Contents Instructions for:
BassCube 12 & BassCube 10 Subwoofers
Safety Precautions... i, ii Introduction... 1 Unpacking... 2 Audio And AC Power Connections.. 2 Placement.... 4 Selecting Low Pass Frequency... 6 The Subwoofer Level Control... 7 The Final Touch... 7 Installing Low-Cut Filters... 8 Specifications... 8 Replacing The Fuse.... 9 Difficulty?.... 9 Limited Warranty... 10 Cleaning The Cabinets... 10

IMPORTANT

WARNING

SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user of the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within a products enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute the risk of electric shock to persons.
TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE SUBWOOFERS COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
POUR EVITER TOUT RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS DEMONTER LE COUVERCLE DU HAUT PARLEUR. AUCUN ENTRETIEN DES PIECES INTERIEURES NEST REQUIS.TOUT SERVICE DENTRETIEN NE DOIT ETRE EFFECTUE QUE PAR DU PERSONNEL DENTRETIEN QUALIFIE.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying this product.
READ AND HEED IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING ON BOTTOM OF SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURE
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC
SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, INSERT FULLY. WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER JUSQUAU FOND.
IMPORTANT NOTICE The serial number for the subwoofer is located on the subwoofers control panel. Please write this number down and keep it in a secure area. This is for your security.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
READ INSTRUCTIONS - All safety and operating instructions should be read before the BassCube subwoofer is operated. RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS - The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. HEED WARNINGS - All warnings on the BassCube subwoofer and in the operating instructions should be adhered to. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS - All operating and use instructions should be followed. CLEANING - Unplug the BassCube subwoofer from the wall outlet or other power source before cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. ATTACHMENTS - Do not use any adaptors or attachments not recommended by Cambridge SoundWorks as they may cause hazards. WATER AND MOISTURE - Do not use the subwoofer near waterfor example, near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool or other similar areas. ACCESSORIES - Do not place the BassCube BassCube subwoofer on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The BassCube subwoofer may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. VENTILATION - Slots, openings and metal fins in the cabinet are provided for ventilation, to ensure reliable operation of the BassCube subwoofer and to prevent it from overheating. These areas must not be blocked or covered such as by placing the product on a bed, sofa, very deep pile rug, or other similar surface. The BassCube subwoofer should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack. HEAT - The BassCube subwoofer should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, and other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat. POWER SOURCES - The BassCube subwoofer should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company. POLARIZATION - The BassCube subwoofer may be equipped with a polarized alternating-current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug. POWER-CORD PROTECTION - The AC power cord should be routed so that it is not likely to be walked on. No object should bring weight to bear on to the AC power cord. LIGHTNING - For added protection for the BassCube subwoofer during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet. This will prevent damage to the subwoofer due to lightning and power-line surges. OVERLOADING - Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock. OBJECT AND LIQUID ENTRY - Never use probes of any kind to reach into the BassCube subwoofer as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the BassCube subwoofer. SERVICING - Do not attempt to service the subwoofer yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE - Unplug the BassCube subwoofer from the wall outlet or other power source and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: a) When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged. b) If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the BassCube subwoofer. c) If the BassCube subwoofer has been exposed to rain or water. d) If the BassCube subwoofer does not operate normally by following the operating instructions; or exhibits a distinct change in performance. e) If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way. REPLACEMENT PARTS - When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by Cambridge SoundWorks or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards. SAFETY CHECK - Upon completion of any service or repairs to the BassCube subwoofer, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the BassCube subwoofer is in proper operating condition.

Introduction

ass drums, organs, and electronic synthesizers produce extremely low frequency sounds. But traditionally, few home loudspeakers are designed to reproduce bass below about 50 Hz. Today, however, home loudspeakers are called upon to reproduce more than music: in home theater systems, they are called upon to reproduce movie soundtracks. And modern movie soundtracks contain a lot of energy at very low frequencieson sound effects. To do full justice to these effects, as well as to the musical low frequencies missed by most speakers, the Cambridge SoundWorks BassCube subwoofers reproduce, at high output, the lowest bass sounds the human ear can detect. You should keep in mind when installing your system and investigating its capabilities that you will be dealing with a relatively unfamiliar range of sounds. These are sounds more felt than heard, and are encountered more often in the well-equipped movie theater than in the concert hall. A Cambridge SoundWorks Audio/ Video Consultant is only a toll-free call away should you need advice or assistance. Cambridge SoundWorks 1-877-YES-HIFI (1-877-937-4434) 24 hours a day, every day In Canada: 1-800-987-9104 Outside US or Canada: Tel: 617-332-5936 Fax: 617-527-3194 www.cambridgesoundworks.com E-mail: info@cambridgesoundworks.com

Unpacking

Upon unpacking your BassCube subwoofer, please examine it carefully for any signs of shipping damage. If there is any damage, do not install or use the subwoofer. Consult the store where you purchased the subwoofer for assistance. If purchased through our mail order catalog service, call Cambridge SoundWorks at 1-877-YES-HIFI. We suggest that you keep the shipping carton and packing materials in case you want to transport your subwoofer.
Audio And AC Power Connections
Note: Make all connections with the BassCube subwoofer switched off and the Bass Level control at its minimum setting. Audio Connections The BassCube subwoofer can be connected to a mono subwoofer output, a main amplifiers speaker outputs, or from stereo preamp outputs. Note: You should connect the BassCube subwoofer to your system using either the line level inputs or the speaker level inputsbut not both sets of inputs. Connection Method One: Connect from a subwoofer output using a suitable length mono phono cable with an RCA phono plug at each end (Figure 1 on page 3). Connect the phono cable to the Right channel line level input on the BassCube subwoofer. Connection Method Two: Connect directly from an amplifier or receivers speaker output terminals to the subwoofers Speaker Level Inputs using conventional speaker wire. Then connect your speakers to the Out To Speakers terminals (Figure 2 on page 3). Be sure the speaker wire connects the positive (+) terminals of the subwoofer to the positive (+) terminals of the amplifier or receiver (and similarly connects the negative () terminals together). All two-conductor speaker cable is coded along one conductor by lettering, a stripe or a raised bead -or- the appearance of the two conductors differs, usually one copper and one silver. This allows you to easily connect the proper conductor to each terminal. Connection Method Three: Connect from a stereo preamp output to the BassCube subwoofers Line Level inputs. A suitable length of conventional stereo phono cable with RCA plugs at each end is all you need if your preamp has an unused stereo preamp output. To connect between a stereo preamp and a stereo power amp, combine a suitable length stereo phono cable with two Y adapters. Each adapter has one RCA male plug to two RCA female jacks (Figure 3). Some receivers and integrated amplifiers have preamp outputs and power amp inputs that are accessible by removing jumpers from the back panel.

A Note About Dolby Digital (AC-3), Large Front Speakers And Powered Subwoofers Most Dolby Digital (AC-3) decoders remove the Low Frequency Effects from the Main speakers if the Subwoofer Output switch is set to On. The Main speaker Large/Small switches may still appear to function, but no deep bass will reach the Main speakers. This automatic deep bass filtering is unnecessary with large Main speakers. If you wish, you can send all Low Frequency Effects signals to both your Main left and right speakers and to your subwoofer by turning the subwoofer output to Off and setting the Main left and right speakers to Large. This blends all the output of the Low Frequency Effects channel with the Main left and right speakers. The BassCube subwoofer needs to be connected with speaker wire to the Main speaker outputs in this case. Power Connections After making the audio connections, plug the power cord into any convenient 120-Volt AC, 60 Hz outlet and switch the subwoofer On. Do not plug it into a switched outlet on your amplifier or receiver, as either
BassCube subwoofer could draw sufficient current at high volume levels to possibly damage the switched outlets relay mechanism.
SURROUND DECODER OR RECEIVER OUTPUTS
L FRONT SURROUND R CENTER SUBWOOFER*
The BassCube subwoofer has an automatic Power Off circuit that turns off power to the amplifier circuit after it has been silent for
INTEGRATED AMP OR RECEIVER (FRONT)
over 15 minutes. The BassCube subwoofer rapidly activates as soon as a new signal is present. This feature operates when the switch

PREAMP

OUTPUTS TO POWER AMP

SPEAKER OUTPUTS

Y-adapters

* Labelled Mono

on some units. Be sure the output signal is full-range.

BASSCUBE

To power amp
(Front amp in surround system)

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUTS

LINE LEVEL INPUTS

TO RIGHT FRONT SPEAKER

TO LEFT FRONT SPEAKER

OUT TO SPEAKERS

POWERED SUBWOOFER
Figure 1. Surround decoder or receiver with subwoofer (mono) output
Figure 2. Using speaker wire
Figure 3. Using Y adapters and phono cable

Placement

labeled Auto-off Setting is in the Auto position. Most home users will find this setting to be appropriate. The manual position of the Auto-off Setting switch keeps the amplifier operating and drawing a small current so long as the Power switch is in the On position. This setting is appropriate when the BassCube subwoofer is used in professional sound studios. Place the BassCube subwoofer in your listening room using the guidelines that follow. Listen and experiment with placement before making the installation permanent. 1. The BassCube subwoofers very low bass output is room-filling. This is why it is possible to use a single powered subwoofer to reproduce all the deep bass a sound system requires. It is also the reason why the subwoofer doesnt need be particularly close to other speakers or aimed in any direction. 2. The BassCube subwoofer can sit in a variety of positions within the listening room. Make sure there is a clear air space of at least 4 inches surrounding the BassCube subwoofers amplifer panel. Dont place objects on the BassCube subwoofer (such as clothing) that could inadvertently drape down the back of the unit, restricting air flow or speaker output. Similarly, do not conceal the BassCube subwoofer behind draperies or other similar material. 3. The maximum low bass output of the BassCube subwoofer is markedly affected by adjacent room surfaces. Start by placing the subwoofer against the same wall as your front speakers, preferably in or close to a corner (Figure 4, B or C). The strongest output will be produced with the subwoofer directly in the corner, since corner

Left Satellite

Right Satellite

BassCube

A. LEAST BASS

B. MORE BASS

C. MOST BASS

Surround

FIGURE 4: HOW ROOM PLACEMENT AFFECTS BASS RESPONSE
Selecting Low Pass Frequency
placement directs most of the bass output toward the center of the listening room. Corner placement effectively reduces the amount of bass that leaks out to other rooms. Less bass output will result if the subwoofer is placed out in the room, away from the walls (see Figure 4, A). 4. The larger the room, the greater the demand for low-frequency acoustic energy. The best type of room for bass reproduction in a home theater would be one moderate in size, solidly constructed, with no openings to other rooms. While listening, shut the rooms doors and windows (if practical). It can make a surprising difference. Note: The BassCube subwoofers are designed to operate sitting on the floor. Do not place the sub-woofer in shelving or other cabinets. Before you adjust the output level of the subwoofer, you should select an appropriate setting for the Low Pass Frequency control. The proper setting depends on the bass reach of your main speakers. This control behaves the same whether you use the Speaker Level or Line Level signal inputs of the BassCube subwoofer. Because there is a small output level shift when you adjust this control, it should be set first, followed by the Subwoofer Level control. Use the following guidelines to choose the best setting. 60 Hz to 75 Hz: For use with any of the following Cambridge SoundWorks speakersEnsemble , Ensemble II, Ensemble III, Tower , Tower II, Tower III, Model Six. Also, any other truly wide-range, large speaker system. Note for Ensemble owners: The BassCube subwoofer is intended to supplement, not replace the separate subwoofers supplied with these systems. Do not disconnect your Ensemble woofers when using the BassCube subwoofer. 75 Hz to 130 Hz: For use with smaller bookshelf-sized speaker systems. Use this setting with the Cambridge SoundWorks Model Seventeen and Ensemble IV. 160 Hz: Use this setting with small main speakers or if you are connecting the subwoofer to the LFE output of a Dolby Digital system. Special note about line-level subwoofer outputs Many receivers and all Dolby Digital (AC-3) processors feature dedicated subwoofer outputs. Some of these outputs are full-frequency bandwidth. Others deliver a signal which is Bass Only. Most subwoofer outputs on conventional receivers (stereo or Dolby Surround with Pro Logic) deliver a full frequency range signal, a mono version of stereo signal fed to the main speakers. BassCube owners using this type of subwoofer output should set the Low Pass Frequency control as described in the procedure above. The second type of subwoofer output sends a Bass Only signal to the BassCube subwoofer. The most common example is the Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel of a Dolby Digital (AC-3) equipped system. Set the Low Pass Frequency control to 160 (FROM LFE OUTPUT) with this type of subwoofer output. Try a lower frequency setting only if there is too much bass output on non-Dolby Digital (AC-3) program material. It is possible to improve the performance of your main speakers by the use of optional Low Cut Filters (see page 7).

LOW PASS FREQUENCY (Hz)

160 (FROM LFE OUTPUT)
The Subwoofer Level Control
The Subwoofer Level Control adjusts how loudly the BassCube subwoofer plays. Start with it set midway (5), then adjust upward or downward depending on what you discover during your listening tests. Remember the BassCube subwoofer reproduces bass that is below most frequencies of musical interest, so it is important to adjust its output level with material that contains strong, deep bass signals. Its easiest to adjust the Subwoofer Level Control when listening to the appropriate film soundtracks (HiFi video cassette, Laser Disc, or DVDs). Action or adventure film soundtracks generally have the deepest bass signals. Try films with explosions or similar sound effects. With the BassCube subwoofer properly adjusted, these film and video sound effects should literally be room-shaking at high playback levels. In contrast, much of the music on audio CDs should not sound any different with the BassCube subwoofer properly adjusted. Indeed, if the subwoofer does add boomy or thumpy quality to your music, you may have the subwoofer level control set too high. It may take several listening sessions using different films and musical sources to arrive at the single best setting for the Level Control. The subwoofers Level Control is intended to be set once and then left alone. Once you have decided on a setting, use tone controls on your main electronics to compensate for the inevitable small differences in bass output between different recordings. If you experience any difficulty, dont hesitate to consult your store or call a Cambridge SoundWorks Audio/Video Consultant at 1-877-YES-HIFI.

The Final Touch

Our in the speaker line LowCut Filters optimize the performance your system at higher output levels by keeping the low frequencies best left to the subwoofer out of the smaller main front speakers. This eases the burden on the front speakers and amplifier, letting them play more cleanly at higher levels, a major potential benefit of having a subwoofer in the first place. These filters are ideal for use with Cambridge SoundWorks Model Seventeen, and Ambiance speakers, and other conventional systems of reasonably wide range. Connect these filters between your main speakers and your amplifier. The filters begin to block bass signals to your main speakers below about 140 Hz, so that below 100 Hz, almost no bass signals reach your main speakers.

SUBWOOFER LEVEL 6

Installing Low Cut Filters
These optional filters can be connected at either end of the speaker wires of your Left and Right Main speakers. 1) You can connect a filters INPUT FROM AMP wires to speaker outputs on your receiver or amplifier, then reconnect the main speaker wire to the filters OUTPUT TO SPEAKER leads with the wire nuts supplied. 2) You can also connect a filter at the speaker. Connect the filters OUTPUT TO SPEAKER leads to your speakers input terminals, then reconnect the main speaker wire to the filters INPUT FROM AMP wires with the wire nuts supplied. As with all speaker connections, be sure to maintain consistency with respect to the + and terminals on the receiver and those on the speakers, including the BassCube subwoofer. The connecting wires on the filters are coded by the use of one copper-colored conductor and one silver.

Specifications

BassCube 10 Amplifier Power: 75 watts (at 100 Hz, <.5% THD) Driver Size: 10 inches Sensitivity for full output at 100hz. Subwoofer level at max. Low pass frequency set at 160 (LFE): Line Level Input (mono), millivolts 95 Speaker Level Inputs (stereo), millivolts 250 Low Pass Filter Response: 24 dB/Octave Frequency Response, Hz ( 3 dB): LP setting 60 Hz 75 Hz 95 Hz 130 Hz 160 Hz BassCube watts 12 inches

24 dB/Octave

32-75 Hz 34-85 Hz 36-100 Hz 37-120 Hz 39-150 Hz
27-58 Hz 27-68 Hz 28-90 Hz 28-145 Hz 29-170 Hz

Replacing The Fuse

A fuse protects the amplifier inside the BassCube subwoofer. If the fuse blows, it is safe to replace it with a spare 2A, 250V fuse using a screwdriver (see below). If the second fuse blows, do not attempt to replace the fuse another time. Return the subwoofer to your stores Authorized Repair Center. If you purchased the speaker directly from Cambridge SoundWorks, call 1-877-YES-HIFI for advice. There are no other fuses or user-replaceable parts within the BassCube subwoofer. Do Not substitute a fuse of a different rating.

Difficulty?

If you suspect a problem with your BassCube subwoofer, contact the store where it was purchased. If a problem is confirmed, you will need to return the subwoofer to that store or its Authorized Service Center. If you purchased the BassCube subwoofer through our mail order catalog service, call a Cambridge SoundWorks Audio/Video Consultant at 1-877-YES-HIFI. An Audio/ Video Consultant will help you track down the problem, which could be in some other component in your system. If together you agree that there is something wrong with the sub-woofer, you will be supplied with a Return Authorization Number. Please do not return the subwoofer to the factory without prior authorization.
1.) IMPORTANT: Turn off and unplug the subwoofer before changing the fuse.
2A 250V T T RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSE AS MARKED
2A 250V RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSE AS MARKED
2.) Fuse located on the back panel.

3.) Push in and turn counter clock-wise. 4.) Fuse will pop out of its casing.
5.) Gently remove and replace.

Limited Warranty

BassCube 12 and BassCube 10 Subwoofers
To the original purchaser, Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc. will warrant the BassCube12 and BassCube10 subwoofer to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from date of purchase. With respect to defects, Cambridge SoundWorks will, at its option, replace the product or repair the defect in the product with no charge to the original purchaser for parts or labor. During the period from three (3) years through seven (7) years, Cambridge SoundWorks will, at its option, repair or replace the defective product for a cost to the original prchaser of no more than $50.00 for parts and labor. These warranties do not extend to any defect, malfunction or failure caused by misuse, abuse, accident, faulty hookup, defective associated equipment or use of the speaker with equipment for which it is not intended.
This warranty is the sole and express warranty of the products named in its title, and is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, of merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise. In no event shall Cambridge SoundWorks be liable for incidental or consequential damages or have any liability with respect to defects other than the obligations set forth herein. To ensure warranty coverage it is incumbent upon the original purchaser to inform Cambridge SoundWorks or any of its Authorized Service Agencies of the defect within the warranty period. The only acceptable method of establishing warranty status is a copy of the original proof of purchase indicating customers name and date of purchase. Upon notification by the purchaser and reaching agreement with the purchaser that there is a defect, Cambridge SoundWorks will issue a Return Authorization Number for the product. The purchaser will return the product
to the address below, freight prepaid by the purchaser. The product shall have the Return Authorization Number clearly marked on the outside of the package. The package must include a copy of the original proof of purchase. Please do not return a BassCube subwoofer to Cambridge SoundWorks without prior authorization from Cambridge SoundWorks. For warranty information contact: Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc. 31 Needham St. 1 Newton, MA 02464 1-877-YES-HIFI (1-877-937-4434) www.cambridgesoundworks.com email: info@cambridgesoundworks.com

Cleaning The Cabinets

If more than dusting is needed, the finish on either subwoofer can be cleaned with a window or vinyl cleaning product. Avoid spraying the cleaner underneath the cabinet to prevent damage the speaker.
Dolby, Pro Logic and Dolby Digital (AC-3) are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Tower and Model Seventeen are trademarks of Cambridge SoundWorks, Incorporated Ensemble, Ambiance and Cambridge SoundWorks are registered trademarks of Cambridge SoundWorks, Incorporated
311 Needham Street, Newton MA 02464 1-877-937-4434 Fax: 617-527-3194 www.cambridgesoundworks.com Email: info@cambridgesoundworks.com

P81-1290 0400

Company

BASSCUBE 8S BASSCUBE 10S

POWERED SUBWOOFERS USER MANUAL
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the products enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying this product

WARNING

DO NOT OPEN
TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE SUBWOOFERS COVER. NO USERSERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

AVISIQUE

POUR EVITER TOUT RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS DEMONTER LE COUVERCLE DU HAUT PARLEUR. AUCUN ENTRETIEN DES PIECES INTERIEURES NEST REQUIS.TOUT SERVICE DENTRETIEN NE DOIT ETRE EFFECTUE QUE PAR DU PERSONNEL DENTRETIEN QUALIFIE.
READ AND HEED IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING ON BACK OF SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURE

CAUTION:

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, INSERT FULLY.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

THE SERIAL NUMBER IS LOCATED ON THE SUBWOOFERS BACK PANEL. PLEASE WRITE THIS NUMBER DOWN AND KEEP IT IN A SECURE AREA. THIS IS FOR YOUR SECURITY.

ATTENTION:

POUR EVITER LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER JUSQUAU FOND.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
READ INSTRUCTIONS All safety and operating instructions should be read before the subwoofer is operated. RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. HEED WARNINGS All warnings on the subwoofer and in the operating instructions should be adhered to. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS All operating and use instructions should be followed. CLEANING Unplug the subwoofer from the wall outlet or other power source before cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. ATTACHMENTS Do not use any adapters or attachments not recommended by Cambridge SoundWorks as they may cause hazards. WATER AND MOISTURE Do not use the subwoofer near water-for example, near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool or other similar areas. ACCESSORIES Do not place the subwoofer on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The subwoofer may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult and serious damage to the product. VENTILATION Slots, openings and metal fins in the cabinet are provided for ventilation, to ensure reliable operation of the subwoofer and to prevent it from overheating. These areas must not be blocked or covered such as by placing the product on a bed, sofa, very deep pile rug, or other similar surface. The subwoofer should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack. HEAT The subwoofer should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, and other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat. POWER SOURCES The subwoofer should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your dealer or local power company. POLARIZATION The subwoofer is equipped with a polarized alternating-current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug. POWER-CORD PROTECTION The AC power cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on. No object should bring weight to bear on the AC power cords. LIGHTNING For added protection for the subwoofer during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet. This will prevent damage to the subwoofer due to lightning and power-line surges. OVERLOADING Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock. OBJECT AND LIQUID ENTRY Never use probes of any kind to reach into the subwoofer as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the subwoofer. SERVICING Do not attempt to service the subwoofer yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE Unplug the subwoofer from the wall outlet or other power source and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: a) When the power-cord or plug is damaged. b) If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the subwoofer. c) If the subwoofer has been exposed to rain or water. d) If the subwoofer does not operate normally by following the operating instructions; or exhibits a distinct change in performance. e) If the subwoofer has been dropped or damaged in any way. REPLACEMENT PARTS When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician uses replacement parts specified by Cambridge SoundWorks or have the same characteristics as the original part. Substandard substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards. SAFETY CHECK - Upon completion of any service or repairs to the subwoofer, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the subwoofer is in proper operating condition.

INSPECTING FOR DAMAGE

Examine each part carefully for shipping damage. If there is any, do not install or use the system. Return the subwoofer to the store or merchant where you made the purchase or call Cambridge SoundWorks at 1-800-FOR-HIFI (1-800-367-4434) for assistance.

SPECIFICATIONS

(including feet and controls on rear panel)

BassCube 10S:

Dimensions: 15"H x 13 1/2"W x 14 3/4"D Weight: 35 lbs.

BassCube 8S:

Dimensions: 13"H x 111/2"W x 12 1/8"D Weight: 25 lbs.
OPERATING CONTROLS, INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

1. OFF AUTO ON

Set this switch to AUTO for normal use. The subwoofer will power up rapidly when an audio signal is sensed. The subwoofer will revert to a standby mode after about 15 minutes of no signal. The standby mode uses less power. Set this switch to ON should you wish to prevent the subwoofer from entering its standby mode.

3. LINE LEVEL INPUTS

The Subwoofer Out (or preamplifier outputs) from your audio system connect to these inputs.

4. SPEAKER LEVEL INPUTS

If you do not have, or do not wish to use a line level output from your audio system, you can connect speaker wire from your audio systems left and right speaker outputs to these inputs.

2. SUBWOOFER LEVEL

This control sets the overall output level of the subwoofer.

* SET LOW PASS FREQ HERE

WHEN USING 5.1 CHANNEL HOME THEATER SUB OUT

AUTO OFF ON

LOW PASS FREQUENCY (Hz) 2

SUBWOOFER LEVEL 10

LINE LEVEL INPUTS

RED STANDBY GREEN ON

80 OUT TO SPEAKERS

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUTS

BassCube 8S Back Panel Diagram

5. OUT TO SPEAKERS

Connect your left and right speakers to these outputs if you use the SPEAKER LEVEL INPUTS.

7. LOW PASS FREQUENCY

When you connect a BassCube to the Subwoofer Out of a 5.1 channel Dolby Digital or DTS audio system, set this control at its full clockwise rotation. If you connect a BassCube with speaker wires, or to the Subwoofer Out of a stereo receiver, adjust this control higher for small main speakers and lower for large main speakers (see page 13).

6. POWER indicator

Glows green during normal operation. Glows red in standby mode.
8. PHASE (BassCube 10S only)
The main speakers and the subwoofer may cancel each other out across the small range of frequencies where they overlap. This control will counteract this effect.
AUTO OFF ON 1 SUBWOOFER LEVEL 0 10

PHASE 0 180

LOW PASS FREQUENCY (Hz)

OUT TO SPEAKERS

BassCube 10S Back Panel Diagram 5 8

CONNECTIONS

About your audio components:
You can connect a BassCube to a receiver, an integrated amplifier, a preamplifier/power amplifier combination, or other audio component. For brevity, this manual will refer only to a receiver, but the instructions will also apply to any audio component. You can use a line level signal output from one of these components (like a subwoofer output) or speaker level outputs, but not both types of outputs simultaneously. Always set the BassCubes power switch to OFF before making any connections.

Subwoofer Out

RECEIVER OR DECODER

Line Level Connection

You need a signal cable for this type of connection, usually with an RCA plug at both ends. Connect the BassCube as described below: Dolby Digital (or DTS) receiver: Connect a mono signal cable from the RCA jack labeled Subwoofer Out (or possibly LFE or just SUB) on the receiver to the BassCubes R (mono) LINE LEVEL INPUT. Set the LOW PASS FREQUENCY control to its full clockwise setting. Dolby Surround or Stereo receiver with subwoofer output: Connect a mono signal cable from the RCA jack labeled Subwoofer Out (or possibly just SUB) on the receiver to the BassCubes R (mono) LINE LEVEL INPUT. Set the LOW PASS FREQUENCY control according to the guide on page 13. Preamplifier/power amplifier: If your preamplifier has a pair of unused volume-controlled signal outputs, use a stereo signal cable with RCA jacks at both ends to connect it to the BassCubes LINE LEVEL INPUTS. Otherwise, use two Y adapters (Cambridge SoundWorks A1Y1M2FY, one RCA plug to two RCA jacks or equivalent) as shown in the diagram to create an additional pair of signal outputs to connect your BassCube.

Y-adapters

R Mono

PREAMP

OUTPUTS TO POWER AMP

To power amp

(Front amp in surround system)

Stereo signal cables

POWERED SUBWOOFER

Speaker Level Connection

Connect speaker wire from the receivers left and right speaker outputs (the main or front connectors) as shown in the diagram. Connect speaker wire from the BassCubes OUT TO SPEAKERS connectors to your left and right speakers. Set the LOW PASS FREQUENCY control according to the guide on page 13. Note: When you activate the Subwoofer Out jack on a Dolby Digital audio system, bass signals to the main speakers are automatically filtered out. This is a feature of a Dolby Digital decoders bass management system. How much bass is filtered out of the main speakers depends on the Dolby Digital settings. If too much bass is filtered out, your audio system will have weak output in the frequency range where your subwoofer and main speakers overlap. This frequency range is often referred to as midbass. If you suspect your system has weak midbass output, first make sure your subwoofers LOW PASS FREQUENCY control is set at its full clockwise rotation. Then check your audio system to see if its Dolby Digital decoder has a crossover or high-pass frequency adjustment for the main speakers. If it does, set it at its lowest frequency setting. These two adjustments should provide you with consistent bass output. Unfortunately, there may not be an adjustment on your audio systems Dolby Digital decoder for main speaker bass (other than small or large), or it may be hard to hear any improvement. In this case, you can insure accurate midbass output by inactivating the Subwoofer Out jack of your Dolby Digital audio system. (This doesnt remove any of the bass signals present in a Dolby Digital recording. The Dolby Digital decoder just sends the Low Frequency Effects channel and all bass signals through the speakers designated as Large.) Set your Dolby Digital decoders Front speaker size setting to Large and the Center and Rear speaker size settings to Small. Then connect the BassCube and front speakers as described above in Speaker Level Connections. Afterwards, you can use the BassCubes LOW PASS FREQUENCY and SUBWOOFER LEVEL controls to achieve proper midbass output.

TO RIGHT FRONT SPEAKER

BASSCUBE BASSCUBE INTEGRATED AMP OR RECEIVER (FRONT)

SPEAKER OUTPUTS

Speaker Wires

TO LEFT FRONT SPEAKER

PLACEMENT
The subwoofer should be placed on the floor. Its location in the room affects its output. The output increases the closer the subwoofer is placed to the intersection of walls and floors (see diagrams). Some Advantages Of Corner Placement: Corner placement also provides the most consistent output from deep bass to upper bass. Since corner placement forces more of the bass energy toward the center of the room, you can operate the subwoofer at a lower overall gain setting than if it was in the middle of a wall. This reduces the amount of bass someone in a nearby room will hear. Other locations: Any position in a room can be used, but a position away from the intersection of two room surfaces has two drawbacks. The subwoofer will not achieve as strong an output as near a wall, and the output across the subwoofers range will be less consistent.

Moderate Bass Output Maxium Bass Output
Ventilation: Because the subwoofer requires ventilation, do not place it inside a wall unit or any piece of furniture. Also, dont place it near heat sources or against furniture, draperies or other material that will block the free flow of air from around the subwoofer.

Least Bass Output

FINAL SETUP
Power Connections Make sure the BassCubes power switch is in the OFF position. Insert the BassCubes power cable into an AC wall outlet (The switched accessory outlets on receivers are not recommended for use with a BassCube). Turn the BassCubes power switch to the AUTO position. Test Your Setup Once all connections have been made, test your sound system to verify that the subwoofer produces bass output. Advance the SUBWOOFER LEVEL control to the 10 oclock position. Turn on your receiver and play a CD or movie you know to have significant bass. Listen for the subwoofer ouput as you increase your receivers volume control up to a moderate volume level. If you dont hear any output from the subwoofer, slowly advance the SUBWOOFER LEVEL until you hear output.
If you still dont get any output, recheck your connections.
Adjusting For Best Performance
We recommend you adjust the BassCube in the following sequence: 1. Set the LOW PASS FREQUENCY according to the guide on page 13. 1.
BassCube 8S control is shown. BassCube 10S control is similar.
2. Set the SUBWOOFER LEVEL control by ear, until you are happy with the overall bass balance.

SUBWOOFER LEVEL 9

3. (BassCube 10S only) Set the PHASE switch by ear, listening for slightly stronger output. Phase switch adjustment: Play program material with a constant beat or bass output (like a kick drum in a rock recording). Have someone else operate the switch while you LISTEN FOR any output difference from your preferred listening position. Leave the PHASE switch in the setting that provides the louder output. Its possible you will not hear a difference. This is normal. If you heard an increase in bass output, you could reset the SUBWOOFER LEVEL control to compensate.

BassCube 10S only.

LOW PASS CONTROL SETTINGS
The LOW PASS FREQUENCY control on a BassCube is continuously variable. The following recommendations describe specific settings, but feel free to choose an intermediate setting if it sounds best to you. Dolby Digital sound systems

A Dolby Digital decoder provides its own processing when you activate the decoders Subwoofer Out jack. Set the BaseCubes LOW PASS FREQUENCY control at its fully-clockwise position; this will effectively bypass it (see examples below).
Use a 140 Hz setting for small satellite-type main speakers (minispeakers) or any speaker with a single four-inch low frequency driver or smaller. Use this setting with these Cambridge SoundWorks main speakers: Ensemble III satellites Ensemble IV satellites Use a 120 Hz setting for larger satellite main speakers and the smallest bookshelf speakers. Use this setting with these Cambridge SoundWorks main speakers: Ambiance 52 MovieWorks satellites Ensemble satellites Ensemble II satellites Newton Series MC200 Use a 100 Hz setting for medium size bookshelf speakers. Use this setting with these Cambridge SoundWorks main speakers: Model 17 Ambiance 62 Ambiance 82 Newton Series M50 Newton Series MC300 Use an 85 Hz setting (or 80 Hz on BassCube 8S) for large size bookshelf speakers and small floor-standing speakers. Use this setting with these Cambridge SoundWorks main speakers: Model 6 Tower III Newton Series M60 Newton Series M80 Newton Series MC500 Use 75 Hz for large floor-standing speakers. Use this setting with these Cambridge SoundWorks main speakers: Tower II Tower
Note: A Dolby Digital receiver has a large/small
speaker selector and a Subwoofer Out jack On/Off selector. We recommend setting the first option to SMALL for the Front, Center and Rear speakers in your system, unless the speakers are floor-standing, with a ten-inch woofer or larger.

140 Hz

120 Hz

BassCube 8S

BassCube 10S
Dolby Surround (Pro Logic) and Stereo sound systems
Follow the guidelines in the next column when both your main speakers and your subwoofer are driven by a full range signal. This is the case in a stereo component system or a Dolby Surround with Pro Logic system. The BassCube 10S LOW PASS FREQUENCY control is shown in the next column. The guidelines apply equally to the BassCube 8S LOW PASS FREQUENCY control.

100 Hz

(BassCube 10S only)

Cleaning the Cabinets

If more than dusting is needed, the finish on the subwoofer can be cleaned with a window or vinyl cleaning product. Avoid spraying the cleaner underneath the cabinet to prevent damage to the speaker. Avoid placing the BassCube on a wet or damp carpet.

Final Adjustment Note:

Use a variety of your favorite program material (video or audio) when adjusting the subwoofer output. Once you arrive at the best setting, leave the SUBWOOFER LEVEL control at that setting. Use your audio system tone controls to make temporary bass output adjustments. We hope you enjoy the new sonic dimensions your BassCube subwoofer reveals to you.
Fuse Replacement 1. IMPORTANT: Turn off and unplug the subwoofer before changing the fuse.
1A 250V T T RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSE AS MARKED
1A 250V RISK OF FIRE REPLACE FUSE AS MARKED
2.) Fuse located on the back panel.
Newton Series and BassCube are trademarks of Cambridge SoundWorks, Incorporated. Cambridge SoundWorks, Ensemble, Ambiance and MovieWorks are registered trademarks of Cambridge SoundWorks, Incorporated. Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Surround are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
3.) Push in and turn counter-clockwise. 4.) Fuse will pop out of its casing.
5.) Gently remove and replace.
CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS, INC. 311 Needham Street, Newton MA, 02464 Telephone: 1-800-367-4434 Fax: 1-617-527-3194 A Company P81-1730 Rev A