AXIOM AX8CL High Output Column Array Loudspeaker User Manual

AX8CL High Output Column Array Loudspeaker
User Manual

AX16CL – AX8CL
High Output Column Array Loudspeaker
USER MANUAL
revision 2021-12-13

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Watch for these symbols:
The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure, which may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
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 appliance.

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 amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for the replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified 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.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as a 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.
15. Warning: to reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
16. Do not expose this equipment to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, are placed on the equipment.
17. To completely disconnect this apparatus from the ac mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the ac receptacle.
18. The mains plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily operable.
19. This apparatus contains potentially lethal voltages. To prevent electric shock or hazard, do not remove the chassis, input module, or ac input covers. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
20. The loudspeakers covered by this manual are not intended for high moisture outdoor environments. Moisture can damage the speaker cone and surround and cause corrosion of electrical contacts and metal parts. Avoid exposing the speakers to direct moisture.
21. Keep loudspeakers out of extended or intense direct sunlight. The driver suspension will prematurely dry out and finished surfaces may be degraded by long-term exposure to intense ultraviolet (UV) light.
22. The loudspeakers can generate considerable energy. When placed on a slippery surface such as polished wood or linoleum, the speaker may move due to its acoustical energy output.
23. Precautions should be taken to assure that the speaker does not fall off a stage or table on which it is placed.
24. The loudspeakers are easily capable of generating sound pressure levels (SPL) sufficient to cause permanent hearing damage to performers, production crew and audience members. Caution should be taken to avoid prolonged exposure to SPL in excess of 90 dB.

CAUTION
To prevent electric shock hazards, do not connect to the main power supply while the grille is removed.
This marking shown on the product or its literature indicates that it should not be disposed of with other household wastes at the end of its working life. To prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from uncontrolled waste disposal, please separate this from other types of waste and recycle it responsibly to promote the sustainable reuse of material resources. Household users should contact either the retailer where they purchased this product, or their local government office, for details of where and how they can take this item for environmentally safe recycling. Business users should contact their suppliers and check the terms and conditions of the purchase contract. This product should not be mixed with other commercial wastes for disposal.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

The product is in compliance with: LVD Directive 2014/35/EU, RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, and 2015/863/EU, and WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU.

LIMITED WARRANTY

Proel warrants all materials, workmanship, and proper operation of this product for a period of two years from the original date of purchase. If any defects are found in the materials or workmanship or if the product fails to function properly during the applicable warranty period, the owner should inform these defects the dealer or the distributor, providing a receipt or invoice of the date of purchase and defect detailed description. This warranty does not extend to damage resulting from improper installation, misuse, neglect or abuse. Proel S.p.A. will verify damage on returned units, and when the unit has been properly used and the warranty is still valid, then the unit will be replaced or repaired. Proel S.p.A. is not responsible for any “direct damage” or “indirect damage” caused by product defectiveness.

• This unit package has been submitted to ISTA 1A integrity tests. We suggest you control the unit conditions immediately after unpacking it.
• If any damage is found, immediately advise the dealer. Keep all unit packaging parts to allow inspection.
• Proel is not responsible for any damage that occurs during shipment.
• Products are sold “delivered ex-warehouse” and shipment is at charge and risk of the buyer.
• Possible damages to unit should be immediately notified to the forwarder. Each complaint for package tampered with should be done within eight days from product receipt.

CONDITIONS OF USE

Proel does not accept any liability for damage caused to third parties due to improper installation, use of non-original spare parts, lack of maintenance, tampering or improper use of this product, including disregard of acceptable and applicable safety standards. Proel strongly recommends that this loudspeaker cabinet be suspended taking into consideration all current National, Federal, State, and Local regulations. The product must be installed be qualified personnel. Please contact the manufacturer for further information.

INTRODUCTION

The AX16CL Line Array is a passive system equipped with sixteen 2.5″ neodymium transducers with waterproof cones, designed for portable and permanently installed applications where high power and clarity are needed. The aluminum frame box structure ensures lightweight and strength, while the shape features a back-loaded transmission line design with clean mid-bass reproduction and natural cardioid behavior. The wide horizontal dispersion makes the system flexible and adaptable to many different applications.
The AX16CL line array module has been designed to be combined with the SW212A, a compact and lightweight double 12″ bass-reflex subwoofer, equipped with a 2800W Class D amplifier with Power Factor Correction and PROEL’s proprietary 40bit floating point CORE2 DSP. Up to four AX16CL modules can be driven by one amplifier channel of the SW212A subwoofer. The built-in CORE2 DSP, which can be also remotely controlled using PRONET AX software, provides 4 presets for different combinations: 2, 4, or 1 column plus 1 user preset. The standard system, composed of four AX16CL line array modules and two SW212A subwoofers, features 5600W of total power and a line-array dispersion pattern, making it the perfect solution for high-performance portable sound reinforcement applications. Thanks to the elegant mechanical design the AX16CL can be easily transported, while the integrated suspension system makes its deployment very fast and simple. Each unit comes with two aluminum brackets and four pins that allow multiple array elements to be easily combined either together or with the matching SW212A subwoofer, or also in combination with the complete range of mounting hardware available, including flybar and several brackets and stands. The AX8CL is a column half-size of the AX16CL, so the two models can be combined together to form a more flexible column array that can be pointed more precisely to the audience.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

SYSTEM

System’s Acoustic Principle| Line Array Element
Short Transmission
Line Back Loading
---|---
Frequency Response (±3dB)| 200 Hz – 16 KHz (Processed)
Nominal Impedance| 32 Ω (AX16CL) / 64 Ω (AX8CL)
Minimum Impedance| 23.7 Ω (AX16CL) / 49 Ω (AX8CL)
Horizontal Coverage Angle| 80° (-6 dB)
Sensitivity (4V) SPL @ 1m*| 103 dB (AX16CL) / 94 dB (AX8CL)
Maximum Peak SPL @ 1m| 128 dB (AX16CL) / 122 dB (AX8CL)

TRANSDUCERS

Type| 16 (AX16CL) / 8 (AX8CL) 2.5″ (66mm) Neodymium magnet, full range, 0.8″ (20mm) VC
---|---
Cone| Waterproof Cone
Voice Coil Type| Ventilated voice coil

INPUT CONNECTIONS

Connector Type . …………….Neutrik® Speakon® NL4 x 2 (1+/1- signal IN & LINK ; 2+/2- thru)

POWER HANDLING

ENCLOSURE & CONSTRUCTION

AX16CL MECHANICAL DRAWING

AX8CL MECHANICAL DRAWING

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

see http://www.axiomproaudio.com for detailed descriptions and other available accessories.
SPARE PARTS

REAR PANEL INPUT & LINK – Both connectors at the top and the bottom of the AX16CL/AX8CL can operate as input or link, to connect an appropriately processed amplifier or to link the column to a second one.
The AX16CL/AX8CL does not include an internal passive crossover for filtering the signal, but only internal protection that excludes the internal speaker to protect them from the excessive input power. The protection should not trip with a typical music program, but only with a massive and constant power signal, like feedback. The connections are the following:
INPUT & LINK – Both connectors at the top and the bottom of the AX16CL/AX8CL can operate as input or link, to connect an appropriated processed amplifier or to link the column to a second one.
The AX16CL/AX8CL does not include an internal passive crossover for filtering the signal, but only internal protection that excludes the internal speaker to protect them from the excessive input power. The protection should not trip with a typical music program, but only with a massive and constant power signal, like feedback. The connections are the following:

INPUT – LINK

NL4 pin number| internal connection
1+| + speakers (pass thru link speakon)
1-| – speakers (pass thru link speakon)
2+| + no connection (pass thru link speakon)
2-| – no connection (pass thru link speakon)

WARNING:
The maximum quantity of AX16CL that can be linked together depends by the load capacity of the appropriately processed amplifier. When powered from the SW212A subwoofer or from the QC2.4 suggested amplifier, a maximum of four AX16CLs can be connected to each power output.
PREDICTION SOFTWARE: EASE FOCUS 3
To aim correctly a complete system of AX16CL and/or AX8CL (SW212A always stays on the floor) we suggest using always the suitable aiming software:
EASE Focus 3 Aiming Software is a 3D Acoustic Modelling Software that serves for the configuration and modeling of Line Arrays and conventional speakers close to reality. It only considers the direct field, created by the complex addition of the sound contributions of the individual loudspeakers or array components.
The design of EASE Focus is targeted at the end user. It allows the easy and quick prediction of the array performance in a given venue. The scientific base of EASE Focus stems from EASE, the professional electro, and room acoustic simulation software developed by AFMG Technologies GmbH. It is based on the EASE GLL loudspeaker data file required for its use. The GLL file contains the data that defines the Line Array with regard to its possible configurations as well as to its geometrical and acoustical properties.

Download the EASE Focus 3 app from the AXIOM website at https://www.axiomproaudio.com/ clicking on the downloads section of the product.
Use the menu option Edit / Import System Definition File to import the GLL file, the detailed instructions to use the program are located in the menu option Help / User’s Guide.
Note: Some windows systems can require the .NET Framework 4 which can be downloaded from the website at https://focus.afmg.eu/.
SYSTEM PROCESSING BASIC INSTRUCTION
AX16CL/AX8CL needs an external processor to take care of the filtering, the time alignment and the speaker protection. When powered from the SW212A amplifier output, the sub-woofer’s CORE2 DSP takes care of all the processing and three different presets are available:

SW212A
PRESET| Elements of Column Array
---|---
AX16CL| AX8CL| AX16CL + AX8CL
2 x AX16CL| 2 to 3| 3 to 4| 1 + 1 to 2
4 x AX16CL| 3 to 4| 6 to 8| 1 + 4 to 8
or 2 + 2 to 4
or 3 + 1 to 2
1 x AX16CL| 1| 1 to 2| 1 + 1

As can be seen from the table some combinations of array elements can be used with different presets. For example, if you have 3 AX16CL you can use both the 2 x AX16CL preset and the 4 x AX16CL preset, depending on the balance between the subwoofer and columns you want to obtain: by choosing 2x there the balance will be shifted towards the high frequencies, while by choosing 4x the balance will be shifted towards the low frequencies.
Using the PRONET AX software, additional EQ, LEVEL, and DELAY adjustments can be added to the basic presets and new presets can be saved in the SW212A user memories.
When using the QC2.4 or QC 4.4 amplifiers to power the AX16CL/AX8CL, the correct presets must be loaded into the amplifier’s DSP memory according to the number of columns connected.
BASIC INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING! CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS AND CONDITIONS OF USE:

• This loudspeaker is designed exclusively for Professional audio applications. The product must be installed by qualified personnel only.
• Proel strongly recommends that this loudspeaker cabinet be suspended taking into consideration all current National, Federal, State, and Local regulations. Please contact the manufacturer for further information.
• Proel does not accept any liability for damage caused to third parties due to improper installation, lack of maintenance, tampering or improper use of this product, including disregard of acceptable and applicable safety standards.
• During assembly pay attention to the possible risk of crushing. Wear suitable protective clothing. Observe all instructions given on the rigging components and the loudspeaker cabinets. When chain hoists are in operation ensure that there is nobody directly underneath or in the vicinity of the load. Do not under any circumstances climb on the array.

PIN LOCKING AND SPLAY ANGLES SET UP
The figure below shows how to insert correctly the locking pin and how to set up the splay angle between loudspeakers.

LOCKING PIN INSERTION

SPLAY ANGLE SET UP

SW212A/KPT ACCESSORIES
Use these holes for the column speaker splay angle:
AX16CL/AX8CL
Use these holes for the SW212A or the accessories splay angle:

Each of the following examples has some symbols at the connection points: these symbols indicate if a splay angle is allowed or is prohibited for safety or acoustical reason:

STACKED INSTALLATION USING SW212A SUBWOOFER AS BASE WARNINGS:

• The ground where the SW212A is placed needs to be stable and compact.
• Adjust the feet so to put the SW212A perfectly horizontal. Use a spirit level to obtain the best results.
• Always secure ground-stacked setups against movement and possible tipping over.
• A maximum of 2x AX16CL or 4x AX8CL or 1x AX16CL + 2x AX8CL speakers are allowed to be installed over an SW212A serving as ground support.
• The optimal splay angles can be simulated using the EASE Focus 3 software.

STACKED INSTALLATION USING KPTSTANDAX16CL FLOOR STAND WARNINGS:

• The ground where the KPTSTANDAX16CL floor stand is placed needs to be stable and compact.
• Adjust the feet so to put the KTPSTANDAX16CL perfectly horizontal. Use a spirit level to obtain the best result.
• Always secure ground-stacked setups against movement and possible tipping over.
• A maximum of 2 x AX16CL or 4 x AX8CL or 1x AX16CL + 2x AX8CL speakers are allowed to be installed over a KPTSTANDAX16CL serving as ground support.
• When 2 column units are stacked both must be setup with 0° aiming.
  

STACKED INSTALLATION USING KPTFAX16CL FLOOR STAND WARNINGS:

• The ground where the KPTFAX16CL floor stand is placed needs to be stable and compact.
• Adjust the feet so to put the KTPFAX16CL perfectly horizontal. Use a spirit level to obtain the best result.
• Always secure ground-stacked setups against movement and possible tipping over.
• A maximum of 2 x AX16CL or 4 x AX8CL or 1x AX16CL + 2x AX8CL speakers are allowed to be installed over a KPTFAX16CL that serves as ground support.
• When 2 column units are stacked both must be set up with 0° aiming.
  

STACKED INSTALLATION WITH KPTPOLEAX16CL POLE ADAPTER
The KPTPOLEAX16CL is used in combination with the KP210S or DHSS10M20 pole on the KPTFAX16CL floor stand as a base.
WARNINGS:

• The ground where the KPTFAX16CL floor stand is placed needs to be stable and compact.
• Adjust the feet so to put the KTPFAX16CL perfectly horizontal. Use a spirit level to obtain the best result.
• Always secure ground-stacked setups against movement and possible tipping over.
• A maximum of 1 x AX16CL or 2 x AX8CL speakers are allowed to be installed over a KPTFAX16CL with a pole serving as ground support.
• The column must be set up with 0° aiming.

FLOOR AND FRONT FILL INSTALLATION USING KPTFAXCL FOAM STAND WARNINGS:

• KPTFAX8CL can be used in front-fill or monitor applications on stage.
• The ground where the KPTFAXCL foam stand is placed needs to be stable and compact.
• When using this support for the front-fill application, place it on a stable surface. If it is placed on a front line subwoofer, it must be secured to it using a strap, because the subwoofer vibrations could cause it to fall to the ground.

FLOOR/FRONT FILL, SIDE WALL, CEILING/UNDER BALCONY INSTALLATION USING KPTWAX8CL C-BRACKET
WARNINGS:

• KPTWAX8CL can be used in front-fill or monitor applications on stage and in under-balcony or sidewall installations in theatres or conference rooms.
• Brackets MUST be installed by qualified personnel in accordance with safe installation practices.
• The ground where the KPTWAX8CL C-bracket is placed needs to be stable and compact.
• When using this support for front-fill applications, place it on a stable surface. If it is placed on a front line subwoofer, it must be secured to it using a strap, because the subwoofer vibrations could cause it to fall to the ground.

WALL INSTALLATION USING KPTWAX16CLL BRACKETS
WARNINGS:

• No hardware is supplied to install the KPTWAX16CLL to the walls: the hardware to be used depends on the wall structure. Use always the best hardware available, taking in consideration the whole weight of loudspeakers and accessories.
• Brackets MUST be installed by qualified personnel in accordance with safe installation practices.
• A single AX16CL or 2x AX8CL speakers can be installed using the KPTWAX16CLL as top and bottom wall brackets.

WALL INSTALLATION USING KPTWAX16CL AND KPTWAX16CLL BRACKETS
WARNINGS:

• No hardware is supplied to install the KPTWAX16CL and KPTWAX16CLL to the walls: the hardware to be used depends on the wall structure. Use always the best hardware available taking in consideration the whole weight of loudspeakers and accessories.
• Brackets MUST be installed by qualified personnel in accordance with safe installation practices.
• A maximum of 2 x AX16CL or 1 x AX16CL + 2 AX8CL speakers can be installed using the KPTWAX16CL as top and the KPTWAX16CLL as bottom wall brackets.

WALL INSTALLATION USING KPTWAX16CL BRACKETS
WARNINGS:

• No hardware is supplied to install the KPTWAX16CL to the walls: the hardware to be used depends on the wall structure. Use always the best hardware available taking in consideration the whole weight of loudspeakers and accessories.
• Brackets MUST be installed by qualified personnel in accordance with safe installation practices.
• A maximum of 4 x AX16CL speakers can be installed using the KPTWAX16CL as top and bottom wall brackets.

SUSPENDED INSTALLATION USING KPTAX16CL FLYBAR
Using the KPTAX16CL fly bar it is possible to assemble a suspended and unobtrusive vertical array system with a variable size of up to 6 elements of AX16CL, or a combination of AX16CL and AX8CL, without exceeding the 120Kg maximum load capacity. The loudspeakers are linked together in a column using the brackets integrated at each end of the enclosure. Each system can be set properly both acoustically and mechanically using the aiming software. Each loudspeaker box is fixed to the next one using the two docking pins. The locking pin in the front does not require any adjustment, while the locking pin in the back is used to adjust the splay angle between two adjacent loudspeakers in the array column at 0° or 2°. Follow the sequence in the figure for fixing the flybar to the first box. Usually this is the first step before lifting up the system. Be careful to insert properly the shackle (1)(2) and the locking pins (3)(4) in the right holes specified by the aiming software.
When lifting the system always proceed gradually step by step, paying attention to secure the flybar to the box (and the box to the other boxes) before pulling up the system: this makes it easier to insert properly the locking pins.
Also when the system is released down, unlock gradually the pins. The center of gravity of an AX16CL/AX8CL array depends on the number of units and on the splay angle between the units when the units are arranged to make an arc for the best coverage of the audience. Use always the aiming software to define the correct suspension pinpoint
where to fix the straight shackle and the optimal splay angle between units.
Note that the ideal aiming angle often doesn’t correspond to the pinpoint: there is often a little difference between ideal aiming and real aiming and its value is the Delta angle: positive delta angle can be adjusted a little using two ropes, and the negative delta angle are self-adjusted a little because the cables weights on the back of the array. With some experience, it’s possible to consider preventively these required little adjustments.
During the flown setup, you can connect the elements of the array to their cables. We suggest discharging the weight of the cables from the flying pinpoint by tying them with a textile fiber rope, for this reason, a ring is present at the end of the flybar that can be used to fix the cable instead of letting them hang freely: in this way the position of the array will be much more similar to the simulation produced by the software.
WIND LOADS
When planning an open-air event it is essential to obtain current weather and wind information. When loudspeaker arrays are flown in an open-air environment, possible wind effects must be taken into account. Wind load produces additional dynamic forces acting on the rigging components and the suspension, which may lead to a dangerous situation. If according to the forecast wind forces higher than 5 bft (29-38 Km/h) are possible, the following actions have to be taken:
– The actual on-site wind speed has to be monitored permanently. Be aware that wind speed typically increases with height above ground.
– Suspension and securing points of the array should be designed to support double the static load in order to withstand any additional dynamic forces.
WARNING!
Flying loudspeakers overhead at wind forces higher than 6 bft (39-49 Km/h) is not recommended. If the wind force exceeds 7 ft (50-61 Km/h) there is a risk of mechanical damage to the components which may lead to a dangerous situation for persons in the vicinity of the flown array.
– Stop the event and make sure that no person remains in the vicinity of the array.
– Lower and secure the array.
WARNING!
AX16CL and AX8CL must be suspended only using the flying bar KPTAX16CL, with a maximum of 120Kg per flying bar.
The following examples show some possible configurations with maximum splay angles: the first use 4 x AX16CL, the second a mixed configuration made with 2 x AX16CL and 4 x AX8CL, the third is made using 8 x AX8CL.

SW212A + AX16CL CONNECTION EXAMPLES
The following examples show all the possible connections between the SW212A amplified subwoofer and the AX16CL column speaker, using the PRESETs available in the subwoofer’s DSP. Note that one AX16CL unit corresponds to two AX8CL units.

PROEL S.p.A. (World Headquarters)
Via Alla Ruenia 37/43 – 64027
Sant’Omero (Te) – ITALY
Tel: +39 0861 81241
Fax: +39 0861 887862
www.axiomproaudio.com

References

• Axiom Pro Audio
• EASE Focus | Ahnert Feistel Media Group
• Axiom Pro Audio

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