KW Series User Manual KW122 – 75° 1000 W active 12" (300 mm) 2-way loudspeaker system KW152 – 60° 1000 W active 15" (380 mm) 2-way loudspeaker system KW153 – 75° 1000 W active 15" (380 mm) 3-way loudspeaker system KW181 – 18" (460 mm) 1000 W subwoofer system TD-000315-00-C *TD-000315-00*
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS WARNING! CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE AMPLIFIER COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. The lightning flash with the 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 shock to humans.
16. WARNING! Before placing, installing, rigging, or suspending any speaker product, inspect all hardware, suspension, cabinets, transducers, brackets and associated equipment for damage. Any missing, corroded, deformed, or non-load rated component could significantly reduce the strength of the installation or placement. Any such condition severely reduces the safety of the installation and should be immediately corrected.
Package Contents KW122, KW152, KW153 KW181 (1) Loudspeaker system (1) Subwoofer system (1) Locking NEMA 5-15 power cable (1) Locking NEMA 5-15 power cable (1) Locking CEE 7/4 power cable (1) Locking CEE 7/4 power cable (1) User Manual CD (1) User Manual CD (1) Wiring hookup diagram (1) Wiring hookup diagram (1) M20 threaded loudspeaker pole EN Features KW122 – 12", 2-Way Loudspeaker System 1. Birch plywood enclosure 2. Steel grille 3. Front LED 1 4. Cast aluminum handles (3) 5.
KW152 – 15", 2-Way Loudspeaker System 1. Birch plywood enclosure 2. Steel grille 3. Front LED 4. Cast aluminum handles (2) 5. 1000 W Class D power module 6. M10 rigging points (11) 7. Tilt-Direct™ dual angle pole socket 8.
KW153 – 15", 3-Way Loudspeaker System 1. Birch plywood enclosure 2. Steel grille 3. Front LED 4. Cast aluminum handles (2) 5. 1000 W Class D power module 6. M10 rigging points (11) 7. 35 mm pole socket 1 8.
KW181– Single 18" Subwoofer 1. Birch plywood enclosure 2. Steel grille 3. Front LED 4. Cast aluminum handles (2) 5. 1000 W Class D power module 6. M20 threaded pole receptacle 7. 3" heavy duty casters 8. Slip-resistant feet EN 9.
Applications The KW Series has been primarily designed for portable audio reinforcement. This includes a variety of uses in reinforcement for entertainers and presenters. The KW122, KW152 and KW153 are all designed to perform well on their own in full-range audio. They can be used singly, in stereo pairs or in distributed or delayed systems. The KW122 may also be used as a stage monitor. WARNING! The KW Series loudspeakers weigh 49 lbs and up.
Installation Before placing, installing, rigging, or suspending any speaker product, inspect all hardware, suspension, cabinets, transducers, brackets and associated equipment for damage. Any missing, corroded, deformed, or non-load rated component could significantly reduce the strength of the installation or placement. Any such condition severely reduces the safety of the installation and should be immediately corrected.
Integrated Suspension Points (suspended installations) WARNING! When suspending the loudspeakers, installation must be accomplished by or under the supervision of a licensed installation professional. All applicable building codes must be followed. The KW122 enclosure has eight, and the KW152 and KW153 enclosures each feature eleven load-rated M10 installation points.
If the rear POWER LED does not illuminate when the POWER switch is placed in the ON position during the first 5 minutes of power being applied, verify the AC mains power cord is properly attached to the loudspeaker and plugged into the AC source outlet. Verify the outlet is functioning properly. If the AC mains cord is serviceable and the AC mains outlet is operating properly, but the loudspeaker fails to operate, the loudspeaker may require servicing. Contact QSC’s Technical Services department.
Channel A Channel A accepts either microphone or line level inputs. The MIC/LINE IN A inputs can use either a: • Male XLR connector, or a • Male 1/4" phone jack (TS or TRS type). The KW122, KW152, and KW153 feature a 4-position rotary switch (MIC/LINE GAIN) to provide input gain flexibility. • 0 dB – Regular line level, no additional gain. • 12 dB – Pre-amp is engaged, primarily for low line levels that need extra gain. • 24 dB – Pre-amp is engaged and MIC LED illuminates.
Unbalanced Inputs Connect to the plug as shown. If a 3 conductor (TRS) plug is used to connect an unbalanced source, Pin 3 and pin 1 must be connected with a jumper as shown. 1 = Shield (ground) Ground 2 = Plus (+) — Inverting Input 3 = Minus (-) + Non-inverting Input Unbalanced Inputs ¼" Phone Jack Connector Unbalanced Inputs XLR Connector EN KW181 The KW181 is designed to accept line level inputs connected either by male XLR or ¼" phone (TS or TRS) jack.
Output Connections KW122, KW152, KW153 1. Channel A Line Level Discrete Output 2. Channel B Line Level Discrete Output 3. LINE OUT (POST GAIN – MIX) 4. Channel A GAIN Knob 5. Channel B GAIN Knob EN 2 1 5 4 3 Both Channel A and Channel B have discrete, direct outputs on female XLR connectors. The signal on this output is exactly equivalent to the signal from the corresponding input. The level of the output signal is not affected by the gain setting for that channel.
KW181 Both Channel A and Channel B have discrete, direct outputs on female XLR connectors. The signal on this output is exactly equivalent to the signal from the corresponding input. The level of the output signal is not affected by the gain set on the subwoofer gain knob. If a unit is OFF, any signal present on MIC/LINE IN A or LINE IN B passes through to the respective discrete outputs. 1. Channel A Line Level Direct Output 2. Channel B Line Level Direct Output 3. Signal Present Indicator – Green LED 4.
DSP Features The KW Series features advanced DSP (digital signal processing) circuitry that performs many functions. Some functions are set at the design/ production level and are not user accessible. These functions include crossovers, time alignment, limiting and protection, thermal management and a number of proprietary features. QSC has designed exclusive DSP functions that greatly enhance the capabilities and performance of the KW Series systems.
High-frequency EQ On the KW122, KW152 and KW153 there are two high-frequency settings. From the factory, the switch is set to FLAT. This means that the loudspeaker system is producing a flat response through the vocal band. This is the standard setting for most applications. In voice-only reproduction, the switch can be set to the VOCAL BOOST setting. This will engage EQ that gives a stronger presence for vocal intelligibility and presence.
Additional Features Standby All KW Series models are equipped with an automatic standby feature to conserve energy when the systems are not in use. If no signal is present on any input, or the gain knob is turned to off for five minutes, the power amplifier goes into standby and the green STBY LED illuminates. In this mode, the amplifier is powered down. A small amount of current will continue to flow from the AC power source into the power supply of the KW Series.
Remote Gain Attenuator A 3-pin “Euro” connector is provided to attenuate the volume of the KW Series loudspeaker or put the system into standby from a remote location. The Remote Gain connector can only attenuate the output signal level below the level set by the Channel A and Channel B Gain knobs. By varying the voltage on (pin 2) between (pin 1) and (pin 3, ground), the volume can be linearly controlled. The voltage on can be created by using a potentiometer or provided from an external source.
Input Hookup EN 12 24 12 24 20
Output Hookup 12 12 24 24 EN 12 24 21
Output Hookup EN 12 12 24 24 OR OR 22
Common Standalone Small System (Mono) 12 24 12 24 EN 23
Common Stereo System LEFT LEFT RIGHT RIGHT EN 12 12 24 24 24
Dimensions 15.4" 391 mm 15" 381 mm EN 26" 662 mm KW122 Dimensions 15.2" 386 mm 17.5" 445 mm 15.2" 386 mm 32.
16.8" 427 mm 18.5" 469 mm EN 43.1" 1096 mm KW153 Dimensions 29.9" 761 mm 23.4" 595 mm 20.
KW122 KW152 KW153 KW181 Configuration 12" 2-way multipurpose loudspeaker 15" 2-way trapezoidal loudspeaker 15" 3-way trapezoidal loudspeaker 18" subwoofer Transducers Low-frequency Mid-frequency High-frequency 12" cone transducer — 1.75" diaphragm compression driver 15" cone transducer — 1.75" diaphragm compression driver 15" cone transducer 6.5" mid range cone transducer 1.
Mailing Address: QSC Audio Products, LLC 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1468 USA Telephone Numbers: Main Number: 714-754-6175 Sales & Marketing: 714-957-7100 or toll free (USA only) 800-854-4079 Customer Service: 714-957-7150 or toll free (USA only) 800-772-2834 Facsimile Numbers: Sales & Marketing FAX: 714-754-6174 Customer Service FAX: 714-754-6173 World Wide Web: qscaudio.com E-mail: info@qscaudio.com service@qscaudio.com © 2010 QSC Audio Products, LLC. All rights reserved.
