EM Acoustics EMS Series, EMS-121, EMS-81i, EMS-81, EMS-121w User Manual

EMS Series

User Manual – v2.0

EMS-81/EMS-81i

EMS-121/EMS-121w/EMS-121i/EMS-121h

EMS-152/152w

EMS-215/EMS-215i

EM Acoustics Loudspeakers

Building 74, Dunsfold Park

Cranleigh, Surrey

GU6 8TB, UK

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

www.emacoustics.co.uk

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Copyright EM Acoustics 2006

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Thank you ...……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3

Unpacking ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

Declaration of Conformity …………………….…………………………………………………………………………………… 3

Product Range Overview

EMS-81 passive two-way fullrange enclosure ……………………………………………………………………………… 4

EMS-121 passive two-way fullrange enclosure ……………………………………………………………………………. 5

EMS-152 passive two-way fullrange enclosure ……………………………………………………………………………. 6

EMS-215 subwoofer …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

System Set-up

Safety Considerations………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8

Cabling & Amplifier selection ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9

Mounting & Rigging Options

Rigging Hardware & Accessories ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10

Permanent Installations …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10

Vertical Flying Cradle Use ……………………………….…………………………………………………………………………. 11

Horizontal Flying Cradle Use …….…………………………………………………………………………………................ 12

Dual Enclosure Flybar Use ………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………13

EMS-152 Rigging Options …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14

Ommimount/Powerdrive Bracket Use …………………………………………………………………………………………… 15

DA-1 Amplifier Installation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………16

Maintenance

EMS-81 Drive Unit Service ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17

EMS-121 Drive Unit Service ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18

EMS-152 Drive Unit Service ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19

EMS-215 Drive Unit Service ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20

Warranty ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 21

Appendix A – Technical Specifications …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 22

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you

Thank you for purchasing a product from the acclaimed EMS Series from EM Acoustics. The EMS Series products

have been carefully designed and rigorously tested to ensure years of flawless operation and unprecedented sonic

quality. Flexibility is the key factor with EMS products, and consequently they are at home within a wide variety of

applications from live and portable applications, through to cafes, bars, nightclubs, theatres and conference

centres.

Please ensure that you read this manual carefully before use, and that you keep it to hand should you need it for

further reference. Furthermore, should you have any difficulties please do not hesitate in contacting your EM

Acoustics dealer, or email [e-mail]

for further assistance.

Unpacking

Every EM Acoustics product is built to the highest standard and thoroughly tested before it leaves our factory.

After unpacking your loudspeaker, please inspect it carefully for any signs of transit damage. If such damage is

found, please notify the carrier at once to instigate a claim. It is suggested that you retain all packaging for future

re-shipment.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

The products contained within this manual conform to the requirements of the EMC

Directive 89/336/EEC, amended by 92/31/EEC and to the requirements of the Low

Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC amended by 93/68/EEC.

Standards Applied: EMC Emission EN55103-1:1996

Immunity EN55103-2:1996

Electrical Safety EN60065:1993

RECYCLING

This product and its packaging constitute the applicable product according to the WEEE directive.

Please ensure that at the end of the working life of this product, it is disposed of sensibly in

accordance with local and national recycling regulations. The packaging supplied with this product

is recyclable. Please retain all packaging, however if disposing of this packaging please ensure

that you comply with local recycling regulations. These products also all comply to the RoHS

Directive 2002/95/EC.

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PRODUCT RANGE OVERVIEW

EMS-81/EMS-81i Loudspeaker

The EMS-81 is a versatile, full-range loudspeaker product designed for a wide variety of compact and discreet

sound reinforcement applications. It features a high-power 8” (203mm) vented LF driver and a 1” (25mm) exit HF

compression driver on a rotatable 90° x 60° waveguide. These components are matched by an internal UniPhase

crossover network for unprecedented sonic quality from a completely passive enclosure.

Through the use of the multi-angle enclosure, polemount socket, M10 and M6 rigging points and rotatable horn,

the EMS-81 can be used in a wide variety of applications from floor monitoring to permanent installations.

To rotate the HF waveguide:

1. Remove the front grille as described in the Maintenance section on Page 10 of this manual.

2. Using a 4mm Allen key, remove the four socket-head bolts retaining the HF waveguide in place.

3. Lift the waveguide up and rotate to the desired position – the wider exit of the waveguide shows the 90-

degree dispersion plane.

4. Reinstate the socket-head bolts and retighten. Avoid over-tightening as this may crack the waveguide.

5. Reinstate the grille as described in the Maintenance section on Page 10.

As with all EM Acoustics full-range products, no active controller or programmed EQ is required for correct

operation. For demanding applications, a 50Hz high pass filter is recommended to increase drive unit headroom

however this is not essential for normal operation.

The EMS-81i is the dedicated installation version of the EMS-81 with no handle or polemount, and with a single

NL4MP connector and a four-way barrier strip instead of two NL4MP connectors.

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EMS-121/EMS-121w/EMS-121h/EMS-121i Loudspeaker

The EMS-121 is a versatile, full-range loudspeaker product designed for a wide variety of sound reinforcement

applications, where higher SPL and lower frequency response restrict the use of the EMS-81. It features a high-

power 12” (305mm) vented LF driver and a 1” (25mm) exit HF compression driver on either a 60°H x 40°V (EMS-

121) or 90°H x 40°V (EMS-121w) waveguide. These components are matched by an internal UniPhase crossover

network for unprecedented sonic quality from a truly passive enclosure.

The family of different formats for the EMS-121 allows a wide variety of applications to be covered – from stand-

mounting for public address or small live use through to horizontal installation in low-ceiling venues. M10 and M8

threaded fixings and an integral polemount socket are provided for ease of installation – both permanent and

temporary.

As with all EM Acoustics full-range products, no active controller or programmed EQ is required for correct

operation. For demanding applications, a 40Hz high pass filter is recommended to increase drive unit headroom

however this is not essential for normal operation.

The EMS-121i is the dedicated installation version of the EMS-121 with no handles or polemount, and with a single

NL4MPR connector and a four-way barrier strip instead of two NL4MPR connectors. The EMS-121h is a horizontal

mounting, permanent installation version for use in situations where ceiling height is critical.

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EMS-152/EMS-152w Loudspeaker

DA-1 Ready

The EMS-152 is a high power, medium-Q performance loudspeaker designed for a variety of applications within the

live and installation audio markets, where sonic performance and dispersion accuracy are of paramount

importance. The enclosure features a high-power 15” (381mm), 4” voice coil neodymium vented LF driver and a

4” aluminium diaphragm, 2” exit compression driver on either a 60°H x 40°V (EMS-152) or 90°H x 40°V (EMS-

152w) waveguide. Added to this is a specific cone profile to allow the dispersion of the 15” drive unit to match

that of the high frequency drive unit throughout the crossover region.

These precision components are matched by an internal UniPhase2 passive crossover network. This radical

approach to passive crossover technology achieves phenomenal frequency and phase responses without the need

for bi-amplification or external processing.

The two formats are intended to provide user-flexibility during system design – the EMS-152 is designed for array

construction whereas the EMS-152w can be used where wider coverage is required from a single enclosure – such

as centre fills or large format front fills.

Integral to the enclosure are four M10 flying points to allow suspension using a variety of different rigging

methods.

As with all other EM Acoustics fullrange products, no external processing or equalisation is required to allow the

loudspeaker to function correctly. However, for high SPL applications a high pass filter set above 40Hz is

recommended to remove unnecessary LF drive unit cone excursion. The EMS-152 can also accept the new DA-1

digital power amplifier module if required.

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EMS-215/EMS-215i Subwoofer

DA-1 Ready

The EMS-215 is a compact, powerful subwoofer system designed to extend the low frequency performance of

EMS-81 and EMS-121 based systems. Through the use of a quasi-bandpass design, the enclosure size is kept to a

minimum to allow ease of use in installations where space is a premium.

It features a pair of high power 15” (381mm) LF drive units, each in their own vented chamber. Both drive units

then fire through a single exit, located behind the foam grille. For ease of transportation in portable applications,

the EMS-215 is fitted with four heavy duty castors and recessed handles. Three polemounts are also fitted to allow

the mounting of EMS-81 or EMS-121 enclosures above the subwoofer, in two different orientations.

An active crossover is required to set a low pass filter for correct operation, set at any point below 150Hz. A

24dB/Octave Linkwitz-Riley filter slope is recommended. For demanding applications, a 30Hz high pass filter is

recommended to increase drive unit headroom however this is not essential for normal operation.

The EMS-215i is the dedicated installation version of the EMS-215 with no handles, wheels or polemounts, and

with a single NL4MPR connector and a four-way barrier strip instead of two NL4MPR connectors. The EMS-215 can

also accept the new DA-1 digital power amplifier module if required.

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SYSTEM SET-UP

Safety Considerations

Loudspeaker systems are potentially dangerous objects if used incorrectly. Please ensure that you read this

section fully, and contact EM Acoustics or your local dealer should you be in any doubt over correct operation

procedures.

Professional loudspeaker systems are capable of producing damage-inducing sound pressure levels, and hence

care should be taken when setting your system up, particularly when it comes to loudspeaker placement within a

venue. Damage to the ear can result from levels above 90dB under prolonged exposure.

Stand Mounting

The EMS-81 and EMS-121 include 35mm polemount sockets for stand mounting. When mounting in this way,

please consider the following:

• Ensure your stand height is locked off and the tripod legs are positioned so as to be stable.

• Check the weight loading of your stands before attempting to mount the loudspeaker.

• Do not stack a second loudspeaker on top of the stand-mounted one.

• Ensure cables are run so as to leave enough slack to enable neat wiring, and thus reduce the risk of the

speaker being pulled over. Loose cables should be covered or taped down wherever possible to reduce trip

hazards.

• If stands are being used outdoors, it may be necessary to add ballast to the base of the stand to prevent it

toppling over.

• When using poles on top of subwoofer systems, please observe similar precautions.

Ground Stacking

• Ensure that the floor or stage surface can withstand the weight of the system.

• Wherever possible, avoid high stacks and use ratchet straps to secure loudspeakers together. Please also

remember that vibrations from subwoofer systems can shake other loudspeakers out of place, which may

present a toppling hazard. The use of ratchet straps and non-slip material is recommended to prevent this.

Rigging and Suspension

There are a variety of different methods for suspending your EMS-81 and EMS-121 enclosures – please see the

detailed section on Page 9 for further information.

WARNING: The overhead suspension of loudspeakers is a very serious issue with potentially lethal

consequences should anything go wrong. Rigging should only be carried out by experienced

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