Blaze Audio BL118SS, BL218SS User guide

INSTALLATION MANUAL

BL118SS and BL218SS Subwoofers

1. Introduction and Overview

1.1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Blaze Audio BL118SS or BL218SS subwoofer. BLx18SS series high power passive
subwoofers are designed for use in medium to large-sized venues that require versatile and scalable low frequency

solutions. BLx18SS series subwoofers can be installed free-standing or own via accessory hardware.

BLx18SS series subwoofers are intended to be driven only by Blaze Audio PowerZone™ Connect 3004 power ampliers
with the appropriate speaker presets enabled. When installed in multiple arrays, the subwoofers can be congured via
amplier speaker presets to provide either omnidirectional or cardioid directivity characteristics.

BL118SS and BL218SS subwoofers respectively incorporate one or two 18 inch bass drivers in a reex loaded

enclosure. They provide low frequency bandwidth to 18Hz at -10dB and maximum sound pressure levels of 136dB and
143dB at 1m respectively.

1.2 Subwoofer Pack Contents

Each package contains a single subwoofer and its document pack.

BL118SS subwoofer

Document Pack

BL218SS subwoofer

1.3 Subwoofer Flying accessories

BL118SS and BL218SS subwoofers can be own via M10 Eye­bolt attachment points. Appropriate eye-bolts are available as

accessories. A minimum of four and six attachment points must be

employed for each BL118SS and BL218SS subwoofer respectively.

Accessory M10 Eye-bolts

2. Applications and Deployment

2.1 Important Safety Instructions

WARNING: Failure to observe the following safety precautions may result in severe injury or death.
Installations such as described in this guide should only be attempted by a trained professional.

• Read these instructions.

• Keep these instructions.

• Heed all warnings.

• Follow all instructions.

• Before installing or suspending any BL118SSi-B or BL218SSi-B

subwoofer, inspect all hardware, the enclosure, and associated

equipment for damage. Missing, corroded, or deformed

components, or components without correct load ratings, could

signicantly reduce the strength of the installation or placement
and should immediately be repaired or replaced.

• Always make sure that the structure the loudspeaker is to be
suspended from has been approved by the building or structural

engineer and will support the weight of all the components of the

speaker system including speakers, speaker cable, wire rope, etc.

• Consult a licensed professional structural engineer regarding

physical equipment installation.

• Do not suspend loudspeakers directly over people.

• Use only hardware that is rated for the load conditions of the
installation and that allows for a possible short-term, unexpected
overload. Never exceed the rating of the hardware or equipment.

• Blaze Audio strongly recommends that the system be inspected
at least once a year and logged. If any sign of weakness or damage
is detected, remedial action should be taken immediately.

• All installation crew members must be trained for loudspeaker
rigging and mounting.

• Make sure that all relevant health and safety regulations
are known, are followed by the installation crew, and follow
applicable local laws. Local government ofces can help with this

information.

• Suspended installations must be completed or supervised by a
certied rigger.

• The system should be designed so that it is a static suspension.
There should be no dynamic or shock loading.

• Personal protective equipment (hard hats, steel-toed footwear,
safety glasses, etc.) should be always worn by the installation

crew.

• If called for in the design, make sure all installation personnel are
trained to work at height and have certications for scissor lifts,

theatrical hoists, etc.

• Make sure all lifting equipment (slings, span-sets, deck chain,
scaffolding, etc.) is in good working order. Thoroughly inspect all

components prior to use.

• Inspect all the components associated with the project
for damage before assembly. Any parts with damage or

suspected damage should not be used. Contact the component

manufacturer for replacement parts if necessary.

• Keep a tidy workplace. Do not leave tools, rigging items, etc., on

top of loudspeakers during installation. Loose items can fall and

cause injury.

• Never leave the system unattended during the installation
process. Make sure that the workspace is isolated from
public access. No one should be allowed to pass beneath the

loudspeakers during installation.

• Do not suspend any other components or loudspeakers other
than the supported congurations described in this manual.

• If secondary steel safeties are required, they should be installed
once the entire system is at operating height and before public

access is allowed.

2. Applications and Deployment

2.2 Installation Options

BLx18SS series subwoofers can be installed free-standing, or own using accessory hardware. Additionally, pairs of

BLx18SS series subwoofers can be arranged to provide cardioid directivity. The installation options are illustrated and
described in the following sections.

2.2.1 Free-standing Installation

BLx18SS series subwoofers can be installed free-standing on oors

or other structures able to support their weight.

Note: It is important to ensure that any structure on which a BLx18SS
series subwoofer is supported is able to bear its weight with an
appropriate factor of safety. If there is any doubt in this respect, a
specialist structural engineer must be consulted.

2.2.2 Flown Installation

BLx18SS series subwoofers can be own through the installation of
M10 eye-bolts at the attachment points provided. Six attachment
points are provided on the top, bottom and side panels of each

BLx18SS series subwoofer.

A minimum of four attachment points for the BL118SS
subwoofer, and six attachment points for the BL218SS subwoofer,
must be used. The installation of eye-bolts at the attachment

points is illustrated and described in the following paragraphs and
diagrams.

Step 1. Using an M10 Allen key remove four of the attachment

point screws from the required panel on a BL118SS subwoofer and
all six attachment point screws on a BL218SS subwoofer.

1. BL118SS: Remove four
screws in required panel.

1. BL218SS: Remove all

six screws in required
panel.

2. Applications and Deployment

2.2.2 Flown Installation

Step 2. Screw an M10 eye-bolt fully into each of the available

attachment point screw holes. The eye-bolts are then available for
attachment to ying hardware.

2. Replace removed
screws with M10 eye­bolts.

WARNING: Consult a professional mechanical or structural engineer, licensed in the jurisdiction of the
sound system installation, to review, verify, and approve all attachments to the building or structure.

Employ the services of a certied, professional rigger for hoisting, positioning and rigging the equipment

to the supporting structure. Improper suspension can lead to serious damage, injury, or death.

NEVER SUSPEND LOUDSPEAKERS DIRECTLY ABOVE THE AUDIENCE

2. Applications and Deployment

2.2.3 Subwoofer Directivity Options

In combination with use of the appropriate Blaze PowerZone™

Connect amplier Speaker Presets, pairs of BLx18SS series
subwoofers can be congured to offer omnidirectional or

cardioid directivity.

For omnidirectional directivity, the two subwoofers should be
positioned either adjacent to each other or one above the other

with both facing in the same direction as illustrated in the following

diagrams. The amplier outputs driving each subwoofer should
have the same standard speaker preset enabled (BL118SS.zcp or
BL218SS.zcp).

BL118SS subwoofer
pair in omnidirectional
arrangement.

For cardioid directivity, the two subwoofers should be positioned
either adjacent to each other, or one above the other, with one

facing forwards and one facing backwards as illustrated in the
following diagrams. The cardioid forward radiation lobe will

coincide with the forward facing subwoofer. The amplier output
driving the forward facing subwoofer should have the standard
speaker preset enabled (BL118SS.zcp or BL218SS.zcp) and the
amplier output driving the backwards facing subwoofer should
have the cardioid speaker preset enabled (BL118SS-Cardioid.zcp
or BL218SS-Cardioid.zcp).

BL118SS subwoofer pair
in cardioid arrangement.

BL218SS subwoofer
pair in omnidirectional
arrangement.

Cardioid

radiation axis

BL218SS subwoofer pair
in cardioid arrangement.

Cardioid

primary

radiation axis

Cardioid

radiation axis

3. Connection and Amplication

3.1 BLx18SS Connections

Each BLx18SS series subwoofer is tted with two Neutrik NL4 Speakon sockets on its rear panel. One socket is
intended for connection to one or two bridged channels of a Blaze PowerZone™ Connect 3004 Amplier and one
socket provides an optional parallel output connection for a second subwoofer. The driving amplier must be
congured in Bridged Output (BTL) mode, as described in Section 3.2.2 of this manual, before it is connected to

BLx18SS series subwoofers.

Subwoofer input and output connections are described and illustrated below. Amplier connections to BLx18SS series

subwoofers are described and illustrated on the following pages.

3.1.1 BLx18SS Connection Sockets

BLx18SS connection sockets are congured as indicated in

the following table and diagrams. The two sockets are wired in
parallel to enable the connection of a second subwoofer when
increased output is required.

Note: A pair of parallel connected subwoofers must be the same
model.

Connect to Blaze

BLx18SS Socket Connections

PowerZone™ Connect

3004 amplier outputs

Signal Routing Connection Pin

Amp Ch 1 (+) 1 (+)

Amp Ch 2 (–) 1 (–)

Amp Ch 3 (+) 2 (+)

Amp Ch 4 (+) 2 (–)

Neutrik Speakon NL4 Pins

Amplier channel 2

negative (–)

1­2+

Amplier channel 3

positive (+)

Amplier channel 1
positive (+)

1+
2-

Amplier channel 4
positive (–)

Optionally connect to
second subwoofer

When used to drive BLx18SS series subwoofers, Blaze PowerZone™ Connect 3004 Ampliers must be
congured in Bridged Output mode. Do not connect an amplier to a BLx18SS series subwoofer before it
is congured appropriately.

3. Connection and Amplication

3.1.2 BL118SS Amplier Connections

The BL118SS subwoofer is designed to work with the Blaze

PowerZone™ Connect 3004 power amplier only. This amplier

incorporate the DSP equalisation facilities required to optimise the

subwoofer acoustic performance, while also providing appropriate

output power capabilities.

One PowerZone™ Connect 3004 power amplier is able to drive up
to four BL118SS subwoofers. The subwoofers can be congured in
standard, omnidirectional directivity mode or as cardioid pairs.

BL118SS series subwoofer and PowerZone™ Connect amplier

connections are illustrated in the diagram alongside.

Note: The PowerZone™ Connect is a four output amplier. When

used with BLx18SS series subwoofers it must be congured in

Bridged (BTL) mode to provide two outputs.

Note: No more than four BL118SS subwoofers must be connected to

one amplier.

Note: The Blaze PowerZone™ Connect Installation Manual, available
for download from the Blaze website (blaze-audio.com), contains

comprehensive amplier installation and operational information.

1-2+1+

1-2+1+

BL118SS-1

Optionally connect

BL118SS-3 & BL118SS-4

2-

2-

1-2+1+

2-

1-2+1+

2-

BL118SS-2

Two or four BL118SS subwoofers connected to one Blaze

PowerZone™ Connect 3004 amplier.

• For omnidirectional directivity, both amplier outputs

require speaker preset BL118SS.zcp enabled.

• For cardioid directivity, amplier Output 1 (CH1 & CH2)

requires speaker preset BL118SS.zcp enabled, and amplier
output 2 (CH3 & CH4) requires speaker preset BL118SS-

Cardioid.zcp enabled. The BL118SS physical arrangement

then requires cardioid pairs comprising BL118SS-1 (forward
facing) with BL118SS-2 (backwards facing) and optionally
BL118SS-3 (forward facing) with BL118SS-4 (backwards
facing)

When used to drive BLx18SS series subwoofers, Blaze PowerZone™ Connect 3004 Ampliers must be
congured in Bridged Output mode. Do not connect an amplier to a BLx18SS series subwoofer before it
is congured appropriately.

3. Connection and Amplication

3.1.3 BL218SS Amplier Connections

The BL218SS subwoofer is designed to work with the Blaze

PowerZone™ Connect 3004 power amplier only. This amplier

incorporate the DSP equalisation facilities required to optimise the

subwoofer acoustic performance, while also providing appropriate

output power capabilities.

One PowerZone™ Connect 3004 power amplier is able to
drive one or two BL218SS subwoofers. The subwoofers can be
congured in standard, omnidirectional directivity mode, or to
play the backward facing role in cardioid subwoofer pairs. Cardioid
directivity with BL218SS subwoofers requires multiple power
ampliers.

BL218SS series subwoofer and PowerZone™ Connect amplier

connections are illustrated in the diagram alongside.

Note: The PowerZone™ Connect is a four output amplier. When

used with BLx18SS series subwoofers it must be congured in

Bridged (BTL) mode to provide two outputs.

Note: No more than two BL218SS subwoofers must be connected to

one amplier.

Note: The Blaze PowerZone™ Connect Installation Manual, available
for download from the Blaze website (blaze-audio.com), contains

comprehensive amplier installation and operational information.

Optionally connect

BL218SS-2

1-2+1+

2-

1-2+1+

2-

BL218SS-1

One or two BL218SS subwoofers connected to one Blaze

PowerZone™ Connect 3004 amplier.

• For omnidirectional directivity, both amplier outputs

require speaker preset BL218SS.zcp enabled.

• For cardioid directivity, a second PowerZone™ Connect

3004 amplier and BL218SS subwoofer system must
be congured with speaker preset BL218SS-Cardioid.
zcp enabled on both amplier outputs. The one or two

subwoofers of the second system should then play the
backwards facing cardioid role paired with the primary

system subwoofers (with BL218SS.zcp enabled).

3. Connection and Amplication

3.2 PowerZone™ Connect Amplier Output Conguration and Speaker Presets

The Blaze PowerZone™ Connect amplier incorporates mode conguration and loudspeaker management functions,
accessed via a web page interface. Amplier functional options can to be congured, and precongured lter and

equalization speaker presets can be enabled.

When used to drive BLx18SS series subwoofers, PowerZone™ Connect 3004 ampliers must have the appropriate

speaker presets enabled. Speaker presets for BLx18SS series subwoofers are available for download from the Blaze
website and must be used for correct subwoofer performance. Standard and Cardioid speaker presets are available.
The procedure for downloading and enabling PowerZone™ Connect 3004 speaker presets is described in the following
sections.

3.2.1 PowerZone™ Control Network Connection

In order to install the BLx18SS speaker preset les, the
PowerZone™ Connect amplier requires either a wired or wireless
connection via a TCP/IP network, or to connect via its own wireless
access point, to a computer or mobile device from which speaker
preset les can be uploaded. Internet access for speaker preset le

download is also required.

Note: The PowerZone™ Connect amplier Quick Start Guide and
Installation Manual documents cover network connection and can

be downloaded from the Blaze website: https://blaze-audio.com/
support/#Manuals

3.2.2 Speaker Preset Download and Application

Follow the steps below to download and enable the BLx18SS

speaker preset to the amplier outputs.

Step 1. Using a computer or mobile device, visit the Blaze website

(blaze-audio.com/products/speakers) and select the
speaker preset les for download.

It is important that the correct speaker preset les are

downloaded:

BL118SS Standard - File name: BL118SS.zcp
BL118SS Cardioid - File name: BL118SS-Cardioid.zcp
BL218SS Standard - File name: BL218SS.zcp
BL218SS Cardioid - File name: BL218SS-Cardioid.zcp

Step 2. On the computer or mobile device, navigate to the

PowerZone™ Connect 3004 amplier web interface and

select the Output tab.

NOTE: The speaker preset les will download in a compressed .zip

archive format. Expand the .zip archive and store the les in an

appropriate location on the download device.

When used to drive BLx18SS series subwoofers, Blaze PowerZone™ Connect 3004 Ampliers are
congured in bridged output mode by the speaker preset. Do not connect an amplier to a BLx18SS

series subwoofer before the speaker preset is enabled, and do not connect any alternative speaker to

the amplier before the BLx18SS series subwoofer speaker preset is disabled.

NOTE: The exact appearance and layout of the amplier web

interface may vary slightly depending on the device and browser in
use.

3. Connection and Amplication

Step 3. From the Output page select the required Output tab at the

top of the display and then select the Speaker Preset menu

option.

Step 4. Selecting IMPORT PRESET FROM FILE will open the

Speaker Preset Import pop-up box that provides the option

to choose a preset le.

Step 5. Browse the download device for the les downloaded in

Step 1 and select the appropriate le. It will be named :
BL118SS.zcp, BL118SS-Cardioid.zcp, BL218SS.zcp or
BL218SS-Cardioid.zcp

Select IMPORT.

Step 6. The speaker preset le will now be applied to amplier

Output 1.

Step 7. With the appropriate speaker preset le applied to

amplier Output 1, repeat Step 2 to Step 6 for Output 3 if

required.

NOTE: BLx18SS speaker presets congure PowerZone Connect

3004 ampliers in bridged output mode, so enabling the presets will

reduce the number of available output channels.

IMPORTANT: It is vital for the correct
operation of BLx18SS series subwoofers

that the correct speaker preset le is

enabled.

4. Technical Information

4. BLx18SS Specications

4.1.1 Technical Specications

Subwoofer Model BL118SS BL218SS

Frequency Response (-3dB)*

Frequency Range (-10dB)

Recommended High-PassFilter 20Hz (Butterworth, minimum 24dB/Octave (4th order)

Nominal Directivity (-6dB) Omnidirectional or cardioid

Recommended Crossover Frequency 90Hz (acoustic, active, external DSP)

RMS Power Handling Capacity** LF: 2500 Watts LF: 5000 Watts

Maximum SPL @ 1m***

Transducer Components

Transducer Nominal Impedance LF = 4 Ohms LF = 4 Ohms

Dimensions (HxWxD)

Net Weight 135 lb. (61.23 kg) 285 lb. (129.27 kg)

Shipping Weight

*Frequency response and range measured on-axis with anechoic environment.

** Power handling tested using pink noise ltered to meet IEC 268-5, 6 dB crest factor, 100 hours, with recommended EQ.

*** Peak level measured at 1m under free eld conditions using 10 dB crest factor pink noise with specied ([Blaze Audio] preset) and corresponding EQ settings.

26Hz - 150Hz 25Hz - 150Hz

18Hz - 150kHz 18Hz - 150Hz

136dB (Blaze Audio preset) 143dB (Blaze Audio preset)

LF: 18 inch (457.2mm) x 1 LF: 18 inch (457.2mm) x 2

22.5” x 28” x 30”

571.5 mm x 711.2 mm x 762 mm

150 lb. (68.03 kg) - approximate

with carton

22.5” x 48.0” x 30.0”

(571.5 mm x 1,219.2 mm x 762.0 mm)

295 lb. (133.8 kg) - approximate with

carton

4.1.2 Physical Characteristics

Enclosure Material

Finish

Grille Material

Environmental Indoor use only.

Connectors/Bi-Amp

Suspension/Mounting

Baltic birch plywood, engineered plastics and

aluminium frame.

Two-part spray catalyzed Polyurea coating on

plywood.
14-gauge (1.0) perforated steel, powder-coated

nish, black.

Two (2) parallel-wired NL4 Neutrik® Speakon®
connectors.

Internal bracket w/ threaded 0.375” ying points
(x18)

4. Technical Information

4.2 BLx18SS Series Mechanical Drawings

4.2.1 BL118SS Dimensions

28.0”

711.2mm

28.0”

711.2mm

28.0”

711.2mm

4.2.1 BL218SS Dimensions

48.0”

1219.2mm

22.5”

571.5mm

22.5”

571.5mm

30.0”

762mm

30.0”

762.0mm

22.5”

571.5mm

48.0”

1219.2mm

22.5”

571.5mm

48.0”

1219.2mm

22.5”

571.5mm

30.0”

762mm

30.0”

762.0mm

22.5”

571.5mm

Designed in USA/Denmark - Made in USA.

Blaze, 25 S. Main St., #40 Yardley, PA 19067, US. [e-mail]. www.blaze-audio.com

Rev C - 01/2024