Wharfedale Pro LA-15 - User Manual

Unpacking
All Wharfedale Pro products are fully
checked before leaving the factory. After
unpacking please inspect cabinets for any
physical damage. Please retain the shipping
carton if possible and internal packing material in case the unit needs
to be returned. Please check as soon as possible the unit is
functioning. In the event of any damage please contact your dealer
immediately so that a written claim for damages can be made.
Wharfedale Pro Limited Warranty*
Wharfedale Pro LA Series loudspeaker systems are warranted to be clear
of manufacturing or materials defects for a period of one year from the
original date of purchase. In the event of malfunction, contact your
authorised Wharfedale Professional dealer or distributor for information.
*Be aware that warranty details may differ from country to country. Contact your dealer or
distributor for information. These terms do not infringe your statutory rights.
PRO LA-15 AND LA-15SUB (PASSIVE)
Operating/Use
1. The LA Series accept cables with Speakon™ and 1/4’ jack
connectors. The units feature two jack sockets and two Speakon™
type connectors situated at the rear of each cabinet. These are
connected in parallel. You can connect LA Series cabinets in
series. Take care to avoid adding too many speaker system in
series. Each series connected speaker increases the load on the
amplifier and can add up to a total load that may exceed the
amplifier’s capabilities, leading to possible damage. Two 8Ω
loudspeakers in series make a 4Ω total load. Four 8Ω series
connected loudspeakers make a total load of 2Ω, which is too low
for many amplifiers.
2. Connect the speaker cable securely to your LA unit and power
amplifier (the amplifier should be off, power down mode). Where
possible use Speakon™ connectors as they are professional high
current connections specifically designed for this application.
Try to use the correct type of speaker cable according to the
handling ability of your LA Series Cabinet. Use 2 conductor equal
stranded insulated cable for speaker runs. It is always advisable to
use heavier conductor cables on longer runs.
3. If using Speakon™, insert the speakon and rotate 1/8 of a turn
until locked in. If using a jack plug insert until secure.
4. Power up amplifier with levels on zero. Confirm LA speakers are
operating.
LA SERIES PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER SYSTEMS
USER MANUAL
LA-15 • LA-15SUB
● Strong construction of acoustically enert, high
impact, ‘GiG’ tough ACOUSTIC RESIN™
● Proprietary designed, high efficiency, high power
Wharfedale Professional drive units.
● Protective grills
● Sophisticated crossover design enables smooth
power and frequency response control through
crossover region.
● Integral High Frequency Driver Overload protection
“PRO-TECH” TM
● High frequency horn coverage can be changed for
60 x 40 or 40 x 60 degree coverage. Simply undo
the four screws on the HF horn and rotate 90
degrees.
● Complex Trapezoid design for grouping of cabinets
in array
● Integral Easy carry handles
● Integral tripod stand adaptor
 WARNING & SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Wharfedale Pro LA Series of Professional Sound Reinforcement Loudspeakers
1. READ INSTRUCTIONS carefully before operating this product.
2
. RETAIN these instructions.
3. COMPLY WITH WARNINGS - All warnings and instructions for
this product should be adhered to.
4. USE WITH AMPLIFIERS - In order to avoid damage, it is
advisable to establish and follow a pattern for turning on and off
any sound system. With all system parts connected, turn on
source equipment, tape decks, instruments, mixers, signal
processors etc., BEFORE turning on your power amplifier. Many
products output turn on and turn off transients that can damage
speakers. By turning on your power amplifier LAST and making
sure the amplifier’s input controls are at minimum any transients
“upstream” of the amplifier are not amplified and passed to the
speaker. Wait until all system parts have stabilised, then bring up
amplifier controls to operating level. This should take no more
than a few seconds. Similarly when shutting systems down,
always turn down amplifier input controls and then turn off your
amplifier BEFORE shutting down other components. Professional
amplifiers often feature delayed turn on/off circuits to perform
these functions for you automatically.
5. CABLES - Never use shielded or microphone cable for any
speaker connection as this will not be heavy enough to handle the
amplifier load and could cause damage to the complete system.
6.   RIGGING • SUSPENDING • MOUNTING
The rigging, suspension or mounting of this speaker system can
expose members of the public to serious health risks and even
death. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO RIG,
SUSPEND OR OTHERWISE MOUNT THIS SYSTEM UNLESS
YOU ARE FULLY QUALIFIED AND CERTIFIED TO DO SO BY
RELAVENT LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL AUTHORITIES.
ALL RELAVENT SAFETY REGULATIONS MUST BE
FOLLOWED. IF YOU ARE NOT PROPERLY QUALIFIED OR DO
NOT KNOW OF PERTINANT REGULATIONS, CONSULT
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL FOR ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE.
7.  CAUTION: These professional loudspeaker systems are
capable of generating very high sound pressure levels. Use care
with placement and operation to avoid exposure to excessive
levels that can cause permanent hearing damage.
8. SERVICING - The user should not attempt to service this
product except that mentioned in this manual.

Summary

Warning and Safety Instructions

General Safety Compliance

General instructions and compliance warnings for product operation.

Amplifier Connection & Operation

Guidance on connecting and turning sound system components on/off.

Speaker Cable Usage

Recommendations for speaker cable types to avoid system damage.

Rigging and Mounting Safety

Critical safety advice for rigging, suspension, or mounting the speaker system.

High Sound Level Precautions

Caution regarding high sound pressure levels and potential hearing damage.

Servicing Limitations

User limitations on product servicing, referring to manual instructions.

Product Features and Design

Construction and Drive Units

Highlights robust construction and proprietary high-efficiency drive units.

Crossover and Protection

Details sophisticated crossover design and HF driver overload protection.

Cabinet Design Features

Covers horn coverage adjustability, trapezoid design, handles, and tripod adaptor.

Operating and Usage Instructions

Unpacking and Initial Inspection

Procedure for unpacking, inspecting for damage, and retaining packaging.

Connection and Power-Up

Guidance on connecting speakers, cable types, and power-up sequence.

Wharfedale Pro Limited Warranty

Application and System Design

General Application

Describes the system's suitability for demanding professional audio applications.

Bi-Amplification Explained

Details the practice of using separate amplifiers for each speaker driver.

Subwoofer Operation

Guidance on using the LA-15 SUB for low-frequency extension.

Technical Specifications

System Configuration Diagrams

Extended Full Range System

Diagram illustrating a full range system with LA-15 and LA-15SUB.

System with External Crossover

Diagram showing system setup with an external active crossover.

Operating and Service Manual

General Warning and Safety

General warnings and safety instructions for the powered speaker systems.

Water, Ventilation, Power, Shock

Safety precautions regarding water, airflow, power supply, and electric shock.

Cable and Rigging Safety

Safety advice on cable usage, rigging, suspension, and mounting.

Sound Level and Servicing

Precautions on sound levels and user limitations for servicing.

Powered Speaker Operation

Input Connectors

Details the XLR/1/4" jack Combi sockets for input connections.

Power and Signal Connection

Instructions for connecting power and signal leads from audio sources.

Power-Up Sequence

Procedure for powering up the audio mixer, processor, and speakers.

Balanced Line Operation

Balanced Line Benefits

Explains how balanced lines improve hum and noise rejection.

Unbalanced vs. Balanced

Compares balanced and unbalanced cables regarding signal integrity.

System Integration and Power

Power Supply

Information on connecting the power cable and setting mains voltage.

System Linking

Guidance on linking LA-15P and LA-15PB units or using external crossovers.

Wharfedale Pro LA-15 Specifications

General

Power Handling	300W RMS
Peak Power	1200W
Sensitivity	97dB
Impedance	8 Ohms
Weight	25 kg
Configuration	2-way
Type	Active Line Array Speaker
Woofer Size	15 inches
LF Driver Size	15 inches
Drivers	1 x LF, 1 x HF
Connectors	Neutrik NL4