Califone PA-300 PLUS Owner's Manual

Getting Started

Inspection and inventory of your system

Check unit carefully for damage that may have occurred during transit. Each Califone product is carefully inspected at the factory and packed in a special carton for safe transport.

Contents

• PA-300PLUS powered amplifier Warranty and registration card
• Project Intercept card
• RC-300 (optional) Remote Control and (2) AAA Batteries

ALL DAMAGE CLAIMS MUST BE MADE WITH THE FREIGHT CARRIER.

Notify the freight carrier immediately if you observe any damage to the shipping carton or product. Repack the unit in the carton and await inspection by the carrier's claim agent. Notify your dealer of the pending freight claim.

Returning your unit for service or repairs

Should your unit require service, contact your dealer or Califone's Customer Service Department at (800) 722-0500 to obtain a Return Authorization (RA) number. All shipments to Califone must include an RA number on the carton and must be shipped prepaid. C.O.D. shipments will be refused and returned at your cost.

Warranty registration

Please fill out the warranty card and return it with a copy of your invoice to Califone's Customer Service Department. This will activate your limited six-year warranty.

Feedback Information

What causes feedback?

Feedback is a ringing, howling, or shrill sound that is self-generated by the sound system when using a microphone. It is the result of sound from the speakers being picked up by the microphone(s) in use and then re-amplified by the system. This can form a self-sustaining loop that can damage the sound system if allowed to continue, not to mention annoyance to persons nearby.

How to prevent feedback

• ALWAYS STAND BEHIND THE SPEAKER WHEN USING A MICROPHONE.
• If feedback occurs, immediately reduce the volume.
• Always plug in the microphone before turning on the power.
• Reducing the "treble" control may also help.

Connections and Functions

NOTE: When connecting other equipment to "aux in” or “line in", make certain that their power is off and volume control at minimum.

Line Inputs (summing)

The line-level RCA input jacks may be used with audio sources like computers, VCR's, video projectors, tape recorders, or compact disc players. (The inputs sum L+R stereo outputs to a mono signal without the need for adapters.)

NOTE: For wireless microphone operation, the wireless receiver audio output can be plugged into "Line-In".

Mic Input (Unbalanced)

An unbalanced, low impedance microphone input. For use with standard dynamic microphones that have a 1/4" phone plug.

Mic Input (Balanced)

Use this input for:

• Dynamic (low impedance) microphones with XLR plug.
• Condenser/electret (high impedance) microphones which may need phantom (polarizing) voltage.

Hi-Lo Mic Impedance Switch

This switch is used to compensate for mic impedance differences. It assures full amplifier output regardless of the microphone used.

Auxiliary Input

The auxiliary input (1/4"-phone jack) for mixers, keyboards or other sound sources. It may also be used for Califone wireless microphone receivers. Refer to the user guide supplied with wireless equipment for setup.

Note: All connections must be made with shielded cable to avoid hum, buzzing, or radio interference.

Power LED

Behind the speaker grill, there is a multi-color power LED (zener diode), which glows from green at low power through yellow at mid power to red at max power.

Operation

Operating the sound system

• Place the PA-300PLUS at desired location.
• CAUTION: Assure the 120/240 switch is in the correct position.
• Plug the power cord into a grounded 120 volt, 60 Hz outlet.
• Plug a microphone into either the XLR MIC input jack or the 1/4" phone mic input. An audio source can be plugged into the AUX or LINE 1/LINE 2 jacks.
• Turn the power switch "ON" (the red LED on the rear panel should light).
• Adjust the volume (press the VOL+/VOL- on the rear panel or keys on remote control), bass and treble controls for desired sound.
• Point the remote control at the speaker grill for volume control and mute control (IR sensor is located behind the speaker grill).

NOTE: The bass and treble controls have little effect on voice; they are intended to be effective with music sources.

Accessories

RC-300 Infra-red Remote Control for Volume and Mute

The PA-300PLUS is equipped with an infra-red sensor/receiver, but the remote is purchased separately.

MB-300 Swivel Bracket

The MB-300 bracket is used to mount the PA-300 to the TP-50 Speaker Stand.

TP-50 Speaker Stand

Heavy-duty extruded aluminum tri-pod floor stand with adjustable height.

Handheld Microphones

• PADM-515: Dynamic, balanced, low impedance (50 ohms) with a cardiod pick-up pattern. Comes with a 20' cable with XLR phone plug.
• PADM-510: Dynamic, unbalanced, high impedance (500 ohms) with a cardiod pick-up pattern. Comes with a 20' cable with a 1/4" phone plug.

Specifications

Rated power output: 30 watts RMS

Sensitivity for rated output: Line: 125 mVrms

Microphone: 4 mVrms

Auxiliary: 250 mVrms

Frequency response: 60 Hz - 20 kHz ± 3dB

Speakers: Woofer: 5-1/4" High efficiency

Tweeter: 13mm mylar dome

Crossover: L/C -6dB/Octave @ 4 kHz

Inputs: Line inputs (2): Hi-Z, RCA (summing L+R)

Balanced mic: Hi or lo-Z, with phantom power (+15 volts D.C.)

Unbalanced mic: Lo-Z, 1/4"-phone

Auxiliary: Hi-Z Mono 1/4"-phone

Line output: 250mV constant

Remote Control distance: 50 Feet

AC Power requirements: 110 – 125 VAC, 50/60 Hz or 208 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz

Dimensions (HWD): 6-1/4" x 10" x 8-1/2" (159mm x 250mm x 216mm)

Weight: 10 pounds (4.7 Kg.)

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Troubleshooting Guide

Having trouble with the sound system?

Important Safety Instructions

ATTENTION: ALL SAFETY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE READ BEFORE OPERATING APPLIANCE. ALL OPERATING AND USE INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED WHEN OPERATING THE APPLIANCE. ADHERE TO ALL WARNINGS ON THE APPLIANCE AND IN THE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. RETAIN ALL SAFETY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

WATER & MOISTURE

DO NOT USE THE APPLIANCE NEAR WATER; i.e. BATHTUB, WASHBOWL, KITCHEN SINK, LAUNDRY TUB, WET BASEMENT OR SWIMMING POOL.

VENTILATION

DO NOT SITUATE THE APPLIANCE SO THAT ITS PROPER LOCATION OR POSITION INTERFERES WITH ITS PROPER VENTILATION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE APPLIANCE SHOULD NOT BE SITUATED ON A BED, SOFA, RUG OR SIMILAR SURFACE THAT MAY BLOCK THE VENTILATION OPENINGS. THE APPLIANCE SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN A BUILT-IN INSTALLATION, SUCH AS A BOOKCASE OR CABINET, THAT MAY IMPEDE THE FLOW OF AIR THROUGH THE VENTILATION OPENINGS.

HEAT

SITUTE THE APPLIANCE AWAY FROM HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS RADIATORS, HEAT REGISTERS, STOVES OR OTHER APPLIANCES (INCLUDING AMPLIFIERS) THAT PRODUCE HEAT.

POWER SOURCES

CONNECT THE APPLIANCE ONLY TO A POWER SUPPLY TYPE DESCRIBED IN THE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS OR MARKED ON THE APPLIANCE.

GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION

THE PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN SO THAT THE GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION MEANS OF THE APPLIANCE ARE NOT DEFEATED.

POWER CORD PROTECTION

POWER SUPPLY CORDS SHOULD BE ROUTED SO THAT THEY ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE WALKED ON OR PINCHED BY ITEMS PLACED UPON OR AGAINST THEM, PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO CORDS AT PLUGS, CONVENIENCE RECEPTACLES, AND THE POINT WHERE THEY EXIT FROM THE APPLIANCE.

CLEANING

THE APPLIANCE SHOULD BE CLEANED ONLY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NON USE PERIODS

UNPLUG THE APPLIANCE POWER CORD FROM THE OUTLET WHEN LEFT UNUSED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

OBJECT & LIQUID ENTRY

CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN SO THAT OBJECTS DO NOT FALL AND LIQUIDS ARE NOT SPILLED INTO THE ENCLOSURE THROUGH OPENINGS.

DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE

THE APPLIANCE SHOULD BE SERVICED BY QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL WHEN:

• (A) THE POWER SUPPLY CORD OR THE PLUG HAS BEEN DAMAGED
• (B) OBJECTS HAVE FALLEN OR LIQUID HAS BEEN SPILLED INTO THE APPLIANCE
• (C) THE APPLIANCE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO RAIN
• (D) THE APPLIANCE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY OR EXHIBITS A MARKED CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE
• (E) THE APPLIANCE HAS BEEN DROPPED OR THE ENCLOSURE DAMAGED.

SERVICING

THE USER SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THE APPLIANCE BEYOND THAT DESCRIBED IN THE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. ALL OTHER SERVICING SHOULD BE REFERRED TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

Safety Warnings

CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK - DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead within a triangle is intended to tell the user that parts inside the product are a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within a triangle is intended to tell the user that important operating and servicing instructions are in the papers with the appliance.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

This product is not designed to function normally in strong electromagnetic fields. Consequently, the audio quality may degrade while the product is exposed to strong electromagnetic fields. Normal audio quality operation will be recovered when the strong electromagnetic field is no longer present.