Active Audio StepArray+ Series User manual

User Manual
L ' a c o u s t i q u e a c t i v e
StepArray+

CONTENTS
Contents
Contents 3
1 Introduction 4
2 System components 5
3 Assembling 6
4 Wiring 7
5 StepArray+ control software 8
6 Installation of the columns 11
7 Specifications 13
8 Acoustical data 15
List of Figures 22
Last update: March 29, 2016 3

1 Introduction
StepArray+ column speakers ensure perfect speech intelligibility and optimal acoustic comfort, even in noisy and
reverberant venues. They are based on the DGRC (Digital & Geometric Radiation Control) principle patented by
Active Audio.
Compared with a classic sound system in which each loudspeaker is controlled independently, the DGRC method
makes it possible to decrease the number of channels to be controlled, thereby enhancing economic efficiency.
StepArray+ also allows the use of existing network cables and helps to achieve significant savings in wiring, with up
to 64 channels on a single Ethernet cable. StepArray+ combines the features of Dante™ and StepArray to achieve
ever higher levels of efficiency and flexibility.
The StepArray+ range includes 6 models of column speakers, from 1.50m to 4.50m high.
SA150P+ SA230P+ SA230S+ SA300P+ SA300S+ SA450P+
1.50m high
flat area
21m range
3 channels
2.30m high
flat area
40m range
3 channels
2.30m high
10° area
29m range
3 channels
3.00m high
flat area
45m range
6 channels
3.00m high
12° area
36m range
6 channels
4.50m high
flat area
90m range
6 channels
4

2 System components
StepArray+ columns are made of two parts: a standard StepArray passive column, and its companion StepArray+
amplifier module.
StepArray+
amplifier module
StepArray
passive column
Last update: March 29, 2016 5

3 Assembling
1. Remove the back
plate of the amplifier
module.
2. Place the amplifier
module at the top of
the passive column.
3. Secure the amplifier
module using the
supplied M8 nut.
4. After wiring, close
the connection box by
mounting the back
plate.
6

4 Wiring
All the connections of a StepArray+ column are available in the connection box at the back of the StepArray+
amplifier module.
INPUT
OUTPUTS
LINK/
ACT
SPEED
4-6
1-3
StepArray series - patent FR-0403052 EU-05736-560.3 US-10-593 .821 CN-7965608A
45
123
6
100-240V ~ 50-60Hz
Made in France
Ethernet
for Dante
and tuning
Power cord
Analog
input
Output to passive column module
(using supplied cable)
Example setup using Dante®
Et h ern et sw i t c h
E t h er n et Controller
A u d i o sou r ce
M i c ro p h o n e r ec e i ver
M i c ro p h on e s
M a t r i x
E t h er n et sw it ch C o n f e r e n c e r o o m
SA300P+ SA300P+
Last update: March 29, 2016 7

5 StepArray+ control software
The StepArray+ control software is available for Windows and OSX operating systems. Installers can be found on
the supplied USB key or on Active Audio’s website by following this link: http://www.activeaudio.fr/
downloads.
5.1 System requirements
Processor 1Ghz or better
Memory 512Mbyte of RAM
Network Standard wired Ethernet network interface (100Mbps or Gigabit).
Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) Ethernet interfaces are not supported
Operating System Windows 7 SP1 or newer
Mac OS X 10.7.5 or newer
5.2 Installation on Windows
Start the installer package by double-clicking on it, then follow the instructions
5.3 Installation on OSX
Start the installer package by double-clicking on it, then follow the instructions.
8

5.4 Using the StepArray+ software
The installation program needs
your permission to install the Dante service.
12
3
4
5
5.4 Using the StepArray+ software
The StepArray+ control software gives access to the following functions:
• input selection: Dante or analog input
• general output volume
• steering parameters for directivity control
Last update: March 29, 2016 9

5.4 Using the StepArray+ software
The StepArray+ control software does not include Dante routing functionality.
When using Dante to transmit audio, you will need the Dante Controller software to assign Dante channels
to StepArray+ columns. Dante Controller is available free of charge from the Audinate website: https:
//www.audinate.com/products/software/dante-controller.
When launching the StepArray+ control software, the first screen lists all the StepArray+ columns it can find on the
network. The first connection to a StepArray+ column can take up to 1 minute: this is the time needed to initiate the
communication.
Figure 1 – StepArray+ control software: main screen.
A click on a StepArray+ box leads to the settings screen of that specific column. All the parameters of the column
can be changed within that screen.
Figure 2 – StepArray+ control software: column settings screen.
10

6 Installation of the columns
StepArray+ columns are mounted vertically, usually on a wall, using the supplied brackets. Figure 3illustrates the
steps to follow for column mounting. See also figure 4 on the next page for technical drawings of the brackets.
Place
the 2 brackets
on the wall
using 8mm
diameter screws
x3
x3
1
Column height
+ 5mm
2
Ensure
verticality
3
Mount the column
using the supplied
nut and screw
4
Figure 3 – Column mounting on a wall
It is important to ensure verticality when mounting StepArray+ columns.
Last update: 29 mars 2016 11

Dimensions of the brackets
121.51
5
ϕ11
2525
96.51
35.65
82.89
34.42
11
ϕ8.5
11 11
11
71.22
M4
Red is bottom bracket only
Figure 4 – Fixing brackets for wall mounting of StepArray columns.
12

7 Specifications
Electrical data
max output power 450W
max continuous output power (25°) 300W
power consumption Idle 22W
Typ. 80W
Max 500W
number of Channels 3
power supply 85-264VAC
45-65Hz
Inputs
1x balanced analog 3-pin input
1x DanteTM input
Network
1x RJ45 connector, DanteTM
max. operating ambient temperature 60°C
SA150P+
Acoustical data
range ±3dB 30m
range ±5dB 40m
max SPL 95dBSPL at 15m
angle of audience 0°-5°
frequency bandwidth (-10dB) 110Hz-19kHz
horizontal opening angle 180°
Mechanical data
net weight 22 kg
shipping weight 24 kg
height 2340mm
width 124mm
depth 135mm
standard colors white RAL 9016
black RAL 9005
SA150P+
1.50m high
at area, 21m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230P+
2.30m high
at area, 40m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230S+
2.30m high
10° area, 29m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA300P+
3.00m high
at area, 45m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA300S+
3.00m high
12° area, 36m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA450P+
4.50m high
at area, 90m
6 channels
8Ω min.
Attention: police Trade Gothic
SA230P+
Acoustical data
range ±3dB 22m
range ±5dB 29m
max SPL 95dBSPL at 15m
angle of audience 5°-20°
frequency bandwidth (-10dB) 110Hz-19kHz
horizontal opening angle 180°
Mechanical data
net weight 22 kg
shipping weight 24 kg
height 2340mm
width 124mm
depth 135mm
standard colors white RAL 9016
black RAL 9005
SA150P+
1.50m high
at area, 21m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230P+
2.30m high
at area, 40m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230S+
2.30m high
10° area, 29m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA300P+
3.00m high
at area, 45m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA300S+
3.00m high
12° area, 36m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA450P+
4.50m high
at area, 90m
6 channels
8Ω min.
Attention: police Trade Gothic
SA230P+
Electrical data
max output power 450W
max continuous output power (25°) 300W
power consumption Idle 22W
Typ. 80W
Max 500W
number of Channels 3
power supply 85-264VAC
45-65Hz
Inputs
1x balanced analog 3-pin input
1x DanteTM input
Network
1x RJ45 connector, DanteTM
max. operating ambient temperature 60°C
Electrical data
max output power 450W
max continuous output power (25°) 300W
power consumption Idle 22W
Typ. 80W
Max 500W
number of Channels 3
power supply 85-264VAC
45-65Hz
Inputs
1x balanced analog 3-pin input
1x DanteTM input
Network
1x RJ45 connector, DanteTM
max. operating ambient temperature 60°C
Acoustical data
range ±3dB 15m
range ±5dB 21m
max SPL 95dBSPL at 10m
angle of audience 0°-5°
frequency bandwidth (-10dB) 110Hz-19kHz
horizontal opening angle 180°
Mechanical data
net weight 14 kg
shipping weight 17 kg
height 1524mm
width 124mm
depth 131mm
standard colors white RAL 9016
black RAL 9005
Last update: March 29, 2016 13

Acoustical data
range ±3dB 35m
range ±5dB 45m
max SPL 95dBSPL at 20m
angle of audience 0°-5°
frequency bandwidth (-10dB) 110Hz-19kHz
horizontal opening angle 180°
Mechanical data
net weight 29 kg
shipping weight 33 kg
height 3005mm
width 124mm
depth 159mm
standard colors white RAL 9016
black RAL 9005
SA300P+
Electrical data
max output power 900W
max continuous output power (25°) 600W
power consumption Idle 41W
Typ. 150W
Max 1000W
number of Channels 6
power supply 85-264VAC
45-65Hz
Inputs
1x balanced analog 3-pin input
1x DanteTM input
Network
1x RJ45 connector, DanteTM
max. operating ambient temperature 60°C
SA150P+
1.50m high
at area, 21m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230P+
2.30m high
at area, 40m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230S+
2.30m high
10° area, 29m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA300P+
3.00m high
at area, 45m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA300S+
3.00m high
12° area, 36m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA450P+
4.50m high
at area, 90m
6 channels
8Ω min.
Attention: police Trade Gothic
Acoustical data
range ±3dB 28m
range ±5dB 36m
max SPL 95dBSPL at 20m
angle of audience 5°-20°
frequency bandwidth (-10dB) 110Hz-19kHz
horizontal opening angle 180°
Mechanical data
net weight 29 kg
shipping weight 33 kg
height 3005mm
width 124mm
depth 159mm
standard colors white RAL 9016
black RAL 9005
SA150P+
1.50m high
at area, 21m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230P+
2.30m high
at area, 40m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230S+
2.30m high
10° area, 29m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA300P+
3.00m high
at area, 45m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA300S+
3.00m high
12° area, 36m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA450P+
4.50m high
at area, 90m
6 channels
8Ω min.
Attention: police Trade Gothic
SA300S+
Acoustical data
range ±3dB 68m
range ±5dB 90m
max SPL 95dBSPL at 30m
angle of audience 0°-3°
frequency bandwidth (-10dB) 110Hz-19kHz
horizontal opening angle 180°
Mechanical data
net weight 44 kg
shipping weight 47 kg
height 4596mm
width 124mm
depth 135mm
standard colors white RAL 9016
black RAL 9005
SA150P+
1.50m high
at area, 21m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230P+
2.30m high
at area, 40m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA230S+
2.30m high
10° area, 29m
3 channels
8Ω min.
SA300P+
3.00m high
at area, 45m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA300S+
3.00m high
12° area, 36m
6 channels
4Ω min.
SA450P+
4.50m high
at area, 90m
6 channels
8Ω min.
Attention: police Trade Gothic
SA450P+
Electrical data
max output power 900W
max continuous output power (25°) 600W
power consumption Idle 41W
Typ. 150W
Max 1000W
number of Channels 6
power supply 85-264VAC
45-65Hz
Inputs
1x balanced analog 3-pin input
1x DanteTM input
Network
1x RJ45 connector, DanteTM
max. operating ambient temperature 60°C
Electrical data
max output power 900W
max continuous output power (25°) 600W
power consumption Idle 41W
Typ. 150W
Max 1000W
number of Channels 6
power supply 85-264VAC
45-65Hz
Inputs
1x balanced analog 3-pin input
1x DanteTM input
Network
1x RJ45 connector, DanteTM
max. operating ambient temperature 60°C
14

8 Acoustical data
All data presented below is obtained with columns in their nominal position and using nominal DSP filtering param-
eters (flat EQ, etc).
8.1 Common data
102103104
−30
−25
−20
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
frequency (Hz)
amplitude (dB)
Figure 5 – Frequency response (column SA250P / SA300P+). Average of the mesurements at 7, 10, 15, 20, 25,
and 30m.
In red: with bass high-pass on position «100Hz», in blue: with bass high-pass on position «200Hz».
90
60
30
0
330
300
270
-20dB
-10dB
500Hz
1kHz
2kHz
4kHz
8kHz
Figure 6 – Horizontal directivity (column SA250P/SA300P+)
Last update: March 29, 2016 15

8.2 SA100P / SA150P+ acoustical data
8.2 SA100P / SA150P+ acoustical data1
20m10m0m
10m
h=2,55m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(a) SA100P / SA150P+ vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m 10m 20m
10m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(b) SA100P / SA150P+ horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the
listening plane.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15 SPL(dist) SA100P
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
(c) Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of the column
with respect to the distance from the column.
Figure 7 – SA100P / SA150P+ acoustical data.
1Column is in nominal position. Levels are referenced to the mean SPL on the listening area.
16

8.3 SA180P / SA230P+ acoustical data
8.3 SA180P / SA230P+ acoustical data2
20m10m0m 40m30m
10m
h=2,55m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(a) SA180P / SA230P+ vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m 10m 20m 30m 40m
10m
20m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(b) SA180P / SA230P+ horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the
listening plane.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15 SPL(dist) SA180P
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
(c) Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of the column
with respect to the distance from the column.
Figure 8 – SA180P / SA230P+ acoustical data.
2Column is in nominal position. Levels are referenced to the mean SPL on the listening area.
Last update: March 29, 2016 17

8.4 SA250P / SA300P+ acoustical data
8.4 SA250P / SA300P+ acoustical data3
20m10m0m 40m30m
10m
50m
h=2,55m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(a) SA250P / SA300P+ vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m 10m 20m 30m 40m
10m
20m
50m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(b) SA250P / SA300P+ horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the
listening plane.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15 SPL(dist) SA250P
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
(c) Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of the column
with respect to the distance from the column.
Figure 9 – SA250P / SA300P+ acoustical data.
3Column is in nominal position. Levels are referenced to the mean SPL on the listening area.
18

8.5 SA400P / SA450P+ acoustical data
8.5 SA400P / SA450P+ acoustical data4
20m10m0m 40m30m
10m
50m 60m 70m
h=3,05m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(a) SA400P vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m 10m 20m 30m 40m
10m
20m
50m 60m 70m
30m
40m 10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(b) SA400P horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the listening plane.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15 SPL(dist) SA400P
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
(c) Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of the column
with respect to the distance from the column.
Figure 10 – SA400P acoustical data.
4Column is in nominal position. Levels are referenced to the mean SPL on the listening area.
Last update: March 29, 2016 19

8.6 SA180S / SA230S+ acoustical data
8.6 SA180S / SA230S+ acoustical data5
0m
10m
20m
10m
SA180S
h=2,65m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(a) SA180S / SA230S+ vertical directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) in the vertical median plane.
0m
10m
20m
10m
10dB
5dB
0dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
(b) SA180S / SA230S+ horizontal directivity: sound level for the voice octaves (500Hz,1kHz,2kHz) on the
listening plane.
0 5 10 15 20 25
−15
−10
−5
0
5
10
15 SPL(dist) SA180S
250Hz
500Hz
1000Hz
2000Hz
4000Hz
8000Hz
(c) Sound level by octave in the axis of the listening plane in front of the column
with respect to the distance from the column.
Figure 11 – SA180S / SA230S+ acoustical data.
5Column is in nominal position. Levels are referenced to the mean SPL on the listening area.
20