d&b M4 User Manual

M4
Manual (1.7 EN)

Symbols on the equipment

Please refer to the information in the operating manual.

WARNING!
Dangerous voltage!

Contents

Safety precautions...............................................................3

Information regarding use of loudspeakers...............................................3

M4.........................................................................................4

Connections.........................................................................................................4

Operation with D6 or D12.............................................................................5

Operation with D6............................................................................................5

Operation with D12..........................................................................................5

Controller settings..............................................................................................6

Operation with E-PAC......................................................................................6

Dispersion characteristics.................................................................................7

Altering the dispersion characteristics..........................................................7

Technical specifications.....................................................................................8

Manufacturer's declarations................................................9

EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)..............................................9

WEEE Declaration (Disposal)..........................................................................9

General Information

M4 Manual

Version 1.7 EN, 09/2009, D2990.EN .01

Copyright © 2009 by d&b audiotechnik GmbH; all rights reserved.

Keep this manual with the product or in a safe place so that it is
available for future reference.

When reselling this product, hand over this manual to the new
customer.

If you supply d&b products, please draw the attention of your customers
to this manual. Enclose the relevant manuals with the systems. If you
require additional manuals for this purpose, you can order them from
d&b.

d&b audiotechnik GmbH
Eugen-Adolff-Strasse 134, D-71522 Backnang, Germany
Telephone [phone], Fax [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail], Internet: www.dbaudio.com

Safety precautions

Information regarding use of loudspeakers

WARNING!

CAUTION!

Never stand in the immediate vicinity of loudspeakers driven at a high
level. Professional loudspeaker systems are capable of causing a sound
pressure level detrimental to human health. Seemingly non-critical
sound levels (from approx. 95 dB SPL) can cause hearing damage if
people are exposed to it over a long period.

In order to prevent accidents when deploying loudspeakers on the
ground or when flown, please take note of the following:

When setting up the loudspeakers or loudspeaker stands, make sure
they are standing on a firm surface. If you place several systems on top
of one another, use straps to secure them against movement.

Only use accessories which have been tested and approved by d&b for
assembly and mobile deployment. Pay attention to the correct
application and maximum load capacity of the accessories as detailed in
our specific "Mounting instructions" or in our "Flying system and rigging
manuals".

Ensure that all additional hardware, fixings and fasteners used for
installation or mobile deployment are of an appropriate size and load
safety factor. Pay attention to the manufacturers' instructions and to the
relevant safety guidelines.

Regularly check the loudspeaker housings and accessories for visible
signs of wear and tear and replace them when necessary.

Regularly check all load bearing bolts in the mounting devices.

Loudspeakers produce a static magnetic field even if they are not
connected or are not in use. Therefore make sure when erecting and
transporting loudspeakers that they are nowhere near equipment and
objects which may be impaired or damaged by an external magnetic
field. Generally speaking, a distance of 0.5 m (1.5 ft) from magnetic
data carriers (floppy disks, audio and video tapes, bank cards, etc.) is
sufficient; a distance of more than 1 m (3 ft) may be necessary with
computer and video monitors.

M4 Manual (1.7 EN) Safety precautions - 1

M4 loudspeaker

NOTICE:

M4

The M4 is a high performance stage monitor employing an integrated
15”/1.3” exit coaxial driver design with neodymium magnet and
constant directivity horn loading. Its dispersion of 50° x 70° (hor. x vert.)
provides an accurately defined coverage area on stage. Used upright
the M4 serves as a powerful front PA speaker (70° x 50°) for various
applications.

The M4 is a two-way design with a built-in passive crossover network. It
can optionally be operated in two-way active mode just by changing
the configuration of the D12 amplifier without any modifications to the
loudspeaker. Its frequency response extends from 55 Hz to above
17 kHz.

The M4 cabinet is constructed from marine plywood and has an impact
resistant paint finish. The front of the loudspeaker cabinet is protected
by a rigid metal grill in front of a replaceable acoustically transparent
foam. The side panels incorporate a pair of handles, a pole mount
socket and four M10 threaded inserts to connect to different rigging
devices and brackets. Two runners recessed in its bottom panel protect
the cabinet from scratching and prevent unwanted movement.

Only operate M4 cabinets with a correctly configured d&b amplifier,
otherwise there is a risk of damaging the loudspeaker components.

Connections

Connector wiring

The M4 cabinet is fitted with a pair of EP5 connectors. All pins of both
connectors are wired in parallel. Using the male connector as the input,
the female connector allows for direct connection to additional
loudspeakers.

The M4 can be supplied with NL4 output connectors as an option. Pin
equivalents of EP5 and NL4 connectors are listed in the table below.

LF + LF – HF + HF – n.a.

EP5

NL4

1 2 3 4 5

1+ 1– 2+ 2– n.a.

M4 Manual (1.7 EN) Page 4 of 10

INPUT A/B

OUT A
2-Way

OUT B
2-Way

AMP B

AMP A

Low

High

D12 Input/Output routing "2-Way Active"

OUT A

OUT B

AMP B

AMP A

INPUT A/B

INPUT A/B

Operation with D6 or D12

Select the controller setup M4.

Operation with D6

Up to a total of two M4 loudspeakers can be passively driven by each
D6 amplifier channel.

Operation with D12

The D12 allows the M4 cabinet to be driven either in "2-Way Active"
mode or in passive mode.

Active operation ("2-Way Active")

Selecting "2-Way Active" mode with the M4 setup enables up to two
M4 cabinets to be driven actively by the D12 amplifier. In applications
with low continuous levels and low ambient temperatures up to three
cabinets may be connected.

In "2-Way Active" mode the D12 routes separate LF and HF signals to
the amplifier channels. Pins 1/2 of both EP5 output connectors
(NL4: 1+/1–) carry the LF signal, pins 3/4 (NL4: 2+/2–) carry the HF
signal. The output connector pin assignment is set automatically when
"2-Way Active" mode is selected.

The input signal can be fed either to INPUT A or to INPUT B and is
routed (linked) to both amplifier channels internally.

D12 Input/Output routing "Dual Channel"

Passive operation ("Dual channel" mode)

Selecting "Dual channel mode" with the M4 setup enables up to two
M4 cabinets to be driven by the respective channel. In applications with
low continuous levels and low ambient temperatures up to three
cabinets per channel may be connected.

In "Dual channel" mode each amplifier channel drives all output pins of
its respective output connector thus driving the cabinet's HF and LF
sections via their passive crossover networks. Pins 1/3 of the EP5 output
connector (NL4: 1+/2+) carry the positive and pins 2/4 (NL4: 1–/2–)
carry the negative components of the signal.

Passive operation ("Mix TOP/SUB" mode)

With its standard connector wiring the M4 requires 4 wires to be driven
and therefore cannot be used in "Mix TOP/SUB mode". However, for
permanent passive use with dedicated cabling the M4 setup is also
available in "Mix TOP/SUB mode".

M4 Manual (1.7 EN) Page 5 of 10

-5

0

5

10

-10

-15

-20

-25

-30
20

100 1k 10k

20k

Frequency response correction of HFA
circuit

Controller settings

For acoustic adjustment the functions CUT, HFA and CPL can be
selected.

CUT circuit

Set to CUT, the M4 low frequency level is reduced. The M4 is now
configured for use with the Q-SUB, J-SUB or d&b C-Series subwoofers.

HFA circuit

In HFA mode (High Frequency Attenuation), the HF response of the M4
system is rolled off. The HFA circuit provides a natural, balanced
frequency response when a cabinet is placed close to listeners in near
field or delay use.

High frequency attenuation begins gradually at 1 kHz, dropping by
approximately 3 dB at 10 kHz. This roll-off mimics the decline in
frequency response experienced when listening to a system from a
distance in a typically reverberant room or auditorium.

CPL circuit

The CPL (Coupling) circuit compensates for coupling effects between the
cabinets when building closely coupled arrays. CPL begins gradually at
1 kHz, with maximum attenuation below 400 Hz, providing a balanced
frequency response when M4 cabinets are used in arrays of two or
more. The function of the CPL circuit is shown in the diagram opposite
and can be set in dB attenuation values between –9 and 0.

Frequency response correction of CPL
circuit

Positive CPL values create an adjustable low frequency boost (0 to
+5 dB) and can be set when the M4 is used as a full-range PA speaker.
For a single cabinet in free space conditions a value of +3 dB is
recommended.

Operation with E-PAC

Selecting M4 mode enables the E-PAC to drive one M4 loudspeaker.
LO IMP mode configures the E-PAC to drive a maximum of two M4
loudspeakers with a 6 dB reduction in input level to the loudspeakers.

For acoustic adjustment the CUT and HFA settings are available. The
characteristics are described in the previous section "Operation with D6
or D12".

M4 Manual (1.7 EN) Page 6 of 10

Dispersion characteristics

The graphs below show dispersion angle over frequency of an M4
cabinet plotted using lines of equal sound pressure (isobars) at –6 dB
and –12 dB. The characteristics refer to monitor operation. When used
as a front-of-house system, the horizontal dispersion corresponds to the
vertical plot and vice versa.

Isobar diagram M4 horizontal, monitor setup
(vertical, front-of-house setup)

Isobar diagram M4 vertical, monitor setup
(horizontal, front-of-house setup)

Altering the dispersion characteristics

The dispersion characteristics of the driver and horn assembly can be
rotated in increments of 45° for dedicated installation applications.
Proceed as follows:

Tools required: Torque wrench with Torx nut #25

1. Undo the 10 screws holding the front grill and remove the
front grill.

2. Undo the screws holding the horn flange and the two opposite
screws at the 15" driver for the desired orientation.

3. Rotate the horn to the desired orientation.

4. Refit all screws and tighten them using a torque setting of
2 Nm.

Altering the dispersion characteristics

5. Refit the front grill and tighten all screws using a torque setting
of 4 Nm.

M4 Manual (1.7 EN) Page 7 of 10

M4 frequency response, standard and
CUT settings

Technical specifications

M4 system data

Frequency response (–5 dB standard)................................................55 Hz ... 17 kHz

Frequency response (–5 dB CUT mode).............................................95 Hz ... 17 kHz

Max. sound pressure (single cabinet, 1 m, free field) D6 passive mode ...134 dB
Max. sound pressure (single cabinet, 1 m, free field) D12 passive mode..138 dB
Max. sound pressure (single cabinet, 1 m, free field) D12 active mode ...140 dB

(SPLmax peak, pink noise test signal with crest factor of 4)

Input level (100 dB-SPL/1 m)..............................................................................–22 dBu

M4 loudspeaker

Nominal impedance.................................................................................................8 ohms

Power handling capacity (RMS / peak 10 ms)......................................400/1600 W

Nominal dispersion angle (hor. x vert., monitor setup)...............................50° x 70°

Components...........................................................15“ driver with neodymium magnet

...................................coaxial 1.3” exit compression driver with 3“ coil and CD horn

....................................................................................................Passive crossover network

Connections...............................................................................................................2 x EP5

..................................................................................................................(optional 2 x NL4)

Pin assignments......................................................EP5: 1: LF+/2: LF–/3: HF+/4: HF–

.......................................................................NL4: 1+: LF+/1–: LF–/2+: HF+/2–: HF–

Weight..............................................................................................................20 kg (44 lb)

M4 cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]

M4 Manual (1.7 EN) Page 8 of 10

Manufacturer's declarations

EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)

This declaration applies to:

- M4 loudspeaker Z0800

manufactured by d&b audiotechnik GmbH.

All production versions of this type are included, provided they
correspond to the original technical version and have not been subject
to any later design or electromechanical modifications.

We herewith declare that said products are in conformity with the
provisions of the respective EC directives including all applicable
amendments.

A detailed declaration is available on request and can be ordered from
d&b or downloaded from the d&b website at

WEEE Declaration (Disposal)

Electrical and electronic equipment must be disposed of separately from
normal waste at the end of its operational lifetime.

Please dispose of this product according to the respective national
regulations or contractual agreements. If there are any further questions
concerning the disposal of this product please contact d&b audiotechnik.

www.dbaudio.com.

M4 Manual (1.7 EN) Page 9 of 10

D2990.EN .01, 09/2009 © d&b audiotechnik GmbH

d&b audiotechnik GmbH, Eugen-Adolff-Str. 134, D-71522 Backnang, Germany, Phone [phone], Fax [phone]_______