APL-220, APL-500, & APL-800 SELF-POWERED FULL-RANGE SPEAKER SYSTEM MANUAL © 2001 Apogee Sound International Specifications subject to change without notice.
Notice Every effort was made to ensure that the information in this guide was complete and accurate at the time of printing. However, information is subject to change. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: To Reduce The Risk of Fire Or Electric Shock, Do Not Expose This Apparatus To Rain Or Moisture. Always 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. follow these basic safety precautions when installing and using the unit: Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings.
Table of Contents Precautions & Safety Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 The Concept of Integration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 AC Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Audio Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Amplifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Precautions & Safety Notes English • To reduce the risk of electric shock, disconnect the AC mains power cable before installing audio cable. Reconnect the power cord only after making all signal connections. • Connect the loudspeaker only to a three-pole, three-wire grounding mains receptacle. The receptacle must be connected to a fuse or circuit breaker. Connection to any other type of receptacle poses a shock hazard and may violate local electrical codes.
• Ce haut-parleur contient des circuits haute tension présentant un danger. Ne jamais essayer de le démonter. Il n’y a aucun composant qui puisse être réparé par l’utilisateur. Toutes les reparations doivent être effectuées par du personnel qualifié et agree par le constructeur. Deutsch • Um die Gefahr eines slektrischen Schlages auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren, den Lautsprecher vom Stromnetz trennen, bevor ggf. Ein AudioSchnittstellensignalkabel angeschlossen wird.
• No instale el altoparlante en lugares donde haya agua o humedad excesiva. • No deje que en el altoparlante entre agua ni ningún objeto extraño. No ponga objetos con líquidos encima de la unidad ni cerca de ella. • Para reducir el riesgo de sobrecalentamiento, no exponga la inidad a los rayos directos del sol ni la instale cerca de artefactos que emiten calor, como estufas o cocinas. • Este altoparlante contiene niveles de voltaje peligrosos en potencia.
Introduction Apogee Powered Loudspeaker Systems are highly-engineered products that combine advanced-technology amplifiers, sophisticated signal processing, and state-of-the-art drivers housed in rugged, roadworthy loudspeaker enclosures. They are suitable for a wide variety of applications, ranging from portable use for shows and events in all types of venues to permanent installations in auditoriums, churches, theaters, stadiums, meeting rooms, boardrooms, and similar locations.
These engineering advancements result in the following benefits: • All aspects of the loudspeaker system’s performance are maximized. Sonic quality, power output capability, flatness of response, distortion, and behavior under abusive conditions meet remarkably high standards. • Reliability is increased because the internal amplifiers deliver appropriate power levels to the drivers, without danger of over-powering or underpowering.
AC Power Requirements (1) AC Power Connector and Cable The APL-220, -500, and -800 each use a PowerCon® 3-pole AC mains connector for their power inlet (see Figure #1). When joined to the mating PowerCon connector supplied with the AC line cord, the connector pair locks in place to prevent inadvertent disconnection. PowerCon connectors are durable, inexpensive, and readily obtainable.
Ground Hot Figure 3 Neutral Interior of PowerCon connector showing the wiring terminal All AC power plugs must always be of the 3-pole grounding type. DO NOT DEFEAT THE GROUND CONNECTION BY USING AN AC GROUND LIFT ADAPTER, OR BY CUTTING THE GROUND PIN OF THE AC POWER PLUG. (2) Voltage Range The APL-220, -500, and -800 use advanced, high efficiency, intelligent, power supplies. A convenient external switch allows for easy conversion between 115V AC and 230V AC.
We recommend powering no more than 2 APL-220, -500, or -800s from a single 15A, 120V AC circuit, and no more than 3 APL-220, -500, or -800s from a single 20A, 120V AC circuit, thereby allowing a margin for low voltages. The advanced design of the APL-220, -500, and -800 allow them to function properly over a wide range of voltages. The power supplies are designed to perfectly maintain the amplifier’s internal bus voltage throughout this range, with no degradation in performance.
Chart 2 provides the basic guidelines of The National Electric Code for four common gauges of copper wire related to permissible load in amperes. Chart 2 applies to three-conductor portable cordage of the types S, SO, SP, SPT, SJ, and SJO, which are typically rated at a maximum operating temperature of 140°F (60° C). (NOTE: Operating temperature is the heat generated within the cable from the voltage drop added to the ambient temperature.
POWER CABLE VOLTAGE DROP (IN PERCENTAGE OF NOMINAL VOLTAGE) Chart 3 #14 AWG, 120V AC Length in Feet 5A 25' 0.6% 50' 1.2% 75' 1.8% 100' 2.4% 125' 3.0% 150' 3.6% 175' 4.3% 200' 4.9% 225' 5.5% 250' 6.1% 275' 6.7% 300' 7.3% 10A 1.2% 2.4% 3.6% 4.9% 6.1% 7.3% 8.5% 9.7% 10.9% 12.2% 13.4% 14.6% 15A 1.8% 3.6% 5.5% 7.3% 9.1% 10.9% 12.8% 14.6% 16.4% 18.2% 20.1% 21.9% 20A 2.4% 4.9% 7.3% 9.7% 12.2% 14.6% 17.0% 19.5% 21.9% 24.3% 26.8% 29.2% #14 AWG, 240V AC Length in Feet 5A 25' 0.3% 50' 0.6% 75' 0.9% 100' 1.
Audio Signals (1) Input Impedance and Level The APL-220, -500, and -800 were designed to receive a balanced-line signal on their 3-pin female XLR type connector. They are also equipped with a 3pin Male XLR output connector, labeled “loop-through,” intended for the purpose of daisy-chaining multiple powered speakers together on a common signal feed.
(2) Input and Output Connectors The input and output connectors are wired as follows: Function Earth & Chassis Ground DIFFERENTIAL INPUT DIFFERENTIAL INPUT Earth & Chassis Ground XLR Pin # Pin 1 Pin 2 Signal + Pin 3 Signal Connector Case A positive signal applied to pin 2 of the XLR will result in a positive acoustic pressure wave (excursion) appearing at the front of the drivers in the speaker system.
The power supplies are robust and reliable. They each provide 650 watts of continuous power, giving the system considerable headroom above its nominal 500 WRMS per channel rating. Each of the two amplifiers is capable of delivering 500 WRMS, and as much as 1600 watts of instantaneous burst power. Why the large difference between WRMS and instantaneous power? WRMS is a measurement that occurs over a long period of time and is limited by many factors including thermal considerations.
(2) Ambient Temperature The APL-220, -500, and -800 are designed to be used in ambient temperatures ranging from 32°F - 113°F (0°C - 45°C). Higher or lower temperatures could cause system shutdown or result in early component failure. When used outdoors on a hot day, take precautions to avoid direct sunlight on the rear heat sink. Direct, intense sunlight can raise the temperature of the heat sink to a point where the amplifiers may automatically shutdown to avoid permanent damage.
Here’s a hypothetical example of what to look out for. An APL-500 might be set up outdoors in 85°F (29°C) temperature with sunlight shining partially on the rear panel. Let’s assume it is tested during a 30-minute sound check and all is well. Later that day, the ambient temperature rises to 99°F (37°C) and the sunlight is now shining directly on the rear of the loudspeaker. The show starts, featuring dance tracks with no pause between song titles.
Many product designers would summarily reject such a driver, because its frequency response is not inherently flat, even though its response is exceptionally linear and its distortion extremely low. Now the synergy of integrated design comes into play. The processor is designed to correct the driver’s deviation from flatness with a proprietary high-frequency filter circuit that flattens the driver’s response curve.
A clipping LED indicator is located on the rear panel. This LED will illuminate when the speaker is several dB into limiting and indicates maximum operating level has been reached. It is not uncommon to see these LEDs illuminate regularly, such as on downbeats and crescendos. If the LEDs appear to be "on" more than "off " (i.e., if they are continuously flashing or glowing at a steady state), the loudspeaker system is being pushed too hard for its size and power output capability.
(6) When to Use the High-Pass Filter Switch The High-Pass Filter Switch is very effective when the APL-220, -500, and 800 are utilized with subwoofers, or other larger speaker systems. For example, a system may be made up primarily of FH-4s, 3X3s, or other large concert type speakers, with APL-500 speakers flown below them for downfill. Additional APL-500 speakers might be located on the apron of the stage to fill the front rows where direct coverage by the larger speakers is absent.
(8) Level Control A single level control is located just above the XLR input. Under normal circumstances, the level control should be turned fully clockwise to the 0 position. This is full gain, or 0 dB of attenuation. In certain environments, for example, very quiet productions, it may be desirable to reduce the gain of the powered speaker to improve the overall gain structure of the entire audio system and possibly reduce system noise slightly.
(d) The amplifier has failed to pass its automatic internal start-up test. If conditions b, c, or d are encountered, the amplifier will latch in the Protect mode until the power is cycled to force a reset. However, if the fault condition has not been repaired upon power-up, the amplifier will again enter into the Protect mode.
(2) Using The APL-220, -500, and -800 with Subwoofers To broaden the scope of applications for the APL-220, -500, and -800, they can be used with an accompanying subwoofer, such as the Apogee APL-10 or APL-12. A subwoofer is intended to extend the response of a full-range system to a lower frequency than would be possible with the full-range system alone. In some applications, the subwoofer is also intended to provide more overall low-frequency power to create a punchier, more dramatic sonic effect.
(3) Speaker Placement and Polarity when the APL-220, -500, and -800 are used with Subwoofers The optimum polarity for a subwoofer used with the APL-220, -500, and -800 is a function of its placement in relation to the full-range speaker that it is used with. That is the phase relationship of the two systems, although absolute phase also plays a role in the equation.
With both systems in-phase, a low-frequency peak will occur in the region where the two systems overlap. This is normal and can be dealt with by one of the following: (a) The low-frequency peak in the overlap region can be filtered out with an equalizer. (NOTE: Usually equalizing only the full-range system is sufficient. To this end Apogee’s powered full-range speakers are equipped with a 80 Hz high-pass switch, making it easy to adapt them for use with subwoofers).
In such a case, an easy way to determine the best phase relationship is to listen to a low-frequency source while standing in front of the system and have someone swap the phase relationship of the subwoofer from Normal to Reverse while you listen. In one setting you should hear a distinct increase in mid-bass, and in the other setting you should hear a distinct reduction in midbass. It’s important to listen to the speaker system from the front, otherwise you may be fooled into making an incorrect choice.
an Apogee Powered Subwoofer to determine its best phase relationship to the full-range speaker system it is being used with; if the best position turns out to be reversed, we recommend that you instead reverse the full-range system(s) with phase reversal adapters, so that the subwoofer(s) can remain in a positive absolute phase state. (5) Placement on Tripod Stands An optional internal stand fitting is available for the APL-220, -500, and -800.
(6) Flying the APL-220, -500, and -800 For many applications, the APL-220, -500, or -800 may need to be flown. This requirement commonly occurs in television work, political conventions, theatrical productions, rock concerts, permanent installations, and numerous other applications.
as when the speaker is used on its side and rigging plates are attached. In sheer, the friction provided by tightening and preloading the bolt actually increases the strength of the joint and decreases cyclic failure of the fastener. Consult an experienced rigger or engineer when it comes to rigging practices, methods, required materials, or other details. The kinetic energy from an 80 lb. object falling 40 feet onto a solid surface is truly astounding.
(7) Rigging Accessories Apogee manufactures many rigging accessories for the APL-220, -500, and -800. Some of these are: • Yokes that allow a single APL-220, -500, or -800 to be fastened to a wall, ceiling, or theatrical pipe and easily adjusted vertically and horizontally (Figure 8a). • Adjustable Rigging Beams that support a pair of speakers and allow a continuously adjustable horizontal splay angle (Figure 8b).
Troubleshooting & Field Repairs Troubleshooting the APL-220, -500, or -800 is a simple process. With an integrated system like the APLs, there’s not much that can go wrong. If a problem does arise, it usually can be solved quickly by performing the processes described below. All repair work that involves dismantling the APL-220, -500, or -800 must be performed by a qualified, trained service technician.The power cable must be disconnected before attempting any repair work.
force that would otherwise be placed on the driver as the fasteners are loosened, if the enclosure were upright. To remove the driver after the eight Allen-drive fasteners have been taken out, use a small, flat bladed screwdriver to pry the driver upwards from the special access slot located at the bottom of the enclosure’s front panel. The gasket sometimes sticks a bit, so do not hesitate to use a little force to unseat the driver from the gasket.
horn to the enclosure. On the APL-500, this is most easily accomplished by using a ball-headed Allen wrench. Pull up on the horn to unseat it from the gasket. The next step is to lift the horn away from the enclosure and reach in through the cone driver opening to remove the 7/16" hex nuts that retain the driver to the horn. This is easier to accomplish with two people – one holding the horn and one removing the nuts.
The entire assembly can be replaced in a matter of minutes by reversing the removal process. Be sure to tighten the fasteners gradually in a cross-pattern to avoid warping the heat sink. There are no user serviceable parts or assemblies contained within the amplifier module. Normally, the processor should not be removed under field conditions. The circuit boards use SMT devices and cannot easily be repaired.
Troubleshooting Chart SUGGESTIONS PROBLEM POWER LED illuminates but audio is not present • Check to be sure that the signal feed cable has audio present. This can be done by plugging it into a speaker/amplifier that is known to work, or by using a portable powered headphone/ amplifier test set such as the Shure™ FP22. • Make sure the signal feed cable is securely mated with the XLR input connector. • Substitute an alternate cable to determine if the cable is at fault. • Disconnect the input cable.
Main AC Protection Fuse AC Input Connector, Neutrik Powercon NAC3FCA AC Line Voltage Selection Switch AC Output Connection, Neutrik Powercon NAC3FCB 3 4 5 4 2 3 Power Switch 2 1 1 5 Line AC Panel of an Apogee APL Full-Range Speaker Amplifier Back Panel
7 6 4 3 2 10 1 9 8 5 Balanced Line Audio Loop-through, XLR 9 High Pass Filter Engagement Switch Balanced Line Audio Input, XLR 8 10 Ch 1 Mute Switch (HF Channel) Ch 2 Mute Switch (LF Channel) 7 6 Volume Control System Power Indicator 4 5 Amplifier Clip Indicator System Protection Indicator Signal Presence Indicator 3 2 1 Audio Input Panel of an Apogee APL Full-Range Speaker
APL-220 SELF-POWERED COMPACT SPEAKER Line Drawings 39
APL-500 SELF-POWERED ARRAYABLE SPEAKER
APL-800 SELF-POWERED ARRAYABLE SPEAKER
Specifications APL-220 Enclosure Type Format APL-500 20° Trapezoidal, optimally-vented bass APL-800 30° Trapezoidal, optimally-vented bass Bi-amped, two-way, self-contained processing electronics and dual power amplifiers 53 Hz to 21 kHz ± 3 dB (on axis) 53 Hz to 17.5 kHz ± 3 dB (on axis) Dispersion H: 60° x V: 40° H: 90° x V: 45° H: 60° x V: 40° Max. SPL 127 dB cont./ 133 dB peak (@1m) 125 dB cont./ 131 dB peak (@1m) 126 dB cont.
LIMITED WARRANTY Apogee Sound International's self-amplified speaker products are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, under normal use and service, when installed and operated in accordance with product specifications, from the date of original purchase for a period of three (3) years.
50 Spring Street, Ramsey, NJ 07446, USA Tel. 201-934-8500, Fax: 201-934-9832 www.apogeesound.
