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The
SA1521 is an honest-to-gosh technology breakthrough - an active,
full-bandwidth solution with seamlessly integrated power and control,
premium transducers and that wonderfully wide dispersion that
lets everyone in the audience hear the same thing.
Put
the SA1521 up against the most popular 15" two-way systems
in the world and what happens? You suddenly discover that the
competition is obsolete - problematic in design, poor in definition
and basically nothing more than a 15" and a 1" playing
separate tunes.The SA1521 cabinet is constructed using both multilayered
plywood and pressure injected structural resin. The combination
provides a robust enclosure with useful ergonomic features. There
are three-part cast aluminum handles on each side of the enclosure
placed at the speaker's center of gravity for easy carrying and
setup. Handles are also located on the top and bottom of the cabinet
for easy movement and relocation. A built-in pole-mount cup is
provided on the bottom,and a full-size, oval punched, weather-resistant
steel grille protects the front of the cabinet
Mackie's
Active Speakers SA1521 FAQ
Q.
What is so unique about the SA1521? It looks like a standard 15-inch
woofer and 1-inch compression driver 2-way system…..
A. It all starts with high precision components. The SA1521 uses
the latest 1-inch compression driver from RCF Precision, a new
1.75-inch titanium diaphragm design featuring a 3-slot, low distortion
geometry phase plug. The design allows us to crossover the woofer
at a much lower frequency than usual, 1,300 Hz. The amplifier
for the compression driver incorporates a Class AB topology renowned
for its clarity, warmth and more importantly the high voltage
output required to generate extreme SPL levels. The woofer is
really a very fast mid bass design instead of using the standard
"long excursion" woofer.
In high end, expensive 2-way boxes where budget/price allow for
use of 3-inch or 4-inch dome compression drivers, the crossover
point is brought down to the 1,000 Hz region. This is a huge advantage
over smaller dome compression drivers that are usually crossed
over at 1,500 Hz or higher. This does not seem to be a significant
difference, but it is. The SA1521 uses a new RCF Precision compression
driver designed to provide several audible advantages over similar
designs. First, it has been designed to generate the lowest distortion,
and 3rd harmonic distortion by-products in its class. It can also
handle the peak power bursts associated with the reproduction
of high-level transients. Through a very extensive development
process, we were able to allow the diver to perform effectively
down to 1,300 Hz without putting it at risk of failure due to
power handling or mechanical overload.
The 15-inch mid-bass unit has a very short coil, a very light
weight cone / suspension / spider assembly and a very large magnetic
circuit. This combination allows the device to reach the crossover
point with some ease. More importantly, the device can reproduce
the dynamics associated with "low-mids", a long throw
woofer cannot. This is a key reason that the SA1521 has a much
better "voice" than any 15"/1" combinations.
Q.
What are some of the biggest differences between the SRM450 and
the SA1521?
A. The SA1521 is a physically a larger cabinet, constructed using
a combination of 18mm Baltic Birch and composite end caps. It
weighs 101 lbs compared to the SRM450's 51 lbs. It also is designed
as a strictly portable system with integral pole mount on the
bottom. The SA1521 is designed for much higher output levels than
the SRM450. It uses the latest RCF Precision 1.75" titanium
dome compression driver with a much larger magnetic circuit, has
a larger 15" woofer instead of 12" and has more power,
500 vs. 400 watts.
Q.
What kinds of applications are ideal for the SA1521?
A.
DJ
Church
School plays and Theaters
Live Applications (FOH or Side fills)
Playback Applications
Portable PA Systems
Corporate Events
Q.Can I "Fly" the SA1521?
A. NO!!! There are no hang points.
Q.
How much AC power is required to run the SA1521?
A. You can run two SA1521 and small DJ gear on one 15Amp service.
SA1521 AC Recommendations:
Amplifier
Output Power AC Service Required Amps
500 watts 115V 7 Amps
Q.
I have a "HUM" in my SA1521, what could be the cause?
A. The presence of a "hum", usually 60 Hz, in the speaker
when a connection is made to another piece of equipment suggests
the presence of a ground loop. A loop is caused by electrical
interaction of the signal grounds on two pieces of equipment,
and is not necessarily an indication of broken gear. If a balanced
connection to the speaker is being used, the simplest way to correct
this problem is to lift the signal ground on the end of the connecting
cable closest to the signal source. NOTE: This is not to be confused
with disconnecting the safety ground on the power plug - this
should be avoided, as it can present a safety hazard. If an unbalanced
connection is being made to the SA1521, a line coupler such as
the Ebtech Hum Eliminator can be used to eliminate the ground
loop.
Do not plug the AC power of SA1521 into the same circuit as your
lights, air conditioning, or shared AC source.
Q.
What subs should I use with the SA1521?
A. One SRS1500 is great for small rooms. For bigger rooms, use
two SRS1500 to give the audience the bass punch they want.
Q.
What is the frequency response and power output of an SA1521?
A. The SA1521 has a very powerful amplifier built-in with 500W
total (400W LF and 100HF). All this power is needed to deliver
the high output / full bandwidth solution. The SA1521 plays down
to 49Hz and up to 20kHz (-10db).
SRM
350's
1.
Does the SRM350 use the same "active" technology as
the SRM450?
Yes, with some important additions. For starters, the SRM350 gives
you a Dynamic Bass Boost in its onboard electronic EQ. Technically,
Dynamic Bass Boost is a 70Hz band-pass filter that adjusts itself
according to volume level. This means that the SRM350's bass response
is loud and full, whether you're playing back CDs at low levels
or jamming with a full band at full tilt.
Another component is a Contour control, which you can switch for
added bass and high-end (perfect for playing back program material
in DJ applications). Of course, the SRM350 also includes the built-in
equalization, phase alignment, electronic crossover and protection
circuitry that have made Mackie the industry leader in active
loudspeaker technology.
2.
Is the SRM350 "flyable"?
Yes, using a fly mount accessory plate (sold separately), you
can fly the SRM350s to the moon*. There are multiple fly points
for easy and secure hanging beneath the top handle and bottom
pole mount. The SRM350 can also be pole mounted and don't forget
that the enclosure is also designed for simple floor monitor placement.
*Not really.
3.
How much power does it have?
The SRM350 delivers 195 watts of total power (30W x 165W) with
a 121dB peak SPL. This is flat-out amazing for a 10-inch 2-way
active system. In fact, we encourage you to compare the SRM350's
sound quality to larger models from our competitors. We think
you'll agree that SRM350s sound noticeably better.
4.
How much does this thing weigh?
It weighs in at just 32 lbs. So with its built in handles, the
SRM350 is extremely portable, making it the perfect active loudspeaker
for many different applications.
5.
What else is new inside the SRM350?
An Active Protection Management System has been added for enhanced
performance and reliability. This new system employs both input
limiting and variable thermal response so that the speaker always
sounds great, even under brutal usage. Temperature is constantly
monitored and the system is continually adjusted to keep things
at the desired operating level… So the system never needs
to shut down to cool off!
SRM
450's
How
tightly should the pole-mount screws be fastened onto a speaker
stand? The SRM450 includes a convenient pole-mount adapter within
its chassis; eliminating the need for troublesome externally-mounted
hardware. Included in this feature is a mounting screw which provides
a convenient balance point for the speakers so they don't flop
around atop their stands. These screws should be approximately
finger-tight, as they are not designed to permanently affix the
speaker to a stand (otherwise we would have included a tube of
epoxy).
How many SRM450 loudspeakers can be chained together using the
THRU jacks? The number of SRM450 loudspeakers that can be chained
together at a time is limited only by the output impedance of
the mixer or equipment that is directly feeding them. To insure
optimum signal transfer, the net input impedance of a group of
SRM450 inputs (ZT) should be no less than 10 times the output
impedance of the equipment acting as the signal source. The net
input impedance of a group of SRM450's can be found by donning
a propeller-laden cap, and using the following simple formula:
...where n = the number of SRM450's being chained together and
ZT = The total input impedance in Ohms of the SRM450 chain.
For
those of you with Mackie compact VLZ and VLZ PRO mixers, this
means that you can chain up to sixteen SRM450's together without
any problem; and if this isn't loud enough, then you should remove
the earplugs before continuing.
What is the frequency response and power output of an SRM450 Powered
Monitor? The SRM450 loudspeaker has a total system frequency response
of 45Hz to 20,000Hz. As proud SRM450 owners will attest, these
boxes have tremendous response for their size and plenty of power
to boot! The woofer is powered by a 300-watt FR Series amplifier
for tons of low end, and the compression driver is backed up by
yet another 100-watt FR Series amp for crisp, clear high-end response.
What is the proper method for flying or mounting the speaker?
Since the birth of the SRM450, our dedicated, over-caffeinated
engineers here in the Mackie active loudspeaker design department
have been working non-stop to make the SRM450 the most effective
solution for just about any situation demanding a portable, powerful,
self-contained sound system capable of delivering world-class
acoustic performance for the discerning listener. But what about
fixed installations, you say? In addition to making the SRM450
a portable system, our engineers have designed the speaker with
integrated fly points to simplify its integration into a permanent
installation. Due to the inherent dangers involved in hanging
or mounting these or any speakers, we strongly recommend that
a qualified professional be employed in any such installation.
What are the AC power requirements of the SRM450? The SRM450 is
designed to operate from a standard 120VAC outlet*. During normal
operation, the SRM450 draws less than 1 amp, however under maximum
SPL conditions, where the amplifiers in the SRM450 are clipping,
the 120V model can draw as much as 2.5 amps (1.3 amps for the
230V model).
* Also available are 100V, 220V, and 230V models for our international
customers.
Will the SRM450 function as a floor monitor? Absolutely!! In fact,
you will probably have a hard time finding a floor monitor that
sounds as good as this! The asymmetrical trapezoidal design of
the box lets you set the speaker on its side giving the perfect
tilt for a floor monitor -- without tipping over and making a
hassle.
Is it normal for the speaker to "pop" when it is switched
on or off? It is normal for the SRM450 to emit a slight "pop"
when it is powered up or down. The pop is caused by electricity
left inside the amplifier circuitry discharging to the speaker.
The speaker hums when I connect something to its input... The
presence of a 60Hz hum in the speaker only when a connection is
made to another piece of equipment suggests the presence of a
ground loop. Such a loop is caused by electrical interaction of
the signal grounds on two pieces of equipment, and is not necessarily
an indication of broken gear. If a balanced connection to the
SRM450 is being used, the simplest way to correct this problem
is to lift the signal ground on the end of the connecting cable
closest to the signal source. NOTE: This is not to be confused
with disconnecting the safety ground on the power plug - this
should be avoided at all costs, as it can present a safety hazard.
If an unbalanced connection is being made to the SRM450, a line
coupler such as the Ebtech Hum Eliminator can be used to eliminate
the ground loop.
There is a lot of hiss and noise when I connect the input of my
SRM450 to my mixer/instrument/cat... There are a number of factors
that could contribute to excessive noise coming from an SRM450.
Of these, one of the most common of these is the use of unbalanced
lines are naturally more prone to RF and other induced noise,
thus it is always better to use a balanced connection whenever
possible. When troubleshooting a noisy system, the first thing
that should be done is to isolate the signal source, and establish
that the signal there is clear of noise. Once this has been established,
equipment can be connected back into the signal chain and monitored
until the source of the noise can be established.
The music coming through my SRM450 sounds fuzzy or distorted...
If the signal on the output of your SRM450 sounds distorted, the
first step to take is to check the PEAK indicator LED on the back
of the speaker. If this indicator lights frequently or constantly,
you should turn down the LEVEL control on the back of the speaker
or back off on the level of the signal source.