Genelec AOW312B User Manual

AOW312B

Operating Manual

Genelec AOW312B
Active On-Wall Loudspeaker

Genelec AOW312B Active On-Wall Loudspeaker

System

The Genelec AOW312B is a three-way active

loudspeaker system designed for medium

sized, high quality home theater applications.

This system excels as side or rear channels

when mounted on-wall. It also offers mini-

mum intrusion into designed spaces while

providing high sound pressure levels required

when employing Genelec’s large three-way

systems for left, center, and right positions

and HTS6 series subwoofer in rooms greater

than 260 m3 / 9000 cu. ft.

Designed as an active loudspeaker system,

each AOW312B system contains an individu-

ally matched RAM4 amplifier unit with multi-

ple power amplifiers, active crossover filters

and protection circuitry.

The unique Directivity Control Waveguide™

(DCW™) technology developed by Genelec

provides extremely stable and accurate imag-

ing and frequency balance even in difficult

acoustic environments. Furthermore, versa-

tile and precise crossover controls allow for

accurate matching of the loudspeakers sys-

tems to different room acoustic conditions.

The AOW312B is fixed to the wall via

unique mounting brackets which isolate and

suspend the enclosure vertically. The brack-

ets also allow the enclosure to be mounted

with a ±15 degree angle offset to the wall to

facilitate energy focus at desired listening

locations.

All electronics are factory calibrated as

a single unit, thus eliminating the effects of

component tolerances and ensuring consist-

ent quality and long term reliability.

Low frequencies are reproduced by a 305

mm (12”) bass driver with a low frequency

extension to 35 Hz. The 130 mm (5”) mid-

range cone and 25 mm (1”) HF driver are

loaded into the proprietary Directivity Control

Waveguide™.

The RAM4 amplifier unit contains an active

crossover, the ideal method for dividing an

input signal between the driver units, allow-

ing the overall response of the system to

be optimized to an extent impossible with a

passive system. Variable input sensitivity as

well as a balanced XLR line level input con-

nector provide easy connection and accurate

level matching to the preamplifier or surround

decoder. The bass, midrange and treble

amplifiers of the RAM4 produce 180 W for

the low frequency driver and 120 W each for

the mid-range and HF drivers.

The amplifiers are designed to operate at

very low THD and IM distortion values and

are capable of driving the AOW312B to peak

output levels in excess of 124 dB SPL at 2 m

with music material.

Like all Genelec HT models, the AOW312B

system incorporates special circuitry for driver

overload and amplifier thermal protection, as

well as an “Autostart” function for automatic

switching between “Standby” and “On” power

modes. A connector for 12 V trigger or exter-

nal switch or relay type remote control facili-

tates central power mode switching.

The 3U RAM4 remote amplifier module

is ready to be installed into a 19” equip-

ment rack. Neutrik Speakon connectors are

included to facilitate wiring and system con-

nection. Signal cables are not provided with

the system. See section "Connections" below

for selecting signal cables.

Installation

Once unpacked, place the lo udspeaker

enclosure upright in its required position,

taking note of the line of the acoustical axis

(see Figure 2). Attach the mounting brackets

to the wall with suitable screws for carrying

the loudspeaker's weight of 43 kgs (95 lbs).

The maximum tilt angle for the loudspeaker

enclosure is ±5 degrees. Do not install the

enclosure horizontally.

The mounting brackets are pre-drilled for

enclosure alignment angles of -15°, 0° and

+15°. If necessary, you can drill new holes to

the brackets for exact loudspeaker alignment.

The rubber isolators provided must be placed

between the brackets and loudspeaker enclo-

sure.

It is recommended that the surroundings

of the loudspeaker are covered with about

10 cms (4") of rockwool or similar damping

material. If the loudspeaker is covered with

a cloth, it must be acoustically transparent

and a free space of at least 2 cm (3/4") left

between the front baffle and the cloth.The

reflex port of the loudspeaker enclosure is

located on the left side of the enclosure (see

Figure 2). The airflow from the port must not

be obstructed, and a free space of at least 5

cm (2") is required before the port.

The RAM4 amplifier is shipped with a pair

of rack ears to provide fitting into a 19" rack

and a set of feet for placement on a shelf or

table.

Sufficient cooling for the RAM4 amplifier

must be ensured. The cooling fan on the

amplifier back panel draws air through the

filter on the left side panel and blows the

warmed air to the space behind the ampli-

fier. The airflow must not be obstructed. Note

also that the space behind the amplifier must

either be ventilated or sufficiently large to

dissipate heat so that the ambient tempera-

ture does not rise above 35 degrees Celsius

(95°F).

Connections

Each lo udspe ake r is delivered with two

Speakon 8-pole cable connectors. There is

one 8-pole Speakon output marked LOUD-

SPEAKER CONNECTOR on the amplifier

and two inputs (one on each side) on the

loudspeaker enclosure. Use only one of these

inputs at any time. The inputs may not be

used for daisy-chaining several loudspeakers

or connecting two amplifiers to a single loud-

speaker. The 4-pole Speakon output (LED

CONNECTOR) on the amplifier is not used

with the AOW312B.

Measure the required length of 8 pole cable

and secure the connectors on it pin to pin.

See Table 1 below for recommended cable

thicknesses. The whole cable should have

an outside diameter of 8 to 20 mm (5/16" to

13/16") to fit in the Speakon connector.

Alternatively, pre-terminated lengths of

cable are available from Genelec.

Be sure not to mix th e amplifier/loud-

speaker pairs when installing multiple loud-

speakers at the same time. Each amplifier and

loudspeaker packed together are calibrated

together for optimal performance and marked

with the same identification number.

Before connecting up, ensure that the mains

switch is off. Check that the mains voltage

selector on the amplifier back panel is correctly

set to your local voltage. Audio input is made

via a 10 kOhm balanced XLR connector, but

unbalanced leads may be used as long as pin

3 is grounded to pin 1 of the XLR (see Figure

7). Once connection has been made, the loud-

speakers are ready to be powered-up.

Access to the

front panel controls

The decorative front panel of the RAM4

amplifier is held in place by guide pins and

two magnets. To remove the panel, pull it

straight out.

Setting the input sensitivity

Adjustment of the input sensitivity of each

RAM4 amplifier can be made to match the

output of the decoder or other source, by

use of the input sensitivity control on the

amplifier front panel. A small screwdriver is

needed for the adjustment. The manufac-

turer default setting for this control is -6 dBu

(fully clockwise) which gives an SPL of 100

dB @1m with a -6 dBu input level. To get the

full output level from the AOW312B an input

level of +10 dBu is needed at this setting.

Autostart and remote control

The RAM4 amplifier unit is equipped with

an “Autostar t” function, which automati-

cally turns the amplifier to “standby” mode

if an input signal has not been detected

for approximately thirty minutes, and back

to “on” mode when the signal returns. The

function can be deactivated by turning the

“AUTOSTART” dip switch on the back panel

of the amplifier to “OFF”.

The amplifier mode can also be switched by

a remote control unit connected to the respec-

tive inputs on the amplifier back panel. Two

pairs of connectors are provided, 1 and 2 for a

12 V DC type remote control, and 3 and 4 for

an external switch or relay type control. Do

not connect two remote controls to the loud-

speaker at the same time. Activate the func-

tion by turning the "REMOTE CONTROL" dip

switch to "ON". Note that the remote control

function overrides the “AUTOSTART” dip

switch function.

Setting the tone controls

The acoustic response of the system should

be adjusted to match the acoustic environ-

ment. The adjustment is done by setting the

five tone control switch groups ‘bass tilt’, ‘bass

roll-off’, ‘bass level’, ‘mid level’ and ‘treble level’

on the amplifier front panel. The manufactur-

er’s default settings for these controls are ‘All

Off’ to give a flat anechoic response. Figure 8

shows the effect of the controls on the ane-

choic response. Always start adjustment by

setting all switches to the ‘OFF’ position. Then

set only one switch per group to the ‘ON’ posi-

tion to select the response curve required. If

more than one switch is set to ‘ON’ (within

one switch group) the attenuation value is no

longer accurate.

Maintenance

The air filter on the left side of the RAM4

amplifier must be cleaned every six months.

Remove the decorative front plate and pull

the filter out. Check the filter and replace it

with a new one if any damage or brittleness

can be found. If the filter is in a good condi-

tion, carefully clean it with compressed air.

No other serviceable parts are to be found

wit hin the louds peaker enclosure or the

amplifier unit. Any maintenance or repair

should only be undertaken by qualified serv-

ice personnel.

Safety considerations

Although the AOW312B loudspeaker and

RAM4 amplifier have been designed in

accordance with international safety stand-

ards, to ensure safe operation and to main-

tain safe operating conditions, the following

warnings and cautions must be observed:

1. Servicing and adjustment must only

be performed by qualified service

personnel. The amplifier must not be

opened.

2. Do not use the amplifier with an

unearthed mains cable or unearthed

mains connection as this may lead to

personal injury.

Figure 1. AOW312B loudspeaker

Cable

Screen

RCA

(Source)

XLR

(Speaker)

enclosure front vi ew.

Figure 2. AOW312B loudspeaker
enclosure side view.

Figure 3. AOW312B loudspeaker
enclosure top view.

Figure 4. AOW312B loudspeaker
enclosure top view at 15° angle.

Cable gauge Max. length

2,0 mm2 (14 AWG) 30 m (100 ft)

3,3 mm2 (12 AWG) 40 m (130 ft)

5,3 mm2 (10 AWG) 60 m (200 ft)

Table 1. Recomme nded cable thicknesses for
different lengths of cable

Figure 5. RAM4 amplifier rear panel layout.

Figure 6. RAM4 amplifier front panel layout.

Figure7. RC A to XLR cable

3. This loudspeaker is capable of

AUDIO PRECISION AOW312 ANEC vs 04 AUG 06

80

85

90

80

85

90

80

85

90

LEVEL(dBr)

20 100 1k 10k 20k

FREQ(Hz)

BASS TILT

BASS LEVEL

TREBLE LEVEL

BASS ROLL-OFF

MIDRANGE LEVEL

AUDIO PRECISION AOW312 ANEC vs 04 AUG 06

60

65

70

75

80

80

85

85

90

90

95

95

100

100

LEVEL(dBr)

20 100 1k 10k 20k

FREQ(Hz)

0

15

30
45

producing sound pressure levels in

excess of 85 dB, which may cause

permanent hearing damage.

4. A free flow of air through the amplifier is

necessary to maintain sufficient cooling.

Do not obstruct airflow through the

amplifier

5. To prevent fire or electric shock, do not

expose the unit to water or moisture. Do

not place any objects filled with liquid,

such as vases on or near the

loudspeaker or the amplifier.

6. Note that the amplifier is not completely

disconnected from the AC mains service

unless mains plug or appliance coupler

of the amplifier is disconnected

from the mains outlet. Ensure that the

plug or appliance coupler of the

amplifier is readily operable and easily

accessible for doing this.

Guarantee

This product is supplied with a two year guar-

antee against manufacturing faults or defects

that might alter its performance. Refer to sup-

plier for full sales and guarantee terms.

Figure 8: The cur ves above show the effect of the ‘bas s’, ‘mid’ and
‘treble’ level controls, and the ‘bass tilt’ and ‘bass rol l-off’ controls
on the free field response of the AOW312B, measured at 2 m.

EC Declaration of Conformity

This is to certify that the Genelec AOW312B Active On-Wall
Loudspeaker confo rms to the follow ing s tandards:

Safety :
EN / IEC 6 0065: 1998 6th Ed ition
EMC:
EN 55020 : 2 002 + A1 : 2 003
EN 55013: (2 001)
EN 61000-3 -2 (2 000)
EN 61000-3 -3 (1 995)

The product herewith c ompli es with the requirement s of
The Low Voltage Directi ve 73/23/ EEC, EMC Direc tive
89/336/EEC and 93/68/EEC

Signed:
Ilpo Martikain en
Position: Chairman of the Boar d
Date: 12-May-2008

Figure 9: The upp er curve group show s the hor izontal directivity
character istics of the AOW312B in its vertical configuration
measured at 2 m. The l ower curve is a 1/6 octave power
response measureme nt, derived from 144 individual direc tivity
measurements.

AOW312B Operating Manual

system specifications

aoW312B

Lower cut-off frequ ency, -3 dB
Upper cut-off fr equency, -3 dB
Free field frequency r esponse of system

Maximum shor t term sine wave acoustic output
on axis in half space, averaged from 100 Hz t o
3 kHz

Maximum long ter m RMS acoustic out put in same
conditions with IEC-weighted noise (l imited by
driver unit prote ction circuit)

Maximum peak acou stic output per pair in half
space with music material

Self generated no ise level in free field @ 2 m
on axis

Harmonic dist ortion at 95 dB SPL at 1 m on axis: f req. <100 Hz <1%

Drivers
Bass
Midrange
Treble

Weight
Loudspeaker
Amplifier

Loudspeaker dimens ions
Height
Width
Depth

Amplifier dimensi ons
Height
Width
Depth

<35 Hz
>22 kHz
37 Hz - 21 kHz ( ±2.5 dB)

@ 1 m >116 dB SP L

@ 1 m >107 dB SP L

@ 2 m >123 dB

<15 dB (A weighte d)

freq. >100 Hz <0.5%

305 mm (12") con e
130 mm (5") cone
25 mm (1") metal dome

43 kg (95 lb)
12 kg (27 lb)

1500 mm (59 1/16 ")
400 mm (15 3/4")
175 mm (6 7/8")

133 mm (5 1/4") (3 U)
483 mm (19")
350 mm (13 4/5") *

*Note that the c able connectors require
additional >100 mm (4") space behind the
amplifier

amplifier se ctio n

aoW312B

Bass amplifier sh ort term out put power 180 W (4 Ohm load)

Midrange amplifier short term output power 120 W (8 Ohm load)

Treble amplifier short ter m output power 120 W (8 Ohm load)

Long term out put power is limited by dr iver unit protection circuitry.

Slew rate 80V/µs

Amplifier system distortion at n ominal output
THD
SMPTE-IM
CCIF-IM
DIM 100

Signal to Noise ratio, referred to full output
Bass
Midrange
Treble

<0.05%
<0.05%
<0.05%
<0.05%

>100 dB
>100 dB
>100 dB

Mains voltage 100/200 V or 115/230 V

Voltage operating range nominal ±10%

Power consumption
Idle
Full output

50 W
300 W

crossover sect ion

aoW312B

Input connector XLR female pin 1 gnd

Input impedance 10 kOhm

Input level for 100 dB SPL output @1 m variable from +6 to -6 dBu

Input level for maximum shor t term output variable from +22 t o +10 dBu for 116 dB

Subsonic filter 18 dB/octave below 35 H z

Ultrasonic filter 12 dB/octave above 25 kHz

Crossover frequency
Bass/Mid
Mid/Treble

Crossover acoustical slopes 18 - 24 dB/octave

Crossover level control opera ting range in
1 dB steps
Bass
Mid
Treble

Bass roll-off co ntrol in 2 dB steps from 0 to -8 dB @35 Hz

Bass tilt contro l in 2 dB steps from 0 to -8 dB @80 Hz

pin 2 +
pin 3 -

SPL @1 m

420 Hz

3.2 kHz

from 0 to -6 dB
from 0 to -6 dB
from 0 to -6 dB

The 'CAL' positi on is with all tone controls
set to 'off' and input sensitivity c ontrol to
maximum.

Genelec Docu ment D0075R001a Copyri ght Genelec Oy 5.2008. All data subject to chang e without prior noti ce

Inter national e nquiries:

Genele c, Olvitie 5

FIN-74 100, Iisal mi, Finlan d

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

Email genele [e-mail]

In the U.S. please c ontact:

Genele c, Inc., 7 Te ch Circle

Natick, MA 01760 , USA

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

Email genele [e-mail]

In Chi na please contact:

Beijin g Genelec Audio Co. Ltd.

Jianwa i SOHO, Tower 12, R oom 2306

39 Eas t 3rd Ring Road

Chaoyang District

Beijin g 100022, China

Phone [phone], Fax [phone]

www.genelec.com

In Sweden ple ase contact

Genelec Sveri ge

Ellipsvägen 10 B

P.O. Box 5521, S-14 1 05 Huddinge

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

Email info@gen elec.com