Biamp R1 Series Operating instructions

A: 9300 S.W. Gemini Drive Beaverton, OR 97008 USA W: biamp.com
Connecting people through extraordinary audiovisual experiences™
FEATURES
• Two-way coaxial full-range horn-loaded systems that
excel at both voice projection and full-range, high-
fidelity music reproduction
• Drivers: 1” exit, titanium compression HF driver and
two 12” FerroFluid-cooled LF with water-resistant
cones
• Highly weather-resistant fiberglass enclosure
Community
R1 Models (EN54-24)
Installation and Operation Guide
Models
R1-64Z-EN
R1-66Z-EN
R1-94Z-EN
CONTENTS
Each shipping carton contains the following items:
• R1-EN loudspeaker
• Steel mounting yoke
• Multi-angle aiming strap
• QR sheet - with QR link to installation manual
• Loudspeaker Safety Guide
• Mounting hardware: 1/2"-13 hex bolts (2" x 5), 1/2"
lock washers (x 5), 1/2" flat washers (x 5), and 2" OD
rubber gaskets (x5), 8-32 x 2" hex bolt (x1), #8 flat
washers (x2), 8-32 lock nut (x1). All hardware is
stainless steel. The 1/2" hardware is pre-installed in
the loudspeaker enclosure.
• Application-specic coverage patterns
• Easy to install and aim with included yoke and strap
• 3-layer grille with polyester mesh and UV-resistant
foam, bonded to zinc-rich epoxy dual-layer powder-
coated perforated marine-grade aluminum

page 2 Installation and Operation Guide R1-EN
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Always follow these basic safety precautions when using or
installing R SERIES loudspeakers and accessories:
• Read these instructions prior to assembly.
• Keep these instructions for reference.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions, particularly those pertaining to rigging, mounting, hanging and
electrical connections.
• Only use attachments and accessories that are specied and approved by the
manufacturer.
• Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the
apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.
The terms caution, warning, and danger may be used in this
manual to alert the reader to important safety considerations.
If you have any questions or do not understand the meaning of
these terms, do not proceed with installation. Contact your local
dealer, distributor, or call Biamp directly for assistance. These
terms are dened as:
CAUTION: describes an operating condition or user
action that may expose the equipment or user to potential
damage or danger.
WARNING: describes an operating condition or user
action that will likely cause damage to the equipment or
injury to the user or to others in the vicinity.
DANGER: describes an operating condition or user action
that will immediately damage the equipment and/or be
extremely dangerous or life threatening to the user or to
others in the vicinity.
These servicing instructions are for use by qualied service
personnel only. To reduce the risk of re or electric shock do not
perform any servicing other than that contained in the operating
instructions unless you are qualied to do so.
RIGGING AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY
DANGER: The loudspeakers described in this manual are
designed and intended to be ‘own’ or suspended using a
variety of rigging hardware, means, and methods.
Installation of loudspeakers should only be performed by trained
and qualied personnel. It is strongly recommended that a
licensed and certied professional structural engineer approve
the mounting design. Severe injury and/or loss of life may occur if
these products are improperly installed! All electrical connections
must conform to applicable city, county, state, and national (NEC)
electrical codes.
DANGER: R SERIES rigging ttings are rated at specic
Working Load Limits (WLL) per model line. No single
rigging tting should ever be subjected to a load that is
greater than the stated load. Failure to heed this warning could
result in injury or death!
• R1 models have a WLL of 100 lbs (45.4 kg) with a 10:1 safety margin.
IMPORTANT: Refer to the sections on installation and
connections later in this manual for additional information
on rigging and electrical safety.
DANGER: It is possible to experience severe electrical
shock from a power amplier. Always make sure that all
power ampliers are in the “OFF" position and unplugged
from an AC Mains supply before performing electrical work.
DANGER: It is essential that a safety cable (not
supplied) be utilized whenever an R SERIES
Loudspeaker is installed. The safety cable must be
secured to a suitable load-bearing point separate from the
loudspeaker mounting point, with as little slack as possible so
as not to develop undue kinetic force if the mounting bracket
were to fail. Utilize one of the unused threaded mounting
points on the enclosure for this purpose.
EC STATEMENT OF CONFORMITY
This document conrms that Biamp's range of products bearing the CE label meet all the requirements laid down by the Member
States Council for adjustment of legal requirements, furthermore the products comply with the rules and regulations referring to the
electromagnetic compatibility of devices from 16 April 2016.
The Biamp products bearing the CE label comply with the following directives: Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU and the Waste from
Electrical Equipment Directive 2002/96/EC RoHS.
The authorized declaration and compatibility certication resides with the manufacturer and can be viewed upon request. The
responsible manufacturer is the company:
Biamp Systems, LLC
9300 SW Gemini Drive • Beaverton, OR 97008, USA
biamp.com
Technical data sheets for listed products can be found at the end of this manual. Contact the Compliance department at Biamp for the
Declaration of Performance (R-126-002). [email protected]
18
0905
EN54-24:2008

R1-EN Installation and Operation Guide page 3
CAUTION: Installation of R SERIES loudspeakers should only be performed by trained and qualied personnel. It is strongly
recommended that a licensed and certied professional structural engineer approve the mounting. Severe injury and/or loss
of life may occur if this product is improperly installed.
PRODUCT FEATURES IDENTIFICATION
Typical R1 Full-range Model
Side
Safety Cable Attachment Point: (Utilize empty rigging point. User must supply appropriate fastener and safety cable)
Strap positions
Angle Securing Strap
Angle Securing Strap
Yoke
Horn
16-2 SJOW Cable
Gland Nut
Model Label
Grille
(pre-installed)
1/2"-13
Rigging points
(total 5)
1/2"-13
Rigging point

page 4 Installation and Operation Guide R1-EN
TERMINOLOGY: The terms “rigging", “ying" and
“suspension" are often used interchangeably to describe
the installation of loudspeaker systems above ground
level. None of these terms pertain to, or attempt to
describe, the actual method that is used (cables, brackets,
chains, etc.).
DANGER: The loudspeakers described in this
manual are designed and intended to be suspended
using a variety of rigging hardware, means, and
methods. It is essential that all installation work involving
the suspension of these loudspeaker products be
performed by competent, knowledgeable persons who
understand safe rigging practices. Severe injury and/or
loss of life may occur if these products are improperly
suspended.
DANGER: All rigging ttings and inserts must
remain sealed with the included hardware or they
must be tted with properly rated optional mounting
hardware. Any missing fasteners will compromise the
weather resistance of the enclosure.
BIAMP RIGGING HARDWARE WARRANTY:
Biamp warrants that its loudspeaker systems and its
optional mounting and rigging hardware have been
carefully designed and tested. Biamp loudspeakers may
be safely suspended when each loudspeaker model is
suspended with Biamp-manufactured mounting and rigging
brackets specifically designed for use with that particular
model of loudspeaker. This warranty applies only for use
under normal environmental conditions, and when all
loudspeakers, component parts, brackets and hardware are
assembled and installed in strict accordance with Biamp’s
installation guidelines contained herein. Beyond this, Biamp
assumes no further or extended responsibility or liability, in
any way or by any means whatsoever. It is the responsibility
of the installer to insure that safe installation practices are
followed, and that such practices are in accordance with
any and all local, state, federal, or other, codes, conditions,
and regulations that may apply to, or govern the practice
of, rigging, mounting, and construction work in the relevant
geographic territory. Any modifications made to any parts
or materials manufactured or supplied by Biamp shall
immediately void all pledges of warranty or surety, related
in any way to the safe use of those parts and materials.
WARNING NON-Biamp RIGGING HARDWARE:
Non-Biamp hardware used for rigging an R SERIES
loudspeaker must be certied by the supplier for
such use and must be properly rated for safety.
Correct
Yoke tight against
rubber washer and
enclosure
NOT Correct
Bracket spaced away
from enclosure
Enclosure
Yoke
Figure 1. Mounting point load
Custom
Bracket
IMPORTANT NOTES ON RIGGING LOUDSPEAKERS
There are three (3) areas of responsibility for rigging
loudspeakers.
• The building structure: Always consult with the building
architect or structural engineer to assure the ability of
the structure to support the loudspeaker system.
• The loudspeaker itself: Biamp certies its loudspeaker
systems and rigging accessories for suspension when
they are properly installed according to our published
guidelines.
• Everything between the loudspeaker and the building
structure and the process of installation: The installing
contractor assumes this responsibility. Loudspeaker
rigging should be performed only by certied rigging
professionals using certied rigging hardware chosen
for the specic application. Prior to installation, the
contractor should present a rigging plan, with drawing
and detailed parts list, to a licensed structural engineer
(P.E.) or architect for written approval.
WARNING: R SERIES rigging ttings are rated at
the Working Load Limits (WLL) listed on page 3. No
single rigging tting should ever be subjected to a
load that is greater than the stated load. Failure to heed
this warning could result in injury or death!
Acceptable Mounting Point Loading
The mounting points should always be used so that either
shear force is applied perpendicular to the direction of and
in tight proximity to the mounting hole, or tension force
is applied perpendicular to the enclosure surface. See
Figure 1 below.
DANGER: Use the mounting points only as
described above. Do not use them in such a way as
to apply sideways leverage to them. Failure to
follow this instruction could result in immediate failure of
the mounting points resulting in damage to the
loudspeaker and serious injury or death to personnel.
RIGGING / SUSPENSION AND SAFETY

R1-EN Installation and Operation Guide page 5
INSTALLATION
Before you start
NOTE: Read all instructions and gather tools necessary
before starting the installation. Please read all safety
instructions and warnings regarding rigging and installation
of the loudspeaker.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
contained in this manual was complete and accurate at
the time of printing. However, due to ongoing technical
advances, changes or modifications may have occurred
that are not covered in this publication. The latest version of
this manual is always available at biamp.com. The revision
date can be found on the rear cover.
WARNING: Loudspeakers are heavy. To prevent
injury or damage, they should be supported during
the mounting process until the connection is secure.
The yoke should rst be attached to the R1 then the entire
assembly mounted to a structure. In some cases it may be
desirable to mount the yoke and secure it in place before
mounting the R1 to the yoke. The R1 yoke is attached to
the R1 and the Securing Strap is used to lock in the angle
of the R1 within the yoke.
1. Determine whether the yoke will be attached to the
sides or top/ bottom of the loudspeaker. This depends
on what the yoke is to be mounted to and the how the
R1 must be oriented for proper coverage. There are 3
holes on each side of the yoke. The particular holes
to use will depend on the clearance needed within the
yoke due to the aiming angle of the R1.
2. Once the position of the yoke is determined, remove
the 1/2-13 hardware from the mounting points where
the yoke is to be attached.
3. Position the loudspeaker within the yoke making sure
that the large rubber washers sit between the yoke and
the enclosure. Attach the yoke with the same hardware
just removed as shown in Figure 2. Tighten only enough
so as to allow the yoke to move. The rubber washer has
a 7/16 in. (11 mm) hole so it ts quite snugly around
the mounting bolts to form the weather seal for the R1
mounting hole. It also provides some friction to help
hold the yoke in position until completely secured.
CAUTION: In order to maintain the weather-resistant integrity
of an R1, all ve rubber washers supplied must be used and be
ush against the enclosure when the R1 is mounted.
Figure 2. Mount the R1 yoke to the loudspeaker
Orient the Securing Strap as shown
Securing Strap
must be bent as
needed too reach
one of the R1
mounting points

page 6 Installation and Operation Guide R1-EN
INSTALLATION (CONTINUED)
4. Mount the R1 and its attached yoke to the structure that
will support it. If the center hole on the yoke crossbar is
used as one of the yoke mounting points you need to
attach the Securing Strap to this hole at the same time
you mount the yoke to the structure. Position the single
hole end of the Securing Strap on the underside of the
yoke crossbar. and attach as shown in Figure 2.
5. After properly securing the yoke to the structure, adjust
the nal aiming angle of the R1. Once the aiming angle
is set, carefully bend the Securing Strap towards the
nearest mounting point on the R1 so that one of the
series of holes in the Strap lines up with the selected
mounting point. This may involve forming the strap into
a "U" shape (shown in Figure 2) to reach one of the
remaining side mounting points or the rear mounting
point.
6. Attach the Securing Strap to the mounting point on
the R1 enclosure using the 1/2-13 hardware already
installed in that mounting point. Make sure that the
rubber washer is located between the Securing Strap
and the enclosure.
7. Firmly tighten the bolts holding the yoke to the R1
enough to seat the lock washers. Be careful not to over-
tighten as, given the size wrench that typically will be
used, it is possible to apply excessive torque.
8. Ensure that the attachment bolt used to attach the
Securing Strap to the R1 is securely tightened.
CAUTION: Any of the mounting bolts supplied with the R1 that are not
used for mounting must be left in place with their rubber washers and
rmly tightened to maintain the integrity of the weatherproong.

R1-EN Installation and Operation Guide page 7
Standard Wiring
Connect as shown in Figure 3. The cables are
2-conductor standard weather-resistant cables 12' (3.6m)
in length.
Figure 3. Standard wiring
(–) ( Black)
(+) ( White)
WIRING AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY
All standard R1 loudspeakers come with attached SJOW
rated input cables, 12' (3.6 m) in length. The cable enters the
enclosure through a waterproof gland nut. The other end of
the cable is un-terminated. The designer must account and
compensate for cable losses between the amplifier and the
speaker system. Do not remove the gland nut attaching the
cable to the rear of the loudspeaker, as this will compromise
the weather integrity of the enclosure. Please contact
the Customer Support for additional assistance (email:
[email protected])
1. Wire the loudspeaker. A typical installation method is
to bring the cable into a waterproof junction box (J-box)
equipped with a waterproof gland nut. Connections
within the J-box may be made with barrel-type crimp
connectors, wire nuts, solder and heat-shrink, or
terminal strips. Terminate per your local electrical code.
We recommend using barrel-type crimp connectors
that are crimped with a forged crimp or a ratcheting
tool, as this method, when properly executed, results in
a gas-tight connection that is easy to accomplish.
IMPORTANT: All electrical installation connections
for loudspeaker lines are subject to all applicable
governmental building and re codes. The selection
of appropriate electrical hardware to interface with the
R SERIES loudspeaker lies solely with the installation
professional. Biamp recommends that an appropriately
licensed engineer, electrician, or other qualied
professional identify and select the appropriate conduit,
ttings, wire, etc. for the installation.
DANGER: The output power capabilities of audio
ampliers present a danger to installers. To
minimize the risk of electric shock from loudspeaker
connecting cables, conrm that the power ampliers are
turned “o󰀨" before connecting loudspeaker cable(s) to the
loudspeaker or amplier. Always follow local electrical
codes and proper electrical safety procedures.
WARNING: After wiring the amplier(s) to the
loudspeaker(s), rst power-up all devices that are
upstream of the amplier, such as mixers, equalizers,
compressor/limiters, etc., before powering-up the amplier.
This is to avoid passing any clicks or pops that may
originate in the upstream devices to the loudspeakers. The
amplier should initially be powered-up with its gain controls
turned all the way down. After making sure that a continuous
signal is present, such as a CD playing, slowly raise the
level of the gain controls to establish that the wiring has
been installed correctly. Only then should the loudspeaker
be operated at normal output levels.
FINAL ASSEMBLY AND TESTING
1. All holes should be lled with the provided hardware
or other suitable replacement in order to maintain
weather-resistance.
2. Attach a safety cable to an attachment point on each
loudspeaker. The safety cable and hardware are not
included. Please consult a structural engineer for the
appropriate cable for the load and application. The
safety cable attachment points should not be located
on opposite sides of the cabinet in such a manner that
they present a signicant force that pulls the insert
points away from each other. The safety cable must be
secured to a suitable load-bearing point separate from
the loudspeaker mounting point, with as little slack as
possible, so as not to develop undue kinetic force if the
R SERIES mounting were to fail.
3. Power and test the system.

page 8 Installation and Operation Guide R1-EN
PERFORMANCE
Use A Digital Signal Processor
For best performance, loudspeaker protection and system
longevity, a digital signal processor (DSP) should be used
with all R SERIES loudspeakers. Biamp recommends using
Biamp's Amplified Loudspeaker Controllers (ALC-404 or
higher power models) and ArmoníaPlus software* containing
all of the information (high pass filters, limiters, factory
tunings) and DSP settings to fully optimize your system. For
more information on installing and operating your R SERIES
loudspeaker, please contact our Loudspeaker Support
Group at [email protected].
SIGNAL PROCESSING
High and Low Pass Filters
R1 models use fully horn-loaded low frequency drivers.
Refer to the DSP settings files or product data sheets on
the Biamp website for the recommended high and low pass
filter values. Attempts to reproduce significant levels below
these frequencies can result in over-excursion of the low
frequency drivers due to the uncoupling of the low frequency
horn.
The appropriate electronic high-pass filter with a minimum
slope of 12 dB per octave must be employed. Its usage will
protect the drivers from much of the extreme low frequency
content found on media sources. The high-pass filter will
also protect against unwanted low frequency energy that
can originate from microphone wind noise - an important
consideration for outdoor applications.
Equalization
Equalization should not be overdone. Small amounts of
frequency boost can brighten-up the higher frequencies
and round out the lower frequencies, but they should be
restricted to no more than approximately +3 dB in order to
avoid damage to the drivers.
Equalization cuts can be very effective for removing the
effects of room resonance and other unwanted acoustical
artifacts, but here again should be kept to a minimum.
Extreme EQ cuts (or attenuation) will not cause driver
damage, but should be used with discretion to avoid acoustic
‘holes’ in the audible spectrum.
External equalization can be used to "voice" the loudspeaker
for particular applications and is especially effective in
attenuating feedback-prone frequencies.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to boost frequencies at,
or below, 40 Hz with an equalizer (either graphic or
parametric). This will counteract the e󰀨ect of the
high-pass lter discussed previously, potentially
causing damage to the drivers.
Power Amplication
Power amplifiers for R SERIES models should be capable
of providing enough power to properly drive the loudspeaker
without the amplifiers entering into a state of clipping.
Clipping occurs when an amplifier runs out of power. The
peaks of the reproduced waveform begin to ‘clip’ and
resemble a square wave instead of the typical sine waves
and saw-tooth waves that form the basis of most speech
and music. Clipping leads to rapid driver failure because the
driver is no longer moving as it’s designed to. When power
is flowing into a driver, but movement is limited because of
amplifier clipping, much of the energy is converted to heat
which will soon cause the driver’s voice coil to burn out.
Power Rating
Refer to the model specification sheets for the recommended
amplifier for each model. It is better to oversize the amplifier
to avoid clipping, than to undersize it. Power amplifiers
should exhibit good sonic properties while providing high
reliability to keep the system functioning properly.

R1-EN Installation and Operation Guide page 9
COMMISSIONING THE SYSTEM
Commissioning is the process of optimizing the
performance of a sound system after it has been installed.
There are several important steps in commissioning a
system; these include the following:
1. Verifying the proper operation of each system
component:
a. Every source such as mixers, microphones, media
players, audio feeds from other locations, and so on,
should be tested independently of the newly installed
system to insure that they are working properly.
b. All ampliers should be tested independently of the
main system to verify that they are each receiving
their intended signal (i.e. HF, LF, delayed, etc.). Many
ampliers have numerous modes in which they can
function. It’s extremely important to make sure that
each amplier in the system has the right settings
applied in order to properly perform its intended
function in the system.
c. The DSP ‘front end’ must be set up carefully to insure
that its internal routing and gain structure are correct
for the overall system requirements. It’s possible to
almost instantly damage mid and high frequency
drivers if the LF and HF outputs are accidentally
crossed.
d. After all electronic components and interconnects
have been tested and veried, it’s then time to test
each loudspeaker element in the system. Such
testing should be performed at VERY low audio
levels to avoid damage to drivers from possible
wiring errors. Each loudspeaker section should
be carefully listened to, in order to make sure it is
performing properly. It should then be checked with
a hand-held phase checker to verify that no phase
errors are present.
2. Next, the gain structure of the system should be
established. Each component in the signal path should
be adjusted to provide the intended input and output
levels. Gain structure is a somewhat complex subject
that goes beyond the scope of this manual. Moreover,
‘proper’ gain settings vary signicantly from one
device to another. We recommend that you read the
User’s Manual for each device that is present in the
signal path, and adjust according to the manufacturer’s
recommendations, so that your system will operate will
the lowest possible noise oor and highest possible
headroom – which is what gain structure is all about.
3. Set protective limiters and high-pass lters.
4. Set delay times (if any) to align one or more ancillary
loudspeakers with the arrival time of the sound from
the primary source. If delayed speakers are used to
augment the main source, their timing must be set so
that the sound arriving at the listener’s ears from each
delay speaker will be in sync with the sound arriving
from the primary source. This is usually accomplished
with test and measurement instrumentation, but in a
pinch can be set by applying a short duration pulse to
the system and establishing the delay time by ear. An
inexpensive electronic metronome is a good source for
adjusting delay times by ear.
5. Equalize the system to achieve the best possible sound
quality. This last step in system commissioning is
known as system equalization or “voicing.” Equalization
is the process of adjusting the frequency response of
the system, by use of an equalizer, to optimize voice
intelligibility, musical sound quality, or both. Note that all
R SERIES loudspeakers are factory voiced to optimize
speech intelligibility as well as musical sound quality.
For this reason, many designers and installers nd that
they can minimize overall system equalization and still
achieve excellent voice intelligibility and high grade
sonic properties.

page 10 Installation and Operation Guide R1-EN
MAINTAINING WEATHER RESISTANCE
Guidelines for R Series Outdoor Use
R SERIES is suitable for outdoor direct exposure
installation when used as recommended. For best results
in outdoor applications, follow these guidelines:
• Always orient the loudspeaker so the mouth of the horn is,
at a minimum, pointing at least 5 degrees downward. Failure
to do this could result in water collecting inside the enclosure
under extreme weather conditions.
• When handling an R SERIES loudspeaker, be careful not
to scratch or scrape the nish on the grille, bracket, or
enclosure.
• All mounting holes must be sealed o󰀨 with the plugs or
stainless steel bolts, washers, and rubber washers supplied.
If, for any reason, the hardware must be removed, seal
o󰀨 the hole with silicone caulking or some other suitable
weather-tight sealant.
• The gland-nut securing the loudspeaker cable(s) to the
enclosure is sealed at the factory. Do not attempt to remove
this nut or the weather-tight seal will be broken. If you
need to replace the gland-nut with a detachable electrical
connector, such connector must be of a weatherproof design
and sealed to the enclosure with silicone caulk or other
suitable weather-tight sealant. The Neutrik model NL4MP is
an excellent connector for this purpose.
NOTE: The gland-nut should be at the bottom when
installing the loudspeaker. It is also advisable to leave a “drip
loop” so water will not migrate toward the loudspeaker.
• The rubber washers supplied with the mounting bolts must
always seat against the enclosure.
• The grille assembly is designed to prevent normal and
wind-driven rain from directly entering the mouth of the
loudspeaker. The grille is not designed to withstand such
things as being directly sprayed from a hose; therefore this
should be avoided.
• If you use any hardware in place of hardware provided with
your R SERIES loudspeaker, it should also be made of
stainless steel.
CAUTION: If the above instructions are not
observed, the weather-resistant integrity of the
loudspeaker can be compromised. This may result
in damage or failure of the hardware or internal
components which will void the warranty.
SPECIFICATIONS
Specications and Information
Copies of the product specications are available at
the end of this manual and all current documentation
(manuals, sales literature) is available at
biamp.com in the Community section. Additional technical
information to assist you in operating and optimizing
your system or understanding more about loudspeaker
operation is also available on the website or by contacting
Customer Support at [email protected].
Note: Every e󰀨ort has been made to insure
that the information contained in this manual
was complete and accurate at the time of
printing. However, due to ongoing technical
advances, changes or modications may
have occurred that are not covered in this
manual. The latest version is available at
biamp.com.