Owner???s Manual
Owner???s Manual
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
???1) Read the Instructions ??? All safety and operating instructions should be read before the subwoofer is operated.
???2) Retain the Instructions ??? The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
???3) Heed Warnings ??? All warnings on the subwoofer and in the operating instructions should be followed.
???4) Follow Instructions ??? All operating and use instructions should
be followed.
???5) Water and Moisture ??? The subwoofer should NOT be used near water ??? for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, near a swimming pool, etc.
6)Ventilation ??? The subwoofer amplifier should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example,
the subwoofer amplifier should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block airflow over the heatsink fins. If placing the subwoofer amplifier in a
???9) Heat and Flames ??? The subwoofer and amplifier should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, fireplaces, or other devices which produce heat. Do not place candles on top of or near the subwoofer or amplifier.
10)Power sources ??? The subwoofer should only be connected to a power supply of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the product.
11)Power Cord Protection ???
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated ???dangerous voltage??? within the product???s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
12)Cleaning ??? The subwoofer and amplifier should be cleaned only as recommended in the operating instructions.
13)Nonuse Periods ??? The power cord of the subwoofer amp should be unplugged from the outlet when the subwoofer is left unused for long periods of time.
14)Lightning and Power Surges ??? We recommend that you disconnect the subwoofer amp from the electrical outlet during electrical storms and/or recurring power interruptions to prevent damage due to power surges.
15)Object or Liquid Entry ??? Care should be taken so that objects do not fall into and liquids are not spilled onto the subwoofer enclosure. Do not expose the subwoofer to dripping or splashing from liquids. Do not place objects filled with liquids on top of, or near the subwoofer or amplifier. For example: flower vases, beverages,
16)Damage Requiring Service ??? The subwoofer should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
a.the
b.objects have fallen or liquid has been spilled into the subwoofer
c.the subwoofer has been exposed to rain
d.the subwoofer does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance
e.the subwoofer has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged
f.the subwoofer driver???s cone and/or suspension has been physically damaged
17)Servicing ??? The user should not attempt to service the subwoofer beyond what is described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
18)Overloading ??? Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or outlet strips as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
19)Grounding ??? This subwoofer is supplied with a
THIS SUBWOOFER IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING VERY HIGH SOUND
WARNINGPRESSURE LEVELS. PLEASE EXERCISE RESTRAINT IN ITS OPERATION TO
PROTECT YOUR HEARING FROM PERMANENT DAMAGE.
FCC Compliance Statement
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
-Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
-Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
-Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
-Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.???
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Safety Instructions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Rear Control and Connector Panel Layout: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Front Panel Controls in
Connecting your Fathom
Recommended Setup
Frequently Asked Questions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Troubleshooting:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Limited Warranty / Service Information:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Specifications:.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a JL Audio Fathom powered subwoofer system. This product has been critically engineered to deliver exceptional performance in your home theater or audio system for many years to come.
As a company, we are intensely committed to core research into
We sincerely thank you for your purchase and invite you to read this manual thoroughly in order to achieve the highest level of performance with your Fathom IWS subwoofer system. Enjoy.
JL AUDIO TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDED
IN Fathom IWS SUBWOOFERS
DMA is JL Audio???s proprietary Dynamic Motor Analysis system aimed at improving dynamic motor behavior. As a result of DMA optimization, loudspeaker motors remain linear in force over an extreme range of excursion and also maintain a highly stable fixed magnetic field over a wide power range. This leads to vastly reduced distortion and faithfully reproduced transients... or put simply: tight, clean, articulate bass.
Concentric Tube Suspension
(U.S. Patent #5,734,132 & #6,095,280)
The suspension technology of the Fathom IWS driver permits high linear excursions within a very shallow frame design.
(U.S. Patent #6,501,844)
This assembly technique ensures proper surround geometry in the assembled speaker for better excursion control and dynamic voice coil alignment.
(U.S. Patent #6,118,884)
This
(U.S. Patent #6,441,685)
This proprietary, discrete control circuit design allows our Class D switching amplifiers to maintain an excellent damping factor for improved transient behavior and fidelity.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
JL Audio Fathom IWS subwoofers combine a
JL Audio subwoofer driver and electronics/amplifier package with a highly optimized enclosure to deliver an exceptional listening experience in your home theater or home audio system.
The subwoofer driver in your Fathom subwoofer system is capable of outstanding linear excursion without distress or audible distortion. This
To get the most from this long excursion driver platform, prodigious amounts of controlled power are needed. Our electronics engineering team conducted
an intense analysis of typical program material and its dynamic demands in order to balance current draw and actual output power requirements relative to the system???s impedance characteristics. After careful study, a pair of precisely engineered switching amplifiers employing patented feedback technology were created. These advanced designs are capable of unclipped output voltages equivalent to 1000 watts (System 1) and 2000 watts (System 2) of RMS power when referenced to the nominal loudspeaker impedance, allowing us to take full advantage of each driver???s full excursion envelope.
The beautiful cabinet enclosing the workings of your Fathom is also the result of careful engineering. To contain the pressures created by the Fathom driver, we utilized
Your listening room is the other enclosure that affects the way your bass will sound. All rooms create a specific sonic signature, which must be effectively managed to achieve
As you can see from this brief introduction, there is a lot of technology in this
If you require assistance, we urge you to contact your authorized
JL Audio retailer for expert setup advice and service.
IMPORTANT! IT IS A VERY GOOD IDEA TO READ THE NEXT SECTION BEFORE
IMPORTANTUNPACKING YOUR FATHOM IWS. UNPACKING THE SUBWOOFER NEAR ITS
FINAL LOCATION IS RECOMMENDED.
PLACING YOUR Fathom IWS Cabinets IN YOUR LISTENING ROOM:
Your listening room or theater is an integral part of your sound reproduction system. The physical dimensions of the room and its furnishings, materials, doors and windows play an important role in defining how your system sounds.
When you place a sound source in an enclosed rectangular space, ???standing waves??? are created, resulting from the relationship between the sound???s wavelength and your room???s dimensions. In other words, standing waves result from sound energy that is trapped in the room as it bounces back and forth between opposing walls. Standing waves in the room create acoustic peaks and dips where the sound is either louder or softer, based solely on your physical position in the room. Energy also ???builds up??? at the room???s boundaries, creating exaggerated bass response at certain frequencies. These fundamental room resonances are called room ???modes.???
The moral of this mode story is to try and avoid seating positions in standing wave peak or dip regions. It is highly recommended that you place your listening chairs in areas where modal peaks and dips are moderate and do not reinforce one another. The two most obvious areas to avoid are those near the exact center of the room and those close to any of the room???s walls.
Just as your listening seat can be in a peak or dip region, so can your subwoofer. When placed in a room corner, a subwoofer maximally excites the room???s mode structure, creating the strongest output with the fewest dips. When the subwoofer is pulled away from a corner or wall, the room modes are excited less, which can alter the sound at your listening seat.
Be sure to experiment with both your listening seat position and subwoofer position to find the best solution. Careful experimentation usually leads to a superior sounding system. Use our setup suggestions (illustrated on the opposing page and the following pages) to get you started.
If you cannot avoid placing your sofa against the back wall or your subwoofer in a less than optimal position, all is not lost. Your Fathom IWS???s Automatic Room Optimization (A.R.O.) System can dramatically improve these
We recommend that you begin by placing your Fathom IWS enclosure in the front of the room, near the front left or right speaker, but not directly in the corner of the room. Because the IWS enclosures are built into the walls, you cannot move them later if the
We recommend that you avoid placing the Fathom IWS enclosures near windows to prevent rattling and sound transmission to the outside world.
If you are planning to install your Fathom IWS amplifier inside a cabinet, please refer to the guidelines on page 8.
Recommended Subwoofer Placement Options for One Fathom IWS Enclosure
RECOMMENDED
SUBWOOFER
PLACEMENT
ZONES
(For Single Subwoofer)
COMPROMISED SEATING POSITIONS (Results in weaker, uneven bass performance)
BEST SEATING POSITIONS (Most accurate bass performance)
COMPROMISED SEATING POSITIONS
(More intense, but less accurate bass performance)
WORST
SEAT
MORE INTENSE
AVOID
CORNER
PLACEMENT
CENTERLINE OF ROOM
APPROX. 1/3 OF TOTAL ROOM
LENGTH AWAY FROM BACK WALL
CLOSE TO BACK WALL OF ROOM
SPECIAL AMPLIFIER CONSIDERATIONS FOR RACK MOUNTING
OR CUSTOM CABINET INSTALLATIONS
Fathom IWS amplifiers are designed to be
1)Allow adequate clear space around the Fathom IWS amp???s
2)The Fathom IWS amp ships ready to be mounted in a standard
3)The Fathom IWS amplifier also includes
4)While the Fathom IWS amp generally runs only warm during spirited operation, we do recommend that adequate heat vents are included in any custom cabinet which encloses the Fathom IWS amp. A pair of 3 inch (7.5 cm) diameter
vents near the bottom of the cabinet and near the top of the cabinet, will allow cool air to circulate over the heatsinks of your Fathom IWS amp keeping it cool and happy.
End Covers
Recommended Subwoofer Placement Options for Three Fathom IWSs
Using Three or Four Fathom IWS boxes
Research indicates that the smoothest bass response for a large listening area can be achieved using four subwoofers, placing one at
the midpoint of each of the four walls (although using two or three subwoofers can be almost as good).
Experimentation with subwoofer and listener placement is recommended to achieve the best results ??? the benefits can be substantial.
Recommended Subwoofer Placement Options for Four Fathom IWSs
1 2
3 4
1
Front Control Panel
The labeled Figure below depicts the front control panel of a Fathom IWS subwoofer.
Rear Controls and Connectors
The labeled Figure below depicts the rear panel of a Fathom IWS subwoofer.
Isolated/Grounded
Switch page 18
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS IN DETAIL
Power Switch
The ???Power??? switch determines the operational readiness of the Fathom IWS system and should be the only switch used to turn the Fathom IWS amp on and off. Do not use a power strip switch, switched outlet or any other external switch as these may result in undesirable and potentially damaging transient pops. Do not unplug the Fathom IWS???s AC power cord while the unit is turned on.
The power switch has three positions:
???On???: The Fathom IWS amp is fully powered at all times. Front panel lights are on unless they have been turned off via the ???Lights??? switch.
???Off ???: The Fathom IWS???s power amplifier is powered down. In this state, a negligible current draw will exist for operating the main power relays. All front panel lights are off .
???Auto???: The Fathom IWS amp will power up when an audio signal is present at any of its inputs and will power down the internal amplifier if no signal has been detected at its inputs for thirty (30) minutes. When dormant, the Fathom IWS will draw a very small amount of current (< 10 watts) to power its
Front panel lights will turn off when the Fathom IWS powers down and light when the Fathom IWS powers up (unless they have been turned off via the ???Lights??? switch).
In the unlikely event that the Auto feature is not sensitive enough for a particular system, use a
Automatic Room Optimization (A.R.O.)
A powerful feature of the JL Audio Fathom IWS subwoofers is their innovative Automatic Room Optimization (A.R.O.) technology. This
Using the included JL Audio calibration microphone, the A.R.O. calibration procedure takes less than three minutes. In brief, you will connect the included microphone to the ???Calibration Mic.??? input, press the Calibrate button, and then hold the microphone at ear height in your main listening seat during the test. A noise sequence will be played through the Fathom IWS subwoofer, and the room response will be automatically measured, analyzed and equalized to eliminate the single largest acoustic room response peak at your listening seat. For detailed instructions on the A.R.O. setup procedure, refer to pages
Calibration Mic. Input
This input is for connecting the supplied JL Audio calibration microphone to the Fathom IWS subwoofer. Connect one end of the supplied cable to the microphone and the other end to this jack prior to using the A.R.O. system. The A.R.O. system is specifically calibrated to this microphone and its connection scheme is specific to the supplied microphone. The calibration sequence will not operate when a different microphone is connected or if no microphone is connected.
IMPORTANT
PRE OUT
FRONT L REAR CENTER
OUTPUTS
OR
Demo Button
The Demo button triggers a 20 second long tone sequence that briefly demonstrates the sound of the Fathom IWS subwoofer. The Demo function is useful for showcasing the output capability of the Fathom IWS and to verify that the Fathom IWS (or multiple Fathom IWSs) are operational during system troubleshooting.
The Demo button is also used (in combination) to clear (return to flat) the A.R.O. equalizer settings. To clear the A.R.O.???s settings & turn off the Calibrate light, press and hold the Demo button and then press the Defeat button. Please note that you must perform this button sequence quickly. If you hold the Demo button for more than 2 seconds without touching the Defeat button, the Demo tones will start. Should this happen, simply wait for the Demo sequence to end and try again.
Defeat Button
If ???Demo??? or ???Calibrate??? is pressed while the defeat function is active, ???Defeat??? is automatically canceled. No other front panel controls will alter the A.R.O. Defeat state. The Fathom IWS???s Defeat setting is stored in
The Defeat button is also used (in combination) to clear (return to flat) the A.R.O. equalizer settings. To clear the A.R.O.???s settings & turn off the Calibrate light, press and hold the Demo button and then press the Defeat button. Please note that you must perform this button sequence quickly. If you hold the Demo button for more than 2 seconds without touching the Defeat button, the Demo tones will start. Should this happen, simply wait for the Demo sequence to end and try again.
Calibrate Button
During the ARO test sequence the Calibrate button???s green LED will blink quickly to alert the user to two special conditions:
1.???JL Audio Microphone NOT Connected???: If you forget to connect the mic before trying to start a Calibration you will get this alert. Press the Calibrate button once to cancel the alert, connect the A.R.O. microphone, and try again.
2.???Inappropriate Sound Level for A.R.O. Calibration???: Since the A.R.O.
sequence is completely automatic, this alert likely indicates a problem with the microphone. Press the Calibrate button once to cancel the alert. Ensure that the JL Audio microphone is properly connected and try again. For further help, please refer to Troubleshooting on page 33.
Input Mode Indicators
The Input Mode indicator LEDs show the input mode, either ???Master??? or ???Slave???, selected by the switch on the Fathom IWS???s back panel (unless the ???Lights??? switch is set to ???off???). For further details, see page 20.
Level Mode
The
???Reference??? - In this mode, the Master Level control knob has no effect on the Fathom IWS???s output level. Use this setting if you will primarily be controlling the subwoofer level via your receiver or preamplifier/processor. For those of us with small children or overenthusiastic teenagers, this mode of operation will prevent direct manipulation of the Master Level.
???Variable??? - In this mode, the Master Level control knob determines the output level of the Fathom IWS subwoofer. This mode is also useful when level matching the Fathom IWS subwoofer to a pair of stereo speakers in a
Master Level Knob
The Master Level Knob is used to control the output level of the Fathom IWS when the Variable Level mode is selected on the front control panel.
When rotated fully counter clockwise, the Fathom IWS???s output will be fully muted. When at the ???0??? or straight up position, the Variable gain level matches the Reference level setting. When turned fully clockwise, the Fathom IWS???s output level is 15 dB higher than the Reference setting.
Lights
The ???Lights??? selector switch allows the user to select one of three indicator light modes.
???Off??? turns off all of the front panel LED???s at all times.
???Dim??? sets all of the front panel LEDs to a low brightness level when the Fathom IWS is turned on.
???On??? sets all of the front panel LEDs to full brightness level when the Fathom IWS is turned on.
LP Filter
The Low Pass (LP) Filter selector switch determines the operating mode of the Fathom IWS???s
???Off??? defeats the low pass filter, completely removing this circuit from the signal path.
???12 dB??? sets the roll off slope of the low pass filter to a 12 dB per octave slope (Butterworth alignment).
???24 dB??? sets the roll off slope of the low pass filter to a 24 dB per octave slope
The 24 dB setting more aggressively attenuates high frequencies above the LP Frequency setting (see below). If you are using the Fathom IWS???s
If the Fathom IWS enclosure is placed close to the listening position, it may be very easy to localize the sub???s output. Experiment with the low pass filter to make the subwoofer less easy to localize.
LP Freq
The Low Pass (LP) Frequency selector knob allows the user to choose the
E.L.F. Trim
The Extreme Low Frequency (???e.l.f. trim???) knob allows the user to apply a certain amount of signal equalization at 23 Hertz (extremely low bass). At full counterclockwise rotation, the signal at 23 Hz is cut by 12 dB. At ???0??? the equalizer is set flat for zero contribution to the signal. At full clockwise rotation, the signal at 28 Hz is boosted by 3 dB.
The E.L.F. Trim feature is useful for tailoring the Fathom IWS???s very low frequency output for your particular room. Adding some boost can make certain material more exciting. Using the cut function can help to compensate for room or boundary gain in the low frequencies. Room boundaries and the room???s finite
(limited) size naturally cause very low frequencies to be boosted relative to other parts of the signal. As such, using the E.L.F. Trim feature to cut the lowest frequencies can help to tame ???bloat??? or unnatural sounding low bass in small to medium sized rooms (and can also reduce unwanted vibrations in the room or throughout the house).
The E.L.F. function affects frequencies 2 to 3 times higher than the 23 Hz specification. This frequency tapering effect may reduce the overall output of the subwoofer and require the user to increase the Main Level control after adjusting the
E.L.F. Trim.
Polarity
The Polarity switch allows the user to select between normal (0 deg) and reversed (180 deg) signal polarity. The Polarity switch will primarily affect the small frequency range around the crossover point between your subwoofer and satellite speakers.
Unlike the Phase control, which effectively adds time delay, the Polarity switch produces an instantaneous reversal of the signal???s amplitude peaks. For example, if at a given reference point a sine wave has an amplitude peak, by flipping the phase switch you instantly convert that peak into a trough or amplitude dip. Because the effect of the Polarity switch is immediate, it compliments the operation of the Phase control and cannot be replaced by it.
When placing your Fathom IWS in the room, experiment with the Polarity switch before adjusting the ???Phase??? control. Either position of the Polarity switch may provide a smoother transition between your Fathom IWS subwoofer and the satellite speakers. Use source material with good mid and upper bass content for evaluation.
CONNECTING YOUR Fathom IWS
Balanced Inputs
If your
The Fathom IWS subwoofers feature individual left and right balanced input connections with XLR ???combo??? jacks. These special jacks accept either a
For systems with a mono subwoofer or ???LFE??? channel connection, only the jack labeled ???Left or Mono??? will be used. This applies to most modern multi- channel receivers and preamplifier/processors. Separate left and right input jacks are provided for systems without a dedicated mono subwoofer connection. This typically applies to
Appropriate balanced cables are available from your JL Audio dealer and are not included with the Fathom IWS.
Technical Notes:
???Do not use the balanced inputs with unbalanced signals via adaptors. The unbalanced inputs of the Fathom IWS are optically isolated and preferable in situations where only an unbalanced signal source is available. Balanced input impedance is 10 kohms.
???Input connectors are configured according to Audio Engineering Society recommendations for balanced signal cables as follows:
XLR Connection
Pin 1: Shield
Pin 2: Positive
Pin 3: Negative
TRS connection:
Tip: Positive
Ring: Negative
Sleeve: Shield
IMPORTANT: IF YOUR RECEIVER OR PREAMPLIFIER/PROCESSOR DOES NOT
HAVE XLR OR
???UNBALANCED INPUTS??? SECTION ON PAGE 17 FOR INPUT CONNECTION
INFORMATION. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONNECT UNBALANCED OUTPUTS TO THE Fathom IWS???S BALANCED INPUTS VIA ADAPTORS.
The Left and Right inputs on the Fathom IWS are internally summed to a single mono channel. Since the Fathom IWS is inherently a ???mono??? or single channel device, you can use the Left and Right inputs for the master Fathom IWS and then distribute the summed mono signal to additional slave Fathom IWSs in the system.
IMPORTANT
Unbalanced Inputs
The Fathom IWS subwoofer amp features individual left and right unbalanced
for home audio applications and must be used if your receiver or preamplifier/ processor does not provide balanced outputs. While unbalanced connections are not as
For systems with a mono subwoofer or ???LFE??? channel connection, only the
modern
Technical Notes:
???When balanced outputs are not available on the signal source, you must use the
???Connections are
Tip: Positive
Sleeve: Negative
IMPORTANT: IF NOISE EXISTS AFTER CONNECTION, Fathom IWS AMPS
ALLOW FOR GROUNDING OR ISOLATION OF THE UNBALANCED INPUTS.
IMPORTANTPLEASE REFER TO THE ???INPUT MODE SWITCHES??? SECTION ON PAGE 20 OF
THIS MANUAL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON MINIMIZING NOISE.
Input Mode Switches:
Two switches are located on the rear panel to control unbalanced signal grounding and master/slave operation.
???Grounded / Isolated??? Switch
The ???Grounded / Isolated??? Input Mode switch affects only the unbalanced RCA inputs and is designed to facilitate a quiet,
The Fathom IWS ships with this switch in the ???Isolated??? mode. If, with all system components connected and turned on (but no source material playing), you hear a continuous
IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE
THAT CHANGING ANY COMPONENT IN THE OPTIMIZED SYSTEM (RECEIVER,
AMPLIFIER, DVD PLAYER, CABLE OR SATELLITE BOX, ETC.) COULD ALTER THE
SIGNAL GROUNDING SCHEME AND CAUSE HUM TO APPEAR IN YOUR PREVIOUSLY
QUIET SYSTEM. IF YOU ADD OR CHANGE AN UPSTREAM COMPONENT IN YOUR
HOME THEATER SYSTEM, YOU MAY NEED TO REVISIT THIS INPUT MODE SETTING ON THE Fathom IWS SUBWOOFER FOR OPTIMUM NOISE PERFORMANCE. CABLE
& SATELLITE BOXES ARE PARTICULARLY TROUBLESOME IN THIS WAY.
Master / Slave Switch
The Fathom IWSs are designed to easily accommodate the implementation of multiple subwoofers in your home theater system through a Master/Slave connection chain. This method allows you to utilize the signal processing features of one Fathom IWS to centrally control multiple Fathom IWSs in the room. Master/Slave functionality also makes it possible for the A.R.O. system to optimize the response of a multiple subwoofer installation.
The Fathom IWS ships with this switch in the ???Master??? position. If you are using a single Fathom IWS you will use the ???Master??? position and you need not concern yourself with this section any further.
If your installation incorporates two or more Fathom IWS amplifiers, you will designate one Fathom IWS as the ???Master??? and all others in the system as ???Slave??? via the ???Master/Slave??? switch on the rear amplifier panel of each Fathom IWS.
LED???s on the front panel of the Fathom IWS are provided to indicate whether the ???Master??? or ???Slave??? mode is selected for a given subwoofer.
From the Fathom IWS operating in ???Master??? mode, the ???Output to Slave??? signal carries any signal processing selected on the Master Fathom IWS (including the Master Level setting and A.R.O. processing) to further Fathom IWSs operating in ???Slave??? mode. ???Slave??? subwoofer signal processing and level controls will be inoperable. In this mode, the user does not have to worry about level, crossover, and other settings for the slave subwoofers.
Technical Notes:
???Selecting the ???Slave??? position defeats all
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT: PLEASE REFER TO THE ???SYSTEM CONNECTION DIAGRAMS???
IMPORTANTON PAGES
CONNECTIONS.
???Output to Slave??? Connector
If you are operating more than one Fathom IWS subwoofer in one home theater system, you will designate one Fathom IWS as the Master (see page 20), and then feed signal from it to the remaining ???Slave??? Fathom IWSs via this balanced XLR output. The ???Output to Slave??? cable can be connected to the ???Left or Mono??? balanced XLR input on the next Fathom IWS. When a Fathom IWS is in ???Slave??? Mode, its ???Output to Slave??? connection can be used to pass signal to further Fathom IWSs operating in ???Slave??? mode.
The ???Output to Slave??? connector is designed to be used as follows:
1)From the ???Master??? Fathom IWS???s ???Output to Slave??? connector to the first
???Slave??? Fathom IWS???s ???Left or Mono??? XLR balanced input.
2)From the first ???Slave??? Fathom IWS???s ???Output to Slave??? connector to the second ???Slave??? Fathom IWS???s ???Left or Mono??? XLR balanced input.
3)From the second ???Slave??? Fathom IWS???s ???Output to Slave??? connector to the third ???Slave??? Fathom IWS???s ???Left or Mono??? XLR balanced input. Etc, etc. (up to ten Fathom IWSs may be connected in this configuration). Appropriate balanced cables with XLR terminations are available from your JL Audio dealer and are not included with the Fathom IWS.
Technical Notes:
???The ???Output to Slave??? signal carries any signal processing selected on the Master Fathom IWS (including the Master Level setting and A.R.O. processing) to further Fathom IWSs operating in ???Slave??? mode.
???From Fathom IWSs operating in ???Slave??? mode, the ???Output to Slave??? signal is an exact, buffered replica of the balanced input signal, making this method of signal distribution preferable to using
???Use only shielded, connection cables with high quality
XLR connectors for Master/Slave connection. Never use unbalanced cables with adaptors.
The
The Fathom IWS subwoofer is a very powerful device and can draw a lot of current. If too many components are connected with a Fathom IWS subwoofer to one electrical outlet, you risk tripping a household circuit breaker during very demanding program material. If this happens, split the Fathom IWS and other components between two AC electrical circuits. If possible, for maximum performance, dedicate an AC circuit to each Fathom IWS.
PRE OUT
FRONT L REAR CENTER
OUTPUTS
OR
FRONT R REAR 
SUB
FATHOM REAR CONTROLS (MASTER)
WARNING! TURN OFF THE Fathom IWS AND ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT IN
THE SYSTEM BEFORE MAKING OR CHANGING ANY CONNECTIONS!
SYSTEM CONNECTION DIAGRAM 1: One Fathom IWS to
Home Theater Receiver or
Home Theater Preamp/Processor
Most home theater receivers and preamp/processors provide a single (mono) subwoofer output. When connecting a mono subwoofer output
to your Fathom IWS, you will only use the Fathom IWS???s ???Left or Mono??? input.
Two connection types are available for connecting the Fathom IWS to your home theater system: balanced (XLR or
In the connection diagram at left, balanced connections are shown as solid lines, unbalanced connections are shown dotted. You will only use one of these input connection methods (not both).
WARNING
SYSTEM CONNECTION DIAGRAM 2: Multiple Fathom IWSs to
Home Theater Receiver or
Home Theater Preamp/Processor
To greatly simplify using multiple subwoofers in a single home theater system, Fathom IWSs incorporate a ???Master/Slave??? signal distribution system. This allows control of all the Fathom IWSs in a system from a single ???Master??? unit.
PROCESSOR (BALANCED OUTPUTS)
OUTPUTS
RECEIVER / PROCESSOR (UNBALANCED OUTPUTS)
PRE OUT
FRONT L REAR CENTER
OR
First, you will select one of the Fathom IWS subwoofers as the ???Master??? via its upper ???Input Mode??? switch. Generally, you will designate the Fathom IWS closest to the receiver/preamp as the master. In some cases; for example, when the control panel of certain units is difficult to access, you may prefer to designate the one which is easiest to access as the master.
Two connection types are available for connecting the master Fathom IWS to your home theater system: balanced (XLR or
In the connection diagram at right, balanced connections are shown as solid lines, unbalanced connections are shown dotted. You will only use one of these input connection methods for the Fathom IWS designated as the master (not both).
The remaining Fathom IWSs in the system will be configured as ???Slave??? units via their ???Input Mode??? switches. Using balanced XLR cables, you will connect the master Fathom IWS???s ???Output to Slave??? to the ???Left or Mono??? balanced input of the first slave Fathom IWS. That slave unit???s ???Output to Slave??? connector will feed the ???Left or Mono??? input of
the next slave unit via another balanced XLR cable. Subsequent slave units will be connected in the same manner.
IMPORTANT
Connections between the ???Master??? and ???Slave??? Fathom IWSs and between ???Slave??? Fathom IWSs are via balanced XLR cables ONLY.
WARNING
FATHOM REAR CONTROLS (SLAVE)
TO ADDITIONAL FATHOMS
(IF APPLICABLE)
WARNING! TURN OFF THE Fathom IWS(S) AND ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT IN
THE SYSTEM BEFORE MAKING OR CHANGING ANY CONNECTIONS!
LOW OUT
(SUB OUT)
LOW OUT
(SUB OUT)
LEFT RIGHT
OR
FATHOM REAR CONTROLS (MASTER)
WARNING! TURN OFF THE Fathom IWS AND ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT IN
THE SYSTEM BEFORE MAKING OR CHANGING ANY CONNECTIONS!
SYSTEM CONNECTION DIAGRAM 3: One Fathom IWS in Mono to
When connecting a Fathom IWS (or multiple Fathom IWSs) in mono to a two- channel audio system you will use both the ???Left or Mono??? and the ???Right??? inputs. Summing circuitry in the Fathom IWS???s input section will sum the stereo signals to mono.
We strongly recommend that you use a
If you are not using an active crossover and are comfortable running your main speakers
Two connection types are available for connecting the Fathom IWS to your
In the connection diagram at left, balanced connections are shown as solid lines, unbalanced connections are shown dotted. You will only use one of these input connection methods (not both).
NOTE: If desired, additional Fathom IWSs can be connected in ???Slave??? mode to the Fathom IWS connected as shown on this diagram. See ???Connection Diagram 2??? on page 23 for slave connection explanation.
WARNING
SYSTEM CONNECTION DIAGRAM 4: Two Fathom IWSs in Stereo to
When connecting two Fathom IWSs in stereo to a
We strongly recommend that you use a
If you are not using an active crossover and are comfortable running your main speakers
Two connection types are available for connecting the Fathom IWSs to your
In the connection diagram at right, balanced connections are shown as solid lines, unbalanced connections are shown dotted. You will only use one of these input connection methods (not both).
NOTE: If desired, additional Fathom IWSs can be connected in ???Slave??? mode to each Fathom IWS connected as shown on this diagram. See ???Connection Diagram 2??? on page 23 for slave connection explanation.
WARNING
LOW OUT
(SUB OUT)
LOW OUT
(SUB OUT)
LEFT RIGHT
OR
FATHOM REAR CONTROLS (MASTER)
FATHOM REAR CONTROLS (MASTER)
WARNING! TURN OFF THE Fathom IWS(S) AND ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT IN
THE SYSTEM BEFORE MAKING OR CHANGING ANY CONNECTIONS!
RECOMMENDED SETUP PROCEDURES
1) Preparation for Setup Process: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2) Apply A.R.O: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3) Level Setting:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4) Polarity/Phase Adjustment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5) Adjust E.L.F. Trim:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
PREPARATION FOR SETUP PROCESS:
Please confirm the following system settings before beginning the setup process. This will ensure a neutral starting point and an effective setup of your subwoofer system.
On your Home Theater Receiver or Preamp/Processor:
Before beginning setup of your Fathom IWS subwoofer system we recommend that you set your receiver or preamp/processor as follows:
1.Speaker Size
In the speaker setup menu of your receiver or preamp/processor, set up all of your
2.Speaker Distance
In the speaker setup menu, properly set all speaker distances to the primary listening seat, including the subwoofer???s distance. Use a tape measure to determine these distances (time coherence is important.) If multiple Fathom IWSs are being used, average their distances to the primary listening seat and use that number to set the subwoofer distance.
3.Subwoofer Level
Set the subwoofer level in the receiver or preamp/processor ???0??? or its middle position.
4.Tone Controls / Equalizers
Set all tone controls to ???0??? and defeat all equalizer features.
On your Active Crossover or Bass Management Processor:
If you are using an active crossover or
1.
Select a
2.
Select a
3.
Set the subwoofer output level to ???0??? or its middle position.
On the Fathom IWS???s Front Panel:
Please turn off the home theater receiver or preamp/processor to make these adjustm ents.
1.???Power??? Switch
Flip each Fathom IWS???s ???Power??? switch to the ???On??? position.
2.???Lights??? Switch
Flip each Fathom IWS???s ???Lights??? switch to the ???On??? position. If you don???t see any lights on the front panel, you may have forgotten to plug the Fathom IWS in or there may be a problem with the electrical circuit.
3.???Input Mode??? Indicator Lights
If you are using a single Fathom IWS, confirm that its ???Input Mode??? indicator light is on the ???Master??? position. If not, you will need to access the ???Input Mode??? switch on the rear panel of the Fathom IWS.
If you are using multiple Fathom IWSs in a Master/Slave configuration, confirm that the unit connected directly to your receiver or preamp/processor is indicating ???Master??? on its ???Input Mode??? lights and that all other units are indicating ???Slave??? on their ???Input Mode??? lights. If not, you will need to access the ???Input Mode??? switches on the rear panels of the Fathom IWSs.
3.???Level Mode??? Switch
Flip the master Fathom IWS???s ???Level Mode??? switch to the ???REF??? position.
4.???LP Filter??? Switch
If your home theater receiver/processor is handling bass management (speakers set on ???small???) or if you are using an outboard crossover/bass- management processor, flip the master Fathom IWS???s ???LP Filter??? switch to ???OFF.??? If not, select the ???12 dB??? position.
5.???LP Freq. (Hz)??? Knob
Rotate the ???LP Freq.??? knob to the ???80 Hz??? position.
6.???e.l.f. trim (dB)??? Knob
Rotate the ???e.l.f. trim??? knob to ???0???
7.???Polarity??? Switch
Flip the ???Polarity??? switch to ???0???.
8.???phase (deg.)??? Knob
Rotate the ???phase??? knob to ???0??? degrees
9.A.R.O. Defeat Switch
Press the A.R.O. defeat switch so that the red light in the switch remains lit.
RECOMMENDED SETUP PROCEDURES (continued)
Subwoofer System Setup:
Once you have set the controls on your home theater receiver or preamp/ processor and on your Fathom IWS(s) to the settings recommended on pages
In some systems, the Fathom IWS amplifier will be installed away from the
listening environment. For these cases, the ARO microphone cable will not beIMPORTANT long enough to perform the Calibration.
To facilitate Calibration with the Fathom IWS amplifier in the listening room, the Fathom IWS subwoofer enclosure includes
If your system has a Master / Slave configuration, you only need to have the amplifier designated as Master located in the listening room. You must run a temporary XLR cable to the remotely located Slave unit(s).
1) Applying Automatic Room Optimization (A.R.O.)
You are now ready to apply the power of JL Audio???s exclusive Automatic Room Optimization system. This system will measure the response of the subwoofer at your primary listening seat and apply a powerful equalizer to tame the peaks caused by room modes, resulting in smoother, more accurate bass performance. If you are using multiple Fathom IWSs in a master/slave configuration, you will only need to address the unit designated as ???Master??? to perform A.R.O. calibration for the entire subwoofer system. Note that all
a)Set the Main Power switch to the ???ON??? position and be sure the Fathom IWS???s indicator lights are switched ???ON??? via the ???Lights??? switch.
b)Remove the calibration microphone from its protective pouch and connect its cable to the
NOTE: A.R.O. Calibration is only possible when the included JL Audio test microphone is plugged in to the Fathom IWS front panel. The ???Calibrate??? feature is disabled with no microphone plugged in to prevent accidental loss of settings.
c)Connect the microphone to the other end of the mic cable and temporarily place the mic in the primary listening seat. If you have a microphone stand, you can place the microphone at head height and position in the primary listening seat.
d)On the Fathom IWS???s control panel, press the ???Calibrate??? button. The green light on the ???Calibrate??? button will flash slowly, indicating that calibration will begin in 5 seconds.
IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO TURN OFF AIR CONDITIONERS OR HEAT
PUMPS DURING CALIBRATION. THESE
CAN CREATE MODERATE LEVELS OF 15 ??? 20 HZ NOISE THAT MAY INTERFERE
WITH CALIBRATION.
e)Within 5 seconds of pressing the ???Calibrate??? button, return to your primary listening seat and hold the microphone in your normal, seated head position at the approximate height of your ears.
f)A noise sequence will be played through the Fathom IWS that sounds like hashy static (like when your old FM radio was between stations). The sequence will last approximately 3 minutes. During this process, the A.R.O. system is taking a frequency response measurement at your seat and correcting the problems it finds. The A.R.O. system also compensates for any before & after level differences so that your subwoofer will have a similar perceived loudness after the calibration process. When A.R.O. is finished calibrating, the ???Calibrate??? button will light and stay on, indicating a successful calibration.
Should you wish to run a new calibration, simply repeat the steps above.
To clear the A.R.O.???s settings (i.e., return them to flat) & turn off the Calibrate light, press and hold the Demo button and then press the Defeat button. Please note that you must perform this button sequence quickly. If you hold the Demo button for more than 2 seconds without touching the Defeat button, the Demo tones will start. Should this happen, simply wait for the Demo sequence to end and try again. You can perform a new calibration by following the normal procedure outlined above.
2) Level Setting
Using familiar music or movie material with deep bass content, adjust the subwoofer level to blend with the other speakers using your receiver or preamp / processor???s subwoofer level control. This method is more immune to tampering than using the Fathom IWS???s ???Master Level??? knob (think toddlers or curious visitors).
In the unlikely event that the subwoofer level control in your receiver or preamp/processor cannot be turned up enough to level match the Fathom IWS, return that control to ???0???. Then, flip the Fathom IWS???s ???Level Mode??? switch to ???Variable??? and with ???0??? as your reference point (REF mode gain and Variable ???0??? gain are identical) use the ???Master Level??? control to level match the subwoofer with the other speakers. MAKE NOTE OF THIS SETTING FOR FUTURE USE.
For more detailed information on your Fathom IWS???s level setting controls, please refer to the ???Level Mode??? and ???Master Level??? sections on pages 15 - 16 of this manual.
3) Polarity and Phase Adjustment
It is often helpful to have a second person operating these controls so that you can easily hear the changes from the primary listening seat.
Listening to familiar source material (preferably music with good upper bass and midbass response), flip the ???Polarity??? switch from ???0??? to ???180??? and listen for differences. The correct setting will sound most natural with the best upper bass punch and articulation. If both sound similar, choose ???0???.
Once Polarity is set, use the same music material to audition different ???Phase??? control settings and choose the one that further enhances the upper and midbass response. If you can???t hear a difference, set the control to ???0.???
4) Extreme Low Frequency (e.l.f.) Trim
Use the ???e.l.f. trim??? control to adjust the extreme low bass extension of the Fathom IWS. This control allows
Your Fathom IWS is now optimized for maximum bass performance at your listening seat. Congratulations!
IMPORTANT! WRITE DOWN ALL SETTINGS PERFORMED IN STEPS
FUTURE REFERENCE.
IMPORTANT! IF YOU MOVE YOUR PRIMARY LISTENING SEAT IN THE
FUTURE, YOU WILL NEED TO RUN A.R.O. AGAIN. ANY PARTICULAR
CALIBRATION IS UNIQUE TO THAT PARTICULAR SUBWOOFER POSITION
AND LISTENING SEAT POSITION COMBINATION. SIMPLY FOLLOW THE
STEPS ABOVE TO CREATE A NEW CALIBRATION CURVE.
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the Fathom IWS magnetically shielded?
Fathom IWS subwoofers are not magnetically shielded. To avoid magnetic distortion with certain television types, place the Fathom IWS at least
Will my electric bill be high if I leave the Fathom IWS in ???Auto??? mode?
When in ???Auto??? mode, the Fathom IWS amplifier is only powered up when a significant signal is detected on the inputs. When powered down, only ???housekeeping??? circuits remain on, which draw negligible amounts of power from the wall (less than 10 watts).
Should I unplug my subwoofer during a thunderstorm or extended absence?
YES. You should unplug your Fathom IWS during (or before) thunderstorms. This will prevent any possible damage from voltage spikes due to lightning. In these conditions, it???s a good idea to unplug all of your audio / video components.
If you are going to be away from home for several days, it is also a good idea to unplug your home theater components to prevent damage from unexpected storms or power line conditions.
TROUBLESHOOTING
No sound from subwoofer.
1.Verify that Fathom IWS amp is plugged in, turned ???ON??? & that front panel lights are ???ON???. If the Fathom IWS amp will not power up, check the circuit breaker that feeds its outlet.
2.Test subwoofer using DEMO button on front panel of amp??? if sub emits demo tones the subwoofer???s internal circuitry is fine and an input problem is likely. Check the input cable connections at the Fathom IWS amp and at the receiver/preamp/ processor.
3.Verify that your receiver???s subwoofer settings have not changed.
4.If your other speakers play, but the Fathom IWS does not, try changing the cable that connects the Fathom IWS to the system.
5.If the problem persists, call your dealer or JL Audio Technical Support for assistance.
The bass level has changed.
1.Make sure your level settings (on the Fathom IWS amp and in your receiver/ preamp/processor) have not changed.
2.If you are using the Fathom IWS???s ???Master Level??? knob to set the subwoofer level, confirm that the ???Level Mode??? switch is set to ???Variable???.
3.Verify the position of the ELF Trim knob.
Hums or other unusual noises from your Fathom IWS
1.See Input Mode discussion on page 20 of this manual, especially if any upstream components, cables, etc., have recently changed.
2.Turn off the Fathom IWS, disconnect all its input and output signal cables, turn the Fathom IWS back on. If the noise disappears, the noise is being caused elsewhere in your system - reconnect cables one at a time to help locate the problem.
Bass sounds ???muddy??? or ???too heavy???.
1.Try decreasing the 23 Hertz level using the ELF Trim control. Muddy bass can sometimes be caused by too much low frequency output in a moderately sized room.
2.Decrease the overall subwoofer level.
3.Verify your receiver???s subwoofer settings.
4.Try a different main listening seat location. Changing your seating location can have a HUGE effect on how your system sounds. See the placement discussion on pages
A.R.O. Calibration attempt gives fast blinking Calibrate light
1.Be sure that the included JL Audio Microphone is properly plugged into the front panel jack. Calibration will ONLY proceed with the JL Audio microphone connected. Connecting any other mic will cause the calibration to fail.
2.If calibration fails with the JL Audio microphone properly connected, try running calibration again with the microphone placed ~ 6 feet away from the Fathom IWS speaker enclosure. If calibration fails again, the microphone or microphone cable is bad and will need to be replaced. Contact JL Audio Customer Service.
LIMITED WARRANTY / SERVICE INFORMATION
JL AUDIO warrants this product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three (3) years from the original date of purchase.
Damage caused by the following is not covered under warranty: accident, misuse, abuse, product modification or neglect, failure to follow installation instructions, unauthorized repair attempts, misrepresentations by the seller. This warranty does not cover incidental or consequential damages and does not cover the cost of removing or reinstalling the unit(s) or shipping the unit(s) to JL Audio for service. Cosmetic damage due to accident or normal wear and tear is not covered under warranty.
This warranty is not transferable and applies only to the original purchaser of the product from an authorized JL AUDIO dealer. Warranty is voided if the
Should service be necessary under this warranty for any reason due to manufacturing defect or malfunction, JL AUDIO will, at its discretion, repair or replace the defective product with new or remanufactured product at no charge.
Any applicable implied warranties are limited in duration to the period of the express warranty as provided herein beginning with the date of the original purchase at retail, and no warranties, whether express or implied, shall apply to this product thereafter. Some states do not allow limitations on implied warranties, therefore these exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS NO
been attempted by unauthorized parties WILL NOT BE COVERED
UNDER WARRANTY.
If you need service on your JL AUDIO product:
All warranty returns should be sent to JL AUDIO freight prepaid through an authorized JL AUDIO dealer and must be accompanied by proof of purchase (a copy of the original sales receipt.) Direct returns from consumers or non- authorized dealers will be refused unless specifically authorized by JL AUDIO with a valid return authorization number. Warranty expiration on products returned without proof of purchase will be determined from the manufacturing date code. Coverage may be invalidated as this date is previous to purchase date. Return only defective components.
For Service Information in the U.S.A. please call:
JL Audio customer service:
(954)
JL Audio, Inc ??? 10369 North Commerce Parkway, Miramar, FL 33025
International Warranties:
Products purchased outside the United States of America are covered only by that country???s distributor and not by JL Audio, Inc.
