Rockford Fosgate FA10.0, FA12.0, FA15.0 User Manual
A division of Rockford Corporation
HOME THEATER AUDIO
FA10.0
FA12.0
FA15.0
AMPLIFIED SUBWOOFERS
OWNER’S MANUAL
POINT ZERO SERIES
Declaration of Conformity
Application of Council Directive: 73/23/EEC (Low Voltage Directive)
89/336/EEC (EMC Directive)
Standard(s) to which Conformity is Declared: EN55103-1
EN55103-2
EN60065
Manufacturer’s Name: Fosgate Audionics
Manufacturer’s Address: 546 South Rockford Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85281
Importer’s Name:
Importer’s Address:
Type of Equipment:
Amplified Subwoofer
Model No:
FA10.0 FA12.0 FA15.0
Year of Manufacturing: 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Serial Number:
I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the equipment specified above conforms
to the above Directive(s) and Standard(s)
Place: Fosgate Audionics
Date: 12/01/98 James C. Strickland, VP Engineering
– i –
25Hz-100Hz, ±2dB
@ 18hz
>115dB (w/music @ 2m)
<3%, 25Hz (90dB @ 2m)
12” (305mm) Cellulose Fibre Cone
Santoprene Rubber Surround
2.5” (63.5mm) 4-Layer Voice Coil
102 oz. Magnet
1.8ft3(50.4Liter) Bass Reflex Down Firing
16.75”(H) x 18.50”(W) x 19.50”(D)
(46.35cm x 49.53cm x 49.21cm)
Black Ebony Ash Vinyl
74 lbs. (33.6kg)
27Hz-100Hz, ±2dB
@ 18hz
>112dB (w/music @ 2m)
<3%, 30Hz (90dB @ 2m)
10”(254mm) Cellulose Fibre Cone
Santoprene Rubber Surround
2” (51mm) 4-Layer Voice Coil
30 oz. Magnet
1.0ft3(28 Liter) Bass Reflex Down Firing
14.75”(H) x 16.0”(W) x 17.50”(D)
(37.46cm x 40.64cm x 40.64cm)
Black Ebony Ash Vinyl
51 lbs. (23.2kg)
Free Field Frequency Response
Sub-Sonic Filter
Peak Acoustic Output
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Low Frequency Driver
Dimensions
Cabinet Finish
Net Weight
22Hz-100Hz, ±2dB
@ 18hz
>118dB (w/music @ 2m)
<3%, 22Hz (90dB @ 2m)
15” (381mm) Cellulose Fibre Cone
Santoprene Rubber Surround
2.5” (63.5mm) 4-Layer Voice Coil
153 oz. Magnet
2.5ft3(70 Liter) Bass Reflex Down Firing
18.75”(H) x 20.0”(W) x 21.0”(D)
(46.35cm x 49.53cm x 49.21cm)
Black Ebony Ash Vinyl
88 lbs. (40kg)
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Performance Specifications
FA10.0
Free Field Frequency Response
Sub-Sonic Filter
Peak Acoustic Output
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Low Frequency Driver
Dimensions
Cabinet Finish
Net Weight
FA12.0
Free Field Frequency Response
Sub-Sonic Filter
Peak Acoustic Output
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Low Frequency Driver
Dimensions
Cabinet Finish
Net Weight
FA15.0
Frequency Response @ 2m*
Frequency Response
Frequency Response @ 2m*
Frequency Response
Frequency Response @ 2m*
Frequency Response
– ii –
Power Rating
Signal-to-Noise
CMRR
Input Impedance
Input Sensitivity Range
Maximum Input
Gain
Crossover Frequency Variable from 40Hz~140Hz
Crossover Slope 24dB/octave (4th order) Linkwitz-Riley
Subsonic Filter 12dB/octave (-3dB @ 18Hz)
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Idle Power: 11W / 150mA @ 120 VAC
Idle Power: 11W / 90mA @ 230 VAC
Normal Operation: 66W / 380mA @ 230VAC
Full Power: 330W / 3.3A @ 120VAC
Full Power: 315W / 1.7mA @ 230VAC
Unbalanced RCA Inputs
Gain Control (30dB range)
Low Pass Crossover (variable 40Hz~140Hz)
Phase DIP Switches (0°, -90°, -180°, -270°)
200W RMS @ 4 ohms
>100dB
>70dB typical @ 60Hz
47kΩ per phase balanced, 47kΩ unbalanced
RCA Input: 160mV to 5V RMS
Speaker Input: 50mV to 45W (receivers that
drive nominal 8Ω speaker loads)
RCA Input: 10V RMS
Speaker Input: 180W (receivers that drive
nominal 8Ω speaker loads)
+45dB max. to +15dB min.
Performance Specifications - Amplifier Section
Power Consumption
Rear Panel
Low -Pass Crossover Section
– iii –
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Response Graphs …………………………………………………………………………… i
INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 1
TECHNICAL DESIGN FEATURES ……………………………………………………………………………… 1
DESIGN FEATURES ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
INSTALLATION
Location ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Typical Studio Installations …………………………………………………………………………… 5
Home Theater Installations …………………………………………………………………………… 5
Input Switch …………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
OPERATION
Auto Turn-On/Sleep Mode …………………………………………………………………………… 8
Input Sensitivity ………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
Low-Pass Crossover …………………………………………………………………………………… 8
Phase Control …………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Set-up Procedure ……………………………………………………………………………………… 9
AC Line ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
LED Indicator ………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
Break-In and Warm Up ……………………………………………………………………………… 10
Cleaning and Maintenance…………………………………………………………………………… 10
SERVICE POLICY &LIMITED WARRANTY ………………………………………………………………… 11
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ……………………………………………………………………………………… 12
Table of Contents
– 1 –
The FA10.0, FA12.0, and FA15.0 monitors utilize a specially designed amplifier featuring our innovative Trans•ana circuitry. This topology, with its unique input-to-output configuration (derived from
our patented Trans•nova circuit), employs power gain in the MOSFET output stage that result in
superior sound quality.
The amplifier features an auto turn-on/off circuit that eliminates the need for a conventional power
switch. Input signals can be fed into the amplifier via Un-Balanced RCA jacks or Speaker level input
jacks. Each pair of inputs is combined into a mono-summed signal before being fed into a 4th order
Linkwitz-Riley low-pass crossover, adjustable from 40Hz~140Hz. If selected, the signal is then fed
into the Phase Control that allows the phase of the signal to be adjusted at 90˚, 180˚, or 270˚ increments.
The FA10.0 is a 10” (254mm) low frequency transducer that features a 2” (51mm) voice coil and is
driven by a 30 oz. magnet. The FA12.0 is a 12” (305mm) low frequency transducer that features a
2.5” (63.5mm) voice coil and is driven by a 102 oz. magnet. The FA15.0 is a 15” (381mm) low frequency transducer that features a 2.5” (63.5mm) voice coil and is driven by a 153 oz. magnet. All
Point Zero transducers feature Cellulose Fiber cones for accurate sound reproduction and Santoprene
Rubber Surrounds that are immune to temperature fluctuations. This specialized rubber surround
controls woofer damping and reduces 2nd harmonic distortions for a very wide and flat frequency
response. The Point Zero series voice coils are 4-layers of copper wound on aluminum formers.
Aluminum voice coil formers provide excellent heat dissipation that provides higher power handling
versus plastic or Kapton type formers used by other manufacturers.
Introduction
Technical Design Features
Thank you and congratulations on your purchase of the Point Zero series of Subwoofer, from the
world's finest brand in professional audio equipment.
The Point Zero series is comprised of three modules; the FA10.0, FA12.0, and FA15.0. The FA10.0 is
an amplified 10" subwoofer. The FA12.0 is an amplified 12" subwoofer and the FA15.0 is an amplified 15" subwoofer. All Point Zero series are designed and engineered for Home Theater Systems
and high performance home audio applications.
For ease of use, this manual is organized into two main sections: Installation and Operation.
"Installation" covers the set-up of your new Fosgate Audionics equipment to the system. "Operation"
covers the controls and how to use them for optimum performance.
– 2 –
MEHSA
(Maximum Efficiency HeatSink Application) MEHSA is a proprietary process that yields up to 5 times
better heat transfer than traditional FET mounting techniques using the exact same components. A
multi-layer insulated metal substrate operating with minimal thermal resistance spreads heat both
downward and outward to quickly dissipate heat from each device across the heatsink. This process
combined with our DSM technology and MOSFET devices allows us to squeeze more watts per cubic
inch from every output device as well as provide consistent thermal stability.
The Result: Better reliability through faster heat dissipation.
Trans•ana
Trans•ana (TRANSconductance Active Nodal Amplifier) is a circuit that allows the audio signal to pass
through the amplifier at low voltage. The signal is directly level-shifted to the fixed high voltage rails
via a pair of driver transistors. Signal linearity is assured by an active node formed by the driver transistors at ultrasonic frequencies. This allows amplifier performance similar to Trans•nova which is highly
stable and linear while utilizing the advantages of a non-floating power supply.
The Result: An extended frequency band width accurately supplied to the output stages of the
amplifier.
MOSFET Devices
Fosgate Audionics is one of the few manufacturers in the sound community to utilize MOSFET devices
in the amplifier output stage. MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) devices
offer several important inherent advantages over older bi-polar designs. These advantages include:
thermal stability, fast switching speed, ultra low output impedance and wide bandwidth linearity. In
addition, MOSFETs operate very similarly to vacuum tubes in that they are more linear than bipolar
transistors. However, MOSFETs can deliver the midrange clarity without the limitations of transient
response and high frequency phase shifting normally associated with tube operation.
The Result: Thermal stability, fast switching speed, ultra low output impedance and wide bandwidth
linearity.
Heat Monster:
High output MOSFET device
Solder
Copper heat spreader
Dielectric layer
Base Layer - aluminum
Thermal grease
Heat sink
Screw, no pressure on component!
Multiple heat paths
PC Board
Heat generating component
(typically a power MOSFET or
Clamp Bar
bipolar semiconductor)
Thermal grease
Mica
Thermal grease
Heat sink
Screw
Heat path
– 3 –
Subsonic Filter
The Point Zero series uses a Subsonic Filter to prevent the woofer from reproducing inaudible frequencies. Subsonic frequencies, (known as infrasonic frequencies), are signals below the normal human
hearing range. The subsonic filter reduces the energy of these frequencies and restrains the woofer
from operating outside its optimum linear excursion. This type of electronic control eliminates the
mechanical distortion caused by a woofer traveling beyond its XMAX, improves power handling,
increases reliability and improves sonic performance.
The Result: Improved power handling, increased reliability and improved sonic performance.
Phase Control
The Phase Control is used to align the arrival time of the subwoofer’s output information with satellite monitors. Aligning
both signals will insure that both Subwoofer and reference
monitor information arrive at the listening position at the same
time. This eliminates the possibility of acoustical cancellation
and improves the reproduction of transients in the crossover
region.
The Result: Eliminates phase cancellation and improves transient response.
Speaker Level Inputs
Does your receiver have only speaker level outputs? No problem! Fosgate Audionics Speaker Level
Input circuitry converts the speaker line outputs (high level) from your receiver into pre-amp line inputs
(low level) for your Point Zero amplifier. This allows compatibility with a variety of receivers as well as
the ability to retrofit your new Fosgate Audionics subwoofer into existing systems without the need for
external adapters.
Santoprene Rubber Surround
Santoprene is a very durable and temperature tolerant material which provides a consistent support
necessary for the linear motion of the speaker cone. In addition, the damping capabilities eliminate
the transmission of sonic disturbances between the cone and the frame of the speaker. This greatly
improves the accuracy of the woofer’s low frequency response.
The Result: Improves woofer’s low frequency response.
Aluminum Voice Coil Former
The transducers voice coil former is black anodized aluminum for highly efficient thermal transfer.
Another method of producing voice coils is with Kapton® formers. Although this material is very resistant to heat, any heat generated by the transducer is “trapped” on the copper voice coil windings.
Fosgate Audionics uses aluminum voice coil formers because aluminum acts like a “heat sink” and
helps dissipate heat away from the voice coil. This allows winding high temperature copper wire in
multiple layers for improved efficiency.
The Result: Improves power handling by efficiently dissipating heat.
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