Harley Benton Block-300B User manual

Block-300B
Bass Head
User Manual

Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: [phone]
Internet: www.thomann.de
21.10.2022, ID: 497726 (V2)

Table of contents
1 General information................................................................................................................................. 5
1.1 Further information........................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Notational conventions.................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Symbols and signal words............................................................................................................... 7
2 Safety instructions..................................................................................................................................... 9
3 Features....................................................................................................................................................... 12
4 Installation and starting up................................................................................................................ 13
5 Connections and operating elements........................................................................................... 14
6 Technical specications....................................................................................................................... 18
7 Plug and connection assignment.................................................................................................... 21
8 Protecting the environment.............................................................................................................. 24
Table of contents
Block-300B 3
Bass Head

4Block-300B
Bass Head

1 General information
This user manual contains important information on the safe operation of the device. Read and
follow all safety notes and all instructions. Save this manual for future reference. Make sure
that it is available to all persons using this device. If you sell the device to another user, be sure
that they also receive this manual.
Our products and user manuals are subject to a process of continuous development. We there‐
fore reserve the right to make changes without notice. Please refer to the latest version of the
user manual which is ready for download under www.thomann.de.
General information
Block-300B 5
Bass Head

1.1 Further information
On our website (www.thomann.de) you will nd lots of further information and details on the
following points:
Download This manual is also available as PDF le for you to download.
Keyword search Use the search function in the electronic version to nd the topics of
interest for you quickly.
Online guides Our online guides provide detailed information on technical basics
and terms.
Personal consultation For personal consultation please contact our technical hotline.
Service If you have any problems with the device the customer service will
gladly assist you.
1.2 Notational conventions
This manual uses the following notational conventions:
General information
6Block-300B
Bass Head

The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics.
Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.
1.3 Symbols and signal words
In this section you will nd an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are
used in this manual.
Signal word Meaning
DANGER! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an
immediate dangerous situation that will result in death or
serious injury if it is not avoided.
CAUTION! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a pos‐
sible dangerous situation that can result in minor injury if it
is not avoided.
NOTICE! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a pos‐
sible dangerous situation that can result in material and
environmental damage if it is not avoided.
Letterings
General information
Block-300B 7
Bass Head

Warning signs Type of danger
Warning – high-voltage.
Warning – danger zone.
General information
8Block-300B
Bass Head

2 Safety instructions
This device is intended to be used for the amplication of signals from musical instruments
with electromagnetic pickups. Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other
use or use under other operating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in
personal injury or property damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from
improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sucient physical, sensorial, and intellectual
abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience. Other persons may use this
device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is responsible for their safety.
Safety
DANGER!
Danger for children
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are not within reach of babies and young children. Choking
hazard! Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from the unit. They could swallow the pieces and
choke! Never let children unattended use electrical devices.
DANGER!
Electric shock caused by high voltages inside
Within the device there are areas where high voltages may be present. Never remove any covers. There are no user-serviceable parts
inside. Do not use the device if covers, protectors or optical components are missing or damaged.
Intended use
Safety instructions
Block-300B 9
Bass Head

DANGER!
Electric shock caused by short-circuit
Always use proper ready-made insulated mains cabling (power cord) with a protective contact plug. Do not modify the mains cable
or the plug. Failure to do so could result in electric shock/death or re. If in doubt, seek advice from a registered electrician.
CAUTION!
Possible hearing damage
The device can produce volume levels that may cause temporary or permanent hearing impairment. Over an extended period of
time, even levels that seem to be uncritical can cause hearing damage. Decrease the volume level immediately if you experience
ringing in your ears or hearing impairment. If this is not possible, keep a greater distance or use sucient ear protectors.
NOTICE!
Risk of re
Do not block areas of ventilation. Do not install the device near any direct heat source. Keep the device away from naked ames.
NOTICE!
Operating conditions
This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid
direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and strong vibrations. Only operate the device within the ambient conditions specied in the chapter
‘Technical specications’ of this user manual. Avoid heavy temperature uctuations and do not switch the device on immediately
after it was exposed to temperature uctuations (for example after transport at low outside temperatures). Dust and dirt inside can
damage the unit. When operated in harmful ambient conditions (dust, smoke, nicotine, fog, etc.), the unit should be maintained by
qualied service personnel at regular intervals to prevent overheating and other malfunction.
Safety instructions
10 Block-300B
Bass Head

NOTICE!
Power supply
Before connecting the device, ensure that the input voltage (AC outlet) matches the voltage rating of the device and that the AC
outlet is protected by a residual current circuit breaker. Failure to do so could result in damage to the device and possibly injure the
user. Unplug the device before electrical storms occur and when it is unused for long periods of time to reduce the risk of electric
shock or re.
NOTICE!
Possible damage due to installation of a wrong fuse
The use of dierent types of fuses can cause serious damage to the unit. Fire hazard! Only fuses of the same type may be used.
NOTICE!
Possible staining
The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly react with the coating of your surface and after some time
cause permanent dark stains. In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the surface and use a suitable underlay if neces‐
sary, i.e. felt pads or similar.
Safety instructions
Block-300B 11
Bass Head

3 Features
This powerful bass head is characterized by the following special features:
nCompact, lightweight design
nOutput power: 300 watt @ 4 Ω
nClass-D ICE power amp
n5-band equalizer
nD.I. output with pre / post & lift / ground switch
nInput sensitivity switchable for active or passive basses
nLine input with volume control for rehearsing
nHeadphones output
nGigbag optionally available (item no. 194575)
Features
12 Block-300B
Bass Head

4 Installation and starting up
Unpack and check carefully there is no transportation damage before using the unit. Keep the
equipment packaging. To fully protect the product against vibration, dust and moisture during
transportation or storage use the original packaging or your own packaging material suitable
for transport or storage, respectively.
Create all connections while the device is o. Use the shortest possible high-quality cables for
all connections. Take care when running the cables to prevent tripping hazards.
Installation and starting up
Block-300B 13
Bass Head

5 Connections and operating elements
$ &%#
'()*+
Front panel
Connections and operating elements
14 Block-300B
Bass Head

1[INPUT] | preamp volume control. If the [ CLIP] LED lights up red, this control must be turned counter-clockwise until
the LED turns green again. If some EQ band levels have subsequently been raised, re-adjusting the [INPUT] control
may be necessary.
2[CLIP] | The LED lights up green when the device is turned on. It lights up red when the signal is clipping. Then turn
the [INPUT] control counter-clockwise until the LED turns green again.
3[BASS] / [LO MID] / [MIDDLE] / [HI MID] / [TREBLE] | control for boosting or attenuating the bass / lower mids / mids /
upper mids / treble
4[OUTPUT] | overall volume control
5| 3.5 mm jack output to connect head phones
6| 3.5 mm jack input for connecting a line level player, e.g. MP3 player or mobile phone
7[LINE] | volume control for the input
8[EQ] | enables or disables the EQ. Slider control is only possible if the EQ is enabled.
9[HI / LOW] | switch for the sensitivity and impedance of the [IN] input. When using passive instruments, this switch
should be in the [HI] position, otherwise the input level will not be sucient to fully drive the amplier. When using
active instruments, this switch should be in the [LOW] position, otherwise clipping and thus a pre-stage overload can
easily occur, resulting in very disturbing-sounding distortions.
10 [IN] | 1/4" jack socket to connect an electric bass
Connections and operating elements
Block-300B 15
Bass Head

USE ONLY WITH A 250 V FUSE
. /, -
012
Rear panel
Connections and operating elements
16 Block-300B
Bass Head

11 [POWER] | IEC chassis plug for connecting the mains cable with fuse holder
12 [D.I.] | balanced direct-output with MIC level for connection to a mixer, directly to a PA system or for recording
13 [SPEAKER OUT] | speaker output (Speaker Twist) for connecting suitable speaker boxes. The overall impedance of the
connected load must not fall below 4 Ω.
14 Housing fan
15 [PRE/POST] | this switch determines where the DI signal is tapped. In [PRE] position, the signal is tapped before tone
control and compressor, in [POST] position behind.
16 [LIFT/GND] | this switch disconnects or connects the ground potential of the DI output and the device ground. In
[LIFT] position (released), the device ground is disconnected. This can possibly eliminate noise caused by ground
loops, that may occur when connecting the device to other grounded equipment. In [GND] position (pressed), the
device ground is connected.
17 Mains switch. Turns the device on and o.
Connections and operating elements
Block-300B 17
Bass Head

6 Technical specications
Amp class Class-D ICE
Input impedance High 1,5 MΩ
Low 32 kΩ
Line 60 kΩ
Output impedance D.I. 470 Ω (balanced)
Frequency bands Bass 50 Hz, ± 10 dB
Lower mids 180 Hz, ± 10 dB
Mids 660 Hz, ± 10 dB
Upper mids 3 kHz, ± 10 dB
Treble 12.5 kHz, ± 10 dB
Output power Speaker max. 300 W , 4 Ω minimum load
Input connections Power supply IEC chassis plug C14
Instrument 1 × 1/4" jack socket
Line 1 × 3.5 mm jack socket
Output connections Speaker 1 × Speaker Twist
Technical specications
18 Block-300B
Bass Head

Direct out 1 × XLR panel plug, 3-pin
Headphones 1 × 3.5 mm jack socket
Signal-to-noise ratio > 80 dB (A-weighted)
Total harmonic distortion (THD) < 0.5 %
Power consumption 390 W
Supply voltage 100 - 240 V 50/60 Hz
Fuse 5 mm × 20 mm, 4 A, 250 V, slow-blow
Dimensions (W × H × D) 200 mm × 80 mm × 200 mm
Weight 1.55 kg
Ambient conditions Temperature range 0 °C…40 °C
Relative humidity 20 %…80 % (non-condensing)
Technical specications
Block-300B 19
Bass Head

Gigbag optional (item no. 194575)
Compressor no
Limiter no
Eects processor no
External eects loop no
Rack format no
Further information
Technical specications
20 Block-300B
Bass Head