Gateway SW203 - Manual (Page 7)

INITIAL
LISTENING TEST
It’s now time to test the SW103, SW203,
and SW303 subwoofer in your listening
environment.
o 1. Double-check all connections.
o 2. Make sure that the volume controls
on both the subwoofer and your receiv-
er/integrated amp/preamp are turned all
the way down (fully counterclockwise). Set
the PHASE switch to normal. For the SW203
and SW303, set the CROSSOVER FREQUEN-
CY knob to 80 Hz. Set the SUB IN switch to
the type of receiver mode you will be using.
o 3. Turn on your stereo system. THEN
turn on the SW103/SW203/SW303. Confirm
that the SW103/SW203/SW303’s green
POWER indicator is glowing. If it isn’t,
check the power connections between the
SW103/SW203/SW303 and the wall socket.
o 4. Play a musical selection that you are
familiar with. Pick a song that has regular
low bass beats. Advance the receiver/inte-
grated amp/preamp’s volume control up to
a normal listening level. If you don’t hear
sound through your main speakers, turn off
the system and check connections. Also
consult the troubleshooting tips on page 8.
o 5. If sound is coming out of your main
speakers, turn the SW103/SW203/SW303’s
VOLUME control clockwise until you hear
noticeable additional bass. If you don’t hear
bass by the time you have advanced the
subwoofer’s VOLUME control halfway, turn
off the system and check connections. Also
consult the troubleshooting tips on page 8.
o 6. Adjust the SW103/SW203/SW303’s
VOLUME control until you are satisfied with
the amount of bass. You may want to try
several different movies, tapes, compact
discs or DVDs while determining how high
to adjust the SW103/SW203/SW303’s
VOLUME. The amount of bass varies from
disc to disc and between different types of
music.
E
Caring for Your
SW103/SW203/SW303
The SW103/SW203/SW303 enclosure is
finished in a very high quality polymer
laminate covering that is both attractive
and excellent protection for the wood
cabinet. To remove fingerprints, splat-
ters of diet soda, peanut butter or other
real-world substances that mysteriously
seem to appear on stereo components,
use a damp, soft cloth on the laminate.
You may also use a high-quality furniture
polish to maintain the original luster.
o 7. While playing music, move the sub-
woofer around, in and out of corners,
closer and farther from the wall, etc. as
much as the power cord and other con-
nections will allow.
The following steps apply to the SW203
and SW303 only:
o 8. Now that you have adjusted the
quantity of bass via the volume, it’s time
to work on the quality of the bass with
the CROSSOVER FREQUENCY control,
PHASE switch – and experimentation with
SW103/SW203/SW303 room position.
o 8a. Change the PHASE switch back and
forth from 0º to 180º while someone sits
in the main listening position. Leave the
switch in the position where you like the
bass most.
o 8b. Change the CROSSOVER FREQUENCY
control (for Dolby Pro-Logic receivers)
to higher and lower settings. If the
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY control is set too
high, you’ll start to hear low midrange
(voices and instruments) through it. This
will negatively affect the stereo imaging of
your main speakers. Back the CROSSOVER
FREQUENCY setting off until you hear only
bass from the SW103/SW203/SW303. If the
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY control is set too
low, you simply won’t get much output from
the subwoofer. Move it back closer to 80Hz.
o 9. After you are satisfied with the
output of your SW103/SW203/SW303, you
can make all your volume settings through
your receiver’s volume control. The only
time you might want to re-adjust the
SW103/SW203/SW303’s VOLUME is when
you encounter a musical selection that has
abnormally low – or high – bass.
You can leave the SW103 in the ON mode,
and your SW203 or SW303 turned on and
in AUTO mode when not in use. It does
not draw much power in this state and
will be ready to add low bass the
moment you begin to play music. The
SW103/SW203/SW303 will automatically
go into STANDBY mode after 10 to 20
minutes, when no music is playing.
If you’re not using your stereo system
for a long period of time (such as when
you’re on vacation), unplug it from the AC
wall outlet.
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