Antelope ATLAS i8 User manual

User’s Manual
ATLAS i8
isobaric active 3-way monitor
Version 1 - 03.08.2023

Contents
DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................................. 1
SAFETY NOTES ........................................................................................................................................ 2
ACTIVATION................................................................................................................................................ 3
Create an Antelope Audio User Account ........................................................................................ 3
Activation ................................................................................................................................................ 3
GET STARTED ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Power supply.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Connecting a signal source ................................................................................................................ 5
Speaker positioning.............................................................................................................................. 5
REAR PANEL EXPLAINED....................................................................................................................... 6
DISPLAY MENU AND ROTARY KNOB .............................................................................................. 7
Input source ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Sample rate ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Analog in Level................................................................................................................................... 8
Two -way mode.................................................................................................................................. 8
Bass Extension .................................................................................................................................. 8
EQ ......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Delay..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Save/Load Presets ........................................................................................................................... 9
Screen Save time.............................................................................................................................. 9
Factory reset...................................................................................................................................... 9
Device info ........................................................................................................................................ 10
STANDBY .......................................................................................................................................... 10
LIMITERS............................................................................................................................................... 10
AES/EBU............................................................................................................................................... 10
LIMITED WARRANTY POLICY ............................................................................................................... 11
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................................................ 15
Dimensions ....................................................................................................................................... 15
In-the-box Content........................................................................................................................ 15

1
DESCRIPTION
The Atlas i8 is a high-end studio monitor that synergizes Antelope Audio’s state-of-the-
art clock and interface technologies with meticulous acoustical engineering to deliver
unparalleled sound accuracy in any studio environment.
Featuring an isobaric configuration with two 8-inch woofers, a coaxial mid and high-
frequency driver, and a custom Class-D 400W amplifier, the Atlas i8 delivers precise audio
reproduction between 35 and 20 000 Hz with a maximum SPL of 117dB.
A custom digital processing system with FPGA chips enhances the performance, achieving
a neutral frequency response and linear phase. The result is an accurate, pinpoint sound
and a fatigue-free listening experience. The DSP also unlocks a handful of features that
improve everyday studio life.

2
SAFETY NOTES
Atlas i8 is primarily made for studio monitoring while audio is being recorded and mixed. Use the
equipment only in the manner that this user manual instructs. Any other use or use while operating
under other circumstances is deemed improper and could lead to property damage or personal
injury. No responsibility will be taken for harm brought on by incorrect use.
The Mains power voltage must never exceed 250V. Connecting the power cord to AC power line
voltages over 250V can damage the amplifier and potentially cause the risk of fire. Such damage is
not covered under warranty!
Atlas i8 is capable of producing sound pressure levels above 85dB which can
potentially cause permanent hearing damage. Always check that the input signal
levels are reduced before powering on the monitor!
T
o reduce the risk of electrical shocks, fire, and related hazards:
●Do not remove screws, cover, or cabinet. There are no user serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
●Do not expose this device to rain, moisture, or spillover of liquid of any kind.
●Should any form of liquid or a foreign object enter the device, do not use it. Switch off the device
and then unplug it from the power source. Do not operate the device again until the foreign object
is removed, or the liquid has completely dried and its residues fully cleaned up. If in doubt, please
consult the manufacturer.
●Do not handle the power cables with wet hands!
●Make sure the device is switched off when plugging/unplugging it to/from the power source.
●Avoid placing things on the cabinet or using the device in a narrow and poorly ventilated place
which could affect its operation or the operation of other closely located components.
●If anything goes wrong, turn off the device first and then unplug the power. Do not attempt to
repair the device yourself. Consult authorized service personnel or your dealer instead.
●Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, stoves, or other apparatus (including
amplifiers) that produce heat.
●Do not use harsh chemicals to clean your unit. Clean only with specialized cleaners for electronics
equipment. Do not clean with wet tallows/napkins the woofer or coaxial driver.
●This unit is connected via its power cord to the mains safety earth. Never operate the unit without
this earth connection.
●In case of a lightning storm, disconnect the unit from the power grid.
●The device is designed to operate in a temperate environment, with a correct Operating
Temperature of 0-50° C, 32-122° F.

3
ACTIVATION
Create an Antelope Audio User Account
To activate the Atlas i8 you will need to create an Antelope account.
•To create an account, please click here.
•Existing users can log in here.
Activation
Once you have logged in, click on My Account in the top right to access the
user Dashboard
Click on the Activate New Device button on the main Dashboard.

4
Choose Atlas i8 from the device list:
After selecting your device, enter the 13-digit serial number which you can find on a small
sticker on the back of the loudspeaker:
*The registration process needs to be done for each Atlas i8 you have.

5
GET STARTED
Power supply
The monitor requires power supply with a voltage range between 100 and 240V. The
maximum electric power is 400W. The power plug is a standard 3-pin AC F256.
There is a power fuse with Rated Voltage of 250VAC, Rated current of 0.05 - 20A and
Breaking Capacity of 35A - 200A. Based on your region, inside the box you will find a
power supply cable compatible with the local power sockets.
Plug in the power cable, and turn on the monitor from the power switch only after all other
audio signal cables are connected. Upon turning the monitor on, the LED light on the from
will indicate that it’s powered on.
Connecting a signal source
The Atlas i8 can receive analog line level signal via the combo XLR/TRS inputs or digital
AES3 signal via the AES. Use your audio interface monitor or line outputs, preamplifier,
monitoring controller or mixing console to connect with a balanced XLR/TRS cable to the
monitor speaker. Make sure that the audio signal is fully attenuated before connecting the
cable.
Speaker positioning
In a situation where there is a pair of monitors configured in stereo, the distance between
the monitors and the distance from each monitor to the listening spot should be ideally
equal. Since the bass reflex port is at the front of the monitor, closer positioning to walls is
possible without causing turbulence. Every room has it’s own unique acoustic
characteristics, therefore positioning is subject to experiments and measurements.
The monitors should be positioned so that the high frequency driver is at the height of
your ears. Thanks to the coaxial design for the mid and high frequency drivers, the
monitors can be positioned both horizontally or vertically without risk of comb filtering
effects or fidelity loss. Recommended positioning from the listening spot is between 5-10
feet.

6
REAR PANEL EXPLAINED

7
DISPLAY MENU AND ROTARY KNOB
The color display in combination with the rotary knob provide access to all functionalities
and settings of the Atlas i8.
The default screen layout provides information about Input source, Volume level, EQ
adjustments, Delay offset, clock source, sample rate and states of the Two-way and Bass
extension modes:
The Rotary knob has the following functions used to navigate through the menu: Rotate,
Push, Hold, Double click.
•Rotate to adjust the Volume
•Push to mute
•Double click to dim
•Hold to enter the Settings menu, to select and confirm options, to go back
Input source
The input source gives the option to select between ANALOG, AES IN 1 or AES IN 2.
•Chose ANALOG to use the TRS/XLR input.
•Chose AES IN 1 or AES IN 2 to use the digital XLR input.
AES/EBU protocol contains two channels of signal. Two monitors can be daisy chained
by connecting the AES OUT of an interface to the AES IN of monitor A then connect
an XLR balanced cable from monitor A AES OUT to monitor B AES IN. Finally, Chose
AES IN 1 on monitor A and AES IN 2 on monitor B.

8
Sample rate
The sample rate menu allows to choose between 176kHz and 192kHz sample rate. In case
AES/EBU connection is used for input source, sample rate can be changed depending on
the sample rate source.
For example, if the input source is on 44.1; 88.6 or 176kHz , the Atlas sample should be set
to 176kHz.
If the input source is on 48 ; 96 or 192kHz, the Atlas sample rate should be set to 192kHz.
Typically, the monitor will lock automatically to the sample rate of the source signal and no
manual configurations will be required.
Analog in Level
The Analog in Level allows to select the suitable gain stage for the analog signal received.
The level can be set between 20dBu and 0dBu – set the level to match the output level of
your audio interface.
For example, if the audio interface has analog output level of 14dBu, set the Analog in Level
of the Atlas i8 to 14dBu.
Two-way mode
Two -way mode allows low-cut filter on a preferred frequency - 80Hz, 100Hz and 120Hz.
This option can be used when the monitors are combined with additional subwoofer or for
referencing audio, simulating playback systems with limited frequency response, such as
TVs, laptops, cars, and portable speaker systems.
Bass Extension
Bass extension mode applies a different type of IIR filters, specifically designed to enhance
the low-end frequency range. Bass extension allows the monitor to reach lower
frequencies and overall boost the low-end.
EQ
The Atlas i8 is intended to provide a neutral frequency response in anechoic environment
when all EQ parameters are set to 0dB.
When the loudspeaker is installed in a monitoring environment, the response changes.
Changing the position of the monitor will result in frequency change, therefore it will
require different acoustical control settings.
The EQ section provides 4 individual bands with gain with range between -6 and +6dB and
frequency:
•Low frequencies between 20Hz and 100Hz (Q = 0.7) - low shelf filter
•Mid low frequencies between 100Hz and 250Hz (Q = 3) - peak filter
•Mid frequencies between 250Hz and 2500Hz (Q = 0.7) – peak filter
•High frequencies between 2500Hz and 20 000Hz (Q = 0.7) – high shelf filter