Tannoy T40 User Manual

T40

USER MANUAL

GH 7/12/96

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Unpacking

3. Connectors/Cabling

4. Polarity Checking

5. Amplification & Power Handling

6. Crossovers

7. Equalisation/Positioning

8. Dimensions

9. Performance Data

10. Technical Specifications

11. T40 Recommended Service Parts & Accessories

12. Warranty

13. Declaration of Conformity

1. Introduction

The Tannoy T40 is a compact, versatile subwoofer system, primarily designed to
extend the low frequency response of the T12, i12 & i15 loudspeakers and increase
system headroom where required. The T40 will extend the frequency response of
these systems to below 40Hz and is capable of providing output levels which would
normally be associated with considerably larger enclosures. The compact dimensions
of the T40 enable it to be used in permanent or portable applications without being
obtrusive.

The T40 comprises one high efficiency 15”diameter/3”voice coil drive unit, and
features recessed carrying handles and a top-mounted stand socket which serves as
a base for locating the main full range or mid/high speakers in the air. By using
35mm tubing the need for a tripod stand can be eliminated. The cabinet is
constructed from multiple-ply hardwood which will survive the punishment that
speaker systems are subjected to on the road and in club installations.

The T40 has been designed to be used in conjunction with the Tannoy TX2 controller
for optimum performance. This provides specific crossover and equalisation
functions for the T12, i12, i15 & T40 combinations.

2. Unpacking

Every Tannoy T40 is carefully inspected before packing. After unpacking your
loudspeaker, 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 T40 is fitted with two 4-pole Speakon connectors. Speakon has the following
advantages over EP and XLR type connectors: all termination’s are solderless, this
makes life easier at the time of installation or when field servicing is required.
Contacts will accept 6 sq. mm wire with an outside diameter of up to 15mm and a
current rating of 30 Amps.
The pins of the Speakon sockets identified as input/output on the rear of the input
panel are paralleled within the enclosure.

Tannoy have adopted the following wiring standard for the T40 :-

Pin 1+ is Positive
Pin 1- is Negative

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

UK: NEUTRIK MARKETING: 0171 792 8188
USA: NEUTRIK USA INC.: [phone]

For a world wide list of distributors, please contact Neutrik directly:­NEUTRIK AG: [phone]
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:-

CABLE RUN
(m)

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

CABLE
RESISTANCE ΩΩ

% POWER LOSS
INTO 8ΩΩ LOAD

% POWER LOSS
INTO 4ΩΩ 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 before the speaker system is
used. 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 pin 1+ of the speaker connector and
likewise the -ve leg of the battery to pin 1-.

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 from 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 they 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
active crossover is being used with multiple cabinets, it is therefore recommended
that the same amplifiers are used throughout.

6. Crossovers

The T40 has been designed to be used in conjunction with the Tannoy TX2 controller
for optimum performance, this provides specific crossover and equalisation functions
for the T12, i12, i15 & T40 combinations. If the TX2 controller is not being used a
24dB/octave active crossover will be required using 100Hz as the crossover point if
when used in conjunction with Tannoy T12, i12 or i15 loudspeakers.

7. Equalisation/Positioning

As with the T12 and i12 loudspeakers, the T40 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.

Excess equalisation can reduce system headroom, and introduce phase distortion
resulting in greater problems than it cures. If equalisation is required then it should be
applied gently and smoothly. Violent equalisation will be detrimental to the overall
sound quality.

The frequency band over which a subwoofer operates is essentially omni-directional,
therefore efficiency of the T40 may be further enhanced if the unit is placed against a
wall, where the radiation in the forward plane will be doubled due to the addition of
the reflected rear directed energy, and a 3dB increase in sound pressure will occur. If
another boundary is introduced, say a floor, then the effective radiation space is
halved again, resulting in a further 3dB lift, and if placed in a corner, once again the
sound pressure level will increase by a further 3dB.

8. Dimensions

9. Performance Data

10. Technical Specifications

Frequency response (1) +/- 3dB 36Hz - 175Hz
Recommended Amplifier Power 300 - 600 watt / 8 ohm
Power Handling Average(2) Programme Peak (10ms)

300 watt 600 watt 1200 watt

Sensitivity (1)

2.83 volt @ 1m 96 dB

99 dB (half space conditions)

Maximum SPL (3) Average Peak

@ 1m 124 dB 130 dB

Impedance Nominal 8.0 ohm

Minimum 6.7 ohm

Distortion

0.1 Full Power 2nd Harmonic 3rd Harmonic
50 Hz 0.22% 0.71%
100 Hz 0.56% 0.31%

0.01 Full Power 2nd Harmonic 3rd Harmonic
50 Hz 0.21% 0.31%
100 Hz 0.25% 0.18%

Driver Complement 1 x 15” (381mm) LF Driver

Type number 3803

Recommended Crossover Point 100Hz - 175Hz, 24dB/octave, Linkwitz - Riley

100Hz if used with T12, i12 or i15

Enclosure 100 litre vented, 15mm birch plywood
Finish Textured black\grey paint
Connectors 2 x Speakon NL4MPR IN/OUT
Fittings 2 x Recessed carrying handles

1 x 35mm pole mounting socket
4 x Rubber feet

Dimensions 665mm(H) x 440mm(W) x 435mm(D)

26.18ins(H) x 17.32ins(W) x 17.12ins(D)

Weight 27 Kg (59.4 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 in half space conditions.

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.

11. T40 Service Parts & Accessories

Part Number Description

7900 0452 Driver Kit - 3803
7900 0453 Recone Kit - 3803
7900 0442 Paint - Touch up Black-Grey
7900 0454 Additional rubber feet (4 off)

12. Warranty

No maintenance of the T40 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 if 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: T40
Associated Technical File: EMCT40
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 Kuijlstraat 19, 3066 GS, Rotterdam THE NETHERLANDS
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Tannoy is a member of the Group of Companies Issue 2 Part No. 6481 0277