Introduction

The PowerBass Xtreme Pod Speaker XL-POD5SR is designed for powerful sound in outdoor environments, making it perfect for marine and off-road applications. This 5.25-inch speaker features a rugged, weather-resistant construction, ensuring durability against the elements while delivering clear audio performance. Its compact design allows for easy installation in various locations, providing versatility for any audio setup. The cost of the XL-POD5SR is approximately $119.99.

ENCLOSURE DIMENSIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS

POWERBASS XTREME SHORT RANGE POD FEATURES

• UV Stable Injection Molded Plastic Pod
  Molded from marine grade polymer (poly-plastic composite) materials houses the speaker and protects it from the effects of the outdoor environment while providing great looks.
• Black Chrome Plated Die-Cast Swivel Clamp System 
  Solid marine grade Zinc Alloy provides strength and corrosion resistance; accepts bar sizes of 1.5”, 1.75” and 2.0” diameter
• Polypropylene Injected Cone 
  Chosen for its strong yet lightweight body this waterproof woofer cone has UV inhibitors to minimize cracking and fading
• Grill Mounted 25mm SD Mylar Tweeter Design
  Allows for stronger output in both midrange and upper frequency extension
• Safety Cable 
  A braided wire cable provides an extra level of security for the Pod when looped and fastened around the tower bar

Description

Pod Speaker boasts a robust and durable construction, making it perfect for harsh environments. The speaker features a 5-inch high-excursion woofer and a 1-inch tweeter, ensuring clear and powerful sound reproduction. With Bluetooth 5.0 technology, you can easily connect your device and enjoy uninterrupted music streaming. The built-in microphone allows for hands-free calls, adding convenience to its feature set.

The speaker's waterproof and dustproof design (IP67 rated) protects it from accidental exposure to water or dust, giving you peace of mind during outdoor use. The long-lasting battery life of up to 12 hours on a single charge ensures that your music keeps playing all day long.

UNPACKING THE ENCLOSURE

• Every attempt has been made to transport your new PowerBass Marine Pod system safely.
• Carefully unpack the enclosure and inspect it thoroughly for any damage that may have occurred during shipping.
• Notify your local PowerBass dealer immediately should you notice any damage prior to installing the unit.
• Be sure to keep the carton and packing material until your system is operational. The original boxes will do the best job of protecting your speaker system if they need to be transported.

INSTALLATION EXPERIENCE

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

POD PLACEMENT TIPS AND WIRING RECOMMENDATIONS
When running the speaker wire through the bar make sure there is a clear run so the wire can enter and exit the tubing. Place the Pod out of the way of any passenger’s head to avoid possible injury.

MOUNTING, WIRING AND CONNECTIONS

PowerBass highly recommends that a professionally trained installer mount and wire the Pod. This application guide explains how to install PowerBass Pods in a general sense, it may not show the exact installation method for your particular situation. If you feel unsure about personally installing this Pod speaker system, don’t attempt the installation yourself.

CAUTION: Failure to properly mount the Pod could result in the following:

1. The reliability and performance will suffer due to the movement of the Pod caused by vibration,
2. A serious safety hazard can result if the Pod is not securely mounted and falls from the tower.

Read these instructions thoroughly before starting installation. For easier assembly, we suggest you run all wires prior to mounting your Pod speakers.

1. Determine where the Pod will be placed on the tower bar and a what angle the speaker will be mounted. mark the bar with a felt-tip pen. This will be where the speaker wire comes through the bar and to the Pod. NOTE: This first step is VERY important. Make sure of the exact location and orientation you want BEFORE drilling any holes.
2. Drill a 0.25 to 0.5-inch hole for the speaker wire on the mark made on the bar. De-burr the hole to keep from damaging the wire’s insulation and causing a short. It is a good idea to treat the hole to inhibit corrosion.
3. Remove the Allen Screws securing the Clamp to the Aluminum Base. (Fig. 1, Fig. 2)
4. Run minimum of 16-gauge speaker wire through the tower bar and leave 8” to 12” of the wire hanging out of the hole you previously drilled. Run the speaker wire through the hole in the insert.
5. Connect the speaker wire coming out of the bar to the speaker wire coming out of the Pod. Note the polarity (the black-stripe wire from the Pod is negative – ) See Fig. 3
6. Place the clamp over the bar and screw in the Allen Head bolt at first by hand. Next using the supplied Allen wrench tighten the bolt. When fully tightened the clamp should slide into the base mounted to the Pod. (Fig. 1)
7. Hold the Pod and place the Aluminum Base flush with the bar. Be sure to push any excess speaker wire back into the bar. Make sure the speaker hole from the Aluminum Base of the Pod is aligned with the hole in the bar—use caution not to pinch the wire. Tighten 2 allen head bolts to secure. (Fig. 1, Fig. 2)
8. Connect the other end of the speaker wire to the amplifier following the instructions supplied with the amplifier. Be sure to observe proper polarity of the speaker wire when connecting to the amplifier.
9. To adjust the position, loosen the Allen Head bolts on the base and turn the pod to the desired position then tighten the Allen Head bolts to secure in place.
10. Depending on the position of your clamp installation, use 2 allen head base bolts on opposing sides to secure the swivel clamp to the POD. Use a 3rd allen head bolt to secure the safety cable. (Fig 4) For the unused base hole use the supplied plug to prevent moisture and water to enter the clamp assembly. (Fig1, Fig2)

SOUNDCHECK

RECOMMENDED POWER

• The XL-POD8SR is designed to handle up to 100 watts RMS (continuous) and 200 watts maximum (peak) of input power.
• The XL-POD6SR is designed to handle up to 60 watts RMS (continuous) and 120 watts maximum (peak) of input power.
• The XL-POD5SR is designed to handle up to 50 watts RMS (continuous) and 100 watts maximum (peak) of input power.

Therefore an outboard amplifier optimized at 4-ohms will be necessary to drive this system. You will want to use an amplifier powerful enough to provide listening comfort. Generally speaking, an amplifier with the same or slightly higher power rating than the RMS power handling should be selected.

CROSSOVER SETTINGS

The Pod system is designed for full range listening enjoyment. If your amplifier includes an electric (active) crossover, experiment using the settings in High Pass or the Full position. Optimum adjustment can be achieved after listening to your favorite music and varying the crossover frequency.

BREAK IN PERIOD

To get the most from your speaker 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.
CAUTION: Damage to the woofers can occur when an amplifier, regardless of its wattage, is made to play at higher listening levels than its power can clearly produce (usually beyond the “1 to 2 o’clock” position on the amplifier gain). This results in very high levels of audible distortion. Contrary to popular belief, a speaker is more likey to be damaged by trying to get too much volume from a low-powered amp than from a high-powered amp.

Setup Guide

To set up the PowerBass XL-POD5SR, 

1. Start by charging the battery fully using the USB-C charging port. Once charged, turn on the speaker by pressing the power button located on the top panel. 
2. Activate Bluetooth on your device and search for "PowerBass XL-POD5SR" in the available devices list. 
3. Select the speaker's name to establish a connection.
4. If you prefer using an auxiliary input, connect your device via the 3.5mm audio cable provided. 
5. For hands-free calls, ensure that your device's Bluetooth is connected to the speaker and answer calls using the built-in microphone.

CARE AND CLEANING

• The enclosure is constructed of high impact molded plastic and should be cleaned after use with soapy water and a damp cloth.
• The mounting hardware can be cleaned the same way.
• Do not use any cleaners or solvents on the enclosure or grills, otherwise the UV inhibitors may be affected and/or the plastics may discolor.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues with your Pod Speaker, here are some common problems and solutions:

• No Sound Output: Check if the volume is turned down or if the speaker is muted. Ensure that the Bluetooth connection is stable.
• Connection Issues: Restart both your device and the speaker. Check for any interference from other electronic devices.
• Low Battery Life: Charge the battery fully before use. Avoid using the speaker at high volumes for extended periods.

Instructions and Warnings: Avoid submerging the speaker in water beyond its IP67 rating. Do not expose the speaker to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight for extended periods.

PowerBass Xtreme Pod Speaker XL-POD5SR Pros & Cons

Pros

• Waterproof and dustproof design
• Powerful sound output with clear bass and treble
• Long-lasting battery life
• Easy-to-use interface with hands-free call feature
• Compact and lightweight design

Cons

• Pricier compared to some other portable speakers in the market
• No built-in equalizer settings for custom sound adjustments
• Limited color options available

Customer Reviews

Customers have praised the PowerBass for its robust build quality and impressive sound performance. Many have appreciated its waterproof feature, which makes it ideal for outdoor use. However, some users have noted that it is slightly heavier than other portable speakers and lacks customizable equalizer settings.

Common complaints include the higher price point compared to similar products and limited color options available.

WARRANTY POLICY

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.