BASSBOSS SSP218 MK3 with 5000 Watts - Overview by BC Helmick
BASSBOSS Club Sound System: SSP218, SSP118, CCM, Diamon, SV9, BB15
SSP218 MK3 Technical Overview
The SSP218-MK3 design combines sensitivity, depth, power handling, fidelity and value. It offers astonishing versatility and practicality for those who need exceptional bass performance for a wide variety of applications, delivering massive, reliable, consistent output with great fidelity.
The SSP218-MK3 maintains its performance over the long term and is virtually impossible to destroy thanks to the combination of extremely robust and very high power handling, long excursion drivers, a carefully optimized port and cabinet design and several effective yet transparent protection systems that are part of the integrated signal processing. The protection systems effectively prevent thermal overload of the voice coils and minimize long-term thermal compression while having virtually no effect on the transient response and maximum output of the speaker.
The SSP218-MK3 achieves an extremely flat frequency response, measuring ±1.5dB from 32Hz to 100Hz. No equalization is used to achieve this response. Unlike designs that require equalization, the tone, response and sensitivity of the SSP218-MK3 are native to the design. Competing systems that require bass boost EQ to achieve stated response are still subject to the physical excursion and thermal limits of their drivers. The SSP218-MK3 system is optimized for full power operation throughout their operating range while the woofers remain within their X-max specification. This allows it to achieve very high output, low frequency performance with minimal distortion. Versatility is one of the SSP218-MK3’s greatest strengths. There are two 35mm pole sockets on each cabinet. Having two sockets allows the bass to be deployed horizontally or vertically while also allowing smaller overhead cabinets to be mounted on poles above the subs. Additionally, the use of these sockets allows the larger BASSBOSS overhead or front-fill cabinets to be locked into place when stacked on top of the subwoofers without the need for unsightly straps.
The cabinets feature four large rubber feet and corresponding recesses on the top to facilitate interlocking of the enclosures when stacked. The feet also interlock with the available wheeled carts, allowing multiple enclosures to be stacked on a cart for quick deployment with minimal effort. The stacked set size measures 29.5” x 48”, making it easy to securely fit into almost any commercial truck. The carts can accommodate up to 4 subwoofers, allowing for extremely tight loading density. Alternatively, three-high stacks or three-high cardioid stacks can be pre-configured on the carts, ready for the party!
The cabinets are made from 18mm birch plywood, are extensively braced, and feature 4 steel bar handles. They are coated with weather-resistant high-pressure poly urea and the conductors are protected by a powder-coated perforated steel grid. The cones also feature a waterproof coating.
The SSP218-MK3 features a 5000W amplifier with an auto-sensing, globally compatible power supply that can run on input voltages anywhere between 90 and 250 Volts. Full output power is available on anything over 110V. The amplifier is passively cooled via its external heat-sink and by woofer-generated air-flow through the port. When necessary, four blower-fans will engage to provide additional forced-air cooling capacity in more extreme conditions.
New to the MK3 are Neutrik powerCON True 1 TOP (Total Outdoor Protection) waterproof mains connectors. This permits the levels of multiple loudspeakers to be adjusted together and yet independently from the levels of other groups of loudspeakers.
Electrical power is converted into the much more desirable acoustical power by two robust, neodymium motor, 18-inch woofers with massive 4-inch (100mm) voice coils. Neodymium magnets are lighter, and their higher intensity provides higher efficiency, so the result is a lighter and louder cabinet than those with ferrite drivers.
The MK3 features an all-new DSP. The comprehensive suite of processing includes high-pass and low-pass filters as well as multiple protection systems and limiters to prevent driver overload in as many ways as possible, including thermal, excursion and clipping. The five levels of protection actively prevent overheating of the voice coil, minimize long-term thermal compression and limit excursion. Because they operate in 5 different modes, the limiters are sophisticated enough to have a largely unnoticeable effect on the transient response and allow the subwoofer to deliver peak output safely.
The new DSP features an Ethernet interface. This can be used to control the cabinets from a computer or to load the ControlBASS software settings updates. The Ethernet connectivity in conjunction with the DSP board allows signal to be sent via Milan AVB. Future settings updates will provide access to this feature.
Within the software, multiple cabinets can be grouped together, allowing them to respond to commands simultaneously. This permits the levels of multiple loudspeakers to be adjusted together and yet independently from the levels of other groups of loudspeakers. In addition to individual and grouped level controls, presets can be loaded and signal levels and temperatures can be monitored. Each cabinet includes a two-port switch so multiple cabinets can be chained on the same data cable.
The MK3 DSP features storage capacity of up to 100 presets, eight of which can be accessed at the touch of a button with no need for a connected computer. The eight directly accessible presets are compatible with all the presets in the MK3 Top Boxes and are also compatible with previous generation tops and subs
Specifications
Acoustical
Speaker Description: Double 18” Self-Powered Vented Direct-Radiating Subwoofer
Frequency response (±3 dB): 30-100Hz
Maximum sustained output: 136 dB 1m (half-space)
Max SPL (Peak): 139 dB 1m (half-space)
Nominal dispersion (°H x °V): 360 x 360 – Cardioid Mode Available with Multiple Boxes
Amplification: 5000 Watts Class D (2 x 2500W)
Processing: Integrated comprehensive DSP. 96kHz sampling rate with 8 pushbutton presets. All
presets include high pass filters, low pass filters, phase alignment, equalization and
multi-stage limiting. Storage capacity for up to 100 presets
Electrical connector, amplifier: Neutrik powerCON True 1 TOP IP65 rated waterproof connectors
Electrical connector, Mains: USA 3-pin grounding 120V electrical plug NEMA 5-15; Outside USA alternate connectors provided
Operating voltage range: 100-240V AC, 50-60Hz (Auto-sensing, auto switching universal supply)
Current consumption, nominal: 120V 9A (nominal); 240V 4.5A (nominal)
Signal input connector: XLR-F
Signal Output Connector: XLR-M (Direct pass-through, unprocessed)
LAN connectors: EtherCON RJ45 (x2) with 2-port Ethernet switch
Physical
Enclosure Type: Direct radiating, vented enclosure, optimally tuned for extended low frequency response with high sensitivity and high power handling
Transducers: 2 x 18 in. diameter (457mm) neodymium motor woofers with 4 in. (100mm)
voice coils
Cabinet Construction: CNC machined 18mm Birch plywood with extensive bracing and dado joinery. 4 steel bar handles. 2 x 35mm steel pole sockets. 4 rubber feet. 4 interlocking
foot pockets. 16 X M10 threaded fly points
Dimensions (HxWxD): 22.5 in. x 48 in. x 29.5 in. (23.25 in. high with feet)
Suspension System: 16 X M10 Threaded Fly points
Net Weight: 199 lbs. (90 kg)
Shipping Weight: 230 lbs. (104 kg)
Exterior Finish: High-pressure, rugged, waterproof, textured black bonded polyurea coating
Grille: Perforated, powder-coated steel
Optional
Transport Dollies: Birch plywood flat cart with 4 heavy-duty locking casters. 4 pockets to
accept the cabinet feet. 7 handles. Transports up to 4 cabinets.
Covers: Heavy-duty padded nylon transport covers for 1or 2 cabinets
Hardware: M10 Shoulder Eye Bolts, M10 Side-Pull anchors
