The power and processing electronics of the 215PCM are contained in a backpack mounted on the rear of the subwoofer enclosure. Powering the 215PCM is an integral 3000W amplifier (equivalent to a bridged-mono QSC PowerLight 230) for the subwoofer itself. The backpack also contains a two-channel amplifier equivalent to a PowerLight 236 (725 W @ 8 ohms; 1100 W @ 4 ohms; 1850 W @ 2 ohms) for the top boxes. The subwoofer amp and the top-box amp each have the processing equivalent of a DSP-3. Both processing units have eight user-configurable and -selectable presets (using a personal computer and QSC’s Signal Manager software).
The cabinet of the 215PCM is constructed of Composilite carbon fibre composite material, which is extremely stiff and strong. The high rigidity of the cabinet walls raises the enclosure’s natural resonances to frequencies higher than the subwoofer’s operating range, so the cabinet performs as an ideal enclosure. A bonus of the Composilite material is its exceptional weather resistance and its very light weight, which enhances the cabinet’s portability and also translates to safer rigging and lower shipping costs. Strategically placed wheels and handles on the backpack provide easy single-person mobility. The QSC 215PCM and 215SB are scheduled to commence shipping in March 2002.
(Lee Baldock)
