Artcoustic SPITFIRE Series User manual

SPITFIRE SERIES
Owners manual
artcoustic.com

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
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
WELCOME TO THE WORLD
OF ARTCOUSTIC

DETAILED AND TRANSPARENT SWEET SPOT
PLUG AND PLAY EASY TO INSTALL APPROACH
EXTENDED FLAT FREQUENCY RESPONSE UP TO 20KHZ
MINIMUM LOSS OF ENERGY OVER DOUBLE DISTANCE 2DB
A SOPHISTICATED AND MINIMAL CABINET DESIGN
HIGH SENSITIVITY AND EXCEPTIONAL SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL
LOW DISTORTION
BENCH MARK TRANSIENT RESPONSE
GUIDED DIRECTIVITY
over a wide horizontal and vertical angle
eliminating installation mistakes and misunderstandings
with near perfect response curve +/- 3dB over long distances
with an almost magical ability of making the actual speakers acoustically disappear.
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.
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.
ADJUSTABLE DISPERSION ADVANTAGES
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
FEATURES

WOOFER
HIGH FREQUENCY DRIVER
CROSSOVER
Extra long excursion and aluminium Short
Circuiting Ring, 4-layer voice coil, anodised
aluminium for improved heat dissipation,
combined with Distortion Reduced Motor.
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.
6 dB/octave low pass and 12 dB/octave
high pass filler.
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
COMPONENTS OVERVIEW
FEATURES

Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave 1000 Hz
High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz
Single amped Gold Plated Push Terminals
LF-MF 4 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned
HF 2 x 1 inch Dual Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned
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
4kg
8 ohm
Horizontal 60°
Vertical 25°
Cabinet: Black SL
H: 210 W: 280 D: 99mm
70 Hz 20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
LF-MF 4 x 3 inch cone
HF 2 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
CROSSOVER
TRANSDUCER
CONNECTION
PERFORMANCE
FINISH
WEIGHT
DIMENSIONS
TRANSDUCER
INPUT IMPEDANCE
OPERATING RANGE
NOMINAL BEAM
WIDTH
SPECIFICATIONS
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPITFIRE A4
Ω

Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave 1000 Hz
High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz
Single Amped Speakon and Binding Posts Terminals
LF-MF 6 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned
HF 3 x 1 inch Dual Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned
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
5.5 kg
10 ohm
Horizontal 60°
Vertical 20°
Cabinet: Black SL
H: 210 W: 280 D: 99mm
70 Hz 20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
LF-MF 6 x 3 inch cone
HF 3 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
FINISH
WEIGHT
DIMENSIONS
TRANSDUCER
INPUT IMPEDANCE
OPERATING RANGE
NOMINAL BEAM
WIDTH
CROSSOVER
TRANSDUCER
CONNECTION
PERFORMANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPITFIRE A6
Ω

Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave 1000 Hz
High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz
Single Amped Speakon and Binding Posts Terminals
LF-MF 10 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned
HF 5 x 1 inch Dual Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned
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
FINISH
WEIGHT
DIMENSIONS
TRANSDUCER
INPUT IMPEDANCE
OPERATING RANGE
NOMINAL BEAM
WIDTH
9,5 kg
5 ohm
Horizontal 60°
Vertical 29.5°
According
to Array angle
Cabinet: Black SL
70 Hz 20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
LF-MF 10 x 3 inch cone
HF 5 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
SPECIFICATIONS
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPITFIRE A10
CROSSOVER
TRANSDUCER
CONNECTION
PERFORMANCE
Ω

Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave 1000 Hz
High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz
Single Amped Speakon and Binding Posts Terminals
LF-MF 12 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned
HF 6 x 1 inch Dual Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned
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
11 kg
6 ohm
Horizontal 60°
Vertical 27°
According
to Array angle
Cabinet: Black SL
70 Hz 20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
LF-MF 12 x 3 inch cone
HF 6 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
FINISH
WEIGHT
DIMENSIONS
TRANSDUCER
INPUT IMPEDANCE
OPERATING RANGE
NOMINAL BEAM
WIDTH
SPECIFICATIONS
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPITFIRE A12
CROSSOVER
TRANSDUCER
CONNECTION
PERFORMANCE
Ω

Low Pass Filter 6 dB/octave 1000 Hz
High Pass 12 dB/octave 4000Hz
Single Amped Speakon and Binding Posts Terminals
LF-MF 14 x 3 inch cone, Symmetric Phase Aligned
HF 7 x 1 inch Dual Ring Radiator, Symmetric Phase Aligned
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
FINISH
WEIGHT
DIMENSIONS
TRANSDUCER
INPUT IMPEDANCE
OPERATING RANGE
NOMINAL BEAM
WIDTH
13,5 kg
4 ohm
Horizontal 60°
Vertical 39°
According
to Array angle
Cabinet: Black SL
70 Hz 20 kHz
-6dB 70 Hz
LF-MF 14 x 3 inch cone
HF 7 x 1 inch Dual Ring
Radiator
SPECIFICATIONS
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPITFIRE A14
CROSSOVER
TRANSDUCER
CONNECTION
PERFORMANCE
Ω

SCHEMATICS
Spitfire A4
isometric view
right view
top view
rear view
front view
bottom view
left view
side view with screen
dimension are in mm
99 80
280
80
109
210

speaker input and link out
6mm inserts for wall mount
Spitfire A6
front view
isometric view
left view
top view
rear view
bottom view
right view
dimension are in mm
SCHEMATICS
280 92
16.5
80 80 102
280
63
140

Spitfire A10
top view
front view left view
dimension are in mm
60°
350max
250max
29.50°
513
SCHEMATICS

Spitfire A12
top view
front view left view
dimension are in mm
60°
350max
250max
584
27°
SCHEMATICS

Spitfire A14
top view
front view left view
dimension are in mm
SCHEMATICS
720
39°
60°
300max
250max

2mm sheet metal
painted black
Spitfire A10
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.
Spitfire A12 Spitfire A14
detail K
scale 1:2
detail L
scale 2:5
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
ARTCOUSTIC NARROW DISPERSION ARRAY
MOUNTING INSTRUCTION
30 45
39
K

on-axis SPL of the array at distances 0 - 12m
on-axis SPL of the array at distances 0 - 12m
Frequency (Hz)Frequency (Hz)
20000
16000
12500
10000
8000
6300
5000
4000
3150
2500
2000
1600
1250
1000
20000
16000
12500
10000
8000
6300
5000
4000
3150
2500
2000
1600
1250
1000
Optimized array distance
Optimized array distance
Distance from the array along the central axis (between the two central tweeters) (m).
Distance from the array along the central axis (between the two central tweeters) (m).
Optimized array 3m to 10m
Optimized array 2.5m to 6m
VERTICAL ARRAY AND ACOUSTIC
ENERGY LOSS OVER DISTANCE
SPITFIRE A6 ARRAY
SPITFIRE A10 ARRAY
ATMOS Reference SPL 105dB
ATMOS Reference SPL 105dB
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPL (dB)
115-120
110-115
105-110
100-105
95-100
90-95
85-90
80-85
75-80
70-75
65-70
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 3.5m to 12m
Optimized array distance
Optimized array distance
20000
16000
12500
10000
8000
6300
5000
4000
3150
2500
2000
1600
1250
1000
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
Distance from the array along the central axis (between the two central tweeters) (m).
Distance from the array along the central axis (between the two central tweeters) (m).
VERTICAL ARRAY AND ACOUSTIC
ENERGY LOSS OVER DISTANCE
ATMOS Reference SPL 105dB
ATMOS Reference SPL 105dB
SPITFIRE A12 ARRAY
SPITFIRE A14 ARRAY
on-axis SPL of the array at distances 0 - 12m
on-axis SPL of the array at distances 0 - 12m
Frequency (Hz)Frequency (Hz)
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
SPL (dB)
115-120
110-115
105-110
100-105
95-100
90-95
85-90
80-85
75-80
70-75
65-70

30W
30W
30W
30W
30W
30W
30W
30W
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.
30W
30W
30W
30W
Controlled
dispersion
typical horn
design
30W wide
dispersion
typical HI-FI
design
*using Spitfire array speakers
*using Spitfire A6/A4 and smaller Evolve speakers *using larger Evolve speakers
illustration of a 120W angled line array
illustration of a 120W straight line array
illustration with a ceilling lamp
illustration with a 30W light bulb
illustration of a 120W time aligned line array
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
ARTCOUSTIC LINE ARRAY EXPLAINED

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.
SPITFIRE A10 ARRAY
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
HOME CINEMA ARRAY EXAMPLE

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.
SPITFIRE A14 ARRAY
OWNER MANUAL – SPITFIRE SERIES ARTCOUSTIC LOUDSPEAKERS
HOME CINEMA ARRAY EXAMPLE