White Acoustics WA 15F User manual
WA 12F
WA 15F
Operation ManualWWW.WHITEACOUSTICS.COM
Professional loudspeaker
2 WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
Table of Contents
3
Table of Contents
2. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................4
3. Unpacking ....................................................................................................................................................4
4. Connectors / Cabling ................................................................................................................................. 5
5. Polarity Check .............................................................................................................................................6
6. Amplication and Power Handling ........................................................................................................... 6
7. Crossover .....................................................................................................................................................6
8. Equalisation ................................................................................................................................................. 7
9. Dimensions ..................................................................................................................................................8
10. Technical Specications ..........................................................................................................................9
11. Warranty ................................................................................................................................................... 10
12. Declaration of Conformity ..................................................................................................................... 11
4 WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
2. Introduction
2. Introduction
Designed, engineered and built in the United Kingdom, the WA 12F and WA 15F from White Acoustics are
passive loudspeakers for demanding professional and commercial sound applications. At the heart of the WA
12F and WA 15F loudspeakers is White Acoustics’s acclaimed Dual ConcentricTM driver technology. Unlike
conventional drivers, Dual Concentric combines a high frequency driver and a low-mid driver on a common
axis, creating a true point source for all reproduced sounds. Dual Concentric eliminates the time alignment
problems inherent with all enclosures employing separated drivers, thus ensuring outstanding denition, detail
and intelligibility at all points in the listening area.
All WA Series loudspeakers are designed to perform with very high efciency and exceptionally low distortion,
even when operating near peak output levels. All components are housed in rugged birch plywood enclosures,
with larger models equipped with double-chamfered Integrip™ recessed handles for easy one- or two-handed
carrying. Reecting White Acoustics’s reputation for reliability, all WA 12F and WA 15F loudspeakers are backed
by a ve-year loudspeaker warranty.
3. Unpacking
Each WA 12F and WA 15F loudspeaker is carefully tested and inspected prior to shipment. After unpacking,
please inspect for any exterior physical damage, and save the carton and any relevant packaging materials in
case the loudspeaker again requires packing and shipping. In the event that damage has been sustained in
transit notify your dealer and the shipping carrier immediately.
WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
4. Connectors / Cabling
5
4. Connectors / Cabling
On the WA 12F and WA 15F loudspeakers, connections to the amplier are made using 4-pole Neutrik
speakON® connectors. Two NL4MP connectors are mounted on the rear of the loudspeaker. The two
connectors are wired in parallel to allow connection of a second loudspeaker. Positive is connected to pin 1+
and negative to pin 1-. (Pins 2+ and 2- are not used on the WA 12F and WA 15F.)
speakON Connector Signal
Pin 1+ Passive Full Range +
Pin 1- Passive Full Range -
Pin 2+ N/C
Pin 2- N/C
When choosing cable type, it is important select the correct cross sectional area in relation to the cable length
and the load impedance. A small cross sectional area will increase the cable’s series resistance, inducing
power loss and response variations (damping factor). Connectors wired with 2.5 sq. mm (12 gauge) cable will
be satisfactory under normal conditions; with very long cable runs, the wire size should be increased. Please
refer to the following table for guidance:
Cable Run (m) C.S.A. Of Each
Conductor (mm)
Cable Resistance
(ohms)
% Power Loss into
8 ohms load
% Power Loss into
4 ohms load
10 2.5
4.0
6.0
0.14
0.09
0.06
1.7
1.1
0.73
3.5
2.2
1.5
25 2.5
4.0
6.0
0.35
0.22
0.14
4.3
2.7
1.8
8.6
5.4
3.6
50 2.5
4.0
6.0
0.69
0.43
0.29
8.6
5.4
3.6
17.0
11.0
7. 2
10 2.5
4.0
6.0
1.38
0.86
0.58
17.0
11.0
7. 2
35.0
22.0
14.00
6 WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
5. Polarity Checking
5. Polarity Checking
Checking the polarity of the wiring before the speaker system is mounted or own will help ensure satisfactory
performance. If you do not have a pulse based polarity checker, you may check LF units as follows: Connect
two wires to the + and - terminals of a PP3 (9 V) battery. Apply the wire connected to the positive (+) terminal
of the battery to the speaker cable leg which you believe to be connected to pin 1+ of the speaker connector;
likewise connect the negative (-) terminal of the battery to pin 1-. If you have wired it correctly, the LF drive unit
will move forward. At this point, connect the positive (+) speaker lead to the + terminal on the amplier and the
negative (-) lead to the - terminal on the amplier. However, if the LF driver moves backwards with the battery
test, the input connections need to be inverted before connecting the amplier. If problems are encountered,
inspect the cable wiring. Note that different amplier manufacturers may utilise different pin congurations and
polarity conventions; if you are using ampliers from more than one manufacturer, check the polarity at the
ampliers as well as at the loudspeakers.
6. Amplification & Power Handling
As with all professional loudspeaker systems, the power handling is a function of voice coil thermal capacity.
Care should be taken to avoid overdriving the amplier into clipping. Damage to the loudspeaker will be
sustained if the amplier is driven into clipping for any extended period of time. Headroom of at least 3 dB
should be allowed.
When evaluating an amplier, it is important to take into account its behaviour under low impedance load
conditions. A loudspeaker system is highly reactive, and with transient signals it can require more current than
the nominal impedance would indicate. Generally a higher power amplier running free of distortion will do less
damage to the loudspeaker than a lower power amplier that is continually clipping. A high powered amplier
running at less than 90% of output power generally sounds superior to a lower power amplier running at
100%. An amplier with insufcient drive capability will not allow the full performance or the loudspeaker to be
realised. (See technical specications section for recommended amplier power.)
When using ampliers from different manufacturers in a single installation, make certain that all have very
closely matched gains. (Variation should be less than +/- 0.5 dB.) This precaution is important to the overall
system balance when only a single active crossover is being used with multiple cabinets. When possible, it is
recommended that the same ampliers be used throughout.
7. Crossovers
WA 12F and WA 15F loudspeakers are supplied as standard for passive operation via the internal crossover
network. If higher peak outputs and additional low frequency output is required then the WA 12F and WA 15F
can be used in conjunction with the WA 2.6X System Controller which provides high-pass ltering and a degree
of parametric equalisation, as well as a xed crossover point for use with sub-bass loudspeakers (See the
WA 2.6X Operation Manual for further information.)
WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
8. Equalisation
7
8. Equalisation
WA 12F and WA 15F loudspeakers require no equalisation or correction to overcome system limitations;
equalisation is necessary only to compensate for difcult acoustic environments. Over-equalisation can reduce
system headroom and introduce phase distortion, resulting in degraded sound. If equalisation is required, it
should be applied gently and smoothly. Because WA 12F and WA 15F loudspeakers are point source, phase
coherent designs, excessive equalization usually proves detrimental to the overall sound quality.
8 WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
9. Dimensions
9. Dimensions
WA 12F
WA 15F
590.0
[23.23"]
200.0
[7.87"]
417.6
[16.44"]
476.8
[18.77"]
338.2
[13.32"]
295.2
[11.62"]
257.1
[10.12"]
490.0
[19.29"]
359.9
[14.17"]
190.0
[7.48"]
272.6
[10.73"]
396.3
[15.60"]
245.0
[9.65"]
212.8
[8.38"]
WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
10. Technical Specifications
9
Model
System Ty pe
Frequency Response (-3 dB) 1)
Frequency Range (-10 dB) 1)
System Sensitivity (1 W @1 m) 2)
Dispersion (-6 dB)
Driver Complement
Crossover
Directivity Factor (Q) 3)
Directivity Index (DI) 3)
Rated Maximum SPL 2)
Power Handling
Recommended Amplifi er Power
Nominal Impedance
Construction
Enclosure
Finish
Connectors
Fittings
Dimensions
Weight
Note 1): Average over stated bandwidth. Measured at 1 metre on axis.
Note 2): Unweighted pink noise input, measured at 1 metre in an anechoic chamber
Note 3): Averaged 1 kHz to 10 kHz.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
WA 12F WA 15F
Full Range - Vented Full Range - Vented
80 Hz - 25 kHz 70 Hz - 25 kHz
160 Hz - 30 kHz 58 Hz - 30 kHz
97 dB (1 W = 2.83 V for 8 ohms) 99 dB (1 W = 2.83 V for 8 ohms)
75 degrees (H) x 40 degrees (V) 75 degrees (H) x 40 degrees (V)
1 x 300 mm (12”) Dual Concentric
with Q-Centric waveguide
1 x 380 mm (15”) Dual Concentric
with Q-Centric waveguide
Passive 1.5 kHz Passive 1.3 kHz
11 11.4
10.4 dB 10.6 dB
123 dB (average) 129 dB (peak) 125 dB (average) 131 dB (peak)
350 W (average), 700 W (programme), 1400 W (peak)
400 W (average), 800 W (programme), 1600 W (peak)
700 W @ 8 ohms 800 W @ 8 ohms
8 ohms 8 ohms
34.7 litre vented, 15 mm (0.59”) birch plywood.
Vented and internally braced.
71.2 litre vented, 18 mm (0.71”) birch plywood. Vented
and internally braced.
Textured black paint. Powder coated perforated steel grille.
2 x Speakon NL4MP in/out
2 x integrated carrying handles.
Blanking plate allows installation of a 35 mm pole-mounting socket.
8 x M10 bracket inserts allowing for landscape or portrait mounting
1 x M10 insert for pull-back
W: 400 mm (13.75”), H: 490 mm (19.29”),
D: 360 mm (14.77”)
W: 480 mm (18.9”), H: 590 mm (23.23”),
D: 420 mm (16.54”)
TBA TBA
10. Technical Specifications
Following are the WA Series technical speci cations. These gures are accurate at the time of printing but please note that all gures are
subject to change without notice.
10 WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
11. Warranty
11. Warranty
No maintenance of the WA Series loudspeakers is necessary.
All White Acoustics Professional loudspeaker products are covered by a 5 year warranty from the date of
manufacture, subject to the absence of misuse, overload or accidental damage. Claims will not be considered
if the serial number has been altered or removed. Work under warranty should only be carried out by a White
Acoustics dealer or service agent. This warranty in no way affects your statutory rights.
If your White Acoustics product requires repair, please visit www.whiteacoustics.com to nd your local dealer
or distributor.
Do not ship any product to White Acoustics without previous authorisation.
Our policy commits us to incorporating improvements to our products through continuous research and
development. Please conrm current specications for critical applications with your supplier.
WA 12F, WA 15F Operation Manual rev 1.0.0
12. Declaration of Conformity
11
12. Declaration of Conformity
The following apparatus is/are manufactured in the United Kingdom by White Acoustics Ltd. of Rosehall
Industrial Estate, Coatbridge, Scotland, ML5 4TF and conform(s) to the protection requirements of the
European Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards and Directives relevant to Domestic Electrical Equipment.
The apparatus is designed and constructed such that electromagnetic disturbances generated do not exceed
levels allowing radio and telecommunications equipment and other apparatus to operate as intended, and, the
apparatus has an adequate level of intrinsic immunity to electromagnetic disturbance to enable operation as
specied and intended.
Details of the Apparatus: White Acoustics Loudspeaker
Model Number: WA 12F, WA 15F
Associated Technical File: EMCWA SERIES
Applicable Standards: EN 50081-1 Emission
EN 50082-1 Immunity
Electrical Safety: EN 60065
Engineering Director
06/06/2011
Operation ManualWWW.WHITEACOUSTICS.COM
White Acoustics Limited
COATBRIDGE
North Lanarkshire
ML5 4TF
Scotland
United Kingdom
Part of the TC | Group of companies
6481 0586REVISION DATE: 07 June ‘11
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