Simeon 966 User Manual

Simeon 966

Dual-channel UHF soundfield FM system
User’s Manual

Système champ libre MF à deux canaux utilisant
la bande UHF
Manuel de l'utilisateur

Your new Simeon 966 soundfield FM system is easy to set up and use in any classroom. The sys-

tem can be used with a variety of microphone and speaker options and can be easily interfaced

with other audio and FM equipment. The system includes the following components:

* FM Transmitter 8LT with high capacity NiMH batteries

* Directional boom microphone 617 (or optional alternate microphone model)

* FM Transmitter/microphone 801TS with high capacity NiMH batteries

* Stretchable transmitter hip pack

* Soundfield FM receiver 966R with built-in amplifier

* Transmitter charging stand HDC-202 with dual charging pockets

Simeon 966 speaker options:

Single Omnipanel DML flat panel speaker with Speakon cable OR Four SP-966 mini wall-mount

speakers with regular speaker wire.

INSTALLATION WITH OMNIPANEL SPEAKER

Carefully unpack the soundfield system. The Omnipanel can be wall mounted with the included

hardware or may be or tripod mounted using an optional lightweight aluminum floor stand. For

wall mounting, choose a suitable location to mount the Omnipanel speaker on the classroom wall

and check that it is sufficiently close to an AC power outlet. Choose a location to mount the

Omnipanel above head level if possible. The front, back or side walls of the classroom are all suit-

able locations.

There are two methods of wall mounting the Omnipanel speaker. It can be mounted flush with the

wall 'picture style' using just two mounting screws, or it can be mounted on a special adjustable

swivel bracket. To flush mount, fasten the Omnipanel to the wall using the two screws and wall

anchors supplied. The screws must be positioned exactly 43cm apart to ensure an accurate fit.

The Omnipanel has two keyhole-shaped openings on the rear panel to accommodate these

screws. Adjust the tightness of the screws to ensure the Omnipanel frame is held firmly when

mounted on the wall (a loosely mounted Omnipanel frame may vibrate against the wall and make

audible noise). The advantage of mounting the Omnipanel flush with the wall is that it will be less

conspicuous, but it must be attached to the wall securely to avoid vibration, and is best suited to

speaker placements away from the corners of the classroom

The preferred method of mounting the Omnipanel speaker is with the special wall-mount bracket

(see below). This allows more flexibility to orient the speaker and allows it to be removed very

easily for use in another location. It also allows the Omnipanel to be mounted anywhere in the

room, even in a corner, to the fullest acoustic advantage. The bracket should be attached secure-

ly to a solid wall surface using the included hardware.

Flush mounting the Omnipanel speaker

Using the special wall bracket for mounting the Omnipanel

hang points

output for extra speaker

Speaker cable input
from receiver

Unscrew 13mm nut and
remove threaded pin to
access mounting holes

Screw base of bracket
securely against wall
using wall anchors

Bracket post fits into
socket in base of the
Omnipanel

The wall bracket offers
more flexibility and is
ideal for mounting the
Omnipanel close to the
room corners.

Be sure that the
bracket base is
attached securely
with wall anchors
into a solid wall
surface.

Bracket tilt
adjustment

Socket for tripod stand
or wall-mount bracket

To mount the Omnipanel flush with

the wall, position the wall-mounting

screws exactly 43cm apart

INSTALLATION WITH FOUR SP-966 MINI SPEAKERS

Select suitable locations for the four SP-966 mini speakers around the classroom walls. Choose

locations above head level and evenly spaced across the room to ensure the most even distribu-

tion of the soundfield. Avoid placing the speakers in the room corners and directly facing and

opposing each other as this will cause phase cancellations and result in an uneven soundfield.

For best results all four speaker should be oriented in the same general direction.

Suggested classroom configuration for four SP-966 mini-speakers

To mount the mini speakers, remove the caps from the U-bracket and secure the U-bracket to the

wall using the hardware supplied. Attach speaker wire to each speaker, taking care to observe the

correct polarity (+ve and -ve connectors), and run all four speaker wires to a central location for

the 966R receiver and close to a power outlet.

SP-966 mini-speaker trim controls

A special feature of the Simeon 966 enables individual gain adjustment of each of the four SP-

966 mini-speakers. This allows for more focal or differential amplification in different areas of the

Position the SP-966 mini
speakers so that they are
all pointing in the same
general direction.

This will ensure that they
are reinforcing and not
opposing each other.

This configuration will
result in the most uniform
soundfield distribution.

Mount U-bracket securely
to wall with wall anchors

Remove screw-fitted caps
to access U-bracket

classroom. Note that individual mini-speaker gain adjustments are made using special trimmers

located on the underside of the 966R receiver unit. Differential speaker gain adjustments should

be made in consultation with your audiologist or sound professional.

SETTING UP THE 966R RECEIVER UNIT

The 966R receiver unit has two FM receiver modules, an integrated amplifier, and multiple inputs

and outputs to connect to other audio and FM devices. It is the base station of the entire sound-

field system.

Receiver 966R - Front panel

The receiver unit itself requires no special installation, but should be placed in a suitable safe

location, such as shelving, well within reach of the speaker cables and sufficiently close to a

classroom power outlet. There are just a few short steps required to ready the 966R receiver for

use.

First, make the speaker connection. The Omnipanel speaker is connected with a single conven-

ient Speakon connector cable, which is inserted into the rear panel. Twist the Speakon plug to

lock; to release again, pull the release button on the plug. If using the SP-966 mini speakers,

these must be connected via regular speaker wire to the screw-terminals on the rear panel of the

receiver. Up to four mini-speakers can be connected to the 966R receiver. Be sure to observe the

correct polarity (+ve and -ve connectors) when connecting the mini speakers.

Next, connect the two antennae to the connectors on the rear panel. Adjust each antenna to the

vertical position for best reception. Connect the power adapter to the DC IN connector on the rear

panel of the 966R receiver. Be sure to use only the recommended and approved power adapter

Power Switch

Volume Control

(primary channel)

Channel Selector

(primary channel)

Volume Control

(secondary channel)

Channel Selector

(secondary channel)

Volume Control for

Secondary Inputs

Auxilary Output to

connect to personal

FM Transmitter

FM Signal
Indicators

Input for

Cabled Mic

Auxiliary input

(from CD, etc.)

Tone Controls

(12 - 16v DC; 1.6 amps). Note that the transmitter charging cradle model HDC-202 is also sup-

plied with its own power adapter, but the charging cradle can also be powered directly from the

DC OUT socket of the receiver model 966R using the short (15cm) DC cable supplied. This is a

convenience in classrooms with few available power outlets.

Receiver 966R - Rear panel

PREPARING THE SYSTEM FOR USE

Check that the transmitters and receiver are set to matching channels, and that the selected

channel frequencies do not conflict with other FM equipment at your school. It is important that a

separate channel is selected for each transmitter. Two transmitters cannot share the same chan-

nel without interference. Note that the Simeon 966 system is available in at least two UHF fre-

quency bands (744 - 752 MHz and 794 - 806 MHz), each with 16 FM channels. If using six or

more systems in one location, consider use the second frequency band as there are performance

considerations when multiple channels are used in very close proximity. Contact your represen-

tative if you have any difficult selecting an FM channel for your system.

FM Transmitter 8LT

Open the transmitter battery compartments as shown and insert the NiMH rechargeable batteries

supplied, taking care to observe correct battery polarity. For best performance, use only the rec-

ommended NiMH (nickel metal-hydride) rechargeable size AA transmitter batteries.

Never use disposable (alkaline) batteries in combination with the charging system.

Place the transmitters into the two charging pockets of the HDC-202 charging cradle and charge

fully before using (see Battery Care and Charging section below). When transmitter charging is

Antenna connector

Antenna connector

Speaker Connector for

OmniPanel Speaker

Low Voltage Output to
connect to Transmitter
Charging Stand model

Simeon HDC-202

Auxilary Output to

connect to personal

FM Transmitter

Auxiliary input

(from CD, etc.)

Connectors for wall-mount

SP966 Mini Speakers

Low Voltage Input from

Power Adapter

complete (3 - 6 hours charge time) the charging cradle will show a green light (Ready) below each

charging pocket.

Place the fully charged transmitter model 8LT into the hippack and adjust for comfort. Plug the

microphone into the transmitter mic jack. If using the standard Simeon 617 boom (headset) micro-

phone, place the frame over the ears and adjust the boom arm to position the mic capsule to point

to the corner of your mouth. It is not necessary to place the microphone in front of your lips and

doing so may diminish the sound quality. It is usually necessary to adjust the microphone frame

by bending so that it rests lightly over the ears, avoiding any other contact or pressure points

against the head. It is important to adjust the microphone frame in this way to ensure a comfort-

able fit. The Simeon 617 boom mic is supplied with a Velcro headband to keep the microphone

secure during vigorous activities (e.g. Phys Ed.). This band may be removed for regular class-

room use.

FM Transmitter 8LT

Microphone jack

Power / low battery indicator

Built-in antenna

ON / STANDBY /OFF switch

Transmitter gain (volume control)

Belt clip

Channel selector

Battery compartment

Charging contacts

Battery door

Directional capsule

Internal antenna

Power / low battery indicator

ON / STANDBY /OFF switch

Channel selector

Battery compartment

Charging contacts

Battery cover

FM Transmitter/microphone 801TS