Amate Audio XCELLENCE XA211 User manual

User’s manual
XA211
July 2023

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Safety Instructions
1. All safety instructions must be read before using this device.
2. Keep and follow these instructions
3. Heed all warnings
4. The exclamation mark in the triangle indicates internal components which if
replaced can affect safety.
5. The lightning symbol within the triangle indicates the presence of dangerous
uninsulated voltages.
6. Only clean the device with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
8. Do not install the device near heat sources such as radiators, heaters or other heat-
emitting elements.
9. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus
10. The equipment must be repaired by qualified technical service personnel when:
A. The mains supply cable is damaged, or
B. Any object or liquid has damaged the device; or
C. The equipment does not function normally or correctly; or
D. The equipment has been exposed to the rain; or
E. The chassis is damaged
11. Disconnect the device in the case of electric storms or during long periods of
disuse.
12. WARNING – To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this device
to rain or moisture
13. The equipment shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects filled
with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the device.
14. For hanging and installation, use manufacturer recommended accessories only.

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INTRODUCTION
1.1 General product information
Amate Audio thanks you for the trust placed in our Xcellence loudspeaker systems.
The Xcellence series combines the convenience of a self-powered system and the
flexibility of the DSP (digital system processing) for cabinet control. More than 50
years’ experience in amplifier and acoustic cabinet design using the highest
technology and components come together to give you a product ideal for a multitude
of applications, especially those which require high levels of sound pressure and a
control of vertical coverage. Stadiums, theatres or big events will become the perfect
places for their use. We suggest you read the following information with attention,
assured that it will be of maximum use in helping you to achieve the best results and
optimum performance.
1.2 What is a line array?
The trend in sound reinforcement has been to increase both the sound pressure level
(SPL) and the size of the audience to be covered. This leads to an increase in the
number of cabinets and, as a result of this, an increase in the total size and weight.
A line array is a group of independent sound sources, which are vertically stacked in
order to transform the spherical wave fronts generated by individual sources into a
single flat wave front.
Fig.1. Wave field interference for different wave fronts.
To carry out effectively arraying individual sound sources the system must follow the
acoustic coupling conditions based on the wavelength, the shape of each source, the
surface area of each transducer and the relative source separation.
An assembly of individual sound sources arrayed with regular separation between the
sources on a plane or curved continuous surface is equivalent to a single sound source
having the same dimensions as the total assembly if the following conditions are
fulfilled:
•The step of source separation, defined as the distance between the acoustic
centres of the individual sources, is smaller than half the wavelength over the
bandwidth of operation.
d<= λ/2

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It is not difficult to fulfil this first condition for the low and mid frequencies. For example,
two 7" loudspeakers that are separated by 17 cm will reproduce a cylindrical wave up
to 1015 Hz.
This condition is difficult to be fulfilled for the high frequencies, as their wavelengths are
too small to make the adjacent acoustic centres any smaller than λ/2. Here comes the
second "arrayability" criterion.
•The wave fronts generated by the individual sources are planar and the
combined surface area of the sources fills at least 80% of the total target surface
area:
H
1
·W + H
2
·W+.....+H
n
·W >=0.8·H·W
This is achieved by using waveguides, which are coupled to the compression drivers
output. We achieve flat wave fronts with a constant phase. By vertically assembling
these waveguides, we fulfil the second criterion of line array construction.
Fig.2. Second criterion of "arrayability"
•The deviation from a flat wave front must be less than λ/4 at the highest operating
frequency (this corresponds to less than 5 mm curvature at 16 kHz).
This third condition can be explained through our property waveguide. Thanks to some
complex mathematical calculations, we have obtained a component, which is able to
adapt the circular section of the compression driver to a rectangular section, getting on-
phase waves at the end of the guide. This flat wave front is ideal for vertical
configurations.

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Sound engineers use line arrays to obtain narrow
directivities on the vertical plane. For configurations
with many cabinets (big height) and at high
frequencies, it is not unusual to achieve narrow
angles- in some cases they may be grade fractions.
This can be useful in venues where both a high
sound pressure level and long throw are required;
nevertheless, this means less coverage of the
audience area.
It is sometimes useful to achieve an asymmetrical
coverage pattern on the vertical plane, which can
be obtained by aiming some of the cabinets through
their hinging points. We are now ready to define the
last two criteria of "arrayability".
Fig.3. High frequency waveguide
•For curved arrays, the tilt angles should vary in inverse proportion to the listener
distance (this is geometrically equivalent to shaping variable curvature arrays to
provide equal spacing of individual element impact zones).
•There are limits given the vertical size of each cabinet and their relative tilt
angles. In our case, the maximum tilt angle (between cabinets) is 10º.
Fig.4. Tilt angle between cabinets (10º maximum)

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1.3 Fresnel Region (Near Field) and Fraunhofer Region (Far Field)
As our system is able to fulfil the previous conditions, it will produce cylindrical waves
to a maximum frequency. The wave will be flat up to a certain distance where it will
start to become spherical (depending on the frequency and the size of the array).
The limit distance between the zone of cylindrical waves (Fresnel) and spherical
waves (Fraunhofer) can be calculated through the following formula:
2
2
31
1
2
3







−= Hf fHd c
where,
d
c
= limit distance between near field and far field (in metres)
H = height of the array (in metres)
f= frequency (in kHz)
In the near field region (Fresnel), the wave front is cylindrical and waves only expand
on the horizontal
plane (95º). The
height of the wave
front is, in this case,
the total height of the
array.
In the far field region
(Fraunhofer), the
wave front is spherical
and expands both on
the horizontal and
vertical planes. The
horizontal coverage is
95º and the vertical
coverage is defined
by the frequency and
the height of the array.
Fig.5. Limits of Fresnel-Fraunhofer Regions
We can create a chart with some of the basic configurations and their performance
regarding wave propagation.

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Fig.6. d
c
Calculation
A 6-cabinet array has a near field extending to 9.4 metres at 2kHz. Beyond this
distance, the wave front will be spherical.
In the first zone (Fresnel), sound pressure loss is only 3 dB per doubling of distance,
whereas in the second zone (Fraunhofer) the loss is 6 dB. In long throw and high SPL
configurations, it is very important to produce cylindrical waves.
Fig.7.Cylindrical wave (A) vs Spherical
wave (B)
(A): -3 dB / doubling of distance
(B): -6 dB / doubling of distance
1.4 Features and presentation
XA211
•Active self-powered two-way acoustic system
•XLR electronically balanced input & XLR parallel link
•AC PowerCon input & link
•EtherCon RJ45 input & link
•1 Gbps Ethernet connectivity with Dante
TM
audio networking
•2500W class D amplifier for mid-bass range
•500W class D amplifier for high range
•24-bit AD/DA converters with 112 dB dynamic range, 48 kHz sampling rate
•DSP Controls (presets, parametric EQs, delay, mute, volume and limiters)
•Amplifier self-diagnostics: input level, temperature, limiter active

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•Overvoltage protection (>250V-400V)
•2 x 10” neodymium woofers with 2.5” voice coil
•1 x 3” titanium diaphragm neodymium driver coupled to a HF waveguide
•95 x 10º dispersion
XA211P
•Passive two-way acoustic system
•NL4MP Speakon input
•Program power 1450 W (LF) + 250 W (HF)
•2 x 10” neodymium woofers with 2.5” voice coil
•1 x 3” titanium diaphragm neodymium driver coupled to a HF waveguide
•95 x 10º dispersion
XA211 FEATURES
The XA211 cabinet is ideal for a multitude of applications. It includes 2500W
amplification for the mid-low range woofers, 500W for the high range compression
driver and digital signal control by DSP. The manufacturer presets make it easy,
flexible and user-friendly. The result is a clean, high quality sound at full power in larger
sites.
2.1 Technical description
The XA211 cabinet comes with DSP control, full range sound delivery thanks to its
direct radiation transducers and acoustic bass reflex cabinet. As a full range system,
its response is 65Hz-19 kHz (-10 dB). It has 3000W continuous amplification (2500W
+ 500W), thermal protection, output short circuit protection, independent peak and
RMS power limiters for each channel, and protection against overvoltage. The DSP
includes several presets which can be selected either accessing the cabinet’s rear
control screen or via the computer with Ethernet connection.
The XA211 cabinet is connected using the XLR balanced connector or via Dante
TM
audio networking, using the RJ45 connectors. Mains supply is through PowerCon.
The XA211 cabinet is built in birch plywood, which has a high resistance to vibrations
and humidity with black Polyurea paint coating. The front face is protected by two 1.5
mm thick steel grilles with acoustically transparent grey cloth. It includes two in-built
lateral handles for an easy and comfortable transport.

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Fig.8. XA211 external dimensions

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PRESETS
The XA211 includes several manufacturer presets for different types of application.
The DSP system can also store up to 25 other presets, depending on user
requirements
3.1 Standalone line source
Deployed as a line source system, the system operates over the
nominal bandwidth of the XA211 enclosure (65 Hz – 19 kHz, -
10dB).
Model: XA211 [FR FLAT]
Preset: [FR FLAT]
The recommended minimum number of cabinets to be
used as a standalone line source system is 6 cabinets.
We do not recommend using less than 6 cabinets per
side.
3.2 Standalone line source including NearField and Longthrow cabinets
Deployed as a line source system of 8 cabinets or
more, you may need to use some cabinets as
Longthrow cabinets (the upper ones) and some
cabinets as NearField cabinets (the lower ones).
The system operates over the nominal bandwidth
of the XA211 enclosure (65 Hz – 19 kHz, -10dB).
Model: XA211
Preset: [FR LONGTHROW]
Model: XA211
Preset: [FR FLAT]
Model: XA211
Preset: [FR NEARFIELD]
[FR
LTHROW]
[FR
FLAT
]
[FR NFIELD]

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3.3 Line source with XW218 extension on floor
The XW218 provides an extension of the bandwidth in the low end, down to 25 Hz.
The system operates over the nominal bandwidth 25 Hz – 19 kHz, -10dB.
This extension can be done at the 90 Hz crossover point. The corresponding preset
must be selected on the XA211, as shown below:
Model: XA211
Preset: [HPF90 FLAT] [HPF90 FLAT]
Model: XW218
Preset: [X-ALIGNED]
[X-ALIGNED]
The minimum number of cabinets to be used as a line source system is 6
cabinets. We do not recommended using less than 6 cabinets per side.
Place the subwoofers side by side. If not possible, the maximum distance
between two adjacent acoustic centres must be 1.9m when the upper
frequency limit of the subwoofer is at 90 Hz.
SYSTEM ALIGNMENT
The system is pre-aligned from the factory. Do not forget to add the
geometric delay depending on the configuration used.

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3.4 Line source (including NearField and Longthrow cabinets) with XW218
extension on floor
The XW218 provides an extension of the bandwidth in the low end, down to 25 Hz.
The system operates over the nominal bandwidth 25 Hz – 19 kHz, -10dB.
This extension can be done at the 90 Hz crossover point. The corresponding preset
must be selected on the XA211, as shown below:
[HPF90
Model: XA211 LTHROW]
Preset: [HPF90 LONGTHROW]
Model: XA211 [HPF90
Preset: [HPF90 FLAT] FLAT]
Model: XA211
Preset: [HPF90 NEARFIELD] [HPF90
NFIELD]
Model: XW218
Preset: [X-ALIGNED]
[X-ALIGNED]
The minimum number of cabinets to be used as a line source system is 6
cabinets. We do not recommended using less than 6 cabinets per side.
Place the subwoofers side by side. If not possible, the maximum distance
between two adjacent acoustic centres must be 1.9m when the upper
frequency limit of the subwoofer is at 90 Hz.
SYSTEM ALIGNMENT
The system is pre-aligned from the factory. Do not forget to add the
geometric delay depending on the configuration used.

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CONTROL AND CONNECTION PANEL
The XA211 control panel contains the following elements:
Fig.9. XA211 control and connection panel
A) TOUCHSCREEN: Displays information about the System status: current preset,
network IP, amplifier temperature and signal input level. Allows the user to configure
the system without the need of an external computer: IP address setting, Preset
selection, Delay, Gain, Limiter, ECO mode on/off, Signal LEDs on/off, etc.
NOTE: The default PIN to access the setup menu is “1234”.
B) OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION: These LEDS show the status of the AC mains
supply.
•POWER ON: (Blue) When lit, the equipment is ON and the AC input level is
within the permitted range (up to 260 VAC).
•>250V: (Red) When activated, the AC voltage is permanently out of the
permitted range of the equipment, so it will remain under protection until this
condition is solved. Revise your connections and mains power installation and
consider that other equipment connected to this line may have been damaged.
C) NETWORK: Two 8-pin RJ45 / EtherCon® compatible connectors for the connection
to Ethernet networks up to 1Gbps. This connection can be used for remote control via
software (DSPStudio) and for audio signal input via Dante
TM
audio networking. Please
refer to Amate Audio DSPStudio Quick Installation Guide for more information on
remote connection. The two connectors are interconnected by means of an internal
switch, so they can be used interchangeably and allow the chain connection of several
boxes. IMPORTANT: If Dante is used it is not recommended to chain more than eight
units, due to latency reasons.
D) BALANCED INPUT/LINK:
XLR-3 Female balanced signal connector for signal input.
XLR-3 Male connector for parallel connection of various cabinets with the same input
signal.
Nominal Input sensitivity: +8dBu (2 Vrms)
Maximum Input Voltage without input compression: +14dBu (4Vrms)
Maximum Input Voltage without clipping: +20dBu (8Vrms)
A
B
C
D
E
F
E
G

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IMPORTANT: Please always use balanced microphone cable with the
following pin assignment:
1= Shield (Ground) 2= Live (+) 3= Return (-)
E) AC MAINS INPUT/LINK: Mains supply connection via PowerCon.
•Blue connector for AC in.
•Grey connector to feed other units in parallel. Linking up to four units is possible,
provided that a quality cable of a minimum section of 3x2.5mm
2
is used.
Connecting more than four units in parallel may lead to a voltage drop in the
cable that will reduce the equipment performance.
Always use mains power cable supplied by the manufacturer.
Never connect the Xcellence cabinets to an unearthed mains supply or by
using an unearthed mains cable.
F) AUTHENTICATION QR CODE: This QR code is a smart label that ensures that the
product is an original Amate Audio product. To verify the authenticity, please follow the
instructions in the following link:
http://www.amateaudio.com/en/product-authentication/
F) OUTPUT TO XA211P
Speakon connector used to feed one passive XA211P. In order to assure proper
operation always follow these instructions:
•Link only ONE unit of XA211P with each XA211.
•Do not connect a loudspeaker different from a XA211P to this output.
•Do not change or manipulate this connector.
Misusing the slave output for XA211P may lead to serious damage for all involved
equipment, and will not be covered by the warranty.
The XA211P control panel contains the following elements:
H) SPEAKON INPUT:
PIN+1: POSITIVE LOW
PIN-1: NEGATIVE LOW
PIN+2: POSITIVE HIGH
PIN-2: NEGATIVE HIGH
Always respect the polarity +/-
I) SPEAKON LINK: This output should only be used if the entire line array system is
made up of XA211P passive cabinets (without using XA211 active cabinets).
PIN+1: POSITIVE LOW
PIN-1: NEGATIVE LOW

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PIN+2: POSITIVE HIGH
PIN-2: NEGATIVE HIGH
Always respect the polarity +/-
J) AUTHENTICATION QR CODE: This QR code is a smart label that ensures that the
product is an original Amate Audio product. To verify the authenticity, please follow the
instructions in the following link:
http://www.amateaudio.com/en/product-authentication/
Fig. 10. XA211P control and conection panel
CONNECTING
5.1 Parallel connection
5.1.1 Analogue Audio Signal
Connect the signal (mixing desk output) to
INPUT on the first unit. Use the LINK output to
transfer the INPUT signal to the second unit
and thus sequentially for further units. All of
the units in this chain must be switched on.
Fig.11. Parallel connection for the XA211 (signal)
J
I
H

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5.1.2 Network
The two available Ethernet ports via the
EtherCon RJ-45 connector are internally
switched and both can be used as input
and link to other cabinets. All of the units in
this chain must be switched on.
The number of units allowed in parallel or
daisy chain depend on whether Dante
audio networking is being used.
When using Dante, a maximum number of
8 cabinets is recommended due to latency
reasons. When not, there is no specific
limit for daisy chaining (control and
monitoring using DSPStudio®).
Fig.12. Parallel connection for the XA211 (network). You can link up to eight units
when using Dante networking, or more when not using it
5.1.3 Mains Power
For the mains connection in
parallel use the cable with grey
Neutrik PowerCon NAC3FCB
at one end and the blue
Neutrik PowerCon NAC3FCA
at the other end.
Do not connect
more than four
XA211 units using
the AC Mains link connector.
Do not connect Xcellence
series units in parallel using
PowerCon-PowerCon without
earth.
Fig.13. Parallel connection for
the XA211 (mains). You can
link up to four units

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5.1.4. Connection between XA211 (active) and
XA211P (passive)
Use the speaker cable (supplied with the
equipment) to join the active box with the passive
one. Connect the OUTPUT TO XA211P of the
XA211 box (active) to the INPUT of the XA211P
box (passive).
Fig. 14. Connection between XA211 (active) and
XA211P (passive)
5.2 Parallel connection with subwoofers
You can connect the XA211 in parallel with XW218 subwoofers or other units. Please,
follow the same parameters as explained in the following diagrams:
Fig.15. Parallel connection for the XA211 and XW218 (signal)

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Fig.16. Parallel connection for the XA211 and XW218 (mains). Do not connect more
than four units of XA211 or two units of XW218 using the AC Mains link connector
Fig.17. Parallel connection for the XA211 and XW218 (network). Do not daisy-chain
more than eight units of each when using Dante networking (as in the diagram)

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OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION
The active Xcellence series models incorporate an exclusive protection by Amate
Audio against mains voltage overload and other related problems (loss of neutral,
connection between phases, etc.). In the mains input an electronic circuit compares
the input voltage with a reference value. When the input exceeds 250 Volts, the circuit
reacts by blocking the input tension until it returns to its correct limits (230V +/- 10%).
When the overvoltage LED lights up red, the unit stops running, until the correct
voltage is re-established.
Generally, the cause of such an anomaly tends to be a neutral voltage drop or incorrect
connection of the equipment to 400V supply. Whenever the overvoltage LED lights
up, check the tension of the electrical phases: other devices in the sound system are
also at risk of electrical fault and severe damage.
MOUNTING AND INSTALLATION
Flying an XA211 system is easy, fast and secure. To perform any operations related
to flying the system, read the present document, and act on the warnings and advice
given.
Only experienced installers with adequate knowledge of the system and local safety
regulations should fly speaker cabinets.
It is the user's responsibility to ensure that the systems to be flown and the flying
accessories (such as chains, eyebolts, lock pins...) comply with state and local
regulations. They should be regularly inspected and replaced if in doubt.
When flying enclosures from ceiling support structures, extreme care should be taken
to assure the load bearing capabilities of the structures. Do not flysystems from unsafe
structures.
All flying accessories that are not supplied by Amate Audio are the user's
responsibility. Use at your own risk.
Remember that no risks should be taken concerning public safety.
7.1 Description
Each XA211 cabinet includes two lateral rigging bars, one on each side of the
enclosure (A). These structures are manufactured from stainless steel; they are affixed
to some internal plates with special crop resistant screws. There are two lateral rigging
guides (B), inside each of the rigging bars, which are used to join the cabinets.
A third back rigging guide and rigging bar (C) and (F), assembled on the back side of
the cabinet, are used to vertically join the cabinets and to tilt them.
Angles can be changed from 0º to 10º. To safely lock the rigging bars, the lock pins
(D) and (E) must be used.

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Fig.18. In-built flying hardware (lateral and back view)
To fly XA211 units use the BRAX stainless-steel frame. It includes a central bar to
reinforce the whole structure. The bar includes several holes that provide a pickup
point for the steel chain slings or the hoists. The pickup point chosen will determine
the tilt angle of the whole array system. The BRAX also includes two lateral lock holes
(G) to be attached to the XA211 lateral rigging bars (A) and one back lock hole (H) to
be attached to the XA211 back rigging guide (C). To safely lock the frame, the BRAX
front ball lock pins (I) and the back XA211 ball lock pin (E) must be used.