8200 THX Ultra 2 and 6200
Pedestal Subwoofer Systems
High Performance C.O.R.E. Technology Subwoofer Components
8200 Pedestal Subwoofer System pictured
Atlantic Technology
®
Atlantic Technology
®
INNOVATIVE H OME T HEATER
Instruction Manual
2
8200/6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
CAUTION:
CAUTION:
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the
cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside. Refer to qual i ed per-
sonnel.
WARNING:
To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not expose
this ap pli ance to rain or moisture. This device generates a fair amount of
heat. Make sure nothing blocks the ventilation open ings on the top and
bottom of the unit.
The lightning ash with arrowhead, with in an equi lat er al
triangle, is in tend ed to alert the user to the pres ence of
uninsu lated “dangerous volt age” with in the prod uct’s
en clo sure that may be of suf cient mag ni tude to con-
sti tute a risk of elec tri cal shock to per sons.
The exclamation point within an equi lat er al tri an gle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of im por tant
operating main te nance (ser vic ing) in struc tions in the
lit er a ture ac com pa ny ing the appliance.
For Future Reference
Record your speaker and amplifier serial numbers and date of
purchase here:
Model Number
Serial Number
Date of Purchase
The ampli er serial number is found on the back panel. The subwoofer
serial number is found on the back of the pedestal cabinets.
Table of Contents
Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions
IMPORTANT NOTE
These instructions are for Atlantic Tech nol o gy Pedes-
tal Subwoofer systems using the SA-6200 Mono and
SA-8200 Dual Mono Subwoofer ampli ers. All instructions and
in for ma tion pertain to both sys tems. Note that the SA-6200 ampli-
er only has one set of front mount ed controls and one set of input/
output connectors on the back and is designed to work with a pair
of 6200 Pedestal Subwoofers.
The unique design of these driv ers and ampli ers means that
they must only be used to geth er, with each other. You should never
at tempt to use a different ampli er with these woofers or dif fer ent
woof ers with these ampli ers.
3
8200 and 6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
4
Features
4
PedWoofer Modules
4
SA-6200 and SA-8200
4
THX Ultra 2 Certi ed (SA-8200),
THX Select Certi ed (SA-6200)
4
Test and Training CD-ROM
5
Ampli er Front Panel
6
Ampli er Back Panel
7
Remote Control
7
Connecting Your PedWoofers
7
Low Level Connection (LO IN)
7
Using the Low Level Thruput (THRU)
7
High Level Connection (HI IN – SA 8200 only)
8
SA-6200 Low Level Connections
9
SA-8200 Low Level Connections with One
SubOut/LFE Output
10
SA-8200 Low Level Connections with Two
SubOut/LFE Outputs
11
SA-8200 High Level Connections
12
Remote Control Connections
12
Power Connection
13
PedWoofer Placement
13
When Used As Bases for the 8200/6200 LR Satellites
13
Mounting the LR Satellites to the PedWoofers
13
When Used As Free-standing Subwoofers
13
Dual PedWoofer Placement
14
Installing the Feet on the PedWoofer
14
System Setup and Operation
14
The Low Pass Control
14
Bass Management
15
The Phase Control
15
Parametric Room Equalizer (EQ)
15
Adjusting the Parametric EQ Using a Meter or
Real Time Analyzer (RTA)
15
Setting the Parametric EQ Using an SPL Meter
16
Satellite Level Setting Using an SPL Meter
16
Level Setting Without an SPL Meter
16
Setting the Subwoofer Level Without an
SPL Meter or Test Tones
16
How Much is Enough?
16
Remote Control Functions
17
Direct Access Connector
17
Care and Feeding of Your PedWoofer System
17
PedWoofer Troubleshooting Guide
18
Speci cations
19
Program EQ Setting Curves
Copyright © 2003 Atlantic Technology International.
Speci cations are those in effect at the time of printing. Atlantic Technology reserves the
right to change speci cations or designs at any time without notice. THX and THX Ultra 2
are registered trademarks of Lucas lm, Ltd. Dolby Digital, AC-3, Dolby Stereo and Dolby
Pro Logic are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
3
Instruction Manual
8200 and 6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
8200 and 6200 Pedestal
Subwoofer Systems
Congratulations on your purchase of an Atlantic Technology PedWoofer
System. This unique subwoofer will enhance your listening pleasure
dramatically, by providing the bass foundation upon which most music
and special effects are built. In addition, its exible control capability
brings new meaning to the terms system and room integration, provid-
ing unheard of ne tuning capability to optimize its performance (and
your enjoyment) and optional Accent Kits to enhance its beauty.
These PedWoofer Systems are capable of delivering very high output
levels and wide dynamic range. When properly set up and adjusted they
will provide smooth in-room bass response down to 20 Hz, with a peak
SPL capability in excess of 105dB in a 3000 cubic foot space (1 set of
PedWoofers).
These systems consist of two compact enclosures (Figure 1) that can be
used as a base for Atlantic LR satellite speakers (8200 LR or 6200 LR), or
used freestanding in a room. A separate dedicated ampli er (Figure 3)
with remote control (Figure 2) power the woofers. There are two ver-
sions of the system, one that matches the Atlantic System 8200 and one
for the System 6200.
Your Atlantic Technology PedWoofers are designed to acoustically inte-
grate with virtually all other brands of loudspeakers on the market. And
due to their compact size, unique shape, available Accent Kits, and very
exible range of adjustment, they are the most versatile and unique high
performance subwoofers ever produced.
Figure 3
Figure 1
Figure 2
4
8200/6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
Features
Features
PedWoofer Modules
Ultra-long-throw 12" (8200) or 10" (6200) woofer with continu-
ous concave cone formulated from homopolymer, mica, micro-
glass spheres, carbon bers, and ceramics
The woofer’s damped surround is a half roll rubber type which allows
for very long, linear travel of the cone. Its spider is injection molded
from a man-made rubber compound that remains consistent in per-
formance over the lifetime of the driver without any degradation due
to age, heat, or use.
2.5" (8200) or 2" (6200) 4-layer voice coil drives the cone along
with a 12 lbs. (8200) or 10 lbs. (6200) vented magnet structure
This assembly includes a “T” shaped pole piece and Faraday shorting
ring that reduces 2
nd
and 3
nd and 3
nd
rd
order harmonic by an order of magnitude
rd order harmonic by an order of magnitude
rd
over standard woofers.
Massive, sealed enclosures for low distortion deep bass output
Sealed woofers are inherently lower in distortion and naturally deliver
deep, smooth bass response, with a gradual and predictable roll-off
below resonance, ensuring accurate musical bass reproduction along
with terri c special effects. The 8200 PedWoofer enclosure’s 1-inch
thick sides, -inch thick front and rear, combined with extensive
internal bracing result in reduced enclosure resonances and lower
distortion. The 6200 PedWoofer enclosure is identical except it has
-inch thick sides.
SA-6200 and SA-8200
Linear power high current discrete ampli ers conservatively
rated at 350 watts RMS per channel with short-term peak out-
put ability in excess of 550 watts per channel
The fully discrete design utilizes audiophile grade component parts
including an independent power supply for each channel with its own
custom-wound, low-hum Toroid transformer. The SA-8200 is a two-
channel ampli er and the SA-6200 is a single channel unit.
Servo-control circuitry
This circuit monitors and corrects for anomalies in the woofer’s per-
formance. If the servo-circuit detects driver distortion, it immediately
sends out a corrective signal to eliminate it, resulting in very high out-
put levels at unusually low distortion levels.
Built-in Parametric Equalizer (pages 5 and 13)
Designed to atten and smooth bass response deviations caused by
standing waves at the listening position, in your room. The ampli ers
have a single band of parametric EQ for each channel.
Four Built-in Program Equalizations with Reference
setting (pages 7 and 14)
We’ve carefully chosen and built in 4 preset bass EQ curves, plus a
at/THX response setting, to enhance your enjoyment of all program
materials.
Wireless Remote Operation (pages 7 and 14)
Control the program EQs, volume trim adjustment, and subwoofer
muting from your easy chair.
A useful in-room working frequency range of 20 Hz to 150Hz
Adjustable (50 Hz to 150 Hz) low-pass crossover (@ 18dB per
octave) with a THX/External setting (pages 5, 12 and 14)
Allows for much better bass integration with the satellite speakers
while making the woofer less localizable.
Low level inputs, low level thruputs (pages 6 and 7)
Thruputs allow daisy chaining of multiple subwoofers, or can act as
a return path back to the processor.
Four position Phase Invert switch (pages 5, 12 and 14)
Allows precise acoustic matching with satellite speaker systems
whose output may be phase reversed. Can also help to compensate
for unusual room acoustics that can occur, causing a lack of or too
much bass at the listening position.
A convenient front panel mounted Level Control with a click-
stop THX/REF input sensitivity setting (pages 5 and 14)
Automatic standby operation with LED indicator (page 12)
Features signal sensing turn-on with 7-10 minute turn-off delay.
Heavy-Duty detachable AC power cord and input socket (pages
6 and 12)
Rack Mountable
Meets all current UL/CSA and European safety requirements
THX Ultra 2 Certi ed (SA-8200)
THX is a group of performance standards and technologies initially
developed by Lucas lm Ltd. (of Star Wars fame). These are intended to
ensure that what you hear (and see) on your home system, as closely as
possible, matches what the director heard and saw during the nal pro-
duction mix down of the lm. THX is intended to enhance all surround
formats including the latest discrete multi-channel digital types.
Please
note that THX is not a surround format itself.
For more information, see
the THX website at www.thx.com.
THX Ultra 2 standards are based upon a room size of 3000 cubic feet
(LxWxH). This doesn’t mean certi ed components must be used in
rooms this exact size. The room sizes simply provide a frame of refer-
ence, as they indicate that these systems must deliver a minimum level
of performance in the speci ed area. System 8200 requires 2 pairs of
PedWoofers to qualify for Ultra 2 certi cation.
Test and Training CD-ROM
The enclosed Atlantic Technology/Sencore Test and Training Disc includes
lots of useful information. (Sencore is a world famous manufacturer of
electronic test and measurement equipment. We strongly support the
use of this caliber of equipment in the setup of home surround sound
systems). Please take a moment to go over its contents before proceeding
with your woofer’s setup. The disc includes room mode calculators, expla-
nations of how sound spreads in a room, information about home theater
setup, a glossary, and even an explanation of how standing waves “set up”
in rooms. Most importantly, there are test tones on the disc intended to
be used to set the equalizer and subwoofer level in your system.
5
Instruction Manual
LEVEL TRIM
display window
Indicates amount of trim adjustment applied above or below the
reference volume setting of your PedWoofer. (page 14)
FREQUENCY
EQ
FREQUENCY EQFREQUENCY
control
Selects the frequency to be adjusted by the parametric
equalizer. (page 13)
WIDTH
EQ control
Selects how wide a range of frequencies will be adjusted by the
parametric equalizer. (page 13)
ATTENUATION
EQ control
Reduces the woofer’s output at those frequencies selected by the
parametric equalizer. (page 13)
Program Equalization indicators
Light indicates selected Reference or EQ program. (page 14)
Main Power switch
Turns ampli er on or off. (page 12)
MUTE
indicator
Lights when ampli er volume is muted. (page 7 and 18)
ON/STDBY
indicator
Lights green when the ampli er is operating and turns yellow
when the ampli er is in standby mode. Turns red to indicate that
ampli er has entered protection mode. (pages 7 and 12)
PHASE
control
Sets correct PedWoofer phase (0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°) to best match
your satellite speakers and room. (pages 12 and 14)
LOW PASS
crossover control
Sets the low frequency crossover between the PedWoofers and your
satellite speakers. A detent is provided for the THX/EXT setting.
(pages 12 and 14)
BASS LEVEL
control
Sets the reference volume level of the connected PedWoofers.
A detent is provided for the THX/REF setting. (pages 13 and 14)
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Ampli er Front Panel
Figure 6
Ampli er Front Panel
NOTE:
Items in gray area are found on SA-8200 ampli er only
6
8200/6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
Product Serial Number
Write this number in the space provided on page 2 for future ref-
erence.
Direct Access Remote Control port
Use for hard-wired direct access of remote control functions.
Remote Control jacks
The IR IN jack accepts an IR signal from a separately pow-
ered system (other than the Atlantic Technology PedWoof-
ers) or an IR signal generated by a “whole-house” controller.
Use the THRU jack to “daisy-chain” other devices to the sensor.
(page 8)
EXT IR Receiver Connector
Use the EXT IR RCVR input powered port to connect to the Ped-
Woofer’s built-in IR receiver when the ampli er is not in line-of-
sight with the remote control. Use the OUT TO SLAVE jack to pass
on the received signal to other equipment.
Low Level jacks
Use the LO IN jack to connect to the subwoofer or LFE line out
from your processor/receiver. Use the THRU jack to pass the sig-
nal to the other channel of the ampli er or to another device.
(page 7)
High Level Inputs (SA-8200 only)
Use the HI IN binding posts to connect a high level (speaker) out-
put from your processor/ampli er. (page 7)
Speaker Outputs
Use the SPEAKER OUTPUT binding posts to connect the ampli-
er to the PedWoofer. (page 7)
AC Input
Use the included power cord to connect your ampli er to a wall
outlet. (page 12)
Ampli er Back Panel
Ampli er Back Panel
Ampli er Back Panel
NOTE:
Items in gray area are found on SA-8200 ampli er only
1
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11
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Figure 7
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11
SA-6200 only
7
Instruction Manual
Remote Control Connecting Your PedWoofers
The Atlantic Technology PedWoofer System is relatively simple to hook
up. In all cases, the PedWoofers should be connected to their dedicated
amplifier using high quality 2-conductor speaker wire (min. 16ga.
for runs of 30ft. or less; 30-100ft. use 14ga; Over 100ft use 12ga.) The
remote sensor connector on the back of the PedWoofer is connected to
the dedicated ampli er using the included plug-in connectors and any
good quality stranded 3-conductor wire (minimum 20ga; for lengths
over 200 ft. use 18ga.).
WARNING:
To prevent risk of electrical shock or damage to your
equipment, always unplug all component AC cords before pro-
ceeding with speaker and component connections! The last step in
wiring your system should be plugging in the AC cords!
Low Level Connection (LO IN)
We suggest using the low level (RCA jack) subwoofer line out or preamp
output if your receiver/processor has one. This jack may be labeled Sub,
Subwoofer, or LFE (Low Frequency Effects). Simply connect to the LO IN
jack(s) on your SA-8200 or SA-6200 ampli er with high-quality shielded
cables as shown in Figures 9-11. Please consult your processor/receiver
manual for further information regarding the use of these outputs.
Using the Low Level Thruput (THRU)
If your processor has a single subwoofer output and you are using the
SA-8200 Dual Mono ampli er, connect it using the example in Figure 9 to
connect both channels of the ampli er. We have supplied a short jumper
to facilitate this connection method. The THRU jack(s) can also be used
to run the low-level signal through the ampli er and out to another unit,
as shown in Figure 8. The signal that comes out of the THRU jack(s) is
identical to the input signal.
High Level Connection (HI IN – SA 8200 only)
Alternately, if you are connecting the ampli er through the high level (HI
IN) inputs, follow the diagram in Figure 12. If you do, we recommend that
you use high-quality speaker wire of at least 18 gauge or heavier. Please
consult your audio/video specialist for more speci c wire information.
You can connect to the HI IN inputs by using a variety of audio type
connectors, or by removing 1/2" of insulation from each wire end, twist-
ing the individual strands of each conductor together, placing the wire
through one of the post holes and screwing down the nut snugly (but use
care not to over tighten them).
It’s important to observe polarity while making speaker connections:
red (+) terminals on the ampli er to red (+) on the speaker, black (–)
on the ampli er to black (–) on the speaker. Note that one wire in each
pair will be marked by either the conductor color, printing on the wire
jacket, a ridge on one side of the wire jacket, or a thread intertwined with
the wire strands. By convention, the marked wire is connected to the red
(+) terminal.
Connecting Your PedWoofers
Preset Program EQ buttons
Select from 4 preset equalization settings in any sequence.
(page 14)
Reference EQ button
REF button returns the ampli er to its at/THX EQ settings and
returns the volume trim level to 0dB. (page 14)
MUTE
button
Mutes the output of the ampli er. Pressing again returns the ampli-
er to the previous volume setting
Level
TRIM
buttons
The
button increases and the
button decreases the volume
of the PedWoofers above or below the preset reference level in 1dB
increments. (page 14)
1
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
Figure 8
8
8200/6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
SA-6200 Low Level Connections
Figure 9
Connecting Your PedWoofers
Connecting Your PedWoofers
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Instruction Manual
Figure 10
SA-8200 Low Level Connections with One SubOut/LFE Output
Connecting Your PedWoofers
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8200/6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
Figure 11
SA-8200 Low Level Connections with Two SubOut/LFE Outputs
Connecting Your PedWoofers
Connecting Your PedWoofers
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Instruction Manual
SA-8200 High Level Connections
Figure 12
Connecting Your PedWoofers
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8200/6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
Figure 13
Remote Control Connections
Connecting Your PedWoofers
Connecting Your PedWoofers
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Power Connection
Connect the ampli er’s power cord to an AC outlet only after making all
other connections to the PedWoofer system. This will avoid any chance
of accidentally activating the subwoofers while wiring.
DO NOT PLUG
THE AMPLIFIER INTO THE SWITCHED OUTLET OF AN AMPLI-
FIER, PREAMPLIFIER, OR RECEIVER.
The power demands of the SA
ampli ers is substantial and will exceed the power rating of the switched
outlet and may damage the equipment. Be sure that the printed voltage
rating on the back of the ampli er is correct for your location.
The PedWoofer ampli er system is totally automatic in its operation.
Once the main power switch on the front of the ampli er has been
turned on, the automatic on/off circuitry will activate the ampli er in
the presence of an audio signal from your system. After 7-10 minutes
with no signal detected from the rest of the system, the ampli er will
return to the Standby mode. When the ampli er is active, the power LED
located on the front will glow green. The power LED will switch to yellow
in the Standby mode. Power consumption in Standby mode is negligible.
When you leave for long period of time, (vacation, weekend away, etc.)
we recommend shutting off the main power switch on the front panel
of the ampli er.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The ampli er includes an automatic protec-
tion circuit against overheating, overcurrent or short circuiting of the
speaker wires. Should any of these conditions occur, the ampli er
will stop operating and the ON/STDBY LED will turn red. If this hap-
pens, turn the main power off and check to make sure that there
are no misconnections or shorted connections between the ampli er
and the PedWoofers. After waiting 10-15 minutes for the ampli er
to cool, turn the unit back on. If the ampli er shuts off again, con-
tact your dealer or Atlantic Technology for more information.
The ampli ers generate a fair amount of heat. The louder you play them
the hotter they will become. It is very important to make sure nothing
blocks the ventilation openings on the top and bottom of the unit. Do
not place the ampli er of thick carpeting as the carpet will block the
ventilation holes on the bottom of the unit, restricting air ow through
the interior.
13
Instruction Manual
PedWoofer Placement
When Used As Bases for the 8200/6200 LR Satellites
If you are using the PedWoofers as pedestals for the 8200 LR please follow
the placement guidelines contained in the LR manual. The adjustments
provided on the PedWoofer ampli er can help to correct anomalies
caused by less than optimum woofer placement, whereas the LRs usu-
ally can’t be ne-tuned enough to eliminate the deleterious effects of bad
placement, such as in a corner.
The PedWoofers are marked Left and Right from the factory. That’s
because our experience has shown that a side- ring woofer sounds best
with the driver facing towards the center of the room as opposed to r-
ing outwards towards the side walls. However, if the PedWoofer’s driver
is aimed towards a wall or cabinet that is closer than 12 inches, it is best
to exchange the left and right PedWoofers so that the drivers are ring
out towards the side walls. Be sure to complete this step before proceed-
ing to “System Setup and Operation” since driver placement will affect
the response of the PedWoofers in the room.
Mounting the LR Satellites to the PedWoofers
If you are using the PedWoofers as bases for your system’s LR speakers
proceed as follows. Locate the threaded inserts/posts that are included
in the hardware package that came in your PedWoofers. There should be
four (4) posts in each package. Note that there are also four (4) threaded
inserts located in the top of
the PedWoofers (see Figure
14). Thread the posts into the
inserts by hand, being careful
not to strip them or get them
cross-threaded. Screw them
all the way down until they
are fully seated in the inserts.
If they are too snug to tighten
by hand you can use a small screwdriver. But use care and caution not
to over tighten them.
Located in the bottom of the LR satellites are matching Delrin® inserts
specially designed to hold the weight of the satellite speakers. Once the loca-
tion for each PedWoofer satellite combination is decided, carefully place the
PedWoofer in its nal position with the spiked feet down and the pins fac-
ing up. Carefully lift the satellite speaker (get a friend to help if necessary, as
these speakers are heavy) and align it over the PedWoofer with the Delrin
cups directly over the pins. Carefully tip the satellite back slightly and lower
the rear of the satellite down on the PedWoofer, with the rear pins entering
into the Delrin cups. Once the rear pins have begun to enter the cups tip the
speaker straight letting the front pins enter their respective cups.
Finally lower the satellite all the way down onto the PedWoofer using care
to remove your ngers so as not to pinch them between the cabinets.
There is supposed to be approximately inch of space between the two
cabinets when they are correctly placed together.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Do not attempt to move the satellite/PedWoofer
combination while they are attached in this manner. Only move them
after you have taken the satellite off the PedWoofer.
When Used As Free-standing Subwoofers
If you are using the PedWoofers as stand alone subwoofers, then, gen-
erally speaking, the ideal location would be in the front of the room,
between the LRs, or close to or in a corner (see Figure 15). Every room
has its own unique sound characteristics, and exibility in the exact
placement of subwoofers is always desirable. The closer a PedWoofer is
placed to a wall and especially a corner, the more and deeper the bass
response you will hear. However, in some rooms, corner placement can
produce too much bass or a “one note” boomy effect. Under such circum-
stances the subwoofer may work better away from the wall or corner. You
should experiment to nd the best position in your room.
Placement
Figure 15
Helpful Hint:
A particularly useful experiment is to place the sub-
woofer right at the prime listening position (move the couch or chair
out of the way and put the sub in its place). Then play something
with lots of good bass (preferably music), and walk around the room,
listening to the subwoofer’s response. When you locate an area that
has ample amounts of well-de ned bass, you have found a potentially
good place to locate the sub.
Dual PedWoofer Placement
When two PedWoofers are used you may wish to place them asym-
metrically; that is, in slightly different positions in the room (Figure 16).
This will reduce common mode room resonances that typically occur
with symmetrically placed subwoofers. Another good option is to place
the subwoofers in the same corner. Several tests have shown this to be a
viable means of producing smooth bass response in many rooms.
Figure 16
Figure 14
14
8200/6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
Installing the Feet on the PedWoofer
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Only install the spikes after you’ve decided on
the nal location for the PedWoofers. Once the spikes are attached
to the PedWoofers it will be much more dif cult to move them.
In order to ensure stability the Pedwoofers and PedWoofer/satellite com-
bination must be used in conjunction with the included feet. To mount
the feet carefully turn the PedWoofer upside down and place it on its
top on a carpet or some other soft non-damaging surface. You will see
four sets of holes with threaded inserts in the bottom of the PedWoofer.
Remove the black anodized at aluminum feet, the – 20 round head
bolts, and the package of pointed spiked feet from the PedWoofer pack-
aging. Place the at aluminum foot with the rounded end extended over
the side of the PedWoofer. Be sure that the threaded insert in the alumi-
num foot is facing up at you, as you’re looking down at the bottom of
the PedWoofer (see Figure 17). Line up the two holes in each aluminum
foot with the threaded inserts in the bottom of the PedWoofer. Insert
the – 20 screws into the holes and tighten them securely using the
included Hex key.
System Setup and Operation
The setup and operation of the 8200 and 6200 PedWoofers is exactly the
same except that the SA 6200 single channel ampli er and its associated
controls effect both PedWoofers in the 6200 system while the 8200’s dual
channel ampli er provides controls for each PedWoofer independently.
The
LOW PASS
Control
When used with a complete THX Certi ed speaker
system, the PedWoofer system’s LOW PASS control
should be set at 80Hz,
unless you are using a proces-
sor with a built-in crossover. If your processor is THX
certi ed or has a built-in crossover, bypass the Ped-
Woofer ampli er’s LOW PASS control by setting it to
the THX/EXT setting.
All THX certi ed satellites have been optimized to
work with an 80 Hz crossover point.
If your Processor/Receiver has no internal crossover (a fairly rare occur-
rence these days) the PedWoofer’s crossover should be used to optimize
the performance of the system, by ensuring that the subwoofer and satel-
lites produce a cohesive and well integrated sound picture.
Higher crossover frequencies pass more bass to the PedWoofers but can
quickly begin to sound boomy. They also make it easier to localize the
subwoofer sonically, which is highly undesirable. Higher crossover fre-
quencies may be suitable, however, when using very small satellites that
have no real low frequency performance. Settings lower than 80Hz should
only be employed if you are using larger speakers that have extended
bass response. This way, the PedWoofer will only reproduce the very
lowest bass frequencies that are in the range where the main speakers
begin to roll off. It’s generally undesirable to have the main speakers and
the subwoofer overlap too much. Larger speakers means a lower LOW
PASS crossover frequency, smaller speakers means a higher LOW PASS
crossover frequency. If necessary, contact the manufacturer of your sat-
ellite speakers for their speci ed low frequency response to determine
the appropriate LOW PASS setting on your PedWoofer ampli er. In the
end, however, a little time spent experimenting will generally result in
dramatically better bass response.
A Word About Bass, Center Channel Modes, and
System Setup:
Many Dolby Pro Logic surround processors and
surround receivers provide a choice between “Wide” (full fre-
quency range) and “Normal” (restricted low frequency) mode for
the center channel speaker. Atlantic Technology recommends that
the center channel be operated in the Normal mode when using
a powered subwoofer. The center channel speaker will sound
more dynamic and the intelligibility of the system will generally be
improved when in the Normal mode.
Bass Management
Today, many processors and receivers offer Bass Management capa-
bility. If yours does it will ask you to choose between Large and Small
loudspeakers during the system setup procedure. When speakers are set
to Large the processor/receiver assumes that they can produce full fre-
quency range sound, including very deep bass at fairly high volume levels.
When set to Small it assumes that the speakers are bass limited and feeds
System Setup and Operation
System Setup and Operation
Figure 17
After all four feet have been installed carefully remove the spiked feet
from their package. USE EXTREME CAUTION, AS THE POINTED SEC-
TIONS OF THE SPIKES ARE VERY SHARP. If you are placing the Ped-
Woofers on a carpeted surface we recommend using the pointed ends
of the spikes. If you are placing the PedWoofers on a hard surface (wood,
tile, cement, etc.) we recommend removing the sharp pointed ends of the
spikes by unscrewing them from the body of the spike.
Screw the bodies of the spikes onto the aluminum foot using your hand
and being careful not to cross thread them. If you are concerned about
the pointed ends you can unscrew them from the body of the spike before
you install them. Once the spikes have been installed carefully turn the
PedWoofers over and place them in their nal location. You can adjust
for slight discrepancies in level by screwing out the small pointed section
of the spike. Unscrew them no more than a total of 5 turns in order to
maintain adequate strength in the foot/spike combination
SA-700
Servo Controlled
Subwoofer Amplifier
Atlantic Technology
®
INNOVATIVE H OME T HEATER
15
Instruction Manual
the bass from that channel to the subwoofer. If your processor/receiver
offers this choice, all Atlantic Technology satellite speakers should be set
to Small, regardless of their size.
For those of you who may have heard otherwise, the choice of Large or
Small is not a matter of opinion, preference, taste, or based upon the
phases of the moon. So please ignore any and all free and helpful (and
many times incorrect) advice and set them to Small. In fact, the vast
majority of speakers on the market today should be set to small. As a rule
of thumb, if any satellite speaker in your system doesn’t have a 10-inch
diameter or larger woofer, it most probably should be set to Small, as far
as Bass Management is concerned.
The
PHASE
Control
A subwoofer operating out of phase with the rest of
the system won’t provide optimum low frequency
performance. Also, the correct subwoofer phase can
help compensate for room acoustic anomalies. There-
fore, a PHASE switch that will alter the phase of the
PedWoofers is provided on the ampli er. It has 4 posi-
tions (0°,90°,180°,270°) for added exibility. To set the PHASE control,
insert the supplied Atlantic Technology/Sencore Test and Training CD in
your CD/DVD player and select the broadband bass test tones on Track
16. Have someone sit in the prime listening position to evaluate the sound.
Pay particular attention to the transition of bass from the subwoofer to the
satellite speakers. You can also listen to a musical source such as a CD or
DVD, with strong bass content that spans the range from deep bass to mid
bass (a well recorded jazz disc with someone playing a full stand up bass is
always a good choice). It’s best not to use a “one note” special effects track
like a big explosion or dinosaur stomping to test the subwoofer. Experiment
with the position of the PHASE control(s) to get the best transition from
sub to satellites. We suggest you unplug the input to one PedWoofer chan-
nel at a time to set the PHASE control for the other channel (always turn off
the power before unplugging or plugging in any connections). It should be
obvious which is the correct setting. In particular, there will be a smoother,
more integrated transition between the satellites and the subwoofer when
they are properly phased.
Parametric Room Equalizer (EQ)
In order to optimize the performance of your PedWoofers the parametric
equalizer should be utilized. The built in Parametric EQ(s) allow you to
select the frequency you want to adjust, and how wide a band on either
side of that frequency you’re going to adjust with it. They are designed
speci cally to remove (turn down) unwanted peaks in the bass. The
procedure is fairly simple: the included Atlantic Technology/Sencore
Test and Training CD is used along with a SPL meter to de ne the single
largest bass peak at the prime listening position and then reduce it with
the Parametric EQ.
The test and setup CD also includes a wealth of general information con-
cerning sound reproduction and home theater, in addition to the test
tones.
Although the test tones can be used to set the EQ “by ear” we very
strongly recommend using a Sound Pressure Level meter or a Real Time
Analyzer to set the Parametric EQ.
Adjusting the Parametric EQ Using a Meter or
Real Time Analyzer (RTA)
IMPORTANT NOTE:
During all set up operations except setting the
Phase control it will be bene cial to shut off or disconnect all the
speakers except the PedWoofers.
It’s important to complete the preceding steps regarding speaker setup
before adjusting the parametric equalizer. Once they’re complete, insert
the Atlantic Technology/Sencore Test and Training CD into your CD or
DVD player and go to Track 16, which is a full range test signal includ-
ing all bass frequencies from 20Hz to 120Hz. Set the
BASS LEVEL
of a
single 8200 PedWoofer to 75dB at the primary listening position. With the
6200 system set the total PedWoofer output to 75dB at the prime listening
position. If you are using an RTA, set it to at least 1/6
th
octave resolution
th octave resolution
th
and slow response (Use slow response to allow the meter to average the
standing waves that build up in the room). Continue using Track 16 to
observe the overall response of the PedWoofer. It is highly likely that you
will nd at least one signi cant peak (between 20Hz and the crossover
point set on the ampli er or in the processor). Write down the center fre-
quency of the peak, how wide the peak is (by noting the upper and lower
frequencies where it starts and stops) and how large it is, in dB.
Begin setting the para-
metric EQ by adjusting
the
FREQUENCY
control
to the approximate cen-
ter frequency of the peak.
Next adjust the
WIDTH
control to the approximate
width of the peak. Note
that the
WIDTH
control is
calibrated in octaves. An octave is a doubling or halving of any chosen
frequency. For example, if the chosen frequency is 40Hz, 1 octave higher
would be 80Hz, and one octave lower would be 20Hz. Since the
WIDTH
control ranges from 0.2 octave to 1.5 octaves you see that you can adjust
from a fairly narrow band to a fairly wide band on either side of the center
frequency. Next, set the
ATTENUATION
control to the approximate minus
dB value to compensate for the peak. Measure the bass response again
and see how much you have reduced the overall peak. You may need to
ne-tune the controls to smooth the response as much as possible.
Setting the Parametric EQ Using an SPL Meter
If you only have an SPL meter, set the meter to C Weighting and Slow
response. Set the PedWoofer(s) output to 75dB at the listening position
as outlined above using Track 16 of the test disc. Sit in the prime listening
position with a pencil and paper play Tracks 1-15 sequentially to measure
the subwoofer response. Take enough time with each measurement to
allow the meter to stabilize. Write down the measured level for each fre-
quency, covering the range from 20Hz to the crossover point selected on
the subwoofer ampli er or in the receiver/processor. Once again, you will
most likely nd one or more signi cant peaks in the bass response. Pro-
ceed as detailed above to reduce the largest peak as much as possible.
System Setup and Operation
SA-700
Servo Controlled
Subwoofer Amplifier
Atlantic Technology
®
INNOVATIVE H OME T HEATER
SA-700
Servo Controlled
Subwoofer Amplifier
Atlantic Technology
®
INNOVATIVE H OME T HEATER
16
8200/6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
Remote Control Functions
Satellite Level Setting Using an SPL Meter
When setting up a complete home theater we strongly recommend that
you use a Sound Pressure Level meter to calibrate the individual channel
levels. At the time of this writing Radio Shack® has one that is affordably
priced (approximately $40) and works well. However, for the best result
in setting up the levels and the parametric EQ you would be much better
served by using a true audio test instrument with a Real Time Acoustic
Analyzer (RTA) such as the Sencore® SP 295.
To calibrate channel levels using an SPL meter, turn on your system, put
the Processor/Receiver in the Test Mode and set its main volume con-
trol to a moderate volume level. If the volume control has a 0dB setting
with minus dB below and plus dB above 0, set the control to 0dB. Sit in
the prime listening position, set the SPL meter to the 70dB scale, Slow
Response, and C Weighting. Holding the meter in front of you with the
microphone pointed up at the ceiling, cycle the test tone from speaker to
speaker, setting every speaker (including the subwoofer) to 75dB using
the individual channel level adjustments in the Processor/Receiver. In
some cases, you may have to use the Processor/Receiver’s main volume
control to get the rst speaker you set (typically the left front) to 75 dB,
but from then on use the receiver’s internal level adjustments to set each
channel. These may only be accessible through the Processor/Receiver’s
remote control.
As tempting as it may be to set the subwoofer and/or surround speakers
higher than 75dB, don’t. Set them to 75dB and see if you can acclimate
to the sound as the lm maker created it. Try watching several different
movies and keep in mind that the goal is to have a system that sounds
like you’re actually in the movie. Just like in a well set up movie theater, in
most cases, you shouldn’t be consciously aware of the surround speaker’s
output at all, much less have so much bass that your furniture moves
across the room.
When using the latest discrete digital electronics we recommend setting
the subwoofer ampli er’s
BASS LEVEL
control to its THX/REF posi-
tion and using the Processor/Receiver’s built-in subwoofer level control.
Should you have dif culty achieving the correct subwoofer volume this
way or should your Processor/Receiver not have a subwoofer level adjust-
ment built in, you can use the subwoofer ampli er’s main
BASS LEVEL
control to make this adjustment.
Level Setting Without an SPL Meter
If you cannot use an SPL meter to calibrate the system try to set all the
speaker volumes to the same level using the Test Tones. Of course, this
will be much more dif cult without the meter, especially for the sub-
woofer.
Setting the Subwoofer Level Without an SPL
Meter or Test Tones
Start your listening with the subwoofer LOW PASS control set at the cor-
rect crossover point (or in the THX/EXT position if you’re using a THX
Certi ed processor or unit with a built-in crossover). Set the PHASE
control to 0
0
, and the front panel BASS LEVEL control to the THX/REF
position as shown to the left.
Play some music that
you know has good
bass content, and
turn the Processor/
Receiver’s level con-
trol up until you just
start to hear the subwoofer working. Now, from your normal listening
position, determine whether the subwoofer is playing loudly enough and
lling in the bass frequencies of the music evenly. If adjustment is neces-
sary, change the processor’s setting or use the front panel BASS LEVEL
control if your processor lacks a subwoofer level adjustment.
How Much is Enough?
Sometimes people prefer more bass impact for movies than sounds
natural when reproducing music. The PedWoofer ampli er offers 4 EQ
settings plus the LEVEL TRIM to help maximize your enjoyment of dif-
ferent source material. Remember however, the most common error
people make when setting up their system is to play the subwoofer (and
surrounds) too loudly. Although the Home Theater Police will not arrest
you for this act, should you desire the most accurate overall reproduction,
a well-balanced sound from deepest bass to highest treble is the best way
to get it. Have fun. Experiment. Enjoy.
Remote Control Functions
There are 4 custom EQ settings that have been programmed into the Ped-
Woofer ampli er (see graphs on back cover). These have been chosen to
enhance your enjoyment of both movies and music. These EQ settings
are fairly subtle in their effect, as we wanted to make them truly useful
with a wide selection of software. They can be accessed by pressing one
of the four EQ buttons on your Remote Control.
EQ1
- This EQ was primar-
ily designed to enhance music. It
reduces midbass frequencies by a
small, but noticeable amount. You
will nd that on many music sources
this will make the bass sound tighter
and more defined. It should make
individual bass notes easier to hear
as well. EQ1 can also be used to remove some overall bass boominess
when playing particularly bass heavy material.
EQ2
- This EQ was programmed to enhance the impact and punch of
special effects. It increases the bass output centered at 60Hz. Depending
upon the source material, EQ2 could also be used to add some warmth
to a bass shy music recording.
EQ3
- Another choice primarily intended to enhance movie and video
soundtracks. This one uses a more subtle increase of bass output cen-
tered at 80HZ with the addition of a very low frequency (subsonic) lter.
This gives you the option of punching up the mid-bass while at the same
time reducing the possibility of overdriving the woofers with extreme
low frequencies.
SA-700
Servo Controlled
Subwoofer Amplifier
Atlantic Technology
®
I
NNOVATIVE
H
OME
T
HEATER
17
Instruction Manual
PedWoofer Troubleshooting Guide
EQ4
- We call EQ4
EQ4 - We call EQ4 EQ4
After Dark
. At lower volume levels human hear-
ing is less sensitive at the frequency extremes (deep bass and very high
sounds). In order to compensate when you must play the system at lower
volume levels, EQ4 has been designed to raise the overall bass output of
the sub slightly. The result will be a fuller and richer sounding bass at low
volumes. EQ4 is designed for both music and movies. It can also be used
to help compensate for lack of bass at the listening position.
REF
- This resets the EQ to at response and the also resets the volume
trim to 0dB.
LEVEL TRIM and MUTE
- The
and
and
buttons let you change
buttons let you change
the total output level of your subwoofer to compensate for soundtrack
variations and your personal preferences. Each push of the button results
in a 1dB change above or below the
preset reference set with the BASS
LEVEL control. The LEVEL TRIM
readout on the amplifier indicates
the level of adjustment in dB.
Pressing the MUTE button turns off
the volume of the PedWoofers. Pressing it again returns the volume to
its previous setting.
Direct Access Connector
Located on the rear panel, this port and the corresponding male plug
(shipped installed in the port) is for use with a hard wired remote control
system using electronic or mechanical switching. Each contact function
is labeled. To access the control functions use a normally open connec-
tion. Momentary closure will activate each function. The
LEVEL TRIM
function will respond in 1dB steps to a single contact closure while con-
stant closure will result in continuous steps to the maximum of ± 10dB.
The REF EQ and REF volume reset functions each have their own set
of contacts.
Care and Feeding of Your
PedWoofer System
The
dura
Blac enclosure nish can be cleaned with a water dampened
cloth and dried with a soft cotton towel. Their
dura
BlacTM nish is a
matte lacquer paint that should be treated like any ne painted surface.
The ampli er can be wiped with a clean, dry cloth. If necessary, you can
clean the front panel with a soft cloth moistened with mild window
cleaner or dampened
slightly
with water.
slightly with water.slightly
IMPORTANT: SAVE YOUR BOXES!
If you can do so, save the
carton, packing pieces and plastic bags that came with your sub-
woofer. They will be useful in case you move or have to ship your
subwoofer for any reason. In any case, save all packing materials
until you are certain that the system has suffered no damage in
shipment. If you nd such damage, either visible or internal, con-
tact your dealer immediately for the proper return procedure.
PedWoofer Troubleshooting Guide
Once your PedWoofers are set up, you should have many years of mainte-
nance free enjoyment from your system. However, if you should encoun-
ter a problem, refer to the following guide to help nd the solution. If the
problem persists, please contact your local authorized Atlantic Technol-
ogy dealer.
Problem
Possible Cause
Possible Solution
No bass output
AC power cord unplugged or
Plug into a working outlet.
plugged into a non-working outlet.
Input cables not securely
Check all connections, then try another
connected or defective.
input cable.
Audible buzz or hum
Input cable not securely connected
Check all connections, then try another
or defective.
input cable.
Ground loop through antenna or
Test by disconnecting antenna and/or cable
cable TV system input.
system input leads. If hum goes away, install
isolation balun(s) at that point.
Weak bass: vague stereo image
Input source connected to HI LEVEL
Check speaker wire connections and
inputs is wired out of phase.
reconnect in proper phase.
18
8200/6200 Pedestal Subwoofer System
Speci cations
AMPLIFIER
RMS Power
(before limiting and servo)
350 Watts/Channel
Dynamic IHF Peak Power
550 Watts/Channel
Signal to Noise Ratio
(-90dB hum)
-97dB @ full output
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.05% @ full output
Frequency Response
(typical, in room)
SA-8200 = 15-400 Hz ±2 dB
SA-6200 = 25-400 Hz ±3 dB
Low Level Input Sensitivity
250mv @ full output, 100Hz
Low Level Input Impedance
22K
Ω
High Level Input Sensitivity
2.5v @ full output, 100Hz
High Level Input Impedance
820
Ω
Power Supply Storage
27K microfarads/channel
Toroid Transformer(s)
400VA/Channel
Output Stage Peak Current
40 amps rated/Channel
Dimensions
W x H x D (in/cm)
19.0/30.5 (faceplate);
16.875/42.86 (enclosure) x 5.0/12.7 (feet and faceplate) x 14.0/35.56
Weight
(lbs/kg)
SA-6200 = 22.3/10.12
SA-8200 = 38.9/17.64
SUBWOOFER
Driver Type
One (1) Glass bead/ceramic/carbon ber/polymer cone per pedestal
Driver Size
8200 PED = 12"
6200 PED = 10"
SPL
(approx. peak output, typical, in room)
8200 PED 1 pair/2 pair (THX Ultra 2) = 117dB/120dB
6200 PED 1 pair = 115dB
Dimensions
W x H x D (in/cm)
8200 PED = 9.3/23.3 x 29.6/78.8 x 15.6/38.7
6200 PED = 7.8/19.4 x 26.0/66.0 x 14.3/35.6
Weight
(lbs/kg)
8200 PED = 52.0/23.6
6200 PED = 37.0/16.8
Speci cations
Speci cations
19
Instruction Manual
Program EQ Setting Curves
EQ1
EQ2
EQ3
EQ4
REF/THX ( at)
Note:
These graphs represent the response of the ampli er with-
out crossovers. In actual use, the system is not designed to re spond
beyond 200Hz.
Program EQ Setting Curves
343 Vanderbilt Avenue Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 762-6300 www.atlantictechnology.com
Atlantic Technology
®
Atlantic Technology
®
INNOVATIVE H OME T HEATER
015-1862
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