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.
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