d & b audiotechnik E8 User manual

E8
Manual (1.1 EN)

Symbols on the equipment
Please refer to the information in the operating manual.
WARNING!
Dangerous voltage!
Contents
Safety precautions...............................................................3
Information regarding use of loudspeakers...............................................3
E8 ..........................................................................................4
Connections.........................................................................................................4
Operation with D6 or D12.............................................................................5
Operation with E-PAC......................................................................................5
Dispersion characteristics.................................................................................6
Altering the HF horn dispersion.....................................................................6
Technical specifications.....................................................................................7
Manufacturer's declarations................................................8
EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)..............................................8
WEEE Declaration (Disposal)..........................................................................8
General Information
E8 Manual
Version 1.1 EN, 03/2008, D2030.EN .01
Copyright © 2008 by d&b audiotechnik AG; all rights reserved.
Keep this manual with the product or in a safe place so that it is
available for future reference.
In the case of reselling this product handout this manual to the new
customer.
If you supply d&b products, please draw the attention of your customers
to this manual. Enclose the relevant manuals with the systems. If you
require additional manuals for this purpose, you can order them from
d&b.
d&b audiotechnik AG
Eugen-Adolff-Strasse 134, D-71522 Backnang, Germany
Telephone [phone], Fax [phone]
E-mail: [email protected], Internet: www.dbaudio.com

Safety precautions
Information regarding use of loudspeakers
WARNING! 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.
CAUTION! 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.
E8 Manual, (1.1 EN) Safety precautions - 1

E8
Fig. 1: E8 loudspeaker
The E8 is a high performance multipurpose loudspeaker employing an
integrated 8”/1” exit coaxial driver design with neodymium magnet and
constant directivity horn loading. The horn with its 90° x 50° (hor. x
vert.) dispersion pattern can easily be rotated through 90° providing a
50° x 90° pattern without the use of tools.
The E8 is a two way design with a built in passive crossover network. Its
frequency response extends from 70 Hz to above 18 kHz.
The E8 enclosure is constructed from polyurethane integral hard foam
with an impact resistant paint finish. Its shape allows the cabinet to be
set up in upright or horizontal orientation as well as a stage monitor.
The front of the loudspeaker cabinet is protected by a rigid metal grill in
front of an acoustically transparent foam. The grill can easily be
removed without tools to modify the horn orientation.
The cabinet incorporates a handle, a pole mount socket and six M10
threaded inserts to connect to different rigging accessories like Z5350
E8 Flying bracket, Z5354 E8/E12 Flying adapter, Z5020 Flying adapter
02, Z5025 Flying adapter 03 or Z5351 E8 Horizontal bracket. An
additional M10 thread in the rear panel can be used to connect a
safety wire.
NOTICE: Only operate E8 loudspeakers with a correctly configured d&b
amplifier, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the loudspeaker
components.
Connections
Fig. 2: Connector wiring
The E8 cabinet is fitted with a pair of EP5 connectors. All five pins of
both connectors are wired in parallel. The E8 uses the pin assignments
1/2. Pins 3/4 and 5 are designated to active subwoofers, where pin 5 is
used for SenseDrive (only available when using a D12 amplifier and 5-
wire cabling). Using the male connector as the input, the female
connector allows for direct connection to additional loudspeakers.
The E8 can be supplied with NL4 connectors as an option. Pin
equivalents of EP5 and NL4 connectors are listed in the table below.
EP5 1 2 3 4 5
NL4 1+ 1– 2+ 2– n.a.
Tab. 1: EP5 and NL4 pin assignments
Fig. 3: E8 stage monitor setup
To allow for stage monitor use, the connector panel of the E8 cabinet is
recessed and tilted. With the panel on the right hand side, the cabinet is
oriented correctly.
E8 Manual, (1.1 EN) Page 4 of 8

Operation with D6 or D12
Select the controller setup E8.
On the D12 amplifier it is available in “Dual Channel” and “Mix
TOP/SUB” mode. For combinations with active subwoofers fed by a
single 4/5-wire cable "Mix TOP/SUB" mode must be selected.
Up to a total of four E8 loudspeakers can be driven by each channel of
the D6 or D12 amplifiers.
Controller settings
For acoustic adjustment the functions CUT, HFA and CPL can be
selected.
CUT circuit
Set to CUT, the E8 low frequency level is reduced. The E8 is now
configured for use with E15X-SUB in active mode or other d&b active
subwoofers.
HFA circuit
-5
0
5
10
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
20 100 1k 10k 20k
Fig. 4: Frequency response correction of
HFA circuit
In HFA mode (High Frequency Attenuation), the HF response of the E8
system is rolled off. The HFA provides a natural, balanced frequency
response when a unit 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 circuit
Fig. 5: Frequency response correction of
CPL circuit
The CPL (Coupling) circuit compensates for coupling effects when
building closely coupled arrays or when the cabinet is used as a stage
monitor. CPL begins gradually at 1 kHz, with maximum attenuation
below 250 Hz, providing a balanced frequency response when E8
cabinets are used in arrays of two or more. The function of the CPL
circuit in the D12 and D6 amplifier is shown in the diagram opposite
and can be set in dB attenuation values between –9 and 0, or a positive
CPL value which creates an adjustable low frequency boost around
65 Hz (0 to +5 dB).
Operation with E-PAC
Selecting E8 mode enables the E-PAC to drive up to two E8
loudspeakers. LO IMP mode configures the E-PAC to drive a maximum
of four E8 loudspeakers with a 6 dB reduction in input level to the
loudspeakers.
For acoustic adjustment the functions CUT and HFA can be selected. The
characteristics of the CUT and HFA settings are explained in the
previous section "Operation with D6 or D12".
E8 Manual, (1.1 EN) Page 5 of 8

Dispersion characteristics
The graphs below show dispersion angle over frequency of a single E8
cabinet plotted using lines of equal sound pressure (isobars) at –6 dB
and –12 dB.
Fig. 6: Isobar diagram E8 horizontal,
standard setup
Fig. 7: Isobar diagram E8 vertical,
standard setup
Fig. 8: Isobar diagram E8 horizontal,
horizontal setup with the horn rotated
Fig. 9: Isobar diagram E8 vertical,
horizontal setup with the horn rotated
Altering the HF horn dispersion
The HF horn can be rotated through 90° within the coaxial driver
assembly.
CAUTION !
Potential risk of personal injury due to falling objects.
- Set the correct horn orientation before suspending the
cabinet.
- Do not remove the front grill while the cabinet is mounted or
flown above the ground.
Tools required: screw driver or an appropriate coin.
- Undo the quick locks at the top and bottom of the front grill and
remove the grill
- Pick the horn at its outer edges and turn it until it snaps into the
desired orientation.
- Relocate and fix the front grill.
CAUTION: Make sure both quick locks of the front grill are locked
correctly before using the loudspeaker.
E8 Manual, (1.1 EN) Page 6 of 8

Technical specifications
Fig. 10: E8 frequency response, standard
and CUT settings
E8 system data
Frequency response (–5 dB standard).................................................62 Hz ... 18 kHz
Frequency response (–5 dB CUT mode)...........................................120 Hz ... 18 kHz
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field) E8 with D12 .........................................129 dB
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field) E8 with D6 or E-PAC .........................126 dB
(SPLmax peak, pink noise test signal with crest factor of 4)
Input level (100 dB-SPL/1 m)...............................................................................–13 dBu
Polarity to controller INPUT (XLR pin 2: +/3: –).........................................LF: +/HF: –
E8 loudspeaker
Nominal impedance...............................................................................................16 ohms
Power handling capacity (RMS / peak 10 ms).........................................150/800 W
Nominal dispersion angle (hor. x vert.)...........................................................90° x 50°
Components..............................................................8“ driver with neodymium magnet
..............coaxial 1” exit compression driver with 1.75“ coil and rotatable CD horn
....................................................................................................Passive crossover network
Connections................................................................................................................2 x EP5
...................................................................................................................(optional 2 x NL4)
Pin assignments.......................................................................................................EP5: 1/2
..............................................................................................................................NL4: 1+/1–
Weight..........................................................................................................7.3 kg (16.1 lb)
390 [15.4"]
232 [9.1"]
223 [8.8"]
Fig. 11: E8 cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]
E8 Manual, (1.1 EN) Page 7 of 8

Manufacturer's declarations
EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)
This declaration applies to
E8 loudspeaker, Z0620
manufactured by d&b audiotechnik AG.
All production versions of this type 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.
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.
D2030.EN .01, 03/2008 © d&b audiotechnik AG
d&b audiotechnik AG, Eugen-Adolff-Str. 134, D-71522 Backnang, Germany, Phone [phone], Fax [phone]_______