B-52 ACT-18X Instruction Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INFORMATION

1. Read all the instructions before attempting to use the ACT-18X.

2. Follow all instructions contained in this manual.

3. Keep these instructions in a safe place where they can be found and
referred to in the future.

4. Use common sense in operating your ACT-18X and heed all warnings
included in your operating manual.

5. Do not use the ACT-18X near water. Do not use it in or near a washtub,
sink, pool, standing water, bathtub, or anyplace where the likelihood of
water mixing with electricity is present.

6. Clean only with a clean dry cloth.

7. Do not locate your ACT-18X in an area which has limited or very poor
ventilation. Obstructing the fan intake, outlet or the heat sink will likely
cause the product to overheat and shut down.

8. Do not install the ACT-18X near any heat sources such as radiators,
stoves, portable electric heaters or other devices that produce significant
amounts of heat. If you do, it could cause the product to overheat and
shut down.

9. Do not touch the amplifier heat sink with an ungloved or
unprotected hand while or shortly after the ACT-18X has been operating.
The heat sink may get hot during operation.

10. Do not attempt to defeat the safety purpose of the AC cord’s polarized
grounded plug. If the provided plug does not fit your outlet, hire an
electrician to replace the obsolete outlet.

11. Protect the AC mains power cord from being damaged.
SERVICING - The user should not attempt to repair a damaged or

12.
inoperable ACT-18X other than by replacing a blown AC mains fuse or a
damaged detachable power cord. DO NOT TOUCH A DAMAGED POWER
CORD IF IT IS PLUGGED INTO AC MAINS POWER!!!!!
Turn off and unplug the ACT-18X when not in use except during a lighting

13.
storm. A lightning strike on the AC line equipment is plugged into could
cause electrocution to those in contact with that equipment. This is why
your ACT-18X comes with a 3-prong power cord. The third prong (Earth
ground) is to prevent such harm. Should you believe an electrical storm
to be imminent, then it would be wise to unplug the ACT-18X BEFORE the
storm approaches.

WARNING:

To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock,

do not expose this system to rain or moisture

14. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the ACT-18X to
rain or moisture.

15. Servicing may be required when the ACT-18X has been damaged. If any
of the following conditions listed below has occurred, please turn off and
unplug the ACT-18X and seek the help of qualified service personnel. The
following conditions all require service:

1) The power-cord or plug is damaged.

2) Objects have fallen into, or liquid has been spilled into the amp.

3) The ACT-18X has been exposed to significant moisture such as rain or

fog and or there is present condensation inside the amplifier due to
weather conditions. (If there is condensation on the outside of the
heatsink, it is safe to assume the condensation is present inside as well.)

4) The unit is not operating normally.

6) The unit has been dropped with significant force and is not

operating normally.

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INSIDE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Important Safety Instructions / Specifications. . . . . . 2

Set-up Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Subwoofer Control Panel Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Connection Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

AMPLIFIER SPECIFICATIONS:

●

1200-watt Digital Amplifier with Voltage Tracking Power Supply

●

1200 watts @ 4 Ohms

●

800 watts @ 8 Ohms

●

Built-in compressor-limiter

●

Built in 24db/octave Crossover

●

Crossover Frequency: 120 Hz @ 24db/octave

●

Subsonic Filter: 32 Hz High Pass (18 db/octave)

●

Nominal Loudspeaker Impedance (each subwoofer): 8 Ohms

●

Minimum Load Impedance: 4 Ohms (One active and one passive sub)

●

Minimum Power Consumption (with no signal input) 20 watts

●

Power Requirements: Up to 12 Amps @120v@60Hz

●

XLR Balanced Inputs

●

XLR Full Range Outputs

●

XLR Balanced High Pass Outputs

●

0-180° phase switch

●

Speakon Style Speaker Output Connector for connecting a passive Sub (SP-18XS)

●

Thermal & Short Circuit Protection

●

Signal sensing circuitry with LED indicator

LOUDSPEAKER FEATURES:

●

Power handling of 600 Watts RMS, 2400 Watts peak

●

Sensitivity: 102 dB @ 2.83V @ 1 Meter

●

Peak SPL: 132 dB @ 1 Meter

●

4-layer, 4 Inch Diameter Voice Coil

●

Extra durable non-press paper cone

●

Heavy duty Polyester-Cotton double spider for great long term mechanical stability

●

Magnetically optimized forged T-yoke with deep bump for high excursions

●

Undercut pole piece for lower distortion and better mechanical clearance

●

Double thick Fiberglass Voice coil former for incredible rigidity at the driving point

●

Extreme high temperature enamel and adhesive used on voice coil wire

●

Precision machined low-carbon steel magnetic circuit

●

Super duty polyester-cotton accordion edge surround

●

Double spiders to afford superior protection from bottoming and rocking

CABINET FEATURES:

●

Superior grade of 13-ply Baltic Birch

●

Heavy duty scratch resistant durable black paint finish.

●

16-Gauge perforated steel grille for maximum protection

●

2 & 3/8” diameter steel pole-mount cup.

●

Flared ports for highest available output without port noise

●

Dimensions (W) x (H) x (D): 24” x 33” x 22”

●

Weight: 110lbs

WARNING! THE ACT-18X CABINET HAS NO RIGGING
POINTS. IT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR FLYING. NEVER ATTEMPT
TO SUSPEND THIS CABINET BY ITS HANDLES. DOING SO
COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH!

SETTING UP YOUR ACT-18X SUBWOOFER

The B-52 Pro-Audio speakers described in this instruction manual are intended for use directly on the floor, ground or stage. The ACT-18X and ACT-18XS described in this manual
should NEVER be flown. These models are intended primarily for use in mobile installations. Fixed install versions and flying versions are available, so for those purposes please
consult your B52 Pro-Audio dealer or our website

Repeated exposure to direct sun will significantly shorten the useful life of the loudspeaker system. Avoid exposing the system to the elements whenever possible. Exposure to
rain, long-term high humidity and/or ultra violet rays will cause premature aging of the subwoofer. Prolonged use of the ACT-18X outdoors or in high-moisture areas can
damage the subwoofer and amplifier.

Because of the forces needed to reach high SPLs at low frequencies, the intense vibrations of the woofer may cause the cabinet to move during operation. When placed on slick
surfaces, such as polished wood or smooth tiles, the speaker may move (walk off the stage) during use. Precautions should be taken to ensure the subwoofer does not fall or slide
off a stage or raised surface. A high friction surface, such as carpeting, works best to prevent this. The addition of weight to the cabinet, such as a pole mounted speaker atop it,
will diminish or eliminate this characteristic.

The ACT-18X model includes a pole-mounting cup to allow mounting a satellite speaker above it. When installing a pole-mounted speaker above the ACT-18X, be sure to observe
the follow precautions:

●

Be sure the pole is capable of supporting the load of the mounted speaker without risk of falling or tipping.

●

Check to be certain the pole is firmly placed within the pole cup built-in to the ACT-18X as well as the satellite speaker, so no sudden movement will occur, causing the
satellite to drop off or shift during operation.

●

Make sure cables routed to and from the ACT 18X (and any other connected loudspeakers) are secured with great care to prevent accidents. Use all normal and necessary
means to insure a safe performance!

●

B-52 Pro-Audio recommends satellite placement and removal be performed by no less than two physically
capable persons at a time.

HEARING DAMAGE AND PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE SPLs

B-52 Pro-Audio speakers can produce sound levels high enough to cause permanent hearing damage to performers,
production crews or people in the audience. Hearing protection devices are recommended for use where long-term exposure
to high SPLs are not avoidable. Remember, if it hurts, it is definitely too loud! Long exposures to high SPLs cause first
temporary threshold shifts, limiting your ability to hear the actual loudness and exercise good judgment. Repeated long­term exposure to high SPLs can and WILL CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS!

Please note the recommended exposure limits (right) in Table G-16. More information about these limits is available on the
US government Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) website at: www
http://www

.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9735&p_table=STANDARDS

www.B-52PRO.com for appropriate models.

.osha.gov The table (to the right) is shown at

TABLE G-16

PERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURES (1)

Duration per Sound level

day, hours dBA slow response

8 90
692
4 95
397
2100

1.5 102
1105

0.5 110

0.25 or less 115

AMPLIFIER MODULE PRECAUTIONS

Do not attempt to service the ACT-18X yourself. Refer all servicing to a B-52

or electrical shock do not expose this
equipment to rain or moisture.

Pro-Audio Authorized Dealer, or other qualified servicing personnel.

WARNING: To reduce the risk or fire

Service may be required if and when:

●

The ACT-18X has had liquid spilled or objects have fallen inside the subwoofer.

●

A heavy object(s) has/have fallen onto the speaker

●

The cabinet, amp or speaker has been damaged

●

The speaker has been exposed to excessive rain or moisture

●

The cabinet has been dropped hard enough to cause damage

●

The amp has failed to turn on and has AC mains power available

●

The amp or speaker does not operate normally or as it should

●

Keep your ACT-18X amplifier away from any heat source. Do not cover your
ACT-18X amplifier so that either the amplifier fan or heat sink is partially or
totally obstructed; doing so will likely result in amplifier overheating,
triggering the shutdown or failure of the amp.

PRECAUCIONS: Para Prevenir el incendio o la descarga electrica, no exponer este
equipo a la lluvia o a la humedad

The lightning flash with 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 electric shock to persons. The exclamation
point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user of the presence of important oper-

ating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. The
lightning flash with arrowhead symbol adjacent to a terminal is intended to alert the user that
the terminal is hazardous live.
El símbolo de flecha relámpago dentro de un triángulo equilátero, es para alertar al usario de
la presencia de “voltajes peligrosos” no aislados en el interior del aparato, los cuales pueden ser

de suficiente magnitud para constituir un riesgo de choque eléctrico a las personas. El símbolo de exclamación
dentro de un triángulo equilátero, es para alertar al usuario de la presencia de instrucciones importantes de
operación y mantenimiento (servicio) en la documentación que acompaña al equipo. El símbolo del relámpago
con la punta de flecha que está situado junto a la terminal es para alertar al usuario que la terminal presenta un
peligro cuando está activa.

To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this unit to rain or excess moisture. Do not operate your ACT-18X(S) in or near a pool or other standing
water. In the event the powered speaker comes in contact with the water, an electrocution hazard may occur. Do not bypass or defeat the grounding or polarization
means used on the ACT-18X amplifier. Make sure all blades on the polarized power plug are fully inserted into the AC mains power receptacle. Ensure the power cord
is not stretched, pinched, chafed, or otherwise damaged. Ensure the power cord is routed safely and secured to avoid the possibility of someone tripping over it.

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