QSC Audio DB218-SW User Manual

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Customer Service(714) 957-7150 or toll free (USA only) [phone]

WideLine Series Loudspeaker System User Manual

WL218-sw

subwoofer line array loudspeaker

DB218-sw dolly board
AF218-sw subwoofer array frame

*TD-000232-00*

TD-000232-00 revB

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Install in accordance with QSC Audio Product's instructions and under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer.

WARNING!

Before placing, installing, rigging, or suspending any speaker product, inspect all hardware, suspension, cabinets, transducers, brackets and
associated equipment for damage. Any missing, corroded, deformed, or non-load rated component could significantly reduce the strength of
the installation, placement or array. Any such condition severely reduces the safety of the installation and should be immediately corrected.
Use only hardware which is rated for the loading conditions of the installation and any possible short-term, unexpected overloading. Never
exceed the rating of the hardware or equipment.

Consult a licensed, Professional Engineer regarding physical equipment installation. Ensure that all local, state and national regulations
regarding the safety and operation of suspended equipment are understood and adhered to.

Warranty (USA only; other countries, see your dealer or distributor)

Disclaimer

QSC Audio Products, LLC is not liable for any damage to amplifiers or any other equipment that is caused by negligence or improper
installation and/or use of this loudspeaker product.

QSC Audio Products 3 Year Limited Warranty

QSC Audio Products, LLC (“QSC”) guarantees its products to be free from defective material and / or workmanship for a period of three (3)
years from date of sale, and will replace defective parts and repair malfunctioning products under this warranty when the defect occurs
under normal installation and use - provided the unit is returned to our factory or one of our authorized service stations via prepaid trans­portation with a copy of proof of purchase (i.e., sales receipt). This warranty provides that the examination of the return product must
indicate, in our judgment, a manufacturing defect. This warranty does not extend to any product which has been subjected to misuse,
neglect, accident, improper installation, or where the date code has been removed or defaced. QSC shall not be liable for incidental and/
or consequential damages. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. This limited warranty is freely transferable during the term of the
warranty period.

Customer may have additional rights, which vary from state to state.

In the event that this product was manufactured for export and sale outside of the United States or its territories, then this limited war­ranty shall not apply. Removal of the serial number on this product, or purchase of this product from an unauthorized dealer, will void this
limited warranty.

Periodically, this warranty is updated. To obtain the most recent version of QSC’s warranty statement, please visit www.qscaudio.com.

Contact us at 800-854-4079 or visit our website at www.qscaudio.com.

© Copyright 2006, QSC Audio Products, LLC

QSC® is a registered trademark of QSC Audio Products, LLC

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Speakon

®

is a registered trademark of Neutrik® and the names of Neutrik® products referenced herein are either trademarks and/or service marks of Neutrik®.

“QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

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Introduction

The WL218-sw is a dual 18-inch (457mm) subwoofer designed for suspended or ground stacked use in touring or installed concert appli­cations. With an impressive combination of sonic impact, low-frequency extension, and accuracy, the WL218-sw is an ideal companion
for QSC's WideLine as well as other professional sound reinforcement systems.

Suspension of WL218-sw subwoofers is easy using the AF218-sw, a heavy-duty array frame constructed of welded 6061-T6 aluminum. In
ground-supported applications, the WL218-sw may be stacked using the interlocking feet and recess features machined into the enclo­sure's ends.

The woofers incorporate a double layer spider and triple roll surround for extended and controlled excursion at high power. The 4-inch
(102mm) voice coil is wound on a fibreglass former to prevent deformation at high operating temperatures and is extensively vented to
reduce power compression. An aluminum demodulating ring is employed for low distortion. Each woofer is housed in a separate chamber
to prevent failure of one driver from causing damage to the other. A 14-gauge (1.9mm) powder coated steel grill protects the drivers.

Enclosure construction features premium quality birch plywood finished in an environmentally friendly, water-borne, polymer finish that's
tough and field repairable. Extensive internal bracing and exclusive use of birch plywood minimizes acoustic loss due to panel resonance.
Ample port area allows air to move freely with minimal turbulence. The ports are arranged so as to eliminate asymmetrical loading of the
woofers, further protecting the drivers.

Transport and handling features are also provided in the WL218-sw's design. No matter how the box is deployed, one of the dozen han­dles will be where it needs to be. The included dolly has rugged, 3.5-inch ball bearing casters and an easy-to-use, snap-on mechanism for
attachment to the enclosure.

For users of QSC's digital audio transport and processing products, QSControl.net / Basis DSP files tuned for use with WL218-sw are
available for download. Visit us at http://www.qscaudio.com for the latest products, and news.

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WL218-sw Loudspeaker

1- Handles

2- Stacking recesses

3- Stacking feet

4- Receiver tubes with ball lock pins & captive articulated joints

5- Dolly board latch plates

6- Grille

7- Skids

8- Serial number plate

9- Rear link and receiver block

10- Input connector plate

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Introduction (continued)

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DB115-sw Dolly Board

1- Pads

2- Casters

3- Stacking Recesses

4- Latches

5- Handling Cut-outs

6- Handles

AF218-sw Array Frame

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1- Ground stacking bumpers

2- Center support bar

3- Shackle holes (accept 3/4” (20 mm) screw pin anchor shackle)

Use only shackle holes for suspension of array!

4- Rigging plate, retaining bolts, and link assembly with ball lock pin

5- Receiver blocks

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AF218-sw Array Frame Feet (Optional)

1- Frame Feet, 4 each

2- Screw, Button Head, Torx drive, 1/4-20 x 3/4 Long, 8 each

3- Lock Nut with Nylon Insert, 1/4-20, 8 each

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Rigging

Rigging the WideLine Array is simple and flexible. Enclosures are pinned together with quick-release ball-lock pins. The AF218-sw array frame
supports flown array applications and can be inverted for ground stack applications. The enclosures can also be ground stacked without a frame
using the stacking feet and recesses integral to the enclosure’s design.

Rules for Suspension

•Correct use of all suspension hardware and components is imperative in sound system rigging and deployment.

•Always calculate suspended loads before lifting to ensure suspension components and hardware are used within their respective load limits.

•Research local codes and regulations to fully understand the requirements for suspended loads in the venue in which the equipment is to be
suspended.

•Use only shackle holes for suspension of array.

•Be absolutely certain of the integrity of any structural member intended to support suspended loads. Hidden structural members can have
hidden structural weakness.

•Consult a Professional Mechanical or Structural Engineer licensed in the jurisdiction of the sound system installation to review, verify, and
approve all attachments to the building or structure.

•Never assume anything- Owner or third-party supplied suspension attachment points may not be adequate for the loads to be suspended.

•Employ the services of a Professional Rigger for hoisting, positioning, and attaching the equipment to the supporting structure.

•Always inspect all components (enclosures, suspension brackets, pins, frames, bolts, nuts, slings, shackles, etc.) for cracks, wear, deforma­tion, corrosion, missing, loose, or damaged parts that could reduce the strength of the assembly before lifting. Discard any worn, defective, or
suspect parts and replace them with new appropriately load-rated parts.

Shock Loading

When a load is either moved or stopped, its static weight is magnified. Sudden movements can magnify the static weight several times. This
magnification of static weight is termed "shock loading". Shock loading poses a danger to equipment and workers. The effects of shock loading
can be instantaneous, or they may remain undetected unless the equipment is visually damaged. Avoiding shock loading requires careful plan­ning and knowledge of equipment, rigging, and lifting practices.

Shock loading of equipment and structures is usually confined to lifting and installation, but natural forces (winds, earthquakes) can impose
shock loads several times the static load. This is why structures and suspension equipment must be capable of supporting several times the
weight of the equipment suspended.

WideLine Working Load Limits and Design Factors

Table 1 lists the WideLine suspension components and provides Working Load Limit data at various Design Factors. The tabulated Design Factors
are for static loads only. The choice of which Design Factor to use will depend upon the jurisdiction and venue of installation, as well as the con­ditions of suspension. Dynamic conditions are determined by unknown, installation-specific factors and should be referred to a Licensed Struc­tural Engineer for clarification before proceeding with any suspension of the equipment. The data presented is based upon the listed component
weights:

Table 1: WideLine WL218-sw System Working Load Limits

Component Weight 5:1 Design Factor 7:1 Design Factor 10:1 Design Factor

WL218-sw Loudspeaker 206 lb (93.4 kg) 3400 lb(1540 kg) 2400 lb (1090 kg) 1700 lb (771 kg)

AF218-sw Array Frame 80 lb (36.3 kg) 3400 lb(1540 kg) 2400 lb (1090 kg) 1700 lb (771 kg)

1/2-inch Shoulder Bolt

5/16-inch Ball Lock Pin

1/2-inch Ball Lock Pin

1- Working Load Limits are per fastener loaded in double shear. Data is for informational purposes only.

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n/a 6400 lb (2900 kg) 4500 lb (2040 kg) 3200 lb (1450 kg)

n/a 2400 lb (1090 kg) 1700 lb (771 kg) 1200 lb (544 kg)

n/a 6400 lb (2900 kg) 4500 lb (2040 kg) 3200 lb (1450 kg)

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