Mackie HD1531 User Manual

HD1531

3-Way High-Definition

Powered Loudspeaker

O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L

Important Safety Instructions

PORTABLE CART

WARNING

CAUTION AVIS

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE.

AUCUN ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L'USAGER.

CONFIER L'ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.

AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D'INCENDIE OU D'ELECTROCUTION, N'EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE

A LA PLUIE OU A L'HUMIDITE

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.

Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral
est utilisé pour alerter l'utilisateur de la présence à l'intérieur du coffret de
"voltage dangereux" non isolé d'ampleur suffisante pour constituer un risque
d'éléctrocution.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the
user of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Le point d'exclamation à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est employé
pour alerter les utilisateurs de la présence d'instructions importantes pour le
fonctionnement et l'entretien (service) dans le livret d'instruction
accompagnant l'appareil.

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

HD1531

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the

manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,

stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type

plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other.
A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10.

Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a

risk of fire or electric shock.

11.

Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at

plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
apparatus.

12.

Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

13.

Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or

table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with
the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution
when moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.

14.

Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or

when unused for long periods of time.

15.

Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required

when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power­supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

16.

This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no

object filled with liquids, such as vases or beer glasses, shall be placed
on the apparatus.

17.

This apparatus has been designed with Class-I construction and must

be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing con­nection (the third grounding prong).

18.

The MAINS plug or an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect
device, so the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.

19. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with

the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equip­ment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the
receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
help.

CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this device not expressly

approved by LOUD Technologies Inc. could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment under FCC rules.

20. This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B (whichever is

applicable)

limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as
set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department
of Communications.

ATTENTION — Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits

radioélectriques dépassant las limites applicables aux appareils
numériques de class A/de class B (selon le cas) prescrites dans le
réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par les ministere des
communications du Canada.

21.

Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing

loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility 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 permissible noise level exposures shown in the following chart.

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits

could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially danger
ous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all
persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pres­sure levels use hearing protectors while the equipment is in operation.
Ear plugs or protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn
when operating the equipment in order to prevent permanent hearing
loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set forth here:

-



HD1531

Duration,
per day in
hours
8 90 Duo in small club
6 92
4 95 Subway Train
3 97
2 100 Very loud classical music

1.5 102
1 105 Steve screaming at Troy about

0.5

0.25 or less

Sound Level
dBA, Slow
Response

110
115 Loudest parts at a rock concert

Typical Example

deadlines

WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not

expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

22.

Rigging Precautions: When mounting or suspending loudspeaker enclo-

sures, it is essential that load ratings, rigging techniques, and special
safety considerations be appropriate for the installation. Use only the
mounting/rigging points on the loudspeaker enclosure intended for
this purpose. The user must determine the load requirements, dynamic
loading, and any other contributing factors affecting the loudspeaker
installation. The user must determine the proper design factor for
specific applications and the required load rating of the connection to
structure. Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regula­tions.

We strongly recommend the following rigging system practices:

• Documentation: Thoroughly document the mounting/rigging
design with detailed drawings and parts lists.

• Analysis: Have a licensed structural engineer or other qualified
professional review and approve the mounting/rigging design
before its implementation.

• Installation: Use personnel experienced and qualified for mount
ing/rigging loudspeakers in accordance with and in compliance
with all federal, state and local regulations.

DANGER: Loudspeakers should be mounted or suspended only
by persons with knowledge of the proper hardware and rigging

techniques. When stacking or pole-mounting loudspeakers, be
sure that they are stabilized and secured from falling over or being ac
cidentally pushed over. Failure to follow these precautions may result
in damage to the equipment, personal injury, or death.

Owner’s Manual

Contents

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 2
INTRODUCTION 3
FEATURES 3
HOOKUP DIAGRAMS 4
REAR PANEL FEATURES 5
PLACEMENT 7
ROOM ACOUSTICS 7
RIGGING 8
THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS 9

-

-

AC POWER 9
CARE AND MAINTENANCE 9
APPENDIX A: SERVICE INFORMATION 10
APPENDIX B: CONNECTIONS 11
APPENDIX C: TECHNICAL INFORMATION 12
HD1531 BLOCK DIAGRAM 13
HD1531 GRAPHS AND DIMENSIONS 14
HD1531 LIMITED WARRANTY 15

Introduction

The HD1531 Powered Loudspeaker represents the
first step into portable high-definition live sound, pro­viding precise, articulate full-range sound at the high­output levels demanded of modern PA systems. Three
Class-D Fast Recovery™ amplifiers efficiently drive
1800 Watts of total system power, providing maximum
output with minimal distortion. True high-definition
sound is possible thanks to an arsenal of technological
innovations including our patented acoustic correction
processing that was previously only available on high­end stadium touring systems. This complex processing,
along with a phase-coherent electronic crossover and
transducer time-alignment provide unparalleled acous­tic accuracy that has to be heard to be believed.

The 15” neodymium woofer, 6” midrange transducer
and heat-treated titanium compression driver are
custom designed by the award winning engineering
team at EAW, delivering the ultimate in both quality and
performance. A user-adjustable 3-band contour EQ is
built into the loudspeaker and features a sweepable mid
frequency for precise tonal shaping.

All of these high-end components are housed in a
rugged, all-wood enclosure that not only protects, but
allows for multiple mounting options including flying
and pole-mounting. The HD1531 brings high-definition
sound to the world of portable PA systems.

Features

• 1800W of ultra-efficient Class-D Fast
Recovery™ amplification

• LF 700W RMS / 1400W peak

• MF 100W RMS / 200W peak

• HF 100W RMS / 200W peak

• High-definition audio processing includes:

• Revolutionary patented acoustic correction
algorithms

• Transducer time alignment and phase
correction

• Precision 3-way crossover

• Custom designed transducers by EAW

• 15” neodymium woofer with 3” voice coil

• 6” horn-loaded, high-output mid-range
transducer

• 1.75” compression driver with heat-treated
titanium diaphragm

• User-adjustable 3-band contour EQ with
sweepable mid-frequency

• Optimized wide-dispersion WaveFront™
high / mid horn system

• Ultra-compact and lightweight

• Integrated limiting and protection circuitry

• Rugged all wood cabinet (15mm birch plywood)

• 12 integrated fly points for horizontal and
vertical rigging

• Stand / pole mountable

Part No. SW0738 Rev. B 05/09

©2004-2009 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Owner’s Manual

3

HD1531

3-WAY HIGH DEFINITION POWERED LOUDSPEAKER

HD1531

3-WAY HIGH DEFINITION POWERED LOUDSPEAKER

HD1531

3-WAY HIGH DEFINITION POWERED LOUDSPEAKER

HD1531

3-WAY HIGH DEFINITION POWERED LOUDSPEAKER

+6dB–6dB

+6dB–6dB

+6dB–6dB

Mixer

Right

line level

output

Left

line level

output

To Next
Speaker

To Next
Speaker

1202-VLZ3

+6dB–6dB

Power
Cord

Power
Cord

Pole

Mount

Pole

Mount

Line-level

Hi-pass

out

Line-level

Hi-pass

out

Full

Range

Full

Range

Power
Cords

Power
Cords

Powered subwoofer

plays the low

frequencies

Powered subwoofer

plays the low

frequencies

Mixer

HD1531

reproduces all

frequencies

above the

subwoofer’s

crossover point

HD1531

reproduces all

frequencies

above the

subwoofer’s

crossover point

1202-VLZ3

Left

line level

output

Right

line level

output

Hookup Diagrams

HD1531

DAISY-CHAINING MULTIPLE HD1531 s



HD1531

HD1531: 4-WAY SYSTEM WITH POWERED SUBWOOFERS

Rear Panel Features

+6dB–6dB

20Hz100

Hz

1k

Hz

10kHz20k

Hz

–3

–2

–1

0

+1

+2

+3

20Hz100

Hz

1k

Hz

10kHz20k

Hz

–3

–2

–1

0

+1

+2

+3

20Hz100

Hz

1k

Hz

10kHz20k

Hz

–3

–2

–1

0

+1

+2

+3

1. MAIN INPUT

This is a female XLR-type connector that accepts
a balanced line-level signal from a mixing console or
other signal source.

2. LOOP OUT

This is a male XLR-type connector that produces
exactly the same signal that is connected to the main in­put jack. Use it to daisy-chain several HD1531's together
off the same signal source.

Contour EQ

1

2

3

9

4 5 6 7 8

Owner’s Manual

10
11

This built-in 3-band EQ allows the HD1531 to be
tailored for any sound application. Use it to help com­pensate for poor room acoustics, boost highs and lows
for low-volume applications, or for any other variety of
needs.

3. EQ ON

Press this in to engage the Contour EQ
circuit. The LED next to the switch will light to
indicate that the EQ is on. Use this switch to
engage or bypass the EQ, or toggle it repeatedly
while listening carefully to judge the EQ’s
effect.

4. LOW

This knob allows up to
3 dB of boost or cut at
80 Hz, with no change
in level at the unity
(U) mark. This is a
shelving EQ.

5. MID

This knob allows up to 3 dB of boost or cut at a
mid frequency set by the freq knob (6), with no
change in level at the unity (U) mark. This is a
peaking EQ.

6. FREQ

This knob allows you to adjust the center
frequency of the mid-peaking EQ, from 100 Hz
to 8 kHz, with 600 Hz at the center position.

Owner’s Manual

12

13

5

7. HIGH

20Hz100

Hz

1k

Hz

10kHz20k

Hz

–3

–2

–1

0

+1

+2

+3

11. SIG/LIMIT LED

This knob allows up
to 3 dB of boost or cut
at 12 kHz, with no
change in level at the

HD1531

unity (U) mark. This is
a shelving EQ.

8. LEVEL

This controls the overall signal level at the input to
the built-in power amplifiers. It ranges from –6 dB to
+6 dB of gain. The center detent is 0 dB (unity gain).

9. POWER LIGHT ON

Press this switch in to turn on the front panel power
LED if a visual indicator is preferred. The LED next to
the switch will light as a reminder.

If this switch is out, and the HD1531 is turned on, the
LED on the front of the cabinet will not light, nor will
the LED next to the switch.

10. THERMAL LED

The HD1531 is equipped with a thermal protection
circuit that monitors the internal temperature of the
amplifiers and heatsink. If the temperature exceeds a
safe operating level, this indicator lights and the input
signal is muted to allow the amplifiers to cool. When the
temperature cools to a safe level once again, the thermal
protection circuit deactivates, the thermal LED turns off
and the HD1531 returns to normal operation.

When the HD1531 is in thermal protect mode, the
power LED (12) will remain lit, indicating that the unit
is still powered on despite the lack of output. If power
light on (9) is engaged, the front panel power LED will
go out when in thermal protect mode.

Activation of the thermal protection circuit
is an indication that you should take steps to
avoid continued thermal problems. See “Ther­mal Considerations” on page 9.

This bi-color LED illuminates green whenever there is
a signal present at the main input connector. It senses
the signal just after the level control, so adjustments to
the level control will affect the sig/limit indicator.

The HD1531 has a built-in limiter that helps to pre­vent the amplifier outputs from clipping or overdriving
the transducers. The sig/limit indicator lights in yellow
when the limiter is activated. It's okay for it to blink
yellow occasionally, but if it blinks frequently or lights
continuously, turn down the level control until it only
blinks occasionally.

Excessive limiting may lead to overheat­ing, which in turn trips the thermal protect

circuitry and interrupts the performance. See
‘Thermal Considerations’ on page 9 for more informa­tion.

12. POWER

Use this switch to turn the HD1531 on and off. The
LED next to the switch will illuminate when powered
on. The front panel LED will also turn on, but only if the
power light on switch (9) is engaged.

Press the bottom of this switch to put the speaker into
standby mode. The HD1531 will not function, but the
circuits are still live. To remove AC power, either turn
off the AC mains supply, or unplug the power cord from
the speaker and the AC mains supply.

As a general guide, the powered speakers
should be turned on last, after the mixer and
other sources. They should also be the first

things turned off. This will reduce the possi­bility of any turn-on, or turn-off thumps in your speak­ers.

13. IEC AC Receptacle

This jack accepts the supplied 3-prong AC power cord.

Before you plug the AC power cord into the

powered loudspeaker, make sure that the

voltage of your unit (listed above the IEC AC

receptacle) is the same voltage as your local
AC mains supply. Use only the power cord supplied.
Also, disconnecting the plug’s ground pin is dangerous.
Don’t do it. And no running with scissors either. Let's be
safe out there!



HD1531

Placement

WARNING: Installation should only be done by
an experienced technician. Improper installa-

tion may result in damage to the equipment,
injury or death. Make sure that the loudspeaker is
installed in a stable and secure way in order to avoid
any conditions that may be dangerous for persons or
structures.

The HD1531 speaker is designed to sit on the floor
or stage. It may also be pole-mounted via the built-in
socket on the bottom of the cabinet. Be sure the pole
is capable of supporting the weight of the HD1531. The
HD1531 may also be flown horizontally or vertically via
its 12 integrated fly points.

Check to make sure that the support surface (e.g.,
floor, etc.) has the necessary mechanical characteristics
to support the weight of the loudspeaker(s).

When pole-mounting loudspeakers, be sure that they
are stabilized and secured from falling over or being
accidentally pushed over. Failure to follow these precau­tions may result in damage to the equipment, personal
injury, or death.

You can create a horizontal array by placing the cabi­nets side-by-side. However, you should have a good un­derstanding of the relationship between the splay angle
(the angle between the facing sides of the cabinets),
the on-axis power, and frequency cancellation effects
between cabinets.

When two cabinets are positioned vertically side­by-side, the actual splay angle is 20º (determined by
a 10º angle on each cabinet side). As the splay angle
increases toward the angle of horizontal coverage (90º
for the HD1531), the on-axis power decreases, but the
frequency response becomes smoother as the comb-fil­tering effects (caused by the interaction in the area of
double-coverage) decrease.

As with any powered components, protect them from
moisture. Avoid installing the loudspeaker in places
exposed to harsh weather conditions. If you are setting
them up outdoors, make sure they are under cover if you
expect rain.

Room Acoustics

The HD1531 loudspeakers are designed to sound neu­tral; that is, to reproduce the input signal as accurately
as possible.

• Avoid placing loudspeakers in the corners of
a room. Doing so increases the low frequency
output and can cause the sound to be muddy
and indistinct.

• Avoid placing loudspeakers against a wall. This,
too, increases the low frequency output, though
not as much as corner placement. However, this
is a good way to reinforce the low frequencies,
if so desired.

• Avoid placing the speakers directly on a hol
low stage floor. A hollow stage can resonate at
certain frequencies, causing peaks and dips in
the frequency response of the room. It is better
to place the loudspeakers on a sturdy table
or stand designed to handle the weight of the
HD1531.

• Position the loudspeakers so the high-frequency
drivers are 2 to 4 feet above ear level for the au­dience (make allowances for a standing/danc­ing in the aisles audience). High frequencies
are highly directional and tend to be absorbed
much easier than lower frequencies. By provid­ing direct line-of-sight from the loudspeakers to
the audience, you increase the overall bright­ness and intelligibility of the sound system.

• Highly reverberant rooms, like many gymna
siums and auditoriums, are a nightmare for
sound system intelligibility. Multiple reflections
off the hard walls, ceiling, and floor play havoc
with the sound. Depending on the situation,
you may be able to take some steps to minimize
the reflections, such as putting carpeting on
the floors, closing draperies to cover large glass
windows, or hanging tapestries or other materi­als on the walls to absorb some of the sound.

However, in most cases, these remedies are not

possible or practical. So what do you do? Mak­ing the sound system louder generally doesn’t
work because the reflections become louder,
too. The best approach is to provide as much di­rect sound coverage to the audience as possi­ble. The farther away you are from the speaker,
the more prominent will be the reflected sound.

Use more speakers strategically placed so they

are closer to the back of the audience. If the
distance between the front and back speakers
is more than about 100 feet, you should use a
delay processor to time-align the sound. (Since
sound travels about 1 foot per millisecond, it
takes about 1/10 of a second to travel 100 feet.)

-

-

Owner’s Manual

Room acoustics play a crucial role in the overall per­formance of a sound system. Here are some additional
placement tips to help overcome some typical room
problems that might arise:

Keep in mind that the Contour EQ is a great way to

compensate for some of these issues.

Owner’s Manual



Rigging

HD1531s may be individually flown horizontally or
vertically using M10 X 1.5 X 37 mm forged shoulder
eyebolts.

HD1531

WARNING: Installation should only be done by
an experienced technician. Improper instal-

lation may result in damage to the equip­ment, injury or death. Make sure that the loudspeaker
is installed in a stable and secure way in order to avoid
any conditions that may be dangerous for persons or
structures.

WARNING: The cabinet is suitable for rigging

via its fly points. NEVER attempt to suspend

the HD1531 by its handles.

Rigging Design Practices

Rigging a loudspeaker requires determining:

1. The rigging methods and hardware that meet static,
shock, dynamic, and any other load requirements for
supporting the loudspeaker from structure.

2. The design factor for and the required WLL (Work­ing Load Limit) for this support.

Mackie strongly recommends the following rigging
practices:

1. Documentation: Thoroughly document the design
with detailed drawings and parts lists.

2. Analysis: Have a qualified professional, such as a
licensed Professional Engineer, review and approve the
design before its implementation.

3. Installation: Have a qualified professional rigger do
the installation and inspection.

4. Safety: Use adequate safety precautions and back­up systems.

1 Fly Points

MP

MP

Two per side

Rear Fly Points (adjust angle)

Side Fly Points

MP

MP

Two on the rear

Flown Vertically Flown Horizontally

MP

MP

MP

MP

Top Fly Points

MP=Mounting Point

MP

MP MP

Three each on the top and bottom

Lower Rear Fly Point

(adjusts angle)



HD1531

Rigging Hardware and Accessories

Rigging Mackie loudspeakers will invariably require
hardware not supplied by Mackie. Various types of load­rated hardware are available from a variety of third­party sources. There are a number of such companies
specializing in manufacturing hardware for, designing,
and installing rigging systems. Each one of these tasks
is a discipline in its own right. Because of the hazardous
nature of rigging work and the potential liability, engage
companies that specialize in these disciplines to do the
work required.

Mackie does offer certain accessory rigging items,
primarily for attachment to the hardware integral with
the loudspeaker. Some items, such as eyebolts, may be
used with a variety of products. While these accessories
are intended to facilitate installation, the wide variety of
possible installation conditions and array configurations
do not permit Mackie to determine their suitability or
load rating for any particular application.

Mackie is not in the business of providing complete
rigging systems, either as designers, manufacturers, or
installers. It is the responsibility of the installer to pro­vide a properly engineered, load-certified rigging system
for supporting the loudspeaker from structure.

Rigging Notes

The HD1531’s intergral mounting points are designed
to support only the weight of their own loudspeaker
with suitable, external hardware. This means that each
HD loudspeaker must be supported independently of
any other HD loudspeaker and any other loads.

built-in thermal switch will activate, muting the sig-

Owner’s Manual

nal and lighting the thermal LED. When the amplifier
has cooled down to a safe operating temperature, the
thermal switch resets itself, and the HD1531 resumes
normal operation.

If the thermal switch activates frequently, try turning
down the level control a notch or two on the mixing con­sole (or the back of the HD1531) to avoid overheating
the amplifier. Be aware that direct sunlight and/or hot
stage lights may be the culprit of an amplifier overheat­ing.

AC Power

Be sure the HD1531 is plugged into an outlet that
is able to supply the correct voltage specified for your
model. If the voltage should drop below 95% of the spec­ified line voltage, the built-in amplifiers will no longer
be able to supply rated power. (They will continue to
operate down to 80% of the rated line voltage, but won’t
reach full power, resulting in lower headroom.)

Be sure the electrical service can supply enough am­perage for all the components connected to it.

We recommend that a stiff (robust) supply of AC
power be used because the amplifiers place high cur­rent demands on the AC line. The more power that is
available on the line, the louder the speakers will play
and the more peak output power will be available for a
cleaner, punchier bass. A suspected problem of “poor
bass performance” is often caused by a weak AC supply
to the amplifiers.

A minimum of two rigging points must be used to hang
an HD1531. More may be used for creating the desired
hanging angle as shown in the illustrations on page 8.
All mounting points are fully load bearing so any two
may be used for rigging; no mounting points are restrict­ed to angle control only.

Thermal Considerations

The HD1531 has three powerful built-in amplifiers ca­pable of producing a combined 900 watts of rms power.
As an amplifier works, it produces heat. The higher the
signal level, the louder and hotter it gets. It is important
to dissipate the heat as quickly as possible. This results
in increased reliability and longevity for the amplifier.

The amplifier module is mounted on a large heatsink,
which is cooled by convection where cool air is drawn
through its fins, carrying the heat away. In order for this
convection cooling to work efficiently, it is important
to provide adequate airspace behind the loudspeaker.
When positioning the HD1531, we recommend leaving at
least six inches of air space behind it.

Never remove the ground pin on the power
cord or any other component of the HD1531.
This is very dangerous.

Care and Maintenance

Your Mackie loudspeakers will provide many years of

reliable service if you follow these guidelines:

• Avoid exposing the loudspeakers to moisture. If
they are set up outdoors, be sure they are under
cover if rain is expected.

• Avoid exposure to extreme cold (below freezing
temperatures). If you must operate the loud­speakers in a cold environment, warm up the
voice coils slowly by sending a low-level signal
through them for about 15 minutes prior to
high-power operation.

• Use a dry cloth to clean the cabinets. Only do
this when the power is turned off. Avoid getting
moisture into any of the openings of the cab­inet, particularly where the drivers are located.

In the unlikely event of the amplifier overheating, a

Owner’s Manual



Appendix A: Service Information

HD1531

If you think your Mackie product has a problem,
please check out the following troubleshooting tips and
do your best to confirm the problem. Visit the Support
section of our website (www.mackie.com/support)
where you will find lots of useful information such as
FAQs and other documentation. You may find the answer
to the problem without having to send your Mackie
product away.

the mixer and the loudspeakers. You may have
your positive and negative connections reversed
at one end of one cable, causing one loud­speaker to be out-of-phase.

Poor sound

• Is it loud and distorted? Make sure that you’re
not overdriving a stage in the signal chain.
Verify that all level controls are set properly.

• Is the input connector plugged completely into
the jack? Be sure all connections are secure.

Noise

Troubleshooting

No power

• Is it plugged in? Make sure the AC outlet is live
(check with a tester or lamp).

• Our next favorite question: Is the power switch
on? If not, try turning it on.

• Is the power LED on the rear panel glowing
green? If not, make sure the AC outlet is live. If
so, refer to “No sound” below.

• The internal AC line fuse may be blown. This is
not a user serviceable part. If you suspect the
AC line fuse is blown, please see the "Repair"
section next.

No sound

• Is the input level control for the input source
turned all the way down? Verify that all the
volume controls in the system are properly
adjusted.

• Is the signal source working? Make sure the
connecting cables are in good repair and
securely connected at both ends. Make sure the
output volume (gain) control on the mixing
console is turned up sufficiently to drive the
inputs of the speaker.

• Make sure the mixer does not have a Mute on
or a Processor loop engaged. If you find some­thing like this, make sure the volume/gain is
turned down before disengaging the offending
switch.

• Is the thermal indicator lit red on the rear
panel? Make sure there is at least six inches of
free space behind the HD1531.

Poor bass performance

• Check the polarity of the connections between

10

HD1531

• Make sure all connections to the active loud­speakers are good and sound.

• Make sure none of the signal cables are routed
near AC cables, power transformers, or other
EMI-inducing devices.

• Is there a light dimmer or other SCR-based
device on the same AC circuit as the HD1531?
Use an AC line filter or plug the HD1531 into a
different AC circuit.

Hum

• Try disconnecting the cable connected to the
main input jack. If the noise disappears, it
could be a “ground loop,” rather than a problem
with the HD1531. Try some of the following
troubleshooting ideas:

• Use balanced connections throughout your
system for the best noise rejection.

• Whenever possible, plug all the audio equip
ment’s linecords into outlets which share a
common ground. The distance between the
outlets and the common ground should be as
short as possible.

-

Repair

For warranty service, refer to the warranty informa-

tion on page 15.

Non-warranty service for Mackie products is avail­able at a factory-authorized service center. To locate
the nearest service center, visit www.mackie.com, click
“Support” and select “Locate a Service Center.” Service
for Mackie products living outside the United States can
be obtained through local dealers or distributors.

If you do not have access to our website, you may call
the Tech Support department at 1-800-898-3211, Mon­day-Friday, during normal business hours, Pacific Time,
to explain the problem. Tech Support will tell you where
the nearest factory-authorized service center is located
in your area.

Appendix B: Connections

“XLR” Connectors

The HD1531 has one female XLR input that accepts
a balanced line-level signal. When connecting a balanced
signal, be sure it’s wired per AES (Audio Engineering
Society) standards:

XLR

Hot (+) Pin 2
Cold (–)Pin 3
Shield (Ground) Pin 1

Owner’s Manual

Balanced XLR Connectors

There is also a male XLR connector on the HD1531
labeled loop out. This is also wired according to the AES
standards listed above.

The loop out connector allows you to connect several
HD1531’s. Simply plug the signal source (i.e., mixer
output) into the input jack, and patch that speaker’s
loop out jack to the next speaker’s input jack, and so on,
daisy-chaining multiple speakers. See page 4 for a visual
example of daisy-chaining.

There is a limit to how many you can
daisy-chain together. A general rule is to
maintain a load impedance ten times or
more than the source impedance to prevent

excessive loading on the source. For example, if your
mixer has an output impedance of 120 ohms, then you
can daisy chain up to nine HD1531s. This is a load of
1222 ohms (HD1531 input impedance=11 kohms; 9 of
these in parallel=1222 ohms). Since microphones typi­cally have a higher output impedance, you should limit
daisy-chaining from a mic source to two HD1531s.

The loop out jack is wired straight from the main
input connector — there is no electronic circuitry
between — so the signal coming out of the loop out jack
is exactly the same as the signal going in.

Owner’s Manual

11

Appendix C: Technical Information

HD1531 Specications

HD1531

Acoustic Performance:

Frequency Response (-10 dB) 38 Hz-20 kHz

Frequency Response (-3 dB) 50 Hz-18 kHz

Horizontal Coverage (-6 dB) 90 degrees averaged
2 kHz to 10 kHz

Vertical Coverage (-6 dB) 40 degrees averaged
2 kHz to 10 kHz

Directivity Index (dB) 10.7 averaged
2 kHz to 10 kHz

Directivity Factor (Q) 11.9 averaged
2 kHz to 10 kHz

Max peak SPL (calculated)1 135 dB

Max peak SPL (measured)2 126 dB

Crossover Points 400 Hz, 1500 Hz

Equalization

Contour EQ

Low Shelving -3 dB to +3 dB
80 Hz, 6 dB / octave

Mid-Peaking -3 dB to +3 dB
100 Hz to 8 kHz, Q=1.5

High Shelving -3 dB to +3 dB
12 kHz, 6 dB / octave

High-Frequency Section

Voice Coil Diameter 1.75” / 44.5 mm

Horn Entry Diameter 1.0” / 25 mm

Diaphragm Material Heat-treated titanium

Magnet Material Ferrite

Mid-Frequency Section

Diameter 6.0” / 152.4 mm

Diaphragm Material Paper

Magnet Material Ferrite

Power Amplifiers

Low Frequency Power Amplifier

Rated Power 700 watts rms
1400 watts peak

Rated THD < 0.03%

Design Class D

Mid Frequency Power Amplifier

Rated Power 100 watts rms each
200 watts peak

Rated THD < 0.03%

Design Class D

High Frequency Power Amplifier

Rated Power 100 watts rms each
200 watts peak

Rated THD < 0.03%

Design Class D

Input/Output

Input Type Female XLR balanced

Input Impedance 11 kohm balanced

Loop Out Male XLR balanced

Line Input Power

US model 120 VAC, 60 Hz

Recommended Service 9 amps

European model 230 VAC, 50 Hz

Recommended Service 5 amps

AC Connector 3-pin IEC 250 VAC

Safety Features

Input Protection: RMS limiting, power supply and
amplifier thermal protection

Display LEDs: Power ON, EQ ON, Sig / Limit,
Thermal protection, Front Power
ON

Low-Frequency Section

Woofer Diameter 15.0” / 381 mm

Voice Coil Diameter 3.0” / 76.2 mm

Diaphragm Material Paper

Magnet Material Neodymium

1 Calculated from driver sensitivity and amplifier power.

2 Measured with pink noise, free field at 1 meter, before limiting.

1

HD1531

Construction Features

Basic Design Trapezoidal, 20 degree included
angle

Material 15 mm exterior grade premium
birch plywood

Finish High durability black paint

Handles One on each side

Grille Powder-coated galvanized steel

Fly Points Twelve M10 x 1.5 mm

Input
XLR

Loop
Out
XLR

HF

MF

LF

Amp

Amp

Digital to
Analog
Converter

Digital to
Analog
Converter

Analog to
Digital
Converter

Signal /
Limit LED

HD
Loudspeaker
Processing

Limiter

Limiter

Mute

Level
Control

HD
Loudspeaker
Processing

Amp

Digital to
Analog
Converter

Limiter

HD
Loudspeaker
Processing

3-Band Contour EQ

80 100-8K 12K

LO MID HI

Thermal
Monitoring

Physical Properties

Height 35.40 in / 900 mm

Front Width 18.25 in / 463.5 mm

Rear Width 11.82 in / 300.2 mm

Depth 18.81 in / 477.8 mm

Weight 96 lb / 44 kg

Mounting Methods

Floor mount, pole mount, or fly via 12 integrated M10 mounting
points (using M10 x 1.5 x 37 mm forged shoulder eyebolts). See
page 8 for more information.

Disclaimer

Since we are always striving to make our products better by
incorporating new and improved materials, components, and
manufacturing methods, we reserve the right to change these
specifications at any time without notice.

“Mackie” and the “Running Man” figure are registered trade­marks of LOUD Technologies Inc.

All other brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowl­edged.

Owner’s Manual

©2009 LOUD Technologies Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

HD1531 Block Diagram

Correct disposal of this product. This symbol indicates that this product should not be disposed of with your household waste, according to the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) and your national law. This product
should be handed over to an authorized collection site for recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Improper handling of this type of waste could have a possible negative impact on the environment and
human health due to potentially hazardous substances that are generally associated with EEE. At the same time, your cooperation in the correct disposal of this product will contribute to the effective usage of natural
resources. For more information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local city office, waste authority, or your household waste disposal service.

Owner’s Manual

13

HD1531 Frequency Response On-Axis

18.25 in/
464 mm

18.81 in/
478 mm

35.4 in/

900 mm

WEIGHT

96.0 lb
44 kg

11.82 in/

300 mm

Horizon

tal

/ Vertical

Frequency (Hz)

Directivity Index (dB)

irectivity Factor

(

Q

)

20 100 1000 20000

20

10

1

Frequency (Hz)

Frequency (Hz)

Beamwidth (Degrees)

100 1000 20000

100

360

10

1

100

10

1

1/3 Octave Response

dB SPL @ 2.83 V

20 100 1000 20000

110

100

120

70

80

90

Horizon

tal

/ Vertical

Frequency (Hz)

Frequency (Hz)

Beamwidth (Degrees)

100 1000 20000

100

360

10

1

1/3 Octave Response

dB SPL @ 2.83 V

20 100 1000 20000

110

100

120

70

80

90

Frequency (Hz)

1/3 Octave Response

dB SPL @ 2.83 V

20 100 1000 20000

110

100

120

70

80

90

HD1531

HD1531 Beamwidth vs. Frequency HD1531 Directivity vs. Frequency

HD1531 Dimensions

1

HD1531

Mackie Limited Warranty

Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place.

This Limited Product Warranty (“Product Warranty”) is provided by LOUD Technologies Inc. (“LOUD”)
and is applicable to products purchased in the United States or Canada through a LOUD-authorized
reseller or dealer. The Product Warranty will not extend to anyone other than the original purchaser of
the product (hereinafter, “Customer,” “you” or “your”).

For products purchased outside the U.S. or Canada, please visit www.mackie.com/warranty to find
contact information for your local distributor, and information on any warranty coverage provided by the
distributor in your local market.

LOUD warrants to Customer that the product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship
under normal use during the Warranty Period. If the product fails to conform to the warranty then LOUD
or its authorized service representative will at its option, either repair or replace any such nonconforming
product, provided that Customer gives notice of the noncompliance within the Warranty Period to the
Company at: www.mackie.com/support or by calling LOUD technical support at 1.800.898.3211 (toll­free in the U.S. and Canada) during normal business hours Pacific Time, excluding weekends or LOUD
holidays. Please retain the original dated sales receipt as evidence of the date of purchase. You will need it
to obtain any warranty service.

Owner’s Manual

For full terms and conditions, as well as the specific duration of the Warranty for this product, please visit
www.mackie.com/warranty.

The Product Warranty, together with your invoice or receipt, and the terms and conditions located
at www.mackie.com/warranty constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes any and all prior
agreements between LOUD and Customer related to the subject matter hereof. No amendment,
modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Product Warranty will be valid unless set forth in a
written instrument signed by the party to be bound thereby.

Need help with your new powered loudspeaker?

• Visit www.mackie.com and click Support to nd: FAQs, manuals, and addendums.

• Email us at: [e-mail].

• Telephone 1-00--311 to speak with one of our splendid technical support chaps (Monday through Friday, normal business hours, PST).

Owner’s Manual

15

16220 Wood-Red Road NE • Woodinville, WA 98072 • USA
United States and Canada: 800.898.3211
Europe, Asia, Central and South America: 425.487.4333
Middle East and Africa: 31.20.654.4000
Fax: [phone] • www.mackie.com
E-mail: [e-mail]