Samson D1800 User Manual

1000 Watt 18" Powered Subwoofer

Important Safety Information

AVIS

RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRONIQUE -

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

This lightning ash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of non-insulated “dangerous volt­age” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sucient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of important operating and maintenance instructions
in the literature accompanying the appliance.

NE PAS OUVRIR

If you want to dispose this product, do not mix it with general household waste. There is a
separate collection system for used electronic products in accordance with legislation that
requires proper treatment, recovery and recycling.

Private household in the 25 member states of the EU, in Switzerland and Norway may return their used
electronic products free of charge to designated collection facilities or to a retailer (if you purchase a similar
new one).

For Countries not mentioned above, please contact your local authorities for a correct method of disposal.

By doing so you will ensure that your disposed product undergoes the necessary treatment, recovery and
recycling and thus prevent potential negative effects on the environment and human health.

Important Safety Information

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. This apparatus shall not be exposed
to dripping or splashing liquid and
no object lled with liquid, such as
a vase, should be placed on the ap­paratus.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Do not block any of the ventilation
openings. Install in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources
such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatuses (includ­ing ampliers) that produce heat.

9. Only use attachments/accessories
specied by the manufacturer.

10. Unplug this apparatus during light­ning storms or when not in use for
long periods of time.

11. Do not override the intended pur­pose of the polarized or grounding­type plug. A polarized plug has
two blades, with one wider than
the other. A grounding-type plug
has two blades and a third ground­ing prong. The wide blade, or third
prong, is provided for your safety.
If the provided plug does not t
your outlet, consult an electrician to
replace the obsolete outlet.

12. Protect the power cord from being
walked on or pinched, particularly at
the prongs, convenience receptacles,
the point where they exit from the
apparatus.

13. Use only with the cart
stand, tripod bracket,
or table specied by
the manufacture, or
sold with the ap-

paratus. When a cart is used, utilize
caution when moving the cart/ap­paratus combination to avoid injury
from tip-over.

14. Refer all servicing to qualied service
personnel. Servicing is required if the
apparatus has been damaged in any
way, such as power-supply cord or
plug breakage, damage due to liquid
or objects falling onto the appara­tus, exposure to rain or moisture, or
if the apparatus does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.

15. POWER ON/OFF SWITCH: For prod­ucts with a power switch, the power
switch DOES NOT break the connec­tion from the mains.

16. MAINS DISCONNECT: The plug
should remain readily operable.
For rack-mount or installation
where plug is not accessible, an
all-pole mains switch with a contact
separation of at least 3 mm in each
pole shall be incorporated into the
electrical installation of the rack or
building.

17. FOR UNITS EQUIPPED WITH EXTER­NALLY ACCESSIBLE FUSE RECEP­TACLE: Replace fuse with same type
and rating only.

18. MULTIPLE-INPUT VOLTAGE: This
equipment may require the use of a
dierent line cord, attachment plug,
or both, depending on the available
power source at installation. Connect
this equipment only to the power
source indicated on the equipment
rear panel. To reduce the risk of re
or electric shock, refer servicing
to qualied service personnel or
equivalent.

Table of Contents

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Auro D1800 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Controls and Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Conguring Your Speaker System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Operating the Auro D1800. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Phase and Polarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Caster Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Copyright 2011 - Samson Technologies Corp.
Samson Technologies Corp.
45 Gilpin Avenue
Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816
Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766)
Fax: [phone]
www.samsontech.com
V1.1

Auro D1800

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Samson Auro D1800 professional, powered subwoofer.
The Auro D1800 is a compact and powerful speaker cabinet featuring an 18" long ex­cursion driver, complemented by a 1000 Watt class-D power amplier. The subwoofer
oers both stereo full-range and high-pass outputs for running your satellite speak­ers or linking multiple D1800 cabinets together to create larger sound reinforcement
systems.

The Auro cabinet is constructed with 18 mm plywood, heavy-duty textured black
paint, oversized steel handles, and features large casters oering excellent protection
against wear and tear, for truly portable audio. The D1800 active subwoofer is ideal
for live music, DJ, and installed sound applications, or anywhere serious power and
superior sound quality are desired.

In these pages, you’ll nd a detailed itemization of the features of the Auro powered
subwoofer, as well as a description of its controls, step-by-step instructions for its setup
and use, and full specications. You’ll also nd a warranty card enclosed—please don’t
forget to ll it out and mail it in so that you can receive online technical support, and
so that we can send you updated information about this and other Samson products.
Also, be sure to check out our website (www.samsontech.com) for complete informa­tion about our full product line.

With proper care and adequate air circulation, your Auro D1800 will operate trouble­free for many years. We recommend you record your serial number in the space
provided below for future reference.

Serial number: _______________________________

Date of purchase: ____________________________

Should your unit ever require servicing, a Return Authorization (RA) number must
be obtained before shipping your unit to Samson. Without this number, the unit will
not be accepted. Please call Samson at 1-800-3SAMSON (1-800-372-6766) for an RA
number prior to shipping your unit. Please retain the original packing materials and, if
possible, return the unit in its original carton and packing materials. If you purchased
your Samson product outside the United States, please contact your local distributor
for warranty and service information.

Auro D1800Owner's Manual

1

Auro D1800 Features

The Samson Auro D1800 powered subwoofer utilizes the latest technology in loud­speaker and power amplifier design. Here are some of its main features:

• Heavy-duty, 18" low frequency transducer with Butyl rubber surround

• Built-in 1000 Watt, highly efficient class-D power amplifier

• Dual balanced XLR inputs for mono or stereo operation

• Stereo balanced XLR full range and high pass outputs

• Internal 126Hz active crossover

• Selectable polarity and variable volume control

• Heavy-duty, rear mounted casters

• Two large, steel carry handles

• 35 mm pole mount receptacle

• Heavy-duty, steel grill

• 18 mm plywood construction, internally braced

• Durable textured black polyurethane paint

2

Auro D1800

Quick Start

The following steps will help you set up your Auro D1800 active subwoofer.

• Unpack the Auro D1800 and included compo­nents. Be sure to save the packaging in case you
ever move, or need to send the unit for service.

• Set the Auro D1800 subwoofer and satellite
speaker(s) appropriately for the performance
venue. The D1800 has a 13/8" speaker pole recep­tacle, so you can mount a satellite speaker on
top of the D1800 using a satellite mounting pole
(such as the Samson TS20).

• Turn the Level control on all speakers fully coun­terclockwise.

• Turn the Power switch to the OFF position on all
speakers.

• Connect a line-level signal from your mixer (or other source) to the XLR Input jack
on the Auro D1800. If you are using a single subwoofer with stereo satellite speak­ers, connect the left and right output of the mixer to the stereo XLR Input jacks on
the Auro D1800.

• Connect an XLR cable from the High Pass output of the Auro D1800 to the line
input of your satellite speaker(s).

• Plug the supplied power cable into an AC outlet.
Note: Always make sure that the AC outlet used with this unit is congured with the
correct voltage, as indicated on the rear panel of the Auro loudspeaker.

• Turn the Power switch on your D1800 and satellite speaker(s) to the ON position.

• Run an audio signal (like music from a CD) from your mixer, and check that you are
getting good level using the mixer's output meter.

• Slowly raise the satellite speaker(s) level control until you have reached a comfort­able level. Then raise the Auro D1800 Level control until you have reached a level
that sits well within the rest of the mix.

• If the volume from the D1800 gets too loud, or you notice the Peak indicator blink­ing frequently, turn down the Level control on the Auro D1800 a little until the Peak
indicator does not light, or only lights occasionally with signal peaks.

Auro D1800Owner's Manual

3

Controls and Functions

1 6

32

7 8

4 5

1. MASTER LEVEL - This control adjusts the overall signal level at the input of the

D1800's power amplifier. This control does not affect the signal sent to the Full
Range and High Pass Outputs.

2. PHASE Switch - Use this switch to set the polarity of the amplied signal. In the

out (NORMAL) setting, there is no change to the signal. When the switch is pressed
to the in (INVERT) setting, the signal's polarity is changed by 180°. The setting of
the Polarity switch has no eect on the signal sent to the Full Range and High Pass
Outputs.

3. PEAK Indicator -This red LED lights when the amp is near the clipping point.

If the Peak indicator lights frequently, turn down the Level control on the Auro
subwoofer or turn down the signal at the source, until the indicator does not light
anymore, or lights only occasionally with signal peaks.

4. SIGNAL Indicator - The green SIGNAL LED lights whenever signal is present at the

D1800's inputs.

5. POWER Indicator - This LED lights RED when the amp is active.

6. INPUTS (L and R) - The D1800 features electronically balanced female XLR stereo

line inputs. The left (L) and right (R) input signals are mixed together before they
are routed to the internal amplifier.

7. HIGH PASS Outputs (L and R) - Electronically balanced male XLR stereo line

outputs, for sending the signal present at the INPUTS to your full range main
loudspeakers. The signal is first processed by the internal 12dB per octave, 126Hz
Linkwisz-Riley active crossover before reaching the outputs.

4

Auro D1800

Controls and Functions

7 8

8. FULL RANGE Outputs (L and R) - Electronically balanced full range male XLR ste-

reo line outputs. These outputs can be used to connect another subwoofer, or send
full range signal to your main PA loudspeakers.

9. AC Power Inlet and
Fuse Sled - Connect the

supplied standard IEC
AC power cable here. Be
sure to conrm and install
the properly rated fuse
when replacing the fuse
or changing the operating
voltage.

10. Voltage Switch - Slide

to change the operating
voltage from 115 to 230
volts.

11. POWER Switch - Switches

on the Auro D1800’s main
power.

9

10

11

Auro D1800Owner's Manual

5

Conguring Your Speaker System

Before you start plugging in cables, you should take a minute to decide how you want
to interface your new Auro D1800. Most system set-ups fall into one of two categories:
Stereo or Mono sub operation.

Mono Sub Operation

In most cases, a common sub (or mono)
bass setup is preferable. Low frequencies
produced by a subwoofer tend to be non­directional. Since low frequency waves
take so much space to develop, it is dif­ficult for the ear to tell if sub bass is coming
from the left or right side (unless, of course
you’re in a very large room). Because of
this phenomenon, just about all sub bass

material is mixed in mono.

Stereo Sub Operation

In larger rooms, as well as in theatres
and theme park installations (for low fre­quency special audio effects), two Auro
D1800's can be used in stereo. For addi­tional low-end, you can daisy chain a pair
of Auro D1800 subwoofers to each side
of your speaker system.

6

Auro D1800

Operating the Auro D1800

The Auro D1800 is a perfect addition to any pair of powered full range enclosures (like
the Samson Auro D412 and Auro D415). Below is a typical system set-up using the
D1800 with a mixer and a pair of powered satellite loudspeakers. The D1800’s inputs
and outputs utilize industry standard XLR connectors. For a detailed wiring diagram,
please see the section "Connections" on page 10. Follow the steps below to set up your
system.

• Lower your mixer’s master outputs all the way off.

• Connect the mixer’s left output to the D1800’s left input, and the mixer’s right out­put to the D1800’s right input.

• Now, connect the D1800’s left High Pass output to the line input of the left side
powered satellite, or power amplifier (if using passive speakers) and the D1800’s
right High Pass output to the line input of the right side satellite or power amplifier
(if using passive speakers).

• Now, set the level of your powered satellites up to normal operating level. Run an
audio signal (like music from a CD) through your mixer, and raise the level to a com­fortable listening volume.

• Next, slowly raise the D1800 Level control and listen to the low frequency output.
Adjust the D1800's Level control to the desired low frequency output.

• Now, when you raise and lower your mixer’s output, the D1800 and satellites will
track at the same relative volume.

Auro D1800Owner's Manual

7

Operating the Auro D1800

To create a stereo full range audio system, two D1800s can be used with any pair of
powered full range enclosures (like the Samson Auro D412 and D415). Below is a typi­cal system set-up using two D1800s with a mixer and a pair of powered satellite loud­speakers. The D1800’s inputs and outputs utilize industry standard XLR connectors.
For a detailed wiring diagram, please see the section "Connections" on page 10. Follow
the steps below to set up your system.

• Lower your mixer’s master outputs all the way off.

• Connect the mixer’s left output to the left-side D1800's left input, and the mixer’s
right output to the right-side D1800's right input.

• Now connect the left-side D1800’s left High Pass output to the line input of the left
powered satellite, and right-side D1800’s right output to the line input of the right
satellite.

• Now, set the level of your powered satellites up to normal operating level. Run
an audio signal (like music from a CD) through your mixer, and raise the level to a
comfortable listening volume.

• Next, slowly raise the D1800s' Level controls and listen to the low frequency out­put. Adjust the two D1800s to the desired level of low frequency output.

• Now when you raise and lower your mixer’s output, the D1800s and satellites will
track at the same relative volume.

8

Auro D1800

Phase and Polarity

A speaker reproduces sound by converting electrical signal into physical vibration.
This physical vibration, in turn, pushes air to create sound waves. When setting up your
speaker system, the goal is to have all speakers moving in phase, with the in and out
movement of the speakers synchronized.
This produces an even sound across all
audible frequencies. If the subwoofer is
out of phase with the full range front of
house speakers, you may notice decreased
bass response, or even bass frequency
cancellation where satellite and subwoofer
frequency responses overlap. Many times
this phenomenon is very subtle, but it can
produce the eect of “holes” in the music,
and diminished bass frequencies.

Ideally, your Auro D1800 subwoofer should be positioned on the same plane as your
satellite speakers. In reality, we know this is dicult, as there are restrictions when
setting up a PA system due to space limitations, speaker stand conguration, or even
speaker cabinet shape. To compensate for these obstacles, the Auro D1800 features
a Phase switch, which allows you to reverse the polarity of the subwoofer relative to
the source signal. This enables you to put the D1800 in phase with the rest of your PA
system, or 180° out of phase.

To determine if the audio produced by your D1800 is in phase with the rest of your PA
system, play an audio track containing a lot of bass frequencies through your speaker
system. Stand at a good listening distance, where you can clearly hear the audio from
the subwoofer(s) and mains speaker(s), and listen until you believe you have a good
gauge of the level of bass frequencies. Press the Phase switch on the D1800 to reverse
the phase by 180°, and move back to your original listening position (if possible, have
someone else press the Phase switch so that you can stand in the exact same loca­tion). Compare the overall level of the bass frequencies between the two settings. The
correct setting will result in more bass frequencies. If the situation allows, you can ne­tune the phase of your D1800 to your satellite speakers by moving the relative position
of the subwoofer closer or further away from the listening position.

0° 90° 180° 270° 360°

Phase SW = NORMAL

Time

Amplitude

Phase SW = INVERT

Auro D1800Owner's Manual

9

Connections

XLR to XLR Balanced

XLR to Balanced 1/4-Inch

The Auro D1800 features balanced inputs and outputs with industry standard XLR
connectors. Whenever possible, use high quality balanced connections to other
equipment to suppress interference. See the wiring diagram below for Auro D1800
connectors.

Caster Installation

• Locate one caster and four each of the
supplied screws and lock washers.

• Hold the caster in place and hand start
the screws. Be careful to ensure that
the screws are on the proper thread
chase. Do not push down on the
screws, as it could dislodge the internal
threaded t-nuts.

• Use a screwdriver to tighten the four
screws.

• Repeat the steps above for the remain­ing three casters.

10

Auro D1800

Specications

Amplier

RMS Power 500 watts
Peak Power 1000 watts
THD < 0.1%
Design Class-D

Transducer

Driver 18" paper cone, 3" voice coil diameter
Sensitivity 95dB SPL @ 1w/1m

Acoustic Performance

Frequency Response 30Hz- 135Hz (+/-3 dB)
Max. SPL 125 dB SPL @ 1000 watts

Electronic Crossover

Crossover Type 24 dB/oct Linkwitz-Riley
Crossover Frequency 126 Hz

Controls and Connectors

Inputs (L and R) Balanced Female XLR - Line Level
High Pass Outputs (L and R) Balanced Male XLR - Line Level
Full Range Outputs (L and R) Balanced Male XLR - Line Level
Controls Master Level Rotary, Phase Switch
Indicators Peak, Signal, Power

Power Supply

Power Consumption 645 W max.
AC Connector 3-pin IEC 250 VAC, 20 A male
Fuse 100 - 115 VAC T8AL / 250 V

220 - 240 VAC T4AL / 250 V

Enclosure

Construction 18 mm plywood
Finish Textured black polyurethane paint
Casters 4 x Three Inch.
Handles 2 x Steel
Grill Perforated steel
Mounting Method Integral 1 3/8" (35 mm) Pole Mount Receptacle,

Dimensions and Weight

Dimensions in 20.2" L x 25.3" W x 24.1" H
mm 513 mm L x 643 mm W x 612 mm H
Weight lbs 90.5
kg 41.1

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Auro D1800Owner's Manual

11

Samson Technologies Corp.

45 Gilpin Avenue

Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816

Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766)

Fax: [phone]

samsontech.com