Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 1 C ASCADE ™ Compact Powered Subwoofer CASCADE MODEL FIFTEEN ™ Owner’s Guide (120V)
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Read First! CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel. CAUTION: To prevent electric shock, do not use this (polarized) plug with an extension cord, receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 3 CASCADE MODEL FIFTEEN OWNER’S GUIDE Table of Contents ii Important Safety Precautions 1 Unpacking the Subwoofer 1 Placement 2 Controls and Connections 3 Connections 4 Operation 5 Room Adaptive Bass Optimization System™ (R.A.B.O.S.™) 6 Contents of the R.A.B.O.S.Test CD 6 The R.A.B.O.S.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 4 Infinity Cascade™ Model Fifteen The Infinity Cascade Model Fifteen continues Infinity’s longstanding commitment to accurate sound reproduction. Our advanced drivers, high-powered amplifier and proprietary Room Adaptive Bass Optimization System,™ along with a rigid, wellbraced enclosure, combine to deliver uncompromising bass performance in any stereo or multichannel home theater.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 5 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS Rear Panel ¡ ™ £ ¢ ∞ ª § ¶ ‚ ⁄ • B ¡ Line-Level Inputs Bass Optimization Controls (see page 5) ™ Line-Level Outputs ª R.A.B.O.S.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 6 CONNECTIONS If you have a Dolby® Digital or DTS® receiver/processor with a low-frequency-effects (LFE) output: If your receiver/processor has subwoofer outputs for the left and right channels: SUBWOOFER OR LFE OUTPUT • Set Normal/LFE Switch to LFE. • Set Normal/LFE Switch to Normal. NOTE: In this case, you do not need to use a Y-connector. Simply connect the LFE output on your receiver/processor to either the left or right input on the subwoofer.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 7 OPERATION Power On Crossover Adjustments Plug your subwoofer’s AC cord into a wall outlet. Do not use the outlets on the back of the receiver. Initially set the Subwoofer Level (Volume) Control ¢ to the “min” position. Turn on your sub by pressing the Power Switch • on the rear panel. NOTE: This control will have no effect if the Normal/LFE Selector Switch ¶ is set to “LFE.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 8 ROOM ADAPTIVE BASS OPTIMIZATION SYSTEM™ (R.A.B.O.S.™) Infinity’s R.A.B.O.S. is a simple-to-use, yet sophisticated, low-frequency calibration system. It is designed to work in conjunction with the Cascade Model Fifteen self-amplified subwoofer.The subwoofer contains a parametric equalizer that you will adjust as indicated by the R.A.B.O.S. test results.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 9 Contents of the R.A.B.O.S.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 10 Initial System-Level Setting The following steps will set the playback level of the system to the correct level for all tests that follow. Turn the system volume to minimum. Cue the R.A.B.O.S.Test CD to Track 2 and press Pause II.This track will produce band-limited pink noise in both the left and right channels. or rattle during this test, it is highly recommended that you locate the source and eliminate its effects.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 11 Each of the following tracks produces a low-frequency test tone. The range of these tests is from 100Hz down to 20Hz.The frequency of each test is announced before it begins.The first test is the highest frequency (100Hz); therefore, you will be marking the template from right to left. Each frequency point is listed across the bottom of the Measurement Template (this is called the X-axis). See Figure 6 on the previous page.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 12 At this point, you may simply enter the data you just measured into the R.A.B.O.S. calculator, found on the Infinity Web site at www.infinitysystems.com. After entering the data, this R.A.B.O.S. wizard will return the correct settings for all three R.A.B.O.S. controls: ‚, ⁄ and B. Skip to page 14 and adjust these controls as described, and finish the R.A.B.O.S. setup. If you would like to manually calculate the R.A.B.O.S.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 13 Using the Width Selector Read the following instructions carefully.The example presented may not look like the graph you just created. Focus on the concepts and techniques presented. Specific cases will be discussed later. Figure 13. Placement of the Width Selector Figure 12. Width Selector You will use the Measurement Template just completed and the Width Selector to determine the correct width setting.The Width Selector graphically depicts a single resonant peak.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 14 The pointer on the slider will indicate the correct width setting. Enter this number in the Width field of the Measurement Template. In our example, the width is 12.5%. Example 1. Single Dominant Peak It is not realistic to expect a perfect fit. Acoustic measurements encompass the behavior of not only the speakers but of the room and its contents as well. Reflected energy, standing waves and ambient noise all add their part.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 15 Example 2. Two Response Peaks Example 3. Peak Adjacent to a Dip Figure 16.Two response peaks Characterized by two response peaks, approximately equal in amplitude and width.This requires that you make a choice between the two peaks. In situations like this, the higherfrequency peak will always be more audible and objectionable. Response peaks below 45Hz, unless extreme, can actually be beneficial toward achieving visceral impact.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 16 1. Select a new test position: Cue the test track corresponding to the center frequency of the dip. In the first example in Figure 18, you would play Track 13 (56Hz). Press Play ›.You will see a reading very close to what you had before. Now slowly move the RSLM around the area, if possible remaining within about a foot of the original test point. As you move the RSLM, watch the bar graph.You will observe large level fluctuations.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 17 1. Select a new test position: Cue the test track corresponding to the center frequency of the dip. In the example in Figure 19 you would play Tracks 14 (52Hz) and 18 (40Hz). Press Play ›. You will see a reading very close to what you had before. Now slowly move the RSLM around the area, if possible remaining within about a foot of the original test point. As you move the RSLM, watch the bar graph.You will observe large level fluctuations.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 18 If using more than one subwoofer, always adjust both subwoofers together. Adjust the controls as indicated by the Measurement Template. Each value shown in the table is represented by detents in the R.A.B.O.S. controls. Simply count the number of detents necessary, indicated by the results of your R.A.B.O.S.Test. Final System Balance Cue Track 51 of the R.A.B.O.S.Test CD. Press Play ›. Increase the system volume until the RSLM indicates –10dB. Now play Track 52.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 19 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE The enclosure may be cleaned using a soft cloth to remove fingerprints or to wipe off dust. All wiring connections should be inspected and cleaned or remade periodically.The frequency of maintenance depends on the metals involved in the connections, atmospheric conditions, and other factors, but once per year is the minimum. If a problem occurs, make sure that all connections are properly made and clean.
Cascade 15 OM 17 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 20 Frequency Hz dB Width % Frequency Hz dB Width % CASCADE MODEL FIFTEEN
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 21 Frequency Hz dB Width % Frequency Hz dB Width % CASCADE MODEL FIFTEEN 18
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 22 SPECIFICATIONS Cascade Model Fifteen Frequency Response 32Hz – 150Hz (–3dB) 29Hz – 150Hz (–6dB) Maximum Amplifier Output 800 Watts RMS (20Hz – 150Hz with no more than 0.1% THD) Crossover Frequency 50Hz – 150Hz, 24dB/octave, continuously variable (Normal/LFE switch set to “Normal”) Drivers Four 6" x 6" (152mm x 152mm) Dimensions (H x W x D) 13" x 37" x 8-1/2" (330mm x 940mm x 216mm) Weight 98 lb (44.
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 NOTES 2:35 PM Page 23
Cascade 15 OM 9/14/05 2:35 PM Page 24 Infinity Systems, 250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797 USA 516.674.4INF (4463) (USA only) www.infinitysystems.com Infinity and Harman International are registered trademarks, and Cascade, Room Adaptive Bass Optimization System and R.A.B.O.S. are trademarks, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories. DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc. Part No.
