Thank you for choosing the Tuned Reference™ Biamplified Direct Field
Monitor System. To get the most from your new monitors, please take a
moment to read this manual and familiarize yourself with the product’s
features, set-up, and use.
About the Tuned Reference Series
Our engineers have spent years designing transducers, studio electronics,
and high performance studio monitoring systems—including some of the
most popular professional speakers used today. Now, using the latest
digital acoustic design tools and high performance driver and power
amplifier technology, they’ve developed the Tuned Reference series, and
in so doing, have set new standards in performance and value for direct
field monitors.
The TR8 and 8XL feature the same woofer, tweeter, enclosure, and active
4th-order crossover as their critically-acclaimed forebear, the 20/20bas™.
The TR6 and TR5 use the same woofers, tweeters, enclosures, and active
crossovers as the award-winning Project Studio
models are biamplified, coming equipped with newly-designed highefficiency amplifiers that provide high SPL (Sound Pressure Level) output,
lower distortion, smoother amplitude and phase response, and extended
bandwidth. The Tuned Reference amplifiers also boast significant
improvements in signal-to-noise ratio, input common mode rejection ratio,
and overall reliability. Additionally, in the TR8 XL model, the amplifier is
powered by a torroidal transformer, giving the unit lower mechanical and
electrical noise characteristics.
™
6 and 5, respectively. All
Unpacking
The shipping container and inner boxes are designed to protect your
speakers during transit. Please unpack and check your speakers carefully,
and immediately report any damage to your dealer or to the company that
delivered the speakers to you. The packing materials are designed to be
reused—do not discard them. If you need to return the speakers to the
factory for repair, they must be shipped in the original packaging.
TUNED REFERENCE USER GUIDE
Setup
You’ll notice that the Tuned Reference monitors are physically identical.
When used in a stereo configuration, there is no physical or acoustic
distinction between the left and right speakers. Note, too, that the cabinets
can sit vertically or horizontally without regard for performance, so long
as both cabinets are situated in the same direction. When placing them in
a horizontal position, orient the cabinets with the high frequency drivers
pointing to the outside, away from each other. Since each cabinet’s bass
por t is front-mounted, you can position the monitors near a wall (or even
in a wall) without fear of blocking the por t, which would compromise the
bass response.
Your monitors should be placed on a stable surface at about ear level. A
typical location would be slightly behind and to either side of a small
console. The distance between the monitors should equal the distance
from the listener to either speaker. This is the common “equal length
triangle” rule for speaker placement shown in Figure 1.
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Figure 1. When the listener and the monitors are positioned in an
equal triangle with the monitors directly facing the listener, the listener is
situated in the “sweet spot,” which yields optimum stereo reproduction.
Notice that Figure 1 also shows the speaker cabinets turned slightly
inward, so that the driver components directly face the listening position.
When oriented this way, the listener is in the “sweet spot,” which yields the
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most accurate stereo reproduction. If you need a wider sweet spot to allow
for greater listener movement or for group monitoring, face the speakers in
a slightly more open position, but never more than necessary. Finally, if
you must mount the speakers substantially above or below ear level, you
will also need to tilt the cabinets downward or upward to keep the driver
components directly facing you.
As you become more familiar with your speakers, you may find it helpful
to move around in the soundfield to locate the optimum listening position
for your particular monitoring envir onment. But if you follow the equaldistance, ear-level, face-on rules outlined above, you’ve alr eady optimized
their position for a single user in most situations.
TUNED REFERENCE USER GUIDE
Connections and Operation
Please refer to Figure 2 on page 5.
Balanced XLR Line Input This jack accepts a male XLR connector , wired
for either balanced or unbalanced operation. For balanced operation, please
consult the pin wiring diagram on Page 5 or on the monitor’s back panel.
The Line 1 input is hardwired in parallel with the Line 2 input, so either
may be used as an input or as a pass-through connection. Input specifications apply to both inputs equally.
Balanced 1/4" Line Input This jack accepts a male two-conductor 1/4"
TS or three-conductor 1/4" TRS connector, wired for either balanced or
unbalanced operation. For unbalanced operation with a TS connector, the
minus signal is automatically grounded; with a TRS connector you have the
option of leaving the minus input open or grounded. We recommend,
however, that you ground the unused input. For balanced operation, which
requires using a TRS connector, please consult the pin wiring diagram on
Page 5 or on the monitor’s back panel.
TUNED REFERENCE USER GUIDE5
The Line 2 input connector is hardwired in parallel with the Line 1 input
connector, so either may be used as an input or as a pass-through
connection. Input specifications apply equally to both inputs.
Figure 2. Tuned Reference rear panel connections and controls.
Unbalanced RCA Line Input This jack accepts a male RCA connector,
wired for unbalanced operation. This jack is hardwired in parallel with the
balanced line inputs. However, due to it being an unbalanced input, we do
not recommended using it in combination with either of the balanced
inputs, as this will unbalance those inputs, possibly causing degradation
of the audio signal.
TUNED REFERENCE USER GUIDE6
Input Sensitivity This control is used to compensate for different signal
levels that appear at the input. The control has a 20dB range; when set at
maximum (MAX), 0.5V RMS input at the balanced ins or 0.25V RMS at the
unbalanced in will produce full amplifier output. Note that when the signal
appearing at the input is too hot, the amplifiers may overload, causing
distortion. If this occurs, attenuate (decrease) the Input Sensitivity by
turning the control counter-clockwise.
Power Switch Push to turn the amplifiers ON; push again to turn them
OFF. When the amplifiers are ON, the green LED located in the metal trim
ring on the front of the monitor will illuminate.
Power Connector This connector accepts the detachable AC line cord.
Use the line cord supplied with your monitor, and make sure it is fully
seated into the Power Inlet connector. For safety reasons, do not attempt to
defeat the line cord’s ground connection.
Care and Maintenance
Your Tuned Reference monitors are simple to care for and maintain. The
cabinets are finished with a durable vinyl laminate that can be cleaned with
a soft damp cloth. Avoid touching the exposed speaker elements. Do not
expose the rear panel controls, connectors, or the speaker elements to
moisture or chemicals. Do not expose the unit to dripping or splashing
liquids; objects filled with liquids should not be placed on the unit.
Caution: When the power switch is off, the internal amplifier components
are still connected to the AC mains. The AC mains fuse is internal and
serviceable by a qualified technician; it will only open if there is another
problem. Please refer service to qualified personnel.
Mix at reasonable levels to protect your speakers and your hearing.
TUNED REFERENCE USER GUIDE7
Contacting Customer Service
If you experience any trouble with your Tuned Reference monitors, please
call the Event Electronics Customer Service department at 805-566-7777,
ext. 5. Before calling, however, we ask that you please consult the T echnical
Suppor t section of our Web site, www.event1.com.
If you believe your Tuned Reference monitor is in need of repair, please
contact the Event Electronics Customer Service department to request
a Return Authorization Number (RA#). We can accept for servicing only
those units that are accompanied by an RA#. Units shipped without an
RA# number will be refused.
Tuned Reference Specifications
Low Frequency Driver
TR5: 5.25"; TR6: 6.5"; TR8/8XL: 8" magnetically shielded mineral-filled polypropylene cone
with high temperature voice coil and damped rubber surround.
High Frequency Driver
TR5: 25mm magnetically shielded natural soft dome neodymium with ferrofluid-cooled voice coil.
TR6/TR8/8XL: 1" magnetically shielded natural silk dome with ferrofluid-cooled voice coil.