Peavey 03614580 User manual

Dark Matter™ Series Enclosures

DM™ 115 Sub & DM™ 118 Sub

Vented Bass Powered Subwoofer System

Operating

Manual

www.peavey.com

FCC Compliancy Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Warning: Changes or modications to the equipment not approved by Peavey Electronics Corp. can

void the user’s authority to use the equipment.

Peavey Electronics Corporation • 5022 Hartley Peavey Drive • Meridian, MS • 39305

[phone] • FAX [phone] • www.peavey.com

Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

ENGLISH

DM™ 115 Sub & DM™ 118 Sub

Thank you for purchasing the Peavey® Dark Matter Series DM™ 115 or DM 118 Sub. The DM 115 and 118 Subs feature an
ultra-reliable power section that provides a total of 800 watts of peak available power with DDT™ compression. These powered
enclosures also feature a 15" heavy-duty woofer with a 3" voice coil for the DM 115 Sub and an 18" heavy-duty woofer with
a 3" voice coil for the DM 118 Sub. The DM Subs provide a balanced input via a combination jack that accepts balanced TRS
1/4" input as well as a balanced XLR input. There are two balanced thru high pass XLR outputs, and a full-range XLR output.
There is an adjustable Level control, as well as a combination LED indicator, that illuminates when power is on and when the
"soft-limiting" DDT circuit is activated.

Features

• Vented bass powered subwoofer enclosures

• 800 watts peak available power

• 15" premium heavy-duty woofer (DM 115 Sub)

• 18" premium heavy-duty woofer (DM 118 Sub)

• Power amp has forced air cooling for maximum reliability

• Internal line level low-pass/high-pass crossover network

• Fully adjustable Kosmos® C for increased bass impact

• XLR/1/4" combo jack input

• Two high-pass XLR outputs, and one full-range thru XLR output

• Polarity switch for polarity reversal of subwoofer

• Ground lift switch for lifting cable shield from ground

• Full-coverage heavy-duty perforated steel grill

• Steel handles

• Compact dimensions for a 15" or 18" woofer based sub

• Threaded pole mount with speaker pole included

• DM 118 Sub only: Large heavy-duty locking caster with damped bearings

DESCRIPTION

The Peavey DM Sub is a compact, vented, powered subwoofer system utilizing a 15" or 18" heavy-duty woofer, coupled to a
power amplifier, with 800 watts peak available power. The full-length black perforated steel grille and sturdy steel handles
provide protection and a professional appearance.

The DM Sub features an internal line-level crossover with two high-pass outputs, independently electrically buffered; and one
full-range thru output, also electrically buffered.

Peavey’s exclusive Kosmos® C bass enhancer for extra bass punch from very low frequency program material is incorporated
for maximum versatility.

A threaded pole-mount system provides a sturdy and stable platform to mount a suitably equipped speaker system above the
sub woofer. The DM Series of two-way powered speakers are excellent partners for the DM Sub.

The DM Sub speaker system power amplifier providing the power is a low-distortion, ultra-reliable, fan-cooled unit providing a
total of 800W peak available power for the system. The power supply for the power amp is a switch-mode type for low weight
and high efficiency. The amplifier features our DDT compression, which virtually eliminates audible power amplifier clipping.
Cooling is provided via a low-noise fan for reliable operation under any conditions.

Input is via a combo female XLR and 1/4" TRS phone jack with balanced input to the preamp/EQ electronics, and a level
control.

An independent pair of High-Pass Outputs provides a buffered and balanced output signal for a pair of satellite speakers to
carry the high range of the music, via a pair of male XLR jacks.

A Full-Range Thru output has a male XLR connector. These outputs allow linking of additional speaker systems,
or feed of the signal to other devices, etc.

APPLICATIONS

The Peavey® DM™ Sub has a variety of applications, such as extending the bass performance of smaller
full-range speaker systems for sound reinforcement, public address, side fill system, karaoke or musical
playback.

A typical signal source for the line-level inputs of the DM Sub would be a sound reinforcement mixing console
(mixer) or the output from a CD player, MP3 player or tape deck. The high-pass filtered signal from the DM
Sub would then be sent to a full-range powered speaker system, easing the burden of deep bass from this
speaker system.

REAR PANEL BOTTOM

1

3

2

CIRCUIT BREAKER (1)

The unit is AC power line protected from overloads and fault conditions with a 5 amp circuit breaker. This
breaker should not trip unless there is a fault in the amplifier circuitry or an abnormal operating condition,
which causes excessive mains current to flow. If the breaker trips, set the Power switch (3) to OFF, and after
waiting a brief period of time for the breaker to cool, reset the breaker.

If the circuit breaker trips, the center button will pop outward approximately 1/4”, and can be reset by pushing
upward and inward. Under normal (not tripped) conditions, the center button is relatively flat.

If the unit continues to trip the breaker, or trips it immediately after being reset, do not keep resetting it; the
system should be taken to a qualified Peavey Service Center for repair.

IEC POWER CORD CONNECTION (2)

This receptacle is for the IEC line cord (supplied) that provides AC power to the unit. It is very important that
you ensure the DM Sub has the proper AC line voltage supplied. You can find the proper voltage for your DM
Sub printed next to the IEC line (power) cord on the rear panel of the unit.

Please read this guide carefully to ensure your personal safety as well as the safety of your equipment. Never
break off the ground pin on any equipment. It is provided for your safety. If the outlet used does not have a
ground pin, a suitable grounding adapter should be used and the third wire should be grounded properly. To
prevent the risk of shock or fire hazard, always be sure that the mixer and all other associated equipment are
properly grounded.

ON-OFF SWITCH (3)

This rocker switch supplies AC power to the DM Sub when switched to the ON position. The ON position is with
the left side of the switch pushed "in" or nearly flush with the rear panel.

REAR PANEL TOP

9

5

6

11-12

7

4

13

8

10

TOP – OPERATING CONTROLS, INPUTS & OUTPUTS

INPUT (4)

The line-level input is of the medium impedance balanced type. The jack is a combo female XLR and 1/4" TRS
connector.

LED (5)

Illuminates GREEN when the power switch is on and power is present

It turns RED when the power amp engages the DDT™ "soft limiting" circuitry. Occasional flashing is acceptable,
but not a constant illumination, or distortion will be excessive.

There is also an LED visible on the front baffle of the Sub that illuminates BLUE when power is applied, and
turns RED when the power amp engages the DDT “soft limiting” circuitry.

LEVEL (6)

Controls the gain or output level of the input signal. It is used to directly set the system output level for a given
input signal.

Normal usage is with the knob set to half-way, this is then equivalent in gain to a typical power amp input.

POLARITY SWITCH (7)

Provides either 0 degrees or 180 degrees sub woofer polarity

This switch is used on conjunction with the Crossover Frequency Control (9) to provide for the best match
between the Subwoofer output and the satellite speaker output in the crossover region.

GROUND LIFT SWITCH (8)

Provided for lifting cable shield from chassis ground, to break potential ground loops and reduce hum.

CROSSOVER FREQUENCY CONTROL (9)

Varies the crossover frequency between the Subwoofer and the High Pass Outputs sent to the satellite speaker(s) (11
& 12). Varies the electrical crossover frequency from 90 Hz to 180 Hz.

CAUTION! SETTING THIS CONTROL TOO LOW MAY ALLOW THE SATELLITE SPEAKER TO BE OVERLOADED BY DEEP
BASS!

Setting the control lower DOES NOT increase the deep bass output of the DM™ Sub; a middle (12 o'clock) to higher
setting works best for most speakers.

KOSMOS® C BASS ENHANCEMENT (10)

Provides the capability to add bass harmonics to enhance the perception of deep bass in the program material
without overloading the Subwoofer speaker.

This control is best used in moderation, and turning it full up can cause the program material to sound distorted or
unnatural.

HIGH PASS OUTPUTS (11 & 12)

These outputs provide a high-pass filtered signal to be fed to a full-range powered speaker system, such as the
DM™ 112 or DM 115. Other full-range powered speakers can be used, and full-range passive speakers can be used in
conjunction with a suitable power amp to drive them.

These outputs are electronically buffered and isolated from the input and from each other, and their level is not
affected by the DM Sub Level control (6).

THRU FULL RANGE OUTPUT (13)

This output provides a full-range signal to be sent to any other device that requires a full-range signal, such as
another DM Sub, or some other line level audio device. This output is electronically buffered and isolated from the
input and from the other outputs.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTIONS

The unit must be disconnected from the AC power source before any work is done on it. Refer all servicing to
qualified service personnel.

The back plate can become hot to the touch. Do not block or cover the fan or the exhaust louvers from ventilation.
There must be a minimum of 4” of space behind the fan. Do not allow the airflow to be become blocked by objects
such as curtains or drapes, thermal building insulation, etc. It is recommended that the rear of the DM Sub not be
placed in a closed space or a space that has no fresh, cool airflow.

DO NOT connect the inputs of the DM Sub to the output of a power amplifier. The inputs are meant to be driven from
a line-level strength signal.

DO NOT remove the protective metal grilles.

WARNING! The DM Sub is very efficient and powerful! This sound system can permanently damage hearing! Use

extreme care setting the overall maximum volume!

The apparent sound level of the DM™ Sub can be deceiving due to its clear, clean sound output and lack of high
frequencies. The lack of distortion or obvious distress can make the sound level seem much lower than it actually is.
This system is capable of SPL in excess of 127 dB at 1 M from the speaker!

PLACING A SATELLITE SPEAKER SYSTEM ON TOP OF THE DM SUB

The DM Sub has a threaded pole mount built-in to the top of the unit, and this is designed to mate with an M20
threaded pole of approximately 32" in length or less. This pole is specifically designed to be used with the following
speaker systems:

Peavey DM 112

Peavey DM 115