SPEAKERCRAFT BB1235 User Manual

Big Bang

Power Amplifiers

SpeakerCraft®

B B 1 2 3 5

O w n e r ’s M a n u a l

Thank you for purchasing the SpeakerCraft BB1235 power amplifier. The BB1235 contains the excellent performance and reliability that SpeakerCraft products have been recognized for. The BB1235 features the flexibility needed for demanding custom installation applications. It is ideal for use in home theater, stereo, multi-room, multizone and commercial applications. For best performance, please carefully read the instructions in this manual.

Table Of Contents	Page
Features	2
Front Panel Diagram	3
Rear Panel Diagram	5
System Design & Operation Considerations	7
System Design Examples	9
Installation Considerations	21
Installation	22
Operation	26
Troubleshooting	27
Specifications	29
Warranty	30

FEATURES

Audiophile Design

Sophisticated design and superior internal components result in outstanding sound quality, performance and long term reliability.

Advanced Protection

Each channel is individually protected. If the circuitry determines that a channel must be shut down for protection, a rare occurrence, only the channel affected will be turned off. The other channels will continue to play. Once conditions return to normal, the affected channel will be turned back on and operate as normal.

Flexible Input Selection

Each of the 12 channels can be assigned a variety of source inputs. A dedicated input can be assigned to each channel. Each channel can also be configured to play common signals from the Bus or Auxiliary inputs. This provides the flexibility needed in sophisticated custom audio installations.

Bridging

The power output of adjacent channels can be combined to provide extra power when needed in certain areas. This is easily accomplished by flipping a single switch.

Individual Channel Level Adjustments

Each channel has its own level adjustment. This allows the loudness of each speaker to be perfectly matched to its area.

InstaLLock™ Connector Outputs

Simplify the connection of the speaker outputs by using SpeakerCraft’s InstaLLock™ Connector, purchased separately. InstaLLock™ Connectors eliminate the hassle of connecting multiple wires onto the back of the amplifier. Instead they can be easily connected to the InstaLLock™ Connector which is later plugged into the back of the amplifier. InstaLLock™ Connectors can be purchased from your SpeakerCraft Dealer.

Multiple Power Modes and Output Trigger

There are three ways to turn the amplifier on: constant, trigger and audio sense. This allows the amplifier to operate seamlessly as part of a sophisticated custom installation. A separate output trigger allows the amplifier to activate other components via a voltage trigger.

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Diagram 1 - Front Panel

Active LED indicates that the amplifier is working.

Master power switch. Turns off power to amplifier					Protection LEDs indicate that either a fault in the wiring, the speaker,
and Power Mode Circuitry.					or the amplifier has caused the amplifier to shut down.

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Diagram 2 - Rear Panel

Main bus inputs allow outputs from receivers, CD players, TVs, or any stereo audio sources to be amplified across all channels for easy multiroom applications. Auxiliary inputs allow an additional audio source to be played on any channel that is switched to AUX.

Impedance switch is used to select either 8Ω or 4Ω.

Bus outputs allow the bus inputs to be sent to other amplifiers or a daisy chain without the need for ‘Y’ cables or splitters. Auxiliary outputs allow you to daisy chain the input to other audio sources.

Bridging switch allows

you to easily double

Level controls for

the power output by

coupling two chan-

each channel.

nels together.

Gold plated

Input Selection

switch allows you

individual channel

to select between

inputs allow you to

the common bus

connect different

and auxiliary inputs,

audio sources to

or the individual

each channel.

channel input.

One switch allows you to select which stereo input channel will play through the speaker outputs: left, right, or left and right combined. If switched to Left + Right, both input channels are combined.

	The Power Mode switch is	3-30V A/C or D/C input to
	used to toggle between three
		trigger power up with voltage
	different trigger methods to
		from another device, such as
	power up the amplifier.
		a receiver.

12V output to turn on other devices when amplifier is powered up. Connect to projector screens, powered drapes, or other devices with voltage triggers.

Binding posts allow the use of	3-Prong removable
stripped speaker wire, spade	power plug.
connectors, or banana plugs.		Fused AC input.

Plugs for InstaLLock™ connectors are provided for easy connection of speaker outputs. Requires optional InstaLLock™ amplifier connectors to be purchased separately.

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SYSTEM DESIGN & OPERATION CONSIDERATIONS

To best understand system design and operation of the BB1235 it is useful to understand the following terms and features as they relate to the BB1235.

Multi-Room

A system design that plays the same source at the same time in all rooms. If a change is made in one room, the same change takes place in all other rooms. For example, if a listener changes from CD to Tuner in the bedroom, the same change will be heard in the kitchen. Note: With the use of volume controls or speaker switchers the volume of each room can be controlled separately of the other rooms.

Multi-Zone

A system design that allows different sources to be played in each room. A change in one room can be made without changing the other rooms. For example the CD player can be heard in the bedroom while the kitchen is playing the tuner.

Bridging

The combining of 2 channels to create one mono channel. It is useful when more volume is needed in a particular area.

Source

Component, audio or video, that provides an audio signal. Examples are CD, VCR, DVD, tape deck and tuner. The source provides the audio information that is amplified by the BB1235.

Channel

A distinct unit of the amplifier that provides output to one speaker. On the BB1235 the input to each channel can be configured to select from the BUS INPUT, the AUX INPUT or that channel’s unique CHANNEL INPUT. Two adjacent channels can be bridged to provide higher power to one speaker.

Level Controls

Allows any of the channels to be adjusted independently to raise or lower the output of each channel. This may be used to control the speaker output in order to balance different rooms or areas of the system.

BUS*AUX*LINE Switch

Allows each channel to play a variety of different inputs. Depending on the switch position the channel amplifies the signal connected to the BUS input, the AUX input, or its own LINE input.

R R+L L Switch

When either a BUS or AUX input is selected, this switch is used to direct the channel to play the left signal from the input “L” or the right signal from the input “R”, or a combined right and left signal from the input “R+L”.

Bus Input

Allows the signal from a source to be distributed to any of the 12 channels on the amplifier.

Auxiliary Inputs

Allows a the signal from a secondary source to be distributed to any of the 12 channels of the amplifier.

Impedance Switch

Select either 8Ω or 4Ω to maximize amplifier performance with a variety of speaker loads. See the sections titled “Selecting the Impedance Setting” and “Selecting Bridge Mode” in the “Installation” section for proper setting of this switch.

Power Mode Selection

There are three ways to turn the amplifier on and off. Use the following list to decide which mode will work best for your application. See Diagram 3 below.

1.Constant

Use this selection when you wish to manually turn the amplifier on and off by using the front mounted power button.

2.Trigger

Use this selection if you wish the amplifier turn on when it receives voltage (3-30V A/C or D/C) from an external source and turn off once that voltage has stopped. Some components have voltage outputs that are designed for this use. In addition there are devices that can be used as part of an automated system that will provide voltage to enable the mode. The voltage source must be connected to the trig- ger-input jack on the back of the amplifier.

3.Audio Sense

Use this selection when you want the amplifier to turn on when the amplifier’s main input receives an audio signal. At the moment that either the left or right input jacks receive a signal the amplifier is turned on. Once the signal stops the amplifier waits 3 minutes and then turns off.

Diagram 3:

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SYSTEM DESIGN EXAMPLES

There are many ways to configure the BB1235 amplifier. The following pages contain some typical installation examples. Use these examples to generate ideas for your system design.

Multi-Room Installation Example (Diagram 4)

This illustrates the simplest use of the BB1235, distributing audio throughout the home. In this example only one source can be selected at a time, all pairs of speakers have the same audio signal available.

The Input Selection switch is set to “BUS” on all channels. Adjacent channels are assigned left and right.

Multi-Zone Example #1 (Diagram 5)

This illustrates the simplest way to provide an audio signal to one area that is independent of the main audio signal. Zone 2 uses a CD player connected to just that Zone. The rest of the system operates Zone 1 and is connected to the preamplifier / receiver.

The Input Selection switch on channels 1-10 is set to “BUS” with adjacent channels assigned left and right. The Input Selection Switch on channels 11 and 12 are set to “LINE”.

Multi-Zone Example #2 (Diagram 6)

This illustrates the ability to listen to different audio signals in each zone, independent of every other zone. The system relies on a multi-zone preamplifier or up to 6 independent preamplifiers.

The Input Selection switch on each channel is set to “LINE”

Home Theater / Multi-Room Example (Diagram 7)

This configuration allows the user to access the sources connected to a home theater receiver for use in a multi-room installation. It relies on the home theater receiver having a multi-room or similar output.

The Input Selection switch on each channel is set to “BUS” with adjacent channels assigned left and right.

Home Theater Example (Diagram 8)

This example uses the power amplifier to drive the speakers in the home theater system. The two channels remaining are used to provide music to a separate area or room.

This configuration utilizes the bridging mode to provide additional power. The following adjacent channels are bridged together: 1and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6 , 7 and 8, 9 and 10. Note that on each one of these the signal is connected to the “LINE IN” on the first channel of the pair, the Bridging switch is set to “ON”, and the Impedance switch is set to 8 ohms. In addition, the speaker outputs used are the ones to the left and right of the Bridged text on the output.

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