Loudspeaker User’s Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................... 2
Rigging Safely ..................................................................................... 2
Unpacking and checking for shipping damage ................................... 2
Selecting a Power Amplifier ................................................................ 2
Connecting to an Amplifier .................................................................. 2
Operating Tips ..................................................................................... 3
Switching to Bi-Amplified Operation .................................................... 3
Limiter Calibration ............................................................................... 4
Using the UMH Attachment Points ..................................................... 5
U-Bracket and Loudspeaker Mounting Hardware ............................... 5
Complex Conic Horn Orientation ........................................................ 5
Loudspeakers with Transformers Installed ......................................... 5
Troubleshooting Tips ........................................................................... 5-6
Evaluating Failed Externally Powered Loudspeakers ......................... 7
Evaluating Failed Self-Powered Loudspeakers .................................. 7
Renkus-Heinz Painting Guidelines ..................................................... 7-8
Additional Information ................................................................................ 8
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Loudspeaker User’s Manual
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker. This manual will help you install and use your Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker
properly, so that it delivers years of trouble-free operation and superior performance, as it was designed to.
RIGGING SAFELY
Before hanging or flying any Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker you should be familiar with the cabinet load ratings listed in this manual along with
the rigging techniques and any special safety considerations appropriate for your intended use. Use only the UMH points on the loudspeaker
cabinet intended for suspending the loudspeaker. You must determine the load requirements, dynamic loading and any other contributing
factors affecting the suspended loudspeakers and any necessary safety factor for specific applications. You must also calculate the required
load rating of the connection to any structure. Renkus-Heinz recommends that all rigging be done by qualified personnel in accordance with
and in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations.
NOTICE: As the installer, you assume all liability for proper design, installation and use of any rigging systems. Renkus-Heinz strongly recommends the following rigging system practices:
1. Thoroughly document your rigging with detailed drawings and parts lists.
2. Have a licensed structural engineer, architect or other qualified professional review and approve the rigging design and any building attachments before you hang the loudspeakers.
3. It is always best to have a qualified professional rigger install and inspect the rigging system.
WARNING! Hanging loudspeakers is a serious undertaking that should be done only by qualified and experienced personnel. Renkus-Heinz
is not responsible for any non-Renkus-Heinz products or for any misuse of Renkus-Heinz products.
UNPACKING & CHECKING FOR SHIPPING DAMAGE
Your Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker was completely tested and inspected before leaving the factory. Carefully inspect the shipping carton before opening it, and then immediately inspect your new loudspeaker. If you find any damage notify the shipping company immediately. Only
the consignee may institute a claim for damages incurred in shipping. Be sure to save the shipping carton and all packing materials.
SELECTING A POWER AMPLIFIER
Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers have three power specifications: RMS, Program and Peak. The Program rating is printed on the model number
sticker on the back of the loudspeaker.
There are several methodologies and standards for rating the power handling of a loudspeaker. The most conservative are the EIA RS-426A (1980) eight-hour test and the IEC268-1 (1985) 100 hour test. Both use pink noise with a 6dB crest factor, (the voltage of the signal peaks
are 6dB greater than the RMS voltage of the noise, as compared to conventional pink noise which has a 12-16dB peak to RMS ratio) however, the frequency spectrum of the stimulus signals differ, with the EIA test being more taxing to woofers and the IEC test being harder on
HF drivers.
In both cases what is being measured is the loudspeaker’s ability to dissipate heat over a long test period—the thermal power handling.
Renkus-Heinz’s RMS power ratings are based on these stringent tests.
In 1984, the Audio Engineering Society devised a test standard for loudspeakers which also used 6dB crest factor pink noise, but in limited
bands and for a two hour duration. This methodology results in somewhat higher power handling ratings, typically 3dB. Renkus-Heinz’s Program ratings are equivalent to AES ratings. Renkus-Heinz’s peak ratings are 6dB greater than our RMS ratings, though many manufacturers
are rating their loudspeakers at 6dB above the shorter-duration AES rating. Using the more conservative peak rating better insures the longterm survival of drivers in high output usages.
When selecting a power amplifier for your loudspeaker you should consider the needs of your specific application. To provide the full output
capability of your loudspeaker, you should choose an amplifier whose RMS output rating falls between the RMS and Program ratings of the
loudspeaker. This means the amplifierís peak output may exceed the capacity of the loudspeaker. Factory-calibrated Loudspeaker Specific
Processing in a Renkus-Heinz controller will always deliver the most reliable protection for your loudspeaker along with the best possible
sound.
CONNECTING TO AN AMPLIFIER
Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers are available with four types of connectors; four- or eight-pole Neutrik SpeakOn connectors, terminal barrier
strip, or rubber-jacketed wire pig-tail. The model/serial number label lists the connections for proper hook-up. We use the same numbering
conventions for SpeakOn and terminal strip connectors: See Table 1 for proper wiring instructions. Pig-tail connections are color coded:
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the proper wiring is shown on the model number plate. Always use crimp-on terminals with the terminal strip connections - do not connect
bare wire.
It's possible that your speaker was specially ordered with a different type of connector, so always be sure to check the model number plate
on your loudspeaker and follow the wiring diagram and instructions it displays.
Table 1
Notes:
Standard connections shown. Check model plate for your specific connection!
* When woofers wired separately
** Terminal strip or SpeakOn NL4 connection
*** SpeakerOn NL8 connection (Touring products)
OPERATING TIPS
• Don’t drive any of your electronic equipment into clipping, particularly the power amplifiers. This can damage your loudspeaker.
• If driven into clipping, even the amplifier with a power output rating lower than Renkus-Heinz’s power rating can cause damage to a loudspeaker.
• Avoid sustained microphone feedback. This may cause failure of mid and high frequency drivers.
• Avoid extreme boosts on equalizers as these can cause excessive input to the drivers at the boosted frequencies. Cutting frequencies is
preferred to correct for frequency response problems. These problems include attenuating feedback frequencies or reducing excessive energy at certain frequencies due to room acoustics.
• Your loudspeaker should sound very good. However, even the finest loudspeaker won’t sound good in a room with poor acoustics. There is
little you can do to overcome room acoustic problems with electronic adjustments. Carefully placing and aiming of the loudspeaker so that
most of the sound is directed only at the audience is helpful in difficult rooms.
• Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers are capable of sound levels that can damage human hearing. Take precautions so that audiences are not exposed to such levels. If you must expose yourself to these kinds of volume levels, wear hearing protection.
• Be careful when moving or lifting the loudspeaker. Careless handling could result in injury to you or damage to the loudspeaker.
SWITCHING TO BI-AMPLIFIED OPERATION
Figure 1
Some Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker models can be switched from fully passive operation using the internal crossover to bi-amplified operation using an external controller/crossover/DSP unit. These models
can be identified by a round indicator window below the model name on the input connector panel. If
you choose to use your loudspeaker in the bi-amplified mode, be sure to use a Renkus-Heinz controller
or obtain the DSP settings for your model from Renkus-Heinz. Be sure to follow the section on setting
limiters in this manual if you choose to use your own DSP unit. Your loudspeaker will have shipped
wired for fully passive use, to convert to bi-amplified usage, follow these steps.
1) Remove the screws holding the input panel to the loudspeaker cabinet and then carefully remove the
panel from the cabinet. A loudspeaker cable plugged into one of the inputs makes a handy “handle” for
this procedure. See figure one.
Loudspeaker User’s Manual
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