Harley Benton Block-800B Bass Head User Manual

Harley Benton Block-800B Bass Head

General information

This user manual contains important information on the safe operation of the device. Read and follow all safety notes and all instructions. Save this manual for future reference. Make sure that it is available to all persons using this device. If you sell the device to another user, be sure that they also receive this manual.
Our products and user manuals are subject to a process of continuous development. We there‐fore reserve the right to make changes without notice. Please refer to the latest version of the user manual which is ready for download under www.thomann.de.

Further information

On our website (www.thomann.de you will find lots of further information and details on the following points:

topics of interest for you quickly.
Online guides| Our online guides provide detailed information on technical basics and terms.
Personal consultation| For personal consultation please contact our technical hotline.
Service| If you have any problems with the device the customer service will gladly assist you.

Notational conventions

This manual uses the following notational conventions:

Letterings

The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics. Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.

Symbols and signal words

In this section you will find an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are used in this manual.

immediate dangerous situation that will result in death or serious injury if it is not avoided.
CAUTION!| This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a pos‐ sible dangerous situation that can result in minor injury if it is not avoided.
NOTICE!| This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a pos‐ sible dangerous situation that can result in material and environmental damage if it is not avoided.
Warning signs| Type of danger
---|---
| Warning – high-voltage.
| Warning – danger zone.

Safety instructions

Intended use

This device is intended to be used for the amplification of signals from musical instruments with electromagnetic pickups. Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other use or use under other operating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in personal injury or property damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sufficient physical, sensorial, and intellectual abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience. Other persons may use this device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is responsible for their safety.

Safety

DANGER!
Danger for children
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are not within reach of babies and young children. Choking hazard! Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from the unit. They could swallow the pieces and choke! Never let children unattended use electrical devices.

DANGER!
Electric shock caused by high voltages inside
Within the device there are areas where high voltages may be present. Never remove any covers. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Do not use the device if covers, protectors or optical components are missing or damaged.

DANGER!
Electric shock caused by short-circuit
Always use proper ready-made insulated mains cabling (power cord) with a protective contact plug. Do not modify the mains cable or the plug. Failure to do so could result in electric shock/death or fire. If in doubt, seek advice from a registered electrician.

CAUTION!
Possible hearing damage
The device can produce volume levels that may cause temporary or permanent hearing impairment. Over an extended period of time, even levels that seem to be uncritical can cause hearing damage. Decrease the volume level immediately if you experience ringing in your ears or hearing impairment. If this is not possible, keep a greater distance or use sufficient ear protectors.

NOTICE!
Risk of fire
Do not block areas of ventilation. Do not install the device near any direct heat source. Keep the device away from naked flames.

NOTICE!
Operating conditions
This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and strong vibrations. Only operate the device within the ambient conditions specified in the chapter ‘Technical specifications’ of this user manual. Avoid heavy temperature fluctuations and do not switch the device on immediately after it was exposed to temperature fluctuations (for example after transport at low outside temperatures). Dust and dirt inside can damage the unit. When operated in harmful ambient conditions (dust, smoke, nicotine, fog, etc.), the unit should be maintained by qualified service personnel at regular intervals to prevent overheating and other malfunction.

NOTICE!
Power supply
Before connecting the device, ensure that the input voltage (AC outlet) matches the voltage rating of the device and that the AC outlet is protected by a residual current circuit breaker. Failure to do so could result in damage to the device and possibly injure the user. Unplug the device before electrical storms occur and when it is unused for long periods of time to reduce the risk of electric shock or fire.
NOTICE!
Possible damage due to installation of a wrong fuse
The use of different types of fuses can cause serious damage to the unit. Fire hazard! Only fuses of the same type may be used.

NOTICE!
Possible staining
The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly react with the coating of your surface and after some time cause permanent dark stains. In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the surface and use a suitable underlay if neces‐sary, i.e. felt pads or similar.

Features

This powerful bass head is characterized by the following special features:

• Output power: 800 watt @ 4 Ω
• Class-D ICE power amp
• 4-band EQ
• Smart compressor
• D.I. output with pre / post & lift / ground switch
• Input sensitivity switchable for active or passive basses
• Mute function
• Tuner output
• Line input with volume control
• Headphones output
• FX loop
• Speaker outputs Speaker Twist

Installation and starting up

Unpack and check carefully there is no transportation damage before using the unit. Keep the equipment packaging. To fully protect the product against vibration, dust and moisture during transportation or storage use the original packaging or your own packaging material suitable for transport or storage, respectively.
Create all connections while the device is off. Use the shortest possible high-quality cables for all connections. Take care when running the cables to prevent tripping hazards.

Connections and operating elements

Front panel

1| [TUNER OUT] | 1/4″ phone socket for the permanent connection of a tuner
---|---
2| [POWER / CLIP] | The LED lights up green when the device is turned on. It lights up red when the signal is clipping. Then turn the [INPUT] control counter-clockwise until the LED turns green again.
3| [BASS] | control for boosting / attenuating the bass
4| [LO MID] | control for boosting / attenuating the lower mids
5| [HI MID] | control for boosting / attenuating the upper mids
6| [TREBLE] | control for boosting / attenuating the treble
7| [D.I.] | balanced DI output with MIC level for connection to a mixer, XLR panel plug, 3-pin
8| [LIFT/GND] | this switch disconnects or connects the ground potential of the DI output and the device ground. In [LIFT] posi‐ tion (released), the device ground is disconnected. This can possibly eliminate noise caused by ground loops, that may occur when connecting the device to other grounded equipment. In [GND] position (pressed), the device ground is con‐ nected.
9| [PRE / POST] | this switch determines where the DI signal is tapped. In [PRE] position, the signal is tapped before tone control and compressor, in [POST] position behind.
10| | 3.5 mm jack socket to connect head phones
11| | 3.5 mm jack socket for connecting a line level player, e.g. MP3 player or mobile phone
12| [LINE IN] | volume control for the  input
13| [MASTER] | overall volume control
14| [ON / OFF] | on / off switch for the compressor function
15| [COMP.] | control for setting the intensity of the compressor function. The use of this function results in fatter sounding depths, reduces signal peaks from hard string attack and increases the sustain of the notes, i.e. the long lingering of single notes.
---|---
16| [MUTE] | switch to mute the device
17| [INPUT] | preamp volume control. If the [POWER / CLIP] LED lights up red, this control must be turned counter-clockwise until the LED turns green again. If some EQ band levels have subsequently been raised, re-adjusting the [INPUT] control may be necessary.
18| [HIGH / LOW] | switch for the sensitivity and impedance of the [INPUT]. When using passive instruments, this switch should be in the [HIGH] position, otherwise the input level will not be sufficient to fully drive the amplifier. When using active instru‐ ments, this switch should be in the [LOW] position, otherwise clipping and thus a pre-stage overload can easily occur, resulting in very disturbing-sounding distortions.
19| [INPUT] | 1/4″ jack socket to connect an electric bass

Rear panel

speaker boxes. The overall impedance of the connected load must not fall below 4 Ω.
22| [SEND] | 1/4″ jack socket of the serial effects loop for connecting sound processors such as compressors, etc. The connection can also be used as a line output, since the internal signal path is interrupted only by plugging a plug into the [RETURN] input. The SEND signal is tapped behind the EQ.
23| [RETURN] | 1/4″ jack input of the effects loop for returning the processed signal
24| [POWER] | IEC chassis plug for connecting the mains cable with fuse holder
25| Mains switch. Turns the device on and off.

Technical specifications

LOW: 33 kΩ

[RETURN]| 22 kΩ
[LINE]| 22 kΩ
Output impedance| [SEND]| 22 kΩ
[D.I.]| 420 Ω
Power output (RMS)| 800 W @ 4 Ω
Input connections| Power supply| IEC chassis plug C14
Instrument| 1 × 1/4″ phone socket
Effects loop| 1 × 1/4″ phone socket
Line| 1 × 3.5 mm jack socket
Output connections| Speaker| 2 × Speaker Twist
Effects loop| 1 × 1/4″ phone socket
Direct out| 1 × XLR panel plug, 3-pin
 | Headphones| 1 × 3.5 mm jack socket
---|---|---
Tuner| 1 × 1/4″ phone socket
Sound control| Bass| 100 Hz, ± 12 dB
Lower mids| 400 Hz, ± 12 dB
Upper mids| 1.6 kHz , ± 12 dB
Treble| 7 kHz , ± 12 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio| > 80 dB (A-weighted)
Distortion| < 0.5 %
Supply voltage| 100 – 240 V     50/60 Hz
Fuse| 5 mm × 20 mm, 6.3 A, 250 V, slow-blow
Dimensions (W × H × D)| 240 mm × 88 mm × 255 mm
Weight| 2.9 kg
Ambient conditions| Temperature range| 0 °C…40 °C
Relative humidity| 20 %…80 % (non-condensing)

Further information

Plug and connection assignment

Introduction

This chapter will help you select the right cables and plugs to connect your valuable equip‐ment in such a way that a perfect sound experience is ensured.
Please note these advices, because especially in ‘Sound & Light’ caution is indicated: Even if a plug fits into the socket, an incorrect connection may result in a destroyed power amp, a short circuit or ‘just’ in poor transmission quality!

Balanced and unbalanced trans‐mission

Unbalanced transmission is mainly used in semi-professional environment and in hifi use. Instrument cables with two conductors (one core plus shielding) are typical representatives of the unbalanced transmission. One conductor is ground and shielding while the signal is trans‐mitted through the core.
Unbalanced transmission is susceptible to electromagnetic interference, especially at low levels, such as microphone signals and when using long cables.
In a professional environment, therefore, the balanced transmission is preferred, because this enables an undisturbed transmission of signals over long distances. In addition to the conduc‐tors ‘Ground’ and ‘Signal’, in a balanced transmission a second core is added. This also transfers the signal, but phase-shifted by 180°.
Since the interference affects both cores equally, by subtracting the phase- shifted signals, the interfering signal is completely neutralized. The result is a pure signal without any noise inter‐ference.

1/4″ TS phone plug (mono, unbalanced)

1. Signal
2. Ground, shielding

1/4″ TRS phone plug (mono, bal‐anced)

1. Signal (in phase, +)
2. Signal (out of phase, –)
3. Ground

Three-pole 1/8″ mini phone jack (stereo, unbalanced)

1. Signal (left)
2. Signal (right)
3. Ground, shielding

XLR plug (balanced)

Protecting the environment

Disposal of the packaging material

For the transport and protective packaging, environmentally friendly materials have been chosen that can be supplied to normal recycling.
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of.
Do not just dispose of these materials with your normal household waste, but make sure that they are collected for recycling. Please follow the notes and markings on the packaging.

Disposal of your old device

This product is subject to the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) in its currently valid version. Do not dispose with your normal household waste.
Dispose of this device through an approved waste disposal firm or through your local waste facility. When discarding the device, comply with the rules and regulations that apply in your country. If in doubt, consult your local waste disposal facility.

Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1 96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: +49 (0) 9546 9223-0
Internet: www.thomann.de
21.10.2022, ID: 424520 (V3)

References

• Buy musical instruments online from the market leader – Thomann United States

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