the box PA 502A Active Speaker User Manual

: June 13, 2024
: the box

Table of Contents

the box PA 502A Active Speaker
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
General information
Safety instructions
Features
Installation and starting up
Connections and operating elements
Technical specifications
Frequency response
Plug and connection assignment
Protecting the environment
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

the box PA 502A Active Speaker

Product Information

The PA 502A Active Speaker is a professional PA system designed for use in professional settings. It is not suitable for household use. The speaker is manufactured by Thomann and comes with the following features:

High-quality audio output
Multiple connectors for easy connectivity
Volume control for adjusting the sound level
Mono button for switching between mono and stereo modes

Product Usage Instructions

Intended Use:
The PA 502A Active Speaker is designed for professional use only. It should be used in accordance with the instructions in the user manual. Any other use or use under different conditions is considered improper and may result in personal injury or property damage.

Requirements:
This device should only be used by individuals who possess sufficient physical, sensory, and intellectual abilities, as well as the necessary knowledge and experience. Individuals who do not meet these requirements should only use the device under the supervision or instruction of a responsible person.

Safety Instructions:

Read the user manual carefully before using the PA 502A Active Speaker.
Ensure that the device is placed on a stable surface to prevent it from falling.
Do not expose the speaker to excessive heat or moisture.
Only use the device with compatible connectors and cables.
Avoid placing the speaker near flammable materials.
Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the device yourself. Contact customer service for assistance.

Connecting the Speaker:
To connect the PA 502A Active Speaker, follow these steps:

Identify the appropriate audio source and ensure it is compatible with the speaker.
Use the provided cables to connect the audio source to the speaker’s input connectors.
Adjust the volume control to the desired level.
If needed, use the mono button to switch between mono and stereo modes.

Maintenance and Cleaning:
To ensure optimal performance and longevity of the PA 502A Active Speaker, follow these maintenance guidelines:

Regularly inspect the speaker for any signs of damage or wear.
Clean the speaker’s exterior using a soft, dry cloth.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials for cleaning.
Keep the speaker in a dust-free environment when not in use.

For further assistance or troubleshooting, please refer to the user manual or contact Thomann’s customer service.

Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: +49 (0) 9546 9223-0
Internet: www.thomann.de
30.03.2023, ID: 160815 (V3)

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:

Download	This manual is also available as PDF file for you to download.
Keyword search	Use the search function in the electronic version to find the

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.

Signal word	Meaning
DANGER!	This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an

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 possible dangerous situation that can result in minor injury if it is not avoided.
NOTICE!| This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a possible dangerous situation that can result in material and environmental damage if it is not avoided.
Warning signs| Type of danger
---|---
| Warning – high-voltage.
| Warning – suspended load.
| Warning – danger zone.

Safety instructions

Intended use
This device amplifies electric audio frequency signals to operate passive speakers. 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
With loudspeakers or headphones connected, the device can produce volume levels that may cause temporary or permanent hearing impairment. Do not operate the device permanently at a high volume level. Decrease the volume level immediately if you experience ringing in your ears or hearing impairment.

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 plasticizer 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 necessary, i.e. felt pads or similar.

Features

The active two-way full-range loudspeaker is characterized by the following special features:

15″ mid / bass speaker
Horn 50°…100° × 55°
Output power 300 W (bass) + 100 W (treble)
2-band EQ
XLR in / output
Switchable low cut @ 120 Hz
Tripod mounting flange
Trapezoid housing for use as floor monitor

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.

WARNING!
Risk of injury caused by falling objects
Make sure that the installation complies with the standards and rules that apply in your country. Always secure the device with a secondary safety attachment, such as a safety cable or a safety chain.

NOTICE!
Possible property damage by magnetic fields
Loudspeakers produce a static magnetic field. Therefore, maintain an appropriate distance to devices that can be adversely affected or damaged by an external magnetic field.

NOTICE!
Use of stands
When mounting the device onto a stand, ensure that the stand is in a safe and stable position and that the weight of the device does not exceed the maximum permissible load capacity of the stand.

Tips on handling speakers
We recommend you to set up the speakers in a way, that the sound signals can reach the audience unobstructed. It will often be helpful to mount the speakers on tripods. Thus, the sound will be evenly spread with maximum range throughout the audience area.
Always use high grade cable to connect your equipment. Otherwise you won’t reach maximum sound quality.
For optimum results both impedance and power handling of the speakers must match the requirements of the amplifier. Always follow the technical specifications of the speakers! The overall impedance of the connected loudspeakers must not decreed the minimum output impedance of the amp. The amps max. RMS output power should be 50 % above the power handling capacity of the connected speakers.
If you notice distortion during operation, either the amp or the speaker is overloaded. This may permanently damage the amp or the speaker. Always reduce the volume when you hear distortion.

Connections and operating elements

the-box-PA-502AActive-Speaker-4

1| [VOLUME] | control to adjust the volume. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the volume or counterclockwise to decrease the volume.
---|---
2| [BASS] | bass control. Turn the knob clockwise for a more bassy sound. Turn the knob counterclockwise to decrease the bass.
3| [TREBLE] | treble control. Turn the knob clockwise for a brighter sound. Turn the knob counterclockwise to decrease the treble.
4| [INPUT] | signal input with switchable sensitivity, designed as XLR chassis socket.
5| [OUTPUT] | line output for connecting further powered speakers, designed as XLR chassis plug.
6| [ON|OFF] | mains switch to turn the device on and off.
7| IEC chassis plug for power supply with fuse holder
8| [115V/60Hz — 230V/50Hz] | toggle switch for the supply voltage. Make sure that, before activating the device, the switch position is set to the local supply voltage.
9| [LINE/MIC] | push-button to select the input sensitivity of the speaker (line or microphone level). Push the push-button with a suitable sharp tool, e.g. a ballpen.
10| LED [LINE] | the LED lights in operation when the input sensitivity is set to LINE.
11| LED [MIC] | the LED lights in operation when the input sensitivity is set to MIC.
12| [120Hz] | low cut switch to lower frequencies below 120 Hz. This function reduces impact noise and maximize the lifetime of the woofer.
13| [CLIP] | indicates overload. If the LED flickers or is lit, the input signal level is too high.

Technical specifications

System	active 2 way-full-range-loudspeaker with built-in crossover
Speaker	1 × 15″ woofer

Further information

Ways	2-way
Monitor inclination	yes
Mic Preamp	1
Bluetooth Play	no
Low Cut	no
Design	Standard
Simultaneous inputs	1
Tone control / ch.	no
USB player	no
Fan	no

Frequency response

the-box-PA-502AActive-Speaker-5

the-box-PA-502AActive-Speaker-6

Plug and connection assignment

Introduction
This chapter will help you select the right cables and plugs to connect your valuable equipment 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 transmission
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 transmitted 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 conductors ‘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 interference.

XLR plug (balanced)

1	Ground, shielding
2	Signal (in phase, +)
3	Signal (out of phase, –)
4	Shielding on plug housing (option)

XLR plug (unbalanced)

1	Ground, shielding
2	Signal
3	Bridged to pin 1

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.
PA 502A
Active Speaker