Harman Kardon HKTS 20, Service Manual

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HKTS200SUB Rear-Panel Connections 

Subwoofer Level Control: 

. 

Use this control to adjust the HKTS200SUB’s volume. Turn 

clockwise to increase the volume; turn counterclockwise to decrease the volume.

Bass Boost Switch: 

1. 

Set this switch to 

ON

 to enhance the HKTS200SUB’s low-frequency 

performance. Set this switch to 

OFF

 for normal low-frequency performance. 

Phase Switch: 

2. 

The 

Phase Switch

2

 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. In most cases the 

Phase Switch

2

 should be left in the 

NORMAL

 position. 

However, it does no harm to experiment, and you can leave the 

Phase Switch

2

 in 

the position that maximizes bass response and impact.

Power On Mode Switch:

3. 

 When set in the 

AUTO

 position and when the 

Power Switch 

7

 is set to 

ON

, the HKTS200SUB will automatically turn itself on when it receives an 

audio signal, and will enter the standby mode once no audio signal has been received 
for about 15 minutes. When this switch is set in the 

ON

 position, the HKTS200SUB 

will remain on whether or not it is receiving an audio signal.  
An LED on the HKTS200SUB’s top panel indicates whether the subwoofer is in the on 
or standby state: 
• When the LED is illuminated white, the HKTS200SUB is turned on. 
• When the LED is not illuminated, the HKTS200SUB is in standby mode. 
When the 

Master Power Switch 

7 

is set to 

OFF

, the LED will not be  

illuminated, no matter what setting the 

Power On Mode Switch

3 

is in.

External Trigger Input:

4. 

 Use the mini-plug of the supplied combination LFE and trigger 

cable to connect the 

External Trigger Input

 to the trigger output of another 

compatible component. Whenever a trigger signal between 3 and 30V (AC or DC) is 
detected, the HKTS200SUB’s amplifier will turn on. The HKTS200SUB’s amplifier will 
turn off after the trigger signal ceases. (This will occur even when the 

Power On 

Mode Switch

3

 is in the 

AUTO

 position.)

Line-Level LFE In Connector:

5. 

 Use the LFE (purple) connector of the supplied combination 

LFE and trigger cable to connect the 

Line-Level LFE In

 to the dedicated subwoofer 

output of a receiver or preamp/processor. This input bypasses the HKTS200SUB’s 
internal crossover circuitry, so it should only be used with a subwoofer output that has 
been low-pass filtered. If your receiver or preamp/processor does not have a dedicated 
subwoofer output that is low-pass filtered you should use the HKTS200SUB’s 

Line-

Level L/R In Connectors 

6

 instead. 

Line-Level L/R In Connectors:

6. 

 Use these connectors if your receiver or preamp/processor 

does not have digital surround sound decoding or a subwoofer output that is low-pass 
filtered. 
•  If your receiver or preamp/processor has a separate subwoofer output, use the LFE 

(purple) connector of the supplied combination LFE and trigger cable to connect it to 
either one of the HKTS200SUB’s 

Line-Level L/R In Connectors.

•  If your receiver or preamp/processor does not have a separate subwoofer output, 

use two Y-adapters (not supplied). Connect an adapter’s single end to the unit’s 
preamp output for that channel. Connect one of the adapter’s dual ends to the main 
amp input for that channel, and connect the adapter’s other dual end to one of the 
HKTS200SUB’s 

Line-Level L/R In Connectors

. Repeat with the other Y-adapter, 

preamp channel, main amp input and HKTS200SUB 

Line-Level L/R In Connector.

Power Switch: 

7. 

Set this switch in the 

ON

 position to turn the HKTS200SUB on. The 

subwoofer will then either be on or in standby mode, depending on the setting of the 

Power On Mode Switch

3

.

Power Cord (Non-Detachable):

8. 

 After you have made and verified all subwoofer 

and speaker connections described in this manual, plug this cord into an active, 

unswitched

 electrical outlet for proper operation of the HKTS200SUB. DO NOT plug this 

cord into the accessory outlets found in some audio components.

0165CSK - HK HKTS20 and HKTS30 v6.indd   4

08/10/09   13:31:51

Harman Kardon

HKTS 20+30+60 Service Manual

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