Additional Considerations | Behringer B212/B215 instruction

EUROLIVE B212/B215

3.4Loudspeaker protection by using a low-cut filter

Try to prevent damage to your speakers caused by extreme oscillation of the bass membrane due to subsonic noise and extremely deep frequencies. Use an equalizer to cut off those frequencies that fall below your speakers’ frequency range, or use a low-cut/high-pass filter. Most equalizers and sound- improvement systems offer a low-cut function, like the BEHRINGER ULTRAGRAPH DIGITAL DEQ1024, for example.

Using a low-cut filter in your signal path is particularly recommended if you use record players or CD players as your signal source. CD players often produce extremely deep frequencies, which can lead to extreme excursions of the bass membrane.

4.ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

4.1Length and diameter of loudspeaker cables

Loudspeaker cables whose diameter is too small can considerably limit the power amp performance. The longer the cable, the more pronounced the problem. As a result, musicians often simply “turn up” the amp, which can lead to loudspeaker damage. Therefore, don’t use cables longer than 15 m (45 ft.). For most applications, this will not be necessary. Cable diameter should be at least 2.5 - 4.0 mm2.

4.2 Power amp rating

Selecting the right amp can turn out to be rather difficult. Therefore, stick to the following rule of thumb: the power rating of your amp should be roughly twice the speaker load capacity. A speaker rated at 200 Watts continuous performance can easily be powered by an amp rated at 400 Watts output power. An optimal addition to your speaker system would be the BEHRINGER EUROPOWER EP1500 power amp, for example.

4.3 Fuses

We do not recommend the use of fuses with audio applications. Damage to loudspeakers can be the result of high peak signals and high output power. However, fuses can only offer protection from one of these two factors, and never from both. Additionally, fuse resistors are sometimes nonlinear, leading to distortion and unpredictable overdriving.

4.3.1 Protecting your equipment

Always try to find the optimal signal level. Try to avoid overdriving your amp.

Keep in mind the physical limitations of your PA system.

Use a limiter to restrict the output signal level. Place the limiter between the mixing console and the power amp. For this purpose, our proven AUTOCOM PRO-XL MDX1600, COMPOSER PRO-XL MDX2600 and MULTICOM PRO-XL MDX4600 compressors offer an outstanding solution. All models can be used as a limiter: the audio signal doesn’t overdrive any more, and unpleasant “peaks” are effectively avoided.

Our ULTRADRIVE PRO DCX2496 and SUPER-X CX3400/ CX2310 crossovers are particularly well-suited for protecting your equipment: for each output, they have independent limiters.

5.APPLICATION EXAMPLES

5.1Full-range stereo operation

In the following example, the main output signal of a mixing console is connected to a power amplifier. Both the outputs and inputs are stereo. A B212/B215 is connected to each of the amp outputs, and these speakers reproduce the entire frequency range (a full range).

Fig. 5.1: Full-range stereo operation

5.2 Using several B212/B215 loudspeakers

For larger rooms, you can connect several B212/B215 speakers.

Fig. 5.2: Wiring several B212/B215 loudspeakers

6	5. APPLICATION EXAMPLES