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Professional Active Reference
5" and 8" Studio Monitor
User’s Guide
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ESI - Copyright © 2014
Revision 1, September 2014
www.esi-audio.com
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ESI uniK plus
INDEX
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1 What makes uniK plus unique?............................................................................................................................ 4
2. Basics & Installation .................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Unpacking / Handling .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Connection ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Placement / Positioning / Setup ................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Stereo / 2.0 Positioning ........................................................................................................................................ 6
3.2 Stereo with Subwoofer / 2.1 Positioning .............................................................................................................. 6
3.3 Surround 5.1 Positioning ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3.4 Surround 7.1 Positioning ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3.5 Orientation ........................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.6 Additional Comments .......................................................................................................................................... 8
3.7 ESI Bass Port PlugTM for vent port ...................................................................................................................... 8
3.8 Rubber Feet .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
4. Technical Data ............................................................................................................................ 10
4.1 Specifications of uniK 05+ ................................................................................................................................ 10
4.2 Specifications of uniK 08+ ................................................................................................................................ 10
4.3 Rear Panel .......................................................................................................................................................... 11
5. General Information .................................................................................................................. 14
5.1 Safety Information ............................................................................................................................................. 14
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ESI uniK plus
1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the ESI uniK plus.
Our uniK plus studio monitor is available as a 5" and an 8" version, the uniK 05+ and uniK 08+.
This manual describes both models as they have similar functions and features.
The uniK plus studio monitors are the result of extensive development work performed in Germany,
to provide a professional active reference monitor that defines a higher level of quality in its class.
With its 5" or 8" kevlar low frequency driver and a custom engineered and powerful high frequency
magnetostatic tweeter, the uniK plus offers many improvements over our previous successful uniK
series of studio monitors and provides unique sound characteristics that allow this monitor to satisfy
the highest demands in a professional studio environment.
1.1 What makes uniK plus unique?
The uniK plus studio monitor offers true full range quality with extended low end in a small case
and an entirely new signal processing and amplifier unit with a perfect order low-z and low noise
design. Mos-Fet Bi-amplification ensures a high slew-rate and fast setting, featuring true analog
vintage sound processing with LC-like gyrator technology for a stressless and silky sound.
A completely new feature is the unique one knob sound character adjustment from smooth to bright,
allowing you to change parameters for every room and preference. The additional high resolution
high and low switches add additional control and of course there is the option to utilize our ESI
Bass Port PlugTM for further room adjustment, i.e. to control the low frequencies in small rooms or
when the speaker is placed in a corner by running uniK plus either as a closed or a bass reflex
speaker system.
The uniK plus studio monitor features a real precision gain attenuator, instead of a simple volume
control and the new design of the crossover ensures an excellent phase response and safe power
limitation, to drive the woofer and tweeter efficiently. The tweeter features a newly upgraded
magnetostatic design with extremely low moving mass for extended frequency and fast transient
response and high sound resolution. The matching woofer consists of a kevlar composite cone with
high stiffness ensuring better piston motion and excellent low-end sound reproduction.
Another special feature is the flexible rubber feet with discrete height adjustment. They are not only
helpful to reduce unwanted vibrations, but also allow you to tilt the speaker towards the precise
listening point - a great feature for typical near field applications. Other features include standby to
save power consumption (can be disabled), an integrated over-load indicator on the power LED that
flashes red and a ground lift switch.
2. Basics & Installation
For optimal performance of your uniK plus studio monitor, read the instructions in this manual
thoroughly and carefully before you are using the speaker. We tried to keep this manual short so
that you are not loosing much time to read through it completely.
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2.1 Unpacking / Handling
To remove the monitor from the carton its best to turn the package carefully upside down on the
floor or on a table and then lift the carton vertically up slowly to leave the monitor resting in the
packaging foam. Make sure that you don’t grab the speaker driver units on the front to avoid
damage. Now check the monitor for signs of damage that might have occurred in shipping. In the
unlikely event of this, please contact the reseller of the product immediately. Be careful when you
remove the packaging foam. Please keep all packing materials.
You will when unpacking that the uniK plus is shipped with a power cable, the ESI Bass Port
PlugTM made from a special acoustic material and with 4 rubber feet that can be installed and
removed when required (more on that below in section 3.7 and 3.8).
2.2 Connection
High quality XLR balanced, TRS balanced or TS unbalanced audio cables are recommended for
input connection. The monitor typically connects to the line level output of a mixing console or to a
computer audio card. Make sure the power of the monitor is switched off before you connect any
audio cables.
XLR balanced connection
Connect male side of XLR balanced cable to the balanced XLR input of uniK plus. Make sure the
power cable is connected as well. Setup all speakers (i.e. left / right channels) with the same type of
cable.
TRS balanced or TS unbalanced connection
Connect male side of TRS balanced or TS unbalanced cable to the input jack of uniK plus. Make
sure the power cable is connected as well. Setup all speakers (i.e. left / right channels) with the
same type of cable.
3. Placement / Positioning / Setup
The placement of monitoring speakers is very critical and can compromise their performance. This
is a general rule for every loudspeaker. To monitor with uniK plus utilizing their maximum
capabilities, an appropriate listening environment and a correct placement are important.
Typically you would be using 2 units of uniK plus as one stereo pair – or more in surround setups
(i.e. in a 5.1 setup you would use 5 units of uniK plus together with a subwoofer).
uniK plus can also be tilted up and down using rubber feet (3.8) and depending on the room
environment you have the option to use them as a closed speaker system or open with bass reflex
port utilizing our ESI Bass Port PlugTM (3.7).
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3.1 Stereo / 2.0 Positioning
Two units and the listener should be positioned or aligned in a regular triangle form. Please refer to
the following diagram to understand how to position your monitors. Each distance x should be
identical.
3.2 Stereo with Subwoofer / 2.1 Positioning
In a stereo setup with an added subwoofer, the subwoofer speaker should be positioned ideally in
the middle in front of the listener (with the same distance x). If this is not possible, it should be
close to that position.
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3.3 Surround 5.1 Positioning
In a 5.1 surround set, the center speaker should ideally be placed on top of the subwoofer. If this is
not possible, the subwoofer can be moved to the left or right but should close. The rear surround
speakers should be positioned around 110° from the center speaker (all with the same distance x).
3.4 Surround 7.1 Positioning
In a 7.1 surround set, the center speaker should also ideally be placed on top of the subwoofer or as
close as possible. The surround speakers are best placed 90° from the center speaker and the back
surround speakers are best placed 135° to 150° from the center speaker. All speakers should be
placed with the same distance x to the listener.
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3.5 Orientation
It’s strongly suggested to place the uniK plus vertically. Do not place them horizontally.
3.6 Additional Comments
Please also make sure to not place any obstacles that may block the flow of air or that could
generate sound reflections (especially highly reflective material including glass or metal) in front of
the monitor. Also, don’t put plants in pots on top or too close to your monitors.
If possible, avoid placing the speakers into the corner of a room as this may cause reflections from
both sides, which may alter the sound. It is best to place them with a 90° or 0° angle in reference to
the closest wall. If this cannot be avoided, it might be advisable to close the vent port with the
included ESI Bass Port PlugTM (see below under 3.7).
3.7 ESI Bass Port PlugTM for vent port
uniK plus has a vent port that is conveniently placed on the backside of the unit, making sure that
air does not get blown into your face when you listen in a near field situation and to make sure that
parasitic frequencies from the inside of the cabinet are sent out through the rear. When uniK plus is
placed too close to the wall or especially when placed angled in a room corner, low frequencies
could get emphasized a bit too much. As vented speaker systems have this issue more than closed
speakers, it can be better to have a closed speaker system when they are used in small rooms, in
corners or very close to a wall – while when placed into a larger room, obviously the open system
with the vent port is better.
Because of this, ESI developed a truly unique feature: uniK plus are shipped with an ESI Bass Port
PlugTM. This plug made from a special acoustic material allows you to turn uniK plus either in a
completely closed system (ESI Bass Port PlugTM inserted into the vent port) or a regular open bass
reflex system (vent port is open):
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Together with the room adjustment options, this gives you amazing amount of flexibility in
reference to the requirements of your listening room and your own preference to sound.
3.8 Rubber Feet
uniK plus are supplied with 4 rubber feet, two on the front of the speaker and two on the rear. The
rubber feet help you to reduce unwanted vibrations, depending on where exactly the speaker is
placed. They can individually be adjusted by turning them in and out, or they can be removed
altogether if you prefer not to use them or if you want to use something like a custom foam pad
under your monitors. Essentially, you have these 4 options:
As a general rule, make sure that the speaker always directly points directly at your ears when you
are sitting at the preferred listening spot. This should be considered when you tilt the speakers
upwards or downwards.
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4. Technical Data
Please note that technical specifications are subject to change without any prior notice. The specs
given in this manual are up-to-date at the time of the creation of this document.
4.1 Specifications of uniK 05+
Biamp 2-Way Powered Speaker System
Active Studio Monitor Speaker
HF Driver: extremely low mass magnetostactic tweeter Φ49 x 26 mm
LF Driver: 5" kevlar curved cone (magnetic shielding type)
Output Power: 80W (HF: 40W, LF: 40W), 110W AC consumption power
Frequency Response: 49Hz - 25kHz
Input Impedance: 27.2kOhm (balanced) / 13.6kOhm (unbalanced)
Crossover Point: 3.2kHz
SPL: 101dB, Peak 104dB
Input Connectors: XLR / TRS 1/4" combo connector, balanced / unbalanced
Gain Control: -14 .. 0dB .. +14
Room Adjustments Control: Character: -6 .. 0dB .. +6; Low: -5 .. 0dB .. +5; High: -5 .. 0dB .. +5
works as closed speaker system (ESI Bass Port Plug
ventilation port, optimised for near field operation (ESI Bass Port PlugTM removed)
Ground lift switch
Standby function, can be turned on and off
Indicator: multi color LED on front panel, power on orange, standby red, over load red flashing
Feet: 4 pieces rubberized, adjustable height separately
Working Voltage: AC100-240V 50/60Hz
Dimensions (W x H x D): 190 x 265 x 210mm
Weight: 4.4 kg
TM
installed) or bass reflex system with rear
4.2 Specifications of uniK 08+
Biamp 2-Way Powered Speaker System
Active Studio Monitor Speaker
HF Driver: extremely low mass magnetostactic tweeter Φ49 x 26 mm
LF Driver: 8" kevlar curved cone (magnetic shielding type)
Output Power: 140W (HF: 70W, LF: 70W), 160W AC consumption power
Frequency Response: 37Hz - 25kHz
Input Impedance: 27.2kOhm (balanced) / 13.6kOhm (unbalanced)
Crossover Point: 3.2kHz
SPL: 105dB, Peak 108dB
Input Connectors: XLR / TRS 1/4" combo connector, balanced / unbalanced
Gain Control: -14 .. 0dB .. +14
Room Adjustments Control: Character: -6 .. 0dB .. +6; Low: -5 .. 0dB .. +5; High: -5 .. 0dB .. +5
works as closed speaker system (ESI Bass Port Plug
TM
installed) or bass reflex system with rear
ventilation port, optimised for near field operation (ESI Bass Port PlugTM removed)
Ground lift switch
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Standby function: can be turned on and off
Indicator: multi color LED on front panel, power on orange, standby red, over load red flashing
Feet: 4 pieces rubberized, adjustable height separately
Working Voltage: AC100-240V 50/60Hz
Dimensions (W x H x D): 252 x 352 x 319mm
Weight: 8.1 kg
4.3 Rear Panel
The following picture shows the rear panel of uniK 05+. The functions of uniK 08+ are identical.
1. XLR input – this connector accepts balanced XLR input connections (typically with a +4dBu
level). XLR input is wired like this:
INPUT SIGNAL XLR CONNECTIONS
+ PIN 2
- PIN 3
Shield PIN 1
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2. TRS input – this jack accepts TRS input connections, either balanced or unbalanced. For
balanced connections, a 3-conductor TRS plug is necessary. The TRS input is wired like this:
INPUT SIGNAL TRS CONNECTIONS
+ Tip
- Ring
Shield Sleeve
Unbalanced wiring works with either a 2- or 3-conductor TRS connector. A 2-conductor TRS plug
(or sometimes also just called TS plug) automatically grounds the minus signal input, whereas a 3conductor TRS plug wired unbalanced provides the option of leaving the minus open or grounded.
We recommend that you ground the unused part.
3. vent port – uniK plus is a vented box speaker system with a vent port on the rear panel. Because
of this, it is better to keep some small distance from the wall and not to put the speaker directly into
a corner of the room (as the two sides of the corner would generate different reflections). One
option to deal with this in case it cannot be avoided or if it is your preference, you can close the vent
port with the included ESI Bass Port PlugTM (described in section 3.7) that ships with uniK plus.
4. gain level adjustment – use this gain control knob to adjust the speaker properly to the input
level from the sound source. Make sure to setup all speakers accordingly. When set to 0 (middle
position), the input level is set to the recommended calibrated level to reach the most optimised
dynamic response on the output (based on a a balanced XLR or TRS signal with +4dBu reference
level).
5. character selection (room adjustment) – via the character selection it is possible to tilt the
whole frequency spectrum up (BRIGHT) or down (SMOOTH). This allows you to adjust the sound
according to the requirements in your room as well as to your own hearing preferences and
requirements.
When set to 0 (middle position), the frequency response is optimised, i.e. as linear as possible.
When the value is tilted upwards, the higher frequencies will appear stronger, yet the whole
frequency spectrum will match accordingly. When the value is tilted downwards, the high
frequencies will appear less strong. It is recommended to adjust the CHARACTER first, before you
change something on the LOW and HIGH knobs. Also make sure that each speaker has exactly the
same settings.
6. high frequencies (room adjustment) – the HIGH knob allows you to adjust the high frequencies
via a built-in EQ mostly affecting the area around 10kHz, by around 1dB for each step up or down,
according to local requirements and your taste.
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When set to 0 (middle position), the whole frequency response is optimised, i.e. as linear as
possible. Make sure that each speaker has exactly the same settings.
7. low frequencies (room adjustment) – the LOW knob allows you to adjust the low frequencies
via a built-in EQ mostly affecting the area around 100Hz and below, by around 1dB for each step
up or down, according to local requirements and your taste.
When set to 0 (middle position), the whole frequency response is optimised, i.e. as linear as
possible. Make sure that each speaker has exactly the same settings.
8. ground lift switch – with the ground lift switch you can lift the signal ground from earth (when
set to ON) or by default keep it connected (when set to OFF). This allows you in some situation to
reduce or remove unwanted hum noise when there are issues with grounding of your audio signals
in your studio setup.
9. standby switch – you can turn the standby functionality ON or OFF. When set to OFF, the
standby energy saving functions are not available and the unit will always be turned on. When set to
ON, the unit will switch to power saving mode after a while without any audio signal. The power
saving mode is indicated by a red ESI logo LED on the front panel (instead of the normally orange
power ESI logo LED). When there is an audio signal again, regular operation resumes.
10. power switch – with the power switch you can turn uniK plus on and off.
11. power port with ext. fuse – use this connector to plug in the detachable 3-circuit line cord that
connects to the power outlet. The connector contains a replaceable fuse (T1AL/250V in case of
uniK 05+ and T2AL/250V in case of uniK 08+).
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5. General Information
Trademarks
ESI, uniK, uniK 05+, uniK 08+ and uniK plus are trademarks or registered trademarks of ESI
Audiotechnik GmbH. Other product and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.
Correspondence
For technical support inquiries, contact your nearest dealer, local distributor or ESI support online at
www.esi-audio.com.
Disclaimer
All features and specifications subject to change without notice.
Parts of this manual are continually being updated. Please check our web site www.esi-audio.com
occasionally for the most recent update information.
5.1 Safety Information
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