Tannoy i8 User Manual

i8

USER MANUAL

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Unpacking

3. Connectors/Cabling

4. Polarity Checking

5. Amplification & Power Handling

6. Equalisation

7. Dimensions

8. Hardware

9. Performance Data

10. Technical Specifications

11. i8 Recommended Service Parts & Accessories

12. Warranty

13. Declaration of Conformity

1. Introduction

Designed for a wide variety of sound reinforcement applications the Tannoy i8 is an
ultra compact loudspeaker system capable of delivering high sound pressure levels
with extremely low distortion, resulting in outstanding clarity, definition and detail.

The i8 comprises one 8 inch (205mm) Dual Concentric driver in which the low
frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) sources are coincidentally aligned to a point
source, resulting in a smooth uniform frequency response over a wide area of
coverage. The sophisticated CAD designed waveguide combines 60 degree conical
dispersion and excellent acoustic impedance characteristics.

Designed primarily for fixed installations, the i8 is constructed from medium density
fibreboard (MDF), for a high level of acoustic damping. The cabinet does however
feature a blanking plate which if removed will accommodate a 35mm pole mount.
Four M8 inserts on the back of the i8 allow the speaker to be mounted vertically or
horizontally when used with the CUB8 bracket.

For applications requiring extended low frequency enhancement, a range of Tannoy
sub-bass systems are available and can be used in conjunction with the i8.

2. Unpacking

Every Tannoy i8 product is carefully inspected before packing. After unpacking your
loudspeakers, please inspect for any exterior physical damage, and save the carton
and any relevant packaging materials in case the loudspeaker again requires packing
and shipping. In the event that damage has been sustained in transit notify your
dealer immediately.

3. Connectors/Cabling

The i8 has two screw terminals for connection to the amplifier, these are gold plated
in order to improve electrical conductivity and to prevent oxidisation. These terminals
are capable of accepting cables with a conductor diameter of up to 6mm.

Cable choice consists mainly of selecting the correct cross sectional area in relation
to the cable length and the load impedance. A small cross sectional area would
increase the cables series resistance, inducing power loss and response variations
(damping factor).

Connectors should be wired with a minimum of 2.5 sq. mm (12 gauge) cable. This
will be perfectly satisfactory under normal conditions. In the case of very long cable
runs the wire size should exceed this, refer to the following table for guidance:-

Red is Positive
Black is Negative

CABLE RUN
(m)

10 2.5

25 2.5

50 2.5

100 2.5

4. Polarity Checking

It is most important to check the polarity of the wiring before the speaker system is
flown. A simple method of doing this without a pulse based polarity checker for LF
units is as follows: Connect two wires to the +ve and -ve terminals of a PP3 battery.
Apply the wire which is connected to the +ve terminal of the battery to the speaker
cable leg which you believe to be connected to the red speaker terminal and likewise
the -ve leg of the battery to the black speaker terminal

C.S.A. OF EACH
CONDUCTOR (mm)

4.0

6.0

4.0

6.0

4.0

6.0

4.0

6.0

CABLE
RESISTANCE ΩΩ

0.14

0.09

0.06

0.35

0.22

0.14

0.69

0.43

0.29

1.38

0.86

0.58

% POWER LOSS
INTO 8ΩΩ LOAD

1.7

1.1

0.73

4.3

2.7

1.8

8.6

5.4

3.6

17.0

11.0

7.2

% POWER LOSS
INTO 4ΩΩ LOAD

3.5

2.2

1.5

8.6

5.4

3.6

17.0

11.0

7.2

35.0

22.0

14.0

If you have wired it correctly the LF drive unit will move forward, indicating the wiring
is correct. All that remains now is to connect the +ve speaker lead to the +ve
terminal on the amplifier and the -ve lead to the -ve terminal on the amplifier. If
however the LF driver moves backwards, the input connections need to be inverted.

If problems are encountered, inspect the cable wiring in the first instance. It should
also be noted that different amplifier manufacturers utilise different pin configurations
and polarity conventions, if you are using amplifiers from more than one
manufacturer, check the polarity at the amplifiers as well as the loudspeakers.

5. Amplification & Power Handling

As with all professional loudspeaker systems, the power handling is a function of
voice coil thermal capacity. Care should be taken to avoid running the amplifier into
clip (clipping is the end result of overdriving any amplifier). Damage to the
loudspeaker will be sustained if the amplifier is driven into clip for any extended
period of time. Headroom of at least 3dB should be allowed. When evaluating an
amplifier, it is important to take into account its behaviour under low impedance load
conditions. A loudspeaker system is highly reactive and with transient signals it can
require more current than the nominal impedance would indicate.

Generally a higher power amplifier running free of distortion will do less damage to
the loudspeaker than a lower power amplifier continually clipping. It is also worth
remembering that a high powered amplifier running at less than 90% of output power
generally sounds a lot better than a lower power amplifier running at 100%. An
amplifier with insufficient drive capability will not allow the full performance of the
loudspeaker to be realised.

It is important when using different manufacturers amplifiers in a single installation
that the have very closely matched gains, the variation should be less than +/- 0.5dB.
This precaution is important to the overall system balance when only a single
compressor/limiter or active crossover is being used with multiple cabinets, it is
therefore recommended that the same amplifiers are used throughout.

6. Crossover/Equalisation

The i8 is supplied as standard for passive operation via the internal crossover
network. If higher peak outputs are required then it can be used in conjunction with
the Tannoy TX1 controller/crossover which provides high pass filtering and a degree
of parametric equalisation, as well as a fixed crossover point for use with sub-bass
loudspeakers.

The i8 loudspeaker is designed to need no equalisation or correction to overcome
system limitations. As a result, it will only need equalisation to compensate for
difficult acoustic environments.

Over equalisation can reduce system headroom, and introduce phase distortion
resulting in greater problems than cures. If equalisation is required then it should be
applied gently and smoothly. The i8 loudspeaker is a point source, phase coherent
design and violent equalisation will be detrimental to the overall sound quality.

7. Dimensions

8. Hardware

The i8 can be wall or ceiling mounted by using the CUB 8 bracket which is designed
to offer the maximum flexibility in selecting desired angles.

The CUB 8 is supplied with M8* bolts for fixing to the loudspeaker, hinge clips which
can be used to alter the angle of the wall fixing plate and an allen key to secure the
arm length adjustment as well as the desired angle of ‘tilt’ of the loudspeaker (vertical
axis).

The hinged wall mount plate enables the CUB 8 to be fixed to flat walls and ceilings
or to fit onto internal or external corners.

When the desired angle of tilt has been decided for the loudspeaker, the allen bolt
holding the loudspeaker mounting plate onto the arm of the CUB 8 can be tightened,
the sprockets will hold the assembly firm ensuring it will not slip. The arm length can
also be adjusted if desired. It is imperative that the bracket is fixed soundly to the
wall. Be sure to use the correct fixings (e.g. Rawbolt, Rawplug) according to the wall
type.

As there are four M8 inserts on the back of the i8 (see dimensions) the loudspeaker
can be mounted either horizontally or vertically using the CUB 8 bracket.

CUB 8 BRACKET

*1/4” UNC bolts are also supplied with the CUB 8 these are not required for use with
the i8.

9. Performance Data

Anechoic Frequency Response, 1watt @ 1m

Impedance

10. Technical Specifications

Frequency response (1) +/- 3dB 85Hz - 22kHz
Recommended Amplifier Power 150 - 260 watt / 8 ohm
Power Handling Average(2) Programme Peak (10ms)

Sensitivity (1)

2.83 volt @ 1m 92 dB 95 dB (half space)
Maximum SPL (3) Average Peak Average (half space) Peak (half space)

@ 1m 113 dB 119 dB 116dB 122dB

Impedance Nominal 8.0 ohm

DI Averaged (PCQ) 8.2, 250 Hz - 16 kHz

@ 1kHz (ISO) 6.3
@ 2kHz (ISO) 7.2
@ 4kHz (ISO) 10.5
@ 8kHz (ISO) 12.3
@ 16kHz (ISO) 13.7

Q Averaged (PCQ) 9.44, 250 Hz - 16 kHz

@ 1kHz (ISO) 4.3
@ 2kHz (ISO) 5.2
@ 4kHz (ISO) 11.2
@ 8kHz (ISO) 17.0
@ 16kHz (ISO) 23.4

Distortion

0.1 Full Power 2nd Harmonic 3rd Harmonic
250 Hz 1.00% 0.31%
1000 Hz 0.25% 0.56%
10000 Hz 1.4% 0.14%

0.01 Full Power 2nd Harmonic 3rd Harmonic
250 Hz 0.31% 0.25%
1000 Hz 0.4% 0.03%
10000 Hz 0.18% 0.5%

130 watt 260 watt 520 watt

Minimum 6.4 ohm

Driver Complement 1 x 8” (200mm) Constant Directivity Dual Concentric

Crossover Point Passive 1.7 kHz

Enclosure 16.6 litre vented, 15mm MDF
Finish Textured black\grey paint
Protective Grille Perforated steel, black with 58% free air flow
Connectors 2 x 4mm binding posts
Fittings 1 x Blank plate for pole mount socket

Dimensions 388mm(H) x 280mm(W) x 280mm(D)

Weight 8.2 Kg (18.04 lbs)
NOTES: (1) Average over stated bandwidth. Measured at 1m on axis, in an anechoic chamber.

(2) Long term power handling capacity as defined in EIA standard RS - 426A.
(3) Unweighted pink noise input, measured at 1m

Tannoy operate a policy of continuous research and development. The introduction of new materials or manufacturing methods will always equal
or exceed the published specifications which Tannoy reserve the right to alter without prior notice.
Please verify the latest specifications when dealing with critical applications.

Type number 2062

4th order high pass, 2nd order low pass
Dynamic HF protection

4 x M8 inserts for CUB8 Bracket

15.28ins(H) x 11.02ins(W) x 11.02ins(D)

11. i8 Service Parts & Accessories

Part Number Description

7900 0474 Driver Kit - 2062
7900 0475 Recone Kit - 2062
7900 0385 HF Diaphragm Kit
7300 0601 Crossover Kit - 1245
7900 0442 Paint - Touch up Black-Grey
8000 0648 CUB8 Wall Mounting Bracket (pair)
8000 0647 Flying Kit ( 3 x M8 eyebolts)
8000 0740 Tannoy TX1 Active System Controller/2-way Crossover

12. Warranty

No maintenance of the i8 loudspeaker is necessary.
All Tannoy professional loudspeaker products are covered by a 5 year warranty from

the date of manufacture subject to the absence of misuse, overload or accidental
damage. Claims will not be considered is the serial number has been altered or
removed. Work under warranty should only be carried out by a Tannoy Professional
dealer or service agent. This warranty in no way affects your statutory rights. For
further information please contact your dealer or distributor in your country. 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)

[phone] (International)

Fax: [phone] (National)

[phone] (International)

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.

EASE Data for Tannoy Professional products available on request.

Declaration of Conformity

The following apparatus is/are manufactured in the United Kingdom by Tannoy Ltd
of Rosehall Industrial estate, Coatbridge, Scotland, ML5 4TF and conform(s) to the
protection requirements of the European Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards
and Directives relevant to Domestic Electrical Equipment. The apparatus is
designed and constructed such that electromagnetic disturbances generated do not
exceed levels allowing radio and telecommunications equipment and other
apparatus to operate as intended, and, the apparatus has an adequate level of
intrinsic immunity to electromagnetic disturbance to enable operation as specified
and intended.

Details of the Apparatus: Tannoy Contractor Loudspeaker

Model Number: i8
Associated Technical File: EMCi8
Applicable Standards: EN 50081-1 Emission

EN 50082-1 Immunity
Signed:

Position: Technical Manager

Tannoy Professional
Date: 16

th

July 1998

For Tannoy Ltd

Tannoy Loudspeakers are manufactured
in Great Britain by :

Tannoy Ltd, Rosehall Industrial Estate, Coatbridge,
Strathclyde, ML5 4TF, SCOTLAND
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Internet:http://www.tannoy.com

TGI/Tannoy, 300 Gage Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario, CANADA, N2M 2C8
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Tannoy Nederland BV, Anthonetta Kuijistratt 19, 3066GS, Rotterdam THE NETHERLANDS
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Tannoy is a member of the Group of Companies Issue 2 Part No. 6481 0288

GH 20th JULY 1998