Artcoustic Spitfire Array Series Wave Electronics System Owner’s Manual
- June 3, 2024
- Artcoustic
Table of Contents
Spitfire Array Series Wave Electronics System
artcoustic.com
SPITFIRE SERIES
Owners manual
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF ARTCOUSTIC
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
Congratulations with your purchase of the Artcoustic Spitfire Series.
The Spitfire Series is Artcoustic’s dedicated cinema range of products. Its
slimline profile, adjustable vertical and horizontal array, combined with a
powerful and articulated performance, makes it the ideal choice for high-end
cinema rooms and commercial installations, such as bars and clubs and in
general high SPL, but discrete professional applications.
For an even more impressive performance, partner the Spitfire speakers with
one of the powerful Artcoustic subwoofers – an ideal setup for small, medium
and large size rooms.
The Spitfire Series has been engineered to produce exceptional sound pressure
level, normally only associated with typical professional audio products. The
Spitfire Series is a true all-rounder. Whether you are looking for high end
sound from two speakers in a stereo music setup, or multiple speakers for
cinemas and multi room audio, the Spitfire Series will fulfill all your audio
needs.
Thank you for purchasing the Artcoustic Spitfire Series.
All the best, The Artcoustic Team
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
FEATURES
At Artcoustic, our product development team are always looking for innovative
and ground-breaking ways to improve our products. We continually invest a huge
amount of time and effort to make sure that Artcoustic deliver products at the
top of their class, with regards to technological excellence and refined
Scandinavian design.
Introducing the latest edition of the Spitfire series the Spitfire Series
vertical array. A precise and well designed solution for dealing with high-
frequency dispersion patterns. By carefully pointing each speaker element in a
laser accurate position, the acoustically impossible is now possible.
The design has been optimized in a way that allows the product to achieve a
near perfect response curve at any seat in room, all achieved without
compromising on any of the existing high-end features including extreme sound
pressure levels, sensitivity, extended frequency response, controlled
directivity, exceptional speed and transient response. All arranged within a
well-designed, slimline easy to fit cabinet.
ADJUSTABLE DISPERSION ADVANTAGES
EXTENDED FLAT FREQUENCY RESPONSE UP TO 20KHZ over a wide horizontal and
vertical angle
DETAILED AND TRANSPARENT SWEET SPOT with an almost magical ability of making
the actual speakers acoustically disappear.
A SOPHISTICATED AND MINIMAL CABINET DESIGN
HIGH SENSITIVITY AND EXCEPTIONAL SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL
LOW DISTORTION
BENCH MARK TRANSIENT RESPONSE
GUIDED DIRECTIVITY with near perfect response curve +/- 3dB over long
distances
PLUG AND PLAY EASY TO INSTALL APPROACH eliminating installation mistakes and
misunderstandings
MINIMUM LOSS OF ENERGY OVER DOUBLE DISTANCE 2DB
All in all, the adjustable array delivers incredible detail and airy sound
which typical high end HIFI speakers only offer at short distances. The
Artcoustic Spitfire Series delivers above and beyond providing a throw
distance of well beyond 40 meters making this product a natural
evolution within the Artcoustic portfolio of industry leading products.
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
FEATURES
COMPONENTS OVERVIEW
HIGH FREQUENCY DRIVER Dual Ring Radiator diaphragm with highly linear
suspension and low loss surrounds for high clarity and clean transient
response. Copper caps for better HF extension and lower distortion and wave-
guide center plug, copper-clad aluwire.
WOOFER
Extra long excursion and aluminium Short Circuiting Ring, 4-layer voice coil,
anodised aluminium for improved heat dissipation, combined with Distortion
Reduced Motor.
CROSSOVER 6 dB/octave low pass and 12 dB/octave high pass filler.
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPECIFICATIONS
SPITFIRE A4
TRANSDUCER LF-MF 4 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned HF 2 x 1 inch Dual
Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned CROSSOVER Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave
1000 Hz High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz CONNECTION Single amped Gold Plated Push
Terminals PERFORMANCE Operating Range 70 Hz (-6dB) to 20 kHz Nominal Beamwidth
Horizontal 60° Vertical 25° Input Impedance Nominal 8 ohms Sensitivity 1 Watt
@ 8 ohm 91 dB Full Space, 94 dB Half Space Long Term SPL 120 Watt 113 dB Full
Space, 116 dB Half Space Short Term (Damage) SPL 200 watt 116 dB Full Space,
119 dB Half Space Recommended High Pass Filter – 100 Hz, 24 dB/octave
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
TRANSDUCER
LF-MF 4 x 3 inch cone HF 2 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
OPERATING RANGE
70 Hz
20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
NOMINAL BEAM WIDTH
Horizontal 60° Vertical 25°
INPUT IMPEDANCE
8 ohm
FINISH
Cabinet: Black SL
DIMENSIONS
H: 210 W: 280 D: 99mm
WEIGHT
4kg
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPECIFICATIONS
SPITFIRE A6
TRANSDUCER LF-MF 6 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned HF 3 x 1 inch Dual
Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned CROSSOVER Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave
1000 Hz High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz CONNECTION Single Amped Speakon and
Binding Posts Terminals PERFORMANCE Operating Range 70 Hz (-6dB) to 20 kHz
Nominal Beamwidth Horizontal 60° Vertical 20° Input Impedance Nominal 10 ohms
Sensitivity 1 Watt @ 11 ohm 95 dB Full Space, 98 dB Half Space Long Term SPL
180 Watt 116 dB Full Space, 119 dB Half Space Short Term (Damage) SPL 300 watt
119 dB Full Space, 122 dB Half Space Recommended High Pass Filter -100 Hz, 24
dB/octave
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
TRANSDUCER
LF-MF 6 x 3 inch cone HF 3 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
OPERATING RANGE
70 Hz
20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
NOMINAL BEAM WIDTH
Horizontal 60° Vertical 20°
INPUT IMPEDANCE
10 ohm
FINISH
Cabinet: Black SL
DIMENSIONS
H: 210 W: 280 D: 99mm
WEIGHT
5.5 kg
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPECIFICATIONS
SPITFIRE A10
TRANSDUCER LF-MF 10 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned HF 5 x 1 inch Dual
Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned CROSSOVER Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave
1000 Hz High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz CONNECTION Single Amped Speakon and
Binding Posts Terminals PERFORMANCE Operating Range 70 Hz (-6dB) to 20 kHz
Nominal Beamwidth Horizontal 60° Vertical 29.5° Input Impedance Nominal 5 ohms
Sensitivity 1 Watt @ 5 ohm 97 dB Full Space, 100 dB Half Space Long Term SPL
300 Watt 119 dB Full Space, 122 dB Half Space Short Term (Damage) SPL 510 watt
122 dB Full Space, 125 dB Half Space Recommended High Pass Filter -100 Hz, 24
dB/octave
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
TRANSDUCER
LF-MF 10 x 3 inch cone HF 5 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
OPERATING RANGE
70 Hz
20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
NOMINAL BEAM WIDTH
Horizontal 60° Vertical 29.5° INPUT IMPEDANCE
5 ohm
FINISH
Cabinet: Black SL
DIMENSIONS
According to Array angle
WEIGHT
9,5 kg
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPECIFICATIONS
SPITFIRE A12
TRANSDUCER LF-MF 12 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned HF 6 x 1 inch Dual
Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned CROSSOVER Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave
1000 Hz High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz CONNECTION Single Amped Speakon and
Binding Posts Terminals PERFORMANCE Operating Range 70 Hz (-6dB) to 20 kHz
Nominal Beamwidth Horizontal 60° Vertical 27° Input Impedance Nominal 6 ohms
Sensitivity 1 Watt @ 6 ohm 100 dB Full Space, 103 dB Half Space Long Term SPL
360 Watt 121 dB Full Space, 124 dB Half Space Short Term (Damage) SPL 600 watt
124 dB Full Space, 127 dB Half Space Recommended High Pass Filter -100 Hz, 24
dB/octave
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
TRANSDUCER
LF-MF 12 x 3 inch cone HF 6 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
OPERATING RANGE
70 Hz
20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
NOMINAL BEAM WIDTH
Horizontal 60° Vertical 27°
INPUT IMPEDANCE
6 ohm
FINISH
Cabinet: Black SL
DIMENSIONS
According to Array angle
WEIGHT
11 kg
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPECIFICATIONS
SPITFIRE A14
TRANSDUCER LF-MF 14 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned HF 7 x 1 inch Dual
Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned CROSSOVER Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave
1000 Hz High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz CONNECTION Single Amped Speakon and
Binding Posts Terminals PERFORMANCE Operating Range 70 Hz (-6dB) to 20 kHz
Nominal Beamwidth Horizontal 60° Vertical 39° Input Impedance Nominal 4 ohms
Sensitivity 1 Watt @ 4 ohm 101 dB Full Space, 104 dB Half Space Long Term SPL
420 Watt 123 dB Full Space, 126 dB Half Space Short Term (Damage) SPL 700 watt
126 dB Full Space, 129 dB Half Space Recommended High Pass Filter -100 Hz, 24
dB/octave
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
TRANSDUCER
LF-MF 14 x 3 inch cone HF 7 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
OPERATING RANGE
70 Hz
20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
NOMINAL BEAM WIDTH
Horizontal 60° Vertical 39°
INPUT IMPEDANCE
4 ohm
FINISH
Cabinet: Black SL
DIMENSIONS
According to Array angle
WEIGHT
13,5 kg
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SCHEMATICS
isometric view
280 109
210
front view
bottom view
99
80
80
side view with screen
right view Spitfire A4
rear view top view
left view dimension are in mm
SCHEMATICS
isometric view
top view
280
92
80
80
102
280 63
140
front view
left view
speaker input and link out
6mm inserts for wall mount
rear view 16.5
bottom view
Spitfire A6
right view dimension are in mm
SCHEMATICS
350max 250max
513
29.50°
front view top view
60°
Spitfire A10
left view dimension are in mm
SCHEMATICS
350max 250max
584 27°
front view top view
60°
Spitfire A12
left view dimension are in mm
SCHEMATICS
300max 250max
720 39°
front view top view
60°
Spitfire A14
left view dimension are in mm
MOUNTING INSTRUCTION
K
2mm sheet metal painted black
Spitfire A10
ARTCOUSTIC NARROW DISPERSION ARRAY With the Artcoustic Narrow Dispersion
Array, we have managed to solve a number of typical problems associated with
angled arrays. This has been achieved by placing identical high frequency
transducers in a precise, mathematically calculated angled position.
We achieve near perfect frequency response, minimized phase overlap and comb
filtering, coupled with exceptional high sound pressure level and reduced
acoustic loss over double listening distance.
We have also managed to control the energy output on the vertical axis,
reducing floor and ceiling reflections, resulting in a constant and highly
predictable performance.
So basically with the Artcoustic Spitfire array speakers, every room will
sound the same without the use of extensive acoustic room correction material.
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
Spitfire A12
detail K scale 1:2
30 45
detail L scale 2:5
Spitfire A14
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
39
VERTICAL ARRAY AND ACOUSTIC ENERGY LOSS OVER DISTANCE
SPITFIRE A6 ARRAY
Optimized array 2.5m to 6m
ATMOS Reference SPL 105dB
Frequency (Hz)
Optimized array distance
Distance from the array along the central axis (between the two central
tweeters) (m).
on-axis SPL of the array at distances 0 – 12m
SPITFIRE A10 ARRAY
20000 16000 12500 10000 8000 6300 5000 4000 3150 2500 2000 1600 1250 1000
SPL (dB)
115-120 110-115 105-110 100-105 95-100 90-95 85-90 80-85 75-80 70-75 65-70
Optimized array 3m to 10m
Optimized array distance
Distance from the array along the central axis (between the two central
tweeters) (m).
on-axis SPL of the array at distances 0 – 12m OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
ATMOS Reference SPL 105dB
Frequency (Hz)
20000 16000 12500 10000 8000 6300 5000 4000 3150 2500 2000 1600 1250 1000
SPL (dB)
115-120 110-115 105-110 100-105 95-100 90-95 85-90 80-85 75-80 70-75 65-70
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
VERTICAL ARRAY AND ACOUSTIC ENERGY LOSS OVER DISTANCE
SPITFIRE A12 ARRAY
Optimized array 3m to 10m
Optimized array distance
Distance from the array along the central axis (between the two central
tweeters) (m).
on-axis SPL of the array at distances 0 – 12m
SPITFIRE A14 ARRAY
ATMOS Reference SPL 105dB
Frequency (Hz)
20000 16000 12500 10000 8000 6300 5000 4000 3150 2500 2000 1600 1250 1000
SPL (dB)
115-120 110-115 105-110 100-105 95-100 90-95 85-90 80-85 75-80 70-75 65-70
Optimized array 3.5m to 12m
Optimized array distance
Distance from the array along the central axis (between the two central
tweeters) (m).
on-axis SPL of the array at distances 0 – 12m OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
ATMOS Reference SPL 105dB
Frequency (Hz)
20000 16000 12500 10000 8000 6300 5000 4000 3150 2500 2000 1600 1250 1000
SPL (dB)
115-120 110-115 105-110 100-105 95-100 90-95 85-90 80-85 75-80 70-75 65-70
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
ARTCOUSTIC LINE ARRAY EXPLAINED
As sound is invisible to the human eye, it can for many people come across being a bit abstract and difficult to understand, where on the other hand light is visible to the human eye and therefore easier to explain. However, sound and light actually has many things in common. It is an energy which reflects and absorbs, according to its surroundings, shape boundaries and boundary materials.
In the diagrams we show the fundamental differences between the typical omni- directional light bulb, which in many ways is similar to the typical HI-FI dome tweeter, the more controlled light source, with guided directivity from a lamp shade, illustrating the more professional audio oriented horn loaded design, and finally the use of multiple light sources, placed in a straight vertical line, illustrating the different types of line array designs used by Artcoustic.
illustration of a 120W straight line array
30W
30W
30W
30W
illustration with a 30W light bulb
illustration with a ceilling lamp
30W wide dispersion typical HI-FI
design
Controlled dispersion typical horn
design
illustration of a 120W time aligned line array
30W
30W
30W
30W
*using Spitfire A6/A4 and smaller Evolve speakers
illustration of a 120W angled line array
30W
30W 30W
30W
*using larger Evolve speakers
*using Spitfire array speakers OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
HOME CINEMA ARRAY EXAMPLE
SPITFIRE A10 ARRAY
Array example: 2 seats elevated. Place Spitfire A6 center screen, aiming at
front seat listening height.
PArray example: 3 seats elevated. place Spitfire A6 center screen, aiming at
center seat 2nd row listening height.
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
HOME CINEMA ARRAY EXAMPLE
SPITFIRE A14 ARRAY
Array example: multiple seats elevated. Place Spitfire A6 center screen,
aiming at center seat. Example 6 rows: aim at 3rd row listening height.
Example 8 rows: aim at 4th row.
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SAFETY
Do not use this product near water
Clean rear panel with dry cloth only
Do not block any
Do not install near
ventilation opening any heat sources
If wall mounted, ensure the use of matching screws and rawl plugs
WARNING
This product complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Its operation is subject
to the following two conditions: This product may not cause harmful
interference. This product must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
To reduce the risk of fire and electric shock do not expose this product to
rain or moisture.
Do not place product filled with liquids such as vases on the product .
Do not open product. There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
Always use the power supply shipped with this product, using a power supply
with wrong voltage or polarity, can damage the electronics.
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
WARRANTY
IS APPLICABLE
Is valid only for products purchased from an authorised
Artcoustic retailer or dealer.
Is valid from the date of purchase for a period of 3-years for passive
loudspeakers, and 2-years for powered
loudspeakers and electronics.
Is limited to the repair of the equipment (which could be a repair or replacement at our discretion, neither of whichaffects your original warranty).
Neither transportation, nor any other costs, nor any risk for removal,
transportation and installation of products
is covered by this warranty.
IS NOT APPLICABLE
Will not be applicable in cases other than defects in materials and/or
workmanship at the time of purchase and will not be applicable:
For deterioration of component parts, the nature of which is to become worn or
depleted with use, such as batteries. For damages caused by incorrect
installation, connection or packing. For damages caused by accidents,
lightning, water, fire heat, war, public disturbances or any other cause
beyond the reasonable control of Artcoustic and its appointed distributors.
For damages caused by any use other than correct use described in the user
manual, negligence, modifications, or use of parts that are not made or
authorized
by Artcoustic.
lf it is found necessary to return the product for repair, you will be given a
form to fill out and return. You should not return the product without
previous acceptance.To validate your
warranty, you will need to produce the original sales invoice or other proof
of ownership and date of purchase.
The Artcoustic Team
OWNER MANUAL SPITFIRE SERIES
ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS