Mackie SA1232 Dual 12" Powered PA Cabinet

Mackie SA1232 Dual 12" Powered PA Cabinet
The SA1232 is a high efficiency, extreme output, active 3-way, wide dispersion, sound reinforcement speaker system. The SA1232 benefits from the integration of 1300 watts of amplifier power, complete active control electronics, RCF Precision components and a speaker system with 103dB of sensitivity (@ 1 watt/1 meter). The result is unprecedented output, resolution and clarity as well as mid-range reproduction previously available only from high end, esoteric PA speaker systems.

The SA1232 features the same horn assembly as introduced in the Mackie Designs SR1530 active 3-way speaker. The horn is a one piece design with 90º x 40º dispersion that integrates both the mid range and high frequency sections. This allows for the horn loading of the mid-range transducer and seamless coupling between the MF and HF sections. The 6-inch mid-range's basket assembly is designed as part of the horn assembly and is also designed to function as an optimized compression chamber, dramatically simplifying the mid-range assembly. Also, in three-way designs the mid frequency horn and the high frequency horn are physically pointing to a different location in front of the box. The SA1232 features an "Optimized Wavefront" horn design. Unlike typical mid / high horns, the high frequency section is positioned to fire down into the six-inch mid-range’s dispersion pattern. This creates a focused, single wave front with excellent phase and power response characteristics.

The SA1232 Mid / High Section is designed to deliver over 136dB of acoustic output. This required the design of radically different components from what was used in the SR1530. The SA1232 incorporates several state of the art advancements in transducer technology that have been in development for over two years. The compression driver is a new 1.75-inch titanium diaphragm design featuring a 3-slot, low distortion geometry phase plug. The magnetic structure incorporates pure, high grade, Neodymium providing a higher gauss capability, significant weight reduction and higher BL (force) in the magnetic gap. This results in higher control of the moving mass and audio reproduction with lower distortion and distortion artifacts.

Although the six-inch diaphragm from the SR1530 looks similar to that of the SA1232, they are in fact dramatically different. Once again the RCF Precision engineering team developed a new Neodymium magnetic structure that provides the control and efficiency required to keep up with the compression driver. By itself, the mid-range transducer has over 106 dB of sensitivity at 1 watt / 1 meter but, more importantly, it also possesses excellent distortion and linearity. This is a fundamental reason why 3-way systems can reproduce mid-band audio signal with higher output, definition and dynamics. The mid-range transducer operates between 700 Hz and 3,000 Hz eliminating the placement of a crossover point in the middle of critical voice frequencies. The amplifiers for the compression driver and mid range incorporate a Class AB topology renowned for its clarity, warmth and more importantly the high voltage output required to generate extreme SPL levels.

The SA1232 produces deep bass through a duo of 12-inch high efficiency RCF Precision woofers. The magnetic structure designed for the woofer motor is greatly responsible for the system's resulting low frequency section sensitivity of 101 dB at 1 watt / 1 meter. High efficiency motors provide an extraordinary amount of force compared to the overall cone area along with complete control of the cone mass. Two 12-inch woofers provide greater air movement than a single 18” woofer but with greater speed, control and better attack. This type of control allow the woofers to deliver extended bass response and to efficiently reach the mid frequency crossover point. The SA1232 frequency response is linear between 45Hz and 18KHz (+/-3dB).

The rear mounted amplifier assembly features separate signal and AC power panels separated by a large aluminum heat sink. The signal input panel contains an input and