d & b audiotechnik AL90 User manual

AAL60/AL90
Manual 1.2 en

S
y
m
b
o
l
s
o
n
t
h
e
p
r
o
d
u
c
t
P
l
e
a
s
e
r
e
f
e
r
t
o
t
h
e
i
n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n
i
n
t
h
e
m
a
n
u
a
l
.
W
A
R
N
I
N
G
!
D
a
n
g
e
r
o
u
s
v
o
l
t
a
g
e
!
General information
AL60/AL90 Manual
Version: 1.2 en, 03/2021, D2744.EN .01
Copyright © 2021 by d&b audiotechnik GmbH & Co. KG; all
rights reserved.
Keep this document with the product or in a safe place
so that it is available for future reference.
We recommend you to regularly check the d&b website for the
latest version of this document.
When reselling this product, hand over this document to the new
owner.
If you supply d&b products, please draw the attention of your
customers to this document. Enclose the relevant documents with
the systems. If you require additional documents for this purpose,
you can order them from d&b.
d&b audiotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
Eugen-Adolff-Str. 134, D-71522 Backnang, Germany
T [phone], F [phone]

1 Safety precautions.............................................................. 4
2 AL60/AL90 loudspeaker................................................... 5
2.1 Product description..................................................................... 5
2.2 Connections................................................................................ 6
2.3 Operation.................................................................................... 6
2.3.1 Controller settings.................................................................... 8
2.4 Dispersion characteristics........................................................... 9
2.5 Technical specifications............................................................ 10
3 Manufacturer's declarations......................................... 12
3.1 EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol).......................... 12
3.2 WEEE Declaration (Disposal).................................................. 12
Contents
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en 3

Potential risk of personal injury
Never stand in the immediate vicinity of loudspeakers driven at a
high level. Professional loudspeaker systems are capable of
causing a sound pressure level detrimental to human health.
Seemingly non-critical sound levels (from approx. 95 dB SPL) can
cause hearing damage if people are exposed to it over a long
period.
In order to prevent accidents when deploying loudspeakers on the
ground or when flown, please take note of the following:
▪ When setting up the loudspeakers or loudspeaker stands, make
sure they are standing on a firm surface. If you place several
systems on top of one another, use straps to secure them
against movement.
▪ Only use accessories which have been tested and approved by
d&b for assembly and mobile deployment. Pay attention to the
correct application and maximum load capacity of the
accessories as detailed in our specific "Mounting instructions" or
in our "Flying system and Rigging manuals".
▪ Ensure that all additional hardware, fixings and fasteners used
for installation or mobile deployment are of an appropriate size
and load safety factor. Pay attention to the manufacturers'
instructions and to the relevant safety guidelines.
▪ Regularly check the loudspeaker housings and accessories for
visible signs of wear and tear, and replace them when
necessary.
▪ Regularly check all load bearing bolts in the mounting devices.
Potential risk of material damage
Loudspeakers produce a static magnetic field even if they are not
connected or are not in use. Therefore make sure when erecting
and transporting loudspeakers that they are nowhere near
equipment and objects which may be impaired or damaged by an
external magnetic field. Generally speaking, a distance of 0.5 m
(1.5 ft) from magnetic data carriers (floppy disks, audio and video
tapes, bank cards, etc.) is sufficient; a distance of more than 1 m
(3 ft) may be necessary with computer and video monitors.
1 Safety precautions
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en4

2.1 Product description
The AL60 and AL90 are augmented array loudspeakers for
medium scale sound reinforcement applications providing a 60°
and 90° horizontal dispersion respectively.
Both loudspeakers are passive 2-way designs. They house 2 x 10"
neodymium LF drivers, one 1.4" exit HF compression driver with a
3" diaphragm mounted to a dedicated wave shaping device and a
passive crossover network. The wave segments of each cabinet
couple without gaps and sum up coherently.
Splay angles between adjacent cabinets can be set in the range
from 20° to 40° in 5° increments resulting in a total coverage of
50° up to 70° for two cabinets, with a maximum total coverage of
150° per array.
All components are arranged symmetrically around the center axis
of the cabinet to produce a perfectly symmetrical dispersion
pattern. This setup allows for a smooth crossover design with a well
defined overlap of adjacent frequency bands resulting in a very
consistent and accurate horizontal dispersion.
Due to the bipolar arrangement of the LF drivers, broadband
horizontal directivity control of 60°/90° is maintained down to
550 Hz/370 Hz respectively. The frequency response extends
from 60 Hz to 18 kHz.
The cabinets are constructed from marine plywood with an impact
and weather protected PCP (Polyurea Cabinet Protection) finish.
The front of the loudspeaker cabinet is protected by a rigid metal
grill backed by an acoustically transparent fabric.
Each side panel incorporates a handle, while one side panel is
equipped with three M10 threaded inserts to allow the secure
attachment of a dedicated flying adapter.
A-Series rigging components
When the d&b Z5455 AL Flying frame is used, up to four
loudspeaker modules can be flown in vertical columns producing a
60° or 90° constant directivity dispersion pattern in the horizontal
plane.
AL60 and AL90 can also be deployed as a horizontal cluster of
maximum four cabinets using the d&b Z5456 AL Flying adapter.
The d&b Z5458 AL Base plate allows ground stack setups of up to
three TOP cabinets, either as pure TOP ground stacks or placed on
top of applicable d&b subwoofers, such as the V-SUB or V-GSUB.
AL60/AL90 loudspeaker
2 AL60/AL90 loudspeaker
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en 5

2.2 Connections
The cabinets are fitted with NLT4 F/M connectors. All four pins of
both connectors are wired in parallel. The cabinet uses the pin
assignments 1+/1–. Pins 2+/2– are designated to actively driven
subwoofers. Using one connector as the input, the second
connector allows for direct connection to a second cabinet.
The cabinets can be supplied with 2 x NL4 M connectors as an
option.
d&b LoadMatch
With the d&b four channel amplifier platform, the LoadMatch
function enables the amplifier to electrically compensate for the
properties of the loudspeaker cable used without the need for an
additional sense wire. For applicable loudspeakers, LoadMatch is
therefore independent of the connector type used.
2.3 Operation
NOTICE!
Only operate d&b loudspeakers with a correctly configured d&b
amplifier, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the loudspeaker
components.
Applicable d&b amplifiers:
D20/D80/30D.
Amplifier output mode(s): Dual Channel or Mix TOP/SUB
Application Setup Cabinets per
channel
AL60 AL60 PS
AL60 Out
AL60 In
2
2
2
AL60 AP 1
AL90 AL90 PS
AL90 Out
AL90 In
2
2
2
AL90 AP 1
Connector wiring
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en6

PS setup
The PS setup (Point Source) provides dedicated signal processing
when AL60/AL90 cabinets are used in stand-alone applications.
Out/In setups (MDC)
The MDC (Midrange Directivity Control) function compensates for
constriction and uneveness (mid-range lobing) caused by the size
and geometry of an array within the 200 Hz to 2 kHz frequency
range in arrays of three or four loudspeakers.
MDC provides even distribution of the lower-mid frequency range,
matching the high frequency dispersion set through typical array
configurations, independent of the splay angle settings.
MDC uses two setups:
Out for 'outer' cabinets and In for 'inner' cabinets.
For two loudspeakers, the Out setup is recommended.
For three or four loudspeakers the Out setup is used for the outer
two cabinets of an array, while the In setup is used for the inner
one or two cabinets.
Two loudspeakers of the same type (AL60 or AL90) can be linked
and then be driven by one amplifier channel.
Note: Mixed A-Series array
A mixed deployment of different A-Series loudspeakers within
the same array is only recommended for vertical arrays and
when ArrayProcessing is used. This is due to the differing
crossover functions between AL60 and AL90 that would
otherwise lead to unexpected acoustic results.
For mixed arrays consisting of AL60 and AL90 cabinets,
observe the dedicated setup for each loudspeaker type and the
required wiring Þ required amplifier channels.
AP setup
For vertical arrays consisting of a minimum of three cabinets, the
AP setup can be used.
The AP setup contains the AP data that is generated by the
ArrayCalc simulation software and transferred to the applicable
amplifiers via the d&b Remote network (OCA/AES70) using R1.
As soon as the data has been sent to the amplifiers, the AP setup is
automatically activated.
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en 7

2.3.1 Controller settings
Depending on the loudspeaker setup selected, the CUT, HFA, CPL
and HFC functions are available for acoustic adjustment.
CUT mode
Set to CUT, a high pass filter with a 95 Hz cut off frequency is
inserted in the controller signal path. The AL60/AL90 are now
configured for use with actively driven d&b V-SUB or V-GSUB
subwoofers.
HFA mode (PS setup only)
In HFA mode (High Frequency Attenuation), the HF response of the
system is rolled off. HFA provides a natural, balanced frequency
response when a cabinet is placed close to listeners in near field or
delay use.
High Frequency Attenuation begins gradually at 1 kHz, dropping
by approximately 3 dB at 10 kHz. This roll off mimics the decline
in frequency response experienced when listening to a system from
a distance in a typically reverberant room or auditorium.
CPL function
The CPL (Coupling) function compensates for coupling effects
between the cabinet and close boundary surfaces. CPL begins
gradually around 1 kHz, with the maximum attenuation below
400 Hz. To achieve a balanced frequency response, the CPL
function can be set to dB attenuation values between 0 and –9.
Positive CPL values create an adjustable low frequency boost (0 to
+5 dB) at around 65 Hz and can be set when the system is used in
full range mode without subwoofers.
HFC function
Selecting the HFC (High Frequency Compensation) function
compensates for loss of high frequency energy due to absorption
in air when loudspeakers are used to cover far field listening
positions.
The HFC function has two settings (HFC1, HFC2) for different
distances the cabinets need to cover. The settings should be used
selectively; HFC1 for cabinets covering distances larger than 15 m
(49 ft) and HFC2 for those covering distances larger than 25 m
(82 ft).
The compensation is adjusted for a typical relative humidity of
40 %. With lower humidity the absorption by air increases
therefore the distances where the respective HFC setting provides a
correct equalization are shorter than indicated above.
Using the HFC function provides the correct sound balance
between close and remote audience areas, whilst all amplifiers
driving the array can be fed with the same signal.
-5
0
5
10
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
20 100 1k 10k 20k
Frequency response correction in HFA mode*
*schematic diagram
Frequency response correction of the CPL function*
*schematic diagram
Frequency response correction of the HFC function*
*schematic diagram
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en8

2.4 Dispersion characteristics
The graphs below show the horizontal and vertical dispersion
angles over frequency plotted using lines of equal sound pressure
(isobars) at –6 dB and –12 dB. The nominal horizontal dispersion
is maintained down to 550 Hz (AL60)/370 Hz (AL90).
AL60 horizontal isobars
AL60
horizontal setup
AL60 vertical isobars
AL90 horizontal isobars
AL90
horizontal setup
AL90 vertical isobars
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en 9

2.5 Technical specifications
System data
Frequency response (–5 dB standard) 60 Hz - 18 kHz
Frequency response (–5 dB CUT mode) 95 Hz - 18 kHz
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field)
AL60 with D20/30D 138 dB
AL60 with D80 139 dB
AL90 with D20/30D 138 dB
AL90 with D80 139 dB
(SPLmax peak, pink noise test signal with crest factor of 4)
Loudspeaker data
Nominal impedance 8 ohms
Power handling capacity (RMS/peak 10 ms) 400/1800 W
Nominal dispersion angle (h x v - horizontal setup) AL60 60° x 30°
Nominal dispersion angle (h x v - horizontal setup) AL90 90° x 30°
Components 2 x 10" LF driver with neodymium magnet
1 x 1.4” exit compression driver with 3" coil
Passive crossover network
Connections NLT4 F/M
optional 2 x NL4 M
Pin assignment NLT4 F/M and NL4 M: 1+/1–
Weight 23 kg (51 lb)
AL60 frequency response
Point Source (PS) setup, standard and CUT modes
AL90 frequency response
Point Source (PS) setup, standard and CUT modes
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en10

AL60/AL90 cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en 11

3.1 EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)
This declaration applies to:
d&b Z0730 AL60 loudspeaker
d&b Z0731 AL90 loudspeaker
manufactured by d&b audiotechnik GmbH & Co. KG.
All product variants are included, provided they correspond to the
original technical version and have not been subject to any later
design or electromechanical modifications.
We herewith declare that said products are in conformity with the
provisions of the respective EC directives including all applicable
amendments.
A detailed declaration is available on request and can be ordered
from d&b or downloaded from the d&b website at
www.dbaudio.com.
3.2 WEEE Declaration (Disposal)
Electrical and electronic equipment must be disposed of separately
from normal waste at the end of its operational lifetime.
Please dispose of this product according to the respective national
regulations or contractual agreements. If there are any further
questions concerning the disposal of this product, please contact
d&b audiotechnik.
WEEE-Reg.-Nr. DE: 13421928
3 Manufacturer's declarations
d&b AL60/AL90 Manual 1.2 en12

D2744.EN .01, 03/2021 © d&b audiotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
www.dbaudio.com