Ashly XR2001, XR4001, XR1001 manual Audio Connections and Cables

Operating Manual - XR1001, XR2001, and XR4001 Electronic Crossovers

6.AUDIO CONNECTIONS AND CABLES

6.1Balanced

Your crossover is provided with two different connector types, wired in parallel. 1/4 inch stereo phone jacks and three pin XLR type connectors will allow inter- facing to most professional audio products, with pin 2 hot

(+)and pin 3 (-). The inputs and outputs can be used ei- ther balanced or unbalanced. We recommend balanced connections between all components in your system, as this minimizes ground-loop or induced hum and noise.

		Tip (+)
		Ring (-)
		Sleeve (Ground)
			Stereo Phone Plug
			used for balanced
Pins are	2	= (+)
numbered			XLR Male
in the	3	= (-)
connector	1	= (gnd)
insert.

Balanced Audio Connectors

6.2Unbalanced

If either inputs or outputs are used unbalanced, the signal is on the (+) connection and the (-) connection must be tied to ground. A mono phone plug used as an unbalanced connection will automatically ground the ring of the jack which is the (-) connection. When using a ste- reo plug or XLR connector for unbalanced input or output connections, the signal (-) MUST be tied to ground, or loss of signal level may result.

Tip (+)

Sleeve (Ground)

		Mono Phone Plug
		used for unbalanced
Pins are	2 = (+)
numbered		XLR Male
in the	3 = (gnd)
connector	1 = (gnd)
insert.

Unbalanced Audio Connectors

6.3Inputs

Inputs are 20KΩ active balanced, or 10KΩ un- balanced.

6.4Outputs

The outputs on Ashly crossovers are low imped- ance (200 ohms typical) pseudo-balanced type using both a 3-pin male XLR connector and standard 1/4" phone jack. Pseudo-balanced lines, while not carrying a truly differ- ential signal, have an equivalent line impedance on both

(+)and (-) lines. This allows for long cable runs from the crossover into balanced inputs without compromising common mode rejection of unwanted noise. To realize maximum headroom, terminate outputs into loads of 600 ohms or greater.

6.5Mono Low Output

Ashly models XR2001 and XR4001 have an ad- ditional jack labeled MONO LOW OUT. This output rep- resents the sum of low frequency outputs of both chan- nels, and is a function of BOTH low level controls. It is typically used for driving mono sub-woofers in a stereo system, reducing the number of power amps needed. Con- nectors and wiring are the same as the other outputs. If you are using a mono low output, you may also use the normal low frequency outputs to drive other speaker sys- tems; any or all of the low frequency outputs may be used at any given time without interaction between out- puts.

6.6System Phase

The outputs of all Ashly crossovers are in phase with the input. Assuming that your power amplifiers do not invert phase (most do not), the signals from all your amps should be in phase. If all speakers are the same brand, it is easy to keep them in phase. With different brands of speakers used together, phasing becomes a little more confusing. It is important to keep all the speakers within each band in phase with each other, and equally important to keep all bands of the system in phase as well. If this is not done, loss of level and pattern control at the crossover frequency will result.

Phase of CONE speakers can be checked by con- necting a 1.5 volt battery to the speaker and observing which way the cone moves. Don’t try this with compres- sion drivers! The most common convention is that (+) voltage on the (+) terminal moves the cone forward. A notable exception to this convention is JBL. A (+) volt- age on the red terminal of a JBL speaker moves the cone backward. If all your speakers are the same brand, just connect them all the same way; if not, it’s best to test. Unfortunately, compression drivers cannot be tested this way. Ask the driver manufacturer.

6