Meyer Sound DS-2 User Manual

DS-2
Mid-Bass
Loudspeaker

Operating Instructions

The DS-2 is a high-power, arrayable mid-bass loud­speaker designed to supplement Meyer Sound rein–
forcement systems in the 50-160 Hz range. The sys­tem utilizes two proprietary 15-inch cone drivers in a
folded horn enclosure braced with steel vertical rein­forcing rods. The horn features a hyperbolic flare for
maximum energy transfer with minimum frequency
response ripple. Its balanced compression chamber
presents a symmetrical load to the drivers, providing
very high power handling and low distortion.

Meyer Sound Laboratories, Inc.
2832 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702

The DS-2 is designed to operate as a system with the
D-2 Control Electronics Unit. The D-2 comprises an
electronic crossover, Meyer Sound exclusive
SpeakerSense™ driver protection circuitry, and am­plitude and phase response correction circuitry opti­mized for the DS-2. A switch-defeatable crossover
and line-level output to drive subwoofer systems is
provided, with a preset-panel sub polarity switch to
facilitate aligning the subwoofers with the main sys­tem.

DS-2
Mid-Bass
Loudspeaker

Operating Instructions

Amplifier
Requirements

Connections

Verifying System
Polarity

The DS-2 requires a professional-quality power amplifier
capable of delivering 600-1100 watts continuously into
4 ohms, with a maximum output voltage swing of
140 Vpk and voltage gain of 14 dB (minimum) to 32 dB
(maximum).

The connection terminals of each 15-inch cone driver ap­pear separately on a single Cannon P-type 4-pin connec­tor (5-pin in Europe) located on the rear of the DS-2 cabi­net. The pin assignments for this connector are:

Pin 1—Driver 2 common
Pin 2—Driver 1 common
Pin 3—Driver 1 hot
Pin 4—Driver 2 hot
Pin 5—No connection (Europe only)

These connections must be brought back separately to
the power amplifier and wired in parallel at its output. The
minimum wire size for connections between the DS-2 and
the power amplifier is 14 gauge (12 gauge for runs
greater than 100 feet).

All Meyer Sound Ioudspeaker systems are thoroughly
tested in aII stages of manufacture and the correct polar­ity of individual cabinets is assured. Polarity reversals
may occur at many other points in the system, however.
A single DS-2 cabinet or component that is out of polarity
with the rest of the system will cause cancellations, re­sulting in a noticeable decrease in SPL and the possibility
of component damage.

In part because oI the signal processing circuitry in the
D-2 Control Electronics Unit, “phase-popper” speaker
checkers cannot reIiably test for correct polarity of the
DS-2. It is a simple matter to verify individuaI cabinets,
and test for correct polarity between cabinets, using a
spectrum analyzer (1⁄3rd octave minimum frequency reso­lution) with a pink noise source.

Note. A polarity reversal within the DS-2 system can re­sult in severe damage to the drivers. lt is strongly recom­mended that polarity testing be done at Iow Ievels and
with the appropriate equipment.

1. Single cabinets

• Disconnect one of the two DS-2 drivers at the ampli­fier output.

• Set the D-2 Level control at minimum and connect the
pink noise source to its input, then advance the D-2
Level control to a comfortable level.

The use of an amplifier rated significantly less than
600 watts will reduce the system headroom. Conversely,
using an amplifier with greater than 140 Vpk output swing
may endanger the loudspeaker, and is not recom-

mended.

Note: If you are using standard Meyer Sound loud–

speaker cables and adapters, simply connect the female
end of the loudspeaker cable to the DS-2, the male end
of the cable to the pigtail adapter P connector, and the
dual banana connector of the adapter to the amplifier out­put.

If you are constructing your own cables, be certain to
verify that the DS-2 drivers are wired in correct polarity at
the amplifier output. If the drivers are out of polarity and
the system is driven to high amplifier power levels, the
components will be destroyed.

For connections between the D-2 Control Electronics Unit
and the power amplifier, refer to the D-2 Operating In-
structions.

• Reconnect the second DS-2 driver at the amplifier
output. The noise volume level should double.

• If the noise level decreases, the second driver is out
of polarity with the first.

2. Multiple cabinet arrays – Each cabinet should first be

tested individually.

• Connect one DS-2, set the D-2 Level control at mini­mum and connect the pink noise source to its input,
then advance the D-2 Level control.

• Position the measurement microphone on the axis be­tween two adjacent DS-2 cabinets, and about 6 feet
distant. Note the frequency response and overall
level.

• Leaving the first cabinet connected, connect the adja­cent one and observe the analyzer display. The entire
curve should rise in level by approximately 6 dB, indi­cating correct addition between the Ioudspeakers. A
polarity reversal between the Ioudspeakers wiII show
up as severe cancellations.

• SimiIarIy, connect the rest of the cabinets in the array
one by one, Iooking for correct addition as each loud­speaker is connected. (It will be necessary to reposi­tion the microphone.)

Meyer Sound Laboratories, Inc.
2832 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702