R
LTO
OWNER'S MANUAL
M SERIES MONITORS
PASSIVE & ACTIVE MODELS
www.altoproaudio.com
Version 1.4 SEPTEMBER 2007
English
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION
CAUTION
RISK OFELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOTOPEN
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER OR
THE BACK PANEL OF THIS EQUIPMENT.
THERE ARE NO PARTS NEEDED BY USER
INSIDE THE EQUIPMENT. FOR SERVICE,
PLEASE CONTACT QUALIFIED SERVICE
CENTERS.
This symbol, wherever used, alerts you to the
presence of un-insulated and dangerous voltages
within the product enclosure. These are voltages that
may be sufficient to constitute the risk of electric
shock or death.
This symbol, wherever used, alerts you to
important operating and maintenance instructions.
Please read.
Protective Ground Terminal
AC mains (Alternating Current)
Hazardous Live Terminal
ON: Denotes the product is turned on.
OFF: Denotes the product is turned off.
CAUTION
Describes precautions that should be observed to
prevent damage to the product.
1.
Read this Manual carefully before operation.
Keep this Manual in a safe place.
2.
Be aware of all warnings reported
3.
with this symbol.
4.
Keep this Equipment away from water and
moisture.
5.
Clean it only with dry cloth. Do not use
solvent or other chemicals.
6.
Do not damp or cover any cooling opening.
Install the equipment only in accordance with
the Manufacturer's instructions.
Power Cords are designed for your safety. Do
7.
not remove Ground connections! If the plug
does not fit your AC outlet, seek advice from
a qualified electrician. Protect the power
cord and plug from any physical stress to
avoid risk of electric shock. Do not place
heavy objects on the power cord. This could
cause electric shock or fire.
Unplug this equipment when unused for long
8.
periods of time or during a storm.
Refer all service to qualified service personnel
9.
only. Do not perform any servicing other than
those instructions contained within the
User's Manual.
To prevent fire and damage to the product,
10.
use only the recommended fuse type as
indicated in this manual. Do not short-circuit
the fuse holder. Before replacing the fuse,
make sure that the product is OFF and
disconnected from the AC outlet.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of electric shock
and fire, do not expose this equipment
to moisture or rain.
Dispose of this product should
notbeplacedinmunicipalwaste
and should be separate collection.
MovethisEquipmentonlywithacart,
11.
stand, tripod, or bracket,
specified by the
manufacturer, or
sold with the
Equipment. When
a cart is used, use
caution when
moving the cart /
equipment
combination to
avoid possible
injury from tip-over.
12.
Permanent hearing loss may be caused by
exposure to \ extremely high noise levels.
The US. Government's Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) has
specified the permissible exposure to noise
level.
These are shown in the following chart:
HOURS X DAY
8
6
4
3
2
1,5
1
0,5
0,25 or less
According to OSHA, an exposure to high SPL in
excess of these limits may result in the loss of
heat. To avoid the potential damage of heat, it is
recommended that Personnel exposed to
equipment capable of generating high SPL use
hearing protection while such equipment is
under operation.
The apparatus shall be connected to a mains
socket outlet with a protective earthing
connection.
The mains plug or an appliance coupler is used
as the disconnect device, the disconnect device
shall remain readily operable.
EXAMPLE
SPL
Small gig
90
train
92
Subway train
95
High level desktop monitors
97
Classic music concert
100
102
105
110
115
Rock concert
IN THIS MANUAL:
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1
2. PHILOSOPHY ................................................................................................ 2
3.. INSTALLATION .............................................................................................. 3
4. PANEL CONTROLS .........................................................................................5
5. HOOKUP EXAMPLES ......................................................................................7
6. WALL MOUNTING ..........................................................................................9
7. APPENDIX ....................................................................................................10
8. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION.............................................................................11
9. WARRANTY ..................................................................................................13
1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your purchasing of the ALTO M Series compact Studio Monitors.
The increasing number of home studios and small audio / video production has
created a large demand for compact monitors with excellent performance and
affordable price. With the M Series Monitors we have addressed these needs.
Available in different formats and configurations the M Series also come with a
2-channel amplifier built-in and electronic Xover. Made of durable high-tech Italian
designed injected polypropylene, they are almost indestructible and, in they
passive version they are also advised for outdoors use given the fact that also
the speakers are waterproof. We have also included in the design top, side and
bottom groove for easy hanging on the wall of the M Series Monitors through
optional bracket.
M series MonitorEnjoy your and make sure to read this Manual carefully before
operation!
1
SPOTLIGHT
2. PHILOSOPHY
WHY PLASTIC?
Because we can produce thousands and thousands of piece with the same
characteristics of material integrity. Our Plastic is water and moisture resistance
and it is finished with a "velvet-touch" paint that protects the unit from fingertips
and scratches.
WHY TWO WOOFERS?
Because two is better than one. Joke apart, it is always difficult to get a decent
amount of low frequencies out of a compact speaker cabinet. Low frequencies
are produced by moving air so the more air you move the more low frequencies
you get. Therefore the amount of low frequencies you get out from speaker cabinet
is directly related to moving surface of the woofer. One woofer=limited moving
surface. Two woofers=more moving surface. In fact you get more bass out from
your Alto M Series Monitor than any other cabinet of the same size. But two
woofers also mean two moving coils. Take our M3 as an example. Each woofer
includes a 25 mm (1") moving coil, so with our two woofers we have 50 mm (2")
of moving coil. Such moving coil is usually used in PA cabinet able to handle at
least 200 watt. Therefore, you can put a lot of power into your M Monitor
without producing heat in the moving coils of the woofers with consequent
power compression.
WHY THE TWEETER IN SUCH AN UNUSUAL POSITION?
Positioning the tweeter in the middle of the two woofers allows for a more
coherent sound image. Furthermore, the tweeter is almost out of the baffle and
can give much more breath and depth to the sound. IN conventional Monitors
tweeter are in the middle of a much larger baffle. Try to put your open hands
around your mouth and sing. You hear that "ducky, nasal" sound. Now remove
the hands and sign again. See the hands are the baffles. Compact Monitors
are usually positioned on the top of the mixer or in any case only a few feet from
the Listener. The amazing depth of the M Series with high frequencies is the
effect of the position of the tweeter.
WHY PASSIVE AND ACTIVE VERSION?
Small Studio Owners will prefer the active version. Although, some people will
privilege the set up with a passive Monitor and an external power amplifier. For
example, Alto just introduced a very high-end digital stereo amplifier: the A200.2.
It is a half / rack, 1U little animal that can produce up to 240 watts of power. And
it does not need a fan! Try this amp with one of the M Series Monitor. You will hear
a surprising level of high fidelity and dynamic that it is not possible to achieve in
self-powered models.Passive Monitors are then becoming popular for Dolby 5.1
and up to 8.1 set ups.
2
3. INSTALLATION
Compact Studio Monitors are also generally addressed as "Near-Field Monitors"
In big Recording Studios the Monitors are usually far away from the Listeners.
They interact the room since the sound will reflect on ceiling, wall and floor thus
affecting the sound quality.
Near-filed Monitors are positioned a few feet away from the Listener and as a
consequence the sound is less depended to the room conditions. For this reason
we have made our M Series Monitors as flat as possible and did not add any
frequency control because there would not be any need for it.
Let's explore some possible positionings for your M Series Monitors.
2 CHANNELS NEAR-FIELD
This is the typical Control Room situation. The Monitors will be poisoned on the
Meter Bridge of the Mixer or in any case very close to the Listener. You should
measure a simple equilateral triangle with the two monitors on two corners and
the head of the listener in the other corner. In this way, the Left and Right
Monitors will be placed with an angle of 60 at the same distance to the
Listener's head.
2 CHANNELS MID-FIELD
This configuration is similar to above. In some situations the Mixer Meter Bridge
could be too narrow to sustain the Monitors especially if you are using the M5
or M4 version. In such case, the Monitors are moved back usually on speaker
stand making sure that the height of the woofer is above the upper line of the
mixer. If you have no possibility for this set-up try to activate the "FAR-FIELD"
switch on the back of your M Monitor.
3