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8 • SM-500 USER GUIDE
LEFT & RIGHT SPEAKER FUSES
The left and right speaker fuses are provided to protect your speakers in the unlikely event of a power
amp failure or incorrect connection procedures. Size and rating of the fuses are 3AG, 8 amp, fast-
blo. Do not defeat the purpose of this feature by using a higher rated fuse.
The speaker fuses can open if there is a fault in the speaker cable or the speakers themselves.
Therefore, it is always wise to carry extra fuses at all times.
SPEAKER OUTPUT JACKS
Note: If you are using only one channel (in Stereo mode), use the left channel speaker output,
as the thermal sensor for the fan is located on the left heat sink.
When used in Stereo mode, the internal power amplifiers of the SM-500 will deliver 300 watts
@ 2 ohms, 250 watts @ 4 ohms and 150 watts into 8 ohms. Optimum performance will be achieved
by using a total of 4 ohms per channel. When using 2 ohms loads, the amplifier will run hotter than
normal and the internal fan will be running most of the time. Minimum speaker load in the stereo
mode is 2 ohms per side.
When used in the Bridge mode, the SM-500 will deliver 250 watts into 16 ohms, 400 watts into
8 ohms, and 500 watts into 4 ohm loads. Please make sure the speakers you use in this mode can
handle the power. Minimum load in the “Bridge” mode is 4 ohms.
LEFT & RIGHT (STEREO) SPEAKER OUTPUT JACKS
There are two 1/4" jacks and one Speakon
®
jack provided for each side of the output section of the
SM-500. The Left and Right speaker jacks are provided for use in the Stereo Mode only. DO NOT use
these jacks when the SM-500’s Power Amp Assign switch is in the “Bridge” position. You can bal-
ance the Left and Right channels by using the Stereo Master Volume control located on the front
panel. Make sure all speakers are connected BEFORE turning on the amplifier whenever possible.
Connecting (or disconnecting) your speakers while the amplifier is on is not recommended.
SPEAKON VS. 1/4" JACKS
We have found the Speakon connection to be superior in both stability and amperage conductivity, so
we have provided Speakon output jacks in addition to the standard 1/4" jack. If the Speakon output
jack is used, we highly recommend a Speakon-to-Speakon speaker cable (supplied with the SM-500).
If your speaker enclosure does not have a Speakon input jack, you should use the 1/4" output jacks
on the SM-500 and connect them accordingly.
Note: All SWR Professional Line speaker cabinets come equipped with Speakon input jacks.
The SM-500’s Speakon jacks are wired “standard"” (+1/–1) and additional Speakon-to-Speakon
cables are available through most music stores.
SPEAKER CABLE
Speaker cable should be made of 18-gauge, or heavier, wire. (The thicker the wire, the lower the
gauge, so 18-gauge is heavier than 20-gauge and so on.) Do not use instrument cables to hook up
your speakers. This can result in intermittent power loss, cause your power amp to oscillate, and
damage itself and/or your speakers, and render the cables useless for any purpose.
BRIDGED OUTPUT SPEAKON
®
JACK
The Speakon jack marked “Bridge,” located directly below the Power Amp Assign Switch (in the cen-
ter of the “Speaker Outs” section), is provided for use in the Bridged/Mono mode only. A six-foot
heavy-duty speaker cable (Speakon-to-Speakon) is provided with each unit for your convenience.
MAKE SURE that the Power Amp Assign switch is set to “Mono” when using this jack!