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1

Introduction

Thank you very much for purchasing the DXS Powered Subwoofer. The DXS is a powered subwoofer used 
for sound reinforcement and temporary installations. This owner’s manual explains how to set up and use 
the subwoofer in live venues and temporary PA installations to enhance low-end sound. Be sure to read this 
manual before using this subwoofer, in order to make sufficient use of the many functions that this product 
offers. Also, be sure to keep this manual after you are finished reading it.

Features

High power, high sound pressure, superior low-end playback capabilities

Adopting a bandpass type enclusure for high sound pressure. The DXS features a high-resistance input, 
low distortion woofer and a 1,020 W power amplifier to achieve superior low-end playback capability 
and high sound pressure.

Flexible features

D-XSUB:

 D-XSUB is a DSP technology that gives users additional dynamic control of the frequency 

range to meet the demands of a variety of applications or musical styles.

Selectable X-OVER (80/100/120 Hz):

 Selecting the cut-off frequency and LPF/HPF settings offers 

users more flexibility to adapt to various applications. 

Cardioid mode:

 The Cardioid mode setting adds additional control of low frequencies for sub-woofer 

arrays of two or more DXS speakers, effectively reducing the SPL of bass directed towards the stage 
while increasing the bass levels directed towards the audience.

Reliability

A high-performance DSP control protects the speaker and amplifier. The DXS can be used worry-free, 
even under harsh operating conditions.

Durability

The DXS’s sturdy plywood cabinet is covered with an extremely durable polyurea finish that provides 
added protection from outside elements. 

Fast and easy setup

M20 and Ø35 mm dual pole sockets allow for more flexible set up, while optional casters are also avail-
able for improved portability. 

DXS1

8

DXS15 mkll

DXS12 mkll

POWERED SUBWOOFER 

EN

ZZ20050

Owner’s Manual

• The DXS18 is mainly used for the explana-

tions in this manual.

• The illustrations as shown in this manual are 

for instructional purposes only.

• The company names and product names used 

in this manual are the trademarks or registered 
trademarks of their respective companies.

Input the output signal from a source, such as a mixer, to the INPUT jack of the DXS, and input the output 
signal from the OUTPUT jack of the DXS to the input jack of a full-range speaker.

• X-OVER switch (

!2

)

It is recommended that you match the crossover frequency (the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter) 
of the DXS and the cutoff frequency of the high pass filter of the full-range speaker. The same fre-
quency range output from the DXS and the full-range speaker may cause interference with each other 
and degrade the frequency characteristics.

• THROUGH/HPF POST switch (

o

)

If the full-range speaker is properly equipped with a high pass filter, you should set this to 
[THROUGH]. The [THROUGH] setting enables you to control the level independently and minimize 
signal delay. If the full-range speaker is not equipped with a high pass filter or the high pass filter in the 
full-range speaker cannot be set to the same cutoff frequency as that of the low pass filter of the DXS, 
set this to [HPF POST] to use the high pass filter in the DXS.

This is a pole socket used to mount a full-range speaker atop the DXS. The pole socket is compatible with 
35 mm or M20 speaker poles, available commercially. When using the pole socket, be sure that the follow-
ing conditions are met.

Installing optional wheels SPW-1 at the back of the DXS enables you to transport the unit easily. To install 
the wheels, use the screws already installed in the DXS unit.
Please do not use the speaker once the screws are removed. This causes air leaks to occur in enclosure, 
resulting in undesirable performance.

* If any specific problem should persist, please contact your Yamaha dealer.

* The contents of this manual apply to the latest specifications as of the publishing date. 

To obtain the latest manual, access the Yamaha website then download the manual file.

Basic Setup

CAUTION

If multiple powered speakers are connected in daisy-chain fashion, turn each device on 
in sequence starting from the one nearest to the sound source, and turn them off start-
ing from the one farthest from the sound source.

Combination of monaural DXS and stereo full-range speakers

Combination of stereo DXS and stereo full-range speakers

NOTE

The L and R jacks are interchangeable; there is no difference in behavior between them.

Full-range 

speaker

 Combination and setting examples

Using the high pass filter in the 

connected full-range speaker

Using the high pass filter in 

the DXS

Full-range 

speaker

DXS

o

!2

o

!2

From

mixer

From mixer

Full-range speaker

Full-range speaker

Mixer

To full-range speaker

DXS

Full-range speaker

Full-range speaker

Mixer

DXS

DXS

From mixer

To full-range speaker

Installing a Speaker Pole

Subwoofer

Top-mounted speaker 

Pole length

DXS18

Weight 28.0 kg or less, height 76 cm or less (DSR115)

120 cm or less

DXS15mkII

Weight 19.3 kg or less, height 61 cm or less (DXR12)

100 cm or less

DXS12mkII

Weight 14.6 kg or less, height 51 cm or less (DXR10)

82 cm or less

Weight 13.5 kg or less, height 46 cm or less (DXR8)

90 cm or less

Installing Wheels

CAUTION

• For details on installing the wheels or special precautions you should take, please 

refer to the relevant manual for the wheels.

• Do not install wheels other than the SPW-1.

Troubleshooting

Symptom

Possible causes

Possible solution

Power does not turn on.

The power cord is not con-
nected properly.

Connect the power cord properly.

Power suddenly turned 
off.

The protection system has 
been activated, shutting 
down the power supply.

Turn off the power, wait until the amplifier cools down, 
and then turn on again.

No sound.

The cable is not con-
nected properly.

Connect the cable to the INPUT jack properly.

Sound is interrupted 
suddenly.

The protection circuit has 
been activated, muting the 
output.

Wait until the amplifier cools down. If the unit doesn’t 
automatically reset itself, turn off the power, and then 
on again.

Sound howls (feed-
back).

A microphone is directed 
toward the speaker.

Keep the speaker away from the area where the 
microphone picks up the sound.

The sound from each 
speaker differs (if multi-
ple speakers are used.)

The settings for each 
speaker differ.

Set each switch of each speaker to the same posi-
tion.

Sound is distorted.

Input volume is excessive.

Lower the volume of the input device so that the 
PEAK indicator lights only occasionally.

Output volume is exces-
sive.

Lower the output level with the LEVEL control so that 
the LIMIT indicator lights only occasionally.

General Specifications

General Specifications

DXS18

DXS15mkII

DXS12mkII

System Type

Powered subwoofer, band-pass type

Frequency Range (-10 dB)

32 Hz–120 Hz

40 Hz–150 Hz

42 Hz–150 Hz

Measured Maximum SPL (Peak) 
Pink Noise @1m

136 dB SPL

135 dB SPL

134 dB SPL

Power 
Amplifier

Power 
Rating

Dynamic

1,020 W

Continuous

800 W

Power Consumption 
(1/8 output power)

100 W

Components

LF

18" cone, 

4" voice coil

15" cone, 

2.5" voice coil

12" cone, 

2.5" voice coil

Dimensions 
(W × H × D; including rubber feet)

563 × 683 × 721 mm 480 × 611 × 614 mm 400 × 567 × 570 mm

Weight

49.7 kg

36.0 kg

30.0 kg

Handles

Steel, side × 2

Pole Sockets (top surface)

Ø35 mm (depth: 80 mm), M20 (threaded depth: 25 mm)

Connectors

Input

XLR3-31 × 2

Output

XLR3-32 × 2 (THROUGH or HPF POST)

Power

IEC AC inlet × 1 (V-Lock)

Input Sensitivity (LEVEL: center)

+10 dBu

Maximum Input Level

+24 dBu

M20 screw

Ø35

q

Pole sockets

Adapts to commercially available speaker poles of 35 mm diameter and 
M20 screws. For details on installing speaker poles, refer to “Installing 
a Speaker Pole.

w

Feet cups

When stacking multiple DXS units, align the rubber feet of the upper 
DXS unit to the feet cups of the lower.

e

Front LED

Turns on when the power is on. Lights more brightly when the output 
limiter is active. Using FRONT LED DISABLE switch (

!9

) allows you 

to defeat the front LED altogether.

r

Wheel mounting holes 

Optional SPW-1 wheels can be installed at these locations. For details 
on installing the wheels or special precautions you should take, please 
refer to the relevant manual for the wheels.

t

AC IN inlet (V-Lock)

Connect the AC power cord included with the unit. The AC power cord 
includes a locking mechanism with a latch. First connect the DXS to the 
AC power cord, and then connect the power cord to the AC outlet. 
When removing the cord, push the latch while pulling the cord out.

y

Power switch

Turns the power to the unit on ( ) or off (

).

If you are using multiple units, turn on the power to each unit one by 
one. If you turn on the power to multiple units simultaneously, a tempo-
rary drop in the power voltage may occur, possibly resulting in abnor-
mal operation of the units.
Also, rapidly turning the unit on and off in succession can cause it to 
malfunction. After turning the unit off, wait for about 5 seconds before 
turning it on again.

u

INPUT jacks

These are balanced input XLR jacks (line-level), and this device outputs 
the mixed signals of L and R.

i

OUTPUT jacks

These are balanced output XLR jacks for connecting full-range speak-
ers or additional DXS units. The output signal can be switched via the 
THROUGH/HPF POST switch (

o

).

L/R output from the OUTPUT jacks correspond to L/R input to the 
INPUT jacks. The mixed signal of L/R is not output.

o

THROUGH/HPF POST switch

Switches the signals output from the OUTPUT jacks (

i

).

THROUGH:

 Outputs unaffected signals from INPUT jacks (

u

). 

Select when using HPF of the connected speaker or connecting addi-
tional DXS units.

HPF POST:

 Outputs signal input from INPUT jacks (

u

) after pass-

ing through a HPF. The cutoff frequency of the high pass filter is the 
frequency specified with the X-OVER switch (

!2

). Because the out-

put level from the OUTPUT jacks is linked to the LEVEL control 
(

!1

), the levels of this unit and the full-range speaker change simulta-

neously.

!0

PEAK indicator

Lights red when the input level reaches 3 dB below clipping. If the indi-
cator lights frequently, adjust the volume of the input source or lower 
the LEVEL control (

!1

) so that the indicator flashes only briefly at the 

highest input levels.

!1

LEVEL control

Adjusts the output level.

!2

X-OVER switch

Specifies the crossover frequency at 120 Hz, 100 Hz, or 80 Hz. The out-
put from the unit is processed through a low pass filter to cut the range 
of the selected frequency or higher. When setting THROUGH/HPF 
POST switch (

o

) to [HPF POST], the output signals from the OUT-

PUT jacks are processed through a high pass filter to cut the range of 
the selected frequency or lower, and the crossover frequency is linked to 
that of the connected speaker.

!3

D-XSUB switch

Switches the low-range frequency response characteristics.

NORMAL:

 A generic setting corresponding to various applications.

BOOST:

 Boosts the frequency range enhancing and providing punch 

to the sound.

XTD LF (eXTenDed LF):

 Extends the bottom of the low frequency 

range.

!4

CARDIOID switch

Connection of multiple DXS units enables the use of Cardioid mode. 
For details on Cardioid mode and using the switch, refer to “Setup of 
Cardioid Mode” 
on the opposite page.

!5

POLARITY switch

Switches the polarity of the unit, normal or inverted. When the polarity 
is inverted, the INVRT indicator lights.
In most cases, this should be set to normal; however, the inverted setting 
may improve low-range response, depending on the type and location of 
the speaker system. Select a setting that produces the best low-end 
sound.

!6

LIMIT indicator

Lights when the output limiter is active. The output limiter operates in 
order to protect the speaker and amplifier, attenuating the output signal 
to the amplifier. If the indicator lights frequently, adjust the volume of 
the input source or lower the LEVEL control (

!1

) so that the indicator 

only occasionally lights at the highest input levels.

!7

PROTECTION indicator

Lights when the protection system is active. The protection system 
operates and the speaker output is muted in the following situations.
• If amplifier overheating is detected.
• If overcurrent is detected.
• Immediately after turning the power on. (The protection system is 

activated to prevent noise and the indicator lights for about two sec-
onds. The indicator turns off when the power supply has started nor-
mally.)

!8

POWER indicator

Lights when the power is on.

!9

FRONT LED DISABLE switch

Turns the FRONT LED at the front of the unit on or off. The LED lights 
when this switch is set to off. Turn this switch on to disable the LED.

Controls and functions

t y

q

r

u

o

!0

!1

!2

!3

!4

!5

!6

!7

!8

!9

i

w

e

CAUTION

Do not stack more than two DXS units.

CAUTION

Turn off the power before you connect or discon-
nect the power cord.

CAUTION

A slight electrical current will flow even when the 
power switch is turned off. Make sure to unplug 
the power cord from the power outlet when not 
using the speaker for an extended period of time.

CAUTION

Make sure to lower the input level when switching.

Included accessories

• AC power cord
• Owner’s manual (this leaflet)
• Technical Specifications

Optional accessories

• Speaker cover: SPCVR-18S01 (for DXS18), SPCVR-DXS152 (for DXS15mkII), SPCVR-DXS122 (for DXS12mkII)
• Wheels: SPW-1; 4 pieces

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