CERWIN-VEGA VIS-153 Professional Loudspeaker Systems Owner’s Manual

PROFESSIONAL LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS VIS-153
VIS-253
VIS-122
VIS-36
VIS-218
OWNERS MANUAL

VIS-153 Professional Loudspeaker Systems

CONGRATULATIONS!
AND WELCOME TO THE CERWIN-VEGA! FAMILY, a growing group of music and audio professionals who have turned to Cerwin-Vega! for the most advanced audio reproduction systems available.
Designed for professional sound reinforcement and nonengineered applications, such as HOW and club installations, the new Cerwin-Vega! VISION™ Series brings you the best in state-of-the-art loudspeaker engineering and construction.
Backed by Cerwin-Vega!’s 50 years of experience in designing and producing some of the finest loudspeaker systems in the world, all VISION™ Series speaker systems feature:
Specially developed, high-tech components including new drivers, horns and electronics Extended, optimized frequency response characteristics Impressive power handling and SPL capabilities Premium construction featuring

• 18mm multi-ply, internally braced birch enclosures
• 18-guage steel input panels, handles and grilles
• Virtually indestructible polyurethane finish

ATM® fly points (VIS-153, VIS-253, VIS-122)
This manual should provide you with the information you need to get the most out of your new loudspeaker system. Please read it carefully and store it in a safe place for future reference.
If you need additional information, please visit www.cerwinvega.com.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Before using your VISION™ Series speaker system, please review the following for important information on safety and protection of your investment in quality loudspeakers.
Rigging/suspending VISION™ systems
VISION™ Series loudspeakers are designed for applications in which the speakers will be stacked directly on the floor, stage, speaker stands (VIS-122 only), other speakers, or a solid, stable platform.
VISION™ models VIS-153, VIS-253 and VIS-122 also feature ATM® fly points for hanging, rigging or suspension.
ONLY SPEAKERS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR FLYING/RIGGING SHOULD BE SUSPENDED.
For further information on suspending speakers, please contact your Cerwin- Vega! dealer or consult a rigging expert.
Stand mounting
VISION™ model VIS-122 includes a receptacle cup to facilitate mounting on tripod stands.
When using these stands, be sure to observe the following precautions:

• Check the stand specification to be certain it is designed to support the weight of the speaker. Observe all safety precautions specified by the stand manufacturer.
• Always verify that the stand is placed on a flat, level, and stable surface.
• Route and secure cables so that performers, crew, and audience will not trip over them and pull the speaker over.
• Be sure to fully extend the legs of tripod type stands.
• Position the stand so that the legs do not present a trip hazard.
• Do not attempt to place more than one speaker on a stand.
• Always be cautious in windy, outdoor conditions. It may be necessary to place additional weight (i.e. sandbags) on the base of the stand to improve stability.

Stacking speakers
The following safety precautions should be observed when stacking VISION™ speakers:

• Verify that the floor or stage on which the speakers will be stacked is flat, level and solid.
• When used outdoors, be aware of winds that could tip a tall speaker stack over.
• Position the speakers to minimize the possibility that performers, crew, or audience will bump into them.
• Route and secure cables so that performers, crew, and audience will not trip over them and pull the speaker over.
• Under extreme, high-SPL conditions speakers on a highly polished surface may “creep” (i.e. move due to the power of the acoustic energy) Precautions should be taken so that such creeping will not result in toppling of the speaker stack.

Hearing damage, prolonged exposure to excessive SPL
VISION™ Series loudspeakers are easily capable of generating sound pressure levels (SPL) sufficient to cause permanent hearing damage to performers, production crew and audience members. Proper precautions should be taken to avoid prolonged exposure to SPL in excess of 85dB.
Exposure to moisture, outdoor applications
VISION™ Series loudspeakers will deliver excellent results in outdoor sound reinforcement applications. However, they are not “weatherproof” and are not intended for continuous exposure to extremes of humidity, temperature, salt air, or UV rays. Exposure to outdoor environmental conditions may result in premature failure of components as well as degradation to appearance.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTIONS

VISION™ VIS-153
15” 3-WAY FULLRANGE OR BI-AMP SYSTEM
The VIS-153 offers the flexibility to be used as a stand-alone system, arrayed and/or augmented with our subwoofers.
Frequency Response: 39 Hz – 20 kHz
Power Handling: 700 Watts
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Sensitivity (1w/1m): 98 dB
Coverage Angle (High- and Mid-Frequency): 60º x 90º
Connectors: Neutrik Speakon™ (2)
15″ Woofer with 3″ Voice Coil
75mm Titanium Midrange Compression Driver
44mm Titanium High-Frequency Compression Driver
ATM™ Certified Fly-Ware
VISION™ VIS-253
DUAL 15” 3-WAY FULLRANGE SYSTEM
The incredibly powerful VIS-253 is the perfect choice for fullrange, high-SPL sound reinforcement applications.
Frequency Response: 35 Hz – 20 kHz
Power Handling: 1400 Watts
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Sensitivity (1w/1m): 100 dB
Coverage Angle (High- and Mid-Frequency): 60º x 90º
Connectors: Neutrik Speakon™ (2)
Two 15″ Woofers with 3″ Voice Coil
75mm Titanium Midrange Compression Driver
44mm Titanium High-Frequency Compression Driver
ATM™ Certified Fly-Ware VISION™ VIS-122
12” COAXIAL FULLRANGE OR BI-AMP SYSTEM
The ultra-flexible VIS-122 is equally at home as a floor monitor or a compact pole-mounted or flown system.
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
Power Handling: 600 Watts
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Sensitivity (1w/1m): 97 dB
Coverage Angle: 90º x 90º
Connectors: Neutrik Speakon™ (2)
12″ Woofer with 3″ Voice Coil
44mm Titanium High Frequency Compression Driver
ATM™ Certified Fly-Ware VISION™ VIS-36
SINGLE 18” FOLDED-HORN SUBWOOFER
The VIS-36 is designed for use in high-SPL, large venue environments where powerful bass and pattern control are required.
Frequency Response: 39 Hz – 300 Hz
Power Handling: 1200 Watts
Maximum SPL: 139 dB
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Sensitivity (1w/1m): 104 dB
Connectors: Neutrik Speakon™ (2)
18″ Woofer with 4″ Voice Coil

VISION™ VIS-218
DUAL 18” DIRECT RADIATING SUBWOOFER
The muscular VIS-218 is a concert-level subwoofer featuring two long-excursion high-powered woofers for earth-shattering bass – Cerwin-Vega! style.
Frequency Response: 29 Hz – 300 Hz
Power Handling: 1400 watts
Maximum SPL: 139 dB
Nominal Impedance: 4-Ohms
Sensitivity (1w/1m): 102 dB
Connectors: Neutrik Speakon™ (2)
Two 18″ Woofers with 4″ Voice Coils

CONSIDERATIONS

VISION™ Series loudspeakers were designed to deliver optimal performance in a wide variety of applications. Naturally, the sound of your speaker enclosures depends on a number of factors, including among others the acoustic properties of the environment in which they are used, how they are positioned, how they are connected and with what other equipment they are combined. The following points should help you get the most out of your VISION™ speaker system.
POSITIONING
High and upper mid frequencies are a crucial part of the audio spectrum, and have much to do with how we perceive clarity and intelligibility. Whereas these frequencies are the most easily located, they are also the first to be acoustically blocked. Taking the coverage angles of the models used into consideration, be sure to set up your speakers so that the MF and HF drivers are free from obstructions and the higher frequencies can reach the entire audience (e.g. slightly above the heads of the audience). This will ensure optimal dispersion of higher-frequency content and thus improved speech intelligibility and clarity.
AVOIDING FEEDBACK
Always place the “front-of-house” speakers (the enclosures facing the audience) in front of the microphones, e.g. towards the front edge of the stage. Use professional floor wedges (e.g. VISION™ VIS-122) or other dependable monitoring systems to ensure that the performers on stage can hear themselves. Whenever possible, position monitor speakers so that they point only to the back side of microphones.
AVOIDING FEEDBACK WHEN USING TURNTABLES (E.G. DJ APPLICATIONS)
Turntables often produce low-end feedback: low frequencies are fed back to the pickup arm and cartridge and reproduced again by the speakers. Common causes of low-end feedback are speakers positioned too close to the turntable or on wooden floors or stage elements prone to vibration. To avoid this, position the speakers as far from the turntable as possible. Placing them on a solid, non-resonating support will also help. If you are using the VIS-122 model speakers, try mounting them on stands. This will minimize direct contact between floor and speakers and reduce vibration.
PROTECTING YOUR SPEAKERS
Next to following common-sense rules like exercising caution while setting levels to avoid overdriving your power amps, and understanding and respecting the physical limits of your system, there are a couple reliable methods of protecting your speakers – and your entire system – using additional equipment.
Using a highpass filter to avoid excessive low frequencies Low-frequency rumble or extreme low frequencies can lead to an excessive displacement of the speaker diaphragm and in turn to permanent damage. Using an equalizer or a low-cut/highpass filter to eliminate the low frequencies below the response curve of the speaker can effectively prevent this. Most consoles and outboard equalizers, as well as many other outboard signal processors and of course speaker management systems provide a highpass filter. The use of a highpass filter in the signal path is especially recommended when using turntables and/or CD players as signal sources. CD players often produce extremely low frequencies, which can lead to excessive diaphragm displacement.
Using a limiter to limit the output level
Insert the limiter between the mixing console output and your power amp. Many types of outboard signal processors and most speaker management systems include limiters for this application. Used properly, they can eliminate overdriving of your audio signals and effectively suppress dangerous signal peaks, which can not only degrade the sound quality, but also cause permanent damage to your speakers and other system components.
POWER AMPLIFIER SELECTION
Choosing the right power amplifier has a major effect on the performance of your speakers. The amplifier should always provide at least as much power as the speaker system is capable of handling. In order to ensure precise reproduction of brief, high-power transients, the amp should provide about twice as much power as the speakers can handle. The table on page 9 shows the minimum recommended input power ratings for all VISION™ Series systems.
CABLE SELECTION
The quality and characteristics of the speaker cables used also greatly effect speaker performance. Always use high-quality cables made with professional- grade wire and connectors that are correctly and carefully fitted.
Selection of the appropriate wire gauge is especially important to system operation. A cable that is too light or low-gauge will result in amplifier power being wasted due to the series resistance of the cable and in loss of low-frequency performance due to degraded damping factor. The ideal gauge is determined by two factors: the length of the cable and the load or impedance. For cable runs up to 50 feet (15m) with an 8-Ohm load, we recommend using at least 14-gauge wire – 12-gauge is minimum for a 4-Ohm load. For runs between 50 and 100 feet (15-30m), use at least 12-gauge for 8-Ohm loads and 10-gauge for 4 Ohms. At 200 feet (60m), you should use 10-gauge and 8-gauge, respectively, and so on.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL| VIS-153| V1S-253| VIS-122| V1S-36| VIS-218
---|---|---|---|---|---
Description| 15″ 3-way, fullrange/bi-amp| Dual 15″ 3-way, fullrange/bi-amp| 12″ coaxial fullrange| 18″ folded-horn subwoofer| Dual 18″ direct radiating subwoofer
Frequency Response (t3 dB)| 39 Hz – 20 kHz| 35 Hz – 20 kHz| 50 Hz – 20 kHz| 39 Hz – 300 Hz| 29 Hz – 300 Hz
Power Capacity (continuous)| 700 Watts| 1400 Watts| 600 Watts| 1200 Watts| 1400 Watts
Power Capacity (peak)| 1400 Watts| 2800 Watts| 1200 Watts| 2400 Watts| 2800 Watts
Maximum SPL| 133 dB| 136 dB| 129 dB| 139 dB| 139 dB
Nominal Impedance| 8 Ohms| 8 Ohms| 8 Ohms| 8 Ohms| 4 Ohms
Sensitivity (1W/1 m)| 98 dB| 100dB| 97 dB| 104 dB| 102 dB
Coverage Angle| 60° x 90°| 60° x 90°| 90° x 90°| NA| NA
Crossover Frequency| Fullrange: 800 Hz Bi-amp: 700-800 Hz| 800 Hz
Bi-amp: 700-800 Hz| 800 Hz| NA| NA
Recommended Power Fullrange
Bi-amp LF
Bi-amp MF/HF| 700-1200 W 700-1200 W 150-300 W| 1400-2200 W 1400-2200 W 150-300 W| 600-1000 W
NA
NA| 1200-2000 W
NA
NA| 1400-2200 W
NA
NA
Transducers
High Frequency| 44mm titanium compression driver, 1″ throat| 44mm titanium compression driver, 1″ throat| 44mm titanium compression driver, 1″ throat| NA| NA
Mid Frequency| 75mm titanium compression driver, 2″ throat| 75mm titanium compression driver, 2″throat| | NA| NA
Low Frequency| 15″ woofer, cast aluminum frame, 3″voice coil| 2 15″ woofers, cast aluminum frames, 3″ voice coils| 12″ woofer, cast aluminum frame, 3″ voice coil| 18″ woofer, cast aluminum frame, 4″ voice coil| 2 18″ woofers, cast aluminum frames, 4″ voice coils
Enclosure| Trapezoidal| Trapezoidal| Wedge| Trapezoidal| Rectangular
Box construction| 18mm, 13-ply birch, reinforced| 18mm, 13-ply birch, reinforced| 18mm, 13-ply birch, reinforced| 18mm, 13-ply birch, reinforced| 18mm, 13-ply birch, reinforced
Finish| polyurethane| polyurethane| polyurethane| polyurethane| polyurethane
Grille| 18-gauge steel, non-resonating| 18-gauge steel, non-resonating| 18-gauge steel, non-resonating| 18-gauge steel, non-resonating| 18-gauge steel, non-resonating
Handles| 2: 18-gauge steel / rubber-backed cast aluminum| 4: 18-gauge steel / rubber-backed cast aluminum| 2: 18-gauge steel / rubber-backed cast aluminum| 4: 18-gauge steel / rubber-backed cast aluminum| 4: 18-gauge steel / rubber- backed cast aluminum
Mounting system| ATM”‘ fly points| ATMTm fly points| ATMTm fly points, 35mm pole cup| NA| NA
Connectors (2 ea)| Neutrik Speakonm| Neutrik Speakonm| Neutrik Speakonm| Neutrik Speakonm| Neutrik SpeakonN
Dimensions
(HxWxD)| 33″ x 19″ x 20″ (83 x 48 x 50 cm)| 50″ x 19″ x 20″ (127 x 48 x 50 cm)| 18″ x 18″ x 15″ (45 x 45 x 38 cm)| 48″ x 28″ x 28″ (122 x 71 x71 cm)| 48″ x 24″ x 24″ (122 x 62 x 62 cm)
Net weight| 90 lbs (40 kg)| 135 lbs (61 kg)| 55 lbs (24 kg)| 166 lbs (75 kg)| 190 lbs (86 kg)
Optional accessories| ATM®-certified
flying truss bracket| ATM®-certified flying truss bracket| | |

LIMITED WARRANTY

Cerwin-Vega warrants that all new professional audio products shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of five (5) years from date of purchase. Cerwin-Vega agrees to repair or replace (at our option) all such defective parts at no charge for labor or materials. If a defect exists within the warranty period, the warranty will not expire until the defect has been fixed.
This Limited Warranty extends only to the original purchaser and only to speakers purchased from authorized Cerwin-Vega dealers. It does not apply to defective equipment that: has been altered or repaired by other than factory approved procedures; has been subjected to negligence, misuse or accident; has been damaged by improper line voltage; had its serial number or any part of it altered, defaced, or removed; has been used for other than the intended purposes or in a way that is contrary to Cerwin-Vega’s written instructions. Except as provided by statute, this Limited Warranty does not cover losses, consequential or otherwise, resulting from the improper use of, or inability to operate, any Cerwin-Vega product.
If you have any questions regarding this warranty or warranty service, please contact:
CERWIN-VEGA! Customer Service Dept.
555 East Easy Street · Simi Valley, CA 93065 · USA
Phone: +1-805-584-5300 · Fax: +1-805-526-3653

• Please refer to the Warranty Card for full warranty text and shipping details.
  ©2003 Cerwin-Vega!, Inc. All rights reserved. Cerwin-Vega! reserves the right to make changes to product specifications and design at any time.

Cerwin-Vega! USA · Phone: +1-805-584-5300 · Fax: +1-805-526-3653
info@cerwin-vega.com 
www.cerwin-vega.com
Cerwin-Vega! is a division of the Stanton Group

References

• VEGA - Level - Switching - Pressure
• cerwin-vega.com
• Manual-Hub.com – Free PDF manuals!

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