Anthony Gallo TR-3 Subwoofer - Manual (Page 6)

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TR-3 Subwoofer Placement
“Bass is omni-directional so it doesn’t matter where the subwoofer goes.” The first part of this
generalized statement is reasonably true where the lowest bass below 40Hz is concerned. The
second part about “placement anywhere” is definitely not true. Unless you use a subwoofer for the
lowest octave only and in bypass mode with large main speakers that still reproduce stereo bass
below 60Hz, placement does become more critical. That’s because bass above 100Hz is still
directional. It thus can give away a subwoofer’s location. This is always the case when a subwoofer is
called upon to hand over to satellite speakers between 80 and 120Hz. Remember, ideal placement
means that your ears cannot tell where your satellites end and the subwoofer takes over.
For use with our own satellites, we recommend placing the subwoofer in the same plane as the main
speakers – in front of you and equi-distant with the satellites from your listening seat. The smaller and
more bass-shy your main speakers become, the higher the subwoofer will have to operate to meet
them. Unless you use two subwoofers, the frequency range reproduced by the subwoofer will be
mono. It becomes stereo only where the satellites take over. If you listen to more music than movie
soundtracks, you might prefer two subwoofers. This extends stereo imaging through the lower
midrange/upper bass range where human hearing is still sensitive to these effects. Two subwoofers
will also load a room more evenly and help minimize audible peaks and suckouts from room modes.
TR-3 Subwoofer Controls
With larger speakers from other maufacurers, we recommend bypass mode to avoid placing two
crossovers in series (that of the speaker and that in the TR-3). Set your receiver’s or surround
processor’s speaker size command to ‘large’. Then consult the owner’s manual of your speakers for
their frequency response specification. This will be given as two figures, for example “55Hz to
20,000Hz +/-3dB”. The lower figure describes the speaker’s bass extension. Because a subwoofer, by
definition, reproduces bass below the main speaker, you should set the TR-3’s crossover frequency
control to 55Hz for our example. Remember that a –3dB spec already includes 3dB of rolloff. Use
such a figure merely as a starting place for the TR-3 crossover control. Fine-tune by ear. You might
end up at 70Hz or 40Hz depending on how your main speakers interact with the room.
Bass Equalization: This control selects between 0, +3dB and +6dB. Like salt, season to taste.
Ideally, the transition between sub and main speakers should remain seamless and inaudible. If you
can identify the location and presence of the TR-3, your subwoofer volume is probably set too high or
the EQ should be lowered.
Phase: This switch adjusts relative phase between subwoofer and main speakers. This is set properly
when the subwoofer plays loudest and most even for any given setting of its level control. The easiest
way to test this is in the listening seat while a friend alters the phase control setting.
AC Line Cord: This supplied power to the internal amplifier. The TR-3 must be plugged in to the
proper power 110/220 receptical.
Fuse: This fuse protects the TR-3 from abnormal power conditions. This fuse is located under a small
cover of the AC line cord outlet. Only use a T2.5A 250V fuse when operating on 115V. Only use a
T1.5A 250V fuse when operating on 230V.
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