PowerBass 2XL-50C, 2XL-60C, 3XL-50C, 3XL-60C Application Manual

2XL SPEAKER CONVERTABLES

Application Guide

2XL-50C
2XL-60C

Thank you and Congratulations

Congratulations on your purchase of Powerbass Xtreme speakers. You now own a speaker of
uncompromising design and engineering from a factory that truly believes in the relentless pur­suit of perfection. Incorporating the highest quality parts and state-of-the-art materials, these
speakers display the ultimate balance between high fidelity, extreme performance and long­lasting reliability.

At PowerBass USA, Inc. we are confident you will have many years of outstanding enjoyment
from this great SPEAKER investment. For maximum performance we recommend that you have
your new PowerBass Xtreme product installed by an Authorized PowerBass Xtreme Dealer. Do­ing so will also automatically extend your warranty to a full THREE YEAR Period.

To learn more about PowerBass Xtreme, please visit us on the World Wide Web at

http://www.powerbassusa.com

∆ Warning ∆
Continuous exposure to sound pressure levels in excess of 100 dB can cause permanent hearing loss. PowerBass Xtreme
Speakers are capable of producing sound pressure levels well over 170 dB. Please observe all local sound ordinances
while listening to your PowerBass Xtreme system. PowerBass USA, Inc. accepts no liability for hearing loss, bodily injury,
or property damage due to the result of use or misuse of this product.property damage due to the result of use or misuse
of this product.

2 IN 1 CONVERTIBLE SPEAKER FEATURES

Dual Gap Technology: Proprietary neodymium magnet assembly with finned heat sink

allows the speaker to play louder with less distortion.

Stamped Basket (Stainless Steel Finish): These rigid baskets are designed to give

the moving parts of the speaker the solid, corrosion free platform that they need to perform for
even the most discriminating listener.

4-Layer Wool/Paper Composite Cone: The premium grade cones on these speak-

ers are coated fibrous paper cone with woven wool fibers for addition strength and rigidity. This
results in an extremely stiff cone that is lightweight and will deliver a warm sound that you can
listen to for hours.

High Powered Multi-Layer 3-ohm Voice Coil: Kapton is a high temperature voice

coil former that is light weight and designed for greater efficiency and increased power handling
that gives you that loud and clear sound you are looking for. These very large hand treated silk
dome tweeters incorporate a neodymium motor structure and edge wound ribbon wire voice coil
to provide an extremely wide bandwidth.

High Powered 12dB Crossover Network: These asymmetrical crossovers were de-

signed using a sophisticated computer program LEAP to provide a smooth, flat frequency tran­sition between the midrange and tweeter. High quality air cores, parallel stacked high stability
metal film capacitors, low DC resistance inductors and current limit poly switch tweeter protec­tion insure audiophile sound separation.

Additional Features: pbX tuner inspired custom grills professional mounting hardware

and speaker wire adds further value to your investment.

COMPONENT SEPARATES FEATURES

Spun Aluminum Phase Plug: Bullet design reduces phase cancellations.

Tweeter Mounting Kit: Flush, surface and angle-mounting cups allows multiple mounting

options for custom tailored high frequency dispersion.

COAXIAL FEATURES

Balanced Pure Silk Soft Dome Pivoting Tweeter: These very large 1-inch hand

treated silk dome tweeters incorporate a neodymium motor structure and edge wound ribbon
wire voice coil to provide an extremely wide bandwidth.

SPECIFICATION FOR POWERBASS 2XL SPEAKERS

(due to Constant Improvement, Specification and Parameter are subject to change without notice)

Model Size Nominal Impedance Frequency Response Sensitivity

1W/1M

Magnet Size Mounting Depth Power

RMS/Max

2XL-50C 5.25” 3 Ohm 62 Hz - 20 kHz 90 dB 12 oz. 2.2” 70 W / 140 W

2XL-60C 6.5” 3 Ohm 59 Hz - 20 kHz 91 dB 14 oz. 2.4” 90 W / 180 W

INSTALLATION EXPERIENCE

Installation of PowerBass Xtreme Speakers requires experience with a variety of mechanical and
electrical procedures. This manual only provides general installation and operation instructions.
If you have any reservations about your installation skills or lack of the proper tools, please
contact your local PowerBass Xtreme dealer for assistance.

TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR POWERBASS SYSTEM

Your PowerBass Xtreme speakers have been meticulous engineered and designed to handle high
power musical reproduction. Despite their rugged construction, it is possible to damage your
speaker if they are improperly used. In general, you will hear distortion as a so-called warning
before any damage occurs. If you hear distortion in your system, immediately reduce the musi­cal level to the point where the sound retains its clarity.

1. Be sure you supply the speakers with enough unclipped amplifier power to drive them

properly. (More damage can be done to a speaker by under-powering and clipping your

amplifier than any other way!)

2. Where possible, a separate amplifier just for your speaker should be used with an electro

ic crossover to set the frequency range. One amplifier with passive crossovers will work
(Tri-Way Setup), but the system will do more with less stress on the amplifier by using two
amps.

3. To avoid any possible sound cancellation from the front of the speaker to that of the rear of

the speaker, cut a panel of Masonite or MDF to firmly mount the speaker if the vehicle’s
original cutout is too big.

4. When connecting speaker wires from the amplifier or head unit to that of the speaker itself,

pay attention to the polarity of the connection. This will insure optimum sound reproduc­tion and performance.

5. For maximum dynamic performance use weather stripping to insure a tight seal.

6. Do not mount any speakers or external crossovers where they will get wet.

7. Remember the Golden Rule “Measure twice…cut once.”

When installed properly, your PowerBass Xtreme component system will make a remarkable
improvement in the quality of virtually any mobile audio sound system and give years of superior
performance.

PREPARING FOR INSTALLATION

NOTE: The tools listed below may be required for proper installation.

1. An electric drill with drill bits

2. Phillips-head and standard screwdrivers

3. Wire strippers

4. Crimping tool and needle-nose pliers

5. Silicone sealant or closed cell weather-stripping

6. Metal file

7. Hole saw

INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS

NOTE: Proceed only if you are a qualified installer otherwise; let your dealer do it.

• Always wear protective eyewear when using tools.

• Turn off all stereo and other electrical devices before you begin.

• Disconnect the (-) negative lead from your vehicle’s battery.

• Keep the speakers in the package until nal installation.

• Locate all fuel lines, brake lines, oil lines, and electrical cables when planning your installation.

• Check to see if there is enough clearance behind the mounting surface before installing the

speakers.

• When running speaker wires through sheet metal, be sure to use grommets to properly insulate

the wires from metal edges.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURES

• Since these speakers utilize a unique low profile swivel tweeter housing that has minimal

tweeter protrusion, original factory mounting cutouts can still be used with the factory grills in
many cases.

• These PowerBass Xtreme speakers can be used above or below the mounting hole. Typically,

your vehicle factory’s speaker cutouts will accommodate these new speakers without any
modifications. When the speaker has been correctly installed, there should be no air leaks
between the front and back of the speaker.

• For door installations, check the clearance of the windows throughout the entire range of the

window’s travel.

• Check the available mounting depth before installing the speaker. Use care when removing

factory grills, door panels and factory speakers.

2-WAY COMPONENT CONVERTIBLE SPEAKER SET

These component speakers can also be used coaxial speakers; making them “convertibles”. The
mid range speaker will fit into many standard factory mounting holes in your vehicle.

To find the best suitable location, carefully remove the trim panels and inspect the installation area
before you cut and drill any holes required to mount the speaker. Removing the panel will also make
it much easier to route wiring inside the doors. Look for original equipment (OEM) speaker cutouts
that can be used to install your speakers with little or no modifications. Use the supplied template
to help you locate and mark the holes needed to install the speakers.

If you planning to install your speakers in the door panel, be sure the speaker will not interfere with
the window lowering mechanism. Use care so the speaker wires will clear all moving parts inside
the door.

Should you need to cut or drill in order to mount your speaker be sure to thoroughly clean the area
of all filings and shavings before you mount the speaker.

COMPONENT SYSTEM INSTALLATION

Your speakers have been assembled at the factory as components. This portion of the manual will
cover component system installation.

2XL Component Midrange

The proper installation procedure for mounting these high performance midrange speakers is to se­cure the speaker to the vehicle’s speaker mounting hole. The speaker should fit snug to the location
without air gaps. Never force the a speaker into an area that is too small, this can cause damage to
the speaker. Once the speaker is in place, determine if the supplied grill needs to be installed. If so,
place the grill in place over the speaker and screw the speaker into the mounting hole.

PowerBass Xtreme Component Tweeter

These high quality tweeters come complete with several mounting housings for installation versatil­ity. Experiment with the tweeter positioned in several locations to determine the best imaging result
before cutting out any panel. Typically tweeters should be mounted on axis and as close to ear level
as possible. Once a suitable location has been found then you can evaluate your mounting options
shown on the next page.

2XL COMPONENT TWEETER SPECIFICATIONS

DOME

SIZE (25mm)

MOUNTING

(DIAMETER)

NOMINAL

IMPEDANCE

FREQUENCY

RESPONE

SENSITIVITY

(1M / 1M)

MOUNTING

(DEPTH)

POWER

(RMS/PEAK)

1.0” SILK 1 7/8”

4Ω

3.5K-21Khz 92 dB 7/8” 60/120

INSTALLATION PROCEDURES

By mounting the tweeter separately from the woofer (or mid-range driver) the installer can choose
the best location for sound quality and imaging. Optimum results are usually obtained by locating
the tweeters and midrange speakers relatively close to each other, and by keeping the sound path
lengths between the listener and the left and right speakers as equal as possible. Three mounting
types are possible allowing more versatility for the tweeter location. These are flush mount, surface
mount, and angle mount.

Flush Mounting (Type A)

The best location for the tweeter is usually high up on the door and as far forward as possible
without interference from the dashboard. If the desired location is flat and space behind the door
panel allows the use of the flush mount housing, follow the drawing as shown below:

POWERBASS XTREME COMPONENT TWEETERS

These high quality tweeters come complete with several mounting housings for installation
versatility. After you have chosen the housing to be used, gently press the tweeter in the proper
mounting base. Once the tweeter base is mounted, push and “twist” the housing until it locks
to the base. Below are exploded views showing the possible types of tweeter mounting.

After checking for clearance, cut the mounting hole in the door panel (see Tweeter Specifica­tions for hole size). Mount the Flat Base from the outside with the mounting clip on the inside
of the door panel. Secure the mounting clip to the Flat Base with the long silver screw provided.

Surface/Angle Mounting (Type B and C)

If mounting the tweeter on the surface works out best, refer to the following drawing to see
how to best mount the tweeter. Black sheet metal screws have been provided to attach the
surface base to the door panel.

EXAMPLE OF MOUNTING

If the tweeter has to be removed from the mounting cup, insert a small screwdriver in the back of
the tweeter and carefully push the tweeter from the mounting cup.

COMPONENT SET CROSSOVER INSTALLATION AND WIRING

The 2XL Series component crossover network incorporates a variety of high quality compo­nents to insure proper sound separation between the midrange speaker and the tweeter.

The most common place to install the crossover network is on a flat surface inside the door.
However, the door is subject to constant vibration from repeated opening and closing which
can over time damage the electronic parts found inside the crossover. If mounted inside the
door, be sure to avoid locations that may expose the crossover to moisture. Therefore, a better

option is to install the crossover network inside the passenger compartment.

It is advisible to keep the crossover network away from any auto electronics that could possibly
induce noise into the system. Which ever area you select, choose your location carefully.

Mounting the crossover requires removing the top cover of its housing. This will expose the
two mounting holes. You can use the crossover as a template for drilling the mounting holes.

NOTE: IT MAY BE EASIER TO WIRE THE CROSSOVER PRIOR TO MOUNTING.

Carefully route the wires from the midrange and tweeter to the crossover mounting location.
Wiring the crossover network is pretty straightforward as shown in the diagram below:

1. Connect the amplifier or head unit output to the crossover’s input terminals.

2. Connect the terminals labeled woofer to the component midrange speaker.

3. Connect the terminals labeled tweeter to the component tweeter set.

CAUTION: BE SURE TO OBSERVE PROPER POLARITY WHEN CONNECTING SPEAKER WIRES TO
THE CROSSOVER NETWORK TERMINALS.

+INPUT— +WOOFER— +TWEETER—

NOTE: It is highly recommended that a hand screw driver and NOT a power drill is used
to tighten the speaker wires to the crossover network terminals.

COMPONENT TO COAXIAL ASSEMBLY

In a coaxial application, the tweeter is placed directly in the center of the woofer—replacing
the aluminum phase plug. To do this, unscrew and remove the center bullet from the threaded
base by turning the phase plug counter-clockwise as shown below. (We suggest you keep the
phase bullet for future use).

Now take the pole piece and feed the tweeter’s speaker wire through the threaded opening at
the base. Align the pin on the ball joint assembly with the slotted groove on the pole piece
and gently “snap” the two pieces together. If done correctly, the tweeter should pivot while
remaining connected to the pole piece.

With the phase plug removed, you should be able to see through the hole in the magnet to
where the bullet was previously located.

Next, screw the ball joint assembly to the back of the tweeter. Be sure to feed the wire com­ing from the tweeter through the flat base of the ball joint as shown in the drawing.

Bullet (Aluminum Phase Plug)

Ball Joint

Silver Screw

Pole Piece

Speaker Wire
from tweeter

Speaker Wire
from tweeter

Screw Hole

Tweeter

Pin

Finally feed the tweeter’s speaker wire from the tweeter assembly through the basket and
magnet. Thread the pole piece to the basket (where the phase bullet was removed) by turning
clockwise taking care not to damage the midrange voice coil assembly.

Once fully assembled, route the tweeter’s speaker wire in the channel on the back of the
magnet and down through the heat sink fin. Attach a new magnet label over the wire and the
magnet to help keep the wire in place. This will prevent the speaker wire from interfering with
any mechanisms behind the door panel.

The conversion from Component to Coaxial is now complete! It will still be necessary to use
the crossover network just the same as with the component speaker. Please refer to the Com­ponent Set Crossover Installation and Wiring section of this manual for proper mounting and
wiring instructions.

NOTE: The midrange will wire to the crossover network in the same manner regardless if
used as a component or coaxial.

Tweeter
Assembly

Connect speaker wire
from tweeter to the
crossover network

POWERBASS XTREME LIMITED WARRANTY POLICY

PowerBass USA, Inc. offers limited warranty on PowerBass products under normal use on the fol­lowing terms:

PowerBass Xtreme Speakers are to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period
of one (1) year. The warranty is extended to three (3) years for parts and labor, if an Authorized

PowerBass Xtreme Dealer completes the installation.

This warranty applies only to PowerBass products sold to consumers by Authorized PowerBass
Dealers in the United States of America. Products purchased by consumers from a PowerBass deal-

er in another country are covered only by that country’s Distributor and not by PowerBass USA.

This warranty covers only the original purchaser of PowerBass product. In order to receive service,
the purchaser must provide PowerBass with the receipt stating the consumer name, dealer, product

and date of purchase.

Products found to be defective during the warranty period will be repaired or replaced (with a product
deemed to be equivalent) at PowerBass’s discretion and will not be liable for incidental or conse­quential damages. PowerBass will not warranty this product under the following situations:

• Speakers received with bent frames or water damage

• Abuse such as holes in the cone, surround or ripped spider

• Voice coil damage due to amplier clipping or distortion

• Product that has not been installed according to this owners manual

Any implied warranties including warranties of fitness for use and merchantability are limited in
duration to the period of the express warranty set forth above. Some states do not allow limitations
on the length of an implied warranty, so this limitation may not apply. No person is authorized to
assume for PowerBass any other liability in connection with the sale of this product.

Please call [phone] for PowerBass Customer Service. You must obtain an RA# (Return
Authorization Number) to return any product to PowerBass. The RA number must be prominently
marked on the outside of the shipping carton or the delivery will be refused. Please pack your
return carefully; we are not responsible for items damaged in shipping. Return the defective product
along with a copy of the original dated retail sales receipt, plus $9.00 for handling and diagnostic
evaluation to:

PowerBass USA, Inc., Attn: Returns (RA#__________)
13936 Mountain Avenue, Chino, CA 91710

Residents of HI, AK and US territories will be charged for return shipping. All inquires regarding
service and warranty should be sent to the above address.

This manual is the exclusive property of PowerBass USA, Inc. Any reproduction of this manual, or use other

than its intentions is strictly prohibited without the express consent of PowerBass USA, Inc.

Copyright 2008 PowerBass USA, Inc.

Revised 2008

PowerBass Xtreme (PBX) – A division of PowerBass USA, Inc.

13936 Mountain Avenue – Chino, CA 91710

Tel. [phone] – Fax [phone]

www.powerbassusa.com