®
Complement SUB85
Powered Subwoofer
Instruction Manual
INTRODUCTION
The first step toward getting accurate bass response is
to set the subwoofer’s crossover to match the low-fre-
quency roll-off point of the main speakers. Once you’ve
set the crossover, you can then experiment to find the
best possible location for the subwoofer.
Product Description
The Complement® SUB85 is a compact, high-powered
active subwoofer. Its powerful amplifier couples with
an acoustically optimized cabinet and driver to provide
high performance with a deep low end and smooth
response.
Corner placement
Placing the subwoofer in a corner will result in maxi-
mum volume, greatest efficiency, and lowest distortion.
This is because the adjacent walls and floor reinforce
the fundamental bass tones. However, corner placement
can also make the subwoofer sound boomy, emphasiz-
ing a single frequency above others and resulting in
uneven frequency response.
Features
For installation flexibility, the SUB85 offers stereo line-
level inputs, a line-level LFE input, and stereo speaker-
level inputs with pass-through.
An adjustable level control, a variable crossover, and a
phase switch allow the user to precisely balance the sub
with the other speakers in the audio system.
Other placement options
An automatic standby mode turns the subwoofer on
as soon as it senses an audio signal and mutes it 20
minutes after the signal ends. A front-panel power
indicator glows amber for standby mode and green for
fully on.
To get a smoother, more even frequency response, place
the subwoofer at varying distances from the walls of
the room. The key to minimizing standing waves is to
avoid symmetry. Also, place the subwoofer close to the
main speakers. This will help blend and integrate the
sound of the sub and the main speakers. At the very
least, keep the subwoofer in the front half of the room.
The subwoofer’s attractive compact design provides
versatile placement options without compromising the
home décor.
A common technique for finding the best location is
to put the subwoofer in the main listening position, at
seated ear height on a sturdy, nonresonant platform.
Play music with ascending and descending bass notes,
such as a jazz recording with a walking bass line. Crawl
around the floor until you find the spot where the bass
sounds smoothest, and where each bass note has about
the same volume and clarity. Avoid positions where
some notes resonate longer or sound heavier than oth-
ers. When you’ve found the place where the bass sounds
best, put the subwoofer there.
Applications
The SUB85 is ideal for use in small home theater and
stereo music systems. The perfect match for Russound
Complement LCR7 on-wall speakers, it can also be used
with any Russound in-wall or in-ceiling speakers.
Subwoofer Placement
Room acoustics and modes
Multiple subwoofers
Room acoustics have a great effect on the sound of
speakers, especially subwoofers. When sound is reflected
back and forth between two parallel surfaces, such as
opposite walls in a rectangular room, it creates standing
waves. These make bass response uneven by creating
sound peaks and nulls at certain locations within the
room.
Using multiple subwoofers provides greater dynamic
range and smoother bass response throughout the room
than using only one subwoofer. Placing two subwoof-
ers in the corners behind the main speakers will reduce
room resonances and increase directly radiated sound.
When placing two subwoofers in adjacent corners,
position them asymmetrically to minimize the effects of
standing waves.
Because the subwoofer’s location affects how stand-
ing waves are created, correct subwoofer placement is
important to avoid such peaks and nulls. They can’t be
fixed by equalization, which could overdrive the speaker
and amplifier, causing distortion or damage.
3
INSTALLATION
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LFE INPUT – RCA connector for a prefiltered
low-frequency effects signal from a home theater
receiver or processor.
Rear Panel
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POWER SWITCH – Selects the power state of the
internal amplifier. Set to Off to keep the SUB85
off, Auto to turn it on only when it senses an au-
dio signal, or On to keep it turned on all the time.
SPEAKER LEVEL IN – Connectors for speaker-level
signals from an amplifier or receiver. Binding
posts accept banana plugs, spade lugs, pin con-
nectors, and bare wire up to 12 AWG (2.05 mm).
2
PHASE SWITCH – Allows the speaker phase to be
inverted to improve acoustic response in some
situations. Set to 180° to invert the signal or 0°
for no inversion.
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VOLTAGE SWITCH – Sets the amplifier to operate
on either 120 V or 240 V. Set this switch to match
the supply mains voltage.
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4
VOLUME CONTROL – Adjusts the acoustic output
level relative to the incoming signal.
POWER CORD RECEPTACLE – Connector for the
supplied power cord.
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY CONTROL – Selects the
frequency for the low-pass filter within the range
of 50 to 200 Hz.
10 SPEAKER LEVEL OUT – Pass-through connectors
for main left and right speakers when speaker-
level input is used. Binding posts accept banana
plugs, spade lugs, pin connectors, and bare wire
up to 12 AWG (2.05 mm).
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LINE-LEVEL INPUT – RCA connectors for stereo
line-level signals from a preamplifier or receiver.
4
INSTALLATION
LFE input
Connections
The low-frequency effects (LFE) input is for use when
the LFE or subwoofer output on the home theater
receiver or processor is turned on.
The SUB85 gives you multiple options for connecting to
your audio system. Choose the option that works best
for your particular situation and equipment.
Connect an RCA patch cable between the SUB85’s LFE
input and the LFE or subwoofer output on the receiver
or processor.
Note: Choose only one connection option. Do not
combine options.
Before you connect the SUB85, turn off the power
switches on all components, including the subwoofer.
Note: The LFE input is not connected to the SUB85’s
internal low-pass filter. Accordingly, the crossover
frequency control has no effect on a signal entering
this input. Use the LFE input only with a signal that
is prefiltered by the receiver or processor.
Receiver
Line Level Output
LFE Output
Speaker Outputs
Left
Right
Left
Right
RCA patch cable
SUB85
Connection using LFE input
5
INSTALLATION
Note: When the LFE or line-level input is connected
to an audio system powered by a different electrical
circuit from the one used to power the SUB85, a
ground loop may result. This causes a low-frequency
hum. To eliminate the hum, connect the SUB85 to
the same electrical circuit as the audio system or use
a ground loop isolator in series with the RCA cable.
Connections (continued)
Line-level input
This input is for use when the receiver’s or processor’s
LFE or subwoofer output is turned off, or when the
receiver has no LFE or subwoofer output.
Connect a stereo RCA patch cable between the SUB85’s
line-level input jacks and the front left- and right-
channel line outputs on the receiver or processor.
Receiver
Line Level Output
LFE Output
Speaker Outputs
Left
Right
Left
Right
Stereo RCA
patch cable
SUB85
Connection using stereo line-level input
6
INSTALLATION
red positive (+) terminal and the black wire to the black
negative (–) terminal.
Speaker-level input
This input is for use when you need to send an amplified
signal to the SUB85, such as when no line-level signal is
available.
Note: Some speaker cables have other ways of desig-
nating polarity. For example, cable with a clear jacket
usually has a copper-colored wire for positive and a
silver-colored wire for negative. In a cable with white
and black wires, the white is positive and the black is
negative. Cable with both wires the same color may
have grooves, ribs, or stripes on the positive wire.
Use stranded copper speaker cable to connect between
the SUB85’s speaker-level input terminals and the
front left and right speaker terminals on the receiver or
amplifier. The binding posts accept single banana plugs,
spade lugs, pin connectors, and bare wire up to 12 AWG
(2.05 mm).
When you use the speaker-level input on the SUB85,
you can connect the main left and right speakers to
the speaker-level output terminals. The full-frequency
signal will pass through to the main speakers.
Be sure to observe proper polarity. For speaker cable
with red and black wires, connect the red wire to the
Right speaker
Left speaker
Receiver
Line Level Output
LFE Output
Speaker Outputs
Left
Right
Left
Right
Connection using speaker-level input with pass-through to main speakers
7
INSTALLATION
Power
After making the audio connections, make sure the
voltage switch on the back of the SUB85 is set to the
correct voltage for your area. Insert one end of the
power cable into the IEC receptacle next to the voltage
switch and the other end into a live power receptacle.
Slide the power switch to the Auto setting to place the
SUB85 in standby mode or the On setting to place it in
full on mode. The power indicator on the front panel
will light up amber when the SUB85 is in standby mode
and green when fully on.
Power receptacle and voltage switch
Power switch and audio controls
not reproduced by the main speakers, with very little
overlap and no gaps in the overall response of the
system. To make this adjustment precisely, you can use a
calibration CD or DVD and a sound-level meter.
Adjustments
Crossover frequency
Set the crossover frequency to match the low-frequency
roll-off point of the main speakers. If you don’t know
the roll-off point, use the following guidelines:
Volume
Start with the volume set at minimum, raising it gradu-
ally until output from the SUB85 sounds about the same
volume as output from the main speakers. Again, you
can use a sound-level meter to be precise.
• For main speakers with a full frequency range, set
the crossover between 50 and 80 Hz.
• For main speakers with limited bass extension, set
the crossover between 80 and 100 Hz.
Phase
• For main speakers that reproduce only midrange and
high frequencies, set the crossover between 100 and
200 Hz.
Depending on the location of the SUB85, its output
at certain frequencies may be out of phase with the
output of the main speakers. This is especially true when
the subwoofer and main speakers are very different
distances from the listeners.
Your receiver or processor may have a bass management
feature with settings for large, medium, and small main
speakers. Refer to your equipment manual to determine
the appropriate crossover setting if you use this feature.
To compensate for this, try setting the phase switch at
both positions. You may find that one position provides
smoother bass response than the other.
The goal is to set the crossover frequency at the point
where the subwoofer reproduces the low frequencies
8
REFERENCE
Specifications
Speaker type: Front-firing powered subwoofer
Driver: 8” (20.3 cm) paper cone woofer
Enclosure: Sealed MDF box
Finish: Black vinyl wrap with black cloth grille
Amplifier power: 80 watts RMS into 4 ohms, 120 watts peak
Frequency response: 45–200 Hz 3 dB
Crossover frequency: Variable, 50 Hz – 200 Hz
Line inputs: Left, Right, and LFE RCA connectors
Speaker inputs: 3-way binding posts
Speaker outputs: 3-way binding posts
Power requirements: 100–120 V ~60 Hz 1.4 A
220–240 V ~50 Hz 0.7 A
Fuse ratings: T2AL 250 V, 100–120 V~
T1AL 250 V, 220–240 V~
Dimensions: 10.16” W x 14.25” H x 12.33” D (25.8 x 36.2 x 31.3 cm)
Weight: 20.5 lb (9.3 kg)
Warranty
The Russound Complement SUB85 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 workmanship 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 owner’s 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 writ-
ing 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 owner’s expense. To return for repairs, the unit must be shipped to Russound at the owner’s 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.
Before returning a speaker for repair, call Russound at 603.659.5170 for a Return Authorization number. Write the RA number on the
shipping label and ship to: Russound, ATTN: Service, 5 Forbes Road, Newmarket NH 03857.
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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NOTES
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NOTES
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®
Complement SUB85
Powered Subwoofer
Instruction Manual
Russound
5 Forbes Road, Newmarket NH 03857 USA
Tel 603.659.5170 • Fax 603.659.5388
Technical Support: [email protected]
28-1276 08/10/07
Copyright © 2007 Russound. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Specifications are subject to
change without notice. Russound is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions.
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