the t.amp XO-231 User manual

ENGLISH
XO-231
Crossover
USER’S MANUAL

XO-231 • USER’S MANUAL
2
For your own safety you should read this section
in full rst!
Risk of electrical shock!
• Connect the device only to a properly wired
and earthed electrical wall socket providing a
mains voltage of 230 V~/ 50 Hz.
• NEVER operate the device if the power plug or
power the cord is damaged.
• NEVER submerse the device in water. Wipe it
only with a slightly damp cloth.
• NEVER expose the device to rain or moisture and
never use it in a damp or wet environment.
• Ensure that the power cord does not become
wet during operation.
• You must NEVER open the housing of the device
or try to repair it. There are no user serviceable
parts inside. Warranty will become void if you
open the housing.
• Do not place objects containing uids, e.g.
ower vases or beer bottles, on or near the
device.
• Notice regarding power disconnection:
To switch the device off and to disconnect it
from the power source the power plug must
be removed from the power socket. For this
reason the device should be placed in a position
where a constant unobstructed access to the
power socket is assured, thus in an emergency
situation you are able to immediately pull out
the power plug. To eliminate the risk of re you
must completely disconnect the power plug
from the power socket after the device has
been used.
• Always grasp the power cord by the plug. Do
not pull on the cord itself and never touch the
power cord with wet hands as this could result
in a short circuit or an electrical shock. Do not
place the device, speaker cabinets or anything
else on the power cord and make sure that it
does not become clamped. Place the power
cord in a position where it can not be trod
on. A damaged power cord can cause a re
or an electrical shock. Check the power cord
from time to time. Should it become damaged
contact our customer service centre to have it
replaced.
• Never manipulate the power cord of the plug. If
a power cord is provided with an earth lead, this
is mandatory to ensure safe operation!
 Riskofre!
• NEVER leave the device unattended while it is
switched on.
• Never cover the ventilation slots of the device
while it is switched on. Avoid placing this device
in locations that provide insufcient ventilation
or hot locations and do not place the device
in direct sunlight or under strong articial
light sources. Otherwise, it may overheat and
become irreparably damaged.
• Do not operate or store the device in hot
locations or near heat sources like stoves,
radiators or the like.
• Do not place any open sources of re, like
candles, on the device.
• When a thunderstorm with the risk of lightening
threatens please disconnect the device from
the mains power.
Risk of personal injury!
• Keep the power cord and device away from
children. Children frequently underestimate
the dangers of electrical equipment.
• Ensure a safe location for the device.
• Do not operate the device if it has sustained a fall or
is damaged. Arrange for the device to be checked
and/or repaired by qualied technicians.
WARNING:
This symbol, wherever it appears,
alerts you to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage inside
the enclosure - voltage that may be
sufcient to constitute risk of shock.
This symbol, wherever it appears,
alerts you to important operating
and maintenance instructions in the
accompanying literature. Read the
manual.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

XO-231
USER’S MANUAL
4 INTRODUCTION
4 FEATURES
4 QUICK SETUP
4 OPERATING THE XO-231
5 2-WAY STEREO OPERATION
6 3-WAY MONO OPERATION
8 APPLICATION
9 SPECIFICATIONS
10 DIMENSIONS
11 BLOCK DIAGRAM
CONTENTS
WWW. THOMANN.DE

XO-231 • USER’S MANUAL
4
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the XO-231,
a quality high precision 2-way stereo 3-way mono
crossover with a multitude of built-in features,
such as low pass lters, phase invert switches,
and an additional subwoofer channel. This user’s
manual is specially designed to provide you with
the best possible information on using the device.
We strongly suggest reading the manual carefully
before attempting to handle this device, and
then store it an easily accessible place for future
reference.
FEATURES
Professional, high-precision stereo 2-way/•
mono 3-way crossover with separate subwoofer
output
Separate subwoofer section with independent •
frequency control
World-class performance 24dB per octave •
Linkwitz-Riley lters
Absolutely at summed amplitude response, •
zero phase difference
Individual output level controls for all bands•
Individual output mutes for easy band •
adjustment
Individual phase reverse switches for instant •
phase correction
Switchable 25Hz subsonic lter on each input •
for low frequency driver protection
Servo-balanced, XLR connectors for all inputs •
and outputs
Ultra-high precision potentiometers for ultimate •
accuracy and repeatability
Ultra low-noise audio operational preampliers •
for outstanding sound performance
Illuminated switches for secure operation in •
dark stage environments
High-quality components and exceptionally •
rugged construction for long life and reliability
Shielded toroidal mains transformer for minimal •
noise interference
QUICK SETUP
1. Make sure your unit is off. Preferably remove
the AC power cable.
2. Connect your required output device to the XO-
231’s input connector. Commonly, this would
be a mixer’s auxiliary or main output.
3. Connect all of your required input devices to
the device’s output connectors. Commonly
this would be ampliers or active speakers/
subwoofers.
4. Set the mode button on the rear to your needs.
There are two modes total: 2-way stereo and
3-way mono.
5. Turn your devices on in this order: instruments,
mixer, signal processors (including the XO-
231), amps/speakers.
OPERATING THE XO-231
As the XO-231 runs in a variety of different
modes, we have separated this user’s manual by
these different modes and highlighted the control
elements pertaining to each mode as to help
better make the distinction between critical.
Note: on the rear of the device, the labels located
above or below any of the connectors refer to
different crossover modes available. Ensure the
MODE switch and the corresponding connectors
are properly congured as to prevent damage
occurring to your speakers.

XO-231 • USER’S MANUAL
5
2-WAY STEREO OPERATION
Set the XO-231 to 2-way stereo by ensuring the
Mode button on the rear of the device is pressed
down. When set correctly, the stereo LED on the
front of the device will light up, as well as the
corresponding function buttons. When set to
stereo, both channels will work in an identical
manner.
Front Panel
1. Input Control
This control will adjust the input gain between -12
and +12 dB.
2. Low Cut Button
Pushing this button will activate a low cut (high
pass) lter, set at 25 Hz, which will help protect
woofers from extremely low frequency signals.
3. Low/High Crossover Frequency Control
This control will determine the crossover frequency
between the low and high frequency signals.
When the Crossover Frequency button on the rear
of the device is pushed in, the frequency range is
multiplied by a factor of 10.
4. Low Output Control
This controls the level of the low-band output
between -6 and +6 dB.
5. Low Phase Invert Control
This button reverses the phasing of the low-band
output, making the signal appropriate for out-of-
phase or incorrectly wired speakers.
6. Low Mute Button
Pushing this button will mute the low-band
signal.
7. High Output Control
This controls the level of the high-band output
between -6 and +6 dB.
8. High Phase Invert Button
This button reverses the phasing of the high-band
output, making the signal appropriate for out-of-
phase or incorrectly wired speakers.
9. High Mute Button
Pushing this button will mute the high-band
signal.
10. Subwoofer Crossover Frequency Control
This control will determine the crossover frequency
between the low and subwoofer frequency signals
between 10 and 215 Hz.
11. Subwoofer Gain Control
This control is used to set the output level of the
subwoofer output.
12. Subwoofer Phase Invert Button
This button reverses the phasing of the subwoofer
output, making the signal appropriate for out-of-
phase or incorrectly wired speakers.
13. Subwoofer Mute Button
Pushing this button will mute the subwoofer
signal.
Rear Panel
14. AC Connector and Fuse Holder
This connector is used to supply power to the XO-
231 through the AC cable provided along with this
unit. The fuse holder located below this connector
is used to house the connector’s fuse. If for some
reason the fuse blows, replace it with a fuse of
identical type and rating.
15. High Output Connectors
This connector will output the high-band signal.
16. Low Output Connectors
This connector will output the low-band signal.
17. Crossover Frequency Button
Pushing this button will raise the control range of
frequencies adjustable by the high/low crossover
frequency control by 10 times (i.e. when the button
is released, the control range will be between 44
and 930 Hz; pushed-in, the range will be between
440 Hz and 9.3 kHz).
18. Input Connector
Users can connect their balanced or unbalanced
input signals here.
19. Mode Button
This button determines the operating of the
crossover. For 2-way stereo operation, the button
should be pressed. Release, the XO-231 will be set
to 3-way mono. Note: Be sure to turn your system
off before changing the setting of this button as
it produces interference that may have a negative
effect on speakers or other equipment.
20. Subwoofer Output Connectors
This connector will output the subwoofer signal.
This signal remains constant when in mono or
stereo mode.

XO-231 • USER’S MANUAL
6
3-WAY MONO OPERATION
Set the XO-231 to 3-way mono by releasing the
Mode buttons on the rear of the device. When set
correctly, the mono LED on the front of the device
will light up, as well as the corresponding function
buttons.
Front Panel
1. Input Control
This control will adjust the input gain between -12
and +12 dB.
2. Low Cut Button
Pushing this button will activate a low cut (high
pass) lter, set at 25 Hz, which will help protect
woofers from extremely low frequency signals.
3. Low/Mid Crossover Frequency Control
This control will determine the crossover frequency
between the low and mid frequency signals. When
the Crossover Frequency button on the rear of
the device is pushed in, the frequency range is
multiplied by a factor of 10.
4. Low Output Control
This controls the level of the low-band output
between -6 and +6 dB.
5. Low Phase Invert Control
This button reverses the phasing of the low-band
output, making the signal appropriate for out-of-
phase or incorrectly wired speakers.
6. Low Mute Button
Pushing this button will mute the low-band
signal.
7. Mid/High Crossover Frequency Control
This control will determine the crossover frequency
between the mid and high frequency signals.
When the Crossover Frequency button on the rear
of the device is pushed in, the frequency range is
multiplied by a factor of 10.
8. Mid Output Control
This controls the level of the mid-band output
between -6 and +6 dB.
9. Mid Phase Invert Button
This button reverses the phasing of the mid-band
output, making the signal appropriate for out-of-
phase or incorrectly wired speakers.
10. Mid Mute Button
Pushing this button will mute the mid-band
signal.
11. High Output Control
This controls the level of the high-band output
between -6 and +6 dB.
12. High Phase Invert Button
This button reverses the phasing of the high-band
output, making the signal appropriate for out-of-
phase or incorrectly wired speakers.
13. High Mute Button
Pushing this button will mute the high-band
signal.
14. Subwoofer Crossover Frequency Control
This control will determine the crossover frequency
between the low and subwoofer frequency signals
between 10 and 235 Hz.
15. Subwoofer Gain Control
This control is used to set the output level of the
subwoofer output.
16. Subwoofer Phase Invert Button
This button reverses the phasing of the subwoofer
output, making the signal appropriate for out-of-
phase or incorrectly wired speakers.
17. Subwoofer Mute Button
Pushing this button will mute the subwoofer
signal.

XO-231 • USER’S MANUAL
7
Rear Panel
18. AC Connector and Fuse Holder
This connector is used to supply power to the XO-
231 through the AC cable provided along with this
unit. The fuse holder located below this connector
is used to house the connector’s fuse. If for some
reason the fuse blows, replace it with a fuse of
identical type and rating.
19. High Output Connectors
This connector will output the high-band signal.
20. Mid Output Connectors
This connector will output the mid-band signal.
21. Low Output Connectors
This connector will output the low-band signal.
22. Crossover Frequency Button
Pushing this button will raise the control range of
frequencies adjustable by the low/mid crossover
frequency control by 10 times (i.e. when the button
is released, the control range will be between 44
and 930 Hz; pushed-in, the range will be between
440 Hz and 9.3 kHz).
23. Crossover Frequency Button
Pushing this button will raise the control range of
frequencies adjustable by the mid/high crossover
frequency control by 10 times (i.e. when the button
is released, the control range will be between 44
and 930 Hz; pushed-in, the range will be between
440 Hz and 9.3 kHz).
24. Input Connector
Users can connect their balanced or unbalanced
input signals here.
25. Mode Button
This button determines the operating of the
crossover. For 3-way mono operation, the button
should be released.
When pressed down, the XO-231 will be set to
2-way stereo.
Note: Be sure to turn your system off before
changing the setting of this button as it produces
interference that may have a negative effect on
speakers or other equipment.
26. Subwoofer Output Connectors
This connector will output the subwoofer signal.
This signal remains constant when in mono or
stereo mode.

XO-231 • USER’S MANUAL
8
APPLICATION
Measurement & Setup Tools
By using a hand-held spectrum analysing tool
along with pink noise, users are able to better
perfect their system’s sound. Check the operation
manuals for your analyser and pink-noise
generator for many more useful tips on set up.
Play the pink noise through your system and
stand about 5 meters from your speaker to take
measurements with the spectrum analyser.
Setting Input Levels
The input level can be cut and boost by up to 6
dB. Provided the output level of your mixer is set
to an acceptable degree, setting all input controls
to 0 dB should be perfectly acceptable. In the
event that the device you connect to the XO-231’s
input is a consumer level device (i.e. signal level
is as low as -10dBV), using the full amount of
boost that the input level control allows may be
necessary.
Setting Output Levels
Output levels of each individual band can be cut
and boost by up to 6 dB. With the help of an
analyser, all output levels can be set to achieve
a linear frequency response in the system. First
mute each output, leaving the one you wish to
set active, and check crossover frequencies and
levels by playing pink-noise through your system.
Then, when switching on an adjacent band, the
level measured at the crossover frequency should
immediately go up by 3 dB. This can then be
repeated for all output channels.
Setting the Crossover Frequency
The rst thing to keep in mind when setting your
crossover is what frequencies can my speakers
handle? Be sure to check your subwoofer, full-
range speaker or driver’s user’s manual before
setting your crossover frequencies. Keeping the
signal sent to the speaker in the frequency range
ascribed in the user’s manual will ensure your
speakers function smoothly and correctly.
The Linkwitz-Riley lter employed by the XO-231
employs a slope of 24 dB per octave. It may be
interesting to note that, due to the Crossover
Frequency Button on the rear of the device, the
crossover frequency for the low frequency band is
adjustable between 44Hz and 9.3 kHz. This allows
for the low output to be used with full-range
speakers as well as subwoofer speakers.
Subwoofer Output
The XO-231 features an individual subwoofer
output that runs whether in stereo or mono
operation. The subwoofer output, featured in
addition to the low frequency output, allows
exceptionally loud and deep bass to be played
through your system. The subwoofer signal is a
combined mono signal of the channel 1 and 2
input signals.

XO-231 • USER’S MANUAL
9
SPECIFICATIONS
Audio Inputs
Connectors XLR
Type Electronically servo-balanced, HF ltered
Input Impedance Balanced >50 kohm, unbalance >25 kohm
Max. Input Level +22 dBu typical, balanced or unbalanced
CMRR >40dB, typical >55dB at 1 kHz
Audio Outputs
Connectors XLR
Type Electronically servo-balanced, HF ltered
Output Impedance Balanced 60 ohm, unbalance 30 ohm
Max. Output Level +20 dBu, balanced or unbalanced
Performance
Bandwidth 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB
Frequency Response <5 Hz to >60 kHz, +0/-3 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio Ref.: +4 dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, unweighted
Stereo-Mode: Mono-Mode:
Low Output >94 dB >94 dB
Mid Output >96 dB
High Output >92 dB >92dB
Dynamic Range >106 dB, unweighted
THD & Noise <0.04%
Interchannel Crosstalk High to Low: <93 dB
High to Mid: <95 dB
Mid to Low: <96 dB
Crossover
Filter-Type Linkwitz-Riley, 24 dB/octave, state-variable
Mono Mode Frequencies x1 x10
Low/High 44 - 930 Hz 440 Hz - 9.3 kHz
Low/Mid 44 - 930 Hz 440 Hz - 9.3 kHz
Mid/High 440 Hz - 9.3 kHz
Stereo Mode Frequencies x1 x10
Low/High 44 - 930 Hz 440 Hz - 9.3 kHz
Europe/U.K./Australia 230V ~, 50 Hz
USA/Canada 120V ~, 60 Hz
Japan 100V ~, 50-60 Hz
Power Consumption <20 W
Fuses 100-120 V ~, T630 mA H
200-240V ~, T 315 mA H
Mains Connection Standard IEC receptacle
Dimensions 19“ x 1.75“ x 8.5“ (482.6 x 44 x 217 mm)
Net Weight 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg)

XO-231 • USER’S MANUAL
10
DIMENSIONS

XO-231 • USER’S MANUAL
11
BLOCK DIAGRAM

WWW. THOMANN.DE