Mackie C300z Owner's Manual - Page 9

CARE AND MAINTENANCE Your Mackie loudspeakers will provide many years of reliable service if you follow these simple guidelines: • Avoid exposing the loudspeakers to moisture. If they are set up outdoors, be sure they are under cover if you expect rain. • Avoid exposure to extreme cold (below freezing temperatures). If you must operate the loudspeakers in a cold environment, warm up the voice coils slowly by sending a low-level signal through them for about 15 minutes prior to high-power operation. • Use a slightly damp cloth with a mild soap solution to clean the cabinets. Avoid getting moisture into any of the openings of the cabinet, particularly where the drivers are located. CONNECTIONS The C300z has 1/4" TS and Speakon™ style INPUT and THRU connectors. The connectors are wired in parallel, so use only one of the input connectors (either 1/4" TS or Speakon-style). Do not use coaxial cable like a guitar cord to make speaker connections. They are not designed to handle the high currents produced by a power amplifier and can overheat. As the distance between the amplifier and speakers increases, the thickness of the wire should also increase. Speaker wire has resistance, and when electricity passes through a resistor, power is lost. The thicker the wire, the less the resistance it offers, and the more power actually gets to the speaker. 1/4" TS Phone Plugs and Jacks "TS" stands for Tip-Sleeve, the two connections available on a mono 1/4" phone jack or plug. They are used for unbalanced signals and speaker connections. 1/4" TS Wiring: Sleeve = Cold (-) Tip = Hot (+) SLEEVE SLEEVE TIP TIP TIP SLEEVE INPUT PARALLEL THRU C300z Connector Panel Normally, you would use only one THRU connector, but it is possible to use both THRU connectors. Keep in mind that all the speakers are connected in parallel through these connectors, so you want to be sure not to go below the minimum impedance requirement for your amplifier. The C300z has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Two C300zs in parallel equals 4 ohms. Three C300zs in parallel equals 2.7 ohms. Four C300zs in parallel equals 2 ohms. Use heavy gauge, stranded wire for connecting a speaker to the output of a power amplifier. NL4-Type Plugs and Jacks This connector is compatible with the popular Neutrik® Speakon® 4-pole plugs. These connectors are designed to handle the higher currents produced by amplifiers, and have a locking feature to prevent accidental disconnections. Simply line up the tabs on the plug with the jack on the C300z, push it in, and rotate it 1/4 turn to the right to lock it in place. NL4 Wiring Pin 1 - = Cold (-) Pin 1+ = Hot (+) Pin 2 - = No Connection Pin 2+ = No Connection 1- 1+ Need Help? You can reach a technical support representative. Monday through Friday. from 7 AM to 5 PM PST at:. 1-800-898-3211. After hours, visit www.mackie.com and click Support,. or email us at: [email protected] COLD HOT 1- 1+ 2+ 2-