Earthquake Sound SuperNova MKV - Manual (Page 4)

Every component of an Earthquake driver is designed for
accurate reproduction of bass and sub-bass frequencies. With a
massive moving structure, these subwoofers operate with
extremely low distortion and impressive transient response. Their
performance is attributed to a non-conventional motor structure
design that integrates components such as:
* Double stacked, high-gauss magnets, with a total height of
1.5 inches
* Over 7 inch (D), epoxy coated super spider. Chill-plated for
long lasting linear performance
* 3” diameter, high temperature voice coil, with 1.85” copper
winding (height)
* 1.5” thick, single layer, thermally pressed poly-ether foam
surround
The SuperNova subwoofer structure allows high excursions (19
to 21mm) without physical deformation or running out of Reactive
Electromagnetic Coupling.
Premium Earthquake Subwoofers
Besides its many advanced features, the SuperNova MKV is
armed with the Symmetrically Loaded Audio Passive System -
SLAPS (patented by Earthquake Sound Corporation). The
SLAPS is capable of moving more than 4” peak to peak at 15Hz.
More air movement translates to higher SPL; the new passive
system adds an excess of 5dB at 15Hz, that is more than twice as
loud at that frequency.
How is that possible? Current passive woofer technology relies
upon non linear, limited movement suspension. In contrast, the
SLAPS employs dual (identical) suspensions, allowing the
passive driver to move the same amount of air in either direction.
Further, the components used to build the suspension allow for
long excursions with no physical deformation or limitations.
The SuperNova MKV performance exceeds THX
requirements of 105 dB at 30 Hz by far... In flat mode,
it achieves 123 dB at 30 Hz and reaches upwards of
128 dB when the bass boost from an audio processor
(source) is used. More impressive is its capability to
dish out 108 dB at 15 Hz and near 100 dB at 10 Hz -
as shown in the graphs below. Keep in mind that
typical subwoofer systems fail to reproduce frequen-
cies below the 20 Hz mark.
Brace yourself and everything else in the room... This
SuperNova will extend the already flat, accurate, and
on-time low frequency response to deeper levels
where no other subwoofers have gone before. It can
put out enough bass energy to fill even large rooms
with sonic rumbling.
The SuperNova MKV delivers an impressive amount
of features aimed at fulfilling the promise of ground-
shaking bass, as suggested by its name.
SLAPS.
THX Standards... One Octave Lower!
SLAPS
What Makes A SuperNova?
SLAPS used in SuperNova MKV are tuned by
adding mass to the structure of the passive
radiator. Steel cylinders are used to tune the
SLAPS to the desired frequency.
Telling The Difference Between The Passive
and Active Drivers
10” models: The 10” SuperNova MKV has a
deep-cone active driver with the Earthquake logo
on the front of it. Its SLAPS passive radiator is
flat and has no logo.
12” and 15” models: Both of these models use
flat active drivers and passive radiators which
both look almost identical. But they are not; the
one with the bolt head in the center is the SLAPS
passive radiator.
Fact: Subwoofers reproduce frequencies with wavelengths
that are long in relation to the dimensions of most living rooms.
Standing waves will boost or cancel various frequencies due
to the interaction with the room boundaries. Moving a
subwoofer in a room will change what you hear in the listening
position a lot.
For maximum bass reinforcement, the SuperNova MKV
system should be placed in the corner of your living room with
the subwoofers facing the wall. This creates acoustical
coupling with the walls, which in turn leads to a 9 decibels of
boost in the overall response of the Supernova. Keep a 3"
clearance between the subwoofer and the walls.
Fine tuning the SuperNova MKV requires adjustments to the
crossover point, volume control and the phase switch. These
controls are located on the side of the enclosure. For ease of
tuning, we recommend that you turn the SuperNova MKV
around to expose the controls, and place it in position (corner).
Set your stereo system to a moderate listening level and adjust
the SuperNova MKV accordingly. The SuperNova MKV is
equipped with a 24 dB/Oct. low pass filter designed to
eliminate vocals from entering the system. When tweaking,
gradually reduce the crossover point setting to eliminate
vocals from seeping into the amplifier.
Corner Loading = + 9 Decibels Of Free Power
SUPERNOVA MKV
CORNER LOADING
Consider that room permissibility plays a big role in
positioning. One thing is certain, achieving a
perfect subwoofer setup in your living room will
require time and experimentation.
When used for special effects reinforcement
(10Hz to 40Hz range), the SuperNova MKV fares
well in corner loading position; as corner loading
naturally boosts the subharmonic frequencies by
9dB.
Used with music (10Hz to 100Hz), it is recom-
mended that the SuperNova MKV is placed in a
corner, yet it can be placed in a centered position.
By using two MKV subwoofer systems (one in each
corner), corner loading effects can be achieved
without disturbing the balance of front stereo
images.
Corner Loading is recommended for
movies and sound tracks effects.
MKV Widescreen
Viewing position
Positioning Options
Corner Loading will give you an added 6 to 9 decibels of
sound pressure; also it reduces the level of vocals - if
present - emitted from the subwoofer. We recommend
that the active subwoofer face the listener, while the
passive faces the wall (corner). Keep a clearance of 5” to
7” between the SLAPS and the wall - remember that the
SLAPS can travel up to 4”.