American Audio Loudspeaker ELS15 USB User Manual

							ELS15 USB
Professional Powered Two-Way 
Loudspeaker
7/13 
						

							©American Audio®   -   www.AmericanAudio.us   -  ELS15 USB   -   Instruction Manual Page 2
 ELS15 USB                                                   Contents
 ELS15 USB                                                  Unpacking
 ELS15 USB                                                Introduction
Every ELS15 USB has been thoroughly tested and has been shipped in perfect operating co\
ndition. 
Carefully check the shipping carton for damage that may have occurred du\
ring shipping. If the car-
ton appears to be damaged carefully inspect your units for any damage an\
d be sure all accessories 
necessary to operate the system have arrived intact. In the event damage has been found or parts are 
missing, please contact our toll free customer support number for furthe\
r instructions. Please do not 
return the speaker to your dealer without first contacting customer support. 
Introduction: Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the American Audio® ELS15 USB pro-
fessional sound reinforcement loudspeaker. This loudspeaker is a representation of American Audio’s 
continuing commitment to produce the best and highest quality audio products possible at an afford-
able price. The ELS15 USB is a lightweight 15-inch active speaker. Its extremely high efficiency design, 
low power consumption, and plenty of output power is ideal for small and mid-size events. The ELS15 
USB is multifunctional. Users can also utilize the Microphone Inputs and built-in MP3 player with USB 
and SD Card inputs. The speaker includes a poll mount slot and rubber feet on the \
bottom of the unit 
for portable applications and also includes rigging points on the top, b\
ottom, and rear of the unit for 
permanent and flight installations. Please read and understand this manual completely before attempt-
ing to operate your new speaker system. This booklet contains important \
information concerning the 
proper and safe operation of your new speaker.
Customer Support: American Audio® provides a toll free customer support line, to provide set up help 
and answer any question should you encounter problems during your initial set up or operation. You 
may also visit us on the web at www.americandj.com for any comments or suggestions. Service Hours 
are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
 Voice:    (800) 322-6337
 Fax:    (323) 582-2610
 E-mail:   [email protected]
Caution! There are no user serviceable parts inside this speaker. Do not attempt any repairs, without 
being instructed to do so by an authorized American Audio technician. Doing so will void your manufac-
tures warranty. In the unlikely event your speaker may require service, please contact American Audio®.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT........................................................................\
..................................................2
UNPACKING..................................................................\
...........................................................2
HANDLING PRECAUTIONS.............................................................\
......................................................3
FEATURES...........................................................................................................................................5
PRODUCT REGISTRATION.......................................................................................\
.............................5
REAR PANEL CONTROLS....................................................................................\
.................................6
RIGGING AND MOUNTING.................................................................................................................11
AVAILABLE ACCESSORIES......................................................................................\
...........................12
WARRANTY.......................................................................................................................................13
SPECIFICATIONS...............................................................................................................................\
..14  
						

							©American Audio®   -   www.AmericanAudio.us   -  ELS15 USB   -   Instruction Manual Page 3
ELECTRICAL PRECAUTIONS
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCKDO NOT OPEN
CAUTIO N
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended  to alert  the  user  to the  presence  of important
operating  and maintenance  (servicing) instructions  in
t he literature accompanying the appliance.
The 
lightning  flash with arrowhead  symbol, within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to th e
presence  of uninsulated  dangerous voltage within the
products  enclosure  that may  be of sufficient  magnitude
to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons .
READ INSTRUCTIONS  — All the  safety  and operatin g
instructions  should be read  before  the product  is
operated.
RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS —  The safety and operating
instructions  should be retained  for future  reference.
HEED  WARNING S —  All  warnings  on the  product  and
in  the  operating  instructions  should be adhered  to.
FOLLOW  INSTRUCTIONS  — All  operating  and use
instructions should be followed.
CLEANING  — The  product  should be cleaned  only with
a  polishing  cloth or a soft  dry cloth.  Never  clean with
furniture  wax, benzine,  insecticides  or other  volatile
liquids since they may corrode the cabinet .
A TTACHMENTS  — Do  not  use  attachments  not
recommended  by the  product  manufacturer  as they
may cause hazards.
WATER  AND MOISTURE  — Do  not  use  this product
near  water  — for  example,  near a bathtub,  wash
bowl,  kitchen  sink, or laundry  tub; in a wet  basement ;
or near a swimming pool; and the like.
ACCESSORIES  — Do  not  place  this product  on an
unstable  cart, stand,  tripod,  bracket,  or table.  The
product  may fall, causing  serious injury to a child  or
adult,  and serious  damage  to the  product.  Use only
w ith  a cart,  stand,  tripod,  bracket,  or tabl e
recommended  by the  manufacturer,  or sold  with
the  product.  Any mounting  of the  product  should
follow  the manufacturer’s  instructions, and shoul d
use  a mounting  accessory  recommended  by the
manufacturer .
CART  — A  product  and cart combination  should be
moved  with care.  Quick  stops,  excessive  force, and
uneven  surfaces  may cause  the product  and cart
combination to overturn .
VENTILATION  — Slots  and openings  in the  cabinet  are
provided  for ventilation  and to ensure  reliable
operation  of the  product  and to protect  it from
overheating,  and these  openings  must not be
blocked  or covered.  The openings  should never be
blocked  by placing  the product  on a bed,  sofa,  rug,
or  other  similar  surface.  This product  should not be
placed  in a built-in  installation  such as a bookcase  or
rack  unless  proper ventilation  is provided  or the
manufacturer’s  instructions have been  adhered  to.
POWER  SOURCES  — This  product  should be operated
only  from  the type  of power  source  indicated  on the
marking  label. If you  are not sure  of the  type  of
power  supply  to your  home,  consult  your product
dealer or local power company.
LOCATIO N –  The  appliance  should be installed  in a
stable location.
NONUSE  PERIODS –  The  power  cord of the  appliance
should 
be  unplugged  from the outlet  when left un-
used for a long period of time. GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION
•
If this  product  is equipped  with a polarized  alternating
current  line plug  (a plug  having  one blade  wider than
the  other),  it will  fit into  the outlet  only one way.  This
is  a safety  feature.  If you  are unable  to insert  the plug
fully  into the outlet,  try reversing  the plug.  If the  plug
should  still fail to fit,  contact  your electrician  to
replace  your obsolete  outlet. Do not  defeat  the
safety purpose of the polarized plug.
• If this  product  is equipped  with a three-wire
grounding  type plug,  a plug  having  a third  (grounding)
pin,  it will  only  fit into  a grounding  type power  outlet.
This  is a safety  feature.  If you  are unable  to insert  the
plug  into the outlet,  contact  your electrician  to
replace  your obsolete  outlet. Do not  defeat  the
safety purpose of the grounding type plug.
POWER-CORD  PROTECTION - Power-supply  cords
should  be routed  so that  they  are not likely  to be
walked  on or pinched  by items  placed  upon or
against  them, paying  particular  attention to cords  at
plugs,  convenience  receptacles, and the point  where
they exit from the product .
OUTDOOR ANTENNA GROUNDING  — If an outside
antenna  or cable  system  is connected  to the  product ,
be  sure  the antenna  or cable  system  is grounded  so
as  to provide  some protection  against voltage surges
and  built-up  static charges.  Article 810 of the  National
Electrical  Code, ANSI/NFPA  70, provides  informatio n
with  regard  to proper  grounding  of the  mast  and
supporting  structure, grounding  of the  lead-in  wire
to  an  antenna  discharge  unit, size of grounding
conductors,  location of antenna-discharge  unit,
connection  t o grounding  electrodes,  and
r equirements  for the  grounding  electrode. See  Figur e
A.
LIGHTNING  — For  added  protection  for this  product
during  a lightning  storm, or when  it is  left  unattended
and  unused  for long  periods  of time,  unplug  it from
the  wall  outlet  and disconnect  the antenna  or cabl e
system.  This will prevent  damage  to the  product
due to lightning and power-line surges.
POWER  LINES — An  outside  antenna  system should
not  be located  in the  vicinity  of overhead  power lines
or other electric light or power circuits, or where it
can  fall into  such  power  lines or circuits.  When
installing  an outside  antenna  system, extreme  care
should  be taken  to keep  from touching  such power
lines  or circuits  as contact  with them  might  be fatal.
O VERLOADING  — Do  not  overload  wall outlets ,
extension  cords, or 
integral  convenience  receptacles
as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock. OBJECT 
AND LIQUID  ENTRY - N ever  push  objects  of
any  kind  into this product  through  openings  as they
may  touch  dangerous  voltage points or short-out
parts  that could  result  in a fire  or electric  shock.
Never spill liquid of any kind on the product .
SERVICING  — Do  not  attempt  to service  this product
yourself  as opening  or removing  covers may expose
you  to dangerous  voltage or other  hazards.  Refer all
servicing to qualified service personnel .
DAMAGE  REQUIRING  SERVICE  -  Unplug  this product
from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualifie d
service personnel under the following conditions:
•W hen the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.
• If liquid  has been  spilled,  or objects  have fallen  into
the product .
• If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
• If the  product  does not operate  normally  by following
the  operating  instructions.  Adjust only those  controls
that  are covered  by the  operating  instructions  as an
improper  adjustment  of other  controls  may result  in
damage and will often require extensive work by  a
qualified  technician  to restore  the product  to its
normal operation.
• If the  product  has been  dropped  or damaged  in any
way.
•W hen the product  exhibits  a distinct  change  in
performance — this indicates a need for service.
REPLACEMENT  PARTS -- W hen  replacement  parts
are  required,  be sure  the service  technician  has used
replacement  parts specified  by the  manufacturer  or
have  the same  characteristics  as the  original  part.
Unauthorized  substitutions may result  in fire,  electri c
shock, or other hazards.
SAFETY  CHECK - U pon  completion  of any  service  or
repairs  to this  product,  ask the service  technician  to
perform  safety checks  to determine  that the product
is in proper operating condition.
WALL  OR CEILING  MOUNTING  — The  product  should
not be mounted to a wall or ceiling.
HEAT  — The  product  should be situated  away from heat
sources  such as radiators,  heat registers,  stoves, or
other  products  (including  amplifiers)  that produce
heat .
IMPOR TANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
ANTENNA
LEAD IN
WIRE
GROUND
CLAM P
ANTENNA
DISCHARGE UNIT
(NEC SECTION 810-20)
GROUNDING CONDUCTOR S
(NEC SECTION 810-21)
GROUND CLAMPS
POWER SERVICE GROUNDING
ELECTRODE SYSTEM
(NEC ART 250, PART H)
ELECTRI
C
SERVICE
EQUIPMENT
Fig.  A
NEC — NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
CAUTION: T O REDUCE  THE RISK  O F ELECTRIC 
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER (OR BACK). 
THERE  ARE N O USER  SERVICEABLE  PARTS 
I NSIDE   REFER  SERVICE  TO YOUR  AUTHORIZED 
AMERICAN AUDI O
® SERVICE TECHNICIAN.
 ELS15 USB                                          Handling Precautions 
						

							©American Audio®   -   www.AmericanAudio.us   -  ELS15 USB   -   Instruction Manual Page 4
 ELS15 USB                                            Safety Precautions
ELS15 USB loudspeaker can easily reproduce sound pressure levels (SPL) sufficient enough to cause 
sever and permanent hearing damage. A great degree of care should be taken to protect your ears to 
prolong exposure to SPL in excess of 85dB.
• For adult use only - Keep out of the reach of children.
•  Be sure all power is turned off before making speaker connections
• When using the speaker make sure the grille is always attached.
•   Always use a power cord that meets the manufactures exact power specifications
•   Disconnect from main power before making any type of connection
•   To reduce the risk of electrical shock or fire, do not expose this unit rain or moisture
•   This speaker is intended for indoor use only, use of this product outdoors voids all warranties.
•   Always mount this speaker in safe and stable matter.
•   Power Cord Protection - Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be     
 walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying partic\
ular attention to cords  
 at  plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the speaker.
•    Heat -The speaker should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,   
 stoves, or other mixers (including amplifiers) that produce heat
• Be sure to save the packing carton in the event the unit needs to be returned for service
• Read all documentation before attempting to operate your new mixer. Please save all your docu- 
 mentation for future reference
•  Do not spill water or other liquids in to or on to your speaker
• Be sure that the local power outlet matches that of the required voltage for your speaker.
• Do not attempt to operate this speaker if the power cord has been frayed or broken. Please route 
 your   power cord out of the way of foot traffic
• Always have the gain controls set to their lowest level during initial power-up to prevent    
 speaker   damage
• Servicing - The user should not attempt to service the speaker beyond that described in this
 manual. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel. The speaker should 
 only be serviced by qualified personal when;
    A.  Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the speaker
    B.  The speaker has been exposed to rain or water
    C.  The speaker does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a change in \
performance
      D. The terminal/cross-over plate has been damaged 
						

							©American Audio®   -   www.AmericanAudio.us   -  ELS15 USB   -   Instruction Manual Page 5
 ELS15 USB                                                       Registration
 ELS15 USB                                                    Main Features
ELS15 USB Speaker System:
•  15-Inch Woofer 4Ω 100W RMS
•  1-Inch Driver 8Ω 30W RMS
•  XLR & TRS Mic Inputs
•  XLR & RCA Line Inputs
•  XLR & TRS Line Outputs
•  Treble & Bass EQ +/-12dB 
•  Active Crossover
•  9 M8 Rigging Points
•  Built-In Pole Mount Socket
•  Built-in Heavy Duty Carrying Handles
•  Attached heavy Duty Rubber Feet
The ELS15 USB carry a one year (365 days) limited warranty. Please fill out the enclosed warranty 
card to validate your purchase. All returned service items whether under\
 warranty or not, must be 
freight pre-paid and accompany a return authorization (R.A.) number. The R.A. number must be 
clearly written on the outside of the return package. A brief descriptio\
n of the problem as well as the 
R.A. number must also be written down on a piece of paper and included i\
n the shipping container. 
If the unit is under warranty, you must provide a copy of your proof of \
purchase invoice. You may 
obtain a R.A. number by contacting customer support at (800) 322-6337. All packages returned to 
the service department not displaying a R.A. number on the outside of th\
e shipping package will be 
returned to the shipper unopened. 
The serial and model number for this unit is located on the rear panel  Please write down the num-
bers here and retain them for future reference.
Model No.________________________________   Date Purchased___________________________
Serial No.________________________________   Dealer Name______________________________
 ELS15 USB                                                       File Formats
The chart located to the right, displays the proper 
file extensions that can be used with USB/USB 
Stick drives. 
						

							©American Audio®   -   www.AmericanAudio.us   -  ELS15 USB   -   Instruction Manual Page 6
 ELS15 USB                                        Controls and Features
Rear of ELS15 USB   
1
2
7
6
5
4
3
10
11
12
8
9
13
14
15
16
1718
19 
						

							©American Audio®   -   www.AmericanAudio.us   -  ELS15 USB   -   Instruction Manual Page 7
 ELS15 USB                            Rear Panel Controls and Features
Rear Panel:
1.  LCD - This screen will display all relevant information about the functions being selected or the 
Mp3 file being played.
2.  REPEAT/EQ BUTTON - Press this button once to activate repeat, which will repeat the cur-
rently playing song until stop is pressed. Press and hold this button to activate EQ mode, which 
let select among the different types equalization that can be applied the song currently playing.
3.  STOP/POWER BUTTON - Press this button once to stop the Mp3 player. Press and hold this 
button to the Mp3 player on/off.
4.  USB/SD BUTTON - Press this button once to select the USB drive. Press and hold this button 
to select the SD drive.
5.  MIC LEVEL - This knob is used to regulate the microphone output volume. Turning the knob in 
a clockwise direction will increase the volume level.
6. LINE LEVEL INPUT VOLUME – This knob is used to regulate the output signal of the line level 
source connected to the Line Level Input Jack (13). 
7.  OUTPUT VOLUME - This knob is used to regulate the output volume. Turning the knob in a 
clockwise direction will increase the volume level.
8. TREBLE CONTROL – This knob is used to adjust the amount treble applied to the output sig-
nal. The maximum amount of treble gain is +12dB and the maximum amount of treble decrease 
is -12dB. Turning the knob in a counter-clockwise direction will decrease the amount of treble 
applied to a channel signal, turning the knob in a clockwise direction will increase the amount 
of treble applied to a channel signal.
9.  BASS CONTROL – This knob is used to adjust the amount bass applied to the output signa\
l. 
The  maximum  amount  of  bass  gain  is  +12dB  and  the  maximum  amount  of  bass  decrease  is 
-12dB. Turning the knob in a counter-clockwise direction will decrease the amount of bass ap-
plied to a channel signal, turning the knob in a clockwise direction will increase the amount of 
bass applied to a channel signal.
10. MAIN POWER INLET – This connector is used to supply main power to the unit via the 
included detachable power cord. The power connection uses an I.E.C. type connector, use 
only the supplied polarized AC power cord. Use only a power cord that matches this type 
of connection. Be sure to only connect this unit to a power outlet that matches the printed 
power label on the unit. Never use a power when the ground prong has been removed or 
broken off. The ground prong is used to reduce the risk of electrical shock in case of an elec-
trical short.  This cord is designed to fit in one direction only. Do not attempt to force a cord 
if it does not fit, be sure the cord is being inserted properly.
11. MAIN POWER SWITCH – This is the main power ON/OFF button. Before main power is 
applied, be sure you have made all connections to the speaker. Remember to avoid damaging 
pops to the speakers, the mixer is turned on first and turned off last.
12. XLR PARALLEL OUTPUT JACK – This jack is used to send the incoming line level signal from 
either of the Line Level Inputs Jacks to another ELS15 USB or other line level input jack such 
as a mixer or power amp.
13. BALANCED XLR/RCA COMBO LINE INPUT – This connection is designed to accept a bal-
anced line input signal from a mixer or other line level device with a balanced output jack. Use a  
						

							©American Audio®   -   www.AmericanAudio.us   -  ELS15 USB   -   Instruction Manual Page 8
 ELS15 USB                           Rear Panel Controls and Features
balanced cable when the signal cable length exceeds 15 feet, this will r\
educe excessive signal 
loss. Be sure to connect only line level input devices such as mixers and tape machi\
nes to this 
jack.
 FUSE HOLDER – This housing stores the 3.15 amp GMA protective fuse. Always replace with 
the exact same type fuse, unless otherwise instructed, by an authorized \
American Audio® 
service technician. Replacing with any other type of fuse than that of the recommended fuse 
will void your unit warranty.
14.  MIC XLR/1/4” INPUT – This jack will accept a XLR or 1/4” plug. The volume output level for      
this microphone will be controlled by the MIC Volume knob (9).
15.  NEXT/VOL + BUTTON - Press this button once to go to the next song. Press and hold this 
button to increase the volume of the Mp3 Player.
16.  USB INPUT - Plug in any USB memory stick with Mp3 files to be played.
17.  PAUSE/PLAY BUTTON - Press this button once to play your chosen song, press this button 
again to momentarily interrupt playing. Press and hold this button to pause the playing song.
18.  PREVIOUS/VOL - BUTTON - Press this button once to go to the previous song. Press and 
hold this button to decrease the volume of the Mp3 Player.
19.  SD INPUT - This  slot  is  used  to  insert  a  SD,  non-violatile  memory  card  with  Mp3  files  to  be 
read.
 ELS15 USB                                                        Remote Control
This remote features all of the selectable functions, so that you can easily operate your Mp3 
reader at a distance of up to 3 meters from your audio installation.
1. PLAY/PAUSE BUTTON
2. VOLUME -
3. VOLUME +
4. NEXT
7. PREVIOUS
8. EQ SELECT
9. USB/SD MODE 
						

							©American Audio®   -   www.AmericanAudio.us   -  ELS15 USB   -   Instruction Manual Page 9
 ELS15 USB                                      Typical Speaker Set-Up
Typical ELS15 USB Output Set-Up
XLR-XLR Balanced Cables 
						

							©American Audio®   -   www.AmericanAudio.us   - ELS15 USB   -   Instruction Manual Page 10
 ELS15 USB                                            Looping Speakers
ELS15 USB Looping
To Next ELS15 USB (If Applicable)
From Mixer