EAW MX8700, MX8750 Owner's Manual

MX8700 and MX8750
DIGITAL CROSSOVER / SIGNAL PROCESSORS
OWNER’S MANUAL

1. INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on purchasing the latest sound reinforcement innovation from Eastern Acoustic Works.
The MX8700 and MX8750 digital processors are built upon the same fundamental design principles that
EAW has upheld since the introduction of the original MX Series Processors in the 1980’s. These new
products redefine EAW’s signal processing by drawing on the latest advances in digital technology to pro­vide optimum signal processing and management of EAW loudspeaker systems.

1.1 MX8700 Description

The EAW MX8700 Close Coupled Electronic Processor is a two-channel, four-way electronic crossover and
loudspeaker system processor intended for use with both installed and portable systems. The MX8700 pro­vides factory preset configuration, crossovers, equalization, limiting, and other appropriate signal processing
for particular EAW loudspeakers listed on a rear panel label. These parameters cannot be inadvertently or
purposefully modified by the user. This protects the system from improper settings that may cause less than
optimum performance from or damage to the loudspeakers. It is possible to download factory provided set­tings to the MX8700 for different EAW loudspeaker systems by using EAW’s MXLoader program.

NOTE:

It is necessary to set the processor’s gain for the correct limiting thresholds and for special sub-

woofer settings. See the Section 4.2 for details about how to do this.

1.2 MX8750 Description

The EAW MX8750 Close Coupled Electronic Processor is a two input, eight output electronic crossover
and loudspeaker system processor intended for use with both installed and portable systems. All control
and operation of the processor is done using EAW’s MXWare software program that runs on an IBM com­patible computer using the Windows 98, 2000, ME, or NT operating system. MXWare was not written for
Windows 95.

Up to 16 MX8750 processors can be linked together so that all processors can be controlled by the
MXWare program.

2. UNPACKING

2.1 Shipping Damage

After unpacking if there is damage to the processor, save the packing materials for the carrier’s inspec­tion, notify the carrier immediately, and file a shipping damage claim.

Although EAW will help in any way possible, it is always the responsibility of the receiving party to file any
shipping damage claim. The carrier will help prepare and file this claim.

2.2 Returning a Processor to EAW

If the processor must be returned, contact EAW for a Return Authorization. Use the original shipping car­ton and packing materials. If the shipping carton is damaged, contact EAW for a new carton. EAW will
not be responsible for damage caused by inadequate packing.

3. MX8700 / MX8750 CONNECTIONS

3.1 AC Mains Connections

The operating voltage for the AC mains is listed in the rear of the processor.

If the mains voltage is listed as 120 V, be sure that your AC mains voltage is somewhere between 90-125
VAC, 50-60 Hz.

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If the mains voltage is listed 240 V, be sure that your AC mains voltage is somewhere between 180 and
250 VAC, 50-60 Hz.

DANGER: Operating this equipment with the incorrect mains voltage selected will cause damage
to the equipment and/or result in injury or death to operating personnel.

3.2 Grounding

The chassis of this product is grounded through the grounding conductor of the power cord. To avoid elec­tric shock, plug the power cord into a properly wired and grounded receptacle before making any con­nections to the product. A protective ground connection, by way of the grounding conductor in the power
cord, is essential for safe operation.

DANGER: This equipment must be operated with the power cord grounding conductor connected
to a properly grounded AC outlet. Do not disconnect, “lift”, or otherwise remove this ground con­nection. If the protective ground connection is lost, all accessible conductive parts, including
knobs and controls that may appear to be insulated, can render an electric shock that can cause
injury or death to operating personnel.

3.3 Input / Output Connections

The MX8700 and MX8750 use XLR female and male connectors for their audio input and output connec­tions. Pin 1 of each connector connects directly to the chassis and is used for the cable shield connec­tion. Pin 2 and pin 3 are the balanced input/output connections, with pin 2 being the hot (plus) connection
and pin 3 being the cold (minus) connection.

4 MX8700 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

4.1 Configuration and Signal Processing

The configuration and signal processing parameters are preset at the factory for a specific loudspeaker or
loudspeaker and subwoofer combination. A label is affixed to the rear panel of the MX8700 stating the
model number(s) for which it is configured and the uses for each output. No user changes are possible for
the configuration and signal processing parameters for any preset. If a different loudspeaker or loud­speaker/subwoofer combination is to be used, a different preset must be loaded into the MX8700. See

Section 4.4.

WARNING: Using the wrong preset with a loudspeaker can result in damage to the loudspeaker.
Be sure the correct preset is loaded into the MX8700 for your loudspeaker. If in doubt about what
preset is actually loaded, simply obtain the correct preset for the loudspeakers you are using from
the EAW web site: http://www

.eaw.com/. and go to the “Downloads” page. Then load the preset

into the MX8700 using the MXLoader program.

4.1.1 Output Connection Details

The configuration for the MX8700 is shown on the label affixed at the factory. Connect the outputs to the
amplifiers feeding the loudspeaker sections listed in the label. An example label is shown below.

Example Configuration Label

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sub

451xxx

hin/clowsub

hin/clow

S

HMLS

HML

SB150/JF560z

SB150/JF560z

EAW PART #s

MODEL #s:

OUTPUTS:

OUTPUT USE:

451xxx