[Ben Milne]

Pre-face

This will likely be copied and pasted and converted to PDF, DOC, and video format over the next few weeks. I apologize for the likely crude nature of R1.

Congrats on your new eD sub! You've just entered into a family of people who take their audio products just a little too seriously. Grab your favorite beverage and lets get started!

The definitive guide to setting up your A5-350 and A3-300

Parts you'll need.

1. Your subwoofer.
2. eQ.2
3. RCA Cables. 2 runs.

- 1 run (mono) will go from reciever to eQ.2
- 1 run (mono) will go from eQ.2 to subwoofer.

Things to consider.

Where you want your eQ.2. If you want it with your electronics and not sitting on the subwoofer. Keep in mind this will effect how long your RCA run is from/to the eQ.2/subwoofer.

Schematic.

<receiver>
<rca 1>
<eQ.2>
<rca 2>
<subwoofer amp>




Directions on inputs and outputs.

<reciever output>

Your amplifier output should be labeled subwoofer output or LFE output.

<eQ.2 input>
<eQ.2 output>



<amp input>



Settings.

With your subwoofer there are 3 settings on the amplifier you'll want to look at.

Volume.

The level of the subwoofer is essentially what percentage of overall wattage you'll allow the amplifier to use at that particular level. We suggest upon initial calibration and listening. Set the level at roughly 40%. 11-o-clock.

You'll probably end up turning it up from there. We'll set it below 50% for the following reason. If your receiver attempts to send a massive input signal to the amplifier and the input signal clips*. You'll want to make sure everything isn't cranked!

*Clipping is a type of waveform distortion. This happens when a receivers output is over driven. The unit attempts to increase the voltage or current beyond its power capability. The change in the waveform/signal then is reproduced by the subwoofers amplifier. This distortion can damage the speaker and amplifier.

Phase.

Commonly referred to as time alignment or otherwise. The phase is something generally you'll leave at 0 unless you have multiple subwoofers. If you do have multiple subwoofers let us know and we'll walk you through it. The set up is the same for 2+ subwoofers as it is for 1 subwoofer except for phase.

Crossover.

The crossover is best to set at the 60~80hz point for best performance. We've found this range works best for most peoples listening habits. We suggest setting it in this range initially and moving it up or down for your tastes. This will change what frequencies the subwoofer plays. Remember. The subwoofer is designed to play BASS. It's not designed to play everything and using the crossover tuned correctly will result in better sound quality. Sometimes a lower crossover point does work better depending on the room.

With your eQ.2 we suggest these settings





Turn on Order.

Now you've got everything all hooked up. Time to turn everything on!

Step 1. turn on the eQ.2 - Set the ON/Auto switch to the "ON" position. You'll likely never have to touch it again.

- The eQ.2 will just remain on. It's important to turn this on before turning on the subwoofer.

Step 2. Turn on the receiver.

Step 3. Turn on the subwoofer amplifiers. Leave it on auto.

- When your receiver is turned on in the future; your subwoofer will automatically turn on when it senses input signal.

Need additional assistance?

If it's general information feel free to post it here.

if it's product specific information not covered here please email tech@edesignaudio.com for direct support, use live support (link at the top of page) if online, or call us at 641.792.2501 to walk over everything with you.

Working on Images now to update this thread. Images are coming...

[DJM]

Does everyone that gets an A3-300 or A5-350 need to use the eq.2? I mean I have been using a much inferior sub from JBL (SUB12) and my receiver has not blown that sub (nor has it ever shut down on me) but when I did have my level's too high I remember hearing the clipping from the sub. I have a Denon 2808CI and I want to make sure I do not damage the sub but I do not have an extra subwoofer RCA at the moment and until I can get my hands on one I was thinking of running my new sub (when it arrives) without the eq.2. But I will not do it if it will be more susceptible to damage.

[Ben Milne]

Originally Posted by DJM

Does everyone that gets an A3-300 or A5-350 need to use the eq.2? I mean I have been using a much inferior sub from JBL (SUB12) and my receiver has not blown that sub (nor has it ever shut down on me) but when I did have my level's too high I remember hearing the clipping from the sub. I have a Denon 2808CI and I want to make sure I do not damage the sub but I do not have an extra subwoofer RCA at the moment and until I can get my hands on one I was thinking of running my new sub (when it arrives) without the eq.2. But I will not do it if it will be more susceptible to damage.

It's relative.

"need" no. I've been using both quite extensively and never had a problem in 4 different listening spaces for the last month.

Without if something clips really low it increases the chances of something being damaged. It's simply a preventative measure we suggest using.

It's likely most people would never hit the piont where it's needed. If 1 or 2 do it's worth the investment to offer eQ.2's free of charge given the havoc it can wreak on everyone.

[skool]

I noticed on your illustration picture you used the R input/output. Does it matter if I used the L input/output? I assume it shouldn't be any differences since mono is mono, right? From your eQ.2 picture, are you recommending a 20 Hz subsonic filter?

I am looking at the eQ.2 manual. The subsonic filter specs are range from 10 - 50 Hz, but the label on your actual eQ.2 range from 5-30 Hz. I assume that may be a mistake so you guys may want to correct that.

[Ben Milne]

skool,

I did not personally do the eQ.2 manual and will need to actually look at that when not posting on a cell phone I apologize for the confusion.

The correct range is 5 ~ 30hz. From testing in the listening room I did not actually measure the exact point. I turned it down and up while running sweeps to find a spot where the natural FR of the subwoofer wasn't effected in terms of it's natural roll off with the cabinet.

This ideally is a 18~20Hz range. I've actually brought home a eQ.2 to run outside of our test room this weekend on the A3-300 I'm using in my basement to second guess outside of our regular test room.

[skool]

What about the L input/output vs R input/output? Is using either input/output the same?

Regarding the subsonic filter recommendation, I was wondering is it necessary? I thought most commercial subs, including yours, already implemented a high-pass (or subsonic) filter that limits sounds below its tuning frequency.

[DJM]

I currently have my Subwoofer level at 0db in my receiver. If I want a little more juice from my A3-300 would it be better to use the level on my sub rather than increase the subwoofer level in my receiver?

My thought is if I raise the level in my receiver then all I am doing is boosting the signal sent to the AMP in the SUB. But if I use the level knob on my SUB then I am simply providing more power from the SUB AMP to the signal from my reciever and therefore produce better results. Of course my logic might be way off... basically I am not sure what the best way to increase the sub level is... knob on sub or level setting in preamp/recvr...

[SpdSk8rs_Xa]

Originally Posted by DJM

I currently have my Subwoofer level at 0db in my receiver. If I want a little more juice from my A3-300 would it be better to use the level on my sub rather than increase the subwoofer level in my receiver?

My thought is if I raise the level in my receiver then all I am doing is boosting the signal sent to the AMP in the SUB. But if I use the level knob on my SUB then I am simply providing more power from the SUB AMP to the signal from my reciever and therefore produce better results. Of course my logic might be way off... basically I am not sure what the best way to increase the sub level is... knob on sub or level setting in preamp/recvr...

Your Logic would be correct in this matter. Basically you don't want to boost from the receiver, so keeping that at Zero and turning up the level on the subwoofer would be correct.

[helmutz88]

Ben, i did some moving the subs around last night. I did the stack last week, was insane, moved them seperate up front and sounded great....finally, i remembered that you had a post about the subs having better response facing into the wall, i did that last night and WAMPA...
Personally, i don't i lost any SQ. The air rush and vibration in my basement is severe.
I still have my e.q set just like the picture, the gain's on the subs are at 1 o clock. I had to put BOLT back in last night as a tester. With the subs up front and facing me the room db hit 113, with the subs facing into the wall my room db hit 118. The loudest scene that i saw was when Bolt stops the car with his head at the beginning. And this was at -8 on my settings for volume ..i'm to scared to watch it at reference level.

[z-lite]

helmutz88, I saw Bolt in theaters and I'm curious if on the disc release that Bolt's super bark that he has in his movie/show has any significant low-end output?

[helmutz88]

Yes it did, when the ground started to break up it was pretty awesome. The helicopter blades in slo mo was all subwoofer and nothing else for a few seconds, the bluray copy sounded very loud and crisp throughout. A buyer for sure.

[alienmeatsack]

Does this still apply? (AKA do the A3-300s still come with the eQ.2?)

Just ordered mine and looking forward to getting it all setup and finding the best spot for it in the room!

[alexlindeman]

Robin,

The eQ.2 is no longer included, as the subsonic filter is built into the unit.

[alienmeatsack]

Ok. One less thing I have to configure = good to me

[Ben Milne]

Going to unstick this as it's really no longer relevant and working on getting the updated ones online!

[alienmeatsack]

I am going to need an updated guide to get mine up and running this weekend!

My receiver (Denon AVR 2106) has the following settings relating to the LFE/sub:
- Crossover Freq (it can be set to 40/60/80/100/120/150/200/250, currently set to 80)
- LFE/Sub db/channel level (currently set to 0)
- Sub Mode -> LFE Norm or LFE + Main (currently set to LFE Norm)

And are my settings on the receiver ok?

What would the recommended settings be for the new A3-300s without the extra eQ.2?

r

[honda1]

Your settings look good the way they are, but depending on what mains you have you might want to try the crossover at both 80 and 60 to see what you think sounds better. Just make sure to turn the crossover on the subwoofer all the way to the right.

[alienmeatsack]

Spent some time on the phone with Brett trying to figure out what was up with my setup... I plugged in the sub and it did nothing. We ended up hooking my shuffle into it to show it did actually work. Tiny little device makes big bass.

I think the LFE on my receiver is going out. I get more bass from the shuffle than the receiver even with the stuff on it turned all the way up. Unfortauntely, the receiver is about half what I paid for it now, so buying a new one would be easier than repairing it.

But, I did at least get it working somewhat by doing a factor reset on the receiver. I look forward to getting allt eh config on the sub and receiver set so it kicks like a donkey when I watch movies!

[alienmeatsack]

Based on help in another thread, I have got mine set more how I want. But it's still not 100%. I think I am about at that point where I have to rearrange the room a bit to make more spots to try placing the sub.

No one told me it would be this complicated just to rattle my house a bit more.

[Sonies]

Could you show us a diagram on how to do high(speaker) level inputs for the A5 350? My amp is older and doesn't have a dedicated subwoofer out!