Massive delivery of solid, powerful bass!

The Mackie SWA1501 Subwoofer System features a high-precision 15" transducer combined with application-specific amplifier technology. The system is composed of a single compact subwoofer cabinet with built-in control and amplification.

The transducer used in the SWA1501 system features a 3", inside/outside wound voice coil that offers extreme power handling capabilities. The magnetic assembly used features advancements in coil venting and structural cooling that provide lower temperatures and substantially improved power compression characteristics.

The amplifier uses a proprietary high-efficiency, high-current amplifier designed to provide high current levels at all levels of operation. Having access to high current levels, no matter what the power output, is absolutely critical in achieving precise, total control of the woofer mass. This control is responsible for lowering audible distortion artifacts and providing aggressive attack through the operating band pass of the system. The amplifier is mounted on a large, finned aluminum heat sink, and is rated at 500W RMS continuous output.

The SWA1501 features a sophisticated onboard control system, allowing for flexible integration with active or passive full range or mid/high speaker systems. The input panel accepts a line-level input signal and has loop-out connectors for signal routing to other devices. It also has high-pass output connectors for connection to active full range speakers or amplifiers powering passive full range speakers. All signal routing is through XLR connectors in L+R stereo or mono. There is a phase selection switch and a recessed level control. The system features thermal protection for the power supply and amplifier and also incorporates RMS limiting protection for the amplifier stage that limits the amount of long-term power delivered to the transducer.

The cabinet is constructed using 18mm thick birch plywood and finished in black splatter paint. There is one handle on each side for efficient loading and transport as well as a top, female polemount fixture.

Mackie SWA1501 Active High Output 15-Inch Subwoofer System Features:

• 128dB peak output
• Extended bass response
• Compact cabinet
• Level control (-15dB to +5dB)
• RCF precision high efficiency 15" woofer
• Driver is designed specifically for the SWA1501
• 13-ply Baltic birch enclosure finished in black splatter paint
• Cast aluminum side handles
• Signal present LED
• Limit LED (Indicates that active protection circuitry is engaged)

Toss it (gently) in the cart today and GET READY TO RUMBLE!

Mackie SWA1501 Active High Output 15-Inch Subwoofer System Specifications:

• Acoustic Performance
• Frequency response: 47Hz-120Hz @ -3dB (36Hz-120Hz @ -10dB)
• Max SPL long-term: 125dB
• Max SPL peak: 128dB
• Crossover: 120Hz
  
  Input/Output
• Input: stereo bal/unbal XLR
• Input Impedance: 50k ohms
• Loop-through: stereo bal/unbal XLR
• High-pass output: stereo bal/unbal XLR
• Level control: +/-15dB, recessed rotating knob, center detent
• Phase control: 0° - 180°, recessed sliding switch
  
  Amplifier
• Total power: 500W continuous, 700W peak
• Type: High-efficiency, high-current Class G hybrid
• Rated THD: .03%
  
  Transducer
• Number of drivers: 1
• Woofer size: 15"
• Voice coil diameter: 3" with inside/outside winding
• Diaphragm material: epoxy-reinforced cellulose
• Magnet type: ferrite
  
  Line input power: 120VAC, 60Hz, 8A
• AC connector: 3-pin IEC 250VAC, 16A male
  
  Basic Design: Bass reflex
• Material: 13 mm multi-layered plywood, resin end caps
• Finish: Black Paint
• Handles: One on each side
• Grille: Perforated metal with weather-resistant coating
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 23.5" x 17.2" x 23.7"
• Weight: 88 lbs.

Mackie SWA1501 Active High Output 15-Inch Subwoofer System

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Mackie SWA 1501

Posted by Anonymous Musician from Enterprise, AL on Oct 13, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: pro musician

Reviewer's Play Style: all styles

I used a pair of these for bar gigs for about a year. Without warning, they just died. I never abused these things. Of course this happened after the warranty expired. The best repairman in the area couldn't fix them and the nearest Mackie service place was at least a five hour drive. Lesson learned. I'm getting non powered subs. Much easier to get fixed.

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Use before eating

Posted by VTpreacher from Good old VT on Nov 10, 2006

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Sound Engineer, Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Worship, Jazz, Gospel

If you are ready for some good old gut rumblin fun this is the sub for you. We purchased this sub to round out our low end in our churches worship service and we use this one sub with a couple of SRM450's and the sound is crystal clear. If you have never used a sub before on your PA and you use this it is like going from black and white to color TV. We run our bass dirrect, and mic the bass drum and organ leslie, they now can be heard for what they really do. This sub will either make your good mucisans sound better or your not so good mucians sound worse as they will be heard and felt. I did have one bad experience with this sub what happened was every time I turned it on it would shut off. It seemed like a hardware failure. But when I called Mackie they asked for the serial # and as soon as I gave it to them the shipped me a brand new unit and took bak the one I had no questions asked. ( I think they knew what was wrong as soon as I gave them the serial #) Great service Mackie. I would suggest this sub to anyone looking to add somthing to their PA with audable significance.

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Sounded Great While it Worked

Posted by synthgeek from burlington, VT on Aug 27, 2006

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Pro musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Reggae, funk

We used the swa1501 for almost a year with our Reggae/Funk/RnB band in bars, small clubs, and parties. It's small and it sounds great, with a warm tone. We loved it. The built-in crossover was a big selling point. And it's got that cool purple light on the front. After 11 months of regular use, the thing burnt out during an outdoor gazebo gig. There were reports of crackling from the audience during the first set. It quit during the second set, and smelled like burning electronics. I'd read about this happening to other people, usually when the power supply was questionable. We were just about to hit the road for a string of gigs, and we really wanted a subwoofer. There are no Mackie service centers in our state, Vermont, and Mackie only pays one-way shipping for warranty work. We ended up dropping the thing off at a service center on the way to a gig, and they told us it would take at least two months because the parts were backordered. So we bought another powered sub that we couldn't really afford, a QSC hpr181w. 18 inches, 700 watts. Bigger, heavier, more inches, more watts. Wowwwww! Not as warm and creamy as the Mackie, but man is it bumpin'! I loved that mackie, but I'm not looking back. We'll be selling ours in about 2 months. I would give the Mackie 10 stars if it were in the house PA at a small club. I know one place that does this, and it's teriffic. But I wouldn't recommend it for bands that play all sorts of strange places.

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One is good enough

Posted by Carlos from IBW in DC from Rockville, MD on Aug 13, 2004

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Engineer, guitarist/bassist

Reviewer's Play Style: praise and worship

We only bought one of these subs for my church cause our sanctuary isn't that big, but it sounds and feels like you have 2 or 3 connected. the sound is awesome and feels like a true live arena concert during the sunday worship.

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The subs shake em all the way!

Posted by Michael Jeremiah from Clanton, AL on Oct 3, 2002

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Bass Singer/Live Sound Engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: Southern Gospel Quartet

I've been singing bass and running live sound for 17 years! I run 2 SWA1501 subs and 4 SRM450's for mains. 1 SRM450 for monitor. It's the best sound system I've ever ran, heard, or sang over.

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Mackie SWA1501 Active High Output 15-Inch Subwoofer System

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