Audio focus A series User manual

Opération Manual • Version 1.1 (English)

A Series

MADE IN BELGIUM

Four- channel ampliers with

DSP and remote control

A 354 SCiO

A 704 SCiO

A 1504 SCiO

A 3004 SCiO

September 2022 - www.AUDIOFOCUS.eu

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION: to reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user-serviceable

parts inside. Refer servicing to qualied service personnel.

The lightning ash with arrowhead sym-

bol, within an equilateral triangle, is in-

tended to alert the user to the presence

of an uninsulated “dangerous voltage”

within the product’s enclosure that may be of suf-

cient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric

shock to persons.

The exclamation mark within an equilat-

eral triangle is intended to alert the user

to the presence of important operating

and maintenance (servicing) instruc-

tions in the literature accompanying the

equipment.

INSTRUCTIONS

Before installing or operating the equipment, read

all safety instructions, warnings and operating in-

structions.

Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Keep all

safety, installation and operating instructions for

future reference.

INSTALLING AND OPERATION LOCATION

Do not use this apparatus near water. Do not ex-

pose this apparatus to drips or splashes. Do not

place any objects lled with liquids, such as vases,

on the apparatus.

Do not install near any heat sources such as radi-

ators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus

(including ampliers) that produce heat. No naked

ames, such as lighted candles, should be placed

on the apparatus.

Do not install the apparatus in a conned space

such as a book case or similar unit. Do not block

any ventilation openings.

Ensure that foreign objects and liquids cannot get

into the equipment.

Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s in-

structions. Only use attachments/accessories spec-

ied by the manufacturer.

Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket or ta-

ble specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the

apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when

moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid in-

jury from tip-over .

The apparatus should be located close

enough to the AC outlet so that you can

easily grasp the power cord plug at any

time.

The mains plug, the appliance coupler or the mains

switch is used as the disconnect device. Either de-

vice shall remain readily operable when the appa-

ratus is installed or used.

POWER SOURCE AND GROUNDING

This product should be operated only from the

power source indicated on the apparatus or in

the operating instructions. If you are not sure of

the type of power supply to the premises where

the equipment is to be used, consult your product

dealer or local power company.

Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarised

or grounding-type plug. A polarised plug has two

blades with one wider than the other. A grounding

type plug has two blades and a third grounding

prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provid-

ed for your safety. If the provided plug does not t

into your outlet, consult an electrician for replace-

ment of the obsolete outlet.

Connect Class I construction apparatus to an AC

outlet with a protective grounding connection.

Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or in-

tegral convenience receptacles, as this can result in

a risk of re or electric shock.

Protect the power cord from being walked on or

pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience recepta-

cles and the point where they exit from the appara-

tus. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms

or when unused for long periods of time.

POWER SUPPLY AND POWER CORD REQUIRE-

MENTS:

Power supply class I grounding requirements:

For protection from fault currents, the equipment

shall be connected to a grounding terminal. Plug

the system power cord into an AC outlet that pro-

vides a ground connection.

Substitute cords may not provide adequate fault

protection. Only use the power cord supplied with

this product or an authorized/equivalent replace-

ment.

Safety notices:

Denmark:

Apparatets stikprop skal tilsluttes en stikkontakt

med jord, som giver forbindelse til stikproppens

jord.

Finland:

Laite on liitettävä suojakoskettimilla varustettuun

pistorasiaan.

Norway:

Apparatet må tilkoples jordet stikkontakt.

Sweden:

Apparaten skall anslutas till jordat uttag.

CLEANING, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING

Unplug the apparatus from the wall outlet before

cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol

cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

Do not attempt to service this product yourself,

as opening or removing covers may expose you to

dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all ser-

vicing to qualied service personal.

Servicing is required when the apparatus has been

damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or

plug damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects

have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has

been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate

normally or has been dropped.

INTENDED USE

The equipment may only be used for the purpose

described in the operation instructions. Never car-

ry out any work on the equipment other than as

specied in the operating manual.

Never push objects of any kind into this product

through openings, as they may touch dangerous

voltage points or short-cut parts, which could re-

sult in a re or electric shock.

Children should never use the apparatus without

close adult supervision.

WARNING: excessive sound pressure

levels can cause hearing loss.

ENVIRONMENTAL PRECAUTION

Electrical and electronic equipment may contain

hazardous substances for humans and their envi-

ronment.

The “crossed out wheelie bin” symbol

present on the device and represented

above is there to remind one of the obli-

gation of selective collection of

waste. This label is applied to various

products to indicate that the product is not to be

thrown away as unsorted municipal waste. At the

end of life, dispose of this product by returning it

to the point of sale or to your local municipal col-

lection point for recycling of electric and electronic

devices.

Customer participation is important to minimize

the potential aects on the environment and hu-

man health that can result from hazardous sub-

stances that may be contained in this product.

Please, dispose of this product and its

packaging in accordance with local and

national disposal regulations including

those governing the recovery and recy-

cling of waste electrical and electronic

equipment. Contact your local waste administra-

tion, waste collection company or dealer.

SERIAL NUMBER OF THIS PRODUCT:

N° :

For any support related questions please

contact:

[email protected]

Keep this manual. Please keep a record of

the product serial number for future refe-

rence.

This document has been put together with

as much care as possible.

The information within is complete and cor-

rect on the date of publication. However,

updates on the specications, functionality

or software may have occurred since

publication.

To obtain the latest version of both manual

and software, please visit the https://www.

AUDIOFOCUS.be/downloads

This manual may not be reproduced or

transmitted, either in part or as a whole,

by any means, be they mechanical or

electronic, without the express written

permission of AUDIOFOCUS BVBA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important safety instructions

Introduction

Product highlights

Foreword

Before you get started

About this manual

Inspection and unpacking

Operating environment

Power requirements

Installation

Front and rear panel description

Front panel

Rear panel

Signal Flow

User

Group

Speaker

Presets

Front panel operation

Home page menu

Settings menu

Audio menu

Audio menu / Mixer

Channel menu / Mixer

Audio menu gain

Audio menu delay

Audio menu PEQ

Audio Menu X-OVER

Audio menu Limiter

Audio menu Signal generator

Presets menu

Hotspot menu

Cloud menu

Network menu

Notes on network

About menu

AUDIOFOCUS SCiO Software

Home page menu

User gain menu

2 -3

8 - 10

9 - 10

11 - 14

15 - 26

25 - 26

27 - 46

User Delay menu

User EQ menu

User X-over menu

User Limiter menu

Speaker preset menu

Stereo link option

Group menu

Group gain menu

Group delay menu

Group EQ menu

Settings menu

Firmware update

Application examples

Single amplier example with

analog inputs

Dual amplier example with

analog and digital inputs

Dual amplier example with Kara-

oke area

Large set up example with analog

and digital inputs and remote

cloud control

Specications

Limited Warranty

29 - 31

32 - 33

34- 35

37 - 38

41 - 46

47 - 49

50 - 57

54 - 55

INTRODUCTION

Dear customer,

Thank you for choosing the AUDIOFOCUS A Series for your sound reinforcement needs.

The all-new A Series is a professional amplier series with feature built-in DSP and remote control over

the cloud – securely. Log in to AUDIOFOCUS Cloud and remotely-manage your ampliers from your oce.

Save time and money by monitoring performance and adjusting functions without the need for a site

visit.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• Remote management over AUDIOFOCUS Cloud

• WebUI with built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot

• Internal streaming source supporting Spotify

and Apple Airplay

• Daylight viewable colour OLED display

• Four-input analog and network options

• On board 64bit DSP with free congurable

signal path. IIR+FIR lter capability.

• User processing DSP facilities:

• Gain adjustment and phase inversion

• Delay 250 ms (combined with group delay)

• 12-band parametric ltering, with choice of 16

lter types

• Peak/RMS limiter

• Speaker processing DSP facilities Delay (30 ms

Max.)

• 12-band parametric ltering, with choice of 16

lter types

• High- and low-pass crossover ltering with

choice of lter types

• FIR/IIR lter implementation

• Peak/RMS limiter

• Group processing DSP facilities

• Group Delay (combined with user delay)

• Group12-band parametric ltering, with choice

of 16 lter types

• Group gain

• Internal Global and speaker preset library

• All models can directly-drive low impedance or

70/100v loudspeakers

• Four class D, DC coupled ampliers(4x 350w, 4x

750w 4x 1500w, 4 x 3000w )

• AUDIOFOCUS GlidePath technology

• Our proprietary control loop provides a load

independent frequency response and low

harmonic and intermodulation distortion.

• Power supply with worldwide operation from

100-240Vac. Its active power factor correction

circuitry ensures ecient use of the mains

power system

• Low idle loss (heat) throug the use of a

proprietary control loop which relaxes the

output stages dead time.

FOREWORD

The AUDIOFOCUS A Series Series professional

ampliers feature built-in DSP and remote

control over the cloud securely. Easily connect

the amplier to the WebUI on any HTML5 capable

browser (MAC, PC, IOS, Android) with the built-

in WiFi hotspot, or to a local area network via

cat5 cable. The unique internal streaming source

option makes it possible to playback Spotify and

Apple airplay sources straight from your mobile

device without the need for external hardware.

Multiple ampliers can be controlled through the

same webUI using the trusted and comprehensive

work-ow of our SCIO software package.

Featuring high-end studio-grade analogue circuit

designs, the AUDIOFOCUS A Series sets a new

benchmark in powered system management

and speaker processing design. The proprietary

Class-D amplier control loop features GlidePath

technology and exceptionally low intermodulation

gures resulting in wide stereo imaging. A

Series is founded on our proprietary GlidePath

architecture, with DSP and amplier circuits

fully integrated for outstanding performance.

GlidePath employs DC coupling throughout the

signal path, dramatically reducing the time osets

and distortion associated with AC coupling. The

result: crisper, punchier bass and brighter, more

natural high frequencies, delivering superb

intelligibility and higher perceived volume.. Four

models with power ratings ranging from 350W to

3000W per channel t all applications from small

commercial spaces to the largest theatre.

Whether the application is a standalone system

amplier, or a comprehensive networked system

with multiple ampliers, the AUDIOFOCUS A

Series is designed to provide the solution that our

clients demand. With comprehensive loudspeaker

preset capability, implementing A Series into your

system couldn’t be easier.

Spotify and Spotify logos are trademarks of the

Spotify Group. Apple, the Apple logo, AirPlay, iPad,

iPhone, iPod, iPod nano, iPod touch, iTunes, Mac,

and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in

the U.S. and other countries

ABOUT THIS MANUAL

Carefully read all instructions and warnings be-

fore operating this device. Keep this manual in a

safe place so that it can be referred to when re-

quired.

The latest manual revision can be downloaded

from the download section of the AUDIOFOCUS

website:

http://www.AUDIOFOCUS.be

This manual describes use of the A Series

INSPECTION AND UNPACKING

This appliance has been carefully packed in the

factory and the packaging was designed to with-

stand rough handling. Should the unit appear to

have been damaged in transit, do not discard any

of the packing material and notify the carrier im-

mediately as they will be responsible.

Save all the packing materials for future use if you

ever need to ship the unit again.

Please check the list below against the contents

of the packaging. If any items are missing or dam-

aged, contact the AUDIOFOCUS dealer or distrib-

utor where you purchased the unit.

• AUDIOFOCUS A Series amplier

• AC power cable Europe

• Network cable (“straight” type)

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

The A Series is designed to operate in mostnormal

climates, at a temperature between 0 °C and 50 °C

(32 - 122 °F), with relative humidity between 10%

and 60%.

The AUDIOFOCUS A Series incorporates internal

fan-cooling, which should keep the unit within its

operating temperature. However, should the unit

be installed in an equipment rack it is important

to ensure that the temperature inside the rack

does not exceed the upper limit. Under such cir-

cumstances, additional rack-mounted cooling

fans may be necessary.

Do not block any ventilation openings.

NOTE: Fit solid blanks (not ventilation blanks) to

unused rack spaces to ensure eective air circula-

tion. Leaving gaps in between items of equipment

degrades the eectiveness of forced–air cooling.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE you connect any unit to the mains, please

make sure that the voltage of your local AC supply

is within the acceptable range of the unit.

The AUDIOFOCUS A Series is designed to work

from an AC supply between 100 V and 240 V, at a

frequency between 50 and 60 Hz. No AC voltage

selector is provided as the device automatically

adjusts to the incoming AC voltage.

Precautions should be taken so that the appliance

is properly grounded at all times. This unit must

be earthed.

INSTALLATION

If the unit is brought into a warm room from a

cold environment, internal condensation may

occur. Ensure that the unit has been allowed to

reach ambient temperature before switching it

on. We recommend one hour.

Although this unit is intended for installation in a

standard 19-inch rack it can nevertheless be used

free standing. If the unit is installed in a ight-case

or in an equipment rack, x the unit with all four

screws through the front panel holes and the four

screws from the back panel. For normal use no

extra support is needed, but in more extreme

conditions, such as on the road, we recommend

the unit is supported at the rear.

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

FRONT AND REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION

FRONT PANEL

The front panel design is very clean and intuitive, it contains only two hardware buttons and a daylight

viewable colour OLED display.

1. Daylight viewable colour OLED display.

2. Function Icons

3. Rotary control for menu navigation, data

entry, etc. The control can also be pressed

inwards, to perform an “Enter” action in the

menu system.

4. The A Series is powered on and o by a

frontpanel switch.

REAR PANEL

1. IEC connector accepts worldwide operation

from 100-240Vac. A Series must be grounded

(earthed) with the safety ground pin to the

mains distribution system. NEVER disconnect

the earth (ground) pin on the mains cable (AC

power cord).

2. Amplier output connectors are sturdy ter-

minal block connectors. Channels are located

from left to right. Each channel has a marked

hot (+) and cold (-) terminal.

3. Analog inputs are available on terminal block

connectors with clearly marked hot (+), cold

(-) and ground terminals. The use of twin-and-

screen cable is recommended.

1234 5 6

4. Terminal block connector for remote applica-

tions, EN-54 ready.

STBY, standby If you connect the two pins

together, the amplier will go into standby. The

pins must be connected potential free (you may

not apply voltage to them).

GPI, used for EN54

applications

RELAY

COIL

• If the amp is o or there is a fault then C (center)

is connected to NC (normally closed).

• If everything is OK, the relay picks up and C is

connected to NO (normally open).

1 2

Balanced

output (XLR)

1 = Ground

2 = Hot

3 = Cold

Unbalanced

output (RCA)

Pin = Hot

Screen = Cold

5. RJ-45 Ethernet connectors for optional digital audio network. Each

optional Audio network card has two network ports; a primary and

a secondary.

When the device is connected to an active network, the yellow

LINK LED illuminates above the connector in use. Data activity on

the network is indicated by illumination of the green ACT LED. It is

normal for the ACT LED to icker either sporadically or continuously.

The switched 100/1000 Base-T network connections auto- sense

whether standard or crossover Cat-5e cables are in use. The green

ACT LED illuminates (ashes) to show network activity, and when a

100 Mbps connection is present; the orange LED illuminates (static)

to indicate a 1000 Mbps connection. The secondary network port

on the A Series devices can be congured for redundancy of the

primary network port. If a parallel network is created, any single

cable or switch failure is overcome without loss of audio. By default,

the secondary ports are congured in dual redundancy mode to

support a second redundant network. The alternate conguration

for the two ports is a switch mode which allows daisy–chaining of

devices in a single network. Daisy chain mode is not recommended

for more than a few devices. Pre-made cables with moulded RJ45

plugs are recommended. If it is necessary to make up custom Cat-5e

network cables, use pinout described below.IEC connector accepts

worldwide operation from 100-240Vac. A Series must be grounded

(earthed) with the safety ground pin to the mains distribution

system. NEVER disconnect the earth (ground) pin on the mains cable

(AC power cord). Amplier output connectors are sturdy terminal

block connectors. Channels are located from left to right. Each

channel has a marked hot (+) and cold (-) terminal. Analog inputs are

available on terminal block connectors with clearly marked hot (+),

cold (-) and ground terminals. The use of twin-andscreen cable is

recommended.

RJ45 Wiring and Pin Out Description

Pin No. Color

1Brown

2Brown +White

3 Green

4 Blue + White

5 Blue

6 Green + White

7 Orange

8 Orange + White

6. RJ-45 Ethernet connector for control. Note: The USB connector is

for service only.

The gure below depicts the audio signal ow for a A Series device. The signal ow can be divided in three main

blocks, each with its own functionality and processing. These blocks are : input source, group and speaker

blocks.

User Group Speaker

Source

Selector Mute Gain Polarity IIR HPF IIR LPF PEQ x 12 Delay

User RMS Lim Peak Lim

Source

Selector Mute Gain Polarity IIR HPF IIR LPF PEQ x 12 Delay

User RMS Lim Peak Lim

Source

Selector Mute Gain Polarity IIR HPF IIR LPF PEQ x 12 Delay

User RMS Lim Peak Lim

Source

Selector Mute Gain Polarity IIR HPF IIR LPF PEQ x 12 Delay

User RMS Lim Peak Lim

USER

The User block contains the following controls:

Input selector

Mute

Gain

Polarity

IIR HPF

IIR LPF

PEQ x 12

Delay User

RMS Limiter

Peak Limiter

selection for primary and secondary input, analog or digital. (Note digital is not

possible as a secondary input when analog is primary)

Mute selector for each source

Input gain control for each source. Range from -80dB to 15dB

Polarity selector for each channel +/-

Innite impulse response HPF

innite impulse response LPF

12 x EQ for each source with a choice of 16 EQ types

Delay option up to 250 ms for each channel

Adjustable RMS limiter for each input

Adjustable peak limiter for each input

Note: RMS and peak limiter are processed after the group processing Block !

SIGNAL FLOW

GROUP

Groups provide powerful control over all channels in a system. Amplier channels can be assigned to multiple

Groups, and each amplier channel can be a member of up to 6 dierent Groups. Adjusting group parameters

will aect all amplier channels across the network assigned to that group. Multiple Groups can be used to

logically partition a large-scale system.

For instance, amplier channels powering a restaurant zone can be grouped to create a restaurant sub-

master. A master Group can be created to enable a system-wide interface for EQ and Levels, allowing instant

adjustments to all amplier channels on the network.

Source