Peavey Versarray™ 212 Line Source Array Loudspeaker

Overview

The Peavey Versarray™ 212 is a three-way, tri-amp ribbon line source array loudspeaker module designed for modular coverage in medium to large venues. It combines dual 12" Neo Black Widow® woofers, ten 2.5" Neo midrange drivers, and four Peavey-exclusive planar ribbon tweeters on a manifold line source loaded into a low distortion waveguide. The system features a flexible rigging system for precise aiming and coverage, and is intended for use with companion Versarray Sub models.

Key Specifications

Frequency Response

90 Hz to 20 kHz (±3 dB, with processing)

Usable Low Frequency Limit (-10 dB point)

85 Hz (with processing)

Power Handling

• Low Frequency Section: 1,000 watts continuous, 2,000 watts program, 4,000 watts peak
• Mid Frequency Section: 200 watts continuous, 400 watts program, 800 watts peak
• High Frequency Section: 200 watts continuous, 400 watts program, 800 watts peak

Sound Pressure Level (1 Watt, 1 Meter, Anechoic)

• Low Frequency Section (Both 12" woofers in parallel): 99 dB SPL (2.00 V input)
• Mid Frequency Section: 101 dB SPL (2.83 V input)
• High Frequency Section: 102 dB SPL (2.83 V input)

Maximum Sound Pressure Level (1 Meter)

• Low Frequency Section: 129 dB SPL continuous, 135 dB SPL peak
• Mid Frequency Section: 124 dB SPL continuous, 130 dB SPL peak
• High Frequency Section: 125 dB SPL continuous, 131 dB SPL peak

*Note: This specification is for one module at 1 meter. A line array of 8 units exhibits higher output at distance due to line source effect (SPL falls off at 3 dB per distance doubling, not 6 dB). All peak levels confirmed by measurement.

Radiation Angle (at -6 dB point of polar response)

• Normal Radiation Angle (One module): 70° horizontal by 15° vertical. (Note: A straight line array of more than one module narrows vertical dispersion.)
• 500 Hz to 1.6 kHz: Horizontal 158° ± 55°, Vertical 90° ± 45°
• 1.6 kHz to 5 kHz: Horizontal 84° ± 15°, Vertical 30° ± 10°
• 5 kHz to 16 kHz: Horizontal 55° ± 20°, Vertical 10° ± 4°

Directivity Factor (Mean, 1.6 kHz to 12.5 kHz)

• Q: 47.6, +92/-36
• Di: 16.8 dB, +4.6 dB/-6.3 dB

Transducer Complement

• Low Frequency Section: 2 x 12" Neo Black Widow® 4" Dual VC Woofer in a sealed box.
• Mid Frequency Section: 10 x 2.5" Neo Midranges, arranged in two banks of 5 each.
• High Frequency Section: 4 x 4.75" Planar Ribbon Tweeters on a manifold line source loaded into a waveguide.

Harmonic Distortion

Distortion levels are provided for 1 watt and 10 watts of input power at various frequencies. (See Figures 5 & 6 in original document for detailed plots).

1 Watt Power

• 2nd Harmonic: 200 Hz: 0.32%, 1 kHz: 0.47%, 4 kHz: 0.48%
• 3rd Harmonic: 200 Hz: < 0.10%, 1 kHz: 0.19%, 4 kHz: 0.18%

10 Watt Power

• 2nd Harmonic: 200 Hz: 1.38%, 1 kHz: 1.52%, 4 kHz: 0.72%
• 3rd Harmonic: 200 Hz: < 0.10%, 1 kHz: 0.32%, 4 kHz: 0.16%

*Note: Distortion levels may be measurement setup limited in some instances.

Crossover and Time Offset

Electroacoustic Crossover Point (Peavey active digital crossover)

• SUB - Low Frequency: 120 Hz at 24 dB/octave
• Low Frequency - Mid Frequency: 440 Hz at 24 dB/octave
• Mid Frequency - High Frequency: 2.51 kHz at 24 dB/octave

Recommended Active Crossover Frequency Region and Slope

• SUB - Low Frequency: 125 Hz at 24 dB/octave LR
• Low Frequency - Mid Frequency: 440 Hz at 24 dB/octave LR
• Mid Frequency - High Frequency: 2.6 kHz at 24 dB/octave

Time Offset

• Low Frequency: -0.33 milliseconds
• Mid Frequency: -0.25 milliseconds

Impedance and Input Connections

Impedance (Z)

Input Connections

• 2 x Neutrik® Speakon® 8-pin jacks in parallel.
• 4 x Neutrik Speakon 4-pin jacks: one set in parallel for the lows (each woofer independently accessible), and one set in parallel for the midrange and highs.

Enclosure, Dimensions, and Weight

Enclosure Materials and Finish

18 mm 13-ply Baltic Birch plywood, finished in black or white painted finish with perforated steel grille finished in black or white powder-coat paint.

Dimensions (Cabinet H x W x D)

• Front: 14.06" x 43.13" x 11.75" (357 mm x 1096 mm x 298 mm)
• Rear: 12.62" x 42.00" x 11.75" (321 mm x 1067 mm x 298 mm)
• Width with quick-release pins inserted on both ends: 44.56" (1132 mm)

Net Weight

97 lbs. (44.1 kg) (includes rigging coupling brackets and locking push pins)

Features

• Three-way, tri-amp ribbon line source array SR system.
• Dual 12" Neo Black Widow® 4" Dual VC Woofers.
• 2000 watts program, 4000 watts peak power handling for the lows.
• Ten Peavey exclusive 2.5" Neo Midranges in a compound line array source.
• Four Peavey exclusive planar ribbon tweeters on a manifold line source loaded into a waveguide.
• 400 watts program power handling for the midrange and highs.
• 70° H by 15° V pattern (one per cabinet).
• MF/HF Waveguide Diffraction Control System built into the grille.
• Easy aiming angle adjustment rigging system.
• Angles adjustable in 1° increments from 0° to 5° per cabinet, with a maximum total angle of 10° between adjacent cabinets.
• Vertical adjustment bracket set included with cabinet.
• Sound Guard™ midrange and tweeter protection.
• Neutrik Speakon input connections (8-pin and 4-pin).
• 18 mm, 13-ply Baltic birch enclosure.

Rigging and Mounting

The Versarray 212 is designed for suspension or stacking using custom array brackets and hardware. It utilizes 3/8" diameter Quick Release Positive Lock Pins for angle adjustment and coupling.

Mounting Provisions

Custom array brackets and hardware, along with a custom array angle adjustment system, are included. Twelve heavy-duty 3/8" quick release pins are included. Array fly bar and pull-back bar are available separately.

Rigging Safety and Warnings

• Consult a certified structural engineer before attempting to suspend speakers.
• Improper suspension can lead to serious injury or property damage.
• Maximum combined weight for flown arrays (enclosures, cables, clamps, hardware) must not exceed 2,400 pounds.
• The Versarray 212 weighs 97 lbs.
• Maximum array angle is 45°.
• Use only correct mating hardware; all associated rigging is the responsibility of others.
• WARNING: Do not use coupling brackets as handles for transport.
• WARNING: Do not use the pull-back bar for flying the cabinets.
• WARNING: If any rigging brackets or the fly bar are damaged or distorted, do not use the array until they are replaced or repaired.
• WARNING: Do not feed a full-range signal to the tweeters, as this could damage them. Use a high-frequency sweep starting at or above 500 Hz for testing.
• CAUTION: Ribbon tweeters do not exhibit audible signs of distress when overloaded; it is possible to exceed physical or thermal limits without obvious sound.

Hang Angles

Diagrams illustrate how to use the quick-release pins to achieve various angles between cabinets, from 0° to 5° per cabinet, allowing for precise line array geometry configuration.

Input Plate Description

The input plate features three sets of Neutrik® Speakon® connectors:

• Low Frequency Input/Through: Uses Neutrik® Speakon® NL4F cable connector. Pins are wired as: +1: LF1+, -1: LF1-, +2: LF2+, -2: LF2-.
• Three Way Input/Through: Uses Neutrik® Speakon® NL8F cable connector. Pins are wired as: +1:LF1+, -1:LF1-, +2: LF2+, -2: LF2-, +3:MF+, -3:MF-, +4: HF+, -4: HF-.
• Mid/Hi Frequency Input/Through: Uses Neutrik® Speakon® NL4F cable connector. Pins are wired as: +1: MF+, -1: MF-, +2: HF+, -2: HF-.

Processor Settings

Peavey provides specific processor settings for use with their digital signal processors (VSX™ series, Digitool® MX) to achieve optimal performance. These settings are intended as a starting point and may require fine-tuning by ear for specific venues and situations. Detailed settings for crossover, EQ, and limiter parameters are provided for various configurations (e.g., number of cabinets, subwoofer integration). For the latest information, consult the Peavey website (http://www.peavey.com).

Usage Notes

General Usage

The Versarray 212 is designed to be used as part of a full-range system, typically requiring a subwoofer, electronic crossover, and four channels of amplification. It covers frequencies from approximately 120 Hz and up.

Line Array Geometry

Various line array geometries are discussed, including straight lines, gentle curves, dual radius, and "J" lines, each affecting vertical coverage patterns and aiming. Recommendations favor gentle, continuous curves to avoid coverage gaps.

Aiming

Precise aiming is critical, especially for straight line arrays. Tools like laser pointers and software (e.g., EASE Focus) can aid in aiming.

Equalizing

Equalizing line arrays is complex due to their nature. Standard single-microphone RTA methods are not recommended; specialized techniques are advised.

Warranty

The product comes with a 3 + 2 Year Limited Warranty. Refer to the warranty statement for details.

Diagram Descriptions

Polar Plots

The document includes numerous polar plots illustrating the horizontal (H) and vertical (V) directivity patterns of the Versarray 212 at various frequencies (e.g., H200, V250, H1000, V1000, etc.). These plots show the sound pressure level (dB) at different angles, demonstrating the speaker's coverage characteristics.

Rigging Diagrams

Diagrams show the Versarray 212 Cabinet Fly Bar and Cabinet Pull Back Bar, illustrating how these accessories attach and function for suspending and aiming the loudspeaker arrays.

Hang Angles Diagram

A diagram illustrates how to set different angles between cabinets using the rigging hardware, showing angles from 0° to 5°.

Cabinet Dimensions Diagram

A diagram provides the overall dimensions of the Versarray 212 cabinet, including height, width, and depth measurements.