Mackie SA1521Z Operating instructions

1
SA1521z REPAIR MANUAL

2
These instructions are intended to help restore any ailing SA1521z Active
Loudspeaker back to factory working conditions. They show how to remove and
replace the drivers and the amplifier assembly.
Please contact Mackie Tech Support (1-800-898-3211) to receive a Service
Request Number and Order Number for parts needed for this restoration. They will
also help you determine the nature of the problem and what parts will repair the unit.
Tools needed:
***NOTE: not all tools listed below will be needed for your repair***
• Phillips head screwdriver.
• 3mm and 4mm allen wrench.
• 10mm open end wrench OR 13/32 inch socket.
• Solid workbench.
• Non-carpeted work area due to static electricity. If available, an ESD mat
(Electro-static discharge) is optimal.
Parts needed:
***NOTE: not all parts listed below will be needed for your repair***
• Led PCB Assembly Part #0007334 pages 3-4
• 15” Woofer Part #0013918 pages 5-6
• High Frequency Driver Part #0013925 pages 7-9
• Diaphragm Part #coming soon page 10
• Amplifier Assembly Part #0013838-00 pages 11-13
Safety Warnings:
• Make sure that you turn off the unit and disconnect the power cord (and all
other cords) before you begin these procedures.
• Always use safety glasses!
• Please try NOT to touch any of the pcb circuitry, capacitors, resistors, etc.
• Take care to read and follow these instructions. It may help to read the
instructions prior to the repair to get an idea of what it entails.
• Before beginning the repair, touch metal to discharge any lingering internal
static electricity.

3
Led PCB replacement:
3
Carefully begin to remove the grill. Do
not fully remove the grill as the cable
is still firmly attached to the led PCB
assembly.
2
Keep the six screws in a safe place. 4
Carefully remove the cable attached to
the led PCB assembly.
1
Three screws need to be removed from
each side of the grill using the phillips
head screwdriver (six screws in all).

4
6
Carefully remove the led PCB assembly
from the back side of the grill.
Led PCB replacement continued:
7
The hard part is done, the rest is easy!
Place the new led PCB assembly (part
#0007334) where the old one was. Follow
the same steps as above, but backwards
6 to 1. Power up the SA1521z and the led
should light up. Congratulations, you just
replaced an led PCB assembly...now go
play some shows!
5
Use the phillips head screwdriver to
remove one screw near the center of
the led PCB assembly.

5
Woofer replacement:
1
Follow steps 1-4 of the led PCB
replacement instructions, as the grill will
need to be removed in order to access
the woofer.
2
Eight screws and washers need to be
removed from the woofer using the 4mm
allen wrench.
3
Keep the eight screws and flat washers in
a safe place.
4
Carefully begin to remove the woofer.
This woofer has a tendency to want to
“pop out,” so please be sure to hold
the woofer in place with your free hand
while removing the screws with the other
hand.
Caution: The woofer is approximately
18 pounds with the weight unevenly
distributed.
8
12
3
4
5
6
7

6
Woofer replacement continued:
6
Remove the cables from their terminals
simply by pushing down on the terminal
and pulling out the cable.
7
This is what it looks like with the grill and
woofer removed. Place the new woofer
(part #0013918) where the old one was.
Follow the same steps as above, but
backwards 6 to 1, making sure to keep
the led PCB assembly cable in front of
the woofer. Power up the SA1521z and
the new woofer should now be pumping
out glorious lows. Awesome, you just
replaced a 15” woofer!
Push
in
5
The positive (solid yellow) and negative
(yellow and black) cables are still
attached to the woofer terminals.
+
-

7
High Frequency Driver replacement:
1
Follow steps 1-4 of the led PCB
replacement instructions, as the grill will
need to be removed in order to access
the high frequency driver.
2
Eight screws and washers need to be
removed from the horn using the phillips
head screwdriver. 3
Keep the eight screws and flat washers
in a safe place. Note: There are two
different screws that connect the horn
assembly to the cabinet.
12
34
56
78
Four screws for the top and bottom
of the horn assembly (#’s 1-4)
Four screws for the sides of
the horn assembly (#’s 5-8)

8
High Frequency Driver replacement continued:
5
The positive (solid blue) and negative
(blue and black) cables are still
attached to the high frequency driver
terminals. Remove the cables from their
terminals simply by pushing down on the
terminal and pulling out the cable. 7
Keep the four nuts, four flat washers, and
four locking washers in a safe place.
4
Carefully begin to remove the entire horn
assembly (with the high frequency driver
still attached). A flat head screwdriver
may help in horn removal if it is sticking to
the cabinet.
Caution: The horn weighs about 5
pounds, and the weight is not evenly
distributed.
6
Four nuts and eight washers may be
removed from the driver using the 10mm
open end wrench OR the 13/32 inch
socket. Turn counter-clockwise to loosen
and remove, clockwise to tighten. The
other pair is in the same place on the
other side of the horn assembly. Notice
that the flat washer is on the bottom,
followed by the locking washer, and
finally the nut. Once they are removed,
the four headless screws need to be
liberated. Pliers may aid in the headless
screw liberation.
+
-
Push down
nut
flat washer locking
washer
headless screw

9
High Frequency Driver replacement continued:
9
The high frequency driver should easily
lift right off of the horn assembly. Holding
down the horn assembly with one hand
while lifting up on the driver with the
other hand may help.
8
Keep the four headless screws in a safe
place, as well. 10
This is a straight down shot of the horn
assembly. There are two somewhat
oval-shaped indents next to where the
terminal markings are, as shown above.
This is how the new frequency driver
needs to line up. Follow the same steps
as above, but backwards 9 to 1. Power
up the SA1521z and the new driver
should now be pumping out those highs
again. Fantastic, you just replaced a
high frequency driver!
+
-

10
3
The horn is shown above with the high
frequency driver circled. Four screws
need to be removed from the driver
using the 3mm allen wrench.
4
Keep the four screws in a safe place.
5
The diaphragm and plate adapter are
easily removed from the horn assembly.
They may not be broken down any
further. Place the new diaphragm (part
# coming soon) and plate assembly
where the old one was. Follow the same
steps as above, but backwards 4 to
1. Power up the SA1521z and the new
diaphragm should now be pumping
out those highs again. Sweet, you just
replaced a diaphragm!
Diaphragm replacement:
2
Follow steps 1-5 of the high frequency
driver replacement instructions, as the
horn will need to be removed in order to
access the diaphragm.
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3
4
1
At the present time (November 2006),
diaphragms are not currently available,
so you will have to replace the complete
driver following the previous section
(pages 7-9). If you have received a
diaphragm, please follow the steps
below.