Samson Expedition Express User manual

Owner's Manual

Copyright 2013
v1.0
Samson Technologies Corp.
45 Gilpin Avenue
Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816
Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766)
Fax: [phone]
www.samsontech.com
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by
Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Samson Technologies is
under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective
owners.”

Important Safety Information
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK) AS THERE ARE NO
USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
This lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle
is intended to alert the user to the presence of non-insulated “danger-
ous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance in-
structions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
If you want to dispose this product, do not mix it with general household waste. There is a
separate collection system for used electronic products in accordance with legislation that
requires proper treatment, recovery and recycling.
Private household in the 25 member states of the EU, in Switzerland and Norway may return their used
electronic products free of charge to designated collection facilities or to a retailer (if you purchase a similar
new one).
For Countries not mentioned above, please contact your local authorities for a correct method of disposal.
By doing so you will ensure that your disposed product undergoes the necessary treatment, recovery and
recycling and thus prevent potential negative effects on the environment and human health.
AVIS
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRONIQUE -
NE PAS OUVRIR

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation open-
ings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources
such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including
amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of
the polarized or grounding type plug.
A polarized plug has two blades with
one wider than the other. A grounding
type plug has two blades and a third
grounding prong. The wide blade or
the third prong are provided for your
safety. If the provided plug does not
fit into your outlet, consult an electri-
cian for replacement of the obsolete
outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being
walked on or pinched particularly at
the plugs, convenience receptacles,
and at the point where they exit from
the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories
specified by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the ap-
paratus. When a cart is used, use
caution when moving the cart/appara-
tus combination to avoid injury from
tip-over.
13. Unplug the apparatus during lighten-
ing storms or when unused for long
periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified
personnel. Service is required when
the apparatus has been damaged in
any way, such as power supply cord
or plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally,
or has been dropped.
15. This appliance shall not be exposed
to dripping or splashing water and
that no object filled with liquid such
as vases shall be placed on the ap-
paratus.
16. Caution-to prevent electrical shock,
match wide blade plug wide slot fully
insert.
17. Please keep a good ventilation envi-
ronment around the entire unit.
18. To prevent injury, this apparatus must
be securely attached to the stand
in accordance with the installation
instructions.
Important Safety Information

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Rear Panel Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Pairing with a Bluetooth
®device . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Speaker Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Avoiding Feedback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Making Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

6
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Expedition Express battery-powered portable
sound system, featuring wireless Bluetooth®connectivity, to stream audio from
your smart phone, tablet, or computer. The Expedition Express is a complete
all-in-one solution providing the flexibility of a three-channel mixer (with inputs
for a microphone, instrument, and line level devices), a line output for linking
multiple speakers, and bass and treble tone controls.
Lightweight and compact, the Expedition Express weighs less than 10lbs mak-
ing it an excellent complement to any mobile speaker situation. The internal
battery provides eight hours of audio on a full charge. The Expedition Express
can also be powered by the included AC adaptor for continuous audio.
Whether you are looking for a sound system for use outdoors, in the classroom,
for karaoke, for presentations, or performing live music, the Expedition Express
provides high quality, portable audio in a small self-powered package.
We recommend you keep the following records for reference, as well as a copy
of your sales receipt.
Serial number: ____________________________________________
Date of purchase: __________________________________________
Dealer name: _____________________________________________
With proper care and maintenance, your Expedition Express will operate
trouble-free for many years. Should your speaker ever require servicing, a
Return Authorization (RA) number must be obtained before shipping your unit
to Samson. Without this number, the unit will not be accepted. Please call
Samson at 1-800-3SAMSON (1-800-372-6766) for an RA number prior to
shipping your unit. Please retain the original packing materials and, if possible,
return the unit in its original carton. If your Expedition Express was purchased
outside of the United States, contact your local distributor for warranty details
and service information.

7
Rear Panel Features
1. VOL (Ch1) - Used to control
the level of the Mic/Line
input.
2. MIC/LINE - Use this XLR/1⁄4"
input for microphone or a line
signal.
3. VOL (Ch2) - Used to control
the level of the line input.
4. INSTRUMENT Input - ¼" input
used to connect instrument or
line level signals.
5. VOL (Ch3) - Used to control
the level of the Bluetooth®
and MP3 inputs.
6. MP3 IN - Connect a line level
device using a 3.5mm audio
cable.
7. Pairing Button - Press this button to enable discoverable mode to pair with
a Bluetooth audio device.
8. Pairing Indicator - Displays the Bluetooth status of the Expedition Express
system.
9. TREBLE - Controls the high frequency tone of the entire system.
10. BASS - Controls the low frequency tone of the entire system.
11. Power - Switches on the main power.
12. LINE OUT - ¼" output connector to link multiple Expedition Express sys-
tems together.
13. POWER Indicator - Lights red when the audio power switch is turned on.
14. DC IN - Connect the supplied power adapter here.
15. Battery Indicator - Displays the status of the battery charge level.
1
3
5
2
12
13
15
14
6
8
7
4
9
10
11

8
Quick Start
Follow these steps below to quickly get started using your Expedition Express
portable sound system.
• Set the Expedition Express's power switch to the OFF position, and fully
turn all of the VOL controls counterclockwise to 0.
• If an outlet is available, connect the included power adaptor to the DC IN of
the speaker, and plug it into an AC socket.
• Connect a microphone using a standard XLR cable, instrument and line
level equipment using a 1⁄4" instrument cable, or portable audio device
using a 1⁄8" cable.
• Switch on the Expedition Express power.
• While speaking into the microphone, playing the instrument, or playing
music from a line level audio source, slowly raise the channel VOL until you
have reached the desired level.
NOTE: If not using the channel 1 input, turn the VOL control all the way down to
keep out any unwanted noise.
Using EQ
The Expedition Express feature a 2-band equalizer allowing you to adjust the
systems overall high and low frequencies. The system’s frequency response is
flat when the knobs are in the vertical or "12:00" position. Small movements of
the controls can make a big difference. Turning the controls all the way up can
cause distortion. Use your ears when adjusting the EQ to fit your application.
We have provided two example settings to help you get started fine tuning your
system.
Setting the EQ for Music
If you are using the Expedition Express for music
playback, turn up the BASS and TREBLE slightly
to produce a “hi-fi” frequency response that ac-
centuates the low and high ranges.
Setting the EQ for Vocal
If you are using your Expedition Express with a
microphone for speech only, you can reduce the
BASS and raise the TREBLE slightly, which will
produce a frequency response that accentuates
the vocal range.

9
Pairing with a Bluetooth
®device
Bluetooth®is a wireless communication technology that allows for connectivity
between a wide range of devices. The Expedition Express uses Bluetooth to
stream high quality audio from your Bluetooth enabled device without the need for
connecting any cables. In order for your device to work with the Expedition Express
it must first be paired.
1. Turn all three channel VOL controls all down counterclockwise to 0.
2. With the Expedition Express and your Bluetooth device powered on; press
the PAIR button on the rear panel of the Expedition Express speaker to
make the speaker discoverable. The Bluetooth indicator will slowly flash
blue.
3. In the settings of your Bluetooth device, set it to “discover” available
devices.
4. From the Bluetooth device list, select the "Samson Express" device.
5. If your device asks for a passkey, enter digits 0000 (four zeros) and press
OK. Some devices may also ask you to accept the connection.
6. As the Expedition Express is connecting
to your device, the Bluetooth indicator will
quickly flash blue.
7. The Expedition Express speaker indicates
that pairing is complete when the indica-
tor turns steady blue. You can now stream
audio from your device to the Expedition
Express speakers.
8. With the volume control on your Bluetooth
device turned up, play some music, and
slowly raise the Expedition Express channel
3 VOL control until you have reached the
desired level.

10
Charging the Battery
The Expedition Express has an internal, rechargeable battery capable of eight
hours of continuous audio on a full charge. Even though the system may have
some charge when first taken out of the box, we recommend fully charging
your Expedition Express before first using the system.
To charge the battery:
• Set the power switch to the
“OFF” position.
• Connect the Expedition
Express to an AC power outlet
using the included power
adapter.
• Keep the system plugged in
until the CHARGE indicator
changes to green, indicating
the battery is fully charged.
The Expedition Express utilizes a sealed lead-acid gel cell battery. When
not in use, the battery will slowly self-discharge. If you are planning not to
use the Expedition Express for a long period of time, it is advised to fully
charge the unit before storing. It is also important to charge the unit every six
months when not used. This will ensure a healthy battery and extend its life.
If the battery is left with a very low charge for an extended period of time, it
is possible to recharge the battery to working condition, but the charge time
can take over 24 hours.
If you find that the operation time of the Expedition Express becomes
noticeably decreased, even after fully charging, the battery should be
replaced. Contact Samson customer service or your local distributor for a
replacement battery.

11
Speaker Placement
The Expedition Express provides three different placement options for your
specific situation.
For maximum sound coverage the Expedition
Express can be used with a standard 13⁄8”
speaker stand. The speaker should be raised
above the heads of the listening audience.
Take care when placing the speaker on a
stand, to ensure that it is on a level, steady
surface and will not tip over.
When using the speaker on the floor, or when the
speaker is below the listener, the Expedition Express
features a monitor angle position to project the sound
up, towards the audience.
For smaller settings, the speaker can be placed
vertically on a table or desk.
Take care when placing the Expedition Express in direct sunlight for long
periods of time, as this may discolor or damage the unit.
Do not place the speaker on wet surfaces, as it can cause malfunction. If you
notice condensation on the unit, dry the speaker before using or storing.

12
Avoiding Feedback
Feedback is the annoying howling and squealing that can heard when the
microphone picks up sound from the speaker. The sound is then re-amplified
back through the speaker again, creating a feedback loop. Follow these steps
to minimize the likelihood of feedback:
• Avoid pointing the microphone directly at the speaker. In general it is
recommended that the microphone be positioned behind the speaker
enclosure. This uses the directional characteristics of the speaker and
microphone to your advantage.
• Keep the microphone as far from the speaker as possible. This will help
achieve isolation between the speaker and the microphone, and allow you
to increase the output of the Expedition Express.
• Position the microphone as close to the sound source as possible. This
will enable the microphone to pick up more direct sound, and allow you to
reduce the microphone input gain control.
• Reduce the overall level of the speaker.

13
Making Connections
MP3 Player,
Portable Audio
Instrument, Keyboard, Drum Machine
Paired Bluetooth
Device
Microphone, Instrument,
Line Level Device
LINE OUT to a second
Expedition Express
SIGNAL FLOW
SIGNAL FLOW
SIGNAL FLOW
SIGNAL FLOW

14
Specications
Amplifier
Mic/Instrument Input . . . . . . .XLR / 1/4-inch combi connector
LEVEL Controls . . . . . . . . . Mic/Line, INST, MP3/Blutooth
Tone Controls . . . . . . . . . . Treble / Bass, ±15dB Independent
Line Input . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/4-inch
MP3 Input . . . . . . . . . . . .1/8-inch
Speakers
Drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . .6" Woofer + 1" HF Driver
Built-in Battery. . . . . . . . . .12V / 7.5AH, Rechargeable & Sealed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . Approx. 8 hours
Battery Charging . . . . . . . . . Approx. 4-6 hours for a Single charge
AC/DC Adapter . . . . . . . . . .SMPS AC100~240V, 50~60Hz/ DC19V
3A
Construction . . . . . . . . . . Polypropylene, internally ribbed
Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Perforated Steel Grill, powder coated
Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . Integral 1 3/8-inch Pole Mount Receptacle
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . 8.75" x 8.25" x 12.7"
222mm x 210mm 323 mm
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.5 lb
4.6 kg

Samson Technologies Corp.
45 Gilpin Avenue
Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816
Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766)
Fax: [phone]
www.samsontech.com