Ray Sub Series RS18 Subwoofer User Manual RS18 Subwoofer User Manual V1.
Page 2/54 PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING GOING ONE STEP FURTHER IN LOW FREQUENCY CONTROL: RAY SUB TECHNOLOGY Radiation control of low frequencies is hard to achieve due to wavelength being larger than cabinet size. Consequently, most of current subwoofers available on the audioprofessional market are omnidirectional.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING Page 3/54 With RAY SUB patented technology, NEXO is again moving one step forward. RAY SUB technology is about optimizing positioning and phase relationship of radiating surfaces in vented enclosures, so that acoustic distance from rear to front sections always increases as frequency decreases; consequently, rear and front section always sum up efficiently – typically 5 dB gain from rear section in the forward direction – and cancel in the rearward direction.
Page 4/54 PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING BASIC PRECAUTIONS Do not open the speaker system or attempt to disassemble the internal parts or modify them in any way. The speaker system contains no user-serviceable parts. If it should appear to be malfunctioning or damaged, discontinue use immediately and have it inspected by qualified NEXO service personnel.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING Page 5/54 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEXO TD CONTROLLERS NEXO ANALOGUE TDCONTROLLERS, NX242 DIGITAL CONTROLLER, NXAMP4x1 AND NXAMP4x4 POWERED CONTROLLERS ARE CLASS 1 APPARATUS AND MUST BE EARTHED. THE GREEN AND YELLOW WIRE OF THE MAINS CORD MUST ALWAYS BE CONNECTED TO AN INSTALLATION SAFETY EARTH OR GROUND. THE EARTH IS ESSENTIAL FOR PERSONAL SAFETY AS WELL AS THE CORRECT OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM, AND IS INTERNALLY CONNECTED TO ALL EXPOSED METAL SURFACES.
Page 6/54 PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING HIGH SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to sufficiently intense noise for a sufficient period of time. The U.S.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 7/54 TABLE OF CONTENTS PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING .................................................................................... 4 Table of contents ............................................................................................................................................... 7 1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................
Page 8/54 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS RAY SUBs implementation..................................................................................................................... 35 8.1 Omnidirectional Mode ....................................................................................................................... 35 8.1.1 Single RS18 ............................................................................................................................. 35 8.1.2 RS18 arrays .................
INTRODUCTION 1 Page 9/54 INTRODUCTION Thank you for selecting a NEXO RS18 Subwoofer System.
Page 10/54 INTRODUCTION As for all NEXO systems, the RS18 is controlled, powered and monitored by dedicated NEXO TDControllers: • NX242-ES4 Digital TDController provides comprehensive control of RS18 loudspeakers in multiple configurations. It allows EthersoundTM digital audio networking, as well as remote control for all units in the network.
RS18 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 1 Page 11/54 RS18 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 1.1 Mounting Rigging Plate IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO PREVENT SCREWS FROM GETTING LOOSE, USE BLOCKING LIQUID LOCTITETM 243 OR EQUIVALENT FOR ALL SCREWS USED WITH RS18 ACCESSORIES. 1.1.1 RS18 Painted • Tools: Allen Key 6mm. • Remove the twelve screws on each side of RS18. • • Remove the four screws on each side of RS18.
Page 12/54 RS18 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS • Insert Spacer between cabinet and Rigging plates. • Fill each screw hole with Loctite 243 or equivalent. • Tighten the 6 screws alternately, at the rate of 4 revolutions per screw. • Fill each screw hole with Loctite 243 or equivalent. • Insert the 8 handles washers and screws and tight them.
RS18 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 1.1.2 RS18 Carpeted • Tools: Allen Key 6mm. • Remove the twelve screws on each side of RS18. • Remove the four screws on each side of RS18.
Page 14/54 RS18 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS • Fill each screw hole with Loctite 243 or equivalent. • Tighten the 6 screws alternately, at the rate of 4 revolutions per screw. • Fill each screw hole with Loctite 243 TM or equivalent. • Insert the 8 Handles washers and screws and tight them.
RS18 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 1.1.3 Page 15/54 RS18 Dolly IMPORTANT TRANSPORTING RS18 ON DOLLY REQUIRES THAT FLYING PLATES ARE INSTALLED ON ALL CABINETS SO THAT RS18’S CAN BE SECURED TOGETHER: RS18 DOLLY IS DESIGNED FOR UP TO 3 RS18’S AND BUMPER; NEVER EXCEED THESE QUANTITIES. 12- • The first RS18 must be locked to the RS18 dolly using 4 push-pins according to below drawing; • Subsequent RS18s are stacked on top using four push-pins per additional cabinet to secure the assembly.
Page 16/54 RS18 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 1.1.4 RS18 Wheel Board • Pull wheel board lockers inwards; • Maintain lockers while positioning wheel board on RS18 front panel ; • Release lockers.
RS18 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 1.2 Page 17/54 Speaker connection 1.2.1 Configuring Connector and Owner plates Owner and connector plates can be exchanged depending on chosen directional configuration. Please note that connector plates can pass through the holes, it is therefore not required to unsolder the connectors.
Page 18/54 RS18 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS DIRECTIONAL MODE OMNI MODE 1.2.3 Cabling • NEXO recommends the exclusive use of multi-conductor cables to connect the system: the cable kit is compatible with all the cabinets, and there is no possible confusion between Front and Rear drivers. • Cable choice consists mainly of selecting cables of the correct sectional dimension (size) in relation to the load resistance and the cable length.
AMPLIFIER SELECTION FOR USE WITH RS18 2 Page 19/54 AMPLIFIER SELECTION FOR USE WITH RS18 NEXO recommends high power amplifiers in all cases. Budget constraints are the only reason to select lower power amplifiers. A lower power amplifier will not reduce the chances of driver damage due to over-excursion, and may actually increase the risk of thermal damage due to sustained clipping.
Page 20/54 AMPLIFIER SELECTION FOR USE WITH RS18 2) With a signal generator, feed a sine wave at 1000Hz at a known voltage (say 0.5V) to the input of the amplifier under test 3) Measure the voltage at the output of the amplifier 4) Calculate the gain using the formula Gain = 20 * LOG10(Vout/Vin). Some examples: Vin / Gain 0.1 V 20dB 1V 26dB 2V 32dB 4V 37dB (1.4V sensitivity / 1350Wrms) 7.1 V 0.5 V 5V 10 V 20 V 35.4 V 1V 10 V 20 V 40 V 70.
NEXO TD CONTROLLERS AND RS18 SETUPS 3 Page 21/54 NEXO TD CONTROLLERS AND RS18 SETUPS 3.1 RS18 and NXAMP TDControllers NEXO Powered TDControllers NXAMP 4X1 & 4X4 are integrated solutions for Control and amplification for all NEXO speaker ranges.
Page 22/54 RS18 with NX242-ES4 TD Controller (Stereo Omni or Directional Mode) FROM AMPLIFIERS TO AMPLIFIERS OUT OUT OUT OUT RIGHT RIGHT LEFT LEFT FRONT REAR FRONT REAR LEFT REAR LEFT FRONT +4- +3- +2- +1RIGHT REAR 4.
CONNECTION DIAGRAMS 4.
Page 24/54 5 RS18 RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS RS18 RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS Before proceeding with assembly of RS18 arrays, please ensure that the components are present and undamaged. A component list is appended to this manual. In the event of any shortage, please contact your supplier. For maximum efficiency the RS18 rigging system requires three experienced persons for set-up: typically one motor hoist operator, and one RS18 operator per side of the array.
RS18 RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS Page 25/54 • Ensure that the system is secure and prevented from pivoting around the motor hoist. • Avoid any form of excessive dynamic loading to the assembly (structural computations on RS18 Rigging System are based on a 1/1.2 factor for hoist or motor acceleration). • NEVER attach any item to the RS18 system other than the RS18 accessories. • When flying outdoor systems ensure that the system is not exposed to excessive wind or snow loads and is protected from rainfall.
Page 26/54 - RS18 RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS IMPORTANT specifically rated All RS18 Accessories are in agreement with structural computations. Never use other accessories – including push-pins - when assembling RS18 cabinets than the ones provided by NEXO: NEXO will decline responsibility over the entire RS18 accessory range if any component is purchased from a different supplier. 5.1.3 Contacts Correct training is fundamental to safe practise when working with loudspeaker flying systems.
RS18 RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS 5.2 Page 27/54 Flying RS18 arrays - IMPORTANT Maximum allowed RS18 quantity to be flown is 12; RS18 bumper rigging point must be adjusted so that bumper always remains horizontal; RS18 flying system forbids angles between adjacent cabinets. IMPORTANT RS18 bumper is designed to be flown from one rigging point only. Motor hoist must be rated to support entire cluster weight.
Page 28/54 RS18 RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS 5.2.3 Adjusting rigging point for horizontality Before connecting a second cabinet, bumper angle has to be adjusted for perfect horizontality. This requires that the rigging point is adjusted in the two horizontal directions so that the bumper remains horizontal within +/-1°. Adding cabinets will improve this tolerance. Adjusting 0° along the cabinet depth Adjusting horizontality along cabinet depth is done by properly selecting bumper hole: GRIDS SAME SIDE 5.2.
RS18 RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS Page 29/54 • On both sides, push the top RS18 sliding connecting plate all the way downwards into the second RS18 rigging system • Insert the 4 quick release pins into the FLOWN position of second RS18 • ensure quick release pins are properly locked; • Repeat above steps for subsequent RS18’s; • Lift cluster up to defined rigging height, and secure it horizontally to prevent rotation.
Page 30/54 RS18 RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS • Secure bumper with secondary safety steel. IMPORTANT Do not attempt to make any change to the bumper rigging point once the cluster is lifted IMPORTANT The requirements for secondary safety systems vary with territories.
RS18 RIGGING INSTRUCTIONS 5.3 Page 31/54 Testing and Maintenance of the RS18 flying system • General: please keep regular maintenance attention to the RS18 flying system in order to provide long and reliable service. NEXO recommends regular testing of loudspeaker rigging components, preferably using a suitable test rig coupled with a visual inspection.
Page 32/54 6 6.1 GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SUBWOOFER DESIGN GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SUBWOOFER DESIGN Low Frequency Issues Even low frequency coverage is amongst the toughest issues in sound system design.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SUBWOOFER DESIGN 6.2 Page 33/54 Gradient Subwoofers benefits Gradient subwoofers can provide up to 15 dB front to rear average attenuation (Please refer to Ray Sub technical note for in-detail explanation on gradient subwoofers). Low frequency level on stage is therefore significantly reduced on stage, and in the neighbouring environment in open air venues. Because of their directional pattern, Gradient subwoofer are also less sensitive to room eigen modes. 6.
Page 34/54 GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SUBWOOFER DESIGN Main drawback of monophonic designs as the ones described above is inconsistent phase relationship between subwoofer arrays and main systems over the audience area (lack of impact in the 80Hz-125Hz bandwidth). 6.4 Stereo Design If stereophonic implementation has to be maintained, then Left and Right array coverage patterns have to be as independent as possible – ie coverage overlap from Left to Right has to be minimized.
RAY SUBS IMPLEMENTATION 7 7.1 Page 35/54 RAY SUBS IMPLEMENTATION Omnidirectional Mode 7.1.1 Single RS18 Omnidirectional Mode implementation should be favoured in configurations where: - sufficient depth is not available for directional implementation (proscenium, front stage etc…); - strong rear radiation is not critical. Although wide in both cases, coverage is slightly narrower along RS18’s width than height (see drawings below). HORIZONTAL COVERAGE IN OMNI MODE 7.1.
Page 36/54 RAY SUBS IMPLEMENTATION IMPORTANT So that directional behaviour and acoustic load are not altered, no reflecting surface should be at less than 50cm (20”) from the RS18 side walls and drivers. In case of stereo configurations, NEXO recommends that speaker side is set outwards to minimize interference region in stereo designs. 7.2.
RAY SUBS IMPLEMENTATION Page 37/54 “FACE TO FACE“ CONFIGURATION 7.2.3 RS18s arrays IMPORTANT RS18s arrays must be installed with bumper set horizontally and all cabinets at 0°. Flying RS18s columns can significantly improve low frequency coverage in the vertical plane, and therefore over audience depth provided height is sufficient.
Page 38/54 RAY SUBS IMPLEMENTATION IMPORTANT - “Steering” techniques should not be applied to clusters of less than 3 RS18; - Coverage control through steering technique increases with cluster height. Steering can be applied by unit, group of 2 or group of 3 in Omni Mode as well as in Directional Mode.
RAY SUBS IMPLEMENTATION Page 39/54 Table below lists these values for typical angle values: TILT ANGLE 1 RS18 DELAY τ (ms) 0° 5° 10° 15° 20° 25° 30° 35° 40° 45° 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 0 5 9 13 18 22 26 30 33 37 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 0 9 18 27 36 44 52 60 67 74 0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.6 2.9 3.
Page 40/54 RAY SUBS IMPLEMENTATION RS18 REFERENCE POINT IN OMNI MODE 7.4.2 RS18 REFERENCE POINT IN DIRECTIONAL MODE Precautions It is common to use the AUX send of a mixing desk to drive the Sub section of a PA system. This gives the mixing engineer more flexibility to set the level of the subbass relative to the main PA, apply special effects, or to use a different EQ on the Sub. However, it also raises some serious issues for the performance & safety of the system (mostly time alignment).
RAY SUBS IMPLEMENTATION Page 41/54 NEXO recommends that main system and subwoofer systems are adjusted so that arrivals from RS18 and Main System are coincident at a fairly distant listening position (mixing position or further). Because of proper acoustic reference point definition in NEXO TDControllers DSP setups, this method is highly reliable. r1 r2 Mixing position or further 7.4.
Page 42/54 RAY SUBS IMPLEMENTATION necessary to modify or update the design to accommodate special circumstances. A PC is absolutely essential to make such changes. • Audio Analysis Software – recommended but not absolutely essential, programs such as Easera SystuneTM, SmaartTM or WinMLSTM enable rapid and detailed analysis of the installation.
RS18 SYSTEM CHECK LIST 8 Page 43/54 RS18 SYSTEM CHECK LIST It is essential to execute all these check steps prior to a sound check on the “front end” to the system. Following this checklist step by step will prevent many troubles and will save time in the end. 8.1 Are the NX Digital TDcontrollers properly configured? IMPORTANT If you must change any of the parameters listed below, make sure that you use the same values on all NX’s.
Page 44/54 8.5 RS18 SYSTEM CHECK LIST • when listening from behind the system, switch the front drivers in and out. You should hear a reduction in the LF range when the both front and rear drivers are on as compared to when the rear drivers only are on; • When listening from the front, you should hear a strong increase in the LF range when connecting the rear drivers. • Raise the bumper, attach the next series of modules and repeat the above checks.
RS18 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9 Page 45/54 RS18 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9.1 System specifications RS18 PRODUCT FEATURES Components Height x Width x Depth 2 x 18” (46cm) long excursion neodymium 8Ω drivers 520 x 1403 x 732mm (20.46” x 55.24” x 28.81”) with handles 520 x 1238 x 732mm (20.46” x 49.92” x 28.81”) without handles Shape Weight Rectangular Net Weight with handles 105Kg (231.
Page 46/54 RS18 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Usable range data: frequency response capability with TD crossover slopes removed. Dimensions 20,46" 520mm 49,92" 1268mm 28,81" 732mm 20,45" 520mm 55,24" 1403mm 28,81" 732mm 9.
RS18 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS RS18 Accessories 9.3.1 RS18-BUMPER Dimensions 11,73" 298mm 51,85" 1317mm 5,98" 152mm 9.3 Page 47/54 9.3.
Page 48/54 RS18 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9.3.
RS18 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9.3.4 Page 49/54 RS18-FRONT WHEELBOARD 19,69" 500mm Dimensions 6,68" 169,78mm 54,49" 1384mm 9.3.
Page 50/54 NX242-ES4 Digital TDController 9.4.1 Specifications SPECIFICATIONS Output Level +28 dBu Max. into 600 Ohm load Dynamic Range 110 dBu THD + Noise < 0.002% flat setup (for output at 27.5dBu) Latency time 1.7ms on a flat setup Power Supply 90V-260V PRODUCT FEATURES Audio Inputs 2 Audio Inputs 24 bit converters Electronically Balanced, 50k Ohm. 2 XLR-3F Connectors. 4 Digital Ethersound Inputs with NXTension ES4 Card Sense Inputs 4 Amplifier Sense Inputs Floating 150 kΩ.
RS18 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9.5 Page 51/54 NXAMP4x1 & NXAMP4x4 Powered Digital TDControllers 9.5.
Page 52/54 RS18 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9.5.
RS18 PARTS & ACCESSORIES LIST Page 53/54 10 RS18 PARTS & ACCESSORIES LIST 10.1 Modules & Control Electronics List MODEL DRAWING RS18 Subwoofer RS18 NX242-ES4 DESCRIPTION GeoD Passive mode Crossover 80Hz NXAMP4x1 Digital TDController with NX-ES4 Card Power Digital TDController 4x1300W/2Ω NXAMP4x4 Power Digital TDController 4x4000W/2Ω 10.2 Accessories List MODEL DRAWING DESCRIPTION RST-BUMPER18 Main RS18 Bumper RSTFPLATES18 Rigging plate (pair).
Page 54/54 USER NOTES 11 USER NOTES France Nexo S.A. Parc d’Activité de la Dame Jeanne F-60128 PLAILLY Tel: +33 3 44 99 00 70 Fax: +33 3 44 99 00 30 E-mail: info@nexo.fr www.nexo-sa.
