Tannoy DC-8 Owners manual

OWNERʼS MANUAL

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 03 CONNECTION IN SINGLE WIRE MODE 05

TECHNOLOGY 03 CONNECTION IN BI-WIRE MODE 05

AMPLIFIER CHOICE 04 BI-AMPING 06

CABLE CHOICE 04 CONNECTION OF EARTH OR 'GROUND' LEAD 06

UNPACKING 04 POSITIONING AND FINE-TUNING 06

TERMINAL PANEL 04 GRILLES 06

FLOOR STANDING MODELS 04 CARE OF CABINET 06

STAND MOUNTING MODELS 04 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 07

INSTALLATION 05 SET-UP DIAGRAMS 08-011

WARRANTY

No maintenance of the Revolution loudspeaker is necessary.

Please register your Tannoy product online at www.tannoy.com.

All of our products have been produced and tested with care and precision to give first-class service.

All passive components are guaranteed for a period of five years from the date of purchase from an authorised
Tannoy dealer subject to the absence or evidence of misuse, overload, or accidental damage.

All active and electronic components are guaranteed for a period of one year from the date of purchase from an
authorised Tannoy dealer subject to the absence of, or evidence of, misuse, overload or accidental damage.

If at any time during this warranty period the equipment proves to be defective for any reason other than accident,
misuse, neglect, unauthorised modification or fair wear and tear, we will repair any such manufacturing defect or,
at our option, replace it without charge for labour, parts or return carriage.

If you suspect a problem with a Tannoy product then, in the first instance, discuss it with your Tannoy dealer. If
you require further assistance then we ask that you deal directly with your local Tannoy distributor. If you cannot
locate your distributor please contact Customer Services, Tannoy Ltd at the address given below.

Customer Services, Tannoy Ltd., Rosehall Industrial Estate, Coatbridge, Strathclyde ML5 4TF, Scotland

Telephone: [phone] (National)

Fax: [phone] (National)

E-mail: [e-mail]

Do not ship any product to Tannoy without previous authorisation.

Our policy commits us to incorporating improvements to our products through continuous research
and development. Please confirm current specifications for critical applications with your supplier.

02_ DEFINITION MANUAL

[phone] (International)

[phone] (International)

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for selecting Tannoy loudspeakers developed in the UK by our dedicated team of design engineers. They
are the choice of discriminating music lovers the world over. Musical excellence is designed into our loudspeakers
from the start. Careful selection of the very best components combined with strict quality control procedures in the
production process ensures this level of excellence is maintained.

To gain maximum performance from your loudspeakers, please take time to read this owner's manual in full before
installation. Once you have set up your new loudspeakers please complete and return the registration document ­this does not limit your legal rights.

Loudspeakers are electromechanical devices that 'run-in' through use; performance will therefore improve after an
initial period of 24hrs use. Once they have been further run-in over a longer period, there will be clear enhancement of
the stereo imaging, mid-band quality and bass performance characteristics.

We are confident that you will continue to enjoy your new Tannoy Definition loudspeakers for
many years to come.

TECHNOLOGY
Dual Concentric™

Tannoy Dual Concentric™ drivers have been incorporated into the Definition loudspeakers. Intensive research and
development has produced an all-new version of this proven technology that builds upon the legendary performance
of this exclusive Tannoy driver design.

The time coherent, point source and constant directivity nature of the dispersion characteristics inherent in the Dual
makes it an accepted industry standard in studio monitoring. By exceeding the rigorous demands of the recording and
mastering environment Tannoy can ensure that playback performance in the home for multi channel home cinema, is
strictly controlled to accurately reflect the sound engineers artistry. In nature all sounds emanate from a single point in
space.
The high frequency unit of the Dual, centrally mounted in the throat of the main mid/bass driver, is so positioned as to
acoustically replicate this single point source; delivering an incredibly natural sound with a very wide imaging ʻsweet
spotʼ that creates an expansive soundstage with remarkably focused placement of images.

Wideband™ Technology

Tannoy has incorporated its own WideBand™ technology into the design of these drivers. Not only does this
exceptional in-house technology resolve fine detail of high frequency information but it also effectively enhances the
listening experience throughout the whole frequency range. The WideBand™ high frequency system creates an
increased immediacy, airiness and impact, making music and movie sound more natural and true to life.

Sounds contain transient information and rich harmonics beyond the range of human hearing for pure tones. Even
low frequencies have leading edge transients reaching 30kHz. Tannoy WideBand™ high frequency units will
accurately reproduce the leading edge of individual sounds allowing the listener to experience the entire bandwidth,
by extending the frequency response well beyond that of conventional loudspeakers.

In addition, the extension of the frequency response, by fully two octaves, corrects time and phase response within
the bandwidth of normal human hearing. Taking these acoustical phase anomalies beyond the audible range adds
realism to the soundstage through improvements in imaging and the placement of sounds.

Audiophile Crossover

High-end components and a simple, straight philosophy combine to create a crossover with an ultra-clean signal
path. Low loss laminated core inductors ensure optimum LF performance while the HF network audiophile-grade
polypropylene capacitors are acoustically damped using Tannoy DMT
resistors are used in the high frequency feed. The Definition crossover sets the bench-mark for signal integrity,
reproducing music with all the articulation and intelligibility of the original performance.

TM

technology. Non inductive metal film

Deep Cryogenic Treatment

The entire crossover assembly is subject to revolutionary Deep Cryogenic Treatment (DCT), achieving unparalleled
gains in resolution and creating a more natural, cohesive sound. Using a proprietary process, the Definition crossover
is super-cooled to -190 degrees C and returned to room temperature over a controlled period. This permanently
reduces internal stresses in the microstructure of the crossoverʼs component materials, leading to better signal
transfer and superior resolution of fine detail. One of the largest benefits is to the solder joints, which are traditionally
an area of poor crystalline structure.

DEFINITION MANUAL _03

AMPLIFIER CHOICE

Consult the product specification as this clearly shows the acceptable power range for amplifier matching to your
speakers. The high peak power handling of Tannoy loudspeakers permits responsible use with more powerful
amplifiers - please read the Warranty.

As with all loudspeaker systems, the power handling is a function of voice coil thermal capacity. Care should be
taken to avoid overdriving any amplifier, as this will cause output overload resulting in 'clipping' or distortion within
the output signal. This, if done for any extended period, will cause damage to the speakers.

Generally an amplifier of higher power that is running hard, but free of distortion, will do less damage to the
loudspeaker than a lower power amplifier continually clipping. Remember also that a high powered amplifier
running at less than 90% of output power generally sounds a great deal better than a lower powered example
struggling to achieve 100%. An amplifier with insufficient drive capability will not allow the full performance of the
loudspeakers to be realised.

CABLE CHOICE

Always use the best quality of cable available within your budget. High quality audio signals passing from the
amplifier to the loudspeaker are unusual in their demands on the cable. Wide dynamic range and frequency
bandwidth information has to coexist with the ability to transmit peak currents of at least 10amps, without
incurring any loss or signal impairment. This explains why the sound quality of the information reproduced by
the loudspeakers is so dependant on the physical properties of the cables connecting them to the amplifier.

We would recommend that you always keep the cable runs the same length for left and right speakers.
Remember, cable construction can affect the sound quality so be prepared to experiment to find a cable that
suits your ear and audio system.

UNPACKING

To unpack the loudspeakers from their boxes remove tape from the top then fold the flaps right back before
inverting the carton and contents. Lift the carton clear of the contents then remove all inner packaging.

It is strongly recommended that you store all the packaging to allow protected transportation in future. (See fig.1)

TERMINAL PANEL

An exclusive five way terminal panel has been designed for the Definition range to optimise performance further
by take advantage of the driver earthing facility. Use a shielded or screened loudspeaker cable; connecting the
screening termination to the earth or 'ground' (green) terminal on the loudspeaker and to the ground or earth
connection on the amplifier. Alternatively if you are not using a screened loudspeaker cable but wish to utilise the
earthing facility, run a single cable between the earth or 'ground' (green) terminal on the loudspeaker to the earth
(ground) connection on the amplifier. (See fig.2)

FLOOR STANDING MODELS

Definition floor-standing models perform best with carpet piercing spikes fitted. These are supplied, along with
lock nuts, and should be inserted into the threaded holes in the base of the cabinet. Level the speaker and then
tighten the lock nuts firmly but without using undue force. Spike locating cups are provided in the accessory pack
and these may be used to protect sensitive floor surfaces.

Warning:

Ensure that the spikes are levelled and that the lock nuts are tightened firmly. The spikes should be
pushed through the carpet to locate into the flooring surface by applying pressure to the top of the
cabinet.

If using on a sensitive floor surface place the protective cups under the levelled spikes.
Failure to do so could render the speaker unsteady and result in damage or injury should it be
knocked over.

STAND MOUNTING MODELS

Stand mounting or bookshelf speakers should be located securely on stands or a shelf in an appropriate position
to place the Dual Concentric™ driver high frequency unit roughly at ear height when seated in the chosen
listening position. Positioning recommendations for stand-mounted speakers can be found under the section
entitled Positioning and fine-tuning. For the centre speakers, locate on the plinth provided.

04_ DEFINITION MANUAL