SWR SM500 Classic Series Bass Amplifier Head (500 Watts)

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SWR SM500 Classic Series Bass Amplifier Head (500 Watts), Main
SWR SM500 Classic Series Bass Amplifier Head (500 Watts), Main
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
4-band paragraphic EQ. Tube preamp.

This advanced head features stereo or mono operation (250 watts per side or 500W mono at 4 ohms), precision 4-band paragraphic EQ plus Bass, Treble, and Transparency controls (all EQ is +/-15dB cut/boost). Paragraphic EQ provides frequency sweep knobs and a level slider for each band. The SM500 has a tube preamp, an adjustable Limiter, SWR's famous Aural Enhancer, a sidechain Effects Loop with Blend control, Speakon and 1/4" outputs, and an XLR Direct Out with switching for Line/Direct mode. All this power, versatility, and tone from an amp only 20 lbs. in weight. This is a serious professional amp, the best bass head SWR offers.

Front Panel Features
- Dual independent input jacks compatible for both active and passive instruments

- Gain control with LED peak clipping indicator

- Limiter with variable threshold control

- Aural Enhancer Control

- Bass Control +15dB - 15dB (shelving point 80 Hz)

- Treble Control +15dB - 15dB (shelving point 2 KHz)

- Transparency Control +15dB - 15dB (shelving point 5 KHz)

- Variable Graphic Equalizer +15dB - 15dB:
Band One: 40 Hz to 160 Hz
Band Two: 80 Hz to 320 Hz
Band Three: 200 Hz to 800 Hz
Band Four: 400 Hz to 1600 Hz

- Effects Blend Control

- Dual Concentric (Stereo) Master Volume Control

- Rack Handles

- Speaker On/Off Switch

- Power On/Off Switch

Rear Panel Features:
- Side Chain Effects Loop

- Tuner Output

- Balanced XLR Output with select switch for Line or Direct Mode, ground lift and pad control

-… read more Power Amp Assign Switch selects Bridge or Stereo Mode

Speaker Outputs:
- Two 1/4" jacks each for Left and Right Stereo Out

- One Speakon jack for Left and Right Side Output

- One Speakon Output Jack for Mono Operation

- Speaker fuses (x2): 3AG, 8 Amp, Fast Blo

- Line Fuse: 3AG, 7 Amp, Slow Blo

Internal Features
(1) 12AX7 Preamp Tube Cooling fan read less

Frequency Response: 10Hz and 40KHz (Power Amplifier)

Dimensions (H x W x D): 3.5 x 19 x 13.375 in.

Weight: 20 lbs.

Power Output
Bridge/Mono Mode:
500 Watts @ 4 Ohms
400 Watts @ 8 Ohms
250 Watts @ 16 Ohms
(minimum load = 4 Ohms)

Stereo Mode (per side):
300 watts @ 2 Ohms
250 watts @ 4 Ohms
150 watts @ 8 Ohms
(minimum load = 2 Ohms)

Sensitivity
Full output under clipping, 8 ohms load, 100 Hz

Passive Input Jack: 38 millivolts

Active Input Jack: 155 millivolts

Power Amplifier (Effects Return Jack "in"): .5 volts

Signal To Noise Ratio: -72 dB(<10 millivolts typical)

Equivalent Input Noise: 9 microvolts

Input Impedance
Passive/Active Input: 800K Ohms

Active Input: 60K Ohms

Effects Return: 27K Ohms

Output Impedance
Effects Send: 100 Ohms

XLR Balanced Out: 750 Ohms

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 480-596-7195
Owner's Manual

Submitted July 17, 2006

SWR SM500 Bass Head Customer Review

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Used this head for about 1.5 years and started to have problems with it. I would say that the tone qualities are fine (if you aren't looking for an SVT type growl) - smooth and punchy although it has that 'typical' Eden/SWR loudness button sound. My problem with this head was that it didn't hold up in the face of constant use. It started to cut out on me (overheating, I think, although the road case was very well ventilated). Also, there has always been some kind of grounding problem with the amp. Not sure if it is just at the Di out or what. Also, very annoyingly, the speaker cutout doesn't mute the DI signal, so you can't tune silently by throwing that switch. The cab will be muted but if you are running a DI line, your signal will still hit the fronts. This necessitates a separate cutout pedal. (Maybe that floor model white(Boss?) tuner automatically cuts the output when you step on it but I use a TU2 and it doesn't have that functionality. The knobs ten to fall off and the caps for the knobs also fall off easily. For the price, you should at least look into a dedicated pre-amp matched up with a used Crest or maybe QSC power amp, or whatever is your fav.
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