Monitor Audio SB-3 Passive LCR Soundbar USER GUIDE
- June 3, 2024
- MONITOR AUDIO
Table of Contents
**Monitor Audio- SB-3 Passive LCR Soundbar
**
Introduction
The SB-Series includes a number of technical features and a design that
highlight Monitor Audio’s focus on the finer points and dedication to
excellence.
The SB-Series also has the essential benefit of being simple to install. High-
quality, low-profile binding posts offer a simple and trouble-free connection,
and the terminals are neatly recessed to allow for a flush installation on the
wall. Additionally, the terminal panel has numerous options for TV and wall
mounting and conventional fixing points that work with TV mounts. Utilizing
Monitor Audio’s low-profile wall mount bracket with cable access, simple pre-
alignment, and fastening template, wall installation is also an option.
Congratulations and thank you for your purchase from the Passive Soundbar
Series of loudspeakers. We are confident they will provide years of enjoyment
and pleasure as only high-quality components have been used throughout.
Please follow this user manual carefully as it contains important information
about set up procedures.
Set Up and Positioning
The Passive Soundbars are designed to be mounted on a wall using our Soundbar Bracket (sold separately), a third-party bracket system (for example Sanus), or sit on a shelf using the integrated feet.
The Soundbar should be positioned as close to the TV as possible to minimize any potential “gaps” in sound, and ensuring the dialogue sound appears to originate from the TV itself.
Being a complete front soundstage in a single cabinet, there are no other set up procedures to follow. Suggested surround speakers can be seen below.
Connections
Either bare wire, banana plugs or spade connectors can be used to connect the
Soundbars. When wall mounting, we recommend using bare wire due to the
limited space at the rear of the cabinet.
When using banana plugs, remove the red and black plastic terminal plugs using
fingers or pliers. Connect the Left, Centre and Right-hand speaker cables from
the AV Amplifier to the corresponding input on the Soundbar.
Surround Speakers & Subwoofers
Surround speakers to match the Soundbar Series products would be determined to
system requirements. Recommended timbre matched partners would be MASS10’s,
Radius 90’s and speakers from the Custom Install 200 Series and Control
Performance 200 Series.
Recommended subwoofers would be from the MASS, Bronze, or Radius Series, or if
positioned in a large room, the Silver or Apex Series.
Guarantee
Both the craftsmanship and the performance of this product is guaranteed against manufacturing defects for the period of five years from the date of purchase (see conditions in the Important Safety Instructions booklet), provided that the product was supplied by an authorized Monitor Audio retailer under the consumer sale agreement.
To verify your manufacturer’s warranty, please visit the online registration form at: www.monitoraudio.com
**Specifications
**
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s a passive soundbar?
Because passive soundbars lack an internal amplifier, external amplifiers or receivers are required for proper operation. Active soundbars, which have amplifiers and surround sound capabilities built in, can be directly compared to this.
What is the difference between 2.1 and 3.1 sound bar?
A 2.1 soundbar has a subwoofer, a left and right channel, and two speakers overall. Three channels—left, right, and center—as well as a subwoofer are part of a 3.1 soundbar. The primary distinction is that due to the center channel’s primary concentration on dialogue audio, a 3.1 soundbar will have more lucid dialogue.
Do soundbars have 3D audio?
Dolby Atmos, the king of object-based audio formats, is supported by the majority of soundbars and smart speakers. Other codecs like MPEG-H or DTS:X are also supported by a lot of devices, though. A second 3D audio format in addition to Dolby Atmos is frequently supported.
Do passive speakers sound better?
Although active speakers don’t always sound better than passive ones, you are aware of what you are getting when you purchase them. The amplifier is integrated and made to produce the best audio quality possible with the speaker. To use passive speakers, you must select your own amplifier.
What is the difference between an active and passive monitor?
Active monitors produce predictive data to maintain visibility across the whole network and alert you to anticipated network problems. Passive monitors, which make use of actual performance data, complement this by presenting the viewpoint of the end user.
How many speakers does a 3.1 soundbar have?
You may experience surround sound closer thanks to the 3.1’s three speakers in the sound bar. It features speakers on the left, right, and center. The sound bar for the 2.1 only has two stereo speakers. Both include a subwoofer.
Which HDMI port is best for soundbar?
The HDMI eARC port on your TV is the one to use if it is available; otherwise, any other HDMI port will work. After attaching the soundbar to the TV, make sure the wires are securely fastened.
Is Dolby Atmos the same as 3D audio?
You might not be aware that it is based on a technology that has been there for a while: Dolby Atmos. It is a standard that can convincingly mimic a 3D audio space with a pair of AirPods. A well-liked surround-sound format is Dolby Atmos.
What is a passive sound bar?
Because passive soundbars lack an internal amplifier, external amplifiers or receivers are required for proper operation. Active soundbars, which have amplifiers and surround sound capabilities built in, can be directly compared to this.
Are active or passive speakers better?
The amplifier is integrated and made to produce the best audio quality possible with the speaker. You must select your own amplifier if you’re using passive speakers. Your ability to select a speaker and amplifier that work well together will determine the sound quality.
Can I connect a passive subwoofer to a soundbar?
Most soundbars don’t allow the addition of a standalone subwoofer. The soundbar and subwoofer must be purchased together and have been built to naturally link to one another for this to be possible.
How do you connect a passive soundbar?
Your passive soundbar might have several channels or it might be combined into one channel, depending on what it is. Connecting speaker wire from the receiver to the soundbar is a simple process.
Why passive speakers are better?
The ideal speakers to use are passive ones if you want to be able to connect them to other electronics like receivers or subwoofers. They also enable a wider variety of sounds because they may increase the loudness while keeping the music’s quality.