FOCAL HN229818 Alpha 65 Evo Powered Studio Monitors User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- FOCAL
Table of Contents
HN229818 Alpha 65 Evo Powered Studio Monitors
User Manual
READ FIRST !
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS !
The bolt of lightning in an equilateral triangle warns the user that the device has high voltage that could result in a risk of electric shock.
Warning: To prevent any risk of electric shock, do not remove the cover (or the back) from the device. There are no user-serviceable parts in this device. For maintenance or repairs, contact a qualified professional.
The exclamation mark in an equilateral triangle warns the user that the manual contains important instructions on how to use and look after the device.
- Read these instructions.
- Keep these instructions.
- Heed all warnings.
- Follow all instructions.
- Do not use this apparatus near water.
- Clean only with dry cloth.
- Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
- Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. The wide bladed is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
- Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
- Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
- 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.
- Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
- Refer all servicing to qualified 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.
- This product is a device belonging to Class 1. Only plug in the device using the mains plug provided, which incorporates an earth connection. The device must be plugged into an earthed mains socket.
- When the On/Off switch, or the mains plug or adapter connected to the product is used as a disconnect device, this device must remain readily accessible.
- WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to water, rain or moisture. And the apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no object filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.
- Do not obstruct ventilation openings.
- Do not insert any objects into the device’s ventilation openings. They could come into contact with one of the high-voltage components or short-circuit them and cause a fire or electric shock. Do not spill liquid on the device.
- Do not attempt to repair this device yourself. Opening it may expose you to hazardous voltages or to other risks. Contact a qualified professional for all maintenance work.
- The equipment shall be used at maximum 45 degree Celsius ambient temperature (113°F).
- Do not use this device at altitudes of more than 2,000 m (6,500 ft).
- Do not overload wall sockets, extension leads or multiple socket outlets as this could cause fire or electric shock.
- The device must not be mounted to a wall or ceiling unless intended by the manufacturer.
- If the product has been transported from a cold to a warm environment, make sure that no condensation has occurred before connecting the power cord.
- No naked flame sources, such as lit candles, should be placed on top of the device.
- The product should only be connected to the mains power type shown on the label on the device. If you’re not sure what type of mains electrical supply you have, ask your retailer or your electricity supplier. For devices intended for use with a battery or another power source, see the user manual.
- Always leave a distance of at least 5 cm (2″) around the product for proper ventilation.
- When replacement components are needed, make sure that the maintenance technician uses the components recommended by the manufacturer or components with the same technical features as the original product. Using non-compliant components could cause fires, electric shocks or other risks.
- After any maintenance or repair work on the device, ask the maintenance technician to test it to check that it works safely.
- To avoid damaging your hearing, do not listen to loudspeakers at high volumes for long periods of time. Listening to speakers at high volumes can cause damage to the user’s ears and may lead to hearing problems (temporary or permanent deafness, buzzing in the ears, tinnitus, hyperacusis).
Exposure to excessive volumes (over 85dB) for more than one hour can cause irreparable damage to your hearing.
Canada : Industry Canada Statement:
This device complies with ISED’s licence-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
USA : Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
Please validate your Focal-JMlab warranty, it is now possible to register your product online: www.focal.com/warranty
Thank you for purchasing a Focal product. Welcome to our High-Fidelity world. Innovation, tradition, excellence and pleasure are our values; our one and only aim is to bring you a sound that is rich, pure and true. To get the most out of your product, we recommend that you read the instructions in this booklet, then store it in a safe place to refer to in the future.
Package contents
A loudspeaker is delivered with the following elements (in addition to this manual):
- 1 power cable
- 1 protective grille for the tweeter (we advise that you remove it for listening as soon as possible).
- 1 protective grille for the woofer (we advise that you remove it for listening as soon as possible).
- 4 rubber feet
Check that nothing is missing and remove all the accessories from the box. In order not to damage your products while unpacking them, please follow these steps: open the flaps of the cardboard box completely. Fold them back down the sides. Remove the top protective packaging. Lift out the loudspeaker carefully. Check that the packaging does not show any signs of damage. If the packaging has been damaged, let the carrier and the supplier know. It is important to keep the packaging in good condition for any future use.
Recommendations
We would like to point out that our products can generate high sound pressure,
particularly in the 5.1 configuration. As the distortion level is low and user
fatigue is minimal, it is not always easy to realise how high the sound
pressure actually is. Remember that exposure to high volumes beyond a certain
amount of time can lead to irreversible hearing loss.
Warranty terms and conditions
All Focal loudspeakers are covered by warranty drawn up by the official Focal
distributor in your country. Your distributor can provide all details
concerning the conditions of warranty. Warranty cover extends at least to that
granted by the legal warranty in force in the country where the original
purchase invoice was issued.
Quick start guide
- Before you do anything, check that the loudspeakers and audio source (console, etc.) are in the Off position and that all settings at the back of the loudspeakers are in the 0 position.
- Connect the audio signal from the source to the loudspeakers, using the XLR, RCA or TRS inputs. You can connect up to three sources to each loudspeaker via the three inputs available. However, the TRS input takes priority over the XLR input. The RCA input is used in addition to the TRS or XLR input. For more information, see page 9.
- Use the power cable supplied to connect the loudspeaker to the mains.
- Power on the audio source and check that the output level of the audio source connected to loudspeaker is set to – ∞ or a very low level.
- Switch on the loudspeakers. The loudspeakers are now in “Stand-by” mode.
- Increase the level of the audio source until the signal is detected by the loudspeakers, so that they automatically switch into “On” mode.
After the loudspeakers are powered on, and after the automatic stand-by mode is enabled (see page 9 for more information on this function), the audio signal detection circuit in the loudspeaker will automatically switch from “Stand-by” mode to “On” mode after a few seconds.
7. Once you have finished your recording, mixing or mastering session, we recommend switching off the equipment in the following order:
a. Switch off the loudspeakers
b. Switch off the audio sources
ALPHA 50 EVO
The ALPHA 50 EVO is an active 2-way nearfield professional loudspeaker (2
internal amplifiers), comprising a 5″ (13cm) mid-bass speaker driver with
Slatefiber cone, fitted with a large-section laminar port and an aluminium
inverted dome tweeter (fig. A).
ALPHA 65 EVO
The ALPHA 65 EVO is an active 2-way nearfield professional loudspeaker (2
internal amplifiers), comprising a 6.5″ (16.5cm) mid-bass speaker driver with
Slatefiber cone, fitted with a large-section laminar port and an aluminium
inverted dome tweeter (fig. A).
ALPHA 80 EVO
The ALPHA 80 EVO is an active 2-way nearfield professional loudspeaker (2
internal amplifiers), comprising a 8″ (20cm) mid-bass speaker driver with
Slatefiber cone, fitted with a large-section laminar port and an aluminium
inverted dome tweeter (fig. A).
ALPHA TWIN EVO
The ALPHA TWIN EVO is an active 2-way nearfield professional loudspeaker (2
internal amplifiers), comprising a 6.5″ (16.5 cm) mid-bass speaker driver with
Slatefiber cone, fitted with a large-section laminar port and an aluminium
inverted dome tweeter (fig. B).
Installation
Mains power
Your products must be earthed using the power cable.
Warning
You can connect up to three sources to each loudspeaker via the three inputs
available. The three inputs (XLR, RCA and TRS) are activated simultaneously.
To get the maximum benefit out of this feature, we recommend that you power on
just one of the three sources to avoid any unwanted sound interference.
Automatic stand-by
The ALPHA EVO monitors are equipped with a “Stand-by” mode. When you switch on
the monitors, the “Stand-by” mode is enabled. To disable it, send an audio
signal to the monitor by gradually increasing the volume of the audio source.
After around 15 minutes without receiving an audio signal, the monitors
automatically switch to “Stand-by” mode. In “Stand-by” mode, the power
consumption is lower than 0.5W. This “Stand-by” function can be disabled using
the Auto Stand-by switch (page 10).
Positioning
The ALPHA EVO loudspeakers are nearfield loudspeakers and must be positioned
at a distance between 40cm and 3 metres from the listener, pointing towards
him or her. They can be perfectly positioned above a mixing desk or placed on
suitable stands, bearing in mind that in all scenarios we strongly recommend
locating the tweeter at a relatively similar height to that of the listener’s
ears. If necessary, you can easily reverse the normal layout of the
loudspeakers and position the tweeter at the bottom to bring it closer to the
recommended height. The ALPHA EVO loudspeakers must be positioned vertically
and pointing towards the listener (fig. D, E).
Once the layout is defined, you can use the four rubber feet provided to decouple the loudspeakers from their stand (fig. F). The distance and right/left orientation of each loudspeaker allow you to control the width, centring and overall coherence of the soundstage (left/right/centre), which is at the root of the precision of your recordings.
Stereo positioning
We recommend that you position the loudspeakers so as to achieve an
equilateral triangle. The 3 corners are formed by the listening position, the
right loudspeaker and the left loudspeaker (fig. G).
Multi-channel positioning
In the case of a 5.1 installation, we recommend you position the loudspeakers
in a circle so that they are equidistant from the listening point. The central
channel will be positioned at 0°, the front right channel at 30°, the rear
right channel at 110°, the rear left channel at 250° and the front left
channel at 330° (fig. H).
Running-in
The transducers used in the ALPHA EVO loudspeakers are complex mechanical
assemblies that require a running-in period to operate at their best and to
become acclimatised to the temperature and humidity conditions of your
environment. The length of time this takes can vary depending on the
conditions and may extend over several weeks. Avoid listening to the
loudspeakers at a high volume for the first few hours. To reduce the process,
we recommend operating the different products for about twenty consecutive
hours at medium volume, with music that is rich in bass frequencies. Once the
transducers’ characteristics have stabilised, you will be able to enjoy the
full potential of your Focal products.
Inserting/removing the grilles
The ALPHA EVO loudspeakers are supplied with one grille for the tweeter and
one grille for the woofer. To remove a grille, simply use your fingers to pull
on the notches above and below the grille, taking care not to damage the
tweeter or woofer. If necessary, use a plastic object to gently pry it off. To
insert the grille, line up the grille notches with the dedicated slots and
press gently (fig. I).
ALPHA 50 EVO, ALPHA 65 EVO, ALPHA 80 EVO, ALPHA TWIN EVO settings and connections
1 – BALANCED – XLR
The XLR socket allows you to connect a symmetrical signal source and uses a
standard cabling diagram:
Pin1 = earth (shield) Pin 2 = hot point (in-phase signal) Pin 3 = cold point
(out-of-phase signal)
The sensitivity of this input is +4dBu, corresponding to the sensitivity of
symmetrical sources.
2 – BALANCED – TRS
The TRS socket allows you to connect a symmetrical signal source and uses a
standard cabling diagram:
Tip: hot point; Ring: cold point; Sleeve: earth
The sensitivity of this input is +4dBu, corresponding to the sensitivity of
symmetrical sources.
3 – UNBALANCED
The RCA socket allows you to connect an asymmetrical signal source. The “cold
point” (Pin 3) is usually connected to the earth (Pin 1). This connection is
usually made with cables. The sensitivity of this input is -10dBV
corresponding to the sensitivity of asymmetrical sources.
4 – SENSITIVITY
Use this function to enjoy a higher volume, if necessary. The sensitivities
available are 0 and +6dB. The +6dB position offers the benefit of being able
to increase the monitor volume while avoiding any saturation of the output
stage of the converter or the sound card.
5 – ON/OFF
Use the ON/OFF switch to turn the internal amplifiers on or off. Switching
from the OFF mode to the ON mode has the effect of putting the loudspeaker
into “Stand-by” position. To disable the “Stand-by” mode, send an audio signal
to the loudspeaker, which will detect it and automatically switch from “Stand-
by” mode to “On” mode.
6 – LF SHELVING
Use the LF SHELVING knob to activate or deactivate a correction of the sound
volume below 300Hz. It is advisable to adjust the LF SHELVING knob to +2dB if
the listening location’s acoustics naturally dampen this frequency range. It
is advisable to adjust the LF SHELVING knob to 0 if the listening location is
acoustically natural. It is advisable to adjust the LF SHELVING knob to -2, -4
or -6dB if the loudspeakers are positioned close to a wall or a corner.
7 – HF SHELVING
Use the HF SHELVING knob to activate or deactivate a volume correction from
4.5kHz. It is advisable to adjust it to +2dB if the listening location’s
acoustics naturally dampen this frequency range (flat environment). It is
advisable to adjust it to 0 if the listening location is acoustically neutral.
It is advisable to adjust it to -2 or -3dB if the listening location’s
acoustics naturally increase this frequency range (bright environment).
8 – MAINS SOCKET
Connect the supplied power cable to this socket.
9 – FRONT LED
The LED situated on the front panel is switched off when the loudspeaker is in
the OFF position. It lights up when the ON/OFF switch moves from the OFF
position to the ON position. Once the audio signal is detected, the
loudspeaker switches from “Stand-by” mode to “On” mode and the LED remains
illuminated. After around 15 minutes without receiving an audio signal, the
loudspeaker automatically switches to “Stand-by” mode and the LED switches
off, to avoid any unnecessary energy consumption. The consumption in “Stand-
by” mode is lower than 0.5W. To disable this mode, send an audio signal to the
loudspeaker. It takes a few seconds for the loudspeakers to switch from
“Stand-by” mode to “On” mode.
10 – AUTO STAND BY
The ALPHA EVO monitors are equipped with a “Stand-by” mode, which can be
disabled if required. On leaving the factory, the monitor is set to the
“ENABLE” position. The stand-by mode is therefore enabled. When you power on
the monitors, the “Stand-by” mode is enabled. To exit the “Stand-by” mode,
send an audio signal to the monitor by gradually increasing the volume of the
audio source. After around 15 minutes without receiving an audio signal, the
monitors automatically switch to “Stand-by” mode. In “Stand-by” mode, the
power consumption is less than 0.5W.
This automatic stand-by mode can be disabled. To do this, move the switch to
the “DISABLE” position. In the “DISABLE” position, the loudspeaker is
constantly powered on, as soon as the “ON-OFF” switch is in the “ON” position.
11 – WALL/CEILING MOUNTING
The mounting points allow you to fix the ALPHA EVO monitors to the wall and/or
ceiling using the K&M® accessories. The centre-to-centre distance is 70 mm for
ALPHA 50, 65 and 80 EVO. Use M6 screws.
Please refer to the diagrams below for any additional information on the
mounting inserts. Please refer to the table below for the compatible K&M®
products.
As with any wall or ceiling mounting, installing the monitors can involve risks and the methods of drilling and mounting to walls, ceilings and other surfaces depend on the conditions and standards of construction, refurbishment, safety and cabling in force and applicable to the brackets involved. For this reason, the relevant drilling, mounting and installation operations must be performed by a qualified professional who is familiar with the installation and safety standards.
Focal does not provide any end-of-use warranty for a given bracket or installation, as installing the monitors is the customer’s sole responsibility. Focal is therefore not liable in any capacity whatsoever in the event of unhooking, fall, accident and/or any other result or damage of any kind related to the installation of monitors.
