VX Series
Professional Loudspeakers
Operation Manual
Important Safety Instructions
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage " within the
product's enclosure that may be of sucient magnitude
to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
Important Safety Instructions
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage " within the
product's enclosure that may be of sucient magnitude
to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliers that
produce heat.
9. Only use attachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.
10. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table
specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus
combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
11. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing
is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any
way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid
has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the product.
SAFETY WARNING
Do not remove any covers, loosen any xings or allow
items to enter any aperture.
SAFETY WARNING
Objects lled with liquids should not be placed on
this apparatus.
AVERTISSEMENT DE SECURITE
Ne retirez pas les couvercles, ne desserrez pas les xations et
ne laissez aucune pièce s’introduire dans les ouvertures.
AVERTISSEMENT DE SECURITE
Ne placez pas d’objets contenant du liquide à proximité de
l’appareil
.
VX Series Operation Manual rev 3.1.0
2
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 4
2. Unpacking and Visual Checks 4
2.1 Preliminary Recommendation 4
3. Connectors / Cabling 5
4. Polarity Checking 6
5. Amplication & Power Handling 6
6. Crossovers and Bi-amp Conguration 7
7. Equalisation 9
8. Arraying 9
9. Dimensions 10
10. Rigging and Safety Procedures 16
11. Service Parts & Accessories 17
12. Technical Specications 18
13. Warranty 22
14. Declaration of Conformity 23
VX Series Operation Manual rev 3.1.0
3
1. Introduction
1. Introduction
Designed, engineered and built in the United Kingdom, the VX Series from Tannoy comprises a range of
passive loudspeakers for demanding professional and commercial sound applications. At the heart of all VX
Series loudspeakers is Tannoy’s acclaimed Dual ConcentricTM driver technology. Unlike conventional drivers,
Dual Concentric combines a high frequency driver and a low-mid driver on a common axis, creating a true
point source for all reproduced sounds. Dual Concentric eliminates the time alignment problems inherent with
all enclosures employing separated drivers, thus ensuring outstanding denition, detail and intelligibility at all
points in the listening area.
All VX Series loudspeakers are designed to perform with very high efciency and exceptionally low distortion,
even when operating near peak output levels. All components are housed in rugged birch plywood enclosures,
with larger models equipped with double-chamfered Integrip™ recessed handles for easy one- or two-handed
carrying. Reecting Tannoy’s reputation for reliability, all VX Series loudspeakers are backed by a ve-year
wa rrant y.
Within the VX Series, system designers can choose from a variety of sizes, power levels and coverage patterns
to suit particular requirements. For extended bass performance, models with the “.2” designation augment the
Dual Concentric LF driver with a second matched LF driver. The “HP” designation indicates extended power
handling capabilities, while the “Q” sufx indicates incorporation on the new Q-Centric WaveguideTM (QCW™)
for applications requiring an asymmetrical coverage pattern. The QCW horn can be rotated in a matter of
minutes, allowing placement of the 75 x 40 degree pattern with either horizontal or vertical orientation.
2. Unpacking and Visual Checks
Each Tannoy VX Series loudspeaker is carefully tested and inspected prior to shipment. After unpacking,
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 and the shipping carrier immediately.
2.1 Preliminary Recommendation
VX Series loudspeakers can produce high sustained output levels for long periods of time. If users are in close
proximity, these levels could lead to permanent hearing damage. Because Tannoy loudspeakers have a naturalsounding, at frequency response and very low distortion, users may not be aware of the potential hazard. For
continuous exposure to high levels, we recommend use of a sound level meter to ensure noise levels are within
safety limits. The meter should be capable of integrating levels over a period of exposure in conformance with
noise control standards.
VX Series Operation Manual rev 3.1.0
4
3. Connectors / Cabling
3. Connectors / Cabling
On VX Series loudspeakers, connector types available vary by model, as detailed below:
VX 5.2, VX 6, VX 8
Inputs on 1 x speakON® 4-pole, 1x binding post pair. Binding posts are connected in parallel to speakON® 1+
and 1-. Not bi-amp capable.
VX 8M
Inputs on 2 paralleled speakON 4 pole connectors. Not bi-amp capable
VX 8.2, VX 12
Inputs on 2 x speakON® 4-pole and 2 x barrier strip terminals. Both barrier strip terminal pairs are connected in
parallel to speakON® poles 1+ and 1-. Not bi-amp capable.
VX 12HP, VX 12Q, VX 12.2Q, VX 15HP, VX 15Q
Inputs on 2 x speakON® 4-pole and 2x barrier strip terminal pair. Both barrier strip terminal pairs are connected
in parallel to speakON® poles 1+ and 1- when congured for full range operation. Bi-amp conguration may be
implemented using speakON® connectors only. (See 6.0 below.)
Binding post terminals are capable of accepting cables with a conductor of up to 6 mm sq CSA (AWG 10). Red is positive
and black is negative.
Barrier strips accept wire up to 4 mm sq CSA (AWG 12). Barrier strip polarity is as indicated.
The speakON® connectors will accept wire up to 4 mm sq CSA (AWG 12) with an outside diameter of up to 15 mm and
a current rating of 30 A. When so equipped, the pins of the two speakON® sockets identied input/output on the rear
of the input panel are paralleled within the enclosure. Tannoy have adopted the conventional wiring standard for the VX
Series product: pin 1+ is positive pin 1- is negative. For a worldwide list of Neutrik® distributors see www.neutrik.com.
When choosing cable type, it is important select the correct cross sectional area in relation to the cable length and
the load impedance. A small cross sectional area will increase the cable’s series resistance, inducing power loss and
response variations (damping factor). Connectors wired with 2.5 sq. mm (12 gauge) cable will be satisfactory under normal
conditions; with very long cable runs, the wire size should be increased. Please refer to the following table for guidance:
Cable run (m)
10
25
50
100
C.S.A of Each
Conductor
2.5
4.0
6.0
2.5
4.0
6.0
2.5
4.0
6.0
2.5
4.0
6.0
Cable resistance
(ohms)
0.14
0.09
0.06
0.14
0.09
0.06
0.14
0.09
0.06
0.14
0.09
0.06
% Power loss
into 8 ohms
load
1.7
1.1
0.73
1.7
1.1
0.73
1.7
1.1
0.73
1.7
1.1
0.73
% Power loss
into 4 ohms
load
3.5
2.2
1.5
3.5
2.2
1.5
3.5
2.2
1.5
3.5
2.2
1.5
VX Series Operation Manual rev 3.1.0
5
4. Polarity Checking
4. Polarity Checking
Checking the polarity of the wiring before the speaker system is mounted or own will help ensure satisfactory
performance. If you do not have a pulse based polarity checker, you may check LF units as follows: Connect
two wires to the + and - terminals of a PP3 (9 V) battery. Apply the wire connected to the positive (+) terminal
of the battery to the speaker cable leg which you believe to be connected to pin 1+ of the speaker connector;
likewise connect the negative (-) terminal of the battery to pin 1-. If you have wired it correctly, the LF drive unit
will move forward. At this point, connect the positive (+) speaker lead to the + terminal on the amplier and the
negative (-) lead to the - terminal on the amplier. However, if the LF driver moves backwards with the battery
test, the input connections need to be inverted before connecting the amplier. If problems are encountered,
inspect the cable wiring. Note that different amplier manufacturers may utilise different pin congurations and
polarity conventions; if you are using ampliers from more than one manufacturer, check the polarity at the
ampliers as well as at 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 overdriving the amplier into clipping. Damage to the loudspeaker will be
sustained if the amplier is driven into clipping for any extended period of time. Headroom of at least 3 dB
should be allowed.
When evaluating an amplier, 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 amplier running free of distortion will do less
damage to the loudspeaker than a lower power amplier that is continually clipping. A high-powered amplier
running at less than 90% of output power generally sounds superior to a lower power amplier running at
100%. An amplier with insufcient drive capability will not allow the full performance or the loudspeaker to be
realised. (See technical specications section for recommended amplier power.)
When using ampliers from different manufacturers in a single installation, make certain that all have very
closely matched gains. (Variation should be less than +/- 0.5 dB.) This precaution is important to the overall
system balance when only a single active crossover is being used with multiple cabinets. When possible, it is
recommended that the same ampliers be used throughout.
VX Series Operation Manual rev 3.1.0
6
6. Crossovers and Bi-amp Configuration
6. Crossovers and Bi-amp Configuration
VX Series loudspeakers are supplied as standard for passive operation via the internal crossover network.
If higher peak outputs and additional low frequency output is required, then the VX Series can be used in
conjunction with the Tannoy TX1 controller/crossover which provides high pass ltering and a degree of
parametric equalisation, as well as a xed crossover point for use with sub-bass loudspeakers (See the TX1
Operation Manual for further information.) The Tannoy TDX2 Digital controller will also perform the above
functions with additional control and features including limiting and delay. (See the relevant literature on the
TDX2 for further information.)
The VX 12HP, VX 12Q, VX 12.2Q, VX 15HP, VX 15Q only also may be internally recongured for bi-amp
operation to supply greater system headroom. Reconguration is as follows.
First, remove the rear termination panel. It is secured with size M2.5 hex screws. Use the proper tool as
screws may be very snug.
In passive (default) mode, the internal wiring is as shown in Fig. 1, with the full range signal routed through the
internal crossover and divided into separate LF and HF signals using a four pole connector.
For bi-amp operation, recongure the internal wiring as shown in Fig 2. The two-wire connector leading to
the crossover is disconnected. The four-wire connector from the speakers now bypasses the crossover and
instead connects directly to the speakON® inputs, replacing the connector that previously led to the crossover.
For bi-amp operation, the speakON® connectors coming from the amplier(s) must be wired as follows:
1 + LF +
1 - LF –
2 + HF +
2 - HF –
Note that the barrier strip terminals are wired for passive full-range operation only.
VX Series Operation Manual rev 3.1.0
7
6. Crossovers and Bi-amp Configuration
Fig 1.
Fig 2.
VX Series Operation Manual rev 3.1.0
8
Loading...