KEF REFERENCE 208, Installation Manual

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Combined movie and music setup.

The Reference Series 209 subwoofer can be used
for both main speaker low frequency extension
and the LFE channel reproduction for a surround
sound system.

Set the subwoofer up as described in section
‘Music Only Setup’. With the subwoofer
correctly set up for stereo use, connect the LFE
output from your surround processor to the LFE
input of the subwoofer. Without making any
adjustments to the subwoofer’s controls,
including the volume level, follow the set-up
procedure on your surround processor to adjust
the subwoofer volume level (as described in
section ‘Movie Only Setup’).

Finally, separate EQ presets can be applied for
both the stereo and LFE inputs (as detailed in
‘Preset Equalization options’, page 22).

Connecting to the speaker inputs (high level).

Speaker level or line level inputs are available to
allow flexibility in set-ups for the Left and Right
inputs. The specific LFE input is line level only to
interface with an A/V processor.

The speaker input terminals will accept bare
wire, spade or 4mm connectors. Most good
quality loudspeaker cables have some indication,
such as colour coding or ‘ribbing’ on the
insulating material, indicating which conductor is
‘

+

’ or positive. Connection to the subwoofer can

then be made as follows:

The left channel amplifier output terminal marked
‘

+

’ or coloured RED connects to the left

subwoofer speaker input terminal marked ‘

+

’. 

The left channel amplifier output terminal marked
‘

-

’ or coloured BLACK connects to the left

subwoofer speaker input terminal marked ‘

-

’.

Similarly, these instructions should be followed for
making connections between the right channel
amplifier output and the right subwoofer speaker
input terminals. Correct polarity, or phase, is vital
to the proper operation of the system.

Bare wire connections are the simplest to
achieve and involve stripping 12.5mm (1.2in.) of
insulation to expose the loudspeaker wire core.
(You should twist together, using clean fingers,
the ends of each multi-stranded core prior to the
next stage to ensure a good signal contact).
Having unscrewed the lower terminal cap, push
the wire through the exposed hole in the
terminal body and screw the cap down tightly.
Make sure that no stray strands come into
contact with the opposite terminal; this could
cause a short circuit between the terminals and
may damage your amplifier.

KEF recommends that high quality loudspeaker
cable be used for connecting to your Reference
Series Model 209 subwoofer high level inputs. 
It is good practice to keep the cables as short 
as possible.

Be aware that a higher quality run of cable will
always give a more rewarding presentation than
multiple runs of an inferior cable.

Poor quality cables can seriously compromise the
overall sound of your hi-fi system.

Movie only setup through the LFE input.

This dedicated line level input is specifically for
the LFE (Low Frequency Effects) output from a
surround sound A/V processor. Please note that
single ended (phono) or balanced (XLR)
connections are available, however, they must
not be used simultaneously. The LFE input to the
subwoofer will not be affected by the frequency
or slope settings which apply only to the Left and
Right channel line inputs.

Once your subwoofer is connected and powered
up it needs to be integrated into your home
cinema system. To do this you will need to follow
the set-up procedure for your surround sound
processor. Set the subwoofer volume to 50 and
the phase to 0. In the surround sound
processor’s speaker menu, ensure that the
subwoofer is set to ‘on’. If using smaller satellite
speakers then set the speaker size to ‘small’. KEF
would recommend starting with the ‘small’
setting if you are unsure. 

If you are using full range speakers set the
speaker size to ‘large’. Use the processor’s
controls to adjust the level of the subwoofer 
at the same time as setting each of the 
channel levels.

Music only setup through the Left/Right inputs.

To increase the low-frequency extension of your
existing stereo speakers connect the amplifier’s
line level outputs to the subwoofer Left and Right
line level inputs. If line level outputs are not
available then connect the Left and Right amplifier
speaker outputs to the speaker inputs of the
subwoofer. Once the subwoofer is connected and

the power is switched on it needs to be
acoustically integrated into your existing system.
To do this you will need to use the volume,
frequency and phase controls on the subwoofer’s
remote control. The remote control allows you
to do this whilst seated in your normal 
listening position.

First select the subwoofer low-pass filter slope
to match your main speakers. For a bass reflex
design speaker the slope should be set to
24dB/octave. This applies to all the KEF
Reference Series loudspeakers. For a closed box
loudspeaker, however, the slope should be set to
12dB/octave.

Select a piece of music that you are familiar with
which has a constant, repetitive bass line. 
Start with the level and frequency controls at the
middle positions and the phase control set to 0.
Adjust the level control until you are happy with
the low frequency levels when compared with
the main speakers. Now adjust the frequency
control so that there is no obvious change in the
level of the sound from very low frequencies to
higher frequencies. Adjust the polarity and the
phase control to achieve the smoothest
integration between the subwoofer and the main
speakers. KEF recommend you take some time
making fine adjustments to the controls, whilst
listening to a varied selection of music, until you
are satisfied with the sound balance.

Once finished it is worth pressing and holding an
available preset so that all the current settings
are saved into that preset. These settings can
then be recalled at any time by pressing the same
preset button.

K7262 REF 209208 Combined Manual_v2  12/2/08  12:40  Page 20