Tannoy ELLIPSE 8, ELLIPSE 10 Information Sheet

Studio Monitor Series

THE TANNOY ELLIPSE RANGE OF ACTIVE STUDIO MONITORS

FEATURES UNIQUE TANNOY ENGINEERING, IN THE FORM OF

DUAL CONCENTRIC™, WIDEBAND™ AND AMPLIFIER TECHNOLOGIES,

TO SET NEW QUALITY STANDARDS FOR REFERENCE MONITORING.

CAVA STUDIOS, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

A fully time-aligned, 3-way active system utilising Dual Concentric™ plus SuperTweeter™ drive units,

the Ellipse monitors have a frequency response extending to above 50kHz for monitoring of wideband

programme material.

Ninety degree horizontal dispersion gives a you a wide sweet spot for practical working across the console,

while analogue signal processing achieves an exceptionally flat frequency response in use.

Discreet MOSFET power amplifiers, with generous power supply, provide more than ample power with

extremely low noise and distortion.

The unique cabinet shape not only has a striking appearance but is inherently stiff. Constructed of laminated

birch with a massive MDF baffle and rear panel, the enclosure is non-resonant acoustically and mechanically.

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DUAL CONCENTRIC (HF Unit) – 1.7kHz-14kHz

DUAL CONCENTRIC (LF Unit) – 40Hz-1.7kHz

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Aluminium alloy dome, horn loaded HF unit with
waveguide, mounted inside the voicecoil/magnet
assembly of the LF unit. Time-aligned to the Dual
Concentric™ LF unit and SuperTweeter™ using
asymmetric high order bandpass filtering. The HF
unit has a high sensitivity of up to 105 dB for 2.83
volts, so that its dedicated power amp, 150W on
the Ellipse 8 and 200W on the 10, normally runs
with over 20dB headroom to ensure uncompressed
dynamics. It’s high sensitivity also means it’s average
power consumption on normal programme material
is only one or two watts, so there’s minimal thermal
compression compared to low-sensitivity dome
HF units.

TRIM CONTROLS

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Setting the top three controls to the mid position
gives a flat response. However, rooms differ, as do
personal preferences. The frequency trims allow for
compensation and correction of all these variables.
The mid trim gives +/-2dB centred at 1.4kHz and
has a Q of 0.45. Hi-trim and Lo-Trim are gentle
shelving filters giving +/-3dB at 20kHz and 40Hz
respectively. The fourth control is for input sensitivity
and is continuously variable from -10dBu unbalanced
to +4dBu balanced for maximum output.

Polypropylene cone, long throw driver with cast alloy
chassis where the cone profile continues the exponential
horn of the HF unit. Using complex filtering, it is
accurately time-aligned with the HF unit, so they are
not only on the same axis, but also in the same plane.
All frequencies therefore effectively radiate from a point
source, making percussion and transients more realistic,
and giving the system excellent imaging properties.
The LF unit is driven by a 150W power amp (200W
peak) on the Ellipse 8 and 200W (270 peak) on the
10, giving a more powerful
and controlled low end
delivery than is usual for

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a system of this size.

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WESTLAKE AUDIO, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

MULTI-FUNCTION led INDICATOR

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The LED shows three colours for various functions.
Low-brightness green is illuminated all the time the
system is powered to indicate normal function. A
high-brightness red illuminates for two seconds
during start-up, or continuously to indicate a fault
condition such as thermal trip or amplifier failure.
Flashing red gives instantaneous indication of voltage
or current clipping in the LF amplifier. The unique
feature of the indicator is the VLF (very low frequency)
warning. When there is a significant level of subsonic
content in the mix (typically between 1Hz-15Hz) the
built-in LF hi-pass filtering prevents it from causing
excessive cone movement and draining amplifier
power, as would happen in a conventional passive
monitoring set-up. To represent cone-flap, and warn
of VLF content, the LED will flash yellow with every
positive and negative half cycle of the offending
signal. Recording, mixing and mastering engineers
are therefore given the opportunity to take remedial
action if required.

SUPERTWEETER – 14kHz-50kHz

5 AMPLIFIER MODULE

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The pod mounted SuperTweeter™ uses a specially
developed aluminium alloy and carbon fibre dome
with rare earth magnet and continues the frequency
response to over 50kHz. It is driven by a dedicated
30W IC power amp, and time-aligned to the Dual
Concentric™ over a wide horizontal dispersion
using fourth order Gaussian hi-pass filter and
critical physical positioning. The SuperTweeter™
amplifier bandwidth is up to 80kHz. The crossover
frequency is very high at 14kHz, which is far away
from the midband where sensitive stereo location
information is concentrated. At this frequency it
doesn’t interfere with the main signal from the
Dual Concentric™. Listening at 1 metre on axis
with the HF horn, which is the precise point where

its signal synchronises with the Dual

Concentric™, it is not detectable as a

separate source.

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Behind the elegant cast multi-fingered heatsink,
which has 60% higher efficiency than a vaned
heatsink of equivalent size, lies the surface-mount
PCB. The circuit carries 20 ultra-low distortion, low­noise audio op-amps, which provide comprehensive
Analogue Signal Processing and power amplifier
driver stages. LF and HF bands have identical
design 150W or 200W discrete mosfet power
amps. The SuperTweeter™ is powered by a
monolithic 30W wide bandwidth amplifier, which
gives ample headroom for the minute signal in this
audio band. The ASP used comprises high and low
order frequency dividing networks, fixed and variable
equalisation, and high Q inductive/capacitive
correction filters. There is no compression or limiting
on board, to preserve dynamics. The system can
be driven into clipping, and damage can result

from abuse, but it’s a system

designed for professionals

who want to hear the true
dynamics of their work.

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A four-in-one mains inlet comprising earthed
6A IEC socket, on-off switch, fuseholder, and
voltage selector.

XLR BALANCED INPUT

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A variable gain instrumentation amplifier input
stage with high CMRR is used, with local
grounding and high RFI rejection.

RESILIENT BASE

9MAINS INLET MODULE

Secure mounting is provided by the detachable
neoprene base, which effectively dampens any
vibration between the loudspeaker and the
stand or platform support. Remove the base
and a standard Omnimount wall bracket can
be used as an option.

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WHY YOU NEED EXTENDED HIGH FREQUENCY BANDWIDTH
IN TODAY’S DIGITAL RECORDING ENVIRONMENT

For years, sound recording engineers, broadcasters and producers have successfully relied on the Tannoy Dual
Concentric™, with its single point sound source providing the most accurate, natural sound for monitoring –
reproducing instruments and voices far better than conventional monitor designs.

So, why have we introduced a new monitor with a Dual Concentric™ and a SuperTweeter™?

The Dual Concentric™ covers most of the audible band – its flat frequency response from a single point source
is essential in maintaining accurate phase for the generation of stereo and surround audio images. Wideband
Technology has enabled us to add a sophisticated, very high frequency driver (the SuperTweeter™), time-aligned
to the acoustic centre of the Dual Concentric™, which accurately reproduces frequencies above the roll-off point
of the Dual Concentric™ HF unit and all the way up to 50kHz.

What’s the point of that when the upper limit of most human hearing is just 20kHz?

Well, it has been proven that all types of instruments generate considerable energy above 20kHz – and with some
instruments, such as the trumpet (see fig 1), the level doesn’t drop into the noise floor until 100kHz. These
ultrasonic additions to the fundamental frequency are what give instruments, including voices, their individual
character. We can’t ‘hear’ them in the normal sense of the word, but research has shown that we do detect and
respond to them in our perception of sound.

And the effect of this ultrasonic information extends throughout the audible frequency range - even bass notes
have leading edge transients reaching 30kHz.

FIG. 1 FIG. 2

In addition, the SuperTweeter™ reduces the high frequency phase error by moving the low pass roll-off point
much higher, typically -6dB at 54kHz, -18dB at 100kHz (see Fig 2). So, even if we ignore for now the perception
of sound above 20kHz, the addition of the SuperTweeter™ gives a more realistic soundstage by improving imaging
and placement of instruments.

With 96kHz and 192kHz digital recording systems rapidly becoming the norm in today’s recording environment,
you need to be sure that your recordings are faithfully reproducing the original sound. Tannoy Wideband
Technology monitors help ensure that whatever you record will sound as good when played back on the new
generation of wideband commercial and home audio systems.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ELLIPSE 8 ELLIPSE 10

SYSTEM

Frequency Response 40Hz – 50kHz
(±2 dB, 50Hz to 20kHz)

Maximum SPL (peak @ 1m) 112dB (anechoic)
Typical max SPL 118dB

(pair @ mix position)
Distortion <0.5%
Dispersion (@ 6dB) 90º horizontal

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM

Amplifier input 22kΩ balanced via XLR
Input sensitivity +4dBu to -10dBu continuous
Crossover frequencies 1.7kHz – 14kHz
Amplifier power LF: 150W / HF: 150W / ST: 30W
Signal/noise ratio >100dB
Multi-function LED indicator System on

Trim controls Shelving filter ±3dB @ 25kHz

Bell filter ±2dB @ 1.4kHz, 0.45Q

Green for:

Red for:

Yellow for:

Hi:

Mid:
Low:

Stabilisation prior to system on.
Fault (such as DC), thermal trip,
clipping of LF amplifier

VLF warning (presence of subsonic signals
below 20Hz, increasing in sensitivity down
to 1Hz)

(±1dB @ 4.5kHz)

Variable alignment LF hi-pass filter
±3dB @ 45Hz (±1dB @ 90Hz)

30Hz – 50kHz

114dB (anechoic)
120dB

<0.5%
90º horizontal

22kΩ balanced via XLR
+4dBu to -10dBu continuous

1.7kHz – 14kHz
LF: 200W / HF: 200W / ST: 30W
>100dB
System on
Stabilisation prior to system on.

Fault (such as DC), thermal trip,
clipping of LF amplifier

VLF warning (presence of subsonic signals
below 20Hz, increasing in sensitivity down
to 1Hz)

Shelving filter ±3dB @ 25kHz
(±1dB @ 4.5kHz)

Bell filter ±2dB @ 1.4kHz, 0.45Q
Variable alignment LF hi-pass filter

±3dB @ 45Hz (±1dB @ 90Hz)

CABINET

Drive units 200mm (8") Tannoy Dual Concentric™

Cabinet volume/LF alignment 19.5 litres/reflex ported
Dimensions H x W x Dmm (inches) 373 x 460 x 350 (14 ” x 18 ” x 13 ”)
Cabinet construction Laminated birch/MDF baffle with grey suede

Total weight 15kg (33lbs)

FRONT ELEVATION (ELLIPSE 8) SIDE ELEVATION (ELLIPSE 8)

373mm

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14 ”

8

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460mm 18 ”

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25mm (1") Wideband™ SuperTweeter™

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8

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8

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paint finish (black on SuperTweeter™),
detachable neoprene base (swivel bracket
accessory available)

423mm

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16 ”

8

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350mm 15”380mm

18 ”

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254mm (10") Tannoy Dual Concentric™
25mm (1") Wideband™ SuperTweeter™

32.6 litres/reflex ported

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423 x 540 x 380 (16 ” x 21 ” x 15”)

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Laminated birch/MDF baffle with grey suede
paint finish (black on SuperTweeter™),
detachable neoprene base (swivel bracket
accessory available)

21kg (46.2lbs)

SIDE ELEVATION (ELLIPSE 10)FRONT ELEVATION (ELLIPSE 10)

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540mm 21 ”

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Tannoy United Kingdom T: [phone] F: [phone] E: [e-mail]
Tannoy North America T: [phone] F: [phone] E: [e-mail]

6483 0817