Complement Series
R12DT
12” Powered Subwoofer
User’s Manual
R12DT SUBWOOFER
INTRODUCTION
Port
Port
The Russound R12DT active subwoofer delivers the
chest-thumping deep bass sound you want for a super-
sonic listening experience. Whether it’s the asteroids
breaking apart in your favorite sci-fi movie or the in-your-
face concert experience of a classic rock band perform-
ance, the R12DT keeps up its end of the deal in your
home theater or audio system. With its built-in amplifier,
the R12DT fits into to any system, and is tuned for both
stereo music audio and for a home theater surround
setup. The R12DT filters out mid- and high-range frequen-
cies by sending bass-only signals to its own amplifier via
an active crossover network.
DUAL TUNED PORT DESIGN
The R12DT subwoofer ports are tuned to provide opti-
mum bass reinforcement for systems designed primarily
for home theater entertainment or for music listening.
With home theater systems, both ports are left open.
This tuning provides an increase in low frequency output
which is more ideal for movies where explosions and
other action sounds need greater impact.
Woofer
The front-firing 12-inch woofer has a 50mm diameter
voice coil and vented pole piece for high power han-
dling and more efficient operation.
For music applications, one of the ports is blocked with
the included plug. This tunes the enclosure for a flatter
response with extended low frequency response. It will
produce lower notes and do so more accurately.
Subwoofer front (grille removed)
Polarity
CONNECTIONS
When you make connections make sure the power
switches of all components are off, including the
subwoofer.
All speakers in a system must be connected with the
same polarity. Speaker wire is marked for polarity so
that you can identify which wire in the pair is which.
Polarity is shown by a color strip on the insulation, by
ridged molded into the insulation or be the colors of the
wires, one copper and one silver.
Audio Cables
If you are connecting your subwoofer into a system
made up of separate components (preamps and power
amps), you will need audio cables long enough to reach
the subwoofer from the preamplifier and the power
amplifier.
Strip the insulation from speaker wire ends to reveal the
bare conductors before connecting to receiver, sub-
woofer or speaker terminals.
Note: Always connect the red (+) terminal on the receiv-
er to the red (+) terminal on the subwoofer, and the
black (–) terminal on the receiver to the black (–) terminal
on the subwoofer. The same is true for connecting the
receiver outputs to the front speakers red (+) to red (+)
and black (–) to black (–).
Speaker Wire
Typical speaker wire has a pair of separate conductors
with insulating jackets that are molded together. We rec-
ommend that you use 16-gauge wire for connecting the
receiver to the front speakers.
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R12DT SUBWOOFER
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Speaker Level Input: (with passthrough) Binding
post terminals will accept up to 12 gauge speaker
wire or banana jacks. Allows input connections to
be sourced from an amplified speaker signal such
as the Left and Right output from an
amplifier/receiver. This amplified signal is tapped
off for feeding the subwoofer but the signal is unal-
tered and is passed directly on to adjoining output
terminals.
Power Auto, On and Off: Auto setting - amplifier
turns on when audio is detected. On - amplifier is
always on. Off - amplifier is off.
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Low-Level Line Input: Left and Right channel RCA
connections for low-level audio signal feed.
LFE Input: RCA connection for pre-filtered low level
signals from a processor such as home theater
receiver.
External Heat Sink: Provides heat dissipation for
the subwoofer’s internal amplifier. Do not cover or
place against another object as this may impair its
performance.
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Power: Molded power cord for 120V 60Hz 4.0A
power supply.
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Speaker Level Output: Binding post terminals
accept banana jacks or speaker wire up to 12
gauge in size. Output terminals feed audio to the
speakers which would otherwise be directly con-
nected to the amplifier/receiver’s main Left and
Right outputs (those connected to the speaker level
inputs).
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Volume Level Adjustment: Increase or decrease
the output level relative to the incoming signal.
Crossover: Provides active filtering of the incoming
signal to allow only lower frequencies to be ampli-
fied. Adjustment range from 60Hz to 160Hz.
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Phase Selection: The speaker Phase can be vari-
ably adjusted up to 180 degrees. Used with more
than one subwoofer or for abnormal room
acoustics.
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R12DT SUBWOOFER
Method B
CONNECTION OPTIONS
Note: Choose Method A, Method B or Method C con-
This method provides better sound quality and is pre-
ferred over Method C. The preamp (variable line level)
outputs from the receiver carry the full range of audio
signal frequency and the R12DT will use the active
crossover to filter out the mid- and high-range frequen-
cies, those which the subwoofer is not designed to
reproduce.
nection option. DO NOT combine them; choose only one.
Method A (Most desirable)
This configuration will have the best result for a home
theater system. If your preamp receiver or processor
has a subwoofer or LFE (low frequency effect) output
jack that is variably controlled by the master volume con-
trol, use a single RCA audio cable to connect that output
to the subwoofer’s LFE in jack. This method bypasses
the subwoofer’s internal crossover.
Note: If the subwoofer is plugged into a different electri-
cal circuit from that which supports the rest of the audio
system, a ground loop may result. This causes a 60Hz
low frequency hum. This can be eliminated by using the
same electrical circuit or by inserting a ground loop iso-
lation filter in line with the RCA cables.
Speakers
Receiver
Speakers
Receiver
Preamp
Output
LFE or
Subwoofer
Output
RCA
Cable
RCA
Cables
Subwoofer
Subwoofer
METHOD A
METHOD B
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R12DT SUBWOOFER
Method C (Most universal installation, least
desirable sonically)
This connection method allows the subwoofer to be used
with virtually any audio system, but its audio output is
not as clean as when line in or LFE inputs are used, as in
Method A or B.
Receiver
Connect speaker wire from the amplifier/receiver’s main
Left and Right outputs to the speaker level input on the
subwoofer. Using the same size speaker wire, connect
the speaker level outputs from the subwoofer to the
main Left and Right speakers.
This method directly connects the main Left and Right
speaker inputs to the speaker outputs, but the sub-
woofer amplifier taps onto the speaker level signal to get
an audio feed.
This signal, being previously amplified by the
amplifier/receiver, is not only too strong but also con-
tains a certain percentage of distortion relative to the
audio signal. This percentage (the lower the better)
should be specified in the amplifier/receiver’s manual.
This signal is internally reduced to feed the amplifier for
the subwoofer which will not only re-amplify the audio but
also any distortion present in the signal as well.
Speakers
Subwoofer
METHOD C
ADJUSTMENTS
PLACEMENT
To start, set the crossover control to its center position.
This adjustment selects the frequency where the audio
will start to be filtered out (Method B and C only). The
higher the setting, the more signal range will be allowed,
increasing output along with frequency range. Too high a
setting can cause poor sound if the subwoofer is cover-
ing frequencies that are not in need of reinforcement,
e.g., main speakers and subwoofer covering the same
range may create undesirable levels of mid bass notes.
The R12DT subwoofer uses the sonic reflective qualities
of an on-floor, corner placement to achieve optimal
sound performance. The closer it is placed to a corner,
the more emphasized the bass will sound. The R12DT
should also be placed close enough to the audio system
so that cables and wires are as short a run as possible.
Installation tip: put the subwoofer in the location where
the seated listener would be connect the subwoofer and
adjust for best sound. Move around the room and you
will hear a difference in the subwoofer output based on
your location and how the room acoustics affect it. Find
the area where the subwoofer sounds the best and that
is where the subwoofer should be placed. The crossover
point and the volume level may be retuned to compen-
sate for slight changes that may be needed.
Phase adjustment can compensate for subwoofer place-
ment that is irregular or too far from the listener in rela-
tion to the main speakers. Low frequencies have long
wavelengths that have peaks and low spots. If these do
not align with the main speakers, there can be bass can-
cellation. Adjusting the phase can correct this.
Set the volume level control fully counterclockwise to minimum.
This should be reset after making other adjustments.
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R12DT SUBWOOFER
SPECIFICATIONS
Driver Complement and Enclosure: Front-firing 12” long throw woofer with dual ports
Voice Coil: 50mm dia.
Frequency Response: 25Hz to 160Hz +/- 3dB
Amplification: 200 watts continuous power into 4 ohm load
THD+N: 1.0%
Crossover Frequency (-3dB): 60Hz @ Min., 160Hz @ Max.
Audio Input: RCA Line Level and Speaker Level
Power requirements: 120VAC 60Hz 4.0A
Molded 2-terminal power cord.
Dimensions: 14.4" W x 18.3" D x 20.3" H (36.5 x 46.5 x 51.6 cm)
Weight: 50.0 lbs. (22.7 kg)
WARRANTY
The Russound R12DT is fully guaranteed for two (2) years from the date of purchase against all defects in materials
and workmanship. During this period Russound will replace any defective parts and correct any defect in workman-
ship without charge for either parts or labor. For this warranty to apply, the unit must be installed and used according
to its written instructions. If service is necessary, it must be performed by Russound. The unit must be returned to
Russound at the owners expense and with prior written permission. Accidental damage and shipping damage are not
considered defects under the terms of the warranty. Russound assumes no responsibility for defects resulting from
abuse or servicing performed by an agency or person not specifically authorized in writing by Russound. Damage to
or destruction of components due to improper use voids the warranty. In these cases the repair will be made at the
owners expense. To return for repairs, the unit must be shipped to Russound at the owners expense, along with a
note explaining the nature of the service required. Be sure to pack in a corrugated container with at least 3 inches of
resilient material to protect the unit from damage in transit.
Russound sells products only through authorized Dealers and Distributors to ensure that customers obtain proper
support and service. Any Russound product purchased from an unauthorized dealer or source, including retailers,
mail order sellers and online sellers will not be honored or serviced under existing Russound warranty policy. Any sale
of products by an unauthorized source or other manner not authorized by Russound shall void the warranty on the
applicable product.
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Complement Series
R12DT Powered Subwoofer
User’s Manual
5 Forbes Rd. Newmarket, NH 03857, USA
Tel 603.659.5170 • Fax 603.659.5388
e-mail: [email protected]
28-1173
01/04/05
®
Copyright © 2005 Russound All rights reserved.
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