Wharfedale Pro User Manual

WLA-28X

www.wharfedalepro.com

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS - carefully and become familiar with the features and functionsof these products before operating them.

2.

RETAIN THESE INSTRUCTIONS - for future reference.

3.

COMPLY WITH ALL WARNINGS - All warnings and instructions for this product should be
adhered to.

4.

USE WITH AMPLIFIERS - In order to avoid damage to drivers and other equipment, it isadvisable to establish and follow a routine for powering up and powering down a soundsystem. With all system components connected, turn on source equipment (mixers, signal
processors, record and playback units, etc.) BEFORE powering up ampliﬁers. Transient
voltages from powering up source equipment can damage speakers if ampliﬁers are alreadyturned on. Make sure that ampliﬁer volumes are set to their minimum settings and power
up any system ampliﬁers LAST. It is recommended that all system components be allowed
to stabilize for several seconds before any source signals are introduced or level setting
adjustments are made. Similarly, when shutting systems down, turn all ampliﬁers oﬀ ﬁrst,before powering down any other system components.

5.

CABLES - Do not use shielded or microphone cables for connection between ampliﬁers andspeakers. Use only approved speaker cables with proper connectors.

6.

CAUTION - Professional loudspeaker systems are capable of generating very high soundpressure levels. Use care with placement and operation to avoid exposure to excessive
volume levels. Permanent hearing damage can result when operated to extreme levels.

7.

SERVICE - There are no user serviceable parts inside this product. Users should not attempt
to service this product. Warranty nulliﬁcation could result if this is attempted.

3.

RIGGING - SUSPENDING - MOUNTING - Rigging suspending or mounting of speaker systems
can expose members of the public to serious health risks and even death.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT TO RIG, SUSPEND OR OTHERWISE MOUNT THESE
SPEAKERS UNLESS YOU ARE FULLY QUALIFIED AND CERTIFIED TO DO SO BY RELEVANT LOCAL,STATE AND NATIONAL AUTHORITIES. ALL RELEVANT SAFETY REGULATIONS MUST BE FOLLOWED.
IF YOU ARE NOT PROPERLY QUALIFIED OR DO NOT KNOW OF PERTINENT REGULATIONS,CONSULT QUALIFIED PERSONNEL FOR ADVICE.

1

PRODUCT FEATURESThe original WLA-28 has become a favourite around the world. Dual 8” drivers, extreme SPL
capabilities and an impressive price to performance ratio has meant that WLA-28 can be found onstage, on tour and in ﬁxed installations.
The newly updated WLA-28X now takes that power and performance to a new level. With animproved HF compression driver, new ﬂat grille design and improved HF protection circuitry, theWLA-28X is ready to impress.
The new custom designed HF compression driver now delivers more control and more deﬁnition
to the HF content.
The ﬂat grille face also makes life easier for rental companies and improves long-term durability.

Features•Re-designed dual 8” Passive line array•Re-deﬁned HF compression driver•Improved HF protection circuit•

Bi-amp and Passive mode switching•

System AES (Continuous) LF: 400 W HF: 90 W•

System Programme Power LF: 800 W HF: 180 W•

System Peak Power LF: 1600 W HF: 360 W•

15 mm / 18 mm Birch Plywood construction

HF COMPRESSION DRIVER
The new neo HF compression driver delivers additional clarity and performance with enhanceddeﬁnition.

Frequency

Impedance

2

SYSTEM IDEAS

3

SYSTEM IDEAS

4

SYSTEM IDEAS

5

SYSTEM IDEAS

BI-AMP MODE
For complete system versatility the WLA-28X can be
conﬁgured in either Bi-amp or Passive mode
PASSIVE
MODE

BI-AMP
MODE

6

SYSTEM TUNING
To get the most from any line array, it needs setting up correctly. Without tuning and reﬁning, thesystem will not deliver to its full potential.
The system not only needs to be tuned to the room or venue, but the individual elements of thearray need to be tuned to work perfectly in relation to each other. By following the 4 ‘Tuning Tips’
you can improve the overall performance of your line array.

1. ARRAY SCALING
As elements are combined, the lower frequencies are proportionally increased. Therefore, whenmore elements are used, more LF reduction is needed.

2 to 4 elements

5 to 8 elements

8 elements or more

2. RANGE EQHigher frequencies are reduced in energy by distance. This is as a result of air absorption. To
compensate for this energy loss over distance, Peaking or Bell ﬁlters should be used.
The amount of energy absorbed by air also changes as a result of humidity. So always think about
this constantly variable loss (or comparative gain) of HF energy.

More HF EQ needed due to distanceLessH
due t F EQ
odneedistanedce7

3. SHAPE EQ
The physical shape of the array has a profound impact on its sonic performance. These physicalconsiderations should be compensated for within the DSP EQ to ensure a smooth frequencyresponse.
a) A at array using minimum splay angles betweenb) A curved array will have a reduction in mid

the elements will naturally have a boost in the mid

Physical coupling results inboost in mid frequencies

LF

MF

Reduced physical coupling results
in reduced mid frequencies

LF

HF

MF

HF

4. SUB PLACEMENT
Having the subwoofers physically aligned in thesame plane as the array elements is the ideal
scenario. However, this is not always possible.
In situations where the subwoofers and thearray elements cannot be physically aligned, aDSP delay should be used.

Subs are behind array.

Subs infront of the array.

The array needs the delay.

The subs need the delay.

1 ms (milliseconds) delay for every 0.34 m(@15° C) can get you an acceptable result.
It is highly recommended that further ﬁne-tuning
should be done by using one of the manyindustry standard measurement softwaresystems, reference microphones and soundcards.

1 ms (milliseconds) delay8

LINE DRAWINGS

463.2

250.0

760.0

9

FLY FRAME OPTIONS
WLA-28 Fly Frame
For ﬂying WLA-28 elements
Up to 12 x WLA-28 elements can be ﬂown with a safety factor of 12.
The WLA-28 Fly Frame is certiﬁed to hold a total weight (including third party hardware) of 450 kg.
Net weight : 11.0 kg / 24.2 lbs

25.0

650.0
165.0

30.0

0.0

Ø2

6.0
7.0

10*

180.0

Ø20.0

1

361.5

25.0
50.0

38.0

4.5 2.5
14 2

Ø1

Ø

55.0

.0

72.0

R4

741.0

735.0ā0.5

R10.0

30.0.5Ø14

Ø1

2*Ø10.5

5.0

R1

6.0

15.0
15.0

25.0
85.0

25.0

55.0

80.0

766.0

30.0

6.0
8.0

505.5

4.5

4*Ø
1
R1 0.55.0

106.0

FLY FRAME OPTIONSWLA-28SUB Fly Frame
For ﬂying WLA-28 SUB plus WLA-28 elements
12 x WLA-28 and 1 x WLA-15B can be ﬂown with a safety factor of 12.
The WLA-28 SUB ﬂy frame is certiﬁed to hold a total weight (including third party hardware) of 450 kg.
Net weight : 13.7 kg / 30.2 lbs
780.0
100.0

30.0

25.0

0.0

Ø225.06.0
7.0

10*641.0

72.0

55.0

R46.0
8.0.0

766.0
741.0
*735.0

30.0

38.0

50.0

1115.0Ø20.0

4.5 2.5 214Ø1Ø

25.0
50.0

562.0

Ø1430.0.5
Ø1455.0

4*

6.0

Ø10.5

5.0

R1

6.0

0.0

R1R1

10.

2*Ø

25.0
85.0

80.0.5

15.0
15.0

25.0

55.0

11

FLY FRAME OPTIONS
WLA-28 Common Fly Frame
For ﬂying WLA-28SUB plus WLA-28 elements
Certiﬁed for 12 pcs of WLA-28 or 12 pieces of WLA-28 plus 1 piece of WLA-28SUB with a safety
factor of 12.
The WLA-28 Common ﬂy frame is certiﬁed to hold a total weight (including third party hardware)of 450 kg.
Net weight : 15.52 kg / 34.1 lbs
780.0
25.0
30.025.0

6.0
7.0

10*Ø20.0

641.0

72.0
30.0
81.0.0

36.0

R4

6.0
8.0

735.0

741.0ā0.5

55.0

2

50.4

38.0
3

Ø10.0

562.0
4.5

4.5

4.5

32.25

Ø155.0

2-M

5M5

Ø1

107.5
215.0

25.0

4.5

Ø1

5.0

4*

6.0

Ø1

0.5

5.0

R1

0.0

R1

R1

2*

6.0

15.0
15.0

50.
Ø1

25.0
85.0

30.0.5
Ø14

12

25.0
50.0

115.0
Ø2

80.0

766.0

134.0

FLY FRAME OPTIONS
WLA-28 Dolly Frame
For ﬂying WLA-28 SUB plus WLA-28 elements
Fly up to 12 x WLA-28 OR....Fly up to 12 x WLA-28 AND a WLA-28SUB with a safety factor of 12.
For ground stacking, a maximum of 1 x WLA-28SUB plus 4 x WLA-28 elements should be used.
The WLA-28 Dolly frame is certiﬁed to hold a total weight (including third party hardware) of 450 kg.
Net weight : 31.6 kg / 69.5 lbs

13

SPECIFICATIONS
Model Name

WLA-28X

System Type2 x 8” Two-way

Frequency Response (+/-3 dB)

65 Hz-20 KHz

Sensitivity (2.83 v / 1 m)

101 dB

Calculated Maximum SPL @1 m

133 dB

Nominal Coverage (H x V)

100°x10°

Power:Continuous / Programme / Peak

Passive: 400 W / 800 W / 1600 W
Bi-amp LF: 400 W / 800 W / 1600 W
Bi-amp HF: 90 W / 180 W / 360 W

Rated Impedance ( Ω )Passive: 16 Ω
Bi-amp LF: 16 Ω ; Bi-amp HF: 16 Ω

HF Diaphragm Material

Titanium

HF Magnet Material

NdFeB

LF Magnet Material

FerriteLF Frame Material

Aluminium

HF Coil Size (inches/mm)

3.0” (75 mm)

LF Coil Size (inches/mm)

2.0” (51.6 mm)

Crossover Frequency

1.7 KHz

Cabinet Type

Trapezoid

Enclosure Material and ﬁnish

18 mm / 15 mm Plywood

Enclosure Colour

Black paint

Grille Material & Finish

1.5 mm SteelConnectors

Neutrik NL4MP

HardwareIntegral side plate adjustablerigging 0°-10°

Cabinet Dimensions HxWxD(mm) 250 x 760 x 463.2 mm
Packed Dimensions HxWxD(mm) 320 x 830 x 534 mm
Net Weight (Kg)

29.5 Kg

Gross Weight (Kg)

32.0 Kg

14

Wharfedale Pro products are warranted of manufacturing or material defects for a period of
three years from the original date of purchase. In the event of malfunction, contact yourauthorised Wharfedale Pro dealer or distributor for information.
Please be aware that the warranty details may diﬀer from country to country. Contact your dealer or distributor forinformation (available at www.wharfedalepro.com). These terms do not infringe your statutory rights.

WHARFEDALE PROFESSIONAL
IAG House, 13/14 Glebe Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 7DL, UK
www.wharfedalepro.com
Wharfedale Professional reserves the right to alter or improve speciﬁcations without notice.
All rights reserved © 2023 Wharfedale Pro. Wharfedale Pro is a member of the IAG Group.

April 2023