Dynaudio BM 5A User Manual

BM 5A

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a

1 Read these instructions.
2 Keep these instructions.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instructions.
5 Do not use this apparatus near water.
6 Clean only with dry cloth.
7 Install in accordance with the manufacturer's

instructions.

8 Do not install near any heat sources such

as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.

9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the

polarized or grounding-type plug. A
polarized plug has two blades with one
wider than the other. A grounding type plug
has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided
for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit
into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10 Protect the power cord from being walked

on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the apparatus.

11 Only use attachments/accessories specified

by the manufacturer.

12 Use only with the cart, stand, tripod,

bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the

apparatus. When a cart is used, use
caution when moving the cart/apparatus
combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms

or when unused for long periods of time.

14 Refer all servicing to qualified service

personnel. Servicing is required when the
apparatus has been damaged in any way,
such as power-supply cord or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.

• This equipment should be installed near the
socket outlet and disconnection of the device
should be easily accessible.

• To completely disconnect from AC mains,
disconnect the power supply cord from the AC
receptable.

• The mains plug of the power supply shall
remain readily operable.

• Do not install in a confined space.

• Do not open the unit - risk of electric shock
inside.

Caution:

You are cautioned that any change or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your authority to operate this
equipment.

Service

• There are no user-serviceable parts inside.

• All service must be performed by qualified
personnel.

Warning!

• To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock,
do not expose this equipment to dripping or
splashing and ensure that no objects filled
with liquids, such as vases, are placed on the
equipment.

• This apparatus must be earthed.

• Use a three wire grounding type line cord
like the one supplied with the product.

• Be advised that different operating voltages
require the use of different types of line
cord and attachment plugs.

• Always observe the local safaty regulations.
Ensure that the factory-set power
requirements for the device (refer to the label
on the back of the monitor) corresponds to the
mains supply in your region.

The lightning flash with an arrowhead
symbol within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the

presence of uninsulated "dangerous volt­age" within the product's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an
equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important

operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying the
product.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Important Safety Instructions &

Certificate of conformity . . . . . . . . . . .a

Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

OPERATING

Rear Panel - Overview . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Setting Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

MISCELLANEOUS

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Technical specificatinos . . . . . . . . . . . .9

TC Electronic, Sindalsvej 34, DK-8240 Risskov – [e-mail] Rev 1.00English Version

Prod. No: 606111021

4

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Dynaudio Acoustics BM 5A active

monitor system. With the right care and attention it will provide many years of
excellent and trouble free audio reproduction. It is most important, however, that
you take a few minutes at this early stage of your BM 5A’s life, to read this manual.
It contains essential information to make you get the best from your new monitors.

Break-In time

The transducers of your BM 5A monitor will achieve better sound quality after
breaking in. Especially after the first hours of use, you may notice a significant
advance in sound quality. Still after first few hours improvement take place, but
lesser noticeable.

The latest manual revision is always available at our website:
www.dynaudioacoustics.com

For support please also refer to: www.dynaudioacoustics.com

Please enjoy

5

OVERVIEW - REAR PANEL

Correct setup and connections is essential to achieve optimal performance from your
monitors. Please follow the instructions on the following pages.

1. AC power Input and fuse

2. Power On/Off switch

3. Balanced analog Input

4. High Pass filter switch

5. Level trim

6. LF - Low filter setting

7. MF - Mid filter setting

8. HF - Hi filter setting

6

SETTING UP

1/2. Power On/Off switch/AC Power In

Before switching on, make sure Mains Voltage
matches your areas Mains Voltage specification.
Replace fuse only with the fuse-type marked on
the rear-panel label.

3. Balanced analog Input

Audio Input is via a female XLR connector. The
Input is electronically balanced with following
connections. The connections are printed on
the rear for easy reference.

If your signal source is unbalanced, usually the
unused pin is connected to ground. This is
normally done inside the connecting cable.
Special adaptors (not supplied) can be bought
that converts xlr input to single ended RCA type
input. For best result use only good quality
screened cables and connectors.

Switches

On the rear of the monitor you will find 5
switches for setting up the monitor for optimum
performance in different acoustic environments.
Each switch is explained in the following.

4. High Pass filter switch

This switch sets the lower cut-off frequency of
the monitor. It is used to match the monitor to a
subwoofer. You can select between 60Hz or
80Hz X-over. Flat is used in case you do not
use a subwoofer to assist your monitors. When
used with a subwoofer it is recommended to
use either 60Hz or 80Hz filter, thus allowing a
higher undistorted soundpressure level.

0

+

-

5. Level trim

Use this switch to match the sensitivity of the
BM 5A monitor to your source.

High-output source
If your source has a high Output, set the switch
to the -10 position to reduce the sensitivity by
10dB.

Low-output source
If your source has low output, set to +4 position
to gain 4dB more sensitivity.

6. LF

This switch controls the bass gain level using
shelf-type EQ. The level can be set to +2dB,
0dB or -2dB.
This filter is used to adjust for the proximity of
boundaries, so if positioned close to wall or
corner, use the -2dB setting. If positioned far
from walls use the +2dB or 0 position,
depending on other equipment, and personal
taste.

7. MF

This switch sets a notch filter, used to
compensate for the acoustic effect of a console.
Such placement usually results in a response
peak in lower midrange. The MF switch
activates a bell shaped notch filter, which can
compensate. Use either the -2 or the -4dB
setting. You may experiment finding the setting,
which provides the flattest response.

8. HF

This switch controls the Treble level and it is
used to match the high end of the monitor to
your other electronic equipment, and your
acoustical environment. Use the setting
providing the preferred timbre. If the sound is
too bright; try to set to -1dB to reduce treble by
1dB. If too dull sound, use +1dB setting to raise
the treble by 1dB.

7

INDICATORS & POSITIONING

Indicators

On the front you will find 2 diodes. These are
positioned just above the Dynaudio Logo.

The green power diode indicates speaker
on/off status. Green indicates; “power on”.

The second diode has two functions. This

will light up orange when the input signal
reaches a level where the limiter is activated to
prevent the internal bass amplifier from
clipping. And it will light up red when the
amplifier gets too hot. At the same time the
monitor will be muted, in order to reduce the
temperature.

Protection

The BM 5A monitor has several built in
protection systems to reduce the risk of hazard
or damage due to overloading.
Both power amplifiers have thermal protection.
This activates if a problem should occur, and
helps protect both the electronics and the
loudspeaker drivers.

There is also a thermal sensor measuring the
temperature on the heat sink. An electronic
circuit will mute the signal when too high
temperature is reached. The protection diode
on the front will light up when this happens.

On the tweeter output there is an overload
protection to prevent burning the tweeter driver
in case of overloading. This circuit will mute the
tweeter signal if too much current is fed to the
tweeter.

The woofer channel has a built in limiter that
protects the woofer unit from too much
excursion. It works by reducing the gain of the
circuit when a certain threshold level is
reached.

Positioning

The BM 5A is designed as a near to mid-field
monitor and can be equally well used in both
stereo and surround setups. Optimal
performance is achieved when positioned 1-3
meters from the listener.
It can be placed on stands or on the meter
bridge of a console provided that the meter
bridge is sufficiently sturdy. For best results the
speakers may be aimed towards the listener in
both vertical and horizontal planes.

Note:
Be aware that proper air circulation around the
monitor for sufficient cooling is necessary. Also
notice that the heat sink is designed to provide
maximum cooling when the monitor is
positioned vertically.

8

MISCELLANEOUS

Troubleshooting

If Power LED lights green and no sound, check
your input signal f.ex. by switching speakers.

If power LED does not light at all and no sound,
check the fuse. If replaced and still no sound
contact your Dynaudio Acoustics Dealer.

If protection LED lights red check the
temperature of the heat sink. If it feels hot turn
off the speaker and wait for some 10 minutes to
allow the amplifier to cool off. Turn it on again.
If it works now it is ok, but you may need more
air circulation around your speaker to avoid
overheating to take place again.

Care

Components of the highest quality is used in
your BM 5A. This assures years of trouble free
operation. Following precautions should still be
made though.
Avoid running the system into severe clipping.
Even there is an advanced protection system,
you may be able to destroy your speakers by
severe overpowering. The limiter works over a
certain range, but exceeding this level may
send a severely clipped signal to your drivers.
When a noticeable distortion occurs, please
turn down the level to your speakers.

Avoid hot plugging the equipment connected to
the monitors. Always turn off the speaker and
other equipment when plugging or unplugging
signals, or switching equipment on or off.
Do not touch the drive units by hand. The
tweeter especially uses a very fine fabric dome
with a ultra thin coating.

Options

The BM 5A may be combined with a Dynaudio
Acoustics subwoofer for extended bass
performance, and higher spl if highpass filter is
used. See Setting Up.

Service

There are no user serviceable parts inside the
monitor. If service is required please contact
service via:

www.tcsupport.tc

or

TC Electronic
Sindalsvej 34
DK-8240 Risskov
Denmark

Tel: [phone]

9

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

System

Frequency Response (+/- 3 dB)

Input level for 85 dB SPL @1m

Power consumption

Amplifier power

Bass Principle

Vent tuning frequency

Internal Cabinet Volume

Crossover Frequency

Crossover Slope

Tweeter

Woofer

Weight

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Two-way Active Nearfield Monitor

50 Hz - 21 kHz

-16dBu RMS @ 0dB setting

Idle: 10 W / Max: 90 W

Tweeter: 50 W / Woofer: 50 W

Bass reflex

55 Hz

9 liters

1500 Hz

6 dB/oct

Esotec 28 mm/1.1" soft dome, rear chamber,
Magnetic fluid. 4 mm alu front, pure alu wire
voice coil

170 mm/6.5", One-piece thermo formed poly­prop cone, 75 mm/3" pure alu voice coil

8.7 kg / 19.2 lbs

186 x 320 x 320 mm / 7.3" x 12.5" x 12.5"