FrontRow 930R User Manual

USER GUIDE

930R Receiver

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contents

product specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

caring for your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

regulatory compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-22

introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

understanding active learning

and its benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

installation notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

basic system guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5

typical receiver components . . . . . . . . . . .6

930R receiver features . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-8

activating the base station receiver . . . . . . .9

transmitter charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

auxiliary output
rebroadcasting to personal FM systems . . .11

aux out transmitter compatibility chart

and level setting guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

adding secondary sound sources . . .13-15

optional accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17-18

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introduction

Congratulations on the purchase of your new FrontRow Pro active learning system! With
proper care and use it will remain one of your most valuable teaching tools for many years.

You may have heard the term sound field used to describe technology to improve classroom
acoustics. Your FrontRow system fits under that category, but we call it an active learning
system because it's about so much more than just sound. Active learning systems can help
engage students, improve attentiveness to the teacher, build learning success, reduce the
achievement gap, foster control and orderliness, improve test scores, and reduce vocal
strain and fatigue for teachers.

Read this manual carefully to become familiar with your system and to get the most out of
its many features and options.

1

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understanding active learning and its benefits

2

with active learning

without active learning

?

• reduced comprehension

• reduced attention

• teacher fatigue

cough!

?

• improved comprehension

• improved attention

• greater teacher energy

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Your FrontRow Pro active learning system is a precision wireless audio instrument designed
to improve students’ ability to perceive the teacher’s voice. In fact, the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) considers it to be a medical device.

As such, we strongly recommend having your system set up by a professional installer who
is familiar with Phonic Ear active learning systems (contact your representative for referrals to
installers in your area).

If you choose to install your FrontRow Pro system yourself, take great care to follow the
instructions in the separate FrontRow Pro Installer Guide before using. Achieving the best
performance from your system is only possible by properly selecting and positioning all
speakers and sensors. Improper installation can result in poor performance.

installation notice

3

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basic system guidelines

To help ensure that you get the most from this system, follow these basic guidelines:

Fresh batteries

. To ensure that your batteries are as fresh as possible upon arrival, we have

intentionally not installed them in your equipment.

Install your batteries in your equipment now, then charge overnight before initial use

(see your Transmitter User Guide for charging procedure).

Avoid battery corrosion. Before charging any electronic equipment make sure only NiCad
or NiMH rechargeable batteries are installed. As an added precaution, remove batteries if the
equipment will not be used for several weeks. Note that your 930TM and 930HT transmitter
mics can detect and charge appropriate battery types. Older models that may be in your class­room may not have this feature, however.

Charge your transmitter batteries every night. Our rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride
(NiMH) batteries last a minimum of 8 hours between charges, but should be recharged
every night so they are ready to go in the morning. Plan on buying new NiMH batteries after
12 months of use.

Alkaline batteries. If you forget to charge your NiMH batteries, you can use alkaline
batteries. They will last approximately 12 hours. NEVER recharge alkaline batteries!

4

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5

Speak at a normal level when using your microphone; the system is projecting your
voice for you.

Don’t block your FrontRow Pro sensors. Your FrontRow Pro transmitter uses light to
communicate with the receiver. Your installer placed the receiver and possibly external
sensors to ensure that you can move about the classroom freely without interruption of the
signal. Don’t block the receiver or sensors with drawings, furniture, or other objects because
your voice may not be heard.

Don’t use two transmitters on the same channel. Your FrontRow Pro receiver is
designed to accept audio from two microphones simultaneously, but they must be on
separate channels. Consult your Transmitter User Guide for details.

basic system guidelines (cont’d)

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6

typical receiver components

4

5

1

2

3 receiver mounting tray (AT0784)

4 930R power supply

(AT0783 - USA/Canada)
(AT0811 - Intl, EU, UK, AU/NZ)

5 external infrared sensor

(520-7347-103 - ceiling sensor or
AT0848 - wall sensor)

1 930R base station receiver

2 speakers

(470-2856-119 wall speakers or
AT0806 ceiling speakers)

6 accessory cable kit (595-7348-101)

• dual TX charging cord, 1.3mm male, 24in

• Aux-out adaptor cord, RCA to 3.5mm, 8in

• adaptor plug, 2.5mm to 3.5mm, mono

• Aux-in adaptor cord, 3.5mm to dual RCA, 3ft

• Aux-in adaptor cord, dual RCA to dual RCA, 6ft

6

3

or

or

If you’re reading this guide, your system should be
installed by now. If not, refer to the Installer Guide
for complete instructions and kit components.

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7

930R receiver features

front

back

6 75

1 2

3

4

91011 12 14 15

8

13

16

17

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8

2 internal infrared sensor

3 channel A volume

1 power switch

5 auxiliary volume control:

TV/VCR/DVD

6 auxiliary volume control:

CD/computer/data projector

7 OptiVoice™ selector

Optimizes clarity of teacher’s voice for various
room noise levels

4 channel B volume

8 high band EQ control

9 power jack

10 dome sensor input

11 charge output jack

Recharges up to two pendant or body-worn
style transmitters

12 wall sensor inputs

13 speaker output terminals (left & right)

14 auxiliary output jack

15 auxiliary output level control

16 auxiliary input jacks (stereo)

DVD/TV/VCR

17 auxiliary input jacks (stereo)

CD/computer/data projector

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9

activating the base station receiver

1

2

Push power button and confirm that
light is lit

Confirm signal reception by green light above
ChA or B volume controls. (Transmitter must
be on). Red light = no signal.

Adjust Mic Volume as necessary

Adjust Aux Volume if mixing

TV, CD or

computer audio

Select an O

PTIVOICE setting to match room

noise level

3

4

5

Do not block sensors*

6

1

1

5

3

2

4

6

*NOTE: The receiver’s sensors may be blocked
(i.e. install receiver in a closed cabinet) provided
external sensors are used.

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10

2

1

Indicator light on body-worn or pendant trans­mitter flashes red when batteries run low

Plug 300-6497-105 charge cord into
charge socket on back of 930R

Hang 930T or 900T transmitter on edge of
wall mount. Lay 930TM on top of receiver.

Plug 300-6497-105 cord into 900T,
930T, or 930TM transmitter(s)

Make sure that transmitter(s) is turned off

2

3

4

5

1

5

4

3

300-6497-105

930TM (bottom)

2

transmitter charging (charge before first use and nightly)

CAUTION!: DO NOT recharge AA alkaline batteries.
The 930TM and 930HT transmitters use auto-sens­ing batteries to prevent accidental recharging of alka­line cells. NEVER recharge alkaline batteries in 930T
or 900T body-worn transmitters.

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11

rebroadcasting to personal FM receivers

Adjust level setting for transmitter using
compatibility chart on following page

4

1

Plug other end of AT0805 cord,
into aux out port of 930R

2

2

Plug AT0805 cord into aux in port of
transmitter (adaptor may be required;
see chart on following page)

1

4

auxiliary output

Allows rebroadcast of all voice and auxiliary audio
directly to a hearing-impaired student’s personal
FM system.

3

Plug antenna into transmitter

3

3

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12

aux out transmitter compatibility chart and level setting guide

Ouput range: The range of the aux out level control is 100mV - 400mV

rm s

, (nominal, linear)

* For transmitters with a 3.5mm jack size, simply attach the transmitter to the AT0805 aux out accessory cord.

For 2.5mm products, use the aux out adapter plug (310-2544-1341)

† Requires special adaptor cord provided by Phonak (P/N 52117) and Radio Shack adaptor (P/N 274387).

NOTE: Common transmitters and recommended level settings are shown below. Because the
level control is universal, other transmitters not listed below may be used as well – simply
adjust the aux out level control until the receiver wearer hears a strong distortion-free signal.

product name/part aux in jack size aux out level setting

Easy Listener 300T 3.5mm 5
Sprite 300TS 3.5mm 5
Sprite 300TS-216 3.5mm 5
Solaris 571T 3.5mm 10
Lexis 871T transmitter 3.5mm 5
Phonak Campus S TX5 3.5mm 5
Phonak HandyMic TX3 3.5mm† 5
Phonak MicroVox TX2 2.5mm* 5

4

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13

adding secondary sound sources (option 1)

use your FrontRow Pro system to share rich multimedia content
with your class

1

Using the supplied aux input adaptor cords,
connect secondary sound sources to either
DVD/TV/ VCR or CD/ Computer/ Data
Projector AUX IN ports on 930R. Auxiliary
inputs are stereo: match left (white) and
right (red) connections.

Adjust corresponding Aux Volume control on
front of 930R to audible level

NOTE: Either port will accept audio signals from any

type of equipment; they are labeled for convenience

2

2

secondary sound source

930R (back)

1

5a

930R (front)

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14

3

2

1

Connect AuxBox to auxiliary sound
sources. Up to 5 external sound sources
can be connected at one time using the
AuxBox and 930R

Connect AuxBox to either aux input
port on 930R

Plug AuxBox power supply into wall socket

If you need more than two auxiliary sound sources,
FrontRow supplies optional AuxBox. General
connections are shown here; see specific AuxBox
user guides for details.

2

1

3

adding secondary sound sources (option 2)

for more than two auxiliary inputs

secondary sound sources

computer

CD player

5b

DVD player

TV

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15

adding secondary sound sources (option 3)

1

Using the supplied aux input adaptor cords,
connect secondary sound sources to the
aux in port on the 930TM transmitter

Turn transmitter on (for best results, mute it
as well). The transmitter will broadcast sound
to your receiver.

2

3

secondary sound source

930TM (bottom)

1

5c

930R (front)

Adjust mic volume control on front of
930R to audible level

3

2

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16

optional accessories

930T/AT0795-L

body-worn transmitter/
emitter/mic lapel

930HT

handheld
microphone

AT0801

auxbox with 4
additional audio/
visual input options

300-6332-108

Y-cord (male RCA to
dual female RCA, 6in)

AT0848

external wall sensor

470-7349-104

audio mixer,
3-channel

930TM

pendant style
transmitter/mic

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17

no signal reception (volume control
light on receiver is red)

• Check that the transmitter is on

• Verify that you are not blocking either the emit­ters on the transmitter or the sensors on
receiver or mounted around room

• If reception is interrupted when facing a certain
direction, install an additional sensor in that
area of the room (see Installer Guide)

• If team-teaching, verify that transmitters are not
on the same channel

• Recharge or replace the transmitter’s batteries

• Verify that the emitter/mic is working (Test with
another working emitter/mic)

feedback (squealing)

• Make sure that speakers are mounted as close
as possible to the ceiling and to the listening area;
avoid mounting speakers in the teacher’s primary
lecture area

• Position the microphone closer to mouth

•

Lower the MIC VOLUME control(s) on the receiver

• Select the Low or Medium OPTIVOICE setting
(930R)

• Adjust the HIGH BAND EQ control on the receiver
(930R)

weak or no output from speaker(s)

•

Increase t

he MIC VOLUME or AUX VOLUME

control(s) on the receiver

• Position the microphone closer to mouth

• Verify that the speakers have been properly
installed

troubleshooting

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18

troubleshooting (cont’d)

receiver won’t turn on (power light
doesn’t turn on)

• Verify that the power supply is plugged into
both the receiver and a working wall outlet

• Test with another power supply

’dead spots’ or

microphone crack-

ling /noise

• Verify that you are not blocking either the
emitters on the transmitter or the sensors on
receiver or mounted around room

• If reception is interrupted or noisy when facing
a certain direction, install an additional sensor
in that area of the room (see Installer Guide)

• If three or more external sensors are used in
your room, confirm that they are all wall sen­sors (see Installer Guide)

• If team-teaching, verify that transmitters are
not on the same channel

• Recharge or replace the transmitter’s batteries

• Verify that the emitter/mic is working (Test with
another working emitter/mic)

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19

product specifications

Receiving frequency: 2.3MHz & 2.8MHz

Modulation: FM wide-band

Frequency response: 50Hz to 16kHz

Speakers: 8 ohm

Maximum acoustic output: 90dBa ± 3dB @ 1m into 8 Ohm

Auxiliary input level: 100 mVrms

Auxiliary input impedance: 22k Ohm ± 10%

Signal-to-noise: >65dB

thd: <2% @ 1kHz into 8 Ohm

Nominal deviation: ± 12 kHz

Maximum deviation: ± 25 kHz

Squelch: RF carrier/tone control

Squelch level: -25 dBu

Power supply: 15VAC at 2A (AT0783)

base station receiver: 930R

User controls: Power on; Channel A volume; Channel B
volume; Auxiliary volume; Treble

Displays: LEDs for “On” “Channel A”; “Channel B”;Green
Ch A & Ch B LED indicates IR signal reception; Red LED
indicates no IR signal

Color: Black case, silver front face

Size (wxdxh): 21.5 x 23.5 x 2.25cm/8.5 x 8.3 x 1.75in

Weight: 1.3kg/3lbs

Case: Steel, baked enamel finish

Operating range: 18.5m/60ft line-of-sight (typical)

Reception area: 163m2/1225ft2 (typical)

Reception angles (internal sensors): 130° horizontally; 60° ver­tically (1/2 power)

Inputs/outputs: 2 RCA stereo aux in jacks; RCA aux out jack;
4 quick-connect speaker terminals; 3 RCA jacks for external
sensor connection; 2.5mm input power jack; 1.3mm output
charge jack

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20

caring for your system

cleaning

Clean as needed, using a soft, damp cloth.

storage

Clean with a soft damp cloth. Place the system in
its original packaging.

other important notes

• Protect your active learning system from exces­sive moisture, heat, and mechanical shocks.

• The case bottom of the 930R receiver, as well as
the AT0783 power supply, can get warm under
normal operation.

• To protect the transmitter’s case front, position it
face down on a soft surface when removing or
inserting the batteries.

• Always dispose of old batteries in approved
battery recycling bins. It may be illegal to dispose
in the trash. If you are not sure of proper disposal
method, please consult your local authority.

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21

regulatory compliance

This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a resi­dential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference

FrontRow Pro Receiver/Speaker 930R

Tested to comply with

FCC Standards

FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

receiver: part 15, subpart B

to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encour­aged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equip­ment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a
circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.

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22

regulatory compliance (cont’d)

This product conforms with the essential
requirements of European Union Directive
1999/5/CE R&TTE Directive

This product has been cleared by the

U.S. Food and Drug Administration for
use by persons with normal hearing and hearing
impairment.

Waste from electronic equiment must be
handled according to local regulations.

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© 2005 Phonic Ear Inc. Phonic Ear and the names of Phonic Ear products are trademarks or

registered trademarks of Phonic Ear Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. 821-7348-102/Rev. A/4749 0605

u.s.a. 800.227.0735, then press 5•canada 800.263.8700 • international [phone]

FRONTROW is a division of

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