WLA-25
WLA-25SUB
WLA-25SUB MKII
WLA-25 FLY FRAMESUSER MANUAL

www.wharfedalepro.com

Contents
IMPORTANT WARNINGS & SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS...................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................................. 2
FEATURES........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
SPLAY ANGLES................................................................................................................................................................... 4
LEVEL TAPERING............................................................................................................................................................... 4
FLEXIBLE ARRAYS............................................................................................................................................................. 5
OPTIMISED GROUND STACKING...................................................................................................................................... 6
AIR ABSORPTION............................................................................................................................................................... 6
AIR ABSORPTION............................................................................................................................................................... 7
WLA-25 / WLA-25SUB / WLA-25 Common Fly Frames...................................................................................................... 8
DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25.................................................................................................................................. 9
DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS - WLA-25 STAND FRAME................................................................................................... 10
DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25SUB......................................................................................................................... 11
DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25 FLY FRAME........................................................................................................... 12
DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25SUB FLY FRAME.................................................................................................... 13
DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25 COMMON FLY FRAME......................................................................................... 14
SPECIFICATION................................................................................................................................................................ 15
WHARFEDALE PRO LIMITED WARRANTY..................................................................................................................... 17

IMPORTANT WARNINGS & SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS•

Read these instructions•

Follow these instructions•

Keep these instructions for future reference•

Heed all warnings•

Do not use this system near moisture or water•

Clean only with a dry cloth•

Install in accordance with these Wharfedale Pro operating instructions•

Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions for all peripheral devices such as amplifiers and processors•

Do not install near heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or any other apparatus that produces heat (forexample lighting systems and amplifiers)•

Use only accessories specified or supplied by Wharfedale Pro•

Do not use shielded microphone/instrument cables to connect amplifiers and speakers, use only approved speaker
cables with proper connectors•

Use caution with placement and operation of this speaker system, permanent hearing damage can be caused byprolonged exposure to excessive sound pressure levels•

Refer all servicing to qualified professionals. Servicing is required when the loudspeaker has been damaged in any
way, such as impact damage, liquid ingress or foreign object damage. In addition the loudspeaker should be referredto qualified service personnel if there is any kind of malfunction.

Rigging, suspending and mounting should only be attempted by experience qualified professionals. Incorrect usage canresult in damage to equipment and property, injury and even death. Under no circumstances should you attempt to rig,
suspend or mount these speakers unless you are fully qualified and certified to do so by relevant local, state and national
authorities. If you are not properly qualified or do not know of pertinent regulations consult qualified personnel for advice.
Consult a structural engineer before suspending a speaker system and ensure that the total weight of your system canbe held by the truss or mounting surface.

Inspect all mounting hardware before your line array is flown. If there is any damage or distortion to any mounting
hardware do not fly the array until any damaged hardware is repaired or replaced. Only use Wharfedale Pro supplied
Quick release Pins, contact your Wharfedale Pro Distributor if any quick release pins are lost or damaged.

1

INTRODUCTION
Designed for the most demanding concert and installation audio professionals, the WLA-25 system sets new standards
for astonishing acoustical performance in a compact size.
Line arrays are increasingly employed in a wider range of venues and applications. Frequently these venues have heightor sightline restrictions that limit the placement and size of the array. Rising fuel costs are putting pressure on touringsystem providers to downsize their transportation requirements. At the same time, client and audience expectations foraudio performance has never been higher. To meet these needs, Wharfedale Pro embarked on a program to develop themost compact, highest output line array speaker system available.
Each WLA-25 element uses a pair of high-power, 5” low-frequency drivers. Both cover low frequencies while only one
extends into the mid range, thus maintaining horizontal dispersion control at a crossover. High frequencies are handled
by a premium 1.75” diaphragm, neodymium compression driver, 100° x 10° multiple aperture diffraction waveguide. This
creates a wide coverage with a superb stereo image and allows for more diverse placement.
The waveguide exit extends nearly to the top and bottom of the enclosure to create a continuous acoustical source withminimal discontinuities between adjacent elements resulting in greatly reduced destructive interaction.
Premium materials are used throughout the system. The enclosure is constructed of Baltic birch plywood and coatedin an environmentally friendly, waterborne polymer finish that is field repairable. To keep the weight to a minimum andprevent rust, suspension fittings are made of aluminium.
An elegantly simple 3-point suspension system combined with light weight, compact size and excellent handlingergonomics mean that a one person crew can easily deploy an array. With a choice of 3 different fly frame options
suspension is easy, tidy and safe. The WLA-25 system is equally at home in the air or ground-stacked.

2

FEATURES
WLA-25High sensitivity, Full Horn Loaded design
120W RMS/240W Program/480W Peak Power Handling
Dual 5” woofer, 1.5” voice coils
1x1” exit HF compression driver
1.7 “ Titanium diaphragm, neodymium magnet compression driver
100°x10° degree constant-directivity horn
Nominal Passive Crossover Network
Front hinged rigging system
Captive rigging hardware with tethered quick release pins
Comprehensive adjustable splay angles
Integral, side plate adjustable rigging system, vertical splay adjustable in 1° increments from 0°-10°
Trapezoid Baltic birch plywood enclosure
2 x Parallel Speakon Inputs
Black or white paint finish

WLA-25SUB
700W RMS/1400W Program/2800W Peak power handlingRoad ready subwoofer system
Dual 10” woofers, 2.5” voice coil
Nominal Impedance 4 Ohm
Strong internal bracing prevents bass loss and distortion from enclosure, vibration and resonance2 x Parallel Speakon Inputs
Black or white paint finish

WLA-25SUB MKII
700W RMS/1400W Program/2800W Peak power handlingRoad ready subwoofer system
Dual 10” woofers, 2.5” voice coil
Nominal Impedance 4 Ohm
Strong internal bracing prevents bass loss and distortion from enclosure, vibration and resonance2 x Parallel Speakon Inputs
Black or white paint finish
M20 threaded pole socket for integration into a pole and WLA-25 Stand Frame system.

3

SPLAY ANGLESThe WLA can be configured with several different splay angles. The splay angles determine the amount of overlap
between the individual units. This is used to determine the amount of summation or ‘throw’ for separate sections of
the array. As the splay angle between boxes increases the summation decreases but the spectral variance due tointeractions between the elements is also decreased.
For many venues a good compromise between throw and spectral variance can be reached by varying the splay angle
across the length of the array. By varying the angular separation along the length of the array, a balance can be met for
the required coverage. Smaller splay angles provide higher summation to cover more distant seating and bleachers.
Larger splay angles provide lower summation with reduced spectral variance for close seating. Used correctly this canprovide even coverage over long distances.
Each group of loudspeakers with different splay angle will require a separate channel of amplification and different EQ
settings. This is due to the different summation effects by differing splay angles.

LEVEL TAPERING
Tapering the level of enclosures has a beam steering effect which can be used in the conjunction with angular separation
between elements. The beam will be steered away from the ‘on-axis’ centre line of array toward the cabs being driven
at the highest level. The extent of the beam steering effect depends on the length of the array and the level difference
between the top and the bottom of the array. This technique allows you to further tailor the vertical coverage to differently
shaped venues, reducing the level variance between the front and rear of the venue.
Ideally the level of each enclosure is tapered gradually (e.g. 0.5dB or 1dB per element). This means you will require an
amplifier channel per element. Groups of elements can be tapered in pairs or more, although a more gradual taper will
give you smoother vertical pattern control.

4

FLEXIBLE ARRAYS
Arrays can be assembled using only WLA-25 line array modules or with WLA-25SUB Subwoofers at the top of the array.
The WLA-25SUB Fly Frame allows for a WLA-25SUB subwoofer to be used at the top of the array. The WLA-25SUB Fly
Frame supports up to 12 x WLA-25 modules and 1 x WLA-25SUB with a safety factor of 12.

Arrays can be assembled using only WLA-25 line array modules. The smaller WLA-25 Fly Frame supports up to 12 x
WLA-25 modules with a safety factor of 12.

The WLA-25 Common Fly Frame allows for either WLA-25 elements or WLA-25SUB elements to be flown.

5

OPTIMISED GROUND STACKING
WLA-25 rigging doubles up as an optimized ground stacking system, using the WLA-25SUB subwoofer as a base. Arraysof WLA-25 line array elements can be aimed downwards by as much as 10° to cover audience areas close to a stage, as
well as upward by as much as 10° in order to better cover distant balcony seating areas.

AIR ABSORPTION
The high frequency performance of the medium and long throw sections of the line array will be limited by air absorption.
As the distance from the source increases, the mid and high frequencies will be reduced. The amount of absorption at agiven frequency is function of pressure, temperature and relative humidity. By far the most important factor is the relative
humidity, although temperature does have a significant effect.
To achieve minimal spectral variance across the coverage of the array, the groups of loudspeakers covering the middle torear of the venue will require equalization to compensate for this effect. Air absorption is difficult to predict with any great
accuracy, and in any case the relative humidity of the venue is likely to change when the audience arrive or the weatherchanges. It is important that the venue is monitored during the event as the equalization applied during the design stage
with an empty venue may not be suitable during the event.
As a general guide, boost above 8kHz for a long throw group of loudspeakers and 12kHz for a medium throw group of
loudspeakers.
The chart overleaf shows attenuation in dB/m for a given frequency and humidity. It is important to note that the effects of
air attenuation are linear, unlike the level of attenuation from distance from the inverse square law. For example, at 100m
a source would be 40dB down compared to it’s SPL at 1m. Assuming 50% relative humidity and 20° the level at 10kHz
will be an additional 16dB below this (approximately 56dB down).

6AIR ABSORPTION

The WLA-25 has internal crossovers. The internal crossover of the WLA-25 loudspeaker divides the audio signal into theseparate frequency ranges for each driver.
The WLA-25SUB subwoofers do not have internal crossovers. This function must be supplied by external electronic
devices such as the Wharfedale Pro Versadrive series or LMX-204.

7

WLA-25 / WLA-25SUB / WLA-25 Common Fly Frames
The WLA-25 / WLA-25SUB and the WLA-25 Common Fly Frames are certified to hold a total weight (including third party
hardware) of 280kg. Up to 12 WLA-25 1 WLA-25SUB elements can be flown with a safety factor of 12.
The WLA-25 fly frame is certified to hold a total weight (including third party hardware) of 230kg. Up to 12 WLA-25
elements can be flown with a safety factor of 12.
Only use Wharfedale Pro fly frames. Ensure that only rated, certified hardware such as tumbuckles, shackles and chainsare used.
Ensure that all truss, structures and flying hardware are capable of suspending the entire array, plus flying hardware, to asuitable safety factor.

Rigging, suspending and mounting should only be attempted by experienced qualified professionals. Incorrect usage canresult in damage to equipment and property, injury and even death. Under no circumstances should you attempt to rig,
suspend or mount these speakers unless you are fully qualified or do not know of pertinent regulations consult qualified
personel for advice. Consult a structural engineer before suspending a speaker system and ensure that the total weightof your system can be held by the truss or mounting surface.

Inspect all mounting hardware before your line array is flown. If there is any damage or distortion to any mounting
hardware do not fly the array until any damaged hardware is repaired or replaced. Only use Wharfedale Pro supplied
quick release pins and contact your Wharfedale Pro distributor if any quick release pins are lost or damaged.

8

DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25

9

DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS - WLA-25 STAND FRAME

10DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25SUB

11

DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25 FLY FRAME

95.0

50.0

462.5

543.0

The WLA-25 fly frame is certified to hold a total weight (including third party hardware) of 230kg. Up to 12 WLA-25
elements can be flown with a safety factor of 12.

12

DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25SUB FLY FRAME

95.0

50.0

650.0

543.0

The WLA-25/ WLA-25SUB fly frame is certified to hold a total weight (including third party hardware) of 280kg. Up to 12
WLA-25 and 1 WLA-25SUB elements can be flown with a safety factor of 12.

13

DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS-WLA-25 COMMON FLY FRAME

14SPECIFICATION
Model Name

WLA-25

WLA-25SUB

System Type
Configuration
Frequency Response (+/-3dB)
Frequency Range (- 10 dB)
Sensitivity 2.83v/1m
Calculated Maximum SPL @1m
System Rated Impedance
Low Frequency Transducer
LF Size (mm / inches)
LF  Voice-Coil Size (mm / inches)
LF Magnet Material
LF Frame Material
Rated Impedance
LF Power re:AES2-2012
High Frequency Transducer
HF Driver Type:       Coil Size (mm / inches)
Exit Size (mm / inches)
HF Magnet Material
Diaphragm Material
Rated Impedance
HF Power re:AES2-2012
Waveguide Type
Nominal Coverage (H x V)
Power
System Continuous Power (w)System Programme Power (w)System Peak Power (w)Crossover frequency
Input Connector
Riggingpole mounthandles
Enclosurecabinet type
Enclosure Material and finish
Colour Options
Grille Material & Finish
Dimensions - Unpacked (mm / inches):
HeightWidth
Depth
Dimensions - Packed (mm / inches):
HeightWidth
Depth
Weight
Net Weight (kg / lbs)
Gross Weight (kg / lbs)

Passive
two-way
108-18kHz
108-20kHz
HF:108dB/LF:100dB
HF:135dB/LF:127dB
16Ω

Passive
Subwoofer
56-1.5kHz
56-2.0kHz
107dB
141dB
4Ω

130mm / 5''35.0mm / 1.4''
ferritealuminium
16Ω
2X60W

254mm / 10''65.5mm / 2.5''
ferritealuminium
8Ω
2X350W

Compression Driver
44mm / 1.75''
1"
NdFeB
Titanium16Ω
40W
square100°x10°
HF:40W/LF:120W
HF:80W/LF:240W
HF:160W/LF:480W
3.7kHz2xSpeakon
Intergral side plate adjustable rigging0°-10°
NO
yes

700W
1400W
2800W

Trapezoid
15mm,18mm plywood
black or white paintsteelsquare15mm,18mm plywood
black or white paintsteel

536mm/21.1"363mm/14.3"
164.5mm/6.45"

536mm/21.1"
400mm/15.7"550mm/21.7"

606mm/23.9"
430mm/16.9"
235mm/9.3"

610mm/24.0"470mm/18.5"
596mm/23.5"

13kg/28.6lbs
15kg/33lbs

37kg/81.4lbs
39.5kg/86.9lbs
15

2xSpeakon
Integral, non-adjustableNO
yesSPECIFICATION
Model Name

WLA-25SUB MKII

System Type
Configuration
Frequency Response (+/-3dB)
Frequency Range (- 10 dB)
Sensitivity 2.83v/1m
Calculated Maximum SPL @1m
System Rated Impedance
Low Frequency Transducer
LF Size (mm / inches)
LF  Voice-Coil Size (mm / inches)
LF Magnet Material
LF Frame Material
Rated Impedance
LF Power re:AES2-2012
High Frequency Transducer
HF Driver Type:       Coil Size (mm / inches)
Exit Size (mm / inches)
HF Magnet Material
Diaphragm Material
Rated Impedance
HF Power re:AES2-2012
Waveguide Type
Nominal Coverage (H x V)
Power
System Continuous Power (w)System Programme Power (w)System Peak Power (w)Crossover frequency
Input Connector
Riggingpole mounthandles
Enclosurecabinet type
Enclosure Material and finish
Colour Options
Grille Material & Finish
Dimensions - Unpacked (mm / inches):
HeightWidth
Depth
Dimensions - Packed (mm / inches):
HeightWidth
Depth
Weight
Net Weight (kg / lbs)
Gross Weight (kg / lbs)

Passive
Subwoofer
56-1.5kHz
56-2.0kHz
107dB
141dB
4Ω
254mm / 10''65.5mm / 2.5''
ferritealuminium
8Ω
2X350W

700W
1400W
2800W
2xSpeakon
Integral, non-adjustable
M20 threadedyessquare15mm,18mm plywood
black or white paintsteel
536mm/21.1"
400mm/15.7"550mm/21.7"610mm/24.0"470mm/18.5"
596mm/23.5"
37kg/81.4lbs
39.5kg/86.9lbs
16

WHARFEDALE PRO LIMITED WARRANTY
Wharfedale Pro products are warranted of manufacturing or material defects for a period of one
year from the original date of purchase. In the event of malfunction, contact your authorized
Wharfedale Pro dealer or distributor for information.
*Be aware that warranty details may differ from country to country. Contact your dealer or
distributor for information. These terms do not infringe your statutory rights.

17

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 © 2018 Wharfedale Pro. Wharfedale Pro is a member of the IAG Group.