OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Ashby-5C and Ashby-8C
Ceiling Loudspeakers with IntelligentDC
© 2017
Meyer Sound. All rights reserved.
Ashby Loudspeaker Operating Instructions
PN 05.260.005.01 A
The contents of this manual are furnished for informational purposes only, are subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Meyer Sound Laboratories Inc. Meyer Sound assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual. Except as permitted by applicable copyright law, no part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from Meyer Sound.
Compass RMS, RMS, and all alpha-numeric designations for Meyer Sound products and accessories are trademarks of Meyer Sound.
Acheron, Compass, Meyer Sound, the Meyer Sound wave logo, and Thinking Sound are registered trademarks of Meyer Sound Laboratories Inc. (Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.). All third-party trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective trademark holders.
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CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Ashby Loudspeaker .........................5
Chapter 2: Connecting Ashby Loudspeakers ...................................7
Ashby Power and Input Panel .....................................................................7
Cable Specification .....................................................................................7
On/Status LED.............................................................................................9
Operating Temperature and Amplifier Cooling..........................................10
Connecting and Powering Ashby Speakers..............................................10
Configuring the MPS-488HP In Compass ................................................11
Chapter 3: Installing Ashby Loudspeakers .....................................13
Meyer Sound Accessories ........................................................................13
Wiring the Speaker ....................................................................................14
Installing Into a Standard Ceiling ..............................................................15
Installing Into a suspended Ceiling ...........................................................16
Installing into a High Ceiling with the Pendant..........................................17
Appendix A: Ashby Accessories .................................................................19
Appendix B: Assembling Phoenix-to-Phoenix Loudspeaker Cables ......21
Appendix C: Ashby Loudspeakers Specifications ....................................23
Appendix D: Ashby Pendant Dimensions ..................................................25
Ashby-5C ..................................................................................................25
Ashby-8C ..................................................................................................25
Appendix E: Ashby Loudspeaker Dimensions...........................................27
Ashby-5C ..................................................................................................27
Ashby-8C ..................................................................................................27
Appendix F: Ashby Loudspeakers Declarations of Conformity...............29
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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE ASHBY LOUDSPEAKER
!
The Ashby self-powered, ceiling-mount, installation loudspeakers provide wide-coverage and low distortion, even at
high sound levels, for applications that require accurate
music reproduction and intelligible voice. The Ashby speakers offer sonic performance beyond other in-ceiling loudspeakers of comparable size.
The Ashby-5C and Ashby-8C speakers are engineered to
the same award-winning standards as all of Meyer Sound's
IntelligentDC loudspeakers. With their on-board amplification with sophisticated signal processing, they exhibit the
flat frequency and phase responses for which Meyer Sound
loudspeakers are known.
The Ashby loudspeakers receive DC power and balanced
audio from a single Phoenix™ 5-pin male connector. Using
IntelligentDC to power the units from an external source has
several advantages:
Eliminates the need to use conduit (Class 2 wiring).
Allows longer, lighter-gauge cable runs.
Preserves the advantages of self-powered systems with
even more flexible installation options.
Housed in integrated metal back-cans to meet commercial
fire codes, the Ashby speaker can be flush-mounted in the
ceilings using a discrete low-profile grille that blends into
any décor.
All Ashby drivers are designed and manufactured at Meyer
Sound's factory in Berkeley, California. The Ashby 0.75-in
metal dome tweeter is concentrically mounted in an innovative configuration that maximizes the surface of the waveguides. Their incredibly smooth and consistent 100-degree
coverage lets you use fewer speakers to cover a larger area,
which reduces system cost while maintaining the highest
sound quality.
The Ashby-5C and Ashby-8C include 5- and 8-inch cone
drivers, respectively. The Ashby-8C is ideally suited for
applications that require a deeper low-end and higher SPL.
The Ashby speakers require an external MPS-488HP IntelligentDC power supply. The 19-in (1 RU) rack unit distributes
DC power and balanced audio to Ashby speakers, or other
Meyer Sound IntelligentDC loudspeakers. Composite multiconductor cables (e.g., Belden® 1502) can deliver both DC
power and balanced audio. The MPS-488HP can connect to
Meyer Sound’s RMS remote monitoring system.
Ashby speakers can be installed in a variety of ceiling environments using Meyer Sound accessories:
C-Ring with Bridge Kit: Used for suspended ceilings, the
C-ring better distributes the clamping force of the
speaker's four mounting clamps while the bridges help
support the weight of the speaker and provide additional
safety in case the tile breaks.
In addition, the C-ring can be used independently on
brittle ceiling surfaces.
New Construction Bracket: This bracket can be fastened
to the ceiling and acts as a template for ceiling cutout,
ensuring a neat installation.
Ashby Pendant: Allows Ashby loudspeakers to hang from
ceilings where a flush-mount is not practical. These elegant pendant enclosures utilize a minimalistic design typically used in pendant lighting to blend discreetly into the
environment.
Meyer Sound User Guides
Meyer Sound user guides include the following icons for
notes, tips, and cautions:
NOTE: A note identifies an important or useful
piece of information relating to the topic under
discussion.
TIP: A tip offers a helpful tip relevant to the topic
at hand.
CAUTION: A caution gives notice that an action
may have serious consequences and could
cause harm to equipment or personnel, or could
cause delays or other problems.
Meyer Sound Technical Support
Information and specifications are subject to change.
Updates and supplementary information are available at
www.meyersound.com.
Meyer Sound Technical Support is available at:
Te l: +1 510 486.1166
Te l: +1 510 486.0657 (after hours support)
Web: www.meyersound.com/contact
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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE ASHBY LOUDSPEAKER
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CHAPTER 2: CONNECTING ASHBY LOUDSPEAKERS
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ASHBY POWER AND INPUT PANEL
The Ashby-5C and Ashby-8C loudspeakers require an MPS488HP IntelligentDC power supply to function properly. The
MPS-488HP can power up to 24 Ashby-5C (3 per channel) or
16 Ashby-8C (2 per channel).
Ashby speakers receive DC power (-, +) and balanced audio
(+, -, shield) from a Phoenix 5-pin male input connector. The
pins are clearly labeled on the Ashby Power and Input panel
shown below.
Figure 1: Ashby Power and Input panel
Looping
Ashby speakers can be looped using the connectors on the
Ashby Power and Input panel. The table below shows the
maximum number of speakers that can be looped from one
channel of the MPS- 488HP power supply to function properly and meet compliance requirements.
Speaker Attenuator Knob
All Ashby speakers powered by a single channel of an MPS488 receive the same DC voltage and the same audio signal.
To set speakers to different levels, use the Speaker Attenuation knob (on Ashby speakers equipped with this feature).
The Speaker Attenuator knob (shown below) is located on the
front bezel. Possible values are: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, and 20 dB.
Figure 2: Speaker Attenuator
CABLE SPECIFICATION
Each speaker ships with two Phoenix 5-pin, female cablemount connectors for speaker cable assembly (see “Assembling Phoenix-to-Phoenix Loudspeaker Cables” on page 21).
A single composite cable (e.g., Belden 1502) can route DC
power and balanced audio to the Ashby speakers (see
“Belden 1502 Cable” on page 9).
It is extremely important to connect each pin correctly. Maintain proper polarity (- to -, + to +) or system performance will
degrade and possibly damage the speaker (see Appendix B,
“Assembling Phoenix-to-Phoenix Loudspeaker Cables”).
CAUTION: Connect the 48 VDC directly (and
only) from the external power supply to the
48 VDC pins on the speaker connector.
Model Maximum Number
Ashby-5C 3 (2 looped)
Ashby-8C 2 (1 looped)
Mixed
1 Ashby 8C
1 Ashby 5C
Current Draw
DC current draw for Ashby loudspeakers is dynamic and fluctuates with changing operating levels. As the cable length
increases between an Ashby loudspeaker and its external
power supply, so does the resistance, which can eventually
cause a voltage drop at the loudspeaker. This can compromise amplifier performance, peak SPL, and frequency
response. The next section shows how to select the right
cable gauge for each speaker.
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CHAPTER 2: CONNECTING ASHBY LOUDSPEAKERS
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Cable Length and Gauge
The maximum cable length depends on the type and number
of speakers looped and the gauge of the cable. Table 1
shows the maximum cable length for Ashby speakers using
18 AWG cable with only 1 dB of peak SPL loss.
CAUTION: The minimum cable gauge and type
of wire must conform with national and regional
electrical and building codes where speakers are
installed. The maximum number of speakers shown in
Table 1 results in a maximum 3 second average power
within Class 2 wiring limits in most countries.
Using 18 AWG wire, a single Ashby-5C loudspeaker can use
up to 450 ft of cable (300 ft for Ashby-8C) from the Power Supply and lose no more than 1 dB of peak SPL. Unlike 70 V linedistributed speakers, Ashby speakers do not suffer gain loss
with the long 18 AWG cables.
Table 1: Maximum cable length using 18 AWG cable
Model Number of
Speakers
1 470
Ashby-5C
Ashby-8C
2 235
3 156
1 313
2 157
Table 2 shows the maximum cable runs for a single channel of
an MPS-488HP powering up to 3 Ashby-5C or one Ashby-8C
and one looped Ashby-5C, with different wire gauges. Table 3
shows the same information for European cable gauges.
Table 2: Maximum cable length for different numbers of Ashby
speakers using four wire gauges (AWG)
Maximun Cable Length (ft)
Maximum Cable
Length (ft)
NOTE: Some high frequency loss can occur
from long analog audio cables. For lengths
greater than 500 ft Meyer Sound recommends using
low capacitance shielded audio cable or AES Digital
audio cable. Discuss expected high frequency loss with
the cable manufacturer to determine acceptability.
Table 3: Maximum cable length for different numbers of Ashby
speakers using four wire gauges (m)
Maximun Cable Length (m)
Model
Ashby-5C
Ashby-8C
Number of
Speakers
1
2
3
1
2*
2.5 mm2
0.0052
Ω/m)
(
480 260 135 80
240 130 70 40
160 87 45 27
320 175 90 55
160 87 45 27
1.5 mm2
0.01076
Ω/m)
(
1.0 mm2
0.02087
Ω/m)
(
0.75 mm2
0.03307
Ω/m)
(
*Applies to one Ashby-8C with one looped Ashby-5C
NOTE: Some high frequency loss can occur
from long analog audio cables. For lengths
greater than 150 m Meyer Sound recommends using
low capacitance shielded audio cable or AES Digital
audio cable. Discuss expected high frequency loss with
the cable manufacturer to determine acceptability.
The maximum total cable resistance between one Ashby-5C
speaker and its external power supply is 6
Ω, and 4 Ω for one
Ashby-8C.
When using the maximum number of speakers per channel (2
Ashby-5C or 3 Ashby-8C), it should not exceed 2
Ω.
Model
Number of
Speakers
12 AWG
0.0016
Ω/ft)
(
14 AWG
0.00253
Ω/ft)
(
16 AWG
0.00402
Ω/ft)
(
18AWG
0.00636
Ω/ft)
(
Calculating the Maximum Cable Length
The maximum cable length for an Ashby loudspeaker can be
1800 1125 700 450
900 550 350 225
600 375 237 150
1200 750 475 300
600 375 237 150
Ashby-5C
Ashby-8C
1
2
3
1
2*
*Applies to one Ashby-8C with one looped Ashby-5C
calculated using the formulas shown below. The Wire Resistance Per Foot (WRPF) is the resistance (in
Ω) for one foot of
individual wire of the chosen gauge. Enter the WRPF in the
equations below to determine maximum cable length. The
equations compensate for round trip length.
For 18 AWG, WRPF = 0.006385
Ω
Ashby-5C: Maximum length (ft) = 3 / (WRPF x # of Ashby-5C)
Ashby-8C: Maximum length (ft) = 2 / (WRPF x # of Ashby-8C)
To calculate the maximum length in meters, substitute the
Wire Resistance per Meter for the selected wire gauge.
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ASHBY OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
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screws
!
Belden 1502 Cable
The Belden 1502 multiconductor cable is an effective, convenient way to connect an Ashby loudspeaker system. DC
power and balanced audio use dedicated conductors in a
single cable jacket. Table 4 shows the wiring conventions.
The thicker red and black wires (18 AWG) are for DC
power.
The blue, white, and shield drain wires for audio.
Figure 3: Belden 1502 multiconductor cable
Table 4: Ashby loudspeaker cables with Belden 1502
Wire Signal Gauge (AWG)
Black DC power (–) 18
Red DC power (+) 18
Shield drain Audio shield 24
Blue Audio signal (–) 22
White Audio signal (+) 22
ON/STATUS LED
The LED on the Ashby connector panel is primarily intended
for use at the factory and before installation since it cannot be
seen when a speaker is installed.
CAUTION: Avoid “hot plugging” by inserting
the Phoenix connector into the Ashby speaker
with live 48 V present (MPS-488HP powered ON).
The MPS-488HP can supply basic information about Voltage
and Load Current on its front panel LEDs. The Voltage and
Load Current LEDs verify whether each channel output has
voltage and whether the connected loudspeakers are receiving DC power and audio.
For more information, refer to the MPS-488HP Operating
Instructions.
If you require more information about the status of the speakers connected to the MPS power supply, we recommend
using RMS (Remote Monitoring System).
The On/Status LED on the Ashby connector panel indicates
the loudspeaker's operational status with three colors:
Normal: Green
Limiting: Yellow
Clipping: Red
Using Separate Cables for DC Power and Audio
If your installation does not allow using Belden 1502 multiconductor cable, or requires cable runs longer than 150 ft,
use separate cables for DC power and balanced audio (see
“Cable Length and Gauge” on page 8). Use a high-quality,
balanced cable for audio. Attach the separate cables to the
Phoenix connector as shown in Figure 4.
Note the orientation of the connector while assembling the
cable. This view shows the screws facing you.
CAUTION: It is very important to verify and
measure the cabling before applying power.
Figure 4: Separate Cables for DC Power and Balanced Audio
Normal
When powering on the Ashby loudspeaker, the On/Status
LED indicates the following startup events:
1. Multiple colors flash during its power-on sequence.
2. When it turns solid green, the power-on sequence has
completed and the speaker is ready.
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CHAPTER 2: CONNECTING ASHBY LOUDSPEAKERS
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Limiting
The On/Status LED turns yellow to indicate limiting. When
engaged, the limiter protects the loudspeaker's drivers and
prevents signal peaks from causing excessive amplifier distortion, thereby preserving headroom and maintaining a
smooth frequency response at high levels.
When source levels return to normal, below the limiter threshold, the LED turns green and limiting ceases.
The Ashby performs within its acoustical specifications when
the LED is green, or when limiting is not continuous.
If limiting activity is continuous, the loudspeaker is near its
operating limits where:
Increasing the input level has no effect.
Distortion increases due to clipping and nonlinear driver
operation.
The drivers are subjected to excessive heat and excur-
sion, which compromises their life span and may eventually damage them over time.
CAUTION: The On/Status LED turns yellow
when the loudspeaker's signal rises about 2 dB
above the limiting threshold, indicating that a safe,
optimum level has been exceeded.
Clipping
The On/Status LED lights red when the speaker's input stage
clips, causing the amplifier to overload. Reduce the source
level to avoid distortion and overloading the amplifier.
CONNECTING AND POWERING ASHBY SPEAKERS
To connect Ashby loudspeakers to the MPS-488HP and start
the system:
1. Power off the MPS-488HP.
2. Use balanced XLR cables to connect audio sources from
a mixer or audio processor to the MPS-488HP channel
inputs.
3. Use the MPS-488HP Link switches to route channel
inputs to the desired channel outputs.
See the MPS-488HP Operating Instructions (PN
05.205.005.01) for information on the MPS-488HP Link
switches.
4. Connect Ashby speakers to the MPS-488HP channel
outputs.
CAUTION: Do not connect more than three
Ashby-5C or two Ashby-8C on one channel of
the MPS-488HP.
5. Power on the MPS-488HP and monitor the LEDs on the
front panel to verify connections.
6. Enable output from the audio sources connected to the
MPS-488HP.
TIP: For complete information on using the
MPS-488HP IntelligentDC power supply, see the
MPS-488HP Operating Instructions (PN
05.205.005.01).
OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND AMPLIFIER COOLING
Ashby loudspeakers rely solely on natural convection to cool
their enclosures. Efficient amplifier design keeps temperatures low even when operated in high ambient temperatures
and driven continuously at high output levels.
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