Introduction

The Powerbass Subwoofers Extreme 2XL-1240DS is a high-performance 12-inch subwoofer designed to deliver deep, powerful bass for audiophiles and car audio enthusiasts alike. Featuring a dual 4-ohm configuration, it boasts an impressive power handling capability of 650 watts RMS and a peak power of 1300 watts. Its advanced construction includes a woven glass fiber cone and nitrile butadiene rubber surround, ensuring durability and exceptional sound quality. The subwoofer is priced at $366.99, making it a compelling choice for enhancing any audio system.

UNPACKING/REPACKING THE WOOFER

Please refer to the enclosed diagram regarding the unpacking/repacking of your woofer. This very special-ized woofer from PowerBass is custom packed from the factory to prevent any shipping damage from occurring to the product. It is important that you follow the separate diagram to unpack/repack your PowerBass Xtreme subwoofer.

SAVE YOUR PACKAGING
The PowerBass Xtreme subwoofers are very heavy and therefore require special packaging to assure their unblemished arrival. Should you need to transporrt your PowerBass Xtreme subwoofers, you must use both the color gift box and the brown shipping carton to ensure safe arrival. This special, original packag-ing must accompany the PowerBass Xtreme subwoofer in the event of product failure.

NOTE: YOU MUST RETURN THIS PRODUCT IN ALL OF THE ORIGINAL CARTONS TO ASSURE THE WOOFER IS PROPERLY PACKED FOR SHIPPING!

PARAMETERS

(Due to Constant Improvements, Specifications and Parameters are subject to change without notice.)

POWER RECOMMENDATIONS

Many speaker and amplifier brands measure their power ratings in different ways. Often the stated “Max Power handling” are viewed as continuous RMS power handling of the speaker, when actually the “Max” is generally the breaking point of the speaker. In an effort to minimize any confusion, PowerBass has chosen to rate our Super Subs in the following manner:

NOMINAL POWER HANDLING 
Playing your woofer at levels below the Pe-RMS spec will allow the woofer to operate at optimum conditions and cause the speaker minimal mechanical degradation over time.
Pe-RMS POWER HANDLING 
Pe-RMS is the highest power rating we assign the woofer for continuous use under normal conditions. Ex-ceeding this power level for extended durations will result in mechanical degradation that may lead to possible failure over time.
Pe-MAXIMUM POWER HANDLING 
Pe-Maximum is the maximum power rating the woofer can handle for short bursts or peak transients with clean input power. Exceeding this power level or using dirty (distorted input power) will cause thermal failure that will void the speaker warranty.

RECOMMENDED ENCLOSURES

Please note that these enclosure volume recommendations are for the internal airspace inside the enclo-sure and include the displacement of the subwoofer and ports.

When choosing your enclosure type, please pay close attention to your specific woofer, failing to use the correct enclosure may result in lower power handling and poor sound quality. To calculate the internal airspace required, take the internal dimensions of the box. First multiple these number by themselves and then divide this sum by 1728. (W x H x D) / 1728.

Please contact your authorized PowerBass Autosound dealer for other designs and specifications. (Even though these subwoofers can be used in a ported enclosure, PowerBass recommends a sealed enclosure for optimum performance and sound quality.)

NOTE: Due to the vented backplate, you must allow an additional 2" minimum behind the suwoofer when designing your speaker enclosure.

CAUTION
To prevent damage to your speakers, please observe the following caution:

Your PowerBass Xtreme Subwoofer is made with the highest quality materials designed for years of trouble free performance. However, damage to the speaker can occur when the amplifier, regardless of output power, is made to play at levels higher then it was intended. At high volume levels, if the music sounds distorted lower the volume. The audible distortion you hear is probably originating in the amplifier which can cause the speaker cone to move out of control and force the voice coil to bottom out and slam against the magnet assembly. Under these circumstances it will be necessary to lower the volume to just below the point where these symptoms occur to avoid damage to the speaker. If your amplifier has a gain control, it would be advisable to lower this control slightly to prevent this from reoccurring.

If more volume or a higher SPL (Sound Pressure Level) is desired, you should try adding additional speak-ers to the system. By doing so, it is possible to gain significant increases in sound pressure levels. In some cases, you may double the system’s output without any deterioration in sound quality.

REMINDER

• This speaker is heavy, so use caution when installing or handling it.
• The subwoofer enclosure must be securely & directly attached to the vehicle.
• Speakers will become very hot when the system is operated at high power continuously for a long period of time. Never directly touch the speakers with your bare hands until the speakers have cooled.
• Never connect only one voice coil of this Dual Voice Coil (DVC) speaker. BOTH voice coils must be connected to the amplifier for correct operation.

Powerbass Subwoofers Extreme 2XL-1240DS FEATURES

• Woven Glass Fiber Cone With Pressed Kraft Paper Reinforcement this custom composite cone was specifically designed to handle high power / high pressure environments in which a light weight yet extremely stiff cone is needed to reproduce tight, accurate bass response
• Custom Cast Aluminum Basket provides the best woofer foundation available to handle the stress of high energy SPL
• Dual 4-ohm 2.5" Voice Coils provide optimal performance while lending themselves to multiple wiring configurations
• BASV High Temperature Formers SV Cooper voice coil winding in conjunction with an high tempera-ture Bonder-360 adhesive is used to strengthen lamination on the Black Anodized Aluminum Former
• Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) Surround allows maximum excursion while maintaining the precise centering of the voice coil resulting in higher undistorted output
• Xtra Xtra Large Motor Structures high efficiency Y-35 strontium ferrite magnet are used to ensure optimum motor force
• Spring Loaded Nickel Plated Input Terminals to ensure maximum current transfer from your ampli-fier to your subwoofer
• Custom Tooled Trim Ring clamps surround to basket for increased durability
• Optimally Designed for both Sealed and Ported Enclosures to ensure maximum power handling with the loudest output possible in the smallest space possible

Description

The Powerbass Subwoofers Extreme 2XL-1240DS boasts a robust design with a polypropylene cone and a rubber surround, ensuring flexibility and durability. Strong magnetic force from the 124 ounces magnet lets the subwoofer generate deep and forceful bass. Wide range of amplifiers is compatible with the twin 4-ohm voice coil arrangement as it provides several wiring possibilities.

Designed to manage large power inputs, this subwoofer boasts a claimed RMS power of 1000 watts and a peak output of 2000 watts. Its deep and immersive audio experience comes from its 25 Hz to 200 Hz frequency response range, which guarantees covering of the whole bass spectrum.

WIRING GUIDELINES

It is highly recommended that you seek an authorized PowerBass dealer to properly setup, wire and install your woofers for maximum performance.

All PowerBass 2XL Series Subwoofers use dual voice coils. The use of dual voice coils offers you more versatil-ity in system configuration. It is important to know the limits of your amplifier to optimize its performance. It is always better to use your subwoofer in a mono / bridged mode if your amplifier has the capabilities. There are basically four different types of wiring configurations: Series, Parallel, Series-Parallel or Parallel-Parallel. It is possible to change the impedance or load by how the speakers are to be wired and by the quantity of woofers used.

DUAL VOICE COIL WIRING

NOTE: Never connect only one coil of a Dual Voice Coil (DVC) speaker. BOTH voice coils must be connected to the amplifier.

INSTALLATION EXPERIENCE

Installation of PowerBass Xtreme Speakers requires experience with a variety of mechanical and electrical procedures. This manual provides only general installation and operation instructions. If you have any reser-vations about your installation skills or lack of the proper tools, please contact your local PowerBass Xtreme dealer for assistance.

CHOOSING A SPEAKER ENCLOSURE

The PowerBass Xtreme 2XL Subwoofers are engineered to perform at their optimum level in a Sealed en-closure. However, while not optimum, these woofers may also be used in vented and bandpass enclosures. For maximum performance we recommend you have your new PowerBass Xtreme Subwoofer installed by an Authorized PowerBass Xtreme Dealer.

SEALED BOX:

A sealed or acoustic suspension enclosure is easy to build and typically offers a smaller size enclosure and greater power handling. It has the most predictable frequency and phase response; the bass response will roll off slower than that of a ported design. Sealed boxes typically provide the best musical detail and definition.

A well-designed sealed enclosure will exhibit smooth frequency response with excellent sound quality and great low bass extension. They also exhibit relatively accurate, punchy bass reproduction for most types of music. If a sealed enclosure is too large to fit into a specific area of a vehicle, it is possible to decrease the recommended box volume by using 1.5 pounds per cubic feet of low density, high heat specific box stuffing material.

PowerBass recommends Fiberglass, Dacron, Poly-Fill or long fiber wool for stuffing the enclosure. (Decreasing the box enclosure however should not exceed 20% of the recommended size.) When using any type of box stuffing material be sure that the subwoofer’s vented pole piece is clear from any obstructions, since covering the pole piece will result in loss of bass and can possibly cause damage to your subwoofer.

The most important aspect of a sealed enclosure is to make sure that it is airtight and solid. If your enclosure has any air leaks or if the panels vibrate or flex, you will experience a loss of bass output. Using glue and some type of sealant (caulk) on all seams will ensure a solid constructed box without any air leaks.

VENTED BOX:

(NOT OPTIMUM for 2XL-1040D and 2XL-1240D models) 
Also known as a ported or bass reflex enclosure, this type of box is almost as easy to construct as a sealed enclosure. This design however is more efficient and results in an increase of bass output at certain frequencies. Although vented enclosure has an output advantage at some frequencies, it also has a steeper rolloff, which will only affect bass frequencies below port tuning. Air inside the port will move in phase with the subwoofer reinforcing frequencies above the F3 (-3dB point).

The SPL advantage of the vented enclosure comes from the fact that the effect of the vent tuning reduces the excursion of the subwoofer near the tuning frequency allowing more SPL to be produced before the subwoofer bottoms.

Damping material should also be used to line the internal walls to reduce any sonic reflection. Because of the characteristics of a vented enclosure, subwoofers typically will become unloaded (act as if it is not in a box) at frequencies of ½ octave below the enclosure tuning frequency. Using a high pass filter / subsonic filter will help prevent the subwoofer from unloading or exceeding its excursion capabilities. It is important to stay within the recommended enclosure specifications. (PowerBass recommends port placement to coincide on the same panel or baffle that the subwoofer resides on.

BANDPASS ENCLOSURE: (NOT OPTIMUM for 2XL-1040D and 2XL-1240D models)

The most com-mon bandpass enclosure is a combination of a sealed and a vented enclosure working together (4th order or single reflex bandpass system). The rear of the speaker goes into the sealed chamber while the front of the speaker goes into the vented chamber. Because the vent produces all the sound gener-ated from this type of enclosure, sound quality may not be as good as a well-designed ported or sealed design.

Often the sacrifice for sound quality and subwoofer cone control is greater SPL output. However unlike a sealed or vented enclosure, you can effectively increase the enclosure sensitivity with the ap-propriate tuning choices. You can choose to design a narrow frequency band with very high sensitivity or choose a wide frequency band with the sacrifice of lower sensitivity. The damping effect of the vented chamber reduces the motion of the cone so that potentially higher sound output is achieved without the subwoofer reaching its mechanical limits.

Minor deviations from design recommendations however may result in frequency response and distortion problems. (If you are intending to use multiple subwoofers in your system, PowerBass recommends having separate chambers for each subwoofer if the subwoofers will be operated by two different amplified signals. This will prevent any possible cancellation.)

NOTE: Due to the vented backplate, you must allow an additional 2" behind the subwoofer when designing your speaker enclosure.

Setup Guide

Setting up the Powerbass Subwoofers Extreme 2XL-1240Ds requires

1. Choose first a suitable enclosure that fits the requirements of the subwoofer.
2. Verify that the enclosure is sealed or ported as desired for bass response.
3. After that, wire the subwoofer correctly to your amplifier.
4. Verify that the amplifier's impedance and power handling match those of the subwoformer. 
5. Set the parameters of your car's audio system such that the bass output is best.
6. Test the system at last to guarantee correct functioning and modify settings as needed to reach the intended sound quality.

ENCLOSURE VOLUME

To calculate the volume required for your enclosure please refer to the Recommended Enclosures secction of this guide for your specific model number. These are listed in both cubic feet and liters. One cubic foot is expressed as 12" x 12" x 12" = 1728 cubic inches (see picture below).

TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR 2XL WOOFER

Your PowerBass Xtreme subwoofer has been meticulous engineered and designed to handle high power musical reproduction. Despite their rugged construction, it is possible to damage your speaker if they are improperly used. In general, you will hear distortion as a so-called warning before any damage occurs. If you hear distortion in your system, immediately reduce the musical level to the point where the sound retains its clarity.

1. All PowerBass Xtreme subwoofers require an initial break-in period before it will reach optimum performance. Like any new precision machinery, allow a minimum of several days to one week with normal daily usage to ensure that the suspension has properly been broken-in.
2. Never use only one coil on a dual voice coil subwoofer. Doing so will significantly decrease the ef-ficiency and power handling of the speaker.
3. Be sure you supply the speakers with enough unclipped amplifier power to drive them properly.(More damage can be done to a speaker by under-powering and clipping your amplifier than any other way!)
4. Where possible, run your Speakers in mono instead of stereo. Most bass is reproduced in mono so there is less chance of any cancellation if played in mono.
5. Where possible, wire your Speakers in parallel instead of series. Bass is reproduced either way but again there is less chance of cancellation in parallel. NOTE: Be sure the amplifier you are using is stable to the resulting impedance of the speaker load!
6. Where possible, a separate amplifier just for your subwoofers should be used with an electronic crossover to set the frequency range.
7. Do not block the front of your speakers or ports. You want as much direct air coupling as possible. Also be sure to round off the inside edges of the port to reduce any port noise.
8. For ported enclosures, keep in mind that you must leave at least twice the port diameter size be-tween the subwoofer and the port itself. Leave at least one time the port diameter between the port and any walls of the enclosure.
9. Remember the Golden Rule “Measure twice…cut once.”

BREAK IN PERIOD
To get the most from your woofer we recommend a "break-in" period of at least 40 hours at no more than 1/3 of maximum volume. During this time the cone and spider assembly will gradually break in resulting in greater performance and more listening enjoyment.

BOX CONSTRUCTION (SEALED OR VENTED)

The material used for enclosure walls should be solid, dense and free of voids or warps. Your enclosure should be made ¾” or 19mm material, Finland or Baltic birch type plywood is recommended where the enclosure will be transported frequently. Medium-density fiberboard - MDF (not chip board) can be used on permanently installed systems. Minimum of 1” (25mm) or double ¾” (1-1/2”) baffle is recommended on high-powered SPL applications.

Corners must be strong and air tight and should not have any air leaks or openings. Joints should be properly filled with glue that will not crack under high stress or impact. If the integrity of the glue seal can’t be determined, hot glue or RTV caulking should be used to seal all seams.

Fiber reinforced resin may also be used to form any difficult shapes. However avoid making large panels with resin to eliminate any chances of box flexing, cracking or ratting under high pressure. Bracing made of 2 x 2” or 2 x 4” should be liberally applied either inside or outside the cabinet, depending on whether the cabinet is to be permanently installed or portable. This principle applies to any walls of the enclosure spanning more than 18” long.

Any braces should also be liberally glued or screwed down on edge. Edge-wise drilled, and countersunk holes through the braces can be used for #10-2 Flathead wood screws to avoid the use of more expensive lag bolts. The majority of strength from an enclosure comes from the glue. When using screws be sure to pre-drill holes to avoid splitting the wood.

NOTE: Do not mount the woofer in the enclosure within 24 hours of sealing the internal joints. The gasses given off as the sealer cures can affect the surround of the speaker resulting in permanent damage that will void the warranty.

WARNING! The use of silicone rubber to seal in a speaker will void the Warranty! If any sealing is needed in addition to the speaker’s gasket, use caulking cord or vinyl weather strip.

SUBWOOFER CROSSOVER SETTING

Your PowerBass Xtreme Sub will perform best if it is used in conjunction with a subwoofer crossover of some kind. Using a crossover will remove unwanted high frequencies and allow them to concentrate only on bass. The two most common types of crossovers are “passive” or “active” (electronic crossovers are active). Many amplifiers have a built in Low Pass (LPF) electronic crossover circuit. For optimum sub-woofer performance we recommend an initial electronic crossover setting between 80-100Hz and then tuning the bass to your liking.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues with your Powerbass Subwoofers Extreme 2XL-1240DS, here are some common problems and solutions:

• Check the wiring connections between the amplifier, power supply, and subwoformer. No Sound. Make sure none of the connections are broken or insecure.
• On your amplifier, change the gain levels to avoid overdriving the subwoiser. Check also whether the enclosure is correctly porting or sealed.
• Make sure the amplifier and subwoformer have enough airflow around them. If needed, lower power input.

Always follow safety instructions when working with electrical components to avoid damage or injury.

PowerBass Xtreme Speakers Pros & Cons

Pros

• High power handling for strong bass notes down below
• Flexible dual 4-ohm voice coil arrangement
• Excellent materials and durable construction
• Wide frequency range for full bass covering
• Reasonable cost in relation to comparable high-performance subwoofers

Cons

• Calls for an enclosure and suitable amplifier for best performance.

Customer Reviews

The Powerbass Subwoofers Extreme 2XL-1240Ds' superb bass response and durability have typically delighted customers. Many have said it offers a notable improvement over conventional automobile audio systems. To get best performance, several users have noted, nonetheless, it calls for meticulous setup and customization.

Warranty

PowerBass Xtreme Speakers are to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year. The warranty is extended to three (3) years for parts and labor, if an Authorized 
PowerBass Xtreme Dealer completes the installation.