KAM KXO50 Instruction Manual
KAM KXO50
Pro frequency crossover unit
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SPECIFICATION
AUDIO INPUT/OUTPUT Unbalanced XLR / Line level / +4dBu
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 10Hz-30kHz, -0.5dB
CROSSOVER FREQUENCIES 80Hz-1.6kHz switchable to 800Hz-16kHz / Subwoofer 75/120Hz
SLOPE Channel filters 12dB/Oct / Subwoofer 24dB/Oct
S/N RATIO 80dB
THD <0.05%
INPUT 1V / 15 kOhms unbalanced ±10dB adjustable
OUTPUT 1V / 100 Ohms unbalanced ±10dB adjustable
POWER SUPPLY 230V~/50hz / 5VA
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0 - 40˚C
DIMENSIONS 482 x 44.5 x 220mm (1U)
WEIGHT 2.5Kg
Due to continuous product development, specifications are subject to change.
KAM KXO50
Pro frequency crossover unit
OVERVIEW
Congratulations on your choice of the Kam
KXO50 crossover. The KXO50 is a
traditional ‘frequency dividing unit’
designed to be used in conjunction with
the other components which go together
to form medium to large scale Public
Address systems. It is also living proof of
the Kam philosophy of providing you with
audio tools that give you the features and
performance you need at a price you can
afford. This manual provides a description
of the controls and their functions.
ALWAYS reduce master level controls to a zero setting and
turn off the mains power before making any connections.
ALWAYS reduce master level controls to a zero setting before
switching from ‘two way’ to ‘three way’ operation and before
using the ‘range’ switches.
Excess signal levels can damage your hearing and your
equipment; if the sound coming from your speakers is
distorting then something is wrong... check signal level
meters throughout the signal chain and reduce levels
accordingly.
TYPICAL USAGE
We describe the KXO50 as a ‘frequency dividing unit’
because that sums up what it does very nicely. Small PA
systems tend to use ‘full frequency’ speakers (usually a
stereo pair). Larger systems designed to produce much
higher sound pressure levels demand a different approach
because full frequency speaker enclosures are not able to
cope with the demands of delivering the entire sound
frequency spectrum at very high volume. The solution is to
use separate cabinets to deliver different slices or ‘bands’ of
the audio spectrum. Some systems use one cabinet for the
bass & mid frequencies and a second for the high
frequencies - we call this ‘two way’. Others divide the
spectrum into three with separate cabinets for low, mid and
high frequencies - we call this ‘three way’. With even larger
systems the logic is extended to ‘four way’ operation with
separate cabinets for low, low mid, high mid and high
frequencies. In all these systems separate amplifiers are
used to drive the cabinets delivering each frequency band...
so if you have a two way system you need at least two
amplifiers, a three way system will require at least three
amplifiers etc.
To make all this possible we use a crossover (enter the
KXO50) placed between the outputs from a mixer and the
amplifiers. The crossover divides the incoming signal into the
appropriate number of ‘bands’ and sends it onwards to the
amplifiers. The wiring is simple; sound comes into the
KXO50 from a mixer, is divided and then sent from individual
audio outputs on the KXO50 to the inputs of each individual
amplifier.
The KXO50 has two different operating modes; ‘two way
stereo’ and ‘three way mono’. In ‘two way stereo’ mode an
incoming stereo audio signal is split into two bands (high and
low) and sent through two pairs of outputs so the signal
remains stereo even after it is divided. In ‘three way mono’
mode a mono incoming audio signal is divided into three
bands and sent through three individual outputs... and of
course remains mono. For three way mono operation (which
is logically liable to only be used for a very large PA system)
one might employ two KXO50 crossover units to deliver a
stereo PA system. It is also not unknown to use special ‘Y’
split audio cables (between the single individual outputs of
the KXO50 and both inputs of each amplifier) to configure an
entire three way system in mono.
The subwoofer output is primarily designed to enable users
to employ a single additional sub bass speaker cabinet to
provide enhanced and extended low frequency power to a two
way or three way system. It could also be used in conjunction
with the rest of the controls and connections to enable a full
four way (mono) system to be configured.
If you are very new to this you’ll find a complete explanation
and some typical wiring diagrams within the free Tuition
section of www.kam.co.uk... you’ll even find advice on how to
use a graphic EQ like the Kam KEQ152 to fine tune the
sound of your system.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS - IN TWO WAY STEREO MODE
q
Input level gain control. Use this to set an appropriate
incoming sound level.
w
Peak indicator LED. This LED flashes when the incoming
audio signal is approaching a level at which it may
distort. In normal use this LED may flash occasionally. If
it illuminates continuously you probably need to reduce
the incoming signal level.
e
Channel 1 crossover frequency control. This sets the
frequency at which the audio signal for channel one is
divided. Frequencies below the frequency cutoff point will
be routed to the channel one rear panel output marked
‘Low’. Frequencies above the frequency cutoff point will
be routed to the channel one rear panel audio output
marked ‘Hi’.
r
Channel 1 range switch. This button alters the behavior
of the channel 1 crossover frequency control. When
released and in the ‘x1’ position, this button causes the
crossover frequency control to operate using the range
of frequencies as marked on the front panel around the
control. However when depressed and in the ‘x10’
position, this button multiplies the front panel calibration
by a factor of 10.
t
Channel 1 low level control. This adjusts the audio
output level for the channel 1 rear panel output marked
‘Low’.
y
Channel 1 high level control. This adjusts the audio
output level for the channel 1 rear panel output marked
‘Hi’.
u
Channel 1 Phase invert switch. This button reverses the
polarity of the audio signals routed to the channel 1
audio outputs. This function is useful in some
circumstances for compensation for perceived
delay/phase problems arising from physical speaker
placement in relation to the audience.
i
Mode switch. This button determines whether the
KXO50 is operating in ‘two way stereo’ or ‘three way
mono’ modes.
o
Channel 2 crossover frequency control. This sets the
frequency at which the audio signal for channel two is
divided. Frequencies below the frequency cutoff point will
be routed to the channel two rear panel output marked
‘Low’. Frequencies above the frequency cutoff point will
be routed to the channel two rear panel audio output
marked ‘Hi’.
1)
Channel 2 range switch. This button alters the behavior
of the channel 2 crossover frequency control. When
released and in the ‘x1’ position, this button causes the
crossover frequency control to operate using the range
of frequencies as marked on the front panel around the
control. However when depressed and in the ‘x10’
position, this button multiplies the front panel calibration
by a factor of 10.
1!
Channel 2 low level control. This adjusts the audio output
level for the channel 2 rear panel output marked ‘Low’.
1@
Channel 2 high level control. This adjusts the audio
output level for the channel 2 rear panel output
marked ‘Hi’.
1#
Channel 2 Phase invert switch. This button reverses the
polarity of the audio signals routed to the channel 2
audio outputs. This function is useful in some
circumstances for compensation for perceived
delay/phase problems arising from physical speaker
placement in relation to the audience.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS - IN THREE WAY MONO MODE.
Although the functionality for many of the controls remain
similar to ‘two way stereo’ mode the way in which incoming
audio signals are divided and routed is very different in ‘three
way mono’ mode. All of the front panel controls become
devoted to the division of a single incoming mono signal.
q
Input level gain control. Use this to set an appropriate
incoming sound level.
w
Peak indicator LED. This LED flashes when the incoming
audio signal is approaching a level at which it may
distort. In normal use this LED may flash occasionally. If
it illuminates continuously you probably need to reduce
the incoming signal level.
e
Channel 1 crossover frequency control. Frequencies
below the frequency cutoff point will be routed to the
channel one rear panel output marked ‘Low’. Frequencies
above the frequency cutoff point will be routed to the
channel two rear panel audio output marked ‘Mid’.
r
Channel 1 range switch. This button alters the behavior
of the channel 1 crossover frequency control. When
released and in the ‘x1’ position, this button causes the
crossover frequency control to operate using the range
of frequencies as marked on the front panel around the
control. However when depressed and in the ‘x10’
position, this button multiplies the front panel calibration
by a factor of 10.
t
Channel 1 low level control. This adjusts the audio output
level for the channel 1 rear panel output marked ‘Low’.
y
Channel 1 high level control. This control is inactive in
‘three way mono’ mode.
u
Channel 1 Phase invert switch. This button reverses the
polarity of the audio signals routed to the channel 1
audio outputs. This function is useful in some
circumstances for compensation for perceived
delay/phase problems arising from physical speaker
placement in relation to the audience.
i
Mode switch. This button determines whether the
KXO50 is operating in ‘two way stereo’ or ‘three way
mono’ modes.
o
Channel 2 crossover frequency control. Frequencies
below the frequency cutoff point will be routed to the
channel two rear panel output marked ‘Mid’. Frequencies
above the frequency cutoff point will be routed to the
channel two rear panel audio output marked ‘Hi’.
1)
Channel 2 range switch. This button alters the behavior
of the channel 2 crossover frequency control. When
released and in the ‘x1’ position, this button causes the
crossover frequency control to operate using the range
of frequencies as marked on the front panel around the
control. However when depressed and in the ‘x10’
position, this button multiplies the front panel calibration
by a factor of 10.
1!
Channel 2 low level control. This adjusts the audio output
level for the channel 2 rear panel output marked ‘Mid’.
1@
Channel 2 high level control. This adjusts the audio
output level for the channel 2 rear panel output
marked ‘Hi’.
1#
Channel 2 Phase invert switch. This button reverses the
polarity of the audio signals routed to the channel 2
audio outputs. This function is useful in some
circumstances for compensation for perceived
delay/phase problems arising from physical speaker
placement in relation to the audience.
SUBWOOFER OUTPUT FRONT PANEL CONTROLS IN ALL MODES
NOTE:- The subwoofer output carries a ‘summed mono’
signal... which means the signals from both channel one and
two are combined and delivered as a composite mono signal.
1$
Subwoofer range switch. This button determines the
crossover frequency for the subwoofer output. When
released and in the ‘75Hz’ position all frequencies below
75Hz will be routed to the rear panel subwoofer audio
output. When depressed and in the ‘120Hz’ position, all
frequencies below 120Hz will be routed to the subwoofer
output.
1%
Subwoofer level control. Use this to adjust the output
signal level for the rear panel subwoofer output.
1^
Subwoofer Phase invert switch. This button reverses the
polarity of the audio signal routed to the subwoofer
output. This function is useful in some circumstances for
compensation for perceived delay/phase problems arising
from physical speaker placement in relation to the
audience.
REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS
1&
115V/230V voltage switch.
1*
Ground lift switch. This switch disconnects the KXO50
earth connection via its power supply. It can be used to
help eliminate problems arising from audio hum caused
by electrical earth ‘loops’.
1(
Mains power inlet.
2)
Subwoofer audio output. This XLR audio connector
delivers a mono line level audio signal as determined by
the front panel subwoofer output controls.
2!
Audio outputs. These XLR audio connectors deliver line
level audio signals as determined by the front panel
controls.
In ‘two way stereo’ mode; The left connectors for channel 1 &
2 should be connected to the inputs of the amplifier to be
used to drive your high frequency speakers. The right
connectors for channel 1 & 2 should be connected to the
inputs of the amplifier to be used to drive your low/mid
frequency speakers.
In ‘three way mono’ mode; The left connector for channel 2
should be connected to the input of the amplifier to be used
to drive your high frequency speakers. The right connector
for channel 2 should be connected to the input of the
amplifier to be used to drive your mid frequency speakers.
The right connector for channel 1 should be connected to the
input of the amplifier to be used to drive your low frequency
speakers. The left connector for channel 1 becomes inactive
in 3 way mono mode.
2@
Audio inputs. This pair of XLR input connectors
are designed to accept a line level audio signal.
In ‘two way stereo’ mode; they perform much like any other
‘L&R’ stereo audio input connection.
In ‘three way mono’ mode; the right input accepts a mono
audio signal and the left input becomes inactive.
© COPYRIGHT LAMBA plc 2005. E&O E. MADE IN CHINA.
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1!
1@
1#
1$
1^
1%
1*
1(
1&
2) 2! 2! 2! 2! 2@ 2@
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