Next LAs218 User Manual

V052013

USER MANUAL

LAs218

Professional Line-Array

Dual Subwoofer

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V052013

Content

INTRODUCTION - 2 -

SAFETY FIRST - 2 -

UNPACKING - 3 -

LAs218 OVERVIEW - 3 -

CABLE SELECTING - 4 -

CONNECTION AND ELECTRIC DIAGRAM - 4 -

AMPLIFICATION - 6 -

TROUBLESHOOTING - 6 -

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - 7 -

WARRANTY - 7 -

SPARE PARTS - 9 -

CONTACTS - 9 -

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing a NEXT LAs218 subwoofer. This manual will provide you
with useful and important information about your Las218 dual subwoofer system. Please
devote some time reading this manual, and keep it close for future reference. NEXT­PROAUDIO is concerned with your safety and well-being, so please follow all instructions and
heed all warnings. Also a better understanding of some specific features of the LAs218 dual
subwoofer will help you to operate your system to its full potential.

SAFETY FIRST

It’s important that loudspeaker systems are used in a safe manner. Please take some
time to review the following points concerning safe use of the NEXT LAs218 sub-woofer.

DANGER – HEARING DAMAGE

LAs218 dual subwoofers are capable of producing extremely high sound pressure
levels and should be used with care. Hearing loss is cumulative and can result from levels
above 90dB if people are exposed for a long period. Never stand close to loudspeakers
driven at high levels.

Stacking

Always ensure that the floor or structure where the stack will take place is even and
can withstand the weight of the complete stack. Do not stack speakers too high, especially
outdoors where winds could topple the stack. Be aware that speakers working at very high
power levels generate vibrations that can creep the systems. Take additional measures to
prevent this if needed. Place cables in a way that they do not present a trip hazard. Don’t
place any objects on top of the stack, they can fall accidentally and cause injuries. Do not
attempt to move the enclosures while connected. Try not to operate the LAs218 under heavy
rain or moisture, it is weather-resistant but not completely “weather-proof”. Also do not
expose the systems to extreme heat or cold conditions to prevent component damage.

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V052013

_______________________________________________________________
Rigging and suspension

WARNING: DO NOT SUSPEND LAs218. Despite being a Line-array enclosure, it

was not designed having suspended use in mind. For such situation, please check on
www.next-proaudo.com for an appropriate model, or contact NEXT-PROAUDIO for possible
solutions. “Flying” boxes have specific construction methods applied that make such use
possible and safe.

UNPACKING

Each NEXT LAs218 dual subwoofer is built in Europe (Portugal) by NEXT-PROAUDIO,
to the highest standard and thoroughly inspected before it leaves the factory. When
unpacking the NEXT LAs218, examine it carefully for any signs of possible transit damage
and inform your dealer immediately if any such damage is found.
It is suggested that you retain the original packaging so that the system can be
repacked in the future if necessary. Please note that NEXT-PROAUDIO and its authorized
distributors cannot accept any responsibility for damage to any returned product through the
use of non-approved packaging.

LAs218 OVERVIEW

The NEXT LAs218 is a front-loaded, bass-reflex dual subwoofer designed to be used
with any of the NEXT-PROAUDIO’s various Line-Array elements. Housing two long excursion,

very high power 18” drivers, delivers magnificent precision and “punch” in the very low

frequency band at incredible pressure levels.
The enclosure is constructed from high quality 18mm Baltic birch plywood and is

rigidly braced. The speakers are protected by a rigid metal grille and an acoustically invisible
foam so LAs218 can be the “ground-shaker” it’s supposed to be even longer. Four rear
mounted 100mm wheels make this heavy-weight easier to carry and the connections are
handled by two Neutrik® Speakon® NL8 connectors.

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CABLE SELECTING

Selecting a cable consists of calculating the correct cable section (size) in relation to
the load impedance and the required cable length. A small cable section will increase its
serial resistance, which will induce power-loss and response variations (damping factor).
The following table indicates, for 3 common sizes, a cable length with a maximum
serial resistance equal to 4% of the load impedance (damping factor = 25):

Cable section

Maximum Length related to load impedance

8 Ω

4Ω

1.5 mm²

12 m [40 ft]

6 m [20 ft]

2.5 mm²

20 m [64 ft]

10 m [32 ft]

4 mm²

32 m [104 ft]

16 m [52 ft]

CONNECTION AND ELECTRIC DIAGRAM

The Las218 is connected through Neutrik® Speakon® NL8FC plugs (not supplied). A
wiring description is printed on the connections panels located on back of the cabinet.

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The 8 pins of the 2 NL8 Speakon sockets are wired in parallel within the enclosure.
Either connector can be used to connect to the amplifier or another Sub. Please notice that
each speaker is connected independently for greater versatility and better power handling.
See the table and the diagram below:

NL8 PIN

Description

1+

Speaker 1 POS

1-

Speaker 1 GND

2+

Speaker 2 POS

2-

Speaker 2 GND

3+

Not used

3-

Not used

4+

Not used

4-

Not used

Electric Diagram

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AMPLIFICATION

The LAs218 sub-woofers are designed to be used with professional power amplifiers
capable of producing 2000W to 2400W into 8 ohms (per speaker). Care should be taken to

avoid amplifier clipping. It is important to understand that a low power amplifier
driven into clipping is more likely to damage a loudspeaker than a higher power

amplifier used within its ratings. This is because music signals have a high peak-to-average
"crest" factor. When an amplifier is severely overdriven, its output waveform is “clipped” (its
peaks are squared off) – reducing the crest factor. In extreme cases, the waveform can
approach that of a square wave. An amplifier is normally capable of producing far more
power under these conditions than its undistorted rated power output. The use of very high
power amplifiers with outputs much greater than those recommended is discouraged.
Care should also be taken to avoid switch-on surges, which can result in momentary
power peaks in excess of specified ratings. When powering up a sound system it is important
to switch on the amplifiers last, after the mixer and control electronics have stabilised. When
powering down the system, reverse the sequence and switch off the amplifiers first.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Simple troubleshooting does not require sophisticated measurement equipment and
can be easily undertaken by users. The technique should be to segment the system in order
to identify the faulty system component: signal source, controller, amplifier, loudspeaker or
cable? Most installations are multi-channel. It is often the case that one channel works and
others do not. Trying different combinations of system elements can usually help to isolate
and locate the fault.
Some cabinet faults can be quite easily identified and corrected by the user. A simple
sweep with a sine wave generator can be very helpful though it MUST be made at a fairly
low level to prevent damage to the speakers. A sine wave sweep can help find:

 Vibrations due to loose screws.
 Air-leak noises: check that no screws are missing, particularly where the accessories

attach to the cabinet.

 Vibrations due to a front grille badly positioned on the quick release fixings.
 Foreign object that has fallen into the cabinet after repair or through the ports.

 Internal connection wires or absorbing material touching the loudspeaker diaphragm:

check by removing the bass loudspeaker.

 Loudspeaker not connected or phase reversed following a previous inspection, test or

repair.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

LAs218 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Design

Bass Reflex cabinet

Frequency Range (-6dB)

32Hz-250Hz

Low Frequency limit (-10dB)

24Hz

Sensitivity (1W/1m Full-Space)

106dB

Calc. Maximum SPL (1m Full-Space)

142.8dB

Driver

2 x 18" Long excursion woofer

Recommended High-Pass filter

30Hz 18dB/oct Butterworth

Recommended Low-Pass filter

80Hz to 180Hz 24dB/oct LR

Max. Amplifier Power (8 ohms)

2 x 2400Wrms

Impedance

2 x 8 ohms

Cabinet Material

18mm 13 ply birch plywood

Dimensions (WxHxD)

1087mm x 506mm x 766mm

Weight

90.4Kg

WARRANTY

NEXT products are warranted, by NEXT-PROAUDIO, against manufacturing defects in
materials or craftsmanship over a period of 2 years from the date of original purchase.
During the warranty period Next-proaudio will, at its discretion, either repair or replace
products which prove to be defective provided that the product is returned in its original
packaging, shipping prepaid, to an authorized NEXT-PROAUDIO service agent or distributor.
NEXT-PROAUDIO cannot be held responsible for defects caused by unauthorized
modifications, improper use, negligence, exposure to inclement weather conditions, act of
God or accident, or any use of this product that is not in accordance with the instructions
provided by NEXT-PROAUDIO. NEXT-PROAUDIO is not liable for consequential damages.
This warranty is exclusive and no other warranty is expressed or implied. This warranty does
not affect your statutory rights.

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NOTES

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V052013

SPARE PARTS

Reference

Description

BB05097

Next 18” Sub-Woofer Speaker BB05097 (B&C custom made)

BA10151

Next LA-Type Handle

NC02506

Next LAs218 Grille

NC03504

Next LAs218 Connections Back Panel

CONTACTS

In case of any doubts or any information just:

Write us:

NEXT-PROAUDIO
Rua da Venda Nova, 295
4435-469 Rio-Tinto
Portugal

Contact us:

Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]

Send an e-mail:

[e-mail]

Search our website:

www.next-proaudio.com