ROCK SHAKER 10: How To Set Up Rockville 10" Powered Home Theater Sub

Introduction

The Rockville Rock Shaker 10 is a powerful subwoofer designed to add deep bass to your home theater, recording setup, or general audio system. Available in Black and Classic Wood finishes, the setup process is the same for both. This guide will walk you through connecting your subwoofer to various devices, adjusting sound settings, and optimizing your setup for the best performance.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up the Rock Shaker 10

1. Connecting Power and Removing the Front Grill

• Plug the included power cable into the back of the subwoofer and connect it to a power source.
• Use the power switch to turn the subwoofer on.
• The power LED will light up, indicating that the subwoofer is powered.
• If you prefer a different aesthetic, you can remove the front grill by gently pulling it from the edges. To reattach, align the four corner points and snap it back in place.

2. Understanding the Controls and Inputs

The back panel of the Rock Shaker 10 includes multiple controls and inputs:

A. Volume & Frequency Controls

• Volume Knob – Adjusts the overall bass level.
• Frequency Knob (Low-Pass Filter) – Controls the range of frequencies sent to the subwoofer.
  • Example: Setting it to 100Hz means only frequencies below 100Hz will be played.

B. RCA Line Input & Output

• RCA Input – Connects audio sources like receivers, mixers, or smart TVs.
• RCA Output – Expands the setup to additional speakers or subwoofers.

C. High-Level Input & Output (Speaker Wire Connections)

• High-Level Input – Receives a signal from speaker wires connected to an amplifier or receiver.
• High-Level Output – Sends the processed signal to other speakers.

D. Additional Features

• Phase Switch (0° / 180°) – Adjusts polarity to synchronize bass timing with other speakers.
• Auto Power Mode – Automatically turns the subwoofer on/off based on signal detection.

3. Connecting the Rock Shaker 10 to Different Audio Sources

A. Connecting to a Smart TV

1. Ensure your TV has RCA audio outputs.
2. Use an RCA cable to connect the TV’s RCA audio output to the RCA input on the subwoofer.
3. Adjust your TV audio settings:
   • Set audio output to RCA Out.
   • Switch audio format to PCM for optimal stereo sound.
4. To connect additional speakers, use:
   • High-Level Output for passive speakers.
   • RCA Output for powered speakers or receivers.

B. Connecting to a Home Theater Receiver

1. Check if your receiver has a dedicated RCA "Sub Out" port.
2. Use an RCA cable:
   • Plug one end into "Sub Out" on the receiver.
   • Plug the other end into the RCA Input on the subwoofer.
3. If your receiver doesn't have RCA outputs, use High-Level Inputs:
   • Connect speaker wires from the receiver’s speaker terminals to the High-Level Inputs on the subwoofer.
   • Daisy chain from the High-Level Outputs on the subwoofer to passive speakers.

C. Connecting to an Audio Interface (Studio Setup)

1. If your audio interface has RCA or 1/4” outputs, connect them to the subwoofer:
   • Use RCA-to-1/4” cables for interfaces with 1/4” outputs.
   • Use RCA cables for interfaces with RCA outputs.
2. Plug the RCA ends into the RCA Inputs on the subwoofer.
3. If your interface has only XLR outputs, use RCA-to-XLR adapters.
4. Adjust volume levels and crossover settings for optimal bass response.

4. Adjusting Sound Settings for Best Performance

• Increase the subwoofer volume gradually to balance with your main speakers.
• Set the low-pass filter to match your speaker’s crossover point.
• Use the phase switch if the bass sounds out of sync.
• Enable Auto Power Mode to save energy when not in use.

Conclusion

The Rockville Rock Shaker 10 is a versatile powered subwoofer that enhances bass response for TVs, home theaters, and recording setups. By following this guide, you can seamlessly integrate it into your audio system and fine-tune the settings for optimal performance.