SWA2801z
ACTIVE SUBWOOFER
SYSTEM USER'S MAnUAl
TheSWA2801z
canproducea
maximumSPLof
130dB@1m
WARNING--Thecabinethasnorigging
pointsandisnotsuitableforflying.Neverat-
tempttosuspendthecabinetbyitshandles.
WARNING--Toreducetheriskoffireor
electricshock,donotexposethisapplianceto
rainormoisture.
1. Readtheseinstructions.
2. Keeptheseinstructions.
3. Heedallwarnings.
4. Followallinstructions.
5. Donotusethisapparatusnearwater.
6. Cleanonlywithdrycloth.
7. Donotblockanyventilationopenings.Installinaccordancewiththe
manufacturer'sinstructions.
8. Donotinstallnearanyheatsourcessuchasradiators,heatregisters,
stoves,orotherapparatus(includingamplifiers)thatproduceheat.
9. Donotdefeatthesafetypurposeofthepolarizedorgrounding-type
plug.Apolarizedplughastwobladeswithonewiderthantheother.
Agrounding-typeplughastwobladesandathirdgroundingprong.
Thewidebladeorthethirdprongareprovidedforyoursafety.Ifthe
providedplugdoesnotfitintoyouroutlet,consultanelectricianfor
replacementoftheobsoleteoutlet.
10.Protectthepowercordfrombeingwalkedonorpinchedparticularlyat
plugs,conveniencereceptacles,andthepointwheretheyexitfromthe
apparatus.
11.Onlyuseattachments/accessoriesspecifiedbythemanufacturer.
12.Useonlywithacart,stand,tripod,bracket,ortablespecifiedbythe
manufacturer,orsoldwiththeapparatus.Whenacartisused,use
cautionwhenmovingthecart/apparatuscombinationtoavoidinjury
fromtip-over.
13.Unplugthisapparatusduringlightningstormsorwhenunusedforlong
periodsoftime.
14.Referallservicingtoqualifiedservicepersonnel.Servicingisrequired
whentheapparatushasbeendamagedinanyway,suchaspower-
supplycordorplugisdamaged,liquidhasbeenspilledorobjectshave
fallenintotheapparatus,theapparatushasbeenexposedtorainor
moisture,doesnotoperatenormally,orhasbeendropped.
15.Thisapparatusshallnotbeexposedtodrippingorsplashing,andno
objectfilledwithliquids,suchasvasesorbeerglasses,shallbeplaced
ontheapparatus.
16.ThisapparatushasbeendesignedwithClass-Iconstructionandmust
beconnectedtoamainssocketoutletwithaprotectiveearthingcon-
nection(thethirdgroundingprong).
17.Thisapparatushasbeenequippedwithanall-pole,rocker-styleAC
mainspowerswitch.Thisswitchislocatedontherearpaneland
shouldremainreadilyaccessibletotheuser.
18.ThisapparatusdoesnotexceedtheClassA/ClassB(whicheverisap-
plicable)limitsforradionoiseemissionsfromdigitalapparatusasset
outintheradiointerferenceregulationsoftheCanadianDepartment
ofCommunications.
ATTENTION--Leprésentappareilnumériquen'émetpasdebruits
radioélectriquesdépassantlaslimitesapplicablesauxappareils
numériquesdeclassA/declassB(selonlecas)prescritesdansle
réglementsurlebrouillageradioélectriqueédictéparlesministeredes
communicationsduCanada.
19.Exposuretoextremelyhighnoiselevelsmaycausepermanenthearing
loss.Individualsvaryconsiderablyinsusceptibilitytonoise-induced
hearingloss,butnearlyeveryonewilllosesomehearingifexposedto
sufficientlyintensenoiseforaperiodoftime.TheU.S.Government's
OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA)hasspecified
thepermissiblenoiselevelexposuresshowninthefollowingchart.
AccordingtoOSHA,anyexposureinexcessofthesepermissiblelimits
couldresultinsomehearingloss.Toensureagainstpotentiallydanger-
ousexposuretohighsoundpressurelevels,itisrecommendedthatall
personsexposedtoequipmentcapableofproducinghighsoundpres-
surelevelsusehearingprotectorswhiletheequipmentisinoperation.
Earplugsorprotectorsintheearcanalsorovertheearsmustbeworn
whenoperatingtheequipmentinordertopreventpermanenthearing
lossifexposureisinexcessofthelimitssetforthhere.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Duration Per Day
Sound Level dBA,
Typical
In Hours
Slow Response
Example
8
90
Duoinsmallclub
6
92
4
95
SubwayTrain
3
97
2
100
Veryloudclassicalmusic
1.5
102
1
105
DavescreamingatSteveaboutdeadlines
0.5
110
0.25orless
115
Loudestpartsatarockconcert
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.
CAUTION AVIS
RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC
ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN
ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L'USAGER. CONFIER
L'ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.
AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D'INCENDIE OU
D'ELECTROCUTION, N'EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE
A LA PLUIE OU A L'HUMIDITE
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure, that may be
of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l'intérieur d'un triangle
équilatéral est utilisé pour alerter l'utilisateur de la présence à
l'intérieur du coffret de "voltage dangereux" non isolé d'ampleur
suffisante pour constituer un risque d'éléctrocution.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to
alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
Le point d'exclamation à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est
employé pour alerter les utilisateurs de la présence d'instructions
importantes pour le fonctionnement et l'entretien (service) dans le
livret d'instruction accompagnant l'appareil.
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing Mackie's active
sound reinforcement speaker systems.
The SWA801z is a high-output active sub-
woofer system. It features two high-precision
18" transducers combined with application-
specific amplifier technology. The system is
composed of a single, compact subwoofer cabinet
with built-in control and amplifier electronics.
Connecting and setting up the SWA801z is
a breeze, even for your brother-in-law. It accepts
a stereo or mono line-level signal via female
XLR input jacks. Male XLR Thru jacks are pro-
vided for daisy-chaining the signal to additional
SWA801z cabinets. The built-in crossover
separates the low frequencies from the high fre-
quencies, and routes the high frequencies to the
male XLR high-pass output jacks. Connect these
to the inputs of full-range active speakers, or to
an amplifier powering a pair of passive speakers.
A Phase switch gives you the option of reversing
the polarity of the signal to the subwoofer by 180º.
A Subwoofer Level control allows you to adjust
the balance between the subwoofer and the full-
range speakers.
The built-in amplifier produces 800 watts of
continuous power. The amplifier module sits on a
heatsink that eliminates the need for fans, dra-
matically extending the amplifier's life expectancy,
and eliminating maintenance cycles. A tremen-
dous benefit of having the amplifier located within
the subwoofer cabinet is that the SWA801z func-
tions as a system, optimizing acoustic, electronic,
and mechanical designs to achieve the highest
level of performance and value.
The cabinet is constructed with 15 mm thick
multi-layered birch plywood. Carrying handles are
integrated into each side for easy loading, and cast-
ers are attached for easy transport.
CONTENTS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS .........................................2
INTRODUCTION..............................................................................3
REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION..........................................................4
HOOKUP DIAGRAMS.....................................................................5
CONNECTIONS...............................................................................6
PLACEMENT....................................................................................6
AC POWER .....................................................................................7
THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS.......................................................7
SERVICE INFORMATION................................................................7
Warranty Service .....................................................................7
Troubleshooting.......................................................................7
Repair.......................................................................................9
SWA2801z SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................10
SWA2801z LIMITED WARRANTY.................................................11
Don't forget to visit our website at www.mackie.com
for more information about this and other Mackie products.
Part No. 001456 Rev. A 4/06
©2006 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.
4
REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION
1. POWER Switch
Use this switch to turn the SWA801z on
and off. Make sure the signal source's level
control is turned down before you turn it on.
2. AC Receptacle
This is where you connect the AC linecord
to provide AC power to the SWA801z's
built-in power amplifier. Plug the linecord
into an AC socket properly configured for
your particular model.
3. LIMIT Indicator
The SWA801z has a built-in limiter that
prevents the amplifier outputs from overdriv-
ing the transducers. The LIMIT indicator lights
when the limiter is activated. It's okay for the
LIMIT
indicator to blink occasionally, but if it
blinks frequently or lights continuously, turn
down the level control until the LIMIT indica-
tor only blinks occasionally.
4. SIGNAL Present Indicator
This LED illuminates whenever there is
a signal present at the FULL RANGE INPUT
connector on the rear panel.
5. THERMAL Indicator
The SWA801z has a thermal protection
circuit that monitors the internal temperature
of the amplifiers and heatsink. If the internal
temperature should exceed a safe operating
level, this indicator lights and the signal is
muted to allow the amplifier to cool. When
the temperature cools to a safe level once
again, the thermal protection circuit deac-
tivates and normal operation resumes.
Note: Activation of the thermal protection
circuit is an indication that you should take
steps to avoid continued thermal problems.
See "Thermal Considerations" on page 7.
6. POWER Indicator
When the POWER switch is turned on
and the linecord is connected to an active
AC power supply, this indicator lights green
to let you know that you're ready to rock
and roll. The cool blue LED on the front of
the cabinet works in the same way.
7. FULL RANGE INPUT
These are female XLR-type connectors
that accept a balanced line-level signal from
a mixing console or other signal source.
8. THRU (FULL RANGE OUTPUT)
These are male XLR-type connectors that
produce exactly the same signal that is con-
nected to the FULL RANGE INPUT jack. Use it to
daisy-chain several SWA801z's together off
the same signal source.
9. HIGH PASS (MID/HIGH FREQ) OUTPUT
These are male XLR-type connectors
that produce the frequencies above 10 Hz.
Connect these to a pair of full-range active
speakers or to an amplifer/passive speaker
combination. The SWA801z reproduces
the frequencies below 10 Hz.
10. SUBWOOFER LEVEL Control
This adjusts the subwoofer level. The
center detent position provides 15 dB of
headroom with a nominal +4 dBu input
signal. Use this as a starting point for setting
the balance between the subwoofer and the
main speakers.
11. PHASE
This switch reverses the polarity of the
subwoofer output. Depending on the place-
ment of the SWA801z subwoofer relative to
the full-range speakers, you may get a better
low-frequency response in the room if you
reverse the polarity of the subwoofer's signal.
Experiment with this switch to determine
which position sounds best.
PARALLEL
HOOKUP DIAGRAMS
Power
Cord
Pole
Mount
Line-Level
Mid/High
Out Left
Line-Level
Mid/High
Out Right
Full
Range
Right
Full
Range
Left
Power
Cords
Mackie d.2
DJ Mixer
SWA2801z
Plays the Low
Frequencies
SA1521z
Plays the Mid and
High Frequencies
Power
Cord
Pole
Mount
SA1521z
Plays the Mid and
High Frequencies
Power
Cords
SWA2801z
Plays the Low
Frequencies
Full
Range
Right
Full
Range
Left
Power
Cords
Power
Cords
SWA2801z
Plays the Low
Frequencies
SWA2801z
Plays the Low
Frequencies
Line-Level
Hi-Pass Out
SA1232z
Plays the Mid and
High Frequencies
SA1232z
Plays the Mid and
High Frequencies
Mackie d.2
DJ Mixer
Full
Range
SWA2801z
Plays the Low
Frequencies
Mackie Onyx 2440 Mixer
SA1532z
Plays the Mid and
High Frequencies
Power
Cord
To
other
side
Power
Cord
Line-Level
Hi-Pass Out
Line-Level
Full Range
Full
Range
SWA2801z
Plays the Low
Frequencies
Mackie Onyx 2440 Mixer
S408
Plays the Mid and
High Frequencies
Power
Cord
Power
Cord
S408
Plays the Mid and
High Frequencies
Mackie M4000
Stereo Power Amplifier
Line-Level
Hi-Pass Out
POWER
SWA2801z WITH SA1521z
SWA2801zs WITH SA1232z
SWA2801z WITH SA1532z
SWA2801z WITH S408 (PASSIVE)