SP-20AB MANUAL
The SP-20AB’s compact size and 20 watts per
channel make it ideal for modular use in large
commercial installations with multiple small
speakers. Its power capacity is also just right
for driving the small near field monitors used
in most recording studios as a comparison
with the main control room monitors - it can
power them without overpowering them.
Options and Accessories
Model HR-2 Headphone Remote Station:
The HR-2 is compact, unobtrusive box that
clamps to a mike stand or belt, providing two
headphone jacks, each with its own volume
control. Any number of HR-2 stations may
be connected to a SP-20AB using standard
microphone cables. The HR-2 comes with
snap-on, snap-off mike stand clamp.
The SP-20AB’s output is available through
either of two connectors: standard banana
jack binding posts for speakers, or through
a male XLR connector. The Satellite/Remote
XLR output allows the unit to become a
headphone driver, linking any number of
‘Furman HR-2 Headphone Remote Stations
together via standard microphone cables.
Each HR-2 station conveniently clips to a
mic stand and provides individual volume
controls for two sets of headphones. When
used for overdubbing or rehearsal, this setup
provides more than adequate loudness in
all headphones (even older high-impedance
models), and allows each musician to set his
or her own comfortable volume level. When
the overdubbing is complete and the musi-
cians remove their headphones, the SP-20AB
can also power the tape playback speakers
through the banana jacks, as selected by
pressing the SPEAKERS button on the front
panel. An additional headset may be plugged
directly into the SP-20AB’s front panel. A
volume control is provided for it.
HRKIT-1:
The HRKIT-1 allows mounting of one SP-
20AB in a single rack space. Unit is centered in
the space, which equally distributes the weight
and allows room for user customizations such
as additional selector switches, indicator lights,
extra banana jacks, etc.
HRKIT-2:
Allows side by side mounting of two SP-
20AB’s in a single rack space or one SP-20AB
in a standard half rack enclosure.
The SP-20AB has a convenient input level
control on the left side of the front panel. A
pair of yellow LED’s - one for each channel
- light up whenever signal is present (threshold
-30 dBu). Another pair of red LED’s show an
overload condition in either channel.
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SP-20AB MANUAL
5
4
0
6
5
4
0
6
3
7
OFF
ON
3
7
L
R
2
8
2
8
OVERLOAD
SIGNAL
1
9
PWR
9
1
10
20 WATTS / CHANNEL
10
HEAD
PHONE
STEREO AMPLIFIER
INPUT LEVEL
SPEAKERS
VOLUME
MODEL SP-20A
volume may be adjusted without affecting
the speaker level or the level of any other
headphones connected through HR-2
Remote Stations.
Descriptions of Controls
Front Panel
SPEAKERS BUTTON: Depressing this button
turns on the speakers connected to the
SPEAKER banana jacks on the rear panel.
This provides an easy way to mute the sound
without changing the volume setting.
POWER LIGHT: Glows red when unit is
receiving power and the ON-OFF SWITCH
is in the ON position.
INPUT LEVEL: The Input Level control can be
adjusted for maximum signal to noise and
minimum clipping. The Input Level control is
stereo - it affects both left and right channels
simultaneously and affects all outputs.
SIGNAL PRESENT LIGHTS: These yellow
LED’s turn on whenever a signal exceeding
125 millivolts RMS (40 dB below full power) is
present at the SP-20AB’s input jack. They will
increase in brightness as the signal strength
increases. This feature is very useful as a
clue to where the fault may lie if the expected
program is not heard at the outputs.
OVERLOAD LIGHTS: These LED’s glow red to
indicate an overload in the SP-20AB. If the
LED lights up, either the drive level to the
unit should be reduced, or the setting of the
Input Level control should be reduced until
the LED remains off. The lights turn on when
the signal level at either output is within 2 to
3dB of clipping. Once triggered, the lights will
stay lit for a minimum of 50 milliseconds so
they can be easily seen, even if the actual
duration of the overload is much shorter.
HEADPHONE JACK / HEADPHONE VOLUME:
Any type of headphones wired with a
standard 1/4” stereo phone plug may be
used successfully. Note that the headphone
Rear Panel
ON-OFF SWITCH: This switch turns the SP-
20AB on and off. For convenience, it is
recommended that the SP-20AB and any
other rack-mount equipment be powered
through a switchable outlet box, such as
the Furman Sound PL-8 or PL-PLUS Power
Conditioner and Light Module. The PL-8
provides an easy way to power up the
whole rack with one front-panel switch, and
provides discreet illumination on dark stages
and studios as well. If you do use a switcha-
ble outlet box, leave the SP-20AB’s on-off
switch in the ON position at all times.
GROUND LIFT SWITCH: In many installations,
hum-causing ground loops are formed by
the common connection of various pieces of
equipment to the power line ground, and by
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SP-20AB MANUAL
GND
LIFT
MONO
STEREO
BRIDGED
ON
OFF
120 VAC
60 Hz
SPEAKERS
LEFT RIGHT
130 Watts
only one input (plugged into the “Left/Mono
Input” jack) and all the SP-20AB’s power is
to be concentrated into one output. Note
that under some circumstances, this can
amount to more than double the rated 20
watts pet channel for stereo .- to as much
as 50 watts. Therefore, in bridged mode, for
adequate protection, the speaker connected
should be able to handle approximately 100
watts without damage. See “SPEAKER
OUTPUTS” below for details of how to
connect the speaker.
contact between chassis, as in a rack with
metal rails. Sliding the Ground Lift switch up
completely isolates all signal grounds from
the chassis, breaking any ground loops. The
chassis always remains connected to the
ground pin on the AC cord for safety and to
provide shielding against RF interference.
Try both positions of the Ground Lift switch,
and leave the switch in the position that
results in the least hum in your system. Note:
The ground lift can be rendered ineffective by
3 pin audio connectors that tie pin I (signal
ground) to the metal shell of the connector
(chassis ground). The connection from pin 1
to the shell is optional on all 3 pin connec-
tors, and can be removed if present, by
opening up the connector on the cable and
disconnecting it.
SPEAKER OUTPUTS: These outputs should be
used for driving speakers. The connections
are via multiple-use terminals, which can
accommodate either dual banana plugs,
bare wires, or wires terminated in spade lugs.
For stereo or dual mono operation, connect
one speaker to the left pair of terminals and
the other speaker to the right pair. Observe
proper polarity - make sure that the wire
connected to the top (red) terminal on the
left channel connects to the red terminal of
the left speaker, and that the wire connected
to the top (red) terminal on the right channel
connects to the red terminal of the right
speaker. If the wires to one speaker are
reversed, the speakers will be of opposite
polarity (or “out of phase”), and a severe loss
of low frequencies may, result.
MODE SWITCH: This three position slide
switch determines the SP-20AB’s mode of
operation The three choices are:
MONO: This position is also referred to as
“Dual Mono” because while both channels
are operating separately (each driving its
own speaker), there is only one input, which
appears at both outputs. The input must be
connected to the “Left/Mono Input” jack.
STEREO: This position is for normal stereo
operation, where there are two inputs (left
and right) and two outputs.
If Mono Bridged operation is desired, the
single speaker must be connected to the
BRIDGED: This position should be used
for straight mono operation, when there is
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SP-20AB MANUAL
two top (red) terminals. In this case, nothing other applications. The HR-2 units are compact
should be connected to the bottom (black) boxes which easily attach with a thumbscrew
terminals. Positive polarity will be on the left to any microphone stand Each HR-2 has two
channel (red) terminal.
stereo volume controls and two headphone
SATELLITE/REMOTE OUTPUT: This output jacks. There are also two XLR connectors, one
is a single male XLR connector containing male and one female. These may be used to
both the left and right channel outputs. It is “daisy chain” HR-2 boxes together with standard
wired as follows: Pin 3 -left (high); Pin 2 - microphone cables.
right (high); and Pin 1 - low, common to both
Begin the chain at the SATELLITE/REMOTE
channels. This output should be used as the connector on the rear of the SP-20AB, as shown
starting point for a chain of HR-2 Remote in the above diagram. The SP-20AB connects to
Stations (satellites). It necessary, it may also the first HR 2 box; another mic cable connects
be used to connect a second set of speakers. the first HR-2 box to the second HR-2 box-, a
This output is also turned on and off by the third mic cable connects the second HR-2 to
SPEAKERS button. This output should not the third HR-2; and so on. If low impedance
be used with HR-2 Stations when in Mono headphones are used, up to twelve HR-2’s may
Bridged mode.
be in the chain. If medium or high impedance
headphones are used, 25 or more Remote
Stations may be chained.
If desired, the clip on an HR-2 box may be
hung on a belt it no microphone stand is
convenient.
INPUTS: The SP-20AB is equipped with
left and right balanced female XLR
connectors. Balanced lines offer the
benefits of cancellation of hum, noise, and
RF interference which may be picked up in
the interconnecting cables. For balanced
connections, shielded twisted pair cable
must be used. The wiring is as follows: Pin
1-shield; Pin 2-signal positive; and Pin 3-
signal negative.
Use of the HR-2 Headphone
The HR-2 Remote Stations may be used
to increase the number of headphones which
can be accommodated by an SP-20AB, and to
place a volume control within easy reach of each
individual needing it. This allows the SP-20AB
to be used to power a headphone system for
a recording studio, rehearsal studio, language
lab, demonstration of audio equipment, or for
Daisy-chaining HR-2 Remote
Stations to the SP-20AB
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SP-20AB MANUAL
electronics troubleshooting experience and
training undertake repairs on their own. There are
no user serviceable parts inside the SP-20AB. All
problems should be referred to the Factory or to
other qualified service personnel.
For installation as a free-standing unit,
attach the four adhesive rubber feet supplied
with the SP-20AB to the bottom of its case.
With either the HRKIT-1 or the HRKIT-2
adaptor kits the SP-20AB may be mounted in
standard 19” equipment racks. The HRKIT-1 is
for mounting one SP-20AB in the center of a
19” rack. The HRKIT-2 is for mounting two units
side by side in a 19” rack (or for mounting a
single unit in a “half rack”). Complete installation
instructions are supplied with the kits.
The input connectors are XLR balanced. The
inputs to the SP-20AB proceed from the input
connectors to op-amp buffers wired as differential
(balanced) amplifiers. If a mono signal is inserted
this will convert the differential op-amp to a non-
inverting amp. After the buffers, the left and right
signals proceed to the two decks of the stereo
Input Level control.
When installing any equipment in racks, keep
in mind that standard racks come equipped
with mounting rails with holes tapped for 10-32
machine screws. Be sure to use only 10-32
screws for this purpose (in particular, avoid
10-24 screws, which will fit if forced but will strip
the threads). To avoid marring the panel when
tightening the screws, use nylon washers under
the screw heads.
The SP-20AB’s power amplification is derived
from a pair of LM1875 integrated circuits, which
have internal short-circuit and thermal overload
protection. They are set for a voltage gain of 26 dB
and drive the speaker outputs through a standard
RLC network. The network establishes the high
frequency rolloff, as well as preventing voltages
generated by the speakers from reaching back
into the IC and causing damage. The headphone
output passes through a special high-power pot
wired as a volume control.
For best results, the input cables plugged
into the SP-20AB should be shielded. Balanced
connections should use shielded, twisted-pair
cable. Headphone cables and speaker cables
do not need to be shielded, though no harm is
done it shielded cables (such as microphone
cables) are used.
The SP-20AB’s power supply provides ±30
volts unregulated DC (with 120VAC line input) to
the LM1875 stages, which may drop to ±23 volts
under full load. A network of dropping resistors
and zener diodes provides ±15 volts to the rest of
the circuit.
Circuit Description
Both the Overload LED’s and the Signal
Present LED’s monitor signal levels at the output
of the LM1875, but before the headphone volume
control and the Speaker On/Off Switch.
CAUTION! This section is intended to assist the
professional user with considerable experience
in electronics to achieve a better understanding
of the operation of the SP-20AB. Under
no circumstances should persons without
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SP-20AB MANUAL
Limited Warranty
not warrant against damages or defects arising
out of improper or abnormal use of handling of
the Product; against defects or damages arising
from improper installation, against defects in
products or components not manufactured by
Manufacturer, or against damages resulting
from such non-Manufacturer made products or
components. This warranty shall be cancelable
by Manufacturer at its sole discretion if the
product is modified in any way without written
authorization from Furman Sound. This
warranty also does not apply to Products upon
which repairs have been affected or attempted
by persons other than pursuant to written
authorization by Manufacturer.
THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE. The sole
and exclusive obligation of Manufacturer shall
be to repair or replace the defective Product in
the manner and for the period provided above.
Manufacturer shall not have any other obligation
with respect to the Products or any part
thereof, whether based on contract, tort, strict
liability or otherwise. Under no circumstances,
whether based on this Limited Warranty or
otherwise, shall Manufacturer be liable for
incidental, special, or consequential damages.
Manufacturer’s employees or representatives’
ORAL OR OTHER WRITTEN STATEMENTS
DO NOT CONSTITUTE WARRANTIES, shall
not be relied upon by Purchaser, and are not
a part of the contract for sale or this limited
warranty. This Limited Warranty states the
entire obligation of Manufacturer with respect to
the Product. If any part of this Limited Warranty
is determined to be void or illegal, the remainder
shall remain in full force and effect.
Furman Sound, Inc., having its principal
place of business at 1997 South McDowell Blvd.,
Petaluma, CA 94954 (“Manufacturer”) warrants
its SP-20AB (the “Product”) as follows:
Manufacturer warrants to the original
Purchaser of the Product that the Product sold
hereunder will be free from defects in material
and workmanship for a period of three years
from the date of purchase. The Purchaser
of the product is allowed fifteen days from
the date of purchase to complete warranty
registration by mail or on-line at the Furman
website. If the Product does not conform to this
Limited Warranty during the warranty period (as
herein above specified), Purchaser shall notify
Manufacturer in writing of the claimed defects.
If the defects are of such type and nature as to
be covered by this warranty, Manufacturer shall
authorize Purchaser to return the Product to
the Furman factory or to an authorized Furman
repair location. Warranty claims should be
accompanied by a copy of the original purchase
invoice showing the purchase date; this is not
necessary if the Warranty Registration was
completed either via the mailed in warranty card
or on-line website registration. Shipping charges
to the Furman factory or to an authorized repair
location must be prepaid by the Purchaser of
the product. Manufacturer shall, at its own
expense, furnish a replacement Product or, at
Manufacturer’s option, repair the defective
Product. Return shipping charges back to
Purchaser will be paid by Manufacturer.
THE FOREGOING IS IN LIEU OF ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Manufacturer does
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SP-20AB MANUAL
Before returning any equipment for repair,
please be sure that it is adequately packed and
cushioned against damage in shipment, and
that it is insured. We suggest that you save
the original packaging and use it to ship the
product for servicing. Also, please enclose a
note giving your name, address, phone number
and a description of the problem.
NOTE: All equipment being returned for
repair must have a Return Authorizatilon (RA)
Number. To get an RA Number, please call the
Furman Service Department: (707) 763-1010.
Please display your RA Number prominently
on the front of all packages.
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SP-20AB MANUAL
SPECIFICATIONS
OUTPUTS:
Power:
20 Watts per channel, stereo, into either 4 Ohms or
8 Ohms, or 40 Watts mono into 8 Ohms, 20 Hz to
20 KHz
Connectors:
Speakers: 5-way binding posts (accommodates
dual banana plugs, spade lugs, bare wires, etc.)
Remote Headphone: XLR.
INPUTS:
Input Impedance:
Sensitivity:
Connectors:
20K Ohms.
-6.5 dBU required for full output.
XLR, balanced.
GENERAL:
Distortion:
.01 % THD at full rated power at 1 KHz; .05% THD
20 Hz to 20 KHz.
Dynamic Range:
Greater than 99 dB, A weighted
Frequency Response: +0, -1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 KHz, 1 Watt output
Dynamic Headroom: 2 dB, stereo, measured with 10 ms toneburst at 1
KHz, 1 % duty cycle.
Power Requirement: SP-20AB: 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 70 watts
SP-20ABE: 230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 70 watts
Mechanical:
Dimensions: 1.75” H x 8.45”W x 8.25” D.
Weight: 9 lbs (4.2 kg).
NOTE:
0 dBu equals .775 Vrms.
SP-20AB MANUAL
Furman Sound, Inc.
1997 South McDowell Blvd.
Petaluma, California 94954-6919 USA
Phone: 707-763-1010
Fax: 707-763-1310
E-mail: [email protected]
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