Krell Industries MASTER REFERENCE SUBWOOFER, Owner'S Reference Manual

Page 1: ...M R S M A S T E R R E F E R E N C E S U B W O O F E R O W N E R S R E F E R E N C E ...

Page 2: ...nectors It is electrically impossible to convert CAST input or output connections for balanced or single ended voltage operation THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE MASTER REFERENCE SUBWOOFER Please contact Krell if you have any questions not addressed in this manual This product is manufactured in the United States of America Krell is a registered trademark of Krell Industries Inc and ...

Page 3: ...o excellence Revolutionary Krell CAST Technology Krell s revolutionary method of connecting analog audio components for unparalleled sonic performance Ensuring Maximum Performance A description of Krell s innovative technologies and design for the Master Reference Subwoofer as well as the core technologies developed for all Krell components Definition of Terms Key terms used throughout the Master ...

Page 4: ...manually SECTION SIX Optional Connections pages 44 46 This section describes the remote connection options that enable you to power on and control the Master Reference Subwoofer automatically Krell Link Connections and Operation Describing how Krell Link works Connecting and operating components connected through Krell Link RS 232 Connection Describing an additional remote connection for receiving...

Page 5: ... Placement Options Figure 2 page 18 Master Reference Subwoofer Front Panel Figure 3 page 20 Master Reference Subwoofer Back Panel Power Figure 4 page 21 Master Reference Subwoofer Back Panel Inputs and Outputs Figure 5 page 25 Master Reference Subwoofer Remote Control ...

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Page 7: ...tterworth and Linkwitz Riley that adjust and match the subwoofer to any system and loudspeaker con figuration No other subwoofer offers this level of refinement The Master Reference Subwoofer eliminates the loss of sound quality and power that occurs as music moves between the high and low frequency ranges This Krell subwoofer produces low frequency sound the way it was meant to be heard resonant ...

Page 8: ...industry The most discriminating audiophiles and product reviewers have consistently recognized Krell components for standard setting performance The Master Reference Subwoofer represents the next era at Krell Industries Inc the era of loudspeaker design and manufacture which will join the ongoing legacy of Krell amplifiers For three decades Krell C E O Dan D Agostino has built amplifiers legendar...

Page 9: ...io designs Over the years the Krell line of power amplifiers including benchmark products such as the KRS 100 KRS 200 and the Audio Standard models has established a legacy of unparalleled sonic performance The Master Reference Subwoofer brings that level of performance to the low frequency range Dan D Agostino remains committed to the development of new designs and tech nologies And the Krell leg...

Page 10: ... own electrical characteristics that affect the sonic presentation of the audio system A New Approach Current Audio Signal Transmission CAST circuitry recognizes signal transmitted between each component in the cur rent domain instead of the voltage domain CAST transmission unifies individual components and their interconnects into an electrically linked whole The sonic presentation of the entire ...

Page 11: ...ems use cables manufactured by Krell and made by other manufactur ers specially licensed by Krell Thin flexible CAST cables are constructed with the same build quality as Krell components and are aesthetically matched to the Krell product line An all metal body and locking connectors with gold contacts are part of the no compromise specification developed as a standard for every CAST cable made Th...

Page 12: ...ll s outstanding core technology ensure maximum power precision and performance in the low frequency range Innovative Subwoofer Technology and Design Programmable Electronic Crossover The programmable electronic crossover is a design tour de force It seamlessly matches the Master Reference Subwoofer to the characteristics of your system You can select and adjust high pass and low pass filter profi...

Page 13: ...ll engineering has attacked these design challenges with a vigorous application of technology know how and innovative build materials The enclosure for the Master Reference Subwoofer is made of 1 in thick aircraft aluminum billet Each of the two driver baffles is a substantive 21 4 in thick The subwoofer assembly is held together by 68 machine screws size 1 4 20 x 1 in The precision machine finish...

Page 14: ...ll CAST and Krell Current Mode These circuit topologies combine to transmit audio waveforms between compo nents in the current rather than the voltage domain Krell components using Krell Current Mode circuitry and CAST technology perform as if they are part of a single circuit The resulting speed and bandwidth produce outstanding accuracy and realism in music reproduction Krell Proprietary Output ...

Page 15: ... precisely representative of the original signal The Input Stage The input stage of each subwoofer accepts signals in two ways The CAST input accepts signals in the current domain or the XLR input accepts signals in the voltage domain We recommend using CAST inputs for the best subwoofer performance When the CAST connection is used the signal received by each amplifier remains in the current domai...

Page 16: ...udspeakers in a precise push pull dialogue that preserves all the characteristics of the recording The Master Reference Subwoofer sets a new standard for ultimate subwoofer power and performance Its ability to reproduce the impact and tonal quality of low frequency sound is unparalleled as is the ease with which it can match any system or speaker configuration The Master Reference Subwoofer repres...

Page 17: ...ssional and sound recording installations balanced connections have 6 dB more gain than single ended connections and allow the use of long intercon nect cables An output that allows you to integrate additional Master Reference Subwoofers into your system The input signal of a component connected to the by pass output passes directly through the subwoofer with no modification An output that transmi...

Page 18: ...reaking single ended connections Single ended connections are not recommended for configurations requiring long cable runs Operation When the power switch on the rear panel is placed in the down position and the red stand by LED turns off the component is off When the power button on the front panel is pressed and the blue power LED illuminates the component is in the opera tional mode and ready t...

Page 19: ...signs A proprietary full function crossover designed for the Master Reference Subwoofer The crossover is comprised of two sections the high pass filter and the low pass or sub filter The user fine tunes each section by selecting the filter type profile and adjusting the profile s parameters including slope frequency and level to enhance low frequency reproduction Krell Current Mode Programmable El...

Page 20: ...pping crate is specially constructed to open safely and easily Inside the subwoofer rests on the reinforced base of the crate The crate top is fastened to the base with Phillips head screws The only tools you need to remove the sub woofer from the crate are a Phillips head screwdriver and a flat blade screwdriver The steps below provide procedures for unpacking the Master Reference Subwoofer To Un...

Page 21: ...l 1 T 10 Torx wrench for the remote control To Remove the Subwoofer from the Packing Crate 1 Remove all accessories from the packing crate 1 person needed 2 Lift the subwoofer off the crate base and gently place it on the floor Set the crate base aside 4 people needed 3 Move the subwoofer to the desired location 4 people needed IMPORTANT Do not attempt to lift the subwoofer by the grill on the sid...

Page 22: ...Optimum Listening Position 1 Left Front Loudspeaker 2 Center Speaker 3 Master Reference Subwoofer 4 Right Front Loudspeaker 5 Rear Projection TV 6 Left Rear Loudspeaker 7 Right Rear Loudspeaker 8 Optimum Listening Position 1 Left Front Loudspeaker 2 Center Speaker 3 Master Reference Subwoofer 4 Screen 5 Right Front Loudspeaker 6 Left Rear Loudspeaker 7 Right Rear Loudspeaker 8 Optimum Listening Po...

Page 23: ...struction help ensure excellent perfor mance from nearly any location Figure 1 on page 16 illustrates three possible placement options which are described below Option 1 Stereo Place the Master Reference Subwoofer midway between the left and right loudspeakers Option 2 Home Theater Rear Projection Place the Master Reference Subwoofer between the center and left front or between the center and righ...

Page 24: ... remote control features Front Panel Description See Figure 2 The Master Reference Subwoofer front panel provides power on and subwoofer status displays Front panel features and their descriptions follow Figure 2 Master Reference Subwoofer Front Panel 1 Power Button 2 Power LED 3 Stand by LED 4 Front Panel Display 5 Infrared Sensor STAND BY POWER Master Reference Subwoofer 2 3 5 4 1 ...

Page 25: ...nates when the back panel power switch is in the up position and the Master Reference Subwoofer is in the stand by mode 4 Front Panel Display The front panel display provides operating status messages including power crossover filter selection and status phase and menu options and settings 5 Infared Sensor The infrared sensor located inside the front panel display receives commands from the Master...

Page 26: ...eft and Right Single ended Inputs 17 LFE CAST Input 18 LFE Balanced Input 19 LFE Single ended Input Outputs 20 Left and Right CAST High pass Outputs 21 Left and Right Balanced High pass Outputs 22 Left and Right Single ended High pass Outputs 23 Left and Right CAST By pass Outputs 24 Left and Right Balanced By pass Outputs 25 Left and Right Single ended By pass Outputs Figure 3 Master Reference Su...

Page 27: ...UTPUT RIGHT INPUT LFE INPUT RIGHT INPUT LEFT RS 232 IN LFE IN OUT 12VDC OUT IN KRELL LINK IN RC 5 NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE CAST PAT PENDING Master Reference Subwoofer 24 25 23 22 20 21 16 14 15 9 10 11 12 13 17 19 18 Figure 4 Master Reference Subwoofer Back Panel Inputs and Outputs ...

Page 28: ...off of other components with Krell Link such as Master Reference Amplifiers or Full Power Balanced Stereo or Monaural Amplifiers See Krell Link on page 44 for more information 10 12 VDC In and Out The Master Reference Subwoofer is equipped with an input that receives and an output that sends 12 VDC power on off 12 V trigger signals from and to other Krell components and other devices that incorpor...

Page 29: ...nnot power it off You must use the 12 V trigger Inputs 14 Left and Right CAST Inputs The Master Reference Subwoofer is equipped with one pair of left and right CAST inputs via 4 pin bayonet connectors for use with Krell CAST equipped preamplifiers or surround preamp processors 15 Left and Right Balanced Inputs The Master Reference Subwoofer is equipped with one pair of left and right balanced inpu...

Page 30: ... pass outputs for connection to the CAST inputs of another Master Reference Subwoofer 24 Left and Right Balanced By pass Outputs The Master Reference Subwoofer is equipped with left and right balanced by pass outputs for connection to the balanced inputs of another Master Reference Subwoofer 25 Left and Right Single ended By pass Outputs The Master Reference Subwoofer is equipped with left and rig...

Page 31: ... High Key Menu Keys 37 Menu Key 38 Enter Key Filter Parameter Keys 39 Type Key 40 Slope Key 41 Freq uency Key 42 Level Key Level Adjust Keys 43 Adjust Up and Down Keys Figure 5 Master Reference Subwoofer Remote Control MRS PHASE CAST PRESET SAVE POWER UNIT THTR MUTE ALL ADJUST FREQ LEVEL TYPE PARAMETER SLOPE ENTER MENU SECTION SUB HIGH 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 40 41 39 42 43 36 37 35 38 33 34 30 31 26 27 2...

Page 32: ...ries 1 Remove the backplate using the supplied T 10 Torx wrench 2 Install the batteries following the battery position diagram on the plastic battery receptacle 3 Replace and secure the backplate The remote control is ready for operation Replace the batteries when the remote control functions intermittently Remove the batteries if the remote control is not used for a long period of time Battery le...

Page 33: ...aster Reference Subwoofer to Your System on page 32 for information on CAST input options Note The Master Reference Subwoofer will not switch to CAST unless a CAST input is connected 28 Phase Key Use this key to invert the phase of the low pass filter output 29 Preset Keys Use these keys to store and select customized menu settings See Step VI Saving Your Settings to Presets on page 40 for more in...

Page 34: ...ptional Configurations on page 48 Filter Selection Keys 35 Section Sub Key Use this key to access the low pass sub filter parameters for your system The filter s type frequency slope and level can be adjusted See Steps III and IV on pages 36 40 for more information 36 Section High Key Use this key to access the high pass filter parameters for your system The filter s type frequency slope and level...

Page 35: ...for slope adjustment instructions 41 Freq uency Key Use this key to select the cutoff frequency for the high pass or low pass filter The front panel display 4 shows the selected setting See Step III Configure the Programmable Electronic Crossover on page 36 to select the desired fre quency setting 42 Level Key Use this key to adjust the level of the high pass or low pass filter The front panel dis...

Page 36: ...gle ended inputs and outputs to integrate the subwoofer into your system It also explains the three connection options available stereo LFE and stereo LFE Step III Configure the Programmable Electronic Crossover This step explains how to configure the subwoofer s low pass and high pass filters by selecting the appropriate filter profile Butterworth Bessel or Linkwitz Riley and adjusting the slope ...

Page 37: ...lable on the Master Reference Subwoofer explains switching between CAST and balanced inputs and lists factory defaults CAST and Balanced Connections Krell recommends using its proprietary Krell CAST system for unparalleled sonic performance for connections between the Master Reference Subwoofer and other CAST equipped components The Master Reference Subwoofer also offers balanced and single ended ...

Page 38: ...cted the subwoofer automatically chooses the selected source and indicates the selection as either CAST or VOLTAGE in the front panel display 4 If you activate CAST or VOLTAGE in the menu and have a source connected to a CAST input 14 as well as a source connected to a balanced input 15 the subwoofer defaults to the CAST input Step II Connecting the Master Reference Subwoofer to Your System This s...

Page 39: ...eft and right single ended high pass outputs 22 on the back panel to the left and right balanced or single ended inputs of your power amplifier Notes The Master Reference Subwoofer allows the connection of two independent preamplifier source components to the CAST and either the balanced or the single ended inputs For example you may want to connect two discrete front end systems Use the CAST inpu...

Page 40: ...se the adjust keys 43 to select the CAST menu The front panel display 4 shows CAST 3 Press the enter key 38 The front panel display shows CAST MAIN 4 Use the adjust keys to select the preferred setting Options are CAST MAIN Enables CAST for the main input CAST LFE Enables CAST for the LFE input CASTNONE No CAST inputs are enabled CASTALL Enables all CAST inputs 5 Press the enter key to set the sel...

Page 41: ...djust keys to select the preferred LFE setting Options are LFE ON The LFE input is enabled If you choose this setting Krell recommends saving it using the Theater preset 30 LFE OFF The LFE input is disabled LFE AUTO The LFE input is controlled by the LFE 12 VDC 12 V trigger input If you choose this option Krell recommends saving it as part of the listening room setup on your surround processor You...

Page 42: ...remote control to access the low pass filter parameters The front panel display 4 shows SUB ADJ B Select the Low pass Filter Profile Press the type key 39 to access the filter profile Press the adjust keys 43 to select the profile you want The Master Reference Subwoofer has three low pass filter profiles available Bessel Butterworth and Linkwitz Riley C Adjust the Low pass Filter Parameters IMPORT...

Page 43: ... 43 to select the profile you want The Master Reference Subwoofer has three filters profiles available Bessel Butterworth and Linkwitz Riley F Adjust the High pass Filter Parameters IMPORTANT Adjust the parameters in this order slope frequency and level 1 High pass Filter Slope a Press the slope key 40 b Use the adjust keys 43 to adjust the slope in 6 dB increments The high pass filter has a range...

Page 44: ...ows MENU 2 Use the up adjust key 43 to select NOISEGEN 3 Press the enter key 38 The display shows NOISEOFF 4 Press the up adjust key to select NOISE ON 5 Press the enter key After a two second delay you will hear noise generator output through both the Master Reference Subwoofer and your front speakers 6 Use the up adjust key to select MUTE The front panel display shows MUTE 7 Press the enter key ...

Page 45: ... key 34 to mute the high pass filter You hear noise only from the Master Reference Subwoofer 8 Press the section sub key 35 9 Press the parameter level key 42 10 Use the adjust keys to raise or lower the low pass filter level so that it matches that of the high pass filter 11 Make sure you unmute the high pass filter after you have adjusted the low pass filter Notes You can switch the high pass fi...

Page 46: ...press the power button 1 or power key 26 2 Begin playing a music or video selection 3 Press the phase key 28 to switch between normal and inverted phases 4 Listen for when the sound is clearer You do not have to press the enter key to set the phase Your subwoofer is ready to play music Step VI Saving Your Settings to Presets You can save the settings selected in Steps I V in the subwoofer memory u...

Page 47: ...hich the settings will be assigned The front panel display 4 shows SAVING then SAVED Note If you press save then decide you do not wish to save press the save key again before pressing the preset key Recalling Presets 1 Press the preset key 29 30 2 The preset number appears in the front panel display 4 ...

Page 48: ... CD DVD 2 Power on the preamplifier and surround processor 3 Power on your amplifiers 4 Move the power switch 6 on the back panel of the Master Reference Subwoofer to the up position You will hear a series of clicks The red stand by LED 3 on the front panel illuminates 5 Press the power button 1 on the front panel or the power key 26 on the remote control to switch between the stand by and the ope...

Page 49: ...ter Reference Subwoofer and provides protection against potentially damaging DC input or output Regulator operation is also continuously monitored to ensure constant voltage to the output stage These protective systems are designed to prevent damage to the Master Reference Subwoofer or loudspeakers caused by other defective components faulty wiring system mishandling or subwoofer failure Subwoofer...

Page 50: ...es of linked components are controlled from one component called the control component The linked components respond to stand by and operational commands from the control component via MIDI cables Notes The Master Reference Subwoofer cannot be used as the control component The Master Reference Subwoofer remote control takes priority over Krell Link commands The CAST features of the Master Referenc...

Page 51: ...e each component in the stand by mode This ensures all components are synchronized when signals from the control component are sent to linked components 2 Switch the control component to the operational mode using the component s power key on the remote control The linked components simultaneously switch to the operational mode An individual linked component can be manually switched between the st...

Page 52: ... see the RS 232 Port Sending Commands and Interpreting Data developer s reference 12 VDC 12 V Trigger The 12 VDC 12 V trigger output 10 on the Master Reference Subwoofer allows you to turn other components on or off or to and from stand by automatically through the remote control The 12 V trigger input 10 allows you to turn the sub woofer on using the remote control of another component with a 12 ...

Page 53: ...display 4 shows AC MAINS 3 Press the enter key 38 The front panel display shows AC OFF 4 Use the adjust keys to select AC ON or AC OFF 5 Press the enter key to set the selection and return to the main menu 6 Press the menu key to exit the menu mode and return to normal operation LED Menu This option allows you to turn front panel LEDs 2 3 on and off 1 Press the menu key 37 2 Use the adjust keys 43...

Page 54: ...ess the menu key to exit the menu mode and return to normal operation Unit ID Menu The Unit ID menu allows you to set a unit ID for each subwoofer when you use multiple subwoofers in your system Different unit IDs let you control each subwoofer separately by pressing one of the unit keys 32 1 2 3 4 on the remote control You can also control all subwoofers at once by pressing the all key 33 on the ...

Page 55: ... Menu This option allows you to exit the menu mode 1 Press the menu key 37 or use the adjust keys 43 to select the exit menu The front panel display 4 shows EXIT 2 Press the enter key 38 You exit the menu mode ...

Page 56: ...must be presented to obtain warranty service The warranty begins on the date of the original retail purchase as noted on the bill of sale or receipted invoice from an authorized Krell dealer or distributor Previously owned equipment when re purchased from an authorized Krell dealer or distributor has the balance of the original warranty based on the original date of manufacture The warranty for Kr...

Page 57: ...tempt to change CAST cable ter minations or CAST inputs or outputs to RCA or XLR connectors It is electrically impossible to convert CAST input or output connections for balanced or single ended voltage operation The operating voltage of this unit is determined by the factory and can only be changed by an authorized Krell distributor or at the factory The voltage for this product in the U S A cann...

Page 58: ...loss or damage to the product during shipment to the Krell factory and ensure all freight shipping charges are prepaid The product may also be hand delivered if arrangements with the Service Department have been made in advance Proof of purchase will be required for warranty validation at the time of hand delivery IMPORTANT Use the original packaging to ensure the safe transit of the product to th...