly onto this unit. Please do not put any objects ﬁlled with liquids (e.g. vases, etc.) onto the speaker.
Protect the cord from being walked on or pinched.
Always switch off your entire system before connecting or disconnecting any cables, or when cleaning any components.
To completely disconnect from AC mains, disconnect the power supply from the AC receptacle.
Always use fully checked cables. Defective cables can harm your speakers. They are a common source for any kind of noise, hum, crackling etc.
The Subwoofer should be installed near the socket outlet and disconnection of the device should be easily accessible.
Assure free airﬂow behind the subwoofer to maintain sufﬁcient cooling.
Never use ﬂammable or combustible chemicals for cleaning audio components.
Never expose this product to extremely high or low temperatures. Never operate this product in an explosive atmosphere.
Avoid touching the speaker membrane and do not block the woofer’s ventilation ports.
Please note that the sub’s driver builds up a magnetic ﬁeld. Do not ply with magnetic items at close range to the diaphragm of the woofer.
High SPLs may damage your hearing! Please do not get close to loudspeakers when used at high volumes.
Always unplug sensitive electronic equipment during lightning storms.
Always keep electrical equipment out of the reach of children.

Introduction

Dear customer,
Thank you for choosing the ADAM Audio Sub15 subwoofer.

ADAM subwoofers are built for maximum quality reproduction and audio perfection. With the Sub15 you have selected a precise tool that allows you to both evaluate and enjoy audio recordings. It meets highest expectations in sound quality and craftsmanship.
This manual is intended to provide you with information about your new ADAM subwoofer. It contains important information regarding safety, setting up, handling and warranty. We request that you read these sections carefully to ensure easy set up and prevent potential problems.
If you have any questions about this or any other of our products, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we will be happy to assist you.
For detailed information concerning ADAM’s technologies and products, complete reviews and a list of worldwide ADAM users and studios, please visit our website: www.adam-audio.com
You are invited to share your experience with our products by joining us on Facebook and also, if you don’t want to miss out on the latest info on ADAM Professional Audio, come and follow us on Twitter!
We hope very much that you really enjoy your new subwoofer and wish you many delightful hours with it.
Your ADAM Audio Team, Berlin

Quick Start

Important information for set up

After having unpacked your subwoofer, please allow the system to acclimate to the temperature of the room for approximately an hour.
The subwoofer should be positioned on a ﬁrm ground.
We recommend retaining the original packaging, as it is the best way to guarantee safe transportation should the need to do so arise.
Please note that the subwoofer will take some break-in time to achieve optimum sonic performance.

Quick Start

Before connecting the Sub15 to your audio components and the power source make sure that the subwoofer, the satellite speakers and your audio source are switched off and set the level controls to minimum.
Choose your preferred connection as described under 3.
Check if the speciﬁed voltage matches the voltage of the power supply you use. If this is not the case do not connect the loudspeakers to a power source! Please contact your local dealer or national distributor. If the voltages match, use the included power cables to connect the loudspeaker to the AC sockets.
Turn on your audio system and start your source of music.
Switch on the main on/off switch on the rear panel of the subwoofer and the main switches of the satellite speakers where required.
Turn up the volume levels of your audio system and of your satellite speakers carefully.
Adjust the Sub Level on the rear panel of the subwoofer to your liking.

Connecting the Subwoofer

Connections
On the rear side of the speaker you can find balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) connectors. For professional use the XLR connectors will be the first choice.

Input
Connect the left and right line-level signal from your signal source (audio interface, mixer, etc.) to the LEFT and RIGHT INPUT jacks. Use either XLR (balanced) or RCA (unbalanced) cables.

Satellite Out
Connect the LEFT and RIGHT SATELLITE OUT jacks to the inputs of the left and right main powered speakers or the inputs of the amps powering the main speakers.

Sub Out
This balanced output mirrors the input signal enabling you to daisy-chain as many Sub15s in a row as you like. The Sub Level affects the output so that all Subs in the chain can be levelled at once.

Subwoofer Placement

It is common knowledge that low frequencies (below about 100Hz) are non- directional, meaning they can hardly be located by the listener. It is, however, a common misunderstanding that therefore the placement of a subwoofer does not matter – it does! Due to the fact that every room (geometry, furniture, etc.) is unique, the following descriptions intend to be a first introduction to the subject. The aim is to assist you tackling the most common problems with subwoofers and room acoustics, notably interference and standing waves.

Distance to satellites

In most set ups it is advisable to place the subwoofer not too far from the satellites to minimize the chance of interferences. Interference means the superposition of two or more waves resulting in an attenuation/cancellation or enhancement of the specific frequency/frequencies.
Furthermore, reflective surfaces (like walls) in close range of the subwoofer should be avoided if possible.

Walls/Distance to walls

Generally, every wall in relative close distance to the subwoofer enhances its sound pressure by about 6 dB. For instance, placing the subwoofer in a corner of a room will make it about 18 dB louder. It is likely that this will result in an impairment of the precision of the musical reproduction.
Another problem related to the geometrics of the room concerns the so called ‘standing waves’. These are sound waves being reciprocated between reflecting objects, so they ‘stand’ (don’t seem to move) in between these objects. The speaker continues to produce new waves that combine their force with the first wave(s): a vicious circle that results in local imbalances of the particular frequencies.

Finding the best position

Give it a try! The most important tool for finding the best position for your subwoofer are your ears. There are two rather easy ways:
You can determine your listening spot first and then compare the sound of the subwoofer at different positions.
Another option is to place the subwoofer at the listening position and then move around. Whereever the sound is the best the subwoofer should be positioned.

Controls

On the front side you will find indicator LEDs for the operating mode and the protective circuit. Controls for the satellite filter, a phase switch and Sub Level/Filter are located on the rear panel of the subwoofer. The following tips are intended to assist you at using the controls in the best manner.

LEDs on front panel
There are two LEDs on the front. The upper LED indicates the operating mode. In case the subwoofer receives an overload the lower LED will flash red indicating the function of the protective circuit.

Controls on the rear panel

Subwoofer Phase
With the Phase Switch you can alter the phase of the subwoofer relative to the satellites. That means to change the polarity of the subwoofer. Depending on the distance between woofer and satellites, either 0° or 180° may be the better position. We recommend trying out which position sounds better within your system.

Satellite Filter
The satellites in a system can be driven full range or with a 85 Hz high pass as recommended by Dolby® laboratories for use in surround setups. Recommendation: the main signal should go into the Subwoofer. Connect your satellites to the Subwoofer output, either via XLR symmetrical or RCA asymmetrical. In many cases, clarity and dynamic range of the speakers can be improved if they do not reproduce very low frequencies since they do not have to deliver big amplitudes. Please note: If you alter the frequency it is advisable to check if an alteration of the phase improves the sound quality.

Sub Level
In the 0dB position the signal will be passed on 1:1 to the internal amplifier. The Input Sensitivity of the subwoofer can be adjusted from -60dB to +6dB and thus allows for a wide volume levelling range.

Sub Filter
The upper frequency limit of the unit is variable and can be set to any value between 50 and 150Hz. The 85Hz marker indicates the recommendation of Dolby® labs for surround sound settings. In practice a slightly lower crossover frequency delivers tighter bass response. For typical nearmidfield monitors we recommend 70 to 75Hz as the upper limit.
Please note: These settings do not have an absolute character, as different satellites and different room acoustics lead to results that cannot be predicted.

Troubleshooting

All ADAM products are designed and manufactured to the highest quality standards. However, if any problems with your subwoofer occur, we recommend proceeding as follows:

The LED shows normal operation (green) but there is either no or only a distorted audio signal.
- Check the volumes of both the subwoofer and your signal source.
- Check the wiring. Is the cable defective? Are all cables connected correctly? If possible, check with new cables.
- Connect the subwoofer as directly to the signal source as possible (please mind the volume!). Is another part of the signal path (e.g. mixer, audio source) defective?
You hear parasitic noises (like humming, buzzing, soughing, cracking).
- Please disconnect the signal cables. If the noises disappear, check the signal path.
- Make sure that all cables are properly connected, especially the signal cable between the preamp/mixing console/etc. and the sub.
- If the noises can still be heard, check for other electrical devices close to the speakers (mobile phones, switching power supplies, etc.). If there is no interfering device the subwoofer will probably cause the problem.

Maintenance

Please switch the subwoofer off before cleaning!
Please note that the sub’s driver builds up a magnetic field. Do not ply with magnetic items at close range to the diaphragm of the woofer.
Please make sure that no liquids get inside the cabinet. Do not spray any fluids on the speaker. Do not use a wet cloth for cleaning.
Do not use flammable or acidic chemicals for cleaning.
Do not touch the membrane of the subwoofer.
We recommend using a lint-free, damp cloth for cleaning.
The woofer membrane may be dusted off using a very soft brush.

Shipping / Packaging

In case you have to send your speakers to any other location, it is of vital importance that you use the original packaging materials. Experience has shown that it is very difficult to avoid damage if you send them without. ADAM Audio can not be held responsible for damages due to improper packaging.

Environmental Information

All ADAM products comply with international directives on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electrical / electronical equipment and the disposal of Waste Electrical / Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
For disposal, please consult your local authorities for further information.

EU Declaration of Conformity

Warranty

Terms and Conditions

This warranty is limited to the repair of the equipment or, if necessary, the replacement of parts or the product and return shipping within the country of purchase.
This warranty complements any national/regional law obligations of dealers or national distributors and does not affect your statutory rights as a customer.
Neither other transportation, nor any other costs, nor any risk for removal, transportation and installation of products is covered by this warranty.
Products whose serial number have been altered, deleted, removed or made illegible are excluded from this warranty.
The warranty will not be applicable in cases other than defects in materials and/or workmanship at the time of purchase and will not be applicable:
- for damages caused by incorrect installation, connection or packing,
- for damages caused by any use other than correct use described in the user manual,
- for damages caused by faulty or unsuitable ancillary equipment,
- if repairs or modifications have been executed by an unauthorized person,
- for damages caused by accidents, lightning, water, fire heat, public disturbances or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of ADAM Audio.

How to claim repairs under warranty

Should service be required, please contact the ADAM Audio dealer where the product has been purchased.
If the equipment is being used outside the country of purchase, the international shipping costs have to be paid for by the owner of the product.
Service may be supplied by your ADAM Audio national distributor in the country of residence. In this case, the service costs have to be paid for by the owner of the product whereas the costs for parts to be repaired or replaced are free of charge.
Please visit our website to get the contact details of your local distributor.
To validate your warranty, you will need a copy of your original sales invoice with the date of purchase.

Technical Data

Subwoofer basket ø	390 mm / 15“
Voice coil ø	100 mm / 4“
Woofer material	aluminium
Built-in amplifiers	1
Subwoofer channel 1/2	1000 W / 1200 W
Frequency response	20 Hz – 150 Hz
THD >60 Hz	≤ 1%
Max. peak SPL in 1 m	≥ 112 dB
Crossover frequency	50 Hz – 150 Hz
Inputs	XLR / RCA
Input impedance	100 kΩ
Weight	52 kg / 114 lb.
Height x Width x Depth	635 x 470 x 525 mm / 25“ x 18.5“

x 21“
Warranty| 2 years
Operating temperature| 0° C to 40° C (32° F to 104° F)
Storage temperature| -30° C to 70° C (-22° F to 167° F)
Humidity| Max. 90 % not condensing

ABOUT COMPANY

ADAM AUDIO GMBH
- BERLIN, GERMANY
- T +49 30-863 00 97-0
- F +49 30-863 00 97-7
- INFO@ADAM-AUDIO.COM
ADAM AUDIO UK
EMAIL: UK-INFO@ADAM-AUDIO.COM
ADAM AUDIO USA INC.
EMAIL: USA-INFO@ADAM-AUDIO.COM
www.adam-audio.com