d&b audiotechnik Vi8, Vi12 User Manual

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Vi8/Vi12
Manual 1.3 en

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General information

Vi8/Vi12 Manual

Version: 1.3 en, 10/2016, D2706.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.

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

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

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

2. Vi8/Vi12 loudspeaker................................................... 5

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

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

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

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

2.4. Dispersion characteristics........................................................ 9

2.5. Technical specifications........................................................ 10

3. Manufacturer's Declarations.................................... 12

3.1.

EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)....................... 12

3.2. WEEE Declaration (Disposal).............................................. 12

Contents

d&b Vi8/Vi12 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 Vi8/Vi12 Manual 1.3 en4

2.1. Product description

The Vi8 is a line array loudspeaker for medium to large-scale
sound reinforcement. When the V Flying frame is used, up to 24
cabinets can be flown in vertical columns producing an 80°
constant directivity dispersion pattern in the horizontal plane.

The Vi12 line array loudspeaker is acoustically and mechanically
compatible with the Vi8 and provides a 120° horizontal
dispersion.

The Vi8 cabinet is a passive 3-way design housing 2 x 10"
neodymium LF drivers, one horn-loaded 8" MF driver, two 1.4" exit
HF compression drivers with 2.5" diaphragms mounted to a
dedicated wave shaping device and a passive crossover network.
The wave segments of each cabinet couple without gaps and sum
up coherently. Splay angles between adjacent cabinets can be set
in the range from 0° to 14° with a 1° resolution.

All components are arranged symmetrically around the center axis
of the cabinet to produce a perfect symmetrical dispersion pattern.
This setup allows for a crossover design with a well defined
overlap of adjacent frequency bands resulting in a very consistent
and accurate horizontal dispersion. Due to the dipolar
arrangement of the low drivers broadband horizontal dispersion
control is maintained down to approximately 250 Hz.

The frequency response extends from 67 Hz to above 18 kHz.

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. Two additional
recessed grips are provided at the rear bottom of the cabinet.

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.

– Aim the entire array either horizontally or with a downward

tilt.

Vi8/Vi12 loudspeaker

2. Vi8/Vi12 loudspeaker

d&b Vi8/Vi12 Manual 1.3 en 5

Vi rigging components and arrays

Vi arrays may consist of a combination of Vi8 and Vi12
loudspeakers and/or Vi-SUB cardioid subwoofers.

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.

Note: The Splay link of the Vi-TOP cabinet is designed as a
straight link with drilled holes, as shown in the graphic
opposite. For visual reasons the Splay link of the last cabinet
of an array can easily be removed.

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-Series arrays is
given in the technical information "TI 385 d&b Line array design,
d&b ArrayCalc" which is provided with the V Flying frame.

The d&b ArrayCalc simulation software can be downloaded from
the d&b website at www.dbaudio.com.

2.2. Connections

The cabinet is fitted with NLT4 F/M connectors. All four pins of
both connectors are wired in parallel. The cabinet uses the pin
assignments 1+/1–. Pins 2+/2– are designated to actively driven
subwoofers. 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).

NL4 M

1+ 1– 2+ 2–

PG Brown (+) Blue (–) n.a. n.a.

d&b LoadMatch

Starting with the D80 amplifier platform, the LoadMatch function
enables the amplifier to electrically compensate for the properties
of the loudspeaker cable used without the need for an additional
sense wire. For applicable loudspeakers, LoadMatch is therefore
independent of the connector type used.

Connector wiring

d&b Vi8/Vi12 Manual 1.3 en6

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:

30D/D12/D20/D80.

Application Setup Cabinets per

channel

Vi8 V8 Arc/V8 Line 2

Vi12 V12 Arc/V12 Line 2

The applicable d&b amplifiers provide two setups ("Arc" or "Line")
for the Vi8 and Vi12 loudspeakers. These are available in Dual
Channel or Mix TOP/SUB mode.

"Arc" and "Line" setups

The selection of "Arc" or "Line" depends on the curvature of the
array. Both setups may be used within one array.

The "Arc" setup is intended for line array loudspeakers when used
in curved array sections.

The "Line" setup is used for long throw array sections with three or
more consecutive splay settings of 0°, 1° or 2°. Compared to the
"Arc" setup, the mid/high range is reduced to compensate for the
extended nearfield.

The transition from "Line" to "Arc" configuration within the array is
made according to the splay progression but may allow for certain
deviations due to the wiring of the cabinets in groups of up to two.

2.3.1. Controller settings

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

CUT mode

Set to CUT, the low frequency level of the cabinets is reduced. The
Vi8/Vi12 array is now configured for use with the d&b Vi-SUB or
J-SUB subwoofers.

d&b Vi8/Vi12 Manual 1.3 en 7

CPL function

The CPL (Coupling) function compensates for coupling effects
between the cabinets of an array. CPL begins gradually around
2 kHz, with the maximum attenuation below Hz. As coupling
effects increase with the length of the line array, the CPL function
can be set to dB attenuation values between 0 and –9. With
higher attenuation values the corner frequency of the filter shifts
towards lower values.

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.

Note: Make sure that all cabinets within the line array are
operated with the same CPL setting.

HFC function

Selecting the HFC (High Frequency Compensation) function
compensates for the loss of high frequency energy due to air
absorption when loudspeakers are used to cover far field listening
positions.

The HFC function has two settings (HFC1 and HFC2) for different
distances the cabinets need to cover. The settings should be used
selectively; HFC1 for cabinets covering distances larger than 30 m
(100 ft) and HFC2 for those covering distances larger than 60 m
(200 ft).

The compensation is adjusted for a typical relative humidity of
40 %. With lower humidity the absorption by air increases
therefore the distances where the respective HFC setting provides a
correct equalization are shorter than indicated above.

Using the HFC function provides the correct sound balance
between close and remote audience areas, whilst all amplifiers
driving the array can be fed with the same signal.

Frequency response correction of the CPL function

Frequency response correction of the HFC function

d&b Vi8/Vi12 Manual 1.3 en8

2.4. Dispersion characteristics

The graphs below show the horizontal dispersion angle over
frequency plotted using lines of equal sound pressure (isobars) at
–6 dB and –12 dB. The nominal dispersion is maintained above
600 Hz, while a useful horizontal dispersion control is achieved
down to 250 Hz.

Isobar diagram Vi12 horizontal

Isobar diagram Vi8 horizontal

d&b Vi8/Vi12 Manual 1.3 en 9

2.5. Technical specifications

Vi8/Vi12 system data

Frequency response (–5 dB standard) 67 Hz - 18 kHz
Frequency response (–5 dB CUT mode) 100 Hz - 18 kHz
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field)
with D12/D20/30D 139 dB
with D80 142 dB

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

Vi8/Vi12 loudspeaker

Nominal impedance

8 ohms
Power handling capacity (RMS/peak 10 ms) 500/2000 W
Nominal dispersion angle (horizontal) Vi8 80°
Nominal dispersion angle (horizontal) Vi12 120°
Splay angle setting 0° ...14 °

1° increment

Components 2 x 10“ driver

1 x 8“ driver

2 x 1.4” exit compression driver

Passive crossover network
Connections 2 x NL4 M
Optional fixed cable (PG):

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

Pin assignment NL4 M: 1+/1–

Fixed cable (PG): brown + / blue –

Weight 34 kg (75 lb)

Vi8 frequency response, standard and CUT modes

Vi12 frequency response, standard and CUT modes

d&b Vi8/Vi12 Manual 1.3 en10

Vi8/Vi12 cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]

d&b Vi8/Vi12 Manual 1.3 en 11

3.1. EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)

This declaration applies to:

d&b Vi8 loudspeaker, Z0535

d&b Vi12 loudspeaker, Z0536

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 Vi8/Vi12 Manual 1.3 en12

D2706.EN .01, 10/2016 © d&b audiotechnik GmbH

www.dbaudio.com