MACKIE SWA1501 Details top
Sometimes you need all the bottom-end you can get. That's where the Mackie SWA1501 Active Subwoofer System comes in. The SWA1501 features an internal 500-Watt Mackie FR (Fast Recovery) Series amplifier and a high-precision 15" transducer, custom designed for optimal performance with the amp and enclosure. Onboard Mackie Active electronics ensure seamless integration of the amplifier and transducer at all times, creating a system that is highly efficient and versatile.
TRUE ACTIVE SUBWOOFER
Active doesn't just mean the SWA1501 has an amplifier bolted on its back—it means optimized electronics that provide complete control and maximum performance over all components. The onboard Active system controls the crossover filters, equalization, protection for the transducer and electronics, and provides real time vigilance over the entire system. There is simply no way that you can get this kind of full system functionality by strapping an amp on the back of a passive speaker box.
BUILT-IN CROSSOVER
Connecting and setting up the SWA1501 is a breeze. It accepts a stereo or mono line-level signal via female XLR input jacks. Male XLR Thru jacks are provided for daisy-chaining the signal to additional SWA1501 cabinets. The built-in crossover routes the high frequency content to the high-pass output jacks, which can be used to feed the inputs of full-range Active speakers, such as those in the SRM Series, or an amplifier powering a pair of passive speakers. A Subwoofer Level control lets you adjust the balance between the subwoofer and the full-range speakers.
LOTS OF ONBOARD HORSEPOWER…
The SWA1501's built-in amplifier, which produces 500 watts continuous power, sits on a massive heatsink, eliminating the need for fans and dramatically extending life expectancy. A tremendous benefit of having the amplifier inside the subwoofer enclosure is that the SWA1501 functions as a complete system, optimizing acoustic, electronic, and mechanical designs to achieve the highest level of performance and value.
SOLID WOOD CONSTRUCTION
For High-output loudspeakers, real wood just sounds better—and it looks better, too! The SWA1501 enclosure is made of select 18mm Baltic birch plywood and finished in black splatter paint. Carrying handles are integrated into each side for easy loading. Since you will probably want the mid/high pack nearby, a pole mount receptacle is strategically placed on top of the enclosure.
500-Watt single 15” compact Active subwoofer system
• Precision 15" woofer with high temperature voice coil
• 500-Watt continuous power FR Series high-current amplifier
• Extremely powerful system capable of real, professional output levels
• Onboard Active electronics provide equalization and high-pass filter for full-range loudpseakers.
• 128dB Peak Output
• Frequency Response 36 Hz–120 Hz
• 13-ply Baltic Birch enclosure finished in black splatter paint
• Cast aluminum side handles
• Pole mount receptacle
• Signal present and limit LEDs
SWA1501
The transducer used in the SWA1501 system features a 3-inch, inside/outside wound voice coil that offers extreme power handling capabilities. The magnetic assembly used features advancements in coil venting and structural cooling that provides lower temperature rise and substantially improved power compression characteristics.
The amplifier module found in the SWA1501 cabinet is an example of application specific amplifier design that can be exercised when designing active speaker systems. The system uses a proprietary high efficiency, high current amplifier module designed to provide high current levels at all levels of operation. Having access to high current levels, no matter what the power output, is absolutely critical in achieving precise, total control of the woofer mass. This control is responsible for lowering audible distortion artifacts and providing aggressive attack through the operating band pass of the system. The amplifier module is mounted on a large,finned aluminum heat sink. The amplifier system is rated at 500 watts rms of continuous output and 700 watts peak output.
The SWA1501 features a sophisticated on board control system allowing for flexible integration with active or passive full range or mid/high speaker systems. The input panel accepts line level input signal and has LOOP OUT connectors for signal routing to other devices. It also has HIGH PASS out connectors for connection to active full range speakers or amplifiers powering passive full range speakers. All signal routing is through XLR connectors in L+R stereo or mono. There is a phase selection switch and a recessed level control. The system features thermal protection for the power supply and amplifier module and also incorporates RMS limiting protection for the amplifier stage that limits the amount of long term power deliver to the transducer.
The cabinet is constructed using 15mm thick multi-layered birch plywood and finished in black splatter paint. There are one handle on each side for efficient loading and transport as well as a top, female pole mount fixture.
High Resolution Audio Reproduction
The SWA1501 does not behave like a typical 15" subwoofer manufactured by so many other companies. It has been designed using our belief that live audio subwoofers should focus on the character of the "attack" the device has. We have also focused our energies on the design of double horn loaded chambers to achieve a significant increase in output and lower distortion characteristics which lead to high resolution performance.
On-Board Active Electronics with Flexible Rear Panel Controls and I/O
A flexible input panel provides both stereo and mono signal input and output capabilities. There are High Pass outputs that are work above the operating band pass of the subwoofer cabinet. The panel also features four function LEDs that provide POWER ON, LIMIT, SIGNAL PRESENT and THERMAL condition indication. You can also control the level and phase of the system using recessed controls.
The low frequency amplifier is a unique switch mode hybrid topology that provides 500 watts of continuous output with over 700-watt peaks. More importantly the design delivers over 90% efficiency resulting in very little power the heatsink during the demo being dissipated thermally through the heatsink.
Active doesn't mean it has an amplifier bolted on the back, it means seamless integration of optimized electronics that provide complete control and maximum performance. The on-board control system provides crossover filters, equalization, protection for speaker components and electronics as well as real time active vigilance over the operating parameters of the system.