Power bass 3XL-101D User guide

3XL SUBWOOFER SERIES
Application Guide
3XL-101D
3XL-121D
3XL-151D

Thank you and Congratulations
Congratulations on your decision to purchase PowerBass Xtreme “3XL” series subwoofers. These top-of-
the-line speakers are the result of years of extensive engineering and testing, resulting in the finest car audio
subwoofers you can purchase today.
At PowerBass USA, Inc. we are confident you will have many years of outstanding enjoyment from your
investment. For maximum performance we recommend that you have your new PowerBass Xtreme product
installed by an Authorized PowerBass Xtreme Dealer. Doing so will also automatically extend your warranty to
a full THREE-YEAR Period.
To learn more about PowerBass Xtreme, please visit us on the World Wide Web at
http://www.powerbassusa.com
∆Warning ∆
Continuous exposure to sound pressure levels in excess of 100 dB can cause permanent hearing loss. PowerBass Xtreme Speakers
are capable of producing sound pressure levels well over 170 dB. Please observe all local sound ordinances while listening to your
PowerBass Xtreme system. PowerBass USA, Inc. accepts no liability for hearing loss, bodily injury, or property damage due to the result
of use or misuse of this product.
3

CAUTION
To prevent damage to your speakers, please observe the following caution:
Your PowerBass Xtreme Super Sub is made with the highest quality materials designed for years of trouble
free performance. However, damage to the speaker can occur when the amplifier, regardless of output
power, is made to play at levels higher then it was intended. At high volume levels, if the music sounds
distorted lower the volume. The audable distortion you hear is probably originating in the amplifier which
can cause the speaker cone to move out of control and force the voice coil to bottom out and slam against
the magnet assembly. Under these circumstances it will be necessary to lower the volume to just below
the point where these symptoms occur to avoid damage to the speaker. If your amplifier has a gain control,
it would be advisable to lower this control slightly to prevent this from reoccurring.
If more volume or a higher SPL (Sound Pressure Level) is desired, you should try adding additional speak-
ers to the system. By doing so, it is possible to gain significant increases in sound pressure levels. In some
cases, you may double the system’s output without any deterioration in sound quality.
REMINDER
• This speaker is heavy, so use caution when installing or handling it.
• The subwoofer enclosure must be securely & directly attached to the vehicle.
• Speakers will become very hot when the system is operated at high power continuously
for a long period of time. Never directly touch the speakers with your bare hands until the
speakers have cooled.
• Never connect only one voice coil of this Dual Voice Coil (DVC) speaker. BOTH voice coils
must be connected to the amplifier for correct operation.

POWERBASS XTREME 3XL WOOFER FEATURES
Proprietary Non-pressed Raw Paper Kraft Cone: This rugged cone material provides structural
integrity that will handle the abuse a Class D amplifier will deliver to a woofer while delivering maximum cone
area and ground pounding SPL. The rough surface helps to break up standing waves.
Custom Cut CNC Aluminum Basket with Voice Coil Perimeter Aerovents: This cast aluminum
basket is manufactured to the highest quality standards to ensure maximum excursion, exceptional alignment
of the subwoofer’s motor structure and moving parts while providing an extremely rigid, non-resonant frame.
Pro-Lock Input Terminals: Giving your woofer all of the current and voltage that it needs to perform
up to maximum capability is why we have designed these Pro-Lock terminals. They insure a tight and energy
efficient connection between your amplifier and the woofers voice coil.
HD BASV Optimized Class “D” Voice Coil: A class D amplifier will heat a voice coil 2 to 3 times
faster and 2 to 3 times hotter than a standard class A/B amplifier. These specially designed RVC coated high
temperature dual 1-ohm voice coils ensure high power handling and precise linear excursion while maximizing
thermal heat dissipation that is needed when connected to a class D amplifier.
Custom Engraved Chrome Backplate: Enhances the appearance making the 3XL a great woofer to
showcase in custom installs.
Xtra Xtra Xtra Large Motor Structures: The huge power that a class D amplifier produces means you
need an Ultra large motor structure to handle these extremes. This triple magnet motor will allow your 3XL
series woofer to handle lots of power while delivering accurate linear movement for a tight deep bass.
CNC Billet Aluminum Trim Ring: Clamps the surround for a better grip on the frame by holding it in-
between the ring and frame. This ensures the surround will stay in place during high excursion of the woofer
cone.
Ultra High Roll, 4-Layer Treated Foam Rubber Surround: This dense UV treated foam high roll
surround shaped into a nonstandard “U” design increases SPL, ensures long and linear travel throughout the
entire excursion range and results in more bass output. The high roll surround also gives the woofer more
cone area to move more air.
5

WIRING GUIDELINES
It is highly recommended that you seek an authorized PowerBass dealer to properly setup, wire
and install your woofers for maximum performance.
All PowerBass Xtreme subwoofers use dual voice coils. The use of dual voice coils offers you more versatility
in system configuration. It is important to know the limits of your amplifier to optimize its performance. It is
always better to use your subwoofer in a mono / bridged mode if your amplifier has the capabilities. There
are basically four different types of wiring configurations: Series, Parallel, Series-Parallel or Parallel-Parallel.
It is possible to change the impedance or load by how the speakers are to be wired and by the quantity of
woofers used.
Parallel wiring a dual 1 ohm sub = 1/2 ohm
PARALLEL SERIES
DUAL VOICE COIL WIRING
Parallel-Parallel wiring two dual 1 ohm subs = 1/4 ohm Series-Parallel wiring two dual 1 ohm subs = 1 ohm
Series wiring a dual 1 ohm sub = 2 ohm
5
PARALLEL-PARALLEL
Amplifier
SERIES-PARALLEL
Amplifier
Amplifier
Amplifier
NOTE: Never connect only one coil of a Dual Voice Coil (DVC) speaker. BOTH voice coils must be
connected to the amplifier

COMPETITION WIRING DIAGRAM
Since the 3XL Super Sub was designed with a Dual 1-ohm voice coil, an ideal competition set-up would be
to run a single 1-ohm stable Class D amplifier to each coil (as shown below). While this will give your woofer
maximum SPL, it shoud only be attempted by a Certified Installer. Improper wiring will cause permanent dam-
age to the woofer and/or the amplifier.
• Connect one amplifier to each voice coil, just as if you were connecting a single voice coil subwoofer to
the amplifier. This will bring each amplifier to a 1-ohm load, maximizing the power to the speaker. Each
amplifier must be tuned separately, so be sure you have a Digital Multimeter and an Oscilloscope avail-
able to you for proper tuning. You will also need a test tone at the tuned frequency, e.g. if your enclosure
is tuned for 38Hz you will need a 38Hz test tone.
• Turn the gain levels all the way down.
• Turn the head unit volume to the maximum undistorted level (usually about 90% of max volume)
• Play test tone. If this tone is on a CD it may be helpful to put this track on repeat.
• Slowly turn the gain up until just before the point of clipping the signal. This is most easily measured by
using an oscilloscope.
• Look at the voltage reading on your digital mulimeter.
BREAK IN PERIOD
To get the most from your woofer we recommend a "break-in" period of at least 40 hours at no more than
1/3 of maximum volume.
During this time the cone and spider assembly will gradually break in resulting in greater performance and
more listening enjoyment.
Amplifier
Amplifier (1 ohm stable)
(1 ohm stable)
7

INSTALLATION EXPERIENCE
Installation of PowerBass Xtreme Speakers requires experience with a variety of mechanical and electrical
procedures. This manual provides only general installation and operation instructions. If you have any reser-
vations about your installation skills or lack of the proper tools, please contact your local PowerBass Xtreme
dealer for assistance.
CHOOSING A SPEAKER ENCLOSURE
The PowerBass Xtreme 3XL Subwoofers are engineered to perform at their optimum level in a Vented (aka
Ported) enclosure. However, these subwoofers offer the versatility of being used in either vented or bandpass
enclosures. For maximum performance we recommend you have your new PowerBass Xtreme Subwoofer
installed by an Authorized PowerBass Xtreme Dealer.
• SEALED BOX:
CAUTION—PowerBass does NOT recommend using our 3XL series Class D woofers in sealed en-
closures!
• VENTED BOX: Also known as a ported or bass reflex enclosure, this type of box is almost as easy to con-
struct as a sealed enclosure. This design however is more efficient and results in an increase of bass out-
put at certain frequencies. Although a vented enclosure has an output advantage at some frequencies, it
also has a steeper rolloff, which will only affect bass frequencies below port tuning.Air inside the port will
move in phase with the subwoofer reinforcing frequencies above the F3 (-3dB point). The SPL advantage
of the vented enclosure comes from the fact that the effect of the vent tuning reduces the excursion
of the subwoofer near the tuning frequency allowing more SPL to be produced before the subwoofer
bottoms. Damping material should also be used to line the internal walls to reduce any sonic reflection.
Because of the characteristics of a vented enclosure, subwoofers typically will become unloaded (act as if
it is not in a box) at frequencies of ½ octave below the enclosure tuning frequency. Using a high pass filter
/ subsonic filter will help prevent the subwoofer from unloading or exceeding its excursion capabilities.
It is important to stay within the recommended enclosure specifications. (PowerBass recommends port
placement to coincide on the same panel or baffle that the subwoofer resides on.)

• BANDPASS ENCLOSURE: The most common bandpass enclosure is a combination of a sealed and a
vented enclosure working together (4th order or single reflex bandpass system). The rear of the speaker
goes into the sealed chamber while the front of the speaker goes into the vented chamber. Because the
vent produces all the sound generated from this type of enclosure, sound quality may not be as good as
a well-designed ported or sealed design. Often the sacrifice for sound quality and subwoofer cone control
is greater SPL output. However unlike a sealed or vented enclosure, you can effectively increase the
enclosure sensitivity with the appropriate tuning choices. You can choose to design a narrow frequency
band with very high sensitivity or choose a wide frequency band with the sacrifice of lower sensitivity. The
damping effect of the vented chamber reduces the motion of the cone so that potentially higher sound
output is achieved without the subwoofer reaching its mechanical limits. Minor deviations from design
recommendations however may result in frequency response and distortion problems.
(If you are intending to use multiple subwoofers in your system, PowerBass recommends hav-
ing separate chambers for each subwoofer if the subwoofers will be operated by two different
amplified signals. This will prevent any possible cancellation.)
NOTE: Due to the vented backplate, you must allow an additional 2" behind the subwoofer when
designing your speaker enclosure.
CAUTION: If the air volume of the speaker enclosure is larger then the recommended size or used alone
in a free air application will cause serious damage. It will not only deteriorate in durability, but eventually stop
functioning.
ENCLOSURE VOLUME
To calculate the volume required for your enclosure please refer to the Recommended Enclosures secction
of this guide for your specific model number. These are listed in both cubic feet and liters. One cubic foot is
expressed as 12" x 12" x 12" = 1728 cubic inches (see picture below).
9
12" x 12" x 12" = 17283 Inches"
12”
12”
12”

TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR 3XL WOOFER
Your PowerBass Xtreme subwoofer has been meticulously engineered and designed to handle high power
musical reproduction. Despite their rugged construction, it is possible to damage your speaker if they are
improperly used. In general, you will hear distortion as a so-called warning before any damage occurs.
If you hear distortion in your system, immediately reduce the musical level to the point where the sound
retains its clarity.
1. All PowerBass Xtreme subwoofers require an initial break-in period before it will reach optimum
performance. Like any new precision machinery, allow a minimum of several days to one week with
normal daily usage to ensure that the suspension has properly been broken-in.
2. Never use only one coil on a dual voice coil subwoofer. Doing so will significantly decrease the ef-
ficiency and power handling of the speaker.
3. Be sure you supply the speakers with enough unclipped amplifier power to drive them properly.
(More damage can be done to a speaker by under-powering and clipping your amplifier than any
other way!)
4. Where possible, run your Speakers in mono instead of stereo. Most bass is reproduced in mono so
there is less chance of any cancellation if played in mono.
5. Where possible, wire your Speakers in parallel instead of series. Bass is reproduced either way but
again there is less chance of cancellation in parallel. NOTE: Be sure the amplifier you are using is
stable to the resulting impedance of the speaker load!
6. Where possible, a separate amplifier just for your subwoofers should be used with an electronic
crossover to set the frequency range. One Class D amplifier per 3XL woofer is optimum.
7. Do not block the front of your speakers or ports. You want as much direct air coupling as possible.
Also be sure to round off the inside edges of the port to reduce any port noise.
8. For ported enclosures, keep in mind that you must leave at least twice the port diameter size be-
tween the subwoofer and the port itself. Leave at least one time the port diameter between the port
and any walls of the enclosure.
9. Remember the Golden Rule “Measure twice…cut once.”

BOX CONSTRUCTION (SEALED OR VENTED): The material used for enclosure walls should be
solid, dense and free of voids or warps. Your enclosure should be made ¾” or 19mm material, Finland
or Baltic birch type plywood is recommended where the enclosure will be transported frequently. High-
density fiberboard - MDF (not chip board) can be used on permanently installed systems. Minimum of 1”
(25mm) or double ¾” (1-1/2”) baffle is recommended on high-powered SPL applications. Corners must be
strong and air tight and should not have any air leaks or openings. Joints should be properly filled with glue
that will not crack under high stress or impact. If the integrity of the glue seal can’t be determined, hot
glue or RTV caulking should be used to seal all seams. Fiber reinforced resin may also be used to form any
difficult shapes. However avoid making large panels with resin to eliminate any chances of box flexing,
cracking or ratting under high pressure. Bracing made of 2 x 2” or 2 x 4” should be liberally applied either
inside or outside the cabinet, depending on whether the cabinet is to be permanently installed or portable.
This principle applies to any walls of the enclosure spanning more than 18” long. Any braces should also
be liberally glued or screwed down on edge. Edge-wise drilled, and countersunk holes through the braces
can be used for #10-2 Flathead wood screws to avoid the use of more expensive lag bolts. The majority
of strength from an enclosure comes from the glue. When using screws be sure to pre-drill holes to avoid
splitting the wood.
WARNING! The use of silicone rubber to seal in a speaker will void the Warranty! If any sealing
is needed in addition to the speaker’s gasket, use caulking cord or vinyl weather strip.
SUBWOOFER CROSSOVER SETTING
Your PowerBass Xtreme Super Sub will perform best if it is used in conjunction with a subwoofer crossover
of some kind. Using a crossover will remove unwanted high frequencies and allow them to concentrate
only on bass. The two most common types of crossovers are “passive” or “active” (electronic crossovers
are active). Many amplifiers have a built in Low Pass (LPF) electronic crossover circuit. For optimum
subwoofer performance we recommend an initial electronic crossover setting between 80-100Hz and
then tuning the bass to your liking.
11

PREPARING FOR INSTALLATION
NOTE: The tools listed below may be required for basic installation.
• An electric drill with bits
• Saber, circular and jig saw
• Phillips-head and standard screwdrivers
• Wire strippers
• Crimping tool and needle-nose pliers
• Silicone sealant (for enclosures), closed cell weather-stripping (for the speakers)
INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS
NOTE: Proceed only if you are a qualified installer otherwise; let your dealer do it.
• Always wear protective eyewear when using tools.
• Turn off all stereo and other electrical devices before you begin.
• Disconnect the (-) negative lead from your vehicle’s battery.
• Keep the speakers in the package until final installation, and always rest it with the cone facing up.
Never use force when installing a speaker.
• Locate all fuel lines, brake lines, oil lines, and electrical cables when planning your installation.
• Check to see if there is enough clearance behind the mounting surface before drilling holes or install-
ing screws for proper speaker ventilation.
• Also make sure there’s enough front clearance for speaker cone excursion. Failure to do this could
cause the cone to vibrate against any obstructing object.
• Use a utility knife to trim away fabric from the speaker mounting hole location before drilling. It is
hard to get a good seal if you have both the carpet & subwoofer gasket between the speaker and
the enclosure.
• When running speaker wires through sheet metal, be sure to use grommets to properly insulate the
wires from metal edges.

PARAMETERS FOR POWERBASS 3XL SERIES SUBWOOFER
(Due to Constant Improvements, Specifications and Parameters are subject to change without notice.)
3XL-101D 3XL-121D 3XL-151D
VC Impedance (ohms) 1Ω+ 1Ω1Ω+ 1Ω1Ω+ 1Ω
Test Impedance (ohms) 1.92 2.07 2.26
Fs (Hz) 35.35 32.3 27.25
SD (sqCM) 363 510.7 844.96
Vas (Ltr) 22.12 36.22 96.62
Cms (µM/N) 117.19 97.0 94.52
Mms (g) 176.45 250.31 352.24
BL™ 13.8 15.36 18.23
Qms 5.0 4.57 4.96
Qes 0.391 0.446 0.421
Qts 0.363 0.406 0.388
No (%) 0.235 0.265 0.448
Spl (dB) 89 91 93
Xmax (mm) 11 13.5 13.5
Voice Coil Size (inches) 3.0 3.0 3.0
Frequency Response (Hz) 39-500 31-450 24-400
Motor Structure (ounces) 453 oz. 552 oz. 562 oz.
Mounting Depth (inches) 6.33” 7.13” 9.37”
Power (RMS/Peak) 750/1500 watts 850/1700 watts 1,000/2,000 watts
POWER RECOMMENDATIONS
Many speaker and amplifier brands measure their power ratings in different ways. Often the stated “Max Power handling” are viewed as
continuous RMS power handling of the speaker, when actually the “Max” is generally the breaking point of the speaker.
In an effort to minimize any confusion, PowerBass has chosen to rate our Super Subs in the following manner:
NOMINAL POWER HANDLING
Playing your woofer at levels below the Pe-RMS spec will allow the woofer to operate at optimum conditions and cause the speaker
minimal mechanical degradation over time.
Pe-RMS POWER HANDLING
Pe-RMS is the highest power rating we assign the woofer for continuous use under normal conditions. Exceeding this power level for
extended durations will result in mechanical degradation that may lead to possible failure over time.
Pe-MAXIMUM POWER HANDLING
Pe-Maximum is the maximum power rating the woofer can handle for short bursts or peak transients with clean input power. Exceeding
this power level or using dirty (distorted input power) will cause thermal failure that will void the speaker warranty.
13

RECOMMENDED ENCLOSURES
Please note that these enclosure volume recommendations are for the internal airspace inside the enclo-
sure and include the displacement of the subwoofer and ports. When choosing your enclosure type, please
pay close attention to your specific woofer, failing to use the correct enclosure may result in lower power
handling and poor sound quality. To calculate the internal airspace required, take the internal
dimensions of the box. First multiple these number by themselves and then divide this sum by
1728. (W x H x D) / 1728. Please contact your authorized PowerBass Autsound dealer for other designs
and specifications.
3XL-101D
Optimum Ported Vol. English Metric
Gross Vb Internal 1.5 cu.ft 42.48 Liters
Circular Port (Dia. x Length) 4" x 10.5" 101.6 mm x 267 mm
Fb (Box Tuning) 38 Hz 38 Hz
F3 (-3dB Cutoff) 35 Hz 35 Hz
Pe (Watts-Rms) 200-750 Watts 200-750 Watts
SubSomic Filter Setting if Applicable 36 Hz 36 Hz
3XL-121D
Optimum Ported Vol. English Metric
Gross Vb Internal 2.0 cu.ft 56.63 Liters
Cicular Port (Dia. x Length) 5.0" x 14.4" 127 mm x 366 mm
Fb (Box Tuning) 36 Hz 36 Hz
F3 (-3dB Cutoff) 33 Hz 33 Hz
Pe (Watts-Rms) 250-850 Watts 250-850 Watts
SubSomic Filter Setting if Applicable 31 Hz 31 Hz

3XL-151D
Optimum Ported Vol. English Metric
Gross Vb Internal 5.0 cu.ft 141.58 Liters
Circular Port (Dia. x Length) 5.0" x 7.83" 127 mm x 198.9 mm
Fb (Box Tuning) 28 Hz 28 Hz
F3 (-3dB Cutoff) 30 Hz 30 Hz
Pe (Watts-Rms) 250-1000 Watts 250-1000 Watts
Subsonic Filter Seting if Applicable 30 Hz 30 Hz
Note: Due to the vented backplate, you must allow an additional 2" behind the suwoofer when
designing your speaker enclosure.
15
FOR MAXIMUM SPL OUTPUT
ENCLOSURES
DESIGNEDFO R
PORTED

UNPACKING/REPACKING THE WOOFER
Please refer to the enclosed diagram regarding the unpacking/repacking of your woofer. This very special-
ized woofer from PowerBass is custom packed from the factory to prevent any shipping damage from
occurring to the product. It is important that you follow the separate diagram to unpack/repack your
PowerBass Cast Super Sub.
SAVE YOUR PACKAGING
The PowerBass Xtreme “Super Subs” are very heavy and therefore require special packaging to assure
their unblemished arrival. Should you need to transporrt your PowerBass Xtreme Super Sub, you must use
both the color gift box and the brown shipping carton to ensure safe arrival. This special, original packag-
ing must accompany the PowerBass Xtreme Super Sub in the event of product failure.
NOTE: YOU MUST RETURN THIS PRODUCT IN ALL OF THE ORIGINAL CARTONS TO ASSURE THE
WOOFER IS PROPERLY PACKED FOR SHIPPING!
Styrofoam insert
Color Gift box
Brown Shipping Carton

WE WANT YOU LISTENING FOR A LIFETIME
Dear Customer,
Selecting fine audio equipment such as the speakers you’ve just purchased is only the start of your musi-
cal enjoyment. Now it’s time to consider how you can maximize the fun and excitement your equipment
offers. PowerBass and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) want you to get the most out of your
equipment by playing at a safe level. One that lets the sound come through loud and clear without annoy-
ing, blaring or distortion- and, most importantly, without affecting your sensitive hearing.
Sound can be deceiving. Over time your hearing " comfort level" adapts to higher volumes of sound. So
what sounds "normal" can actually be loud and harmful to your hearing. Guard against this by setting your
equipment at a safe level BEFORE your hearing adapts.
PowerBass and the CEA want you to listening for a lifetime!
This manual is the exclusive property of PowerBass USA, Inc. Any reproduction of this manual, or use other than its intentions is
strictly prohibited without the express consent of PowerBass USA, Inc. Copyright 2009 PowerBass USA, Inc.
17

POWERBASS XTREME LIMITED WARRANTY POLICY
PowerBass USA, Inc. offers limited warranty on PowerBass products under normal use on the following terms:
PowerBass Xtreme Speakers are to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period
of one (1) year. The warranty is extended to three (3) years for parts and labor, if an Authorized
PowerBass Xtreme Dealer completes the installation.
This warranty applies only to PowerBass products sold to consumers by Authorized PowerBass Dealers in the United States
of America. Products purchased by consumers from a PowerBass dealer in another country are covered only by that coun-
try’s Distributor and not by PowerBass USA.
This warranty covers only the original purchaser of PowerBass product. In order to receive service, the purchaser must
provide PowerBass with a valid purchase receipt from an authorized reseller stating the consumer name, dealer, product
and date of purchase.
Products found to be defective during the warranty period will be repaired or replaced (with a product deemed to be equiva-
lent) at PowerBass’s discretion and will not be liable for incidental or consequential damages. PowerBass will not warranty
this product under the following situations:
•Speakersreceivedwithbentframesorwaterdamage
 •Abusesuchasholesinthecone,surroundorrippedspider
 •Voicecoildamageduetoamplierclippingordistortion
 •Productthathasnotbeeninstalledaccordingtothisownersmanual
Any implied warranties including warranties of fitness for use and merchantability are limited in duration to the period of
the express warranty set forth above. Some states do not allow limitations on the length of an implied warranty, so this
limitation may not apply. No person is authorized to assume for PowerBass any other liability in connection with the sale
of this product.
Please call [phone] for PowerBass Customer Service. You must obtain an RA# (Return Authorization Number)
to return any product to PowerBass. The RA number must be prominently marked on the outside of the shipping
carton or the delivery will be refused. Please pack your return carefully; we are not responsible for items damaged in
shipping. Return the defective product along with a copy of the original dated retail sales receipt, plus $9.00 for handling
and diagnostic evaluation to:
PowerBass USA, Inc.,
Attn: Returns (RA#__________)
13936 Mountain Avenue, Chino, CA 91710
Residents of HI, AK and US territories will be charged for return shipping. All inquires regarding service and warranty should
be sent to the above address.
Removed or altered serial numbers will void this warranty
19

PowerBass Xtreme (PBX) – A division of PowerBass USA, Inc.
13936 Mountain Avenue – Chino, CA 91710
Tel. [phone] – Fax [phone]
www.powerbassusa.com