Harman Kardon HKTS 20, Service Manual

 11

Operation

Turning the Subwoofer On and Off

Set the HKTS200SUB’s 

Power Switch

     to the 

ON

 position.

• If the 

Power On Mode Switch

     is set to 

AUTO

, 

the HKTS200SUB will automatically turn itself on when it receives an 

audio signal, and it will go into standby mode when it has 

received no audio signal for 15 minutes. The HKTS200 SUB’s LED will 

illuminate white when the subwoofer is on, and will not be 

illuminated when the subwoofer is in standby.

• If the 

Power On Mode Switch

    is set to 

ON

, the HKTS200SUB 

will remain on at all times. The HKTS200 SUB’s LED will illuminate 

white.

• If the 

External Trigger Input Connector

     is connected to a 

trigger voltage source, the HKTS200SUB will turn on whenever a 

trigger voltage is present, and will turn off after the trigger voltage 

ceases, regardless of the position of the 

Power On Mode Switch

    .

If you will be away from home for an extended period of time, or if 

you will not be using the subwoofer for an extended period, switch 

the 

Power Switch

     to the 

OFF

 Position.

Subwoofer Adjustments: Volume

Use the 

Subwoofer Level Control

      to set the HKTS200SUB’s 

volume. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the subwoofer’s volume; 

turn the knob counterclockwise to decrease the subwoofer’s volume.

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5

Subwoofer Adjustments: Phase

The 

Phase Switch

     determines whether the HKTS200SUB’s 

piston-like action moves in and out in phase with the satellite 
speakers. If the subwoofer were to play out of phase with the 
satellite speakers, the sound waves produced by the subwoofer 
could be canceled out, reducing bass performance and sonic
impact. This phenomenon depends in part on the relative 
placement of all the speakers in the room. 

Although in most cases the 

Phase Switch

     should be left in the 

NORMAL

 position, there is no absolute correct setting for the 

Phase Switch

    . When the HKTS200SUB is properly in phase 

with the satellite speakers, the sound will be clearer and have 
maximum impact. This will make percussive sounds like drums, 
piano and plucked strings sound more lifelike. The best way to 
set the 

Phase Switch

     is to listen to music that you are familiar 

with and set the switch in the position that gives drums and other 
percussive sounds maximum impact.

Subwoofer Adjustments: Bass Boost

When set to the 

ON

 position, the 

Bass Boost Switch

     enhances 

low-frequency performance, resulting in bass with more impact, 
which you may prefer while watching movies or listening to music. 
There is no harm in experimenting with this control – setting the 
switch to the 

OFF

 position will return normal low-frequency 

performance. 

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Troubleshooting

• Check that the receiver/amplifier is on and a source is playing.

• Make sure that all wires and connections between the receiver/amplifier   

   and the speakers are connected properly.

• Make sure none of the speaker wires is frayed, cut or punctured.

• Review the proper operation of your receiver/amplifier. 

• Check that the balance control on your receiver/amplifier is not set all the 

   way to one channel. 

• Check your receiver/amplifier’s speaker setup procedure to make sure that 

   the speaker in question has been enabled and its volume level has not been 

   turned all the way down.

• Make sure that all wires and connections between the receiver/amplifier 

   and the speaker are connected properly.

• Make sure the speaker wires are not frayed, cut or punctured.

• Check your receiver/amplifier’s speaker setup procedure to make sure that  

   the center speaker has been enabled and its volume level has not been  

   turned all the way down.

• Make sure that all wires and connections between the receiver/amplifier 

   and the center speaker are connected properly.

• Make sure the speaker wires are not frayed, cut or punctured.

• If your receiver is operating in Dolby

®

 Pro Logic

®

 mode, make sure that the 

   center speaker is not set to Phantom.

• Check your receiver/amplifier’s speaker setup procedure to make sure that 

   the surround speakers have been enabled and their volume levels have not 

   been turned all the way down.

• Make sure that all wires and connections between the receiver/amplifier 

   and the surround speakers are connected properly.

• Make sure the speaker wires are not frayed, cut or punctured.

• Review proper operation of your receiver/processor and its surround-

   sound features.

• Make sure the movie or TV show you’re watching has been recorded in a 

   surround-sound mode. If it is not, check to see if your receiver/amplifier has 

   a different surround-sound mode that you can use.

• Review the operation of your DVD player and the DVD jacket to make sure the 

   DVD features the desired Dolby Digital or DTS

®

 surround-sound mode, 

   and that you have properly selected that mode using both the DVD player’s 

   menu and the disc’s menu.

If there is no sound from 

any

 of the speakers:

If there is no sound coming from 

one

 speaker:

If there is no sound coming from the 

center

 speaker:

If there is no sound coming from the 

surround

 speakers:

If there is no sound coming from the 

subwoofer

:

• Check that the subwoofer’s 

Power Cord

     is plugged into a working 

   AC outlet.

• Check that the subwoofer’s 

Power Switch

     is in the 

ON

 position.

• Check that the 

Subwoofer Level Control

     is not turned all the way down 

   (fully counterclockwise).

• Check the audio connection between your receiver/processor and 

   the subwoofer.

• Check your receiver/amplifier’s speaker setup procedure to make sure that 

   the subwoofer has been enabled and its volume level has not been turned 

   all the way down.

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1

If the system plays at low volumes but shuts off as volume is increased:

• Make sure that all wires and connections between the receiver/amplifier 

   and the speakers are connected properly.

• Make sure none of the speaker wires is frayed, cut or punctured.

• If you’re using more than one pair of main speakers, check to be sure that 

   you’re not operating the system below the receiver/amplifier’s minimum

   impedance requirements.

Harman Kardon

HKTS 20+30+60 Service Manual

Page 22 of 49