MACKIE SWA1501 User Manual

Page 3

Lend Me Your Ears

Exposure to extremely high

noise levels may cause perma-

nent hearing loss. Individuals

vary considerably in suscepti-

bility to noise-induced hearing

loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if

exposed to sufficiently intense noise for a period of

time. The U.S. Government’s Occupational Safety and

Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the per-

missible noise level exposures shown in this chart.

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of

these permissible limits could result in some hearing

loss. To ensure against potentially dangerous exposure

to high sound-pressure levels, it is recommend ed that

all persons exposed to equipment capable of produc-

ing these levels use hearing protectors while this unit

is in operation. Ear plugs or protectors in the ear ca-

nals or over the ears must be worn when operating this

amplification system in order to prevent a permanent

hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set

forth here.

The SWA1501

can produce a maximum

SPL of 128 dB @ 1m

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing Mackie’s active sound re-

inforcement speaker systems.

The SWA1501 is a high output active subwoofer

system. It features a high-precision 15˝ transducer
combined with application-specific amplifier tech-
nology. The system is composed of a single, compact
subwoofer cabinet with built-in control and amplifier
electronics.

Connecting and setting up the SWA1501 is a

breeze. It accepts a stereo or mono line-level signal
via female XLR input jacks. Male XLR Thru jacks are
provided for daisy-chaining the signal to additional
SWA1501 cabinets. The built-in crossover separates
the low frequencies from the high frequencies, and
routes the high frequencies to the male XLR high-pass
output jacks. Connect these to the inputs of full-range
active speakers such as the Mackie SRM450s, or to
an amplifier powering a pair of passive speakers such

as a combination of the Mackie M•1400i and C300s.
A Phase switch gives you the option of reversing the
polarity of the signal to the subwoofer by 180º. A Sub-
woofer Level control allows you to adjust the balance
between the subwoofer and the full-range speakers.

The built-in amplifier produces 500 watts of contin-

uous power. The amplifier module sits on a heatsink
that eliminates the need for fans, dramatically extend-
ing life expectancy, and eliminating maintenance
cycles. A tremendous benefit of having the amplifier
located within the subwoofer cabinet is that the
SWA1501 functions as a system, optimizing acoustic,
electronic, and mechanical designs to achieve the
highest level of performance and value.

The cabinet is constructed with 15mm thick

multi-layered birch plywood. Carrying handles are in-
tegrated into each side for easy loading and transport.

CONTENTS

Lend Me Your Ears ...........................................................3

INTRODUCTION ...............................................................3

REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION ...........................................4

HOOKUP DIAGRAMS ......................................................5

CONNECTIONS ................................................................6

PLACEMENT .....................................................................6

AC POWER ......................................................................7

THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS ........................................7

SERVICE INFORMATION .................................................7

Troubleshooting ........................................................7

Repair ........................................................................9

SWA1501 SPECIFICATIONS .........................................10

Frequency Response ..............................................10

Dimensions .............................................................10

SWA1501 LIMITED WARRANTY ...................................11

Don’t forget to visit our website at

www.mackie.com

for more information about this and other Mackie products.

Duration, per

day in hours

Sound Level

dBA, Slow

Response

Typical Example

Duo in small club

Subway Train

100

Very loud classical music

1.5

102

105

Fooyoung screaming at desTROYer about deadlines

0.5

110

0.25 or less 115

Loudest parts at a rock concert

Part No. SW0618 Rev. C 03/12