Electro-Voice Sb180 Quick Manual

S

180

b

Subwoofer

• EVX-180B woofer for reliable,
extended low-frequency output

• Subwoofer for augmenting the
low-frequency performance of EV
stage systems

• Natural high-frequency roll-off

• 600-watt continuous, 1,200-watt
program power capacity

• Rugged, road-ready cabinet,
metal grille, and painted finish

• Neutrik Speakon

• 1 3/8-inch stand mount in top
allows use of satellite system

• 34-inch long 1 3/8-inch mounting
pole included

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inputs

Description

The Electro-Voice Sb180 is a 600-watt sub­woofer loudspeaker system which combines
the attributes of both horn-loaded and
vented-box designs. It utilizes the unique
SubScoop
EVX-180B woofer, as used in the X-Array
concert systems. The design behaves like a
horn over much of its range, but without the
time delay and weight problems usually as­sociated with conventional designs. V ented­box principles take over for the lowest oc­tave and assist in producing exceptionally
high levels of clean, punchy bass from a sub­compact box. The reverse woofer orienta­tion has been used to optimize the rear cham­ber volume and decrease the horn flare rate
for extended low-end performance.

The Sb180 can be used to augment the bass
performance of any Electro-V oice stage sys­tem. (This may involve the use of appropri­ate electronics and crossovers.) A 1
stand-mount receptacle on the top surface of
the Sb180 allows satellite speaker systems
such as the Sx500 and Sx300 to be used (see
Figure 4). A 34-inch mounting pole is in­cluded with the Sb180.

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cabinet construction with a

3

/8-in.

Use in Multiples

The Sb180 may be used in multiples to in­crease acoustic output. A 6-dB increase in
maximum acoustic output occurs when two
speaker systems are placed side by side and
paralleled, yielding a 4-ohm load. For op-

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eration at very-low frequencies, the woofer
cones “mutually couple,” acting as one sys­tem with twice the effective cone area and
power-handling capacity of a single system.
Increasing the cone area doubles the effi­ciency, providing a 3-dB increase in sound
pressure level. The doubled power capacity
provides the potential for an additional 3-dB
gain in maximum acoustic output.

Mutual coupling occurs when the frequency
is such that the center-to-center distance be­tween the two woofer manifolds is less than
about one-half wavelength. When the dis­tance is greater than one-half wavelength,
as would occur if two Sb180’s were widely
spaced, the level increase tends to be lim­ited to the 3-dB power-handling increase.

The woofer is connected using one of the
Neutrik Speakon
Electro-Voice recommends the Neutrik
NL4MPR-V connector be used in most high­power situations. A parallel woofer can be

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jacks marked “input.”

connected using the other connector. Care
must be taken not to abuse the amplifier by
connecting impedances which are too low.

Crossovers and Amplifiers

To optimize performance, the Sb180 should
be used in conjunction with an active cross­over with a minimum slope of 12-dB per oc­tave and a crossover frequency in the range
of 100 to 250 Hz. Due to the high efficiency
of the Sb180, less amplifier input is needed
to achieve a given sound output level. The
high power-handling capacity of the Sb180
permits the use of amplifiers with a rating of
up to 1,200 watts rms into 8 ohms.

Speaker Protection

When in the vented-box mode, the
SubScoop,
experiences rapidly increasing cone excur­sion below the box-tuning frequency. The
acoustic output is also decreasing rapidly;
therefore, it is sensible to protect the Sb180
and maximize the power output of the sub­woofer by inserting an active 32-Hz high­pass filter with a slope of at least 12-dB per
octave into the circuit. Such subpassband fil­ters are found in many commercially avail­able crossovers and equalizers including
items manufactured by Electro-Voice.

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like all other vented systems,

Sb180 Subwoofer

Frequency Response

The Sb180’s axial frequency response was
measured in Electro-Voice’s large anechoic
chamber at a distance of 3 meters (10 feet)
with a swept sine-wave input. Figure 1 has
been averaged and corrected for 1 watt at
1 meter.

Enclosure Construction

Intended to be used as a portable speake sys-

Sb180 Subwoofer

tem, the Sb180 is ruggedly constructed of

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/4-inch void-free plywood. All joints are
dado cut, and the cabinet is finished with a
rugged paint finish that is both attractive and
highly durable. A full-length steel grille
protects the woofer from damage. Heavy­duty, firmly secured rubber feet and recessed
handles complete the picture, ensuring that
the Sb180 speaker system is ideally suited
for a long and reliable life on the road.

Sb180 Connections

The Sb180 is equipped with two paralleled

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Neutrik Speakon

NL4MPR-V connectors,
selected for their ability to reliably deliver
to the speaker components the high currents
delivered by high-wattage power amplifiers.
The NL4FC is a four-pin connector, and Fig­ure 5 shows how the usual two-conductor
speaker cable should be wired to pins 1+ and
1– of the connector.

Note also that Neutrik Speakon

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cables, con­nectors and wiring accessories are available
from Pro Co Sound, Inc. and Whirlwind Mu­sic Distributors, Inc. To find your local Pro
Co, Whirlwind or Neutrik dealer, contact:

Pro Co Sound, Inc.

135 E. Kalamazoo Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
616/388-9675

Whirlwind Music Distributors, Inc.

P.O. Box 1075
Rochester, NY 14603
716/663-8820

Neutrik USA, Inc.

195-S3 Lehigh Ave.
Lakewood, NJ 08701
908/901-9488

Use with Satellite Speaker Systems

3

/8-in. stand mount in the top surface of

The 1
the Sb180 can be used with any length of
standard 1

3

/8-in. tube. Care should be taken
to ensure that the Sb180 is used on a flat and
level surface. Electro-V oice strongly recom­mends that the top of the satellite speaker be
no more than 8 feet (244 cm) above the
ground and weigh no more than 75 pounds
(34 kg). It is the responsibility of the user to
ensure that the system is safe and stable. Do
not use where the system can be easily
knocked over. A 34-inch mounting pole is
included with the Sb180.

Service

In the unlikely event the Sb180 requires ser­vice, the woofer can be replaced or serviced
from the front. A service data sheet is avail­able from Electro-Voice.

Power-Handling Test

Electro-Voice components and systems are
manufactured to exacting standards, ensur­ing they will hold up, not only through the
most rigorous of power tests, but also
through continued use in arduous, real-life
conditions. The EIA Loudspeaker Power
Rating Full Range (ANSI/EIA RS-426-A

1980) uses a noise spectrum which mimics
typical music and tests the thermal and me­chanical capabilities of the components.
Electro-Voice will support relevant addi­tional standards as and when they become
available. Extreme, in-house power tests,
which push the performance boundaries of
the woofers, are also performed and passed
to ensure years of trouble-free service.

Specifically, the Sb180 passes ANSI/EIA
RS-426-A 1980 with the following values:

R

= 6.9 ohms (1.15 x RE)

SR

P

= 600 watts

E(MAX)

Test voltage = 64.34 volts rms,

128.7 volts peak

The “peak” power-handling capacity of a
woofer is determined by the peak test volt­age amount. For the Sb180, a 128.7-volt peak
test voltage translates into 2,400-watts short­term peak power-handling capacity. This is
the equivalent of four times the “average”

power-handling capacity, and is a peak that
can be sustained for only a few milliseconds.
However, this sort of short duration peak is
very typical in speech and music. Provided
the amplifier can reproduce the signal accu­rately, without clipping, the woofer will also
perform accurately and reliably, even at these
levels.

Architects’ and Engineers’
Specifications

The loudspeaker shall be a horn-loaded type.
The low frequencies shall be reproduced with
a 600-watt (ANSI/EIA RS-426-A 1980)
EVX-180B 460-mm (18-in.) woofer. The
system will reproduce the frequencies
from 33 to 250 Hz. The system shall be
capable of producing average sound lev­els in excess of 128 dB in the long term,
and short-term peaks of 135 dB.

The enclosure shall be constructed of black,
painted, multilayer plywood and have a metal
grille which attaches with six screws. The
dimensions shall be 603.3 mm (23.75 in.)
tall, 571.5 mm (22.5 in.) wide and 806.5 mm
(31.75 in.) deep. The system shall weigh
43 kg (102 lb). Neutrik Speakon

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connec-

tions shall be provided.

3

/8-in. stand mount capable of support-

A 1
ing 75 pounds (34 kg) will be provided in
the top surface of the Sb180 enclosure.

The loudspeaker system shall be the
Electro-Voice Sb180 subwoofer.

Limited Warranty

Electro-Voice products are guaranteed
against malfunction due to defects in mate­rials or workmanship for a specified period,
as noted in the individual product-line
statement(s) below, or in the individual prod­uct data sheet or owner’s manual, beginning
with the date of original purchase. If such
malfunction occurs during the specified pe­riod, the product will be repaired or replaced
(at our option) without charge. The product
will be returned to the customer prepaid.
Exclusions and Limitations: The Limited
W arranty does not apply to: (a) exterior fin­ish or appearance; (b) certain specific items
described in the individual product-line
statement(s) below, or in the individual prod-

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