The Crate B160XL is a bass amplifier designed and manufactured in St. Louis, Missouri, with a focus on providing high-quality sound amplification for musicians. It is built using "the finest available components and materials" and undergoes a rigorous inspection and testing process, including a final test by a trained musician, to ensure a high-quality product. The amplifier is the result of cooperative efforts between engineers and professional musicians, aiming to meet the audio requirements of musicians and provide years of service.
Function Description:
The B160XL serves as a bass amplifier, taking an input signal from an electric bass or other line-level sources and amplifying it for performance. It features a comprehensive set of controls for shaping the sound, including gain, pre-shape, a graphic equalizer, and boost switches, as well as an effects loop and a chorus section for added sonic versatility. It also includes a power amp limiter to ensure a clean, undistorted sound at full power.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Output Power Rating: 160 watts RMS at 5% THD, with a 4 ohm load and 120Vac line.
- Speaker Size and Rating: B-160XL comes with a 15" speaker featuring a 2-1/2" voice coil and a 56 oz. magnet (Crate special design). The B-160XLE model includes a 15" Electro Voice Force speaker.
- Pre-Shape Control: Provides a 14 dB boost at 5 kHz.
- Low Boost Switch: Offers a 10 dB boost at 50 Hz.
- Graphic Equalizer: Features a 24 dB range across seven bands: 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 800Hz, 1.6kHz, and 5kHz.
- High Boost Switch: Delivers an 8 dB boost at 10kHz.
- Input Impedance: 220k ohms.
- Maximum Signal Level Accepted: 15v peak-to-peak.
- Gain @ 1kHz: 62dB with EQ flat, boosts off.
- Line Output Jack: 2 volts peak-to-peak at full rated power.
- Balanced Line Out Jack: 2 volts peak-to-peak at full rated power with a 600 ohm load.
- Signal To Noise Ratio: 70 dB below full power.
- Input Power Requirements: 120Vac, 60Hz, 400 watts max.
- Size and Weight: 24-3/4" W X 23" H X 16" D, weighing 65 lbs.
Usage Features:
- Input Section:
- INPUT JACK (1): Standard 1/4" phone plug input for low to line level signals like an electric bass.
- -15 dB INPUT JACK (2): Padded 1/4" input for hotter signals such as tape decks or active basses.
- GAIN CONTROL (3): Adjusts preamp gain. Higher settings for low output instruments or soft playing, lower settings for high output instruments or hard playing.
- PEAK LED INDICATOR (4): Lights up when distortion is present in the preamp. Gain should be set so this LED flashes occasionally or not at all.
- Pre-Shape Control (5): A pre-EQ "master" tone control. At "12 o'clock," the signal is flat. Clockwise boosts high frequencies, counterclockwise boosts low frequencies. Useful for dialing in a general tone or modifying an existing EQ setting.
- Equalization Section:
- LOW BOOST SWITCH (6): Depressed to boost low frequencies.
- GRAPHIC EQUALIZER (7): Seven sliders to boost or cut frequencies from 50 Hz to 5 kHz. Lower frequencies are on the left, higher on the right.
- HIGH BOOST SWITCH (8): Adds high frequency boost for "popping" or "slapping" styles.
- MASTER VOLUME CONTROL (9): Sets the overall listening level.
- LIMIT LED INDICATOR (10): Lights up when the power amp limiter is active, ensuring clean, undistorted sound at full power.
- Effects Loop:
- EFFECTS LOOP OUTPUT (11): Connects to the line level input of external effects devices, or can be used as a "direct" unbalanced send for recording.
- EFFECTS LOOP INPUT (12): Connects to the line level output of external effects devices. This "Post Gain" configuration helps optimize input signal levels and reduce noise.
- Chorus Section:
- CHORUS SWITCH (13): Depressed to turn on the chorus effect.
- SPECTRUM CONTROL (14): Fully counterclockwise choruses the full frequency spectrum. Turning clockwise allows low frequencies to pass without chorus, creating a "tight" or "punchy" low end with upper harmonic chorusing, desirable for live situations.
- DEPTH CONTROL (15): Sets the "depth" or amount of chorus effect.
- RATE CONTROL (16): Sets the rate of chorusing. Used with the Depth control, it allows for a wide range of chorus effects.
- Line Out Level Control (17): Sets the level of the balanced line output jack.
- Balanced Line Output Jack (18): Provides a balanced output signal for connection to an external power amp, tape deck, or mixing board.
- ON/OFF LED INDICATOR (19): Lights up when the amplifier is on.
- POWER SWITCH (20): Turns the B160XL on when pushed to the up position.
- Rear Panel Features:
- LINE OUTPUT JACK (21): High impedance unbalanced output for connecting to another amplifier or tape recorder.
- LINE INPUT JACK (22): Direct input to the power amp, disconnecting the normal preamp connection. Can be used with the Line Output Jack as an effects loop.
- SPEAKER OUTPUT JACKS (23 & 24): Accepts any load equal to at least 2 ohms. Total load from both jacks must be at least 2 ohms. The internal speaker is 4 ohms, allowing an additional 4 ohm load for a total of 2 ohms.
- POWER CORD (25): Heavy-duty grounded three-wire power cord for connection to a safely wired 120 Vac 60 Hz AC power outlet.
Maintenance Features:
- Safety Precautions: The manual advises against removing the chassis as there are no user-serviceable parts inside, and refers servicing to qualified service personnel.
- Hearing Protection: It warns that the equipment can produce sound pressure levels greater than 110 dB SPL, and continued exposure can cause permanent hearing impairment or loss. User caution and ear protection are recommended.
- Grounding: Emphasizes plugging the grounded three-wire power cord into a safely wired grounded outlet and never attempting to defeat the ground connection.
To Next Page
Need help?
General
