D&B xC 16C User Manual

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16C
Manual 1.3 en

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General information

16C Manual

Version: 1.3 en, 02/2016, D2619.EN .01

Copyright © 2016 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
owner.

d&b audiotechnik GmbH
Eugen-Adolff-Strasse 134, D-71522 Backnang, Germany
T [phone], F [phone]
[e-mail], www.dbaudio.com

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

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

2. 16C loudspeaker.............................................................. 5

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

2.1.1. Cardioid dispersion............................................................. 5

2.1.2. Dispersion characteristics.................................................... 6

2.1.3. Directivity index (dB)........................................................... 6

2.2. Connections............................................................................. 7

2.3. Operation................................................................................ 7

2.3.1. Controller settings................................................................ 7

2.4. Technical specifications.......................................................... 9

3. Manufacturer's declarations..................................... 10

3.1.

EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)....................... 10

3.2. WEEE Declaration (Disposal).............................................. 10

Contents

d&b 16C Manual 1.3 en 3

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.

1. Safety precautions

d&b 16C Manual 1.3 en4

2.1. Product description

The 16C is a passive 2-way column loudspeaker housing four 4”
neodymium drivers and a 0.75” compression driver mounted on a
CD horn.

In the vertical plane, the cabinet provides directivity control down
to 500 Hz.

The HF horn has a nominal dispersion of 90° x 40° (h x v).

The 4" drivers are arranged in a unique cardioid setup radiating
through waveguide elements at the front and damped ports at the
rear of the cabinet. This design provides a cardioid dispersion
pattern with an average broadband attenuation to the rear of
approx. 18 dB.

The loudspeaker cabinets are based on an extruded aluminum
profile with a metal grill protecting the front of the loudspeaker.
Two continuous rails (8 mm, T-slot profiles) are provided at the rear
for attaching a wall mount bracket.

2.1.1. Cardioid dispersion

Due to their dimensions, conventional column loudspeakers
provide no significant horizontal directivity below 2 kHz.

At low and mid frequencies, the resulting polar pattern is almost
omni-directional (dotted line).

The cardioid patterns of the 16C show a much higher directivity
resulting in much less energy radiated into the room (continuous
line).

Typically, column loudspeakers are mounted onto walls or other
hard plane surfaces. Hard surfaces act as an acoustic mirror. That
means, the room is not only covered by the sound of the actual
column loudspeaker but also by the sound produced by its virtual
mirror source from "behind".

In the case of conventional column loudspeakers with their low
horizontal directivity, the mirror source radiates at a similar level as
the loudspeaker itself.

The combination of both sources results in a dipolar characteristic
where the main energy is radiated along the walls (dotted line).
The 16C, however, with its cardioid dispersion pattern provides an
even dispersion characteristic and a useful directivity when
mounted onto a wall.

2.1.1.1. Flush mounting

If architecturally required, xC-Series cabinets may be partially flush
mounted.

Please note that this will render the cardioid ports ineffective and
as a result, may change the dispersion pattern.

2. 16C loudspeaker

d&b 16C Manual 1.3 en 5

2.1.2. Dispersion characteristics

The following graphs show dispersion angle over frequency of a
single cabinet plotted using lines of equal sound pressure (isobars)
at –6 dB and –12 dB.

Isobar diagram 16C vertical

2.1.3. Directivity index (dB)

Isobar diagram 16C horizontal

d&b 16C Manual 1.3 en6

2.2. Connections
16C cabinets are fitted with a 4-pole Phoenix Euroblock connector

block accepting a 2-pole Phoenix Euroblock screw terminal
connector (cross-section up to 4 mm2/AWG 11). The connector
uses the pin assignments 1: + and 2: —. Pins 3 and 4 are not
connected.

In addition, an NL4 M connector is provided using the pin
assignment 1+/1–.

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.

Applicable d&b amplifiers:

10D/30D/D6/D12/D20/D80.

Application Setup Cabinets per

channel

16C 16C 3

For applicable amplifiers, the controller setup is available in Dual
Channel and Mix TOP/SUB mode.

2.3.1. Controller settings

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

CUT circuit

Set to CUT, the cabinet low frequency level is reduced. The
cabinets are now configured for use with actively driven d&b
subwoofers.

Connector wiring

d&b 16C Manual 1.3 en 7

HFA circuit

In HFA mode (High Frequency Attenuation), the HF response of the
system is rolled off. HFA provides a natural, balanced frequency
response when a unit 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 different acoustic
properties of the venue. CPL begins gradually around 1 kHz, with
the maximum attenuation below 250 Hz. To achieve a balanced
frequency response, the CPL circuit can be set to dB attenuation
values between 0 and –9.

Positive CPL values create an adjustable low frequency boost (0 to
+5 dB) and can be set when the system is used in full range mode
without subwoofers.

-5

0

5

10

-10

-15

-20

-25

-30
20

100 1k 10k

20k

Frequency response correction of HFA circuit

Frequency response correction of CPL circuit

d&b 16C Manual 1.3 en8

2.4. Technical specifications
16C system data

Frequency response (–5 dB standard) 110 Hz - 18 kHz
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field)
16C with 10D/30D/D6/D12/D20/D80 122 dB

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

16C loudspeaker

Nominal impedance

12 ohms
Power handling capacity (RMS/peak 10 ms) 100/500 W
Dispersion angle (h x v) 90° x 40°
Components 4 x 4“ driver with neodymium magnet

1 x 0.75“ compression driver mounted on CD horn

Passive crossover network
Connections 4-pin Phoenix Euroblock and 1 x NL4 M
Pin assignment Phoenix: 1: + / 2: — (3/4: n.c.)

NL4 M: 1+/1–
Enclosure Extruded aluminum, metal baffle and front grill
Weight 5 kg (11 lb)
Mounting Dual rail 8 mm T-slot profile at the rear

16C frequency response, standard and CUT modes

16C cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]

d&b 16C Manual 1.3 en 9

3.1. EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)

This declaration applies to:

d&b 16C loudspeaker, Z1720

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.

3.2. 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.

3. Manufacturer's declarations

d&b 16C Manual 1.3 en10

D2619.EN .01, 02/2016 © d&b audiotechnik GmbH

www.dbaudio.com