d&b Vi-SUB User Manual

Vi-SUB Manual (1.1 EN)

General information

Vi-SUB Manual

Version: 1.1 EN, 04/2013, D2707.EN .01

Copyright © 2013 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
T [phone], F [phone]
[e-mail], www.dbaudio.com

Contents

1. Safety precautions......................................................... 4

1.1. Information regarding the use of loudspeakers......... 4

2. Vi-SUB loudspeaker....................................................... 5

2.1. Product description...................................................... 5

2.2. Connections................................................................. 6

2.3. Operation.................................................................... 6

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

2.4. Technical specifications............................................... 7

3. Manufacturer's Declarations...................................... 8

3.1. WEEE Declaration (Disposal)..................................... 8

d&b Vi-SUB Manual (1.1 EN) 3

1. Safety precautions

1.1. Information regarding the use of loudspeakers Potential risk of personal injury

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.

Potential risk of material damage

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.

d&b Vi-SUB Manual (1.1 EN)4

2. Vi-SUB loudspeaker

Fig. 1: Vi-SUB loudspeaker

2.1. Product description

The Vi-SUB is a compact high performance cardioid subwoofer for
use with d&b Vi-TOP cabinets.

The Vi-SUB houses two long excursion neodymium drivers in an
integrated cardioid setup: a 18“ driver in a bass-reflex design
facing to the front and a 12” driver in a two chamber bandpass
design radiating to the rear. The arrangement and tuning provide a
cardioid dispersion pattern using a single amplifier channel.

Its frequency response extends from 37 Hz to 115/95 Hz.

The cabinet is constructed from marine plywood and has an impact
and weather protected PCP (Polyurea Cabinet Protection) finish.
The front of the loudspeaker cabinet is protected by a rigid metal
grill backed by an acoustically transparent foam.

Cabinet options

The WR option enables operation of loudspeakers in changing
ambient conditions, however it is not intended to enable
permanent, unprotected operation of loudspeakers outdoors.

– Provide an additional cover over the entire loudspeakers/

array.

Vi rigging components and arrays

Cabinets are mechanically connected using the rigging strands on
both sides of the cabinet front and a central strand at the rear of
the cabinet. All necessary rigging components are mounted to the
cabinet and fold out or slide out when needed. The rigging
components are also intended to interconnect and secure Vi-SUB
cabinets in ground stack applications.

A detailed description of the Vi rigging components is given in the
Vi Rigging manual which is provided with the Z5387.xxx
Mounting frames.

A detailed description of planning and designing V arrays is given
in the technical information "TI 385 d&b Line array design,
ArrayCalc" which is provided with the V Flying frame.

The d&b ArrayCalc array calculator can be downloaded from the
d&b website at

www.dbaudio.com.

Cardioid dispersion

Cardioid dispersion avoids unwanted energy behind the system
and greatly reduces the reverberant field at low frequencies
providing highest accuracy in low frequency reproduction. The
subwoofers can be used as stand-alone solutions or in stacked
combinations with a minimum distance of 60 cm (2 ft) between
adjacent cabinets or between the cabinets and a side wall. When
set up in front of walls, the minimum distance to rear walls should
be 30 cm (1 ft).

Fig. 2: Cardioid dispersion pattern

d&b Vi-SUB Manual (1.1 EN) 5

2.2. Connections

The cabinet is fitted with a pair of 4-pin connectors. All four pins of
both connectors are wired in parallel. The Vi-SUB uses the pin
assignments 2+/2–. Pins 1+/1– are designated to the Vi8 or Vi12
loudspeakers. Using one connector as the input, the second
connector allows for direct connection to a second cabinet.

Cabinets with the weather resistant option (WR) are equipped with
a fixed input cable (PG type, H07-RN-F, 2 x 2.5 mm2 (AWG 13),
standard length 5.5 m (18 ft).

Fig. 3: Connector wiring

Pin equivalents of the applicable connector options are listed in the
table below.

NL4

1+ 1– 2+ 2–

PG n.a. n.a. Brown (+) Blue (–)

2.3. Operation

NOTICE!

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

Operation with D12

Select the controller setup V-SUB.

Within the amplifier it is available in "Dual channel" and "Mix
TOP/SUB" mode.

Selecting the V-SUB setup enables up to two Vi-SUB loudspeakers
to be driven by the respective amplifier channel.

2.3.1. Controller settings

For acoustic adjustment the 100 Hz function can be selected.

100 Hz circuit

If the 100 Hz circuit is selected, the upper operating frequency of
the system is reduced from 115 Hz to 95 Hz.

It can be used when actively driven Vi subwoofers are used to
supplement Vi cabinets operated in full range mode. The 100 Hz
mode can also be used to compensate for the effect of close
coupling between the Vi-SUB and Vi cabinets operated in CUT
mode. With Ti cabinets the standard mode is recommended.

d&b Vi-SUB Manual (1.1 EN)6

Fig. 4: Vi-SUB frequency response, standard and 100 Hz mode

2.4. Technical specifications Vi-SUB system data

Frequency response (–5 dB standard) 37 Hz - 115 Hz
Frequency response (–5 dB 100 Hz mode) 37 Hz - 95 Hz
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field)
with D12 133 dB

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

Vi-SUB loudspeaker

Nominal impedance 8 ohms
Power handling capacity (RMS/peak 10 ms) 800/3200 W
Components 1 x 18“ driver

1 x 12“ driver
Connections 2 x NL4
Optional fixed cable (PG):

H07-RN-F, 2 x 2.5 mm2 (AWG 13), 5.5 m (18 ft)

Pin assignment NL4: 2+ / 2–

Fixed cable (PG): brown + / blue –

Weight 62 kg (137 lb)

Fig. 5: Vi-SUB cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]

d&b Vi-SUB Manual (1.1 EN) 7

3. Manufacturer's Declarations

This declaration applies to:

d&b Vi-SUB loudspeaker, Z0538

manufactured by d&b audiotechnik GmbH.

All production versions of these types 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

www.dbaudio.com.

3.1. 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.

d&b Vi-SUB Manual (1.1 EN)8

D2707.EN .01, 04/2013 © d&b audiotechnik GmbH

www.dbaudio.com