Genelec 1091-A Owners manual

Genelec 1091A

OperatingOperating

Operating

OperatingOperating

Active Subwoofer System

ManualManual

Manual

ManualManual

1. General Description1. General Description

1. General Description

1. General Description1. General Description

The Genelec 1091A active subwoofer
is a powerful low frequency loudspeaker,
incorporating all the amplifier and
crossover electronics needed to com­bine it with the Genelec 1029A moni­tors.

DriversDrivers

Drivers

DriversDrivers

The 1091A contains a single 210mm
(8") low frequency driver, housed in a 15
litre vented cabinet.

CrossoversCrossovers

Crossovers

CrossoversCrossovers

The active crossover within the ampli­fier unit filters the input signal, the sen­sitivity can be attenuated by 8dB in 2dB
steps. Due to the input sensitivity of the
1091A subwoofer it can only be used
with the Genelec 1029A active monitor.

AmplifiersAmplifiers

Amplifiers

AmplifiersAmplifiers

The amplifier unit is mounted between
the radiation ports for optimum cooling.
The 1091A amplifier output power is
70W. The amplifier incorporates spe­cial circuitry for driver overload protec­tion.

2. Installation2. Installation

2. Installation

2. Installation2. Installation

The subwoofer is supplied with a mains
cable and operating manual. Once un­packed check that the subwoofer volt­age selector switch is set to the correct
setting and then place the subwoofer in
a suitable position. The amplifier panel
and ports can be positioned facing a
wall or pointing upwards, they should
never be facing the floor. Before con­necting the audio signals, ensure that
both the subwoofer and the main moni­tors are switched off. Audio connec­tions to the subwoofer are made via

1

balanced XLR and balanced
connectors.

Signals from the source

/4" jack

are fed to the 1029A input connector,
and signals for the subwoofer are taken
from the 1029A sub output connectors
(see Figure 1 below). When used in

XLR / Male

¼" STEREO JACK

1029A

Figure 1: How to cable the system.

SOURCE

LEFT

1091A
(rear view)

RIGHT

1029A

Enhancement of direct sound

85 Hz

Cancellation of direct sound

85 Hz

Figure 2: The effect of phase on the system.

conjunction with the 1029A the bass
"roll-off" (switch 2) on the 1029A should
be in the ON position. Once all connec­tions have been made, the subwoofer
and main monitors are ready to be
powered up.

Avoiding an uneven frequency re-Avoiding an uneven frequency re-

Avoiding an uneven frequency re-

Avoiding an uneven frequency re-Avoiding an uneven frequency re­sponse.sponse.

sponse.

sponse.sponse.

Considering a usual room, a free stand­ing speaker is always surrounded by
walls that will generate reflections. These
walls act as acoustical mirrors to the
speaker's radiation, enhancing (see top
of figure 2) or cancelling (bottom part of
figure 2), the direct sound at the listen­ing position. The cancellation occurs at
a certain frequency which is primarily
determined by the distance from the
sub to the front wall, however the dis­tance to other walls also affects the
cancellation frequency.

Moving the cancellation frequencyMoving the cancellation frequency

Moving the cancellation frequency

Moving the cancellation frequencyMoving the cancellation frequency
There are basically two ways to over­come this problem. The first is to posi­tion the speakers far enough from the
wall to move the interference dip below
the operating range of the speaker. To
move the dip down to 30 Hz, the dis­tance needed is 2.8 meters. This would
not be possible in most rooms simply
because of lack of space.

The second method is to push the
speaker as close to the wall as possible
to decrease the time delay of this reflec­tion relative to the direct sound. This
moves the interference problem to a
higher frequency. If the distance is
small enough then the frequency where
the dip occurs is above the operating
range of the subwoofer. If the distance
is decreased so the subwoofer is flush
against the wall then the mirror image of
our speaker created by the wall now
merges completely with the actual
speaker radiation. Because of this "dou-

ble" speaker effect the total sound power
radiated into the room has gained up to
6 dB.

Setting the Input SensitivitySetting the Input Sensitivity

Setting the Input Sensitivity

Setting the Input SensitivitySetting the Input Sensitivity
The subwoofer is set to the same sensi­tivity as the 1029A in free field condi­tions. However when placed near to
reflecting surfaces the sensitivity typi­cally needs to be attenuated due to
increased room loading. A typical start­ing point would be -4 dB. This is
achieved by adjusting the DIP switches
on the amplifier plate. The use of proper
measuring equipment together with
careful listening is highly recommended.
The maximum attenuation by the use of
one switch is 8 dB. However an attenu­ation of 12 dB is possible by activating
all switches. The switches do not add
linearly.

3. Maintenance3. Maintenance

3. Maintenance

3. Maintenance3. Maintenance

No user serviceable parts are to be
found within the amplifier unit. Any main­tenance of the unit should only be un­dertaken by qualified service person­nel.

4. Safety Considerations4. Safety Considerations

4. Safety Considerations

4. Safety Considerations4. Safety Considerations

Although the 1091A has been designed
in accordance with international safety
standards, to ensure safe operation and
to keep the instrument under safe oper­ating conditions, the following warn­ings and cautions should be observed.

Servicing and adjustment should only
be performed by qualified service per­sonnel. Opening the amplifier's rear
panel is strictly prohibited except by
persons who are aware of the hazards
involved.

It is forbidden to use this product with
an unearthed mains cable, which may
lead to personal injury.

There must be at least a 100mm gap
between the amplifier plate and any
other surface or obstruction. This is to
allow sufficient air to circulate and cool
the amplifier.

WARNING!WARNING!

WARNING!

WARNING!WARNING!

This equipment is capable of delivering
sound pressure levels in excess of 85dB,
which may cause permanent hearing
damage.

5. Guarantee5. Guarantee

5. Guarantee

5. Guarantee5. Guarantee

This product is guaranteed for a period
of ONE year against faults in materials
or workmanship. Refer to supplier for
full sales and guarantee terms.

Subwoofer positioning.Subwoofer positioning.

Subwoofer positioning.

Subwoofer positioning.Subwoofer positioning.

3

ON

GENELEC

1

3

ON

GENELEC

The figure to the left shows some example subwoofer positions within a
room.

1 Recommended position.

2

2 This arrangement may cause a loss in low frequencies if the

distance from the subwoofer position to any wall is between
1 and 3m. This position may be available beneath a mixing
console or desk.

3 Recommended only when using two subwoofers.

System Configurations.System Configurations.

System Configurations.

System Configurations.System Configurations.

The following diagrams show various ways the subwoofer can easily be included into an existing system. All connections
to the subwoofer should be of the balanced XLR type to maintain the noise immunity of the speaker system. The output of
the 1029A is of the balanced type.

2 CHANNEL
STEREO
SOURCE.

O/P LEFT

O/P RIGHT

INPUT 1

INPUT 1

MONITOR LEFT

SUB OUT

ON

GENELEC

SUB OUT

ON

GENELEC

MONITOR RIGHT

INPUT 1
INPUT 2

1091A SUBWOOFER

Subwoofer in two channel SterSubwoofer in two channel Ster

Subwoofer in two channel Ster

Subwoofer in two channel SterSubwoofer in two channel Ster
configuration.configuration.

configuration.

configuration.configuration.

Both left and right stereo channels are fed into the
corresponding monitor. Each monitor output is then con­nected to the subwoofer. It should be noted that the
subwoofer should only be placed at the end of the signal
chain. Never use the 1091A as a loop-through device.

eoeo

eo

eoeo

ON

GENELEC

ON

GENELEC

ON

GENELEC

INPUT 1

1091A SUBWOOFER

2
3

1

1/4" JACK

2
3

1

1/4" JACK

FRONT
RIGHT

FRONT
CENTRE

FRONT
LEFT

SIDE RIGHT

SURROUND

SOUND

PROCESSOR

SUB

SIDE LEFT

OUT

CABLE

SCREEN

CABLE

SCREEN

Subwoofer in consumer SurSubwoofer in consumer Sur

Subwoofer in consumer Sur

Subwoofer in consumer SurSubwoofer in consumer Sur

ON

GENELEC

ON

GENELEC

REAR
RIGHT

configuration.configuration.

configuration.

configuration.configuration.

When using the 1029A in a surround sound system with
the 1091A the "bass roll-off" switches on the 1029A should

rr

ound Soundound Sound

r

ound Sound

rr

ound Soundound Sound

be set to -6dB. The centre channel on the decoder should

REAR
LEFT

ON

GENELEC

ON

GENELEC

1

2

3

be set to "wide band", "large", or "full range" mode.

WW

iring diagram for interiring diagram for inter

W

iring diagram for inter

WW

iring diagram for interiring diagram for inter

connects.connects.

connects.

connects.connects.

The diagram to the left shows how to make the required
cables for the system. The connections to the subwoofer

XLR

MALE

2
3

1

1/4" JACK

are always balanced. One of each type of cable is
required.

AUDIO

PRECISION

100

95

1091A

LEVEL(dBr)

vs

FREQ(Hz)

23

SEP9610:44:21

90

1091A RESPONSE

85

80

75

70

65

60

55

50

20

1091A SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS1091A SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

1091A SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

1091A SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS1091A SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

Free field frequency response of system (± 2.5 dB): 38 - 85 Hz

Maximum short term sine wave acoustic output in half space,
averaged from 45 Hz to 80 Hz @ 1m: >103 dB SPL

Self generated noise level in free field @ 1m on axis (A-weighted) < 10 dB

Harmonic distortion at 95 dB SPL @ 1m on axis in
half space (40...85 Hz): < 3%

Driver: 210 mm

Weight: 10.2 Kg

Dimensions: Height 505 mm (197/8")

Width 251 mm (97/8")
Depth 230 mm (9")

1029A + 1091A
RESPONSE

1029A BASS
ROLL-OFF - 6dB
SW 2 ’ON’

100

( 8")

(22.4 lb)

1029A RESPONSE

1k

AMPLIFIER SECTIONAMPLIFIER SECTION

AMPLIFIER SECTION

AMPLIFIER SECTIONAMPLIFIER SECTION

Amplifier output power : 70 W (16 Ω)
(Long term output power is limited by driver
unit protection circuitry.)

Amplifier system distortion at nominal output: TH D < 0.08%

Signal to Noise ratio, referred to full output: > 90 dB

Mains voltage: 100/200 or 115/230V

Voltage operating range: ± 10%

Power consumption (average): Idle 9 V A

10k

20k

SMPTE-IM < 0.08%
CCIF-IM < 0.08%
DIM 100 < 0.08%

Full output 100 VA

FILTER SECTIONFILTER SECTION

FILTER SECTION

FILTER SECTIONFILTER SECTION

Lowpass filter above 85 Hz: 24 dB/Octave

Subsonic filter below 40Hz 18 db/Octave

Crossover frequency, (sub/main monitors) 85 Hz

Mid Band Rejection frequency > 400 Hz: > 50 dB

Level control operating range in -2 dB steps from 0 to -8 dB

Genelec Oy, Olvitie 5Genelec Oy, Olvitie 5

Genelec Oy, Olvitie 5

Genelec Oy, Olvitie 5Genelec Oy, Olvitie 5
FIN - 74100 IISALMI, FINLANDFIN - 74100 IISALMI, FINLAND

FIN - 74100 IISALMI, FINLAND

FIN - 74100 IISALMI, FINLANDFIN - 74100 IISALMI, FINLAND
Phone:Phone:

Phone:

Phone:Phone:
Telefax:Telefax:

Telefax:

Telefax:Telefax:
Web:Web:

Web:

Web:Web:
E-mail:E-mail:

E-mail:

E-mail:E-mail:

[phone][phone]

[phone]

[phone]+358 17 83881
[phone]+358 17 812267

[phone]

[phone]+358 17 812267
http://www.genelec.comhttp://www.genelec.com

http://www.genelec.com

http://www.genelec.comhttp://www.genelec.com
[e-mail]@genelec.com

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

(Reference to 1029A output)

INPUT SECTIONINPUT SECTION

INPUT SECTION

INPUT SECTIONINPUT SECTION

Input connectors XLR & ¼" XLR female ¼" Jack

Input impedance: 2 x 33 kΩ balanced.

Input level for 100dB SPLoutput @ 1m in full space: variable from -23dBu to

Data Sheet No. 1091-0106-1Data Sheet No. 1091-0106-1

Data Sheet No. 1091-0106-1

Data Sheet No. 1091-0106-1Data Sheet No. 1091-0106-1
COPYRIGHT GENELEC OY 1996COPYRIGHT GENELEC OY 1996

COPYRIGHT GENELEC OY 1996

COPYRIGHT GENELEC OY 1996COPYRIGHT GENELEC OY 1996
All data subject to change without prior noticeAll data subject to change without prior notice

All data subject to change without prior notice

All data subject to change without prior noticeAll data subject to change without prior notice

pin 1: gnd sleeve
pin 2: + tip
pin 3: - ring

-15 dBu in 2dB steps.