How do you connect these PA speakers for a full range sound?

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Just got the following system - Soundcraft Spirit Powerstation 1200
powered mixer and Peavey HP 400 sound reinforcement speakers.

The speakers have four sockets at the back, one pair saying 'Normal'
above the sockets and 'Full Range' below. The second pair of sockets
says 'Bi amp' above and 'Hi' and 'Lo' below. I'm using Speakon
connections at the powered mixer outputs, and TRS jacks to plug into
each speaker - just one for each output.

I thought all I had to do was to plug each output into one of the Full
Range sockets of each speaker to get the full response of the Peavey
speakers, but all I'm getting is the 15" speakers - no horn. Trying the
other Full Range socket makes no difference, still no horn. I can get a
middy sound using the Hi socket of the Bi amp connections but still no
horn sounding.

Is this only to be used with a crossover, or are there settings
internally, or are my horn units blown? If anyone's got any advice or
info I'd appreciate it. And if there are any related web links to
setting up PA systems that'd be great too :-)

Dave

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <1124911758.722150.298810@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
Wotcha <kirbister@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>The speakers have four sockets at the back, one pair saying 'Normal'
>above the sockets and 'Full Range' below. The second pair of sockets
>says 'Bi amp' above and 'Hi' and 'Lo' below. I'm using Speakon
>connections at the powered mixer outputs, and TRS jacks to plug into
>each speaker - just one for each output.

So, where is the switch that moves the speakers from biamp mode to
full range mode? Is it on the back or is it inside? You need to
set the speakers to full range.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Ok. had a little peek inside. No switches that I can see, just wires
and plugs. Looks clean enough inside, speakers look identical for both
enclosures, so either not been replaced or matching ones used.

On the exterior of the connection panel there is a graphic of a line
joining the two sockets in the Full Range section - is this
significant?

Dave

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Wotcha wrote:

> Ok. had a little peek inside. No switches that I can see, just wires
> and plugs. Looks clean enough inside, speakers look identical for both
> enclosures, so either not been replaced or matching ones used.

No pcb with crossover components ? If there isn't a crossover then the cab
won't work full range.

> On the exterior of the connection panel there is a graphic of a line
> joining the two sockets in the Full Range section - is this
> significant?

It means they're linked. i.e. either can be used as the input or a link to
another cab.

Graham

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Wotcha wrote:

> Ok. had a little peek inside. No switches that I can see, just wires
> and plugs. Looks clean enough inside, speakers look identical for both
> enclosures, so either not been replaced or matching ones used.
>
> On the exterior of the connection panel there is a graphic of a line
> joining the two sockets in the Full Range section - is this
> significant?

If you've got inside why not just follow the wires and see what they're
connected to ?

Graham

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Wotcha wrote:

> Thanks again for the comments
>
> Sorry, when I said just plugs and wires there's actually a plastic
> shielded cover which must contain stuff underneath, and several large
> transformer thingies are also mounted on it..

That'll be the crossover.

> The speaker leads were supplied by the chap I bought it off, so I'm
> assuming they're correct. I've emailed him of course, but no reply yet.

I meant inspect the internal wiring actually.

> I might try and do some comparison tests with other amps and speakers I
> could borrow.

No real need. There's a crossover in the cabinet. You need to establish if
it's wired correctly to the speakers and sockets next.

If you're not that technical you may need some assistance.

The speaker should work correctly in your application with the input to the
'full range' inputs btw. The 'bi-amp' inputs are for use when an active (
line level ) crossover is used with separate power amps for the lows and
highs.


Graham

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Wotcha wrote:

> The speakers have four sockets at the back, one pair saying 'Normal'
> above the sockets and 'Full Range' below. The second pair of sockets
> says 'Bi amp' above and 'Hi' and 'Lo' below. I'm using Speakon
> connections at the powered mixer outputs, and TRS jacks to plug into
> each speaker - just one for each output.
>
> I thought all I had to do was to plug each output into one of the Full
> Range sockets of each speaker to get the full response of the Peavey
> speakers, but all I'm getting is the 15" speakers - no horn.

You're connecting to the correct jacks. The two are in parallel so you
can daisy chain another speaker.

If you're using store-bought cables with Speakons on one end and TRS
(and not TS) plugs on the other, these may be for bi-amped speakers. If
they're really TS plugs, then I dunno.

If your powered mixer has binding posts or 1/4" jacks for outputs as
well as the Speakons, you might try a different cable going to the
speakers. That will eliminate any non-standard wiring that your Speakon
cable might have.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Thanks again folks for the comments

I connected another pair of speakers and these worked fine, but they
were using the binding posts.

I got a reply from the chap who sold the speakers and he confirmed that
they should work the way I expected. I'm going to try and borrow some
speakers using the speakon connectors next.

I've been very careful with levels so I don't think I've done anything
silly :-)

A few more things to try so I'll let you know how I get on.

Dave