PMC TBS-AII, DB1S-AII, IB1S-A User Manual

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TBS-AII
DB1S-AII
IB1S-A

Digital Activated, ATL™ professional monitors

Thank you for purchasing a PMC handcrafted product. Please take
a moment to read the following guidelines. These hints & tips will
guarantee the very best results.

1. Read these instructions and keep them in a safe place for

further reference.

2. Heed all electrical safety warnings, including any on the

loudspeakers themselves.

3. Do not use the loudspeaker near water or attempt to use if

wet.

4. Clean only with a dry, lint-free, cloth.

5. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, ovens

or other equipment that produce excessive heat.

6. High volume audio signals, however short their duration, have

the potential to cause hearing damage. Use care when
setting the system volume level to ensure playback sound
pressure levels remain within comfortable limits.

7. Ensure the unit is rated for the local voltage before

proceeding.

8. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is

required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way
or exhibits a distinct or sudden change of operation or
performance.

Product Support:

For product support, accessories or servicing advice,
please contact a PMC authorised dealer/distributor.

See:
www.pmc-speakers.com/distribution/distribution.php

Company Details:

PMC Limited,
43-45, Crawley Green Road,
Luton.
LU2 0AA.
United Kingdom.

Company Reg. Number: 3328009

T [phone]
F [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: http://www.pmc-speakers.com/

© 2010 PMC. All rights reserved.

This document should not be construed as a commitment
on the part of PMC. The information it contains is subject to
change without notice. PMC assumes no responsibility for

errors that may appear within this document.

Our attention to Detail

All PMC loudspeakers are hand-built in the U.K. using individual components that are matched across loudspeaker pairs.
The value of each component is recorded and checked against our strict tolerances, and then assembled using silver
loaded solder. Each and every pair of completed loudspeakers then undergoes a set of objective and subjective
measurements – frequency response sweeps ensure that the design meets our exacting performance criteria, and then
listening tests are conducted against a reference design using a wide variety of material, which varies from a benchmark
speech test to classical music, pop and rock.

PMC’s unprecedented and unrivalled attention to detail means that the product we design is the product you receive.

Connections

N.B. To avoid potential damage please ensure that the unit is turned off before making or breaking any connections.

The rear panel of the TBS-AII, DB1S-AII, and IB1S-A holds two connectors: Audio and Mains Power input.

Audio

The audio input connector is a balanced 3 pin XLR, to be wired as follows:

Pin 1. Ground (screen)
Pin 2. Signal +
Pin 3. Signal –

If the monitor is to be used in an unbalanced system, then pins 1 and 3 of the input XLR should be soldered together at
the monitor end of the input audio cable.

Mains Power

A Single IEC-type mains connector is provided appropriate for the local mains power source and can be found in the
cardboard housing at the bottom corner of the box.

N.B. This unit is earthed via the standard IEC mains connector. This earth must not be disconnected.

Level control

When connecting, ensure the signal source is set to a low output. The level control when rotated fully clockwise it will
achieve full sensitivity.

N.B. High volume audio signals, however short their duration, has the potential to cause hearing damage.

Positioning

Because of their unique ATL (Advanced Transmission Line) enclosures, wide dispersion pattern, low harmonic distortion
and smooth roll-off, PMC monitors are more forgiving of difficult room conditions and placement constraints than
conventional designs. However, we encourage you to spend some time experimenting in your own room in o rder to
obtain the best results, remembering that even small changes in location can have a significant influence upon system
performance, especially in the low frequency region.

The following guidelines are suggestions for the initial location for your monitors. Fine-tuning of their positioning can start
from here.

Place the TBS-AII, DB1S-AII or IB1S-A so that the front face is forward or level with any the front face of any other

monitor or screen. This will ensure the most convincing image to be produced.

Ensure that stereo pairs of loudspeakers are equidistant from the listening position.
Position a front left/right pair and centre channel loudspeaker (if applicable) at the same height. The acoustic

centre is directly between the HF (Tweeter) unit and LF (Woofer) on the TB & DB and at the centre of the mid range
dome on the IB1S-A. This should be as close as possible to the level of the listener‟s ear at the primary position. For
the DB & TB, the addition of PMC’s Tube104 speaker stand offers the correct height and supplies the perfect

platform for the monitor to operate, and for the IB1S-A, PMC’s Studio frame stand.

Create an imaginary equilateral triangle between the speakers and your listening position. As a general rule, the

soundstage width will diminish if the loudspeakers are any closer together and become disjointed if they are further
apart, but we encourage experimentation within your own room.

Loudspeakers can be „toed-in‟ to improve stereo left/right imaging, so that the axis of each loudspeaker crosses

approximately 50cm behind the primary listening position.

‘Running In’

The characteristics of mechanical devices such as loudspeakers do alter after a short „running in‟ period; cone materials

become more pliable and therefore the accuracy and speed of transients, for example, can subtly improve over time.
We suggest a „running in‟ period of approximately 15 hours of normal use.

Magnetic Shielding

Magnetically shielded TB2SM-AII, DB1SM-AII & IB1SM-A designs (magnetic shielding denoted by the “-M” suffix) can be
positioned adjacent to magnetically sensitive devices without fear of damage, but we still recommend that,
magnetically sensitive items such as tape are not left in close proximity for extended periods of time. Magnetic Shielding
can be fitted to an existing model if required. Please consult your dealer/distributor for further details. See www.pmc-
speakers.com/distribution/distribution.php

If the TBS-AII, DB1S-AII or IB1S-A monitors are not magnetically shielded, please ensure that they are positioned at least
1metre away from items that could be damaged by stray magnetic fields. Conventional glass tube (CRT) televisions and
computer monitors together with media such as floppy discs, cassettes and videotapes are particularly susceptible.

Accessories

Stands and Brackets TBS-AII & DB1S-AII

PMC mounting brackets are available for the DB1S-AII. They can be angled precisely and rigidly along both the
horizontal and vertical planes. They affix to the monitor via four removable 6mm bolts and inserts upon the rear panel.
The TB2S-AII similar 6mm bolt fixings but arranged with the spacing for the Omnimount™ 75 or Powerdrive 75

(www.mypowerdrive.com) series brackets and fittings for ceiling or wall mounting.

For floor mounting in studio situations, Tube 104™ high-mass stands are ideal for the DB1S-AII or TBS-AII, and PMC’s Studio
frame stands for the IB1S-A. These high quality stands have been specifically designed and pre-tuned to guarantee
maximum performance from all the models.

For more information about PMC stands and brackets, please contact your dealer or refer to our web site,
http://www.pmc-speakers.com/

Subwoofer Options for TBS-AII & DB1S-AII

The TLE1S has been specifically designed to partner the TBS-AII & DB1S-AII models in either stereo or in a surround
configuration. The two custom shielded drivers lie at the mouth of a transmission line with an effective line length of 3m.
With the aid of the Bryston designed circuits within the active amplifier & crossover section, the TLE1S reproduces low
frequency information with astonishing detail and dynamics. The small footprint and comprehensive user controls will
allow easy placement even in the most space-restricted rooms.

Subwoofer Options for IB1S-A

Using the identical 10” carbon fibre & Nomex™ piston driver and DS-001 power module, the activated SB100-A is the
ideal solution to partner the IB1S-A within a surround monitoring configuration. Its shallow profile and front vented cabinet
houses a heavily braced and damped transmission line with an effective line length of 2.8m (9ft). The combination of

piston driver and PMC‟s ATL™ transmission line technology gives the SB100 its outstanding detailed response down to

25Hz with a peak SPL of >116dB

Care and Service

In normal usage your PMC speakers should provide you with many years of trouble free operation, but in the unlikely
event that you have reason to suspect that damage or failure has occurred, please do not attempt to repair the unit
yourself as this will invalid the warranty. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Contact your local dealer/distributor for
advice. See: www.pmc-speakers.com/distribution/distribution.php

Cleaning may be carried out with a lint free cloth, avoid the use of solvents as they may damage the finish of the unit.

Specification

DB1S-AII TBS-AII IB1S-A

Useable Freq Response 50Hz-25kHz 40Hz-25kHz 25Hz-25kHz

Effective ATL Line Length 1.5m 1.5m 2.4m 8ft

Drive Units LF 140mm Doped with LF 170mm Doped with LF 250mm/10” PMC Carbon

cast alloy chassis cast alloy chassis Fibre /Nomex™ piston driver

MF 75mm doped fabric

HF 27mm fabric soft dome HF 27mm fabric soft dome HF 27mm fabric soft dome

Crossover Frequency 2 kHz 2 kHz 380Hz & 3.8kHz

Amplifier power 200W 200W 400W

Finish Textured black Textured black Textured black

Sensitivity Variable 17dB-33dB Variable 17dB-33dB Variable 17dB-33dB

Sensitivity @33dB Gain setting 108dB SPL @ 1m for 0.775V 111dB SPL @ 1m for 0.775V 113dB SPL @ 1m for 0.775V

Dimensions H 290mm 11.4” H 400mm 15.7” H 740mm 29.1"
W 155mm 6.1” W 200mm 7.87” W 330mm 13.0"
D 283mm 11.14” D 352mm 13.9” D 549mm 21.6”

Weight per channel 5.1kg 11.3lbs 10.7kg 23.5lbs 40kg 88lbs

ATL

™

(Advanced Transmission Line) technology

How it works

PMC‟s ATL™ Advanced Transmission Line enclosures have taken loudspeaker design to the highest level. A PMC
ATL™ design utilises sophisticated cabinet construction, proprietary drive units and patented absorption

materials and techniques. The benefits are enormous compared to the relatively simple sealed and ported
models currently available elsewhere.

The main driver is placed at one end of a long tunnel (the transmission line), which is heavily damped with
absorbent acoustic material. This material is specified to absorb the upper bass and higher frequencies that
radiate from the rear of the main driver. The lowest frequencies, which remain in phase, then emerge from the
large vent at the end of the line, which essentially acts as a second driver. One advantage to this approach is
that the air pressure loading the main driver is maintained, thus controlling the driver over a wide frequency
range, which in turn significantly reduces distortion. A spin-off from the lack of distortion is that the upper bass
and midrange is not masked by harmonic distortion residing in the very low frequencies. The result is PMC‟s
characteristic transparent midrange and fast, attacking bass notes, all with outstanding clarity. A further
advantage of the ATL™ approach is a cabinet that produces a higher SPL and lower bass extension than a
ported or sealed design of a similar size, even if identical drivers were used. Moreover, as the loading on the
main driver is maintained at all volumes, the frequency response also remains consistent regardless of listening
level. Neither casual late night listening nor prolonged monitoring sessions have to be conducted at high
volumes to achieve maximum bass response, a characteristic that is especially suited for both the home user
and recording professional alike.

See www.pmc-speakers.com

REMEMBER

ACTIVATE YOUR 5 YEAR WARRANTY ON-LINE

GO TO

WWW.PMC-SPEAKERS.COM AND CLICK ON REGISTER PRODUCT