S218s PASSIVE
SUBWOOFER
USER'S MANUAL
2
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
10. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use
caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury
from tip-over.
11. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-
supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
12. Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing
loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced
hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to
sufficiently intense noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government's
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified
the permissible noise level exposures shown in the following chart.
According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits
could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially danger-
ous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all
persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pres-
sure levels use hearing protectors while the equipment is in operation.
Ear plugs or protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn
when operating the equipment in order to prevent permanent hearing
loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set forth here.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING -- To reduce the risk of
fire or electric shock, do not expose this
apparatus to rain or moisture.
Duration Per Day
Sound Level dBA,
Typical
In Hours
Slow Response
Example
8
90
Duo in small club
6
92
4
95
Subway Train
3
97
2
100
Very loud classical music
1.5
102
1
105
Tami screaming at Adrian about deadlines
0.5
110
0.25 or less
115
Loudest parts at a rock concert
PORTABLE CART WARNING
Carts and stands - The
Component should be used
only with a cart or stand
that is recommended by
the manufacturer.
A Component and cart
combination should be
moved with care. Quick
stops, excessive force, and
uneven surfaces may cause
the Component and cart
combination to overturn.
3
CONTENTS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................3
HOOKUP DIAGRAMS ...............................................................................................................................4
Quick-Start........................................................................................................................................................................... 4
CONNECTIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 6
PLACEMENT ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Room Acoustics .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
SERVICE INFORMATION ......................................................................................................................... 8
Warranty Service ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Repair .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
CARE AND MAINTENANCE .................................................................................................................... 9
S218s SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 9
S218s LIMITED WARRANTY ...................................................................................................................11
Don't forget to visit our website at www.mackie.com
for more information about this and other Mackie products.
INTRODUCTION
Connecting and setting up the S218s is a breeze.
It accepts a speaker-level signal via either a Neutrik
Speakon® connector or female 1/4-inch TS (Tip/Sleeve)
connector. The built-in low-pass filter allows you to
connect a full-range signal directly to the input of the
subwoofer.
The cabinet is constructed using 15 mm multi-layer
birch plywood. A carrying handle is integrated into each
side for easy loading and transport.
Thank you for choosing the Mackie S218s sound rein-
forcement subwoofer.
The S218s is a professional passive subwoofer, de-
signed to complement our professional line of passive
and active loudspeakers, powered mixers, and power am-
plifiers. It is capable of extremely high sound-pressure
levels, and designed to give you the best performance of
any subwoofer in its class and price range.
The S218s features an 18-inch high-power low-frequency
woofer in a bass-reflex designed cabinet. The woofer inco-
porates technology used in large-format touring systems
and is virtually indestructible.
Part No. 0014529 Rev. B 3/05
©2005 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.
4
HOOKUP DIAGRAMS
Quick-Start
Make all initial connections with the
power switches OFF on all equip-
ment. Make sure all master volume,
level, or gain controls are all the way
down.
1.
Connect the line-level outputs from your mixing
console (or other signal source) to the inputs of
your power amplifier.
2.
Connect the "Speaker Output" from your power
amplifier (or powered mixer) to one of the input
connectors on the S218s.
S218S AND S215: WITH A MACKIE POWERED MIXER, USING THE SPEAKONS AS THRU JACKS
3.
Turn on your mixing console (or other signal
source).
4.
Turn on the amplifier. Turn up its volume or gain
control(s) as recommended by the manufacturer.
5.
Start the signal source, whether it be speaking
into a microphone or starting a CD player. Adjust
the volume controls on the mixer (or other signal
source) for normal operation.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SPEAKERS IN PARALLEL IS
2 PER POWERED MIXER OR AMPLIFIED CHANNEL
POWERED MIXER
S215
S215
S218s
S218s
S218S AND S215: WITH A MIXER AND POWER AMPLIFIER
SERIAL NUMBER
MANUFACTURING DATE
SERIAL NUMBER
MANUFACTURING DATE
S215
DESIGNED BY MACKOIDS IN WHITINSVILLE, MA & WOODINVILLE, WA,USA
"MACKIE" AND THE "RUNNING MAN" FIGURE
ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF LOUD TECHNOLOGIES INC. · COPYRIGHT ©2004
NOMINAL
IMPEDANCE:
8
OHMS
POWER
HANDLING:
CONT
/350W
·
PEAK
/1400W
PIN
1
+
+
PIN
1
-
-
TIP
+
SLEEVE
-
1/4"
NL4
S215
SERIAL NUMBER
MANUFACTURING DATE
SERIAL NUMBER
MANUFACTURING DATE
S218s
DESIGNED BY MACKOIDS IN WHITINSVILLE, MA & WOODINVILLE, WA,USA
"MACKIE" AND THE "RUNNING MAN" FIGURE
ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF LOUD TECHNOLOGIES INC. · COPYRIGHT ©2004
NOMINAL
IMPEDANCE:
8
OHMS
POWER
HANDLING:
CONT
/500W
·
PEAK
/2000W
PIN
1
+
+
PIN
1
-
-
TIP
+
SLEEVE
-
1/4"
NL4
S218s
S218s
SERIAL NUMBER
MANUFACTURING DATE
SERIAL NUMBER
MANUFACTURING DATE
S215
DESIGNED BY MACKOIDS IN WHITINSVILLE, MA & WOODINVILLE, WA,USA
"MACKIE" AND THE "RUNNING MAN" FIGURE
ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF LOUD TECHNOLOGIES INC. · COPYRIGHT ©2004
NOMINAL
IMPEDANCE:
8
OHMS
POWER
HANDLING:
CONT
/350W
·
PEAK
/1400W
PIN
1
+
+
PIN
1
-
-
TIP
+
SLEEVE
-
1/4"
NL4
S215
Mixer or
Preamplifier
Right
Line-level
Output
Left
Line-level
Output
Stereo
Power Amplifier
1202-VLZ PRO
SERIAL NUMBER
MANUFACTURING DATE
SERIAL NUMBER
MANUFACTURING DATE
DESIGNED BY MACKOIDS IN WHITINSVILLE, MA & WOODINVILLE, WA,USA
"MACKIE" AND THE "RUNNING MAN" FIGURE
ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF LOUD TECHNOLOGIES INC. · COPYRIGHT ©2004
NOMINAL
IMPEDANCE:
8
OHMS
POWER
HANDLING:
CONT
/500W
·
PEAK
/2000W
PIN
1
+
+
PIN
1
-
-
TIP
+
SLEEVE
-
1/4"
NL4
S218s
5
S218S AND S215: WITH A MIXER AND TWO POWER AMPLIFIERS
S218S AND SA1521Z: WITH A MIXER AND POWER AMPLIFIER
Mixer or
Preamplifier
Right
Line-level
Output
Left
Line-level
Output
Stereo
Power Amplifier
Thru
1202-VLZ PRO
Stereo
Power Amplifier
Pole
Mount
Pole
Mount
S218s
S218s
S215
S215
Mixer or
Preamplifier
Right
Line-level
Output
Left
Line-level
Output
Thru
1202-VLZ PRO
Stereo
Power Amplifier
S218s
S218s
SA1521z
SA1521z
Power
Cord
Pole
Mount
Pole
Mount
Power
Cord