EAW MX8000 Technical Specifications

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PRELIMINARY PRODUCT INFORMATION

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Technical Specifications MX8000

MX8000 Close Coupled Network Processor

CLOSER COUPLING OF ACTIVE ELECTRONICS

The concept of Close Coupling™ developed by EAW Executive Vice President,
Engineering Kenton G. Forsythe is unique. EAW engineers integrate active
signal processing into the total loudspeaker system – which may often
include internal passive electrical networks and even acoustical filters that
operate simultaneously with the external processor – in order to optimize the
system’s acoustic transfer function. EAW processors do not rely on dynamic
effects to disguise limitations in the electromechanical and acoustical aspects
of the system. Therefore they do not change the loudspeaker’s tonal balance
or power response at high output levels.

The MX8000 maintains this approach, which has been proven on concert
tours and installations worldwide. It includes all the functions of previous
MX Series CCEP™ units, and adds new dimensions of signal processing
power and a new, more powerful interface that gives the system designer
and operator more information, control and flexibility. EAW engineers will
be able to acheive even better acoustic performance by integrating these
new capabilities into existing EAW loudspeaker systems as well as new
systems under development.

HYBRID ANALOG/DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Live sound reinforcement demands the highest available dyanmic range
and signal-to-noise performance. In order to achieve the highest possible
dynamic range, the MX8000 design team has opted to implement most
signal processing functions in the analog domain. The MX8000’s analog
functions include:

• A four-way crossover using asymmetrical
fourth-order filters

• RMS limiting on each frequency band to
protect drivers against thermal failure

• Peak limiting on each band to prevent
amplifier clipping

• Six bands of parametric equalization
provide for flexible system optimization

• Subwoofer cone excursion limiting

• Phase compensation for coherent
acoustic summing at crossover points

• Subwoofer OFF (three-way), ADJacent
(true four-way) and DIStant (three-way
plus subwoofer) modes.

Digital technology has been used wherever
it would not compromise the audio signal
path. Thus all of the above functions are controlled
digitally via the front panel or the two types of remote
control interface. In addition, the MX8000 includes:

• Digital delay lines on each frequency band

• Minimum delay resolution of 5.208 microseconds
allows drivers or adjacent loudspeaker systems to be time aligned
within fractions of an inch

• Maximum delay time of 341 milliseconds per band allows control of
arrival times over a wide range.

• Provide coherent signal arrival time from multiple speaker systems.

UNIT CONTROLS

POWER

AMPLIFIER GAIN

+ 32

+ 26

Unit Controls

Calibration

Gain Set

RMS Set

Peak Limit Set

Signal Delay

Metering

Subwoofer Controls

HIGH FREQUENCY

MID FREQUENCY

LOW FREQUENCY

SUBWOOFER

PANEL LOCK

SAVE/RECALL SETTING

SAVE TO MX8000
SAVE TO DISC
RECALL

MX8000

Close Coupled 

Network Processor

NAME MUTE

SUBWOOFER CONTROLS

+ 0 dB

NORMAL

+ 6 dB

SUB MODE

180°

SOURCE

ADJ

MAIN

DIST

DIRECT

OFF

TWO REMOTE CONTROL OPTIONS

The MX8000 extends the emerging audio control network to the loud­speaker system. Close Coupled signal processing functions as well as
output gain and other setup parameters can be controlled via the front
and rear panels, or remotely from any personal computer. The first remote
control option is an RS232 serial port. The second is a proprietary
implementation of the MediaLink network interface. The remote control
is the only user access to the digital delay settings, the individual band
gain settings and the limiter settings. This system allows a systems
engineer centralized control of multiple loudspeaker arrays.

A UNIQUELY POWERFUL MEDIALINK INTERFACE

Previous MediaLink implementations have used Lone Wolf Corporation’s
MediaLink chip for all communications and control functions. In the
MX8000, the same standard MediaLink chip handles network communi­cations and housekeeping chores, while a second internal microproces­sor translates the network messages into control vectors for the MX8000’s
parameter settings. The internal microprocessor also relays system and
operating status messages to the network chip. This gives the MX8000
much greater flexibility as well as signficantly enhanced data throughput
capacity.

AN ADVANCED GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE

The prerelease version of the MX8000’s graphic user interface is shown
below. The control surface can be collapsed or expanded by the user
depending on the needs of the particular application. Password protec­tion will allow any level of access from zero (remote and front panel
controls disabled) to full adjustment of all remote addressable MX8000
parameters. Thus the interface accomodates the requirements of every
user from the minimally competent operator to the expert sound system
designer. EAW is developing this interface and the accompanying screens
as a prototype of the virtual control surface of the future.

CALIBRATION GAIN SET RMS LIMIT SET PEAK LIMIT SET SIGNAL DELAY

UNC

UNC

UNC

UNC

ADDED DELAY

METERING

RMS LIMITING

RMS LIMITING

RMS LIMITING

RMS LIMITING

SHOW PEAKS RESET

EASTERN ACOUSTIC WORKS

One Main Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588 • (508) 234 - 6158 • FAX (508) 234 - 8251 • BBS [phone]

EAW products are continually improved. All specifications are therefore subject to change without notice. • PUB# MX8000/11/4/94 • Printed In USA

MX8000 PRELIMINARY PRODUCT INFORMATION

AUDIO PERFORMANCE

Dynamic Range 105 dB

THD+N (0 dBu
20 Hz -20 kHz) 0.03% (≤0.08%)

INPUT

Connectors Female XLR (Locking)

Type Electronically Balanced

Differential

Differential 20 kΩ Input Impedance

Common-Mode 10 kΩ Input Impedance

Input Overload

20 Hz -20 kHz 21.8 dBu

OUTPUT

Connectors Male XLR (Locking)

Type Single-Ended

Impedance 10 Ω

Max Voltage +21.2 dBu

Minimum

Resistive Load 200 Ω

Maximum 22 nF (Outputs are stable

Capacitive Load with any capacitive load.)

Offset Voltage ±1.5 mV (±10 mV limit)

Output Noise (20 Hz -20 kHz, Rs = 600 Ω,
Amp Gain = 32 dB, All Bands Unity Gain)

SUB, LF -97.5 dBu (<-96.5 dBu)

MF -96.0 dBu (<-95.0 dBu)

HF -90.0 dBu (<-89.0 dBu)

ELECTRICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL

Dimensions 19” W x 1.75” H x 12.2” D

Line Input Power 55 Watts

Line Voltage Requirements

110 VAC Setting 90-135 VAC, 50-60 Hz

220 VAC Setting 195-270 VAC, 50-60 Hz

Line Input/

Fuse Holder IEC 320 block with

5x20 mm Fuseholder,
Line Voltage Selector
and Line Cord Socket,
UL/CSA/VDE

Operating

Temperature 0 - 50° Celsius

Accessories

Included UL/CSA Line Cord

Spare Line Fuse
(in fuseholder)

DIGITAL CONTROL OPTIONS

Observe/Control Signal Delay, Gain,

Threshold Settings, Mute
Status, Subwoofer Mode
Status, Power Status

Observe Only Level Metering, Calibra-

tion Status, Amp Gain
Status, Limiter Status

Current Platforms RS232, MediaLink

CROSSOVER FILTER TYPE

HF,MF High Pass 4th Order Linkwitz-Riley,

MF,LF, SUB Low Pass 4th Order Linkwitz-Riley,

LF Highpass Modes

Technical Specifications MX8000

Variable F

Variable F

ADJacent 4th Order Linkwitz-Riley,

Variable F

DISTant 2nd Order,Variable Q,

Variable F

SUB OFF 2nd Order, Variable Q,

Variable F

0

0

0

0

0

CROSSOVER CUTOFF
FREQUENCIES

HF High Pass 800 Hz - 10 kHz

MF Low Pass 800 Hz - 10 kHz

MF High Pass 80 Hz - 1 kHz

LF Low Pass 80 Hz - 1 kHz

SUB Low Pass 50 Hz - 800 Hz

LF Highpass Modes

ADJacent 50 Hz - 800 Hz

DISTant 12.5 Hz - 225 Hz

SUB OFF 12.5 Hz - 225 Hz

SYSTEM HIGHPASS
AND LOWPASS

Subwoofer High Pass

All Modes 2nd Order Butterworth,

Fixed LF High Pass

All Modes 2nd Order Butterworth,

Fixed System Low Pass

Variable F

-3 dB @ 25 Hz

#1 2nd Order Butterworth

-3 dB @ 44 kHz

#2 5th Order Chebishev

-3 dB @ 25 kHz

0

PASS BAND GAIN

HF/MF/LF/SUB -9 dB to +19 dB

DELAY

Time Base 12.288 MHz ±10 ppm

Maximum Delay 341.3 ms

Minimum Delay 5.2 µs

Delay Resolution 5.2 µs, 0.054 in.

Freq. Response 20 Hz – 15 kHz ±0.25 dB

THD+N @ Max Input Level

20 Hz – 20 kHz 0.006% (<0.01%)

Delay Type

Electrical Digital, 1 input, 4 output

Mechanical Plug-in Module

15 kHz – 20 kHz ±0.5 dB

LIMITER FUNCTIONS

Limiter Type

Short Term Instantaneous Peak

Long Term True RMS Above

Limiter Time Constant

HF RMS 4 ms
MF RMS 13 ms

LF RMS 38 ms

SUB RMS 180 ms

HF/MF/LF/SUB Limiter Threshold

PEAK Limiter 0.5 V

RMS Limiter 0.1 V

Limiter

Threshold Infinite
Compressor

– 12.5 V

PEAK

– 8.9 V

RMS

PEAK

RMS

LF/SUB PROTECTION

Subwoofer Protection

Circuit Type 2nd Order Variable Q

LF Protection (SUB Off Mode Only)

Circuit Type 2nd Order Variable Q

Highpass Filter (Q
changes with energy in
SUB Pass Band)

Highpass Filter (Q
changes with energy in
LF Pass Band)

PHASE ADJUSTMENT

Network Type 1st Order Allpass

MF/HF Adjust 0°-180°

LF/MF Adjust 0°-180°
SW/LF Adjust 0°-180°

PARAMETRIC EQ

Available Bands Band 1, Band 2, HF, MF,

Bandwidth Up to Q = 5.0

Boost/Cut Range ±12 dB

EQ Out Flat

LF, SUB

EASTERN ACOUSTIC WORKS

One Main Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588 • (508) 234 - 6158 • FAX (508) 234 - 8251 • BBS [phone]

EAW products are continually improved. All specifications are therefore subject to change without notice. • PUB# MX8000/11/4/94 • Printed In USA