Samson EX500 Speaker User Manual


 
7
Operating the EX500
Level Control
The level control is used to adjust
the amount of volume from the
EX500 subwoofer. In addition, the
Level control will also control the
output volume of the high-passed
outputs. Therefore, if you are
using the EX500 without using the
high-passed outputs (for example,
when the EX500 is connected to
an external crossover) the Level
control adjusts the low frequency
output of the EX500. If you are
using the EX500’s internal elec-
tronic crossover to run satellite
speakers, then the Level control
will adjust the overall system vol-
ume.
Sweep
The Sweep control selects the upper range cutoff frequency of the EX500’s internal electronic crossover. The
EX500’s crossover provides a 12dB per octave Linkwisz- Riley filter curve. The Sweep limits the high frequency
that the EX500 will reproduce, and at the same time, the high-passed output tracks the selected crossover fre-
quency as the lower limit frequency.
Stereo / Mono Switch
The Stereo/ Mono switch selects either stereo or mono bass operation. When set to MONO, the EX500 will com-
bine, or sum, the left and right signals and send a mono signal to the amplifier of the EX500. In this mode, the
original stereo signal is passed through the left and right outputs only now the stereo signal is filtered at the fre-
quency set by the sweep control. In Stereo mode, the low frequency signal is not summed, and you can choose
either the left or right input accordingly for each side of the system.
The In and The Outs
The EX500 feature electronically balanced inputs and outputs so that any possible HUM problems are greatly
reduced when interfacing to other equipment. XLR connectors with industry standard pin- outs are used for easy
interface from mixer and other professional audio gear. A detailed wiring diagram can be found in the section
EX500 Connections on page 12 of this manual.
30
105
200
Hz
0
5
10
POWERED SUBWOOFER 500 WATTS
LEVEL
MONO
PEAK
SWEEP
RIGHT
LEFT
RIGHT
LEFT
BALANCED INPUTS BALANCED HIGH PASS OUTPUTS
STEREO
••
••
••
The EX500’s control panel provides the connections and user interface to the EX500’s internal electronic
crossover and power amplifier section. The internal amplifier is a 500 Watt tracking amplifier capable of producing
incredible bass output while running super cool, and at the same time, weighing half as much as conventional
power amplifiers. EX500 employs an electronic crossover that adjusts the high frequency cutoff point for the sub-
woofer, and also, a high passed output for your satellite speakers. You will achieve a tremendous benefit in
sound quality by running your satellite speakers from the EX500’s High-Pass outputs. The reason for this is that
when your satellite speaker receives the filtered output from the EX500, it will no longer be looking at the frequen-
cies below the crossover point. Let’s say your satellite speaker has a natural frequency roll-off at 70 Hz, and you
are sending full range signal (as low as 20Hz) to the satellite amplifier and speaker. Even though the speaker
can only reproduce 70Hz and up, the amplifier is still outputting 20-70Hz, which is wasted power and essentially
turns into heat. By using the EX500’s High-Pass output, the satellite amplifier and speaker never see the fre-
quencies lower than what’s set by the Sweep frequency. This means you’ll have more power dedicated to the
frequencies you want the satellites to deliver, resulting in a much cleaner sound with more headroom.
EX500 CONTROL PANEL