Soundstream Tarantula - Hawkins Bass Control Theory and Use

HAWKINS BASS CONTROL™ THEORY AND USE
Hawkins Bass Control (parametric) is a unique subwoofer control circuit included with the Tarantula
amplifier. It is capable of removing subsonic energy in program material while boosting subwoofer
frequencies. The circuit consists of two controls. One adjusts the frequency of operation and the other adjusts
the range of boost. With both controls adjusted fully counterclockwise, no boost is applied and the amplifier is
flat in response down to 20 Hz.
12
Fig. 1 V
ariable “Q”
Fig. 2 Variable High Pass
Fig. 3 Variable Boost
The frequency control (Hz) adjusts the starting point of
the subsonic filter.
On the Tarantula, the high pass filter has two frequency
ranges. When the bass control switch is set to ‘SUBSONIC’,
the high pass filter frequency can be adjusted from 13 Hz up
to a maximum of 30 Hz. In this setting, no boost “Q” control is
available. This control is useful for setting the lowest
frequency that your subwoofer will see. When the bass control
switch is set to ‘HAWKINS BASS CONTROL’, the high pass
filter frequency can be adjusted from 30 Hz to a maximum of
70 Hz. In this setting, there is an available boost control of 0 to
+9dB.
The Boost control adjusts the level applied at the set
frequency.
This is adjustable from flat 0 dB to + 9dB (See figure 1).
When the ‘Boost’ is set to 0, Hawkins acts as a subsonic
filter only (See figure 2). The simple act of removing
potentially harmful low frequencies can improve system
output by as much as 3 dB (See figure 3.)