CARVIN BX1600 User manual

76-42506B 122216
The BX Series Bass Amplifier Heads offer classic natural bass tone with unprecedented tonal
control and extended headroom. The BX1600 “dual” mono block amplifier delivers 2x325w
at 8ohms, 2x500w at 4ohms, and 2x800w at 2ohms. Bridge mode allows both amps to drive
one output for 1000w at 8 ohms and 1600w at 4 ohms.
Four discrete Class A input stages produce the harmonic basis for the preamp right from
the input jack. It begins with a boutique flat response, then we add extensive tone control
allowing you to carve out your signature sound. Harmonic content increases as you turn up
the DRIVE control producing rich harmonics at maximum settings. Solid design, bullet-proof
construction and a list of indispensable features assure the BX1600 will be the heart of your
rig for years to come.
•DiscreteClassAinputstages
•Bypassable12AX7preamptube
•PreampDRIVEandmasterVOLUMEcontrols
•BiampCROSSOVERLO&HIlevels
•3midsweepsemi-parametricEQ,BASS,andTREBLE
•9-bandGraphicEQwithfrontpanelswitch(orbyoptionalFS22footswitch)
•SignalMUTEfrontpanelswitch(orbyoptionalFS22footswitch)
•EFFECTLOOPfrontpanelbypassswitch(orbyoptionalFS22footswitch)
•DIRECTOUTbalancedXLRwithindependentLEVELcontrol,switchable
 “Pre-Post”and“GroundLift”,DCisolated
•TUNERoutputjackindependentofMUTEswitch
•SingleknobopticalCOMPRESSOR
•LEDpanellighting
•LockingACcordreceptaclealsoacceptsstandardcords
•HighcurrentTwist-LockBRIDGEDspeakeroutput
•SPEAKON®-1/4”combojacksforAmp1&2
•Metalshaftcontrolswiththreadedmetalbushingsmounteddirectlytofrontpanel
•CircuitboardsareMILSPEC,doublesided,FR-4glassepoxy
•Lightweightdesign
•BX1600 -19”2Ualuminumchassis
GETTING STARTED QUICKLY
If you are like most players, you probably want to plug in your new amp and get started
playing right away. Before you start, be sure your amp is plugged into the correct AC voltage.
1.WithPOWERoff,connectaspeakercabinettooneoftherearSPEAKEROUTPUTs.
2.SettheDRIVE,MASTERvolume,andthetwoampvolumesto“0”andsettheACTIVE
INPUTswitchforyourtypeofbass.
3.Setalltonecontrolstotheircenter“0”positionandtheCONTOURtoFLAT.Thisisthe
“FLAT”settingfortheamp.Fornow,turnoffthegraphicEQ.
4.Now,turntheampON.Turnupthevolumeonyourbassguitar.Graduallyincreasethe
ampVOLUMEcontroltothedesiredlevel.Ifnosoundisheard,turndowntheVOLUME
controlandchecktheMUTEswitch.
5. Increasing the DRIVE control will add harmonic richness to your sound. Turning up the
DRIVEalsoincreasesvolume.Re-adjusttheMASTERvolumeafteradjustingtheDRIVE.
6.Adjustthetonecontrolstoyourliking.Keepinmindthatturningupatonecontrolisn’t
alwaystheanswer.SometimesturningdownoneoftheMIDcontrolswillgetyouthesound
you want.
7.Needmorevolume?Thereisalimittotheamountofvolumeaspeakercanproduceand
drivingaspeakerbeyondit’slimitcandamageit.Eventhoughthesearepowerfulamplifiers,
adding more speakers is the only way for substantially more output. Every time you double
your speakers, you increase your acoustic output by a factor of four.
This guide will help get you started. Have fun exploring the features and sounds of the
BX1600.Takethetimewithyournewamptorealizeit’sfullpotential.
BX1600 SPECIFICATIONS:
Output Power
8ohms, THD <1.0% 2x 325w
4ohms, THD <1.0% 2x 500w
2ohms, THD <1.0% 2x 800w
8ohms BRIDGE 1000W
4ohms BRIDGE 1600W
Input Impedance: >200K
Drive Control: Varies input gain and harmonic content
Tone Controls: CONTOUR: variable mid shaping, FLAT (off) to SCOOP
TREBLE: +/-12dB @ 10KHz
BASS: +/- 12dB @ 50Hz
3 Semi-Parametric Mids: +/-12dB @ 50-500 Hz, 200-2k Hz, 800-8K(Hz)
9-band Graphic EQ: +/-12dB @ 50,80,125,250,500,800,1.3k,2.6k,5k(Hz)
Biamp crossover: 100Hz - 2kHz
Power amp levels: Master, LO & HI
AC Requirements: USAModel:120VAC,50-60Hz
 EuropeanModel:240VAC,50-60Hz
Power Requirements: 500VA
Dimensions (no cabinet): (2U)3.5”Hx19”Wx10.5”D
Weight : 8.6lbs.(3.85kgs)
Warranty: Oneyearpartsandlabor
Optional Accessories: FS22 footswitch
SV2 2RUrackcase
120V18L7 replacement7’lockingACcord(US)
BX1600 BASS AMPLIFIER
BUILT IN THE
USA
USER MANUAL
16262 WEST BERNARDO DRIVE SAN DIEGO, CA 92127
800-854-2235 CARVINAUDIO.COM
RECEIVING INSPECTION—read before getting started
INSPECT YOUR UNIT FOR DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping. If damage is
found please notify the shipping company and CARVIN immediately.
SAVE THE CARTON & ALL PACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to re-ship your unit,
always use the original carton and packing material. This will provide the best possible protection
during shipment. CARVIN and the shipping company are not liable for any damage caused by
improper packing.
SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. If you find items missing, they may have been shipped separately.
Please allow several days for the rest of your order to arrive before inquiring.
RECORD THE SERIAL NUMBER on the enclosed warranty card and below for your records.
Keep your portion of the card and return the portion with your name and comments to us.
SERIAL#_________________________ INVOICE#___________________ DATE___________

12
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
1. INPUT JACK
The1/4”phonejackisahighimpedanceinstrumentinputdesignedtohandlebothactive
and passive basses in connection with the ACTIVE switch.
2. BLUE JEWEL LIGHT AND POWER SWITCH
The power switch turns on the amplifier and is indicated by the large blue jewel light over
the input jack.
3. DRIVE CONTROL
The DRIVE control adjusts the input level to the class A preamps. The DRIVE control serves
two purposes. DRIVE can be used to adjust the input sensitivity for the differences in bass
pickups. DRIVE will also change the harmonic content of your sound. Turning the knob
closer to 10 will create a more overdriven tone. The DRIVE will also change the volume of the
amplifier,souseitincombinationwiththeMASTERcontroltoachievethedesiredvolume.
4. MUTE SWITCH
TheMUTEswitchturnsofftheoutputoftheamplifier.AblueLEDindicatestheMUTEswitch
ison.TheMUTEswitchisidealforchangingbassesandsilenttuningonstage,sincetherear
tuner output is never muted. The mute feature can also be switched with an FS22 footswitch.
5. ACTIVE SWITCH
SettheACTIVEswitchtotheOUTpositionforstandardbasspickups.Ifyourbassusesa
batterywithanonboardactivepreamp,settheswitchtotheINposition.
AblueLEDindicatestheACTIVEswitchison.
6. CONTOUR CONTROL
TheCONTOURcontrolprovidesavariablemidrangescoop.Whenthiscontrolissetto
“FLAT”(OFF)thereisnochangetothemidrangefrequencies.Asyouturnthecontourcontrol
clockwise,themidrangeisscoopedatthecenterfrequencyat250Hz.WhentheCONTOUR
controlissettomaximumthemid-rangeiscutby-9dBat300Hz.
7. BASS AND TREBLE TONE CONTROLS
TheBASSandTREBLE controls are customshapedtonecontrolsdesigned to deliver
punchy lows and crisp highs for a variety of bass sounds. When a control is turned to the
right it boosts the tone and when turned to the left cuts the tone.
TheaffectedfrequencyfortheTREBLEcontrolbeginsat5kHz.
The affected frequencies for the BASS start at 80Hz and can deliver a great deal of volume.
Be careful not to distort the output or overpower the low end of your speakers.
8. SEMI-PARAMETRIC MID SWEEP TONE CONTROLS (LEVEL & FREQ)
ThesethreeEQ’scantakesometimetolearnhowtouse.StartwiththeLOMIDsweep.
TheFREQcontroldoesnotfunctioniftheGAINcontrolissetinthecenter“0”position.
Todemonstrate,turntheGAINtotherightforfullboost.Nowplayyourbassandturnthe
FREQcontrolfromlefttorightandnoticethehowtheaddedmidschangefrequency.Now
turntheGAINtothefullleftandturntheFREQcontrolagainandnoticethereducedmids.
Then,trythiswiththeMIDandHIMID.Asyoucanhear,therearemanyvariables,sowrite
down some of the settings for future reference. The mid sweep system controls can be very
effective to fine tune your overall sound.
9. COMPRESSOR (COMP)
For some people, a compressor is a new feature. What it basically does is reduce the
volumeoftheincomingsignalasitreachesapresetmaximumlevel.AstheCOMPknob
isturnedup(clockwise),thecompressorletsalowerpercentageofpeaksignalstopass
through.Thispercentageiscalledthe“compressionratio”.When theknobisattheoff
position(fullcounter-clockwise)theratiois1:1,wherealloftheinputsignalpassesthrough
thecompressorwithoutbeingaffected.AttheMAXsetting,thecompressionratiois3:1.
Theadvantageofacompressoristothereducepeaksandothersuddenloudparts(tran-
sients)ofyourplayingsoyoucanincreaseyouroverallvolume.Forexample,inslapbass
playing, the plucked notes can put out peaks that would distort the amplifier at normal playing
volumes.Iftheamp’svolumewasadjustedforthesepeaks,therestofthenoteswouldbe
tooquiettohearwiththeband.WhenthecompressorisadjustedtowheretheLEDcomes
onforloudpeaks,theamplifiercanbeplayed louder without distortion.It’slikehaving
someone re-adjusting the volume of the amplifier to prevent distortion when the peaks occur.
10. 9 BAND GRAPHIC EQUALIZER
The9bandgraphicEQhasbeendesignedwithcenterfrequenciesmostrequestedby
professional bass players. This EQ can be used to fine tune the tonal content of the amps
output. Since the graphic EQ is switchable with either the optional FS22 footswitch or the EQ
switch on the front panel, it can be used during passages of a song when the bass needs to
punchthroughthemix.Musiciansthatplaymorethanonebassonstagewillalsofindthis
usefultogetthesoundstheydesireoutofeachinstrument.TheBLUELEDlocatedabove
theGRAPHICEQINswitchsignifieswhenthegraphicEQisworking.NOTE: When the front
panelGRAPHICEQswitchisoff,itcannotbeturnedonwiththefootswitch.
11. ÊEFFECTS LOOP SWITCH
ThegreenLEDabovethefrontpanelEFFECTSswitchindicateswhentheEFFECTSLOOP
isactive.WhentheEFFECTSswitchisofftheEFFECTSLOOPisbypassed.Thesignalisstill
presentattheSENDjack,buttheRETURNisnotactive.TheEFFECTSLOOPcanalsobe
switched using the optional FS22 footswitch. NOTE: When the EFFECTS switch is off, the
loop cannot be turned on with the footswitch.
12. ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER - BIAMPING
Theelectroniccrossoverisusedforabiampedspeakerconfiguration.WhentheX-OVER
switchisON,theBX1600isinbiampmodeandtheBLUELEDaboveitwillbelit.Toselectthe
crossoverfrequency,rotatetheCROSSOVERFREQcontrolknobuntilthedesiredfrequency
isobtained.LowfrequenciesgotoAMP1,andhighfrequenciesgotoAMP2.Thisallows
speakers designed for specific frequencies to be utilized to their fullest potential, and allows
theuserevengreatercontroloverthetoneofthierrig.Tostart,trysettingtheCROSSOVER
FREQat300Hz(about“9o’clock”onthecontrol).
13. MASTER VOLUME
UsetheMASTERtocontroltheoverallvolumeoftheamplifier.ReducetheMASTERlevel
ifclippingoccursasindicatedbythePEAKLEDs(see#15).UsingtheCOMPRESSORwill
alsohelppreventclipping.TheMASTERcontrolalsoaffectstheHEADPHONEoutput.
14. POWER AMP CONTROL
The1LOand2HIlevelscontrolthevolumetotheindividualamps.Theseareusedto
balancethelowandhighfrequencyspeakercabinetswheninCROSSOVERbiampingmode.
Tosetthebalance,turnupthe1LOknobuntilthedesiredvolumelevelisreached.Now
turnupthe2HIknobuntilthedesiredbalancehasbeenachieved.UsetheMASTER volume
to set the overall volume.
15. ÊPEAK LEDS
TheredPEAKLEDsareclippingindicatorsfortheamplifier(s).Iftheampsareclipping,
usetheMASTERtoreducethelevel.TheCOMPRESSORmayalsoservetohelpprevent
clipping.Besurenottoruntheampswithheavycontinuousclipping(PEAKLEDsON)or
your speakers could be damaged.
1 4 5 810 14 159
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37711 13 2

23
25 24
26
REAR PANEL CONTROLS
1722 21 1820
19 16
16. ÊDI LEVEL (DIRECT OUT)
TheDILEVELcontrolstheoutputleveloftheXLRDIRECTOUTPUT.TheDIlevelis
notaffectedbytheMASTERlevel.
17. ÊDIRECT OUT PRE/POST SWITCH AND GROUND LIFT SWITCH
ThedirectoutPRE/POSTswitchallowsthechoiceofeitherasimplebufferedsignal
straightfromtheinputjack (PRE mode)oraprocessedsignalincluding the Drive,
Compressor,Tone,GraphicEQ,andEffectLoopprocessing(POSTmode).
IfahumoccurswhenconnectingtheXLRtoamixer,tryusingtheGNDLIFTswitch.The
GNDLIFTswitchliftsthegroundpin1oftheXLRto100ohmsabovechassisground.
18. ÊDIRECT OUT XLR JACK
TheDIRECTOUTXLRjackprovidesabalancedindependentoutputforgoingdirectto
themainPAorrecordinginput.ThefrontMASTERcontroldoesnotaffecttheoutput
level.TheXLRisprotectedagainst Phantom power (DCvoltage)oncablescoming
from mixer inputs.
19. FOOTSWITCH AND CONFIGURATION SWITCHES
The optional FS22 footswitch can be used to remotely control 2 of these 3 features:
MUTE,GraphicEQ,orEFFECTSLOOPbypass.
The two configuration switches set the functions of the FS22 footswitches.
TheFS22Left“Channel”switchswitchisconnectedtotheRingofthe1/4”plug.
TheFS22Right“Reverb-Effects”switchisconnectedtotheTipofthe1/4”plug.
There are four configurations.
TherearLEDsneareachswitchlightwhenevertheEffectslooporGraphicEQareON.
IftherearswitchesaresetforEffectsLooporGraphicEQsetthefrontpanelswitchesso
thefeatureisON,andthefootswitchcanturnthefeatureOFForON.
Moststandardfootswitcheswithlatchingswitchesandastereo(TRS)plugwillwork.
20. EFFECTS LOOP (SWITCHABLE)
The SEND jack is the output of the preamp and is designed to deliver the proper
leveltotheinputofanexternaleffectsprocessor.TheSENDsignalsourceisafterthe
TONECONTROLSandCOMPRESSOR(#7,#8,&#9).
The RETURN jack is designed to receive signals from the output of an external effects
processor.WhenasignalispluggedintotheRETURN,itbreakstheconnectionbetween
thepreampandtheinternalpoweramp.TheRETURNsignalgoesthroughtheGRAPHIC
EQ(ifactive)andMASTERcontrolstothepoweramp(s).
TheEFFECTLOOPcanbebypassedwiththefrontpanelswitch(see#11)oroptional
FS22footswitch(see#19).
21. AMP INSERT JACKS
TheAMPINSERTjacksareTRS(Tip-Ring-Sleeve).The“TIP”istheSENDandthe
“RING”istheRETURN.UsingaTRS(Tip-Ring-Sleeve)insertcable,thepreampsignal
canbesentoutviatheTIPtoanexternalprocessorandthenreturnedtotheinternal
powerampviatheRING.Ifastandard(Tip-Sleeve)instrumentcableisused,thesignal
can be routed from the preamp to an external power amp. These insert jacks break the
signal to the internal power amplifier.
UsetheMASTER(orAMP1&2)controlsonthefrontpanelforSENDadjustments.
WhentheCROSSOVERisOFF,bothoutputsreceivethesamefullrangesignal.When
the CROSSOVERisON,AMP1receivesthelowfrequencysignalsandAMP2receives
the high frequency signals.
22. TUBE BYPASS
TheTUBEBYPASSSWITCHremovesthe12AX7preamptubefromthesignalpath.
23. TUNER LINEOUT JACK (UNMUTED)
The TUNER LINE OUT jack is provided as a place to connect a tuner. This output is unaf-
fectedbytheMUTEfunctionsoyoumaytuneyourbassquietlywhileusingtheMUTE.
24. SPEAKER OUTPUTS (SEE IMPEDANCE CHART ON BACK PAGE)
The BX1600useshighcurrentTwist-Lockspeakerconnectors.OUTPUT1andOUTPUT
2usethegreencombination1/4”-SPEAKON® jacks which will also accept standard
1/4”plugs.Multiplespeakerscanbeattachedbychainingcabinetstogether,solong
asthetotalimpedanceisnotbelow2ohmsforeachOUTPUT1orOUTPUT2jackand
4ohmsfortheBRIDGEDOUTPUTjack.Twist-Lockcablesarerecommendedduetheir
high current capability.
25. AMPBRIDGE SWITCH AND LED
The rear BRIDGE switch enables the full power of both amps in the BX1600 to be sent to
thecenterBRIDGEDOUTPUTconnector.TheLEDwillilluminatetoindicateBRIDGEmode.
Totalminimumimpedanceis4ohms.ThecenterblackBRIDGEDOUTPUTconnector
willnotaccept1/4”plugs.DONOTconnectspeakerstoOUTPUT1orOUTPUT2when
in BRIDGE mode.
NOTE:IntheBRIDGEmode,boththeMASTERandPOWERAMP1controlsadjustthe
output volume.
26. AC POWER & FUSE
Insertthelockingpowercordintothisjackandpushuntilfullyinserted.Plugthecord
intoagrounded3prongpowersource.Noattemptshouldeverbemadetousethe
amp without the ground connected.
ThelockingACcord(Carvinpart#120V18L7,USversion)issuppliedwiththeamp.
However, a standard AC cord can be used.
To detach the cord from the amp, press the yellow release lever on the underside of
the cord near the amp.
TheFUSEislocated internally onthecircuitboard.To check orreplacethefuse,
remove the power cord and the enclosure lid. If the fuse is blown repeatedly, it is likely
the amp will require service.
8 OHM 325W/CH 1000W BRIDGE
4 OHM 500W/CH 1600W BRIDGE
2 OHM 800W/CH
120VAC
50/60HZ 500VA
PRESS TO
RELEASE
LOCKING AC CORD
RING
switch
setting
TIP
switch
setting
FS22
“Channel”
function
FS22
”Rev. - Eff.””
function
OUT OUT Graphic EQ Effect Loop
OUT IN Graphic EQ MUTE
IN OUT MUTE Effect Loop
IN IN not used MUTE

CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (EUROPEAN)
The conductors in the AC power cord are colored in accordance with the following code.
GREEN & YELLOW—Earth BLUE—Neutral BROWN—Live
U.K. MAIN PLUG WARNING: A molded main plug that has been cut off from the cord is
unsafe. NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU INSERT A DAMAGED
OR CUT MAIN PLUG INTO A POWER SOCKET.
IMPORTANT! FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:
WATERANDMOISTURE:Applianceshouldnotbeusednearwater(nearabathtub,washbowl,
kitchensink,laundrytub,inawetbasement,ornearaswimmingpool,etc).Careshouldbetaken
so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.
POWER SOURCES:The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type
described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.
GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION:Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or
polarization is not defeated.
POWERCORDPROTECTION:Powersupplycordsshouldberoutedsothattheyarenotlikely
to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention
to cords at plugs.
SERVICING:Theusershouldnotattempttoservicetheappliancebeyondthatdescribedinthe
operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
FUSING:Ifyourunitisequippedwithafusereceptacle,replaceonlywiththesametypefuse.
Refer to replacement text on the unit for correct fuse type.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL! THIS UNIT CONTAINS HIGH
VOLTAGE INSIDE!
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
This symbol is intended
to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated
“dangerousvoltage”within
theproduct’senclosurethatmaybeof
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk
of electric shock to persons.
This symbol is
intended to alert the
user to the presence
of important operating
andmaintenance(servicing)instruc-
tions in the literature accompanying
the appliance.
LIMITED WARRANTY
YourCarvinproductisguaranteedagainstfailurefor1YEARunlessotherwisestated.
Carvin will service and supply all parts at no charge to the customer providing the
unitisunderwarranty.Shippingcostsaretheresponsibilityofthecustomer.CARVIN
DOESNOTPAYFORPARTSORSERVICINGOTHERTHANOUROWN.ACOPYOFTHE
ORIGINALINVOICEISREQUIREDTOVERIFYYOURWARRANTY.Carvinassumesno
responsibility for horn drivers or speakers damaged by this unit. This warranty does
not cover, and no liability is assumed, for damage due to: natural disasters, acci-
dents, abuse, loss of parts, lack of reasonable care, incorrect use, or failure to follow
instructions.Thiswarrantyisinlieuofallotherwarranties,expressedorimplied.No
representative or person is authorized to represent or assume for Carvin any liability
in connection with the sale or servicing of Carvin products.
CARVINSHALLNOTBE
LIABLEFORINCIDENTALORCONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES.
MAINTAINING YOUR EQUIPMENT
Avoid spilling liquids or allowing any other foreign matter inside the unit. The panel of
your unit can be wiped with a dry or slightly damp cloth in order to remove dust and bring
back the new look.
Aswithallprogear,avoidprolongeduseincausticenvironments(salt
air).Whenusedinsuchanenvironment,besuretheamplifierisadequatelyprotected.
SERVICE:
IntheUSAgotowww.carvinservice.com
OutsidetheUSA,contactyourdealerorgotohttp://www.carvinworld.com for your nearest service
center. Include a written description of the problem with serial number and date of purchase..
HELPFUL HINTS
1) NO SOUND:
TheMUTEfunctionhasbeeninadvertentlyengaged.
Speakers have been improperly connected.
EffectLoophasbeenimproperlyconnected.
2) NO HIGH FREQUENCIES:
TheBX1600speakerconnectionsareincorrectwhenintheCROSSOVERmode.
Tweeters or midrange drivers have been damaged from too much power.
3) AMP SEEMS VERY SENSITIVE ON INPUT SIGNALS:
The drive control is turned all the way up.
The active switch may need to be turned on.
4) DIR XLR HUM:
TryswitchingtherearGNDLIFTswitchINorOUT.
Try switching to pre DI.
Check for noise from external effects or bad cabling.
5)POOR BASS FROM MULTIPLE ENCLOSURES:
MakesuretherearBRIDGEswitchis“OFF”whenusingOUTPUT1andOUTPUT2speaker
jacks.CheckforincorrectspeakerconnectionswhenintheCROSSOVERmode.
6)FOR MAXIMUM OUTPUT:
To get more output, use multiple speakers or enclosures. Every time you double your
speakers,youracousticoutputgoesupbyafactoroffour.Loadtheamplifierdowntoits
lowestminimumimpedanceformaximumRMSpower.
Ifyougobelowtheminimumload,yourampwillshutoffandgointothe“protect”mode.
To reset, turn your amp off and connect the recommended load.
TWIST-LOCK cables are recommended for your BX1600 because of their high current
capacity.Whilestandard1/4”speakercableswillwork,12GATWIST-LOCK cables will allow
higher currents to pass through the cable to extract every watt from your amp.
SPEAKER COMBINATIONS
Two8ohmspeakers =4ohms (OK)(OKforBRIDGE)
Four8ohmcabinets =2ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)
Three8ohmspeakers =2.66ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)
Two4ohmspeakers =2ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)
One8&one4ohmcabinet =2.66ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)
Two8&one4ohmspeakers =2ohms (OK)(notforBRIDGE)
Two2ohmspeakers =1ohm (no)
Three4ohmspeakers =1.33ohms (no)
Two4&one8ohmspeakers =1.6ohms (no)
The BX1600 is a powerful amplifier. As with any amplifier, make sure your speakers are
suitable for the available wattage. Driving speakers with too much wattage will cause them
to distort and eventually fail. If distorted sound is coming from the speakers, reduce the
volume until the distortion stops.
CROSSOVER (bi-amping) and BRIDGE modes on the BX1600:
The BX1600 is capable of three different power amp modes, each with different advantages:
1. DUAL MONO mode(standard)
BoththeX-OVERswitchandtherearBRIDGEswitcharesetto“OFF”.Eachpowerampreceivesthe
samemonosignal(unlesseffectsareusedintheAMPINSERTS).Speakerscanbeconnectedtooneor
bothOUTPUT1andOUTPUT2speakerjacks.Thebalanceofvolumebetweenthetwospeakeroutputs
canbesetbythe“1LO”and“2HI”POWERAMPcontrols.Thismodecanusefulwhenusingtwodifferent
speakercabinets(suchasa4x10”and2x10”)thathaveunequaloutputlevelsorwhenusingcabinets
with low wattage ratings.
2. CROSSOVER mode(bi-amping)
Withthe X-OVERswitch“ON” andtherearBRIDGEswitch“OFF”,poweramp 1(LOfreq) handles
frequenciesbelowtheCROSSOVERFREQsetting.Poweramp2(HIfreq)handlesfrequenciesabove
theCROSSOVERFREQsetting.Subwooferssuchas15”or18”speakersshouldbepluggedintothe
“OUTPUT1”speakerjack.Fullrange(orhighfrequency)enclosuresshouldbepluggedintothe“OUTPUT
2”speakerjack.Thebalanceofvolumebetweenthetwospeakersissetbythe“1LO”and“2HI”POWER
AMPcontrols.TheCROSSOVERmodetakesfulladvantageofthefrequencyresponseofthesetwodif-
ferent types of speakers.
3. BRIDGE mode(mono,fullpowerintoonespeakerload)
TherearBRIDGEswitchis“ON”(CROSSOVERsettingsaredisabled).PlugspeakersintotheBRIDGED
OUTPUTjack.DONOTuseOUTPUT1orOUTPUT2speakerjacksintheBRIDGEmode.Thismodeis
used to get the most power into one speaker enclosure or several identical enclosures. Be sure your
speaker(s)canhandle1600wattsfor4ohmor1000wattsfor8ohmenclosures.Iftwoidenticalspeaker
enclosures are used, each one will receive 1/2 the wattage. When using speakers of unequal impedance
make sure they can handle the full wattage.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
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RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
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