NOTE!
Use lower settings (or more subwoofers!) if your power amplifiers indicate clipping
on more than just the odd peak. Excessive clipping may also be caused by inadequate
power amplifier reserve or an inadequate mains supply. See Section 4.6.
4.6Power amplifier recommendations
The Wavefront WSX Subwoofer has been designed and manufactured for very high
performance but will not give that performance unless power amplifiers are chosen
and used intelligently.
Power capability
WSXs provide full performance when driven by professional power amplifiers
capable of delivering undistorted output power into a range of loads as follows:
WSX
600 W(AES) into 8 ohms
1,200 W(AES) into 4 ohms
and
2,400 W(AES) into 2 ohms
Please note:
Amplifiers with excessive output may damage voice-coils or age driver suspensions
due to excessive heat dissipation and excursion.
A note about power amplifier output specifications
Most power amplifier manufacturers keep their costs down by using unregulated
supply rails which sag under load. To allow for this sag, manufacturers set their rails
high so that they still meet their quoted output into specified loads. These high rail
voltages allow such power amplifiers to provide outputs 1.5 - 2 times the power
quoted for short-term bursts. Martin Audio products will withstand this potential
doubling of instantaneous power - with suitably set controller limiters - but further,
long-term increases caused by over-sized amplifiers should be avoided.
Martin Audio MA series power amplifiers have regulated rails so it is quite
permissible to use slightly overpowered models - with suitably set controller limiters
- without risking uncontrolled power bursts. The MA series power amplifiers’
regulated power rails also ensure maximum performance under the real-world concert
conditions of less-than-optimum mains supplies and low impedance loads. (See
Section 3.6.1)
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.