APOGEE AMT-12 Professional Loudspeakers Installation Guide
- June 6, 2024
- APOGEE
Table of Contents
AMT-12
AMT-15
Professional Loudspeakers
Installation and Use Manual
© 2008 Bogen Communications, Inc.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
54-2183-01E 1010
Notice
Every effort was made to ensure that the information in this guide was
complete and accurate at the time of printing. However, information is subject
to change.
Introduction
The AMT-12 is designed to deliver high-output music and sound reinforcement in
a lightweight package. The 12-inch woofer has high sensitivity to maximize
amplifier output. The 1.77-inch compression driver diaphragm, comprised of a
titanium alloy for added strength and rigidity, effortlessly handles the high
input levels to match the woofer. A carefully designed cross-over network
accurately filters each driver for proper matching of phase and summation in
the cross-over region. The transition is much smoother than other loudspeakers
in this class, making the sound more accurate and more realistic.
The AMT-15 combines the same high-output compression driver used in the AMT-12
with a robust 15-inch woofer. The sound quality is enhanced further by a
richer, dynamic bass response which extends a full 10 Hz lower. The AMT-15 can
fill larger rooms with more power than competitive models, and with much more
accurate sound.
Speaker Mounting
Single Speaker
The Apogee AMT loudspeakers may be deployed individually by several methods.
First, the loudspeakers may be stacked directly on one another using the
built-in feet on each speaker.
Both the AMT-12 and AMT-15 may be mounted on stands using the integrated 35mm
(1-3/8″) stand mount on the bottom of the enclosure. Because of the
lightweight of the AMT loudspeakers, plus the convenient integral handle, one
person can set up multiple speakers on stands easily and quickly.
IMPORTANT: The integrated pole cup is provided for vertical speaker
orientation only. DO NOT use this mount for applications requiring off-plumb
orientations.
The loudspeakers may also be suspended by attaching forged eye-bolts to the
rigging points of the speakers (Rigging point: depth 15mm, diameter M8, thread
pitch 1.25mm). There are two rigging points located on the speakers’ top and
two on the bottom. Plastic screw caps protect the rigging points. The
enclosures can be suspended from these points with stainless steel wire rope
or an equivalent approved by a qualified engineer and/or your local code
enforcement office.
Note: The rigging points are only for suspending the speaker itself. Do
not suspend other speakers or equipment from the speaker’s rigging points.
Multiple Speakers
The Apogee AMT loudspeakers have a coverage angle of 65 degrees horizontally
by 65 degrees vertically. Should this not be sufficient to properly cover the
listening area, or if the acoustic output of a single speaker is not great
enough, multiple AMT loudspeakers may be arrayed to provide greater coverage
or higher on-axis SPL. The preferred method of arraying two loudspeakers is
with the Apogee Adjustable Rigging Beam Assembly (Part No. 1092140). The
rigging beams allow for user adjustment of the splay angle between the
cabinets from 0 degrees “Tight Pack” to 30 degrees of splay.
In a Tight Pack Array, the total coverage of the array will be slightly
greater than that of a single speaker. Because of the overlap in coverage
between the speakers in the Tight Pack configuration, the on-axis SPL will
increase by 3dB. As the splay angle increases, the on-axis SPL will slowly
decrease back to that of a single speaker and the coverage angle will widen to
a maximum of 120 degrees horizontal.
Powering the Loudspeaker
Amplifier Selection
It is important that the appropriate amplifier be used for a specific
loudspeaker to avoid accidental driver damage. Underpowered amplifiers will
clip easily, sending a highly distorted signal to the speaker. This distorted
signal has a far greater density of energy than a normal program and will
“burn out” drivers quickly.
Note: Be certain that the total impedance of all interconnected speakers
is not lower than the amplifier’s minimum rated impedance. The AMT-12 and
AMT-15 are 8-ohm speakers.
Wire Selection
Good quality speaker cable of the appropriate gauge is a worthwhile
investment. Not all of the power generated by your amplifier is delivered to
your loudspeakers. Some power is lost as heat in the speaker cable. While this
heat is rarely enough to be a fire hazard, it can reduce a significant amount
of amplifier power delivered to the loudspeakers. In addition to loudspeakers
not reaching their full potential loudness, the undersized wire will also
decrease the woofers’ ability to respond accurately to transients, leaving the
bass response loose and inarticulate.
The appropriate wire size depends on the distance between the amplifier and
the speaker and the final combined impedance of the speaker or speakers at the
end of the cable run. Here is a list of recommended wire gauges:
Distance from Amp to
AMT Speaker| 8 Ohms (1 Speaker)| 4 Ohms (2 Speakers)
---|---|---
50 Feet| 16 AWG| 16 AWG
100 Feet| 14 AWG| 12 AWG
200 Feet| 12 AWG| 10 AWG
400 Feet| 10 AWG| 8 AWG
Input Panel
The AMT-12 and AMT-15 use combination Speakon-type plus 1/4″ Phone-type
connectors. Each AMT speaker has a pair of these connectors wired in parallel
so that a second speaker can be connected to the first speaker if
required.
Daisy-Chaining Speakers
In these examples, pins 1+ and 1- on the Input (Left) connector receive full-
range audio from the amplifier or from a previous speaker in a chain.
The Parallel Input (Right) connector uses the 1+ and 1- pins to send full-
range audio to the Input connector of another speaker in a chain.
Loop-Thru connects all speakers in the chain in parallel. Make sure the total
impedance of the chain is not less than what the amplifier is rated to handle.
In Example A , the speakers are connected with Speakon™ connectors from
the Amplifier to Speaker 1, then from Speaker 1 to Speaker 2.
In Example B, the speakers are connected with the
1/4″ Phone connectors from the Amplifier to Speaker 1, then from Speaker 1 to
Speaker 2. 
When wiring the Speakon™connector, use Pins
1+ and 1-. For the 1/4″ Phone plug, use Tip (+) and Sleeve (-). DO NOT wire
more than two speakers in parallel unless the amplifier is rated for operation
at less than 4 ohms.
Speaker Block Diagram
1+: Phone Plug Tip and Speakon™Pin 1+
1-: Phone Plug Sleeve and Speakon™ Pin 1-
Connector Wiring Diagram
(View from the terminal side)
Wire like-named pins together to make loop-thru speaker cables.
AMT-Series Loudspeaker Specifications
| SPECIFICATIONS | AMT-12 |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response (-10 dB)’ | 60 Hz to 20 kHz |
| LF Driver | 12″ High-Sensitivity Design |
| HF Driver | 1.77″ Titanium-Alloy Diaphragm Compression Driver |
| Sensitivity (1W/1 m) | 96 dBspl |
| Impedance Ratings | 8 ohms Nominal |
| Power Input (Max.) | 200W at 8 ohms continuous |
| Dispersion | 65° H x 65W |
| Enclosure Material | Mineral-filled Polypropylene |
| Grille Material | Perforated Steel |
| Terminations | Combo Input Connectors; 1/4″ Phone & Speakon |
| Product Weight | 37 lb. |
| Speaker Dimensions | 23″ H x 16.25″ W x 13″ D |
| Included Accessories | Stand-mount Clamping Screw |
| Optional Accessories | Adjustable Rigging Beam Assembly, AMT Rigging Kit, |
Tripod Stand
Color| Black
- Free Space Response
| SPECIFICATIONS | AMT-15 |
|---|---|
| **Frequency Response (-10 dB)*** | 50 Hz to 20 kHz |
| LF Driver | 15″ High-Sensitivity Design |
| HF Driver | 1.77″Titanium-Alloy Diaphragm Compression Driver |
| Sensitivity (1W/1 m) | 98 dBspl |
| Impedance Ratings | 8 ohms Nominal |
| Power Input (Max.) | 300W at 8 ohms continuous |
| Dispersion | 65° H x 65°V |
| Enclosure Material | Mineral-filled Polypropylene |
| Grille Material | Perforated Steel |
| Terminations | Combo Input Connectors; 1/4″ Phone & SpeakonT“ |
| Product Weight | 47 lb. |
| Speaker Dimensions | 27″ H x 19″W x 15″ D |
| Included Accessories | Stand-mount Clamping Screw |
| Optional Accessories | Adjustable Rigging Beam Assembly, AMT Rigging Kit, |
Tripod Stand
Color| Black
Limited Warranty; Exclusion of Certain Damages
Apogee Sound AMT-12 and AMT-15 Loudspeakers are warranted to be free from
defects in material or workmanship for three (3) years from the date of sale
to the original purchaser any part of the product covered by this warranty
that, with normal installation and use, becomes defective will be repaired or
replaced by Apogee, at our option, provided the product is shipped insured and
prepaid to Apogee Sound Factory Service Department, 50 Spring Street, Ramsey,
NJ 07446, USA. The product will be returned to you freight prepaid. This
warranty does not extend to any of our products that have been subjected to
abuse, misuse, improper storage, neglect, accident, improper installation or
have been modified or repaired or altered in any manner whatsoever, or where
the serial number or date code has been removed or defaced. THE FOREGOING
LIMITED WARRANTY IS APOGEE’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY AND THE PURCHASER’S
SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. APOGEE SOUND MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED AND EXCLUDED TO THE
MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWABLE BY LAW. Apogee’s li-ability arising out of the
manufacture, sale or supplying of products or their use or disposition,
whether based upon warranty, contract, tort or otherwise, shall be limited to
the price of the product. IN NO EVENT SHALL APOGEE BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF
PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR LOSS OF USE DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF THE MANUFACTURE,
SALE OR SUPPLYING OF PRODUCTS, EVEN IF APOGEE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSSES. Some states do not allow the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation
or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State.
Products that are out of warranty will also be repaired by the Apogee Sound
Factory Service Department — the same address as above or call
201-934-8500. The parts and labor
involved in these repairs are warranted for 90 days when repaired by the
Apogee Sound Factory Service Department. All shipping charges in addition to
parts and labor charges will be at the owner’s expense. All returns require a
Return Authorization number