Thump th-15a Owner's Manual

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owner’s manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY

CAUTION AVIS

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE

NE PAS OUVRIR

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC

ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN

ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L'USAGER. CONFIER

L'ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.

AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D'INCENDIE OU

D'ELECTROCUTION, N'EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE

A LA PLUIE OU A L'HUMIDITE

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be
of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l'intérieur d'un triangle
équilatéral est utilisé pour alerter l'utilisateur de la présence à
l'intérieur du coffret de “voltage dangereux” non isolé d'ampleur
suffisante pour constituer un risque d'éléctrocution.

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

Le point d'exclamation à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est
employé pour alerter les utilisateurs de la présence d'instructions
importantes pour le fonctionnement et l'entretien (service) dans le
livret d'instruction accompagnant l'appareil.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Do not block any 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 apparatus (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or

grounding-type 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
the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided
plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched

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particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the apparatus.

FCC Information

Note: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. This

equipment also complies with the rules for Canada under ICES-003.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may
not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.

WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock,

do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.

11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the

manufacturer.

12. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused

for long periods of time.

13. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing

is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any
way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid
has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus,
the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.

14. This apparatus has been designed with Class-I construction

and must be connected to a mains socket outlet with a
protective earthing connection (the third grounding prong).

15. This apparatus has been equipped with a single pole rocker

style AC mains power switch. This switch is on the rear panel
and should remain readily accessible to the the user. Note
that when the power switch is not in the “ON” position, the
apparatus is still energized, and internal hazardous voltages
are still present.

16. This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B

(whichever is applicable) limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference
regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

ATTENTION —Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques
dépassant las limites applicables aux appareils numériques de class A/de class B
(selon le cas) prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté
par les ministere des communications du Canada.

17. Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent

hearing loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to
noise-induced hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some
hearing if exposed to sufficiently intense noise for a period of
time. The U.S. Government’s Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has specified the permissible noise
level exposures shown in the following chart.

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits
could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially dangerous
exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons
exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pressure levels
use hearing protectors while the equipment is in operation. Ear plugs or
protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn when operating
the equipment in order to prevent permanent hearing loss if exposure is in
excess of the limits set forth here.

Duration Per Day Sound Level dBA, Typical
In Hours Slow Response Example

8 90 Packed garage concert

6 92

4 95 VW Bus Peace Train

3 97

2 100 Cranked psychedelic tunes

1.5 102

1 105 High speed chase on C.H.I.P.s

0.5 110

0.25 or less 115 Loudest parts at a Heavy Metal concert

Contents

Important Safety Instructions ...................................2

Getting Started .........................................................4

Introduction ...............................................................5

Hookup Diagrams .....................................................6

TAPCO TH-15A Features ...........................................7

Rear Panel Description .......................................

1. INPUT ..............................................................

2. OUTPUT ...........................................................

3. LEVEL ..............................................................

4. OL Indicator ..................................................

5. HIGH EQ .........................................................

6. MID EQ ...........................................................

7. MID FREQ .......................................................

8. LOW EQ .........................................................

9. DIRECT/EQ Switch .........................................

10. POWER Switch ............................................

11. Line Cord Socket and Fuse .......................

Protection Circuits ...............................................

Input Signal Wiring ...............................................

Placement ...........................................................

Appendix A: Service Information ............................9

Appendix B: Connections ......................................11

Appendix C: TH-15A Specifications ......................12

TAPCO LIMITED WARRANTY ....................................15

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Don’t forget to visit our website at www.tapcoworld.com

for more information about this and other TAPCO products.

What me, read a manual?

Before you begin, please make sure you read the Safety Instructions on page 2 and

Getting Started on page 4.

Your new TAPCO® TH-15A active loudspeakers are designed to set up quickly and
operate easily. We know it’s often seen as a sign of weakness to read a manual, along with
asking for directions when lost, but we hope you will read the rest of the manual, at least
while nobody is looking.

It is important to keep your receipt in a safe place, and not a bad idea to write your
product information here for future reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support, return
authorization, etc.).

Product Serial #:

Purchased at:

Date of purchase:

Part No. 0019364 Rev. A 09/06
©2006 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Getting Started

The following steps will
help you set up your
loudspeakers quickly.

INITIAL SETTINGS:

1. Turn the LEVEL control on the rear panel all the way

down.

2. Set the DIRECT/EQ switch out (DIRECT).

3. Turn the POWER switch OFF.

CONNECTIONS:

1. Connect the line-level signal from your mixer (or

other signal source) to the IN jack on the TH-15A
rear panel (XLR connector).

2. Connect the supplied AC power cord to the IEC

socket on the back of the loudspeaker. Plug the
other end into an AC outlet properly configured
with the correct voltage as indicated just below
the IEC socket.

ADDITIONAL TIDBITS OF WIDSDOM:

• Never listen to loud music for prolonged periods.
Please see the Safety Instructions on page 2 for
information on hearing protection.

• When you shut down your equipment, turn off
the TH-15A loudspeakers first to prevent thumps
and other noises generated by any upstream
equipment from coming out the speakers. When
powering up, turn on the TH-15As last.

• Save the shipping boxes and packing materials!
You may need them someday. Besides, your cat
will love playing in them and jumping out at you
unexpectedly. Remember to pretend like you are
surprised!

• Save your sales receipt in a safe place.

• Record the serial number in the space provided on
page 3, along with where and when you bought it.

TURN IT ON:

1. Turn the POWER switch ON.

2. Start your signal source (tape deck, CD, DAW, or

whatever), but leave the master level control on
your mixer down.

3. Slowly turn up the LEVEL control on the TH-15A to

the “U” (unity gain) mark at the center position.

4. Adjust the master volume on your mixer to a

comfortably loud listening level. If the volume from
the speakers gets really loud, really fast, try turning
down the LEVEL control on the TH-15As a bit. If the
speakers don’t get loud enough, turn up the LEVEL
control to achieve a good balance of master
volume control and loudness from the speaker.

Now that you have your loudspeakers
working, it’s time to hunker down and read
the rest of this manual…especially the
following:

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Introduction

Thank you for choosing the TAPCO TH-15A active loudspeakers. The TAPCO product
line hails back to the days of TAPCO Corporation, Greg Mackie’s first company. TAPCO
revolutionized the audio industry back in 1969 with the very first 6-channel mixer specifically
designed for keyboards and rock ‘n’ roll.

In essence, TAPCO redefined the price/performance ratio and made high-quality
professional audio equipment accessible to virtually anyone. Today, TAPCO is reborn
with the same ideals and is backed by the world-class engineering and manufacturing
horsepower of LOUD Technologies.

These versatile compact loudspeakers can be used in a variety of applications. The
durable, lightweight enclosure is designed with a socket in the bottom for pole-mounting.
In addition, it can be placed on its side as a floor monitor.

The TH-15A active loudspeakers are packed with features and designed to produce
transparent and uncolored sound for PA systems and sound reinforcement. The two-way bass
reflex (ported) design provides an amazingly flat frequency response from 40 Hz to 20 kHz.

There are many benefits to integrating an active crossover, power amplifiers, and drivers
into a single cabinet, and we’ve taken full advantage of these benefits in the design of
the TH-15A.

• The crossover point is designed so that the high and low-frequency drivers are fed only

the frequencies that they are best able to reproduce.

• The amplifiers are designed to provide maximum acoustic output from the speakers, yet

minimize the danger of speaker damage due to overdriving.

• The connecting wire between the amplifier outputs and the drivers are kept to an

absolute minimum so the damping factor of the amplifier isn’t compromised by the
resistance of long speaker cables.

• The acoustic sum of the outputs from the two drivers are optimized electronically, as well

as physically, so the amplitude response is unity and the phase difference is minimal.

In short, all the complex interconnected components in the system are designed to work
in harmony with each other to produce the best possible sound.

Here’s a quick look at all the features packed into the TH-15A loudspeakers:

• Flat frequency response (–10 dB, 40 Hz to 20 kHz)

• 1” high-frequency compression driver

• 15” low-frequency woofer

Convenient portable design, with integrated

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handles in both sides and top

• Ported, bass reflex design for enhanced bass

performance

• 50 watt HF and 150 watt LF power amplifiers

• Low-frequency over-excursion protection

• High-strength lightweight cabinet constructed of

polypropylene

• High-density adiabatic fiberfill absorbs internal

reflections

• Balanced Mic/Line XLR input and thru connectors

• 24 dB/octave crossover at 3 kHz

• Adjustable input level control

• LF equalization provides ±15 dB at 80 Hz and below

• MF equalization provides ±15 dB with
frequency from 100 Hz to 8 kHz

• HF equalization provides ±15 dB at 12 kHz and
above

• EQ bypass (DIRECT) switch

• Rear panel power switch

• Pole-mount socket

TAPCO van (a.k.a. micro bus)

sweepable

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