ROCK SHAKER SERIES: How to Set Up & Use

Introduction

The Rockville Rock Shaker Subwoofer is a powered subwoofer designed for home theaters, studio setups, and music systems. Available in multiple sizes and colors, this guide will help you set up your specific model for optimal performance.

What’s Included:

• Rock Shaker Subwoofer
• Power Cable
• Removable Grill

Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

1. Connecting Power

1. Take the female end of the power cable and plug it into the subwoofer’s power input.
2. Plug the male end into a wall outlet.
3. Turn on the subwoofer using the power switch on the back panel.
4. The power LED light should illuminate, indicating the unit is powered on.

2. Adjusting Volume & Frequency Settings

Once powered on, use the control knobs on the back panel to customize your sound:

• Master Volume Knob – Controls the overall loudness of the subwoofer.
• Frequency Knob (Low-Pass Filter: 50Hz – 150Hz) – Adjusts the cutoff frequency:
  • Higher settings (150Hz): The subwoofer plays higher bass frequencies, good for small speakers.
  • Lower settings (50Hz): The subwoofer plays deeper bass, ideal for larger speakers that already handle mid-bass.

Tip: Adjust the frequency knob based on the size and capability of your main speakers for a balanced sound.

3. Connecting to Your Audio System

Option 1: RCA Connection (Recommended for Home Theater & Powered Speakers)

1. Locate the subwoofer (bass) output on your home theater receiver or powered speaker system.
2. Use an RCA cable (red and white connectors).
3. Plug one end into the subwoofer output (Bass Out/Sub Out) of your receiver.
4. Plug the other end into the LINE IN RCA inputs on the Rock Shaker (match red-to-red, white-to-white).

Note: This is the easiest and most direct way to integrate the Rock Shaker into your system.

Option 2: High-Level Input (For Passive Speaker Systems)

If your system doesn’t have RCA outputs, you can use high-level speaker wire connections:

1. Connect speaker wires from your receiver’s speaker terminals into the HIGH-LEVEL INPUTS on the Rock Shaker.
2. If using passive speakers, you can also send the signal back out through the HIGH-LEVEL OUTPUTS to continue the signal path.

Tip: This method is useful when integrating the Rock Shaker into older sound systems that lack RCA outputs.

4. Adjusting Additional Settings

• Phase Switch (0° / 180°) – Ensures the subwoofer is properly aligned with your speakers:
  • If the bass feels weak or out of sync, flip the switch to see which setting sounds best.
• Auto On/Off Switch
  • ON Mode: The subwoofer stays on continuously.
  • AUTO Mode: The subwoofer goes into sleep mode when no audio signal is detected and automatically turns on when a signal is present.

Tip: Using Auto Mode helps save power and keeps the subwoofer off when not in use.

Demo & Sound Test

After setup, play a bass-heavy track or test tones to confirm everything is working correctly.

1. Place the subwoofer on the floor for best bass response.
2. Adjust the volume and frequency knobs until the bass blends smoothly with your speakers.
3. If using Bluetooth streaming, ensure the receiver sends signal to both the speakers and subwoofer.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: My subwoofer isn’t producing sound. What should I check?

• Ensure the power switch is ON and the LED indicator is lit.
• Verify that all cables are securely connected.
• Check your receiver settings to confirm the subwoofer output is enabled.
• Try flipping the Phase Switch (0°/180°) to see if the sound improves.

Q: How do I set the best frequency (low-pass) for my setup?

• Small speakers? Set the frequency higher (around 120Hz–150Hz).
• Large floor-standing speakers? Set the frequency lower (around 50Hz–80Hz).

Q: Should I leave the subwoofer on all the time?

• If using Auto Mode, the subwoofer will power on/off as needed, which is recommended.

Conclusion

Setting up your Rockville Rock Shaker Subwoofer is simple and allows for multiple connectivity options. Whether you’re enhancing a home theater or improving your music system, this guide ensures you get deep, powerful bass with the perfect configuration.