Peavey CS-900 User Manual

SIAM PING
The Peav 0 y CS-900 pafoh panel can also be used to biamp and/or provide special equalization capabilities for loudspeaker systems.
Various electronic crossovers and special purpose modules are available in a broad range of frequencies for both Peaveyand non-Peavey
loudspeaker systems. More complicated systems, such as stereo biemped, triamped, or even 4-way crossover systems are possible. We
suggest you contact your Authorized Peavey Dealer for details. A typical slereo biamp system will be discussed in this manual.
CS-900 PATCH PANEL (STEREO MODE)
WITH CROSSOVER AMD INPUT TRANSFORMER MODULES
rnANSPOCMEn
The purposeof a traditional hlgh-levelpasslvecrossoverfoundinside most speaker systems is to separalethe low frequency material from
the program and feed ittothe woofer (lowfrequency driver), and to separate the high frequency material from the program and feed It to the
tweeter (high frequency driver) This crossover Isconnected between a powerampllfter and thespeakersand, as Itsnameimplles, ismadeup
entirely of passive components (no transistors ortubes). Such a system is usually referred to as "full-range,” which simply means that the
power amplifier must handle the full range of frequencies. There are many good reasons for using a biamplilied prof^sionai system as
opposed toafuH-range system. One reason Is that the biamp system will provide more headroom with the same power amplifier complement
than that ofthefull-rangesystem. The term head room deserves so me consideration. Prog ram mate rial (music orspeech)ismadeupof many
different frequencies end their harmonics. Most music, especially contemporary rock music, is bass heavy, Thai is, tfie low frequency
material contains much more energy than the high frequency material. If t«th high and low frequency material, such as voice and bass
guitar, are present ina full rangesystem, the high-energy bass frequencies can use upmosloflhe power available from thepowerampMfier,
leaving little (or none) forthe high frequencies. The result can be severe clipping (dlsloriion) of the high frequency material. Inabiamplified
system, The high frequency material Is routed to Its own power amplifier (and associated loudspeaker), which avoids theclipping problem.
This results in an effective increase In system headroom tnat is greater than would be obtained by simply using a second power
amplifier/speaker combination in full range operation. To biamp then, some type of active crossover Is employed In the mixer teed to
separate the low and high frequency material, which is then patched to separate power amplifiers to drive separate loudspeaker
components. Such a system ie easily accom pi iehed with the Peavey CS-900 power amplifier patch panel and associated OS'” Series plug-m
active crossover modules.
Referring to Diagram 3. the jumper plugs In both crossover accessory sockets (12) have been replaced by two-way crossover modules.
Also notice that the PL-2 transformer modules are still in the iransformeraccessory sockets (10). Thisconfiguratlonnowhas the makings of
acompfetestereo-balanceo blamp system. Theonly Thing required Isanadditionatstereo power amplifier, which, togetherwlththe existing
dual power amp sections of the CS-900, makes up the four Independent power amptifrers requiredforasTereobiampllficatlon system. You
will notice that because of the pin out arrangements of the jumper plugs versus the crossover networks, whenever the jumper plugs are
removed fromthecrossoveraccessory sockets (12), the power amplifier Inputs forthe respective channels are isolated (nolongerconnected
to anything). In other words, the crossover modules themselves end ell aseociated connectors (a$ well as the PL-2 transformers and
respective XLR connectors) are islands unto themselves. In this case, two islands with each crossover having a balanced Input (9), dual
(parallel) unbalanced inputs (11), an unbalanced low output (13), and an unbalanced high output (14). In order to complete the system,
external patching must be accomplished between the low and high crossover outputs and the various power amp inputs using shielded
patch cords.
Reviewing our previous discussion concerning headroom, bass-heavy program material requires more power for the low Irequency
system than the high frequency system. In general, high frequency horn drivers have lower power ratings (power handling capability), but
have high ettic ion cy ratings (sound pressure capability for a given power)than do tow frequency woofers. Thus, itnighi be necessary to use
a smaller power amplifier on the high frequency components and a larger power amplifier on the low frequency components of a blamp
system. Such a system can be achieved using the CS*900 stereo power amplifier itself forthe two low frequency channels, and adding a
Peevey M-7000 forthe two high frequency channels. In this case, the low outs (13) of the crossover islands must be patched to the power amp
inputs (15) of the CS-900, and the high outs (14) of the crossover Islands must be patched to the power amp inputs of the M-7000, Four
shielded patch cords a re required I nth is configuration. The stereo feeds from the associated mixing system will be patched Into the balanced
XLRconneclors (9) on the respecllvecrossoverislands. The system is then completed by connecting theproperspeakercomponents lothe
correct power amplifier outputs. A diagram is included at the end of this manual showing all connections. II is recommended that all
cnnn^n tkons be completed and double-checked before applying power. Wrong connectlor>8 could result in loudspeaker damage. It Is also
qc .)fi practice To apply AC power to the power amplifiers with me sensitivity controls at full counter-clcxikwlse settings (off) and then
graduahy bring upthelevelstc check connectionsand make sureat low sound pressure levels that the biamped system has properrouting of
highs and lows to the respective amps, hornsand bass enclosures. Aftercompletion ofthese tests, the various sensitivity controls should be
set to their normal operational settings (usually full clockwise).

Peavey CS-900 Specifications

General

Brand	Peavey
Model	CS-900
Category	Amplifier
Language	English