Tannoy i8 AW, i8T AW User Manual

i8 AW & i8T AW

USER MANUAL

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Contents

1. Introduction ................................................................................................

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3

2. Unpacking............................................................................................................... 3

3. Connectors/Cabling................................................................................................ 3

4. Polarity Checking ................................................................................................

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4

5. Amplification & Power Handling................................................................

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5

6. Power Selection (i8T AW) ................................................................

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5

7. Equalisation ................................................................................................

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5

8. Dimensions ................................................................................................

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9. Hardware................................................................................................

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7

10. Performance Data ................................................................................................ 8

11. Polar Data

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12. Technical Specifications ................................................................

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13. i8 AW Service Parts & Accessories ................................

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... 11

14. Warranty............................................................................................................. 11

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1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing Tannoy i8 AW.

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

A truly universal solution, the i8 AW offers outstanding durability and resistance to
scuffs and knocks. Able to deliver co nsistent performance under a wide range of
adverse conditions the i8 AW is suited to applications indoors or out, whether it be a
theme bar or theme park. Available in charcoal grey or white the i8 AW will effectively
blend into most backgrounds.

Utilisation of the point source Dual Concentric loudspeaker allows the i8 AW to be
mounted on a wall or ceiling in either horizontal or vertical orientations as well as pole
mounted, without affecting its performance. A range of hardware options ensures
simple and effective installation. Also available with built in line transformer (i8T AW).

The i8 AW comprises one 8 inch (200mm) Dual Concentric driver where the low
frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) sources are coincidentally aligned to a point
source, resulti ng in a smooth uniform frequency response over a wide area of
coverage. The sophisticated CAD designed waveguide combines 60° conical
dispersion and excellent acoustic impedance characteristics.

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 AW.

2. Unpacking

Every Tannoy i8 AW product is carefully tested and inspected before packing. After
unpacking, please inspect your i8 AW for any damage sustained during transit. In the
unlikely event of any damage, would you please notify your dealer immediately and
retain your shipping carton, as you dealer may ask the faulty unit to be returned for
inspection.

3. Connectors/Cabling

The i8 AW is fitted with two 4mm binding posts and a 4-pole SpeakonTMfor
connection to the amplifier. These are paralleled within the enclosure.

The two binding post terminals are capable of accepting cables with a conductor
diameter of up to 6mm.

Red is Positive
Black is Negative

For the 4-pole SpeakonTMhas the following advantages over EP and XLR type
connectors: All terminations are solderless, which makes installation and field servicing
easier. Contacts will accept 6sq.mm wire with an outside diameter of up to 15mm and
a current rating of 30 Amps. Tannoy have adopted the following wiring standard for the
SpeakonTMsocket:

Pin 1+ is Positive
Pin 1 - is Negative

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Should you encounter any problems obtaining Speakon connectors, please contact
Neutrik or its distributors dir ectly on the following numbers: -

UK: NEUTRIK MARKETING: 01983 811 441
USA: NEUTRIK USA INC.: 1 732 901 9488

For a world wide list of distributors, please contact Neutrik directly: -

NEUTRIK AG [phone]

or visit their website at: http://www.neutrik.com/

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 variati ons (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:-

CABLE RUN
(m)

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

CABLE
RESISTANCE Ω

% POWER LOSS
INTO 8Ω LOAD

% POWER

LOSS

INTO 4Ω LOAD

10 2.5

4.0

6.0

0.14

0.09

0.06

1.7

1.1

0.73

3.5

2.2

1.5

25 2.5

4.0

6.0

0.35

0.22

0.14

4.3

2.7

1.8

8.6

5.4

3.6

50 2.5

4.0

6.0

0.69

0.43

0.29

8.6

5.4

3.6

17.0

11.0

7.2

100 2.5

4.0

6.0

1.38

0.86

0.58

17.0

11.0

7.2

35.0

22.0

14.0

4. Polarity Checking

It is most important to check the polarity of the wiring. A simple method of doing this
without a pulse based polarity checker fo r 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 likew ise the -ve leg of the battery to the black speaker
terminal.

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 should 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, so if you are using amplifiers from more than one manufacturer,
check the polarity at the amplifiers as well as the loudspeakers.

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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 loudspe aker 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. Power Selection (i8T AW)

Determine the maximum power in watts needed at each speaker location. The i8 AW
transformer can be tapped at 60W, 30W, 15W, & 7.5W (70V line only) via the rotary
switch located on the metal plate at rear of the loudspeaker. When the relevant
tappings have been se lected add the individual wattages required at all speakers and
select an amplifier with a rating equal to or exceeding the total wattage required. All of
the transformer primaries should be connected in parallel to the output of this amplifier.
If for example, you select the 7.5- Watt transformer tap, it means that at full rated
amplifier output the speaker will receive the full 7.5 Watts. If the amplifier gain is
reduced each speaker will receive a proportional amount of power, maintaining the
overall syst em balance.

When calculating amplifier wattage requirements for a system, it is recommended that
a generous wattage safety margin (3dB of headroom) be left so that the system does
not have to operate continuously at its full rated output.

7. Equalisation

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

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8. Dimensions

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9. Hardware

The i8AW can be wall or ceiling mounted using the MB8 (optional) bracket (Figure 9a)
which is designed to offer maximum flexibility in selecting the desired angles.

The MB8 is supplied with M8 bolts for fixing to the loudspeaker (Figure 9b.& 9c). After
fixing the bracket to the wall or ceiling, remove the plastic plugs from the top and
bottom of the loudspeaker. Position the cabinet at the required angle as shown and
tighten the M8 Bolts to fix t he loudspeaker in position.

The loudspeaker can be mounted either horizontally or vertically using the MB8
bracket (Figure 9a & 9b). The i8 AW also has threaded M6 holes for Omni- Mou nt™
Series 75 (Figure 9d) and other bracketry.

Figure 9a

Figure 9b Figure 9c

Figure 9d

NOTE: The installation of this product

must be carried out in conformity with
local building codes and standards. If
necessary consult your local safety
standards office r before installing any
product. Alternatively, check any laws
or bylaws.Tannoy will not be held
responsible for any damages caused
by the improper installation of any
bracket or loudspeaker.

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10. Performance Data

Anechoic Frequency Response, 1watt @ 1m

Impedance

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11. Polar Data

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12. Technical Specifications

Frequency Response ±3dB (1) 65Hz - 20kHz-

Recommended Amplifier Power 20 - 180 Watts / 8Ω

Power Handling

(2) Average Programme Peak

90 Watt 180 Watt 360 Watt

Sensitivity 2.83 volt @ 1m

(3) 91dB (anechoic) 94dB (half space)

Maximum SPL Average Peak Average (half- space) Peak (half -space)

111dB 117dB 114dB 120dB

Maximum SPL with THP60 Transformer Average Peak Average (half space) Peak (half space)

109 dB 115dB 112dB 118dB

Transformer

(i8T AW) Max. Insertion loss: 1.1 dB 35Hz– 21kHz ±2dB

Primary Taps: 60, 30, 15 & 7.5
Voltage Taps: 100 V, 70.7V & 25V

Impedance Nominal 8 Ω

Dispersion 90° Conical

DI Averaged 500Hz 4.73

1kHz 5.48
2kHz 6.73
4kHz 8.35
8kHz 9.95
16kHz 12.77

Q Averaged 500Hz 2.97

1kHz 3.53

2kHz 4.71
4kHz 6.84
8kHz 9.88
16kHz 18.9

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

Crossover Frequency 1.3kHz - passive

Enclosure 16 litre polypropylene

Finish Charcoal or White

Protective Grille Perforated aluminium

Connectors 1 x Speakon NL4MP

2 x 4mm binding posts

Fittings 1 x 35mm pole mount

2xM8inserts

Dimensions 388 x 280 x 260mm

(15

3

/8 x11x101/4“)

Weight

(each) 8.5kg (18lbs 10oz)

Shipping Dimensions 450 x 570 x 340mm

(15

3

/8 x223/8 x133/8")

Shipping Weight 17.9kg (39lbs 5oz)

NOTES: (1) Average over stated bandwidth. Measured at 1 meter on axis.

(2) Long term power handling capacity as defined in EIA standard RS - 426A.

(3) Unweighted pink noise input, measured at 1 meter in an anechoic chamber

A full range of measurements, performance data, and Ease™ Data can be downloaded from www.tannoy.com

Tannoy operates 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 reserves the right to alter without prior
notice. Please verify the latest specifications when dealing with critical applications.

4xM6inserts

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13. i8 AW Service Parts & Accessories

Part Number Description

7900 0413 Driver K it Type 2046
7900 0414 Recone Kit Type 2046
7900 0406 HF Diaphragm Kit
7300 0728 Crossover Kit - 1282
8001 1270 MB8 Bracket - Black
8001 1280 MB8 Bracket - White

14. Warranty

No maintenance of the i8 AW loudspeaker is necessary.

All Tannoy professi onal 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.

EASETMData for Tannoy Professional products available on request.

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Tannoy Limited, Professional Division, Coatbridge, Strathclyde, ML5 4TF, Scotland.
Tel: [phone] Fax [phone]
e- mail: [e-mail] Website: www.tannoy.com

Tannoy North America Inc. , 335 Gage Avenue, Suite 1, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2M 5E1.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

e- mail: [e-mail] Website: www.tannoy.com

Tannoy Nederland b.v. , Anthonetta Kuijlstraat 19, 3066 GS Rotterdam.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
e- mail: [e-mail] Website: www.tannoy.nl

ML 3rdOctober 2 003