Blaze CBL528-BA User manual

INSTALLATION MANUAL
CBL528-BA Loudspeakers

1. Introduction and Overview
1.2 CBL528-BA Pack Contents
Each CBL528-BA package contains a single loudspeaker and its
document pack.
CBL528-BA
loudspeaker
1.1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Blaze Audio CBL528-BA loudspeaker. The CBL528-BA is a constant directivity, full
range loudspeaker designed for venues that require a versatile, short to medium throw, high quality public address
loudspeaker solution. Mounted vertically, the CBL528-BA enclosure provides 45° vertical and 180° horizontal
coverage with maximum continuous sound pressure level of up 121dB at 1m. CBL528-BA loudspeakers incorporate
multiple attachment points that enable a variety of pole, ceiling mount and own installations.
The CBL528-BA comprises a low frequency array of four high performance 5 inch drivers operating from 54Hz to 420Hz, combined
with a vertical line source wide band array of eight 2 inch drivers operating from 420Hz to 18kHz. The CBL528-BA is designed to be
drivern by two output channels of a Blaze PowerZone Connect 3004 power amplier congured to provide apporpriately ltered
outputs for the two driver arrays.
Document Pack

2. Applications and Deployment
• Read these instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Before installing or suspending any CBL528-BA loudspeaker,
inspect all hardware, the enclosure, and associated equipment
for damage. Missing, corroded, or deformed components, or
components without correct load ratings, could signicantly
reduce the strength of the installation or placement and should
immediately be repaired or replaced.
• Always make sure that the structure the loudspeaker is to be
suspended from has been approved by the building or structural
engineer and will support the weight of all the components
of the speaker system including speakers, speaker cable, wire
rope, etc.
• Consult a licensed professional structural engineer regarding
physical equipment installation.
• Do not suspend loudspeakers directly over people.
• Use only hardware that is rated for the load conditions of
the installation and that allows for a possible short-term,
unexpected overload. Never exceed the rating of the hardware
or equipment.
• Blaze Audio strongly recommends that the system be inspected
at least once a year and logged. If any sign of weakness
or damage is detected, remedial action should be taken
immediately.
• All installation crew members must be trained for loudspeaker
rigging and mounting.
• Make sure that all relevant health and safety regulations
are known, are followed by the installation crew, and follow
applicable local laws. Local government ofces can help with
this information.
• Suspended installations must be completed or supervised by a
certied rigger.
• The system should be designed so that it is a static suspension.
There should be no dynamic or shock loading.
• Personal protective equipment (hard hats, steel-toed footwear,
safety glasses, etc.) should be always worn by the installation
crew.
• If called for in the design, make sure all installation personnel
are trained to work at height and have certications for scissor
lifts, theatrical hoists, etc.
• Make sure all lifting equipment (slings, span-sets, deck chain,
scaffolding, etc.) is in good working order. Thoroughly inspect all
components prior to use.
• Inspect all the components associated with the project
for damage before assembly. Any parts with damage or
suspected damage should not be used. Contact the component
manufacturer for replacement parts if necessary.
• Keep a tidy workplace. Do not leave tools, rigging items, etc., on
top of loudspeakers during installation. Loose items can fall and
cause injury.
• Never leave the system unattended during the installation
process. Make sure that the workspace is isolated from
public access. No one should be allowed to pass beneath the
loudspeakers during installation.
• Do not suspend any other components or loudspeakers other
than the supported congurations described in this manual.
• If secondary steel safeties are required, they should be installed
once the entire system is at operating height and before public
access is allowed.
2.1 Important Safety Instructions
WARNING: Failure to observe the following safety precautions may result in severe injury or death.
Installations such as described in this guide should only be attempted by a trained professional.

2. Applications and Deployment
2.2 Installation Options
CBL528-BA loudspeakers can be installed free-standing on appropriate at surfaces, pole mounted via underside hole
xtures, top mounted using specic mounting hardware, or own from dened attachment points.
2.2.1 Underside Pole Mounting
If a CBL528-BA loudspeaker is to be underside pole-mounted,
simply insert a standard 35mm (13/8inch) diameter speaker stand
pole into the one of the underside hole xtures. The front hole
provides perpendicular alignment while the rear hole provides a
7.5° down-tilt option.
Note: It is important to ensure that the speaker stand and pole
employed is able to support the 17.46kg (38.5lb) weight of the speaker
with an appropriate safety margin.
Underside mount using
standard speaker pole
2.2.2 Top Mounting
If a CBL528-BA loudspeaker is to be top mounted, this can be
achieved through the use of a standard projector mount bracket
attached to the speaker’s top panel. The Chief model CMA395
projector mount is recommended. The following paragraphs
described and illustrate attachment of a Chief CMA395 projector
mount to the top panel of a CBL528-BA loudspeaker.
Note: Alternative top mount brackets may be used, however they
must conform to the 152mm (5.98 in) CBL528-BA mounting point
spacing, and be able to support the CBL528-BA 17.46kg (38.5lb)
weight with an appropriate safety margin.
Step 1. Remove one pair of the M8 countersunk mount screws
in the top panel of the CBL528-BA loudspeaker. Remove
either the forward or reward pair of screws depending on
the desired projector mount location.
Remove one pair of top
panel mount screws

2. Applications and Deployment
2 x M8 x 35mm
hex head bolts
Tighten the M8 x 35mm
hex head bolts
Step 2. Place the Chief CMA395 projector mount in position and
attach it using two M8 x 35mm hex head bolts screwed
into the mount holes left by the screws removed in Step
1. Ensure that the bolts used have the appropriate quality
and safety ratings.
Step 3. Tighten the M8 x 35mm bolts securely. The vertical angle
of the loudspeaker can be adjusted by loosening the
projector mount adjustment bolts. The rotational angle
of the loudspeaker can be adjusted by turning it on the
mounting spigot screwed into the projector mount body.
WARNING: Consult a professional mechanical or structural engineer, licensed in the jurisdiction of the
sound system installation, to review, verify, and approve all attachments to the building or structure.
Employ the services of a certied, professional rigger for hoisting, positioning and rigging the equipment
to the supporting structure. Improper suspension can lead to serious damage, injury, or death.
NEVER SUSPEND LOUDSPEAKERS DIRECTLY ABOVE THE AUDIENCE

2. Applications and Deployment
2.2.3 Flying Attachment Points
The CBL528-BA loudspeaker can be own by attaching ying
hardware to two or more of the rigging attachment points. There
are two M10 rigging attachment points on the top of the
CBL528-BA loudspeaker and one on each side.
The following paragraphs described and illustrate the attachment
of M10 rigging eyelets to the loudspeaker. Alternative M10
rigging hardware can be attached in a similar manner.
Step 1. Remove existing M10 countersunk mount screws present
at the required rigging points.
Note: Removal of all four M10 rigging point countersunk screws is
shown. Only remove the two screws required for the rigging scheme.
WARNING: Consult a professional mechanical or structural engineer, licensed in the jurisdiction of the
sound system installation, to review, verify, and approve all attachments to the building or structure.
Employ the services of a certied, professional rigger for hoisting, positioning and rigging the equipment
to the supporting structure. Improper suspension can lead to serious damage, injury, or death.
NEVER SUSPEND LOUDSPEAKERS DIRECTLY ABOVE THE AUDIENCE
Remove required rigging
point screws
Screw rigging eyelets into the
required rigging point holes
Step 2. Screw M10 rigging eyelets into the required rigging point
holes. Use at least two rigging points. Ensure that the
rigging eyelets used have the appropriate quality and
safety ratings.

IN
CBL 528
3. Connection and Amplication
3.1 CBL528-BA Input Connections
The CBL528-BA is tted with a Neutrik NL4 Speakon input socket on its rear panel for connection to a Blaze
PowerZone Connect 3004 Amplier. Input connections are described and illustrated below.
CBL528-BA Socket Connections
Signal Routing Connection Pin
LF (-) 1 (-)
LF (+) 1 (+)
MF/HF (-) 2 (-)
MF/HF (+) 2 (+)
3.1.1 CBL528-BA Input Connections
The CBL528-BA input socket is wired in a bi-amp
conguration such that the loudspeaker is powered by
two amplier channels – one for the bass drivers and
one for the mid/high frequency array. The socket is
wired to enable this connection scheme as indicated in
the following table and diagram.
Connect to Blaze PowerZone
Connect 3004 amplier outputs
1-
2+
1+
2-
3.1.2 Neutrik Speakon NL4 Pins
Bass drivers
(LF) positive (+)
Bass drivers
(LF) negative (-)
Mid/high drivers
(HF) negative (-)
Mid/high drivers
(HF) positive (+)

IN
CBL 528
1-
2+
1+
2-
IN
CBL 528
1-
2+
1+
2-
3. Connection and Amplication
3.1.3 CBL528-BA Amplier Connections
CBL528-BA loudspeakers are intended to be paired with the
Blaze PowerZone Connect 3004 amplier. The PowerZone
Connect 3004 incorporates the DSP equalisation facilities
required to optimise the loudspeaker’s acoustic performance. The
PowerZone Connect 3004 is a four channel power amplier able
to drive two CBL528-BA loudspeakers. It is not recommended
that more than two CBL528-BA loudspeakers are connected to a
single PowerZone Connect 3004 amplier.
CBL528-BA loudspeaker and PowerZone 3004 amplier
connections are illustrated in the diagram.
Note: The Blaze PowerZone Connection 3004 Installation Manual,
available for download from the Blaze website (blaze-audio.com),
contains comprehensive amplier installation and operational
information.

3. Connection and Amplication
3.2 PowerZone Connect Amplier Equalization Proles
The Blaze PowerZone Connect 3004 amplier incorporates DSP based loudspeaker equalization, accessed via a web
page interface, that enables precongured lter and equalization presets to be applied to its speaker outputs. A preset
for CBL528-BA loudspeakers is available for download from the Blaze website and must be used for correct speaker
performance. The procedure for downloading and applying speaker presets is described in the following paragraphs.
3.2.1 PowerZone Control Network Connection
In order to install the CBL528-BA speaker preset les, the
PowerZone Connect 3004 amplier requires either a wired or
wireless connection via a TCP/IP network, or to connect via its
own wireless access point, to a computer or mobile device from
which speaker preset les can be uploaded. Internet access for
speaker preset le download is also required.
Note: The PowerZone Connect 3004 amplier Quick Start Guide
and Installation Manual documents cover network connection and
can be downloaded from the Blaze website: https://blaze-audio.com/
support/#Manuals
3.2.2 Speaker Preset Download and Application
Follow the steps below to download and apply the appropriate
CBL528-BA speaker preset to each amplier output.
Step 1. Using a computer or mobile device, visit the Blaze website
(blaze-audio.com/products/speakers/cca10/) and select
the speaker preset les for download.
NOTE: The speaker preset
les will download in a
compressed .zip archive
format. Expand the .zip
archive and store the les in
an appropriate location on
the download device.
Step 2. On the computer
or mobile device,
navigate to the
PowerZone
Connect 3004
amplier web
interface and select
the Output tab.
Step 3. From the Output page select the Output 1 tab at the top
of the display and then select the Speaker Preset menu
option.
NOTE: The exact appearance and layout
of the amplier web interface may vary
slightly depending on the device and
browser in use.

3. Connection and Amplication
Step 4. Selecting IMPORT PRESET FROM FILE will open the
Speaker Preset Import pop-up box that provides the
option to choose a preset le.
Step 5. Browse the download device for the les downloaded in
Step 1 and select the le named:
CBL528_Bass_PreSet_Locked_V1.2.zcp
Select IMPORT.
Step 6. The speaker preset le will now be applied to amplier
Output 1.
Step 7. With the appropriate speaker preset le (CBL528_Bass_
PreSet_Locked_V1.2.zcp ) applied to amplier Output 1,
repeat Step 2 to Step 6 for the three remaining amplier
outputs. The appropriate speaker preset les for each
output are:
Output 2: CBL528_High_PreSet_Locked_V1.2.zcp
Output 3: CBL528_Bass_PreSet_Locked_V1.2.zcp
Output 4: CBL528_High_PreSet_Locked_V1.2.zcp
NOTE: Amplier outputs are selected from the numbered tabs at the
top of the amplier interface Output page.
IMPORTANT: It is vital for the correct
operation of the CBL528-BA loudspeaker
that the correct speaker preset le is
applied to each amplier output and that
the speakers are connected as described
in Section 3 of this manual.
CBL

4. Technical Information
4.1 CBL528-BA Specications
4.1.1 System Performance
Frequency Response (-3dB) 1 54Hz - 18kHz
Frequency Response (-10dB) 148Hz - 18kHz
High-PassFilter 48Hz - w/ minimum 24 dB / Butterworth Filter
Horizontal Nominal Dispersion (-6dB) 180°
Vertical Nominal Dispersion (-6dB) 45°
Recommended Crossover Frequency 420Hz (acoustic, active, external DSP)
Low-Frequency Drivers Quad 5” w 1.5” Voice Coil
Mid/High-Frequency Drivers Eight x 2” mid/HF range w 1.0” Voice Coil
Long Term Power Handling (Low Freq.) 2320 W (1280 W peak)
Long Term Power Handling (High Freq.) 2200 W (800 W peak)
Bi-Amp Impedance (Low Freq.) 8 ohms
Bi-Amp Impedance (High Freq.) 5.2 ohms
Pressure Sensitivity @ 1W/1m (Low Freq.) 393 dB
Pressure Sensitivity @ 1W/1m (High Freq.) 395.5 dB
Bi-Amp Max SPL @ 1W/1m 121 dB SPL (131 dB SPL peak)
4.1.2 Physical Characteristics
Enclosure Material 12mm birch plywood, engineered plastics.
Finish Two-part spray catalyzed Polyurea coating on
plywood.
Grille Material 14-gauge (2mm) perforated steel, powder-coated
nish, black.
Environmental Indoor use only.
Connectors/Bi-Amp One (1) NL4 Neutrik® Speakon® connector.
Suspension/Mounting M10 Fly Points x 4, M8 projector mount, two-
position pole-mount.
Dimensions (HxWxD) 19.46” x 13.78” x 15.99”
(494.3mm x 350mm x 406.16mm)
Net Weight 38.5lbs / 17.46kg
Shipping Weight 43.5lbs / 19.75kg
NOTES:
1. Frequency response and range measured on-axis with recommended active EQ in an anechoic environment.
2. Power handling tested using pink noise ltered to meet IEC 268-5,
6 dB crest factor, 100 hours (approx 4 days), with recommended active EQ.
3. Sensitivity measured in free eld (no boundary-loading gain) with recommended active EQ, referenced to 1W/1m. Maximum SPL calculated
from sensitivity and power handling specications, exclusive of power compression (100Hz-10KHz).

Rev F 22/08/2023
Designed in USA/Denmark - Made in USA.
Blaze, 1904 Fairfax Road, Suite B, Greensboro, NC 27407, US. [email protected]. www.blaze-audio.com
4.2 CBL528-BA Mechanical Drawings
4. Technical Information
4.2.1 CBL528-BA Loudspeaker Dimensions
15.99”
406.16 mm
19.46”
494.3 mm
13.78”
350 mm