Outlaw Audio Speaker ECS 10 User Manual

Enhanced Cube Subwoofer  
ECS-10  
Owner’s Manual  
Version 1.0  
 
Owner’s Manual  
Outlaw Audio Enhanced Cube Subwoofer ECS-10  
Table of Contents  
Outlaw Audio  
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Please Read First  
Table of Contents  
Outlaw Audio Enhanced Cube Subwoofer ECS-10  
Unpacking  
Before You Begin  
Subwoofers, Bass and Overall System Performance  
ECS-10’s Controls and Connections  
Setup Guide  
Enhanced Cube Subwoofer  
ECS-10  
Congratulations on the purchase of an Outlaw Audio ECS-10 Enhanced Cube  
Subwoofer. TheECS-10 providesdeep, tight, bassextensionthat’s powerfulenough  
to meet the most demanding requirements of any movie or musical source.  
Thanks to a flexible crossover system that may be defeated for use with advanced  
bass management systems, the ECS-10 blends seamlessly with both small satellite  
speakers as well as large tower type speaker systems.  
Connecting to Your System  
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Connecting to a System with a Subwoofer Preamp Output  
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Connecting to a System without a Subwoofer Preamp Output,  
but with Standard Left/Right Preamp Outputs  
The ECS-10’s high-power and long-throw woofer are housed in a cabinet that  
measures just over a cubic foot, ensuring that your new subwoofer can be tucked  
away out-of-sight in almost any listening environment.  
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Connecting to a System with no Preamp Outputs  
Subwoofer Placement  
Notes On Subwoofer Placement  
Setting the ECS-10’s Controls  
Phase Switch  
Among the ECS-10’s many features are:  
A long throw 10” driver for deep bass extension  
Oversized spider for increased linearity at high excursion  
A powerful 1,000 watt RMS (2000 watts dynamic) amplifier for precision  
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Variable Crossover  
driver control  
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Volume Level  
Signal Sense for automatic turn on/off (can be defeated)  
The Scattered Subwoofer System (Two ECS-10’s)  
What’s Needed to Connect Two Subwoofers?  
Placement and Level Control  
Care and Maintenance  
Cleaning  
0/180-degree phase control  
Stereo line level and speaker level inputs  
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LFE input  
Unpacking  
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When You Are Away  
The carton and packing materials used in shipping your new subwoofer were  
specially designed to cushion it from the shocks and vibrations of shipping. We  
strongly suggest that you save the carton and packing materials to use if you move,  
or if the unit ever needs to be shipped back to us for any reason.  
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Troubleshooting  
Troubleshooting Guide  
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Outlaw Service Information  
10 The Outlaw Audio 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee  
10 ECS-10 Enhanced Cube Subwoofer Specifications  
11 Outlaw Audio Limited Warranty  
Tominimizethesizeofthecartoninstorage, youmaywishtoattenitbycarefully  
opening the top and bottom flaps and folding the carton flat. Packing materials  
that cannot be collapsed should be saved along with the carton in a plastic bag.  
Before You Begin  
Before proceeding with the integration of the ECS-10 into your system, please  
observe the following precautions and suggestions.  
Do not plug the power cord into the ECS-10 until all other connections are  
made.  
Always refer to the instructions that came with the receiver or processor for  
specific procedures, warnings and options.  
The contents of this manual are Copyright © 2009 by Outlaw Audio, LLC, and may not be  
duplicated or reproduced by any means, whether physical, electronic or otherwise without  
prior written consent from Outlaw Audio.  
Make sure to insert all plugs and connectors securely. Improper connections  
can result in noise, poor performance, or damage to the equipment.  
Do not bundle the subwoofer cable or speaker wire with the power cord. This  
Outlaw Audio and the Outlaw Audio logo are registered trademarks of Outlaw Audio, LLC.  
may adversely affect the sound quality and introduce unwanted hum into  
your system.  
Specifications are those in effect at the time of printing. Outlaw Audio reserves the right  
to change specifications or designs at any time without notice or obligation to modify  
existing units.  
ECS-10 Enhanced Cube Subwoofer  
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Owner’s Manual  
Subwoofers, Bass and Overall System Performance  
bottom two octaves of sound (20 Hz to 80 Hz) are frequently rolled off or not  
reproduced at all. Here, too, a specialized speaker/amplifier combination is  
required to deliver the full spectrum of sound from a system.  
Subwoofers, Bass and Overall  
System Performance  
The goal of an audio system is to recreate the source material as accurately as  
possible. The components needed to perform this task are an audio source, a  
receiver or processor/amplifier combination, and speakers.  
Finally, many multi-channel digital soundtracks contain a special audio channel  
devoted specifically to extreme low frequency extension. This signal is the “.1” in  
5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 systems and is sometimes referred to as the LFE channel.  
In the era of digital, multi-channel sound, many listeners have chosen to use  
frequency-limitedsatellitespeakersforthefront, centerandsurroundchannels.  
By limiting their frequency range, these speakers may be made smaller, to more  
easily fit into a wide range of spaces. However, by eliminating the capability to  
reproduce bass frequencies, a separate speaker that is custom designed to deal  
with signals below 200Hz is required. That speaker, along with its companion,  
built-in amplifier is a powered subwoofer.  
Regardless of which of these situations create the need, a subwoofer is absolutely  
essential for accurate audio reproduction of both movies and music. A properly  
designed subwoofer such as the Outlaw ECS-10 can provide a visceral impact  
that most speakers are not able to provide on their own. No matter what type of  
speakers comprise the rest of your system or what your favorite movie or music  
is the ECS-10 is up to the task of completing the sonic presentation by providing  
the impact that only a subwoofer can provide.  
Even in two-channel systems with traditional bookshelf or tower speakers the  
ECS-10 Rear Panel  
A
SUBWOOFER  
VOLUME  
B
MIN  
MAX  
INACTIVE  
ACTIVE  
C
AUTO ON/OFF  
80 Hz  
ECS-10  
LOW-PASS  
CROSSOVER  
D
120 Hz  
40 Hz  
INTERNAL  
X-OVER  
SUBWOOFER  
DIRECT  
E
F
POWER  
ON  
180°  
PHASE  
R
L
OUTPUT  
G
H
INPUT  
OFF  
LFE  
SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT  
+
-
-
+
R
L
120V~  
60HZ  
8A  
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WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE  
OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE  
THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE  
CAUTION  
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK  
DO NOT OPEN  
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR  
AVIS:  
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Outlaw Audio  
 
Owner’s Manual  
Setup Guide  
The ECS-10’s Controls and Connections  
Setup Guide  
A
MASTER POWER Switch  
Connecting To Your System  
This switch is used to turn the ECS-10 on or off. When the unit will not be  
used for extended periods, we recommend that it be turned off to prevent  
accidental activation.  
To get the maximum performance from your new ECS-10 it must be properly  
connected, positioned properly within the room and configured to match your  
speakers. To connect the ECS-10 you will need either a single audio interconnect  
cable (in the case of systems with a subwoofer output), a pair of audio intercon-  
nects (in the case of systems without a left/right pre-amp outpt) or additional  
speaker wire. We recommend the Outlaw Audio PCA SUB cable, but any high  
quality, shielded audio interconnect will work properly.  
B
C
SUBWOOFER VOLUME Control  
This knob controls the output level of the ECS-10.  
AUTO ON/OFF Power Switch  
This switch enables the ECS-10’s signal sense mode so that the unit turns on  
automatically when an audio signal is present.  
Connecting to a System with a Subwoofer  
Preamp Output  
If a low-level subwoofer output is available, use this jack to connect your ECS  
subwoofer to your Preamp or Receiver. See Diagram 1 below.  
D
E
LOW-PASS CROSSOVER Control  
This control sets the frequency of the built in variable low pass crossover.  
X-OVER Switch  
To connect the ECS-10 to a subwoofer preamp output:  
When an external crossover such as the Outlaw Audio ICBM is used, this  
switch will bypass the ECS-10’s internal crossover.  
1. Turn off all system components and unplug the processor or receiver  
and the ECS-10 from their AC power source.  
F
PHASE Switch  
2. Locate the “Subwoofer/LFE Output“ on the rear panel of your receiver  
This control changes the phase of the ECS-10 with respect to the main  
speakers.  
or processor.  
Any audio product that decodes Dolby Digital or DTS soundtracks will have  
this type of jack. Depending on the particular brand or model, this RCA  
jack may be labeled “Sub,” “Subwoofer,” or “LFE Out.” If your receiver  
or processor does not have this type of output you will need to follow the  
“Connecting to a System with No Preamp Outputs“ instructions that fol-  
low this section.  
G
H
LINE LEVEL OUT  
Connect these bandwidth limited outputs to your power amplifier.  
LFE  
Connect the subwoofer output or stereo preamp outputs of your receiver,  
processor or other source device or accessory to this jack(s).  
3. Connect one end of the subwoofer cable to the subwoofer or LFE output  
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HIGH LEVEL INPUTS  
on the receiver or processor.  
When your receiver does not have line level outputs available for a subwoofer  
connection, connect the speaker outputs of the receiver here.  
4. Locate the connection labeled LFE on the rear panel of the ECS-10 and  
connect the other end of the subwoofer cable to that jack.  
Diagram 1: Connecting to a System with a Subwoofer Preamp Output  
SUBWOOFER  
VOLUME  
MIN  
MAX  
INACTIVE  
ACTIVE  
AUTO ON/OFF  
80 Hz  
ECS-10  
LOW-PASS  
CROSSOVER  
120 Hz  
40 Hz  
INTERNAL  
X-OVER  
SUBWOOFER  
DIRECT  
POWER  
180°  
PHASE  
R
ON  
L
  
OUTPUT  
INPUT  
OFF  
LFE  
SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT  
+
-
-
+
R
L
120V~  
60HZ  
8A  
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE  
OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE  
THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE  
ECS-10  
CAUTION  
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK  
DO NOT OPEN  
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR  
AVIS:  
ECS-10 Enhanced Cube Subwoofer  
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Owner’s Manual  
Wiring Diagrams  
Diagram 2: Connecting to a System without a Subwoofer Preamp Output,  
but with Standard Left/Right Preamp Outputs  
INPUT  
INPUT  
INPUT  
INPUT  
FRONT RIGHT  
FRONT LEFT  
CENTER  
SURROUND RIGHT  
OUTPUT  
OUTPUT  
OUTPUT  
OUTPUT  
+
+
+
+
SUBWOOFER  
VOLUME  
-
-
-
-
MIN  
INACTIVE  
MAX  
ACTIVE  
AUTO ON/OFF  
WARNING:  
HAZARDOUS ENERGY. MAKE PROPE  
CONNECTIONS: SEE OWNER'S MAN  
80 Hz  
ECS-10  
LOW-PASS  
CROSSOVER  
Alifi  
120 Hz  
40 Hz  
INTERNAL  
X-OVER  
SUBWOOFER  
DIRECT  
POWER  
180°  
PHASE  
R
ON  
L
OUTPUT  
INPUT  
OFF  
LFE  
SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT  
+
-
-
+
R
L
120V~  
60HZ  
8A  
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE  
OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE  
THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE  
CAUTION  
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK  
DO NOT OPEN  
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR  
AVIS:  
ECS-10  
Riv    
5. Plug the ECS-10’s power cord into an un-switched AC outlet.  
To connect an ECS-10 Subwoofer using standard Left/Right preamp  
outputs:  
CAUTION: Due to the power requirements of the ECS-10, it must not  
be connected to the accessory outlets on a receiver or processor. If a  
power-strip or surge protector is used, make certain that it is rated to  
accommodate the ECS-10’s power requirements.  
1. Turn off all system components and unplug the processor or receiver  
and the ECS-10 from their AC power source.  
2. LocatetheLeft/Rightpreampoutputsontherearpanelofyourreceiver  
6. Reconnect your processor or receiver to the AC power source.  
or processor.  
7. Proceed to the “Setting the ECS-10’s Controls” section to learn about  
Some audio products that do not offer digital surround processing will  
have these types of jacks. If your receiver or processor does not have this  
type of output you will need to follow the “Connecting to a system with no  
pre-amp outputs” instructions that follow this section.  
the ECS-10’s controls and how they operate.  
Connecting to a System without a Subwoofer  
Preamp Output, but with Standard Left/Right  
Preamp Outputs  
3. Connect one end of the audio interconnects to the left and right preamp  
outputs on the receiver or processor.  
If your system does not have a dedicated subwoofer preamp output, but has left/right  
preamp outputs, you can use these jacks to connect your receiver or processor to the  
subwoofer amplifier. See Diagram 2 below.  
4. Locate the connections labeled “INPUT” on the rear panel of the ECS-10  
and connect the other end of the interconnects to these jacks.  
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Outlaw Audio  
 
Owner’s Manual  
Subwoofer Placement  
5. If you are using a separate power amplifier, connect a second set of  
interconnects to the connections labeled “OUTPUT” on the ECS-10  
power amp.  
1. Turn off all system components and unplug the receiver and/or amplifier  
and the ECS-10 from their AC power source.  
2. Locate the front left/right speaker output terminals on your receiver or  
Note:TheECS-10’slineleveloutputisbandwidthlimitedtosignalsabove  
80Hz. ThisenablesyoutousetheECS-10withsmallsatellitespeakersby  
limiting the amount of low frequency information they will be asked to  
reproduce. Subsequently, the reduced demand on your power amplifier  
and speakers will result in better sound across the board.  
amplifier.  
IncaseswheretherearebothAandBterminals,theAterminalsshould  
be used. Disconnect any wire that is presently connected to these terminals.  
3. Using the same type of speaker wire used for your other speaker  
connections; connect the left and right channel speaker outputs of your  
receiver or amplifier to the ECS-10’s “Speaker Level Input”.  
6. Locate the corresponding amplifier channels on your dedicated power  
amplifier and connect the other end of the interconnects to these jacks.  
NOTE: Be sure to connect the speaker wires to the appropriate input  
binding posts located on the back of the ECS-10, making certain that  
the polarity (-/+) on the receiver or amplifier matches the polarity on  
the binding posts of the subwoofer amplifier. In most cases this means  
connecting the red terminal on the receiver or amplifier to the red  
terminal on the ECS-10, but always check the markings on the rear  
panel to insure “+ to +” and “- to –“ connections.