d & b audiotechnik xS Series User manual

xS 44S
Manual 1.1 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
44S Manual
Version: 1.1 en, 09/2020, D2632.EN .01
Copyright © 2020 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.
When reselling this product, hand over this document to the new
owner.
d&b audiotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
Eugen-Adolff-Str. 134, D-71522 Backnang, Germany
T [phone], F [phone]
[email protected], www.dbaudio.com

1 Safety precautions.............................................................. 4
2 44S loudspeaker.................................................................. 5
2.1 Product description..................................................................... 5
2.2 Connections................................................................................ 6
2.3 Operation.................................................................................... 7
2.3.1 Controller settings.................................................................... 7
2.4 Dispersion characteristics........................................................... 8
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 44S Manual 1.1 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 44S Manual 1.1 en4

2.1 Product description
The 44S is a passive 2-way design housing two 4.5” neodymium
LF drivers built into a bass-reflex design and two 1.25" HF dome
tweeters mounted on a rotatable CD horn thus providing rotatable
dispersion characteristics (h x v) of 90° x 30° and 30° x 90°
respectively.
The frequency response extends from 90 Hz to 17 kHz.
The loudspeaker can be used as a stand-alone system or
supplemented by actively driven d&b subwoofers.
The 44S is a highly directive ultra compact loudspeaker with an
asymmetric cabinet shape. In horizontal orientation, the 44S can
be used as a frontfill loudspeaker.
The enclosure is injection molded with an impact resistant paint
finish. The front of the cabinet is protected by a rigid metal grill.
Two M8 threaded inserts are incorporated in the back panel to
connect to different rigging accessories.
Different brackets enable mounting to walls, under ceilings or
balconies or any other suitable surfaces such as floors as a single
unit (Z5423/Z5424) or in closely coupled clusters of two cabinets
(Z5423 with Z5425).
Using the swivel bracket (Z5426), it can be used as a main or fill
system, flown or mounted on a high stand.
The optional d&b Z5427 44S Backbox is a solution for flush
mounting the loudspeaker into ceilings or walls, either in horizontal
or vertical position. The back box is just 140 mm high making it an
ideal solution for in-stair mounting.
Within the back box, the loudspeaker can be aligned by 20° in
5° increments.
Note: Please also refer to Þ Chapter 2.5 "Technical
specifications" Þ "Flush mounting" on page11, as well as to the
Z5427 Mounting instructions which are supplied with the 44S
Backbox.
2 44S loudspeaker
d&b 44S Manual 1.1 en 5

Rigging examples
Z1650 44S loudspeaker
with:
▪Z5423 44S Mounting bracket
▪Z5425 44S Cluster bracket
Z1650 44S loudspeaker
with:
▪Z5424 44S L-mount adapter
Z1650 44S loudspeaker
with:
▪Z5426 44S Swivel bracket
Z1650.500 44S
loudspeaker, Flushmount
with:
▪Z5427 44S Backbox
▪Z5428 44S Backbox grill
Note: Please refer to the respective mounting instructions.
2.2 Connections
The cabinet is fitted with a pair of NL4 M connectors and a 4-pin
Phoenix Euroblock terminal block (cross-section up to 4 mm2/
AWG 11 - A corresponding 2-pin Phoenix plug is enclosed with
the cabinet).
All four pins of both NL4 M connectors are wired in parallel. The
cabinet uses the pin assignment 1+/1–. Pins 2+/2– are
designated to actively driven subwoofers.
Pin equivalents of the applicable connector options are listed in the
table below.
Phoenix 1: + 2: – 3: + 4: –
NL4 M 1+ 1– 2+ 2–
Connector wiring
d&b 44S Manual 1.1 en6

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 and the system performance can not be achieved.
Applicable d&b amplifiers:
D6|D20|D80|10D|30D|40D
Amplifier output mode(s): Dual Channel or Mix TOP/SUB
Application Setup Cabinets per
amplifier
channel
44S 44S 4
2.3.1 Controller settings
For acoustic adjustment the functions CUT, HFA and CPL can be
selected.
CUT mode
Set to CUT, the cabinet low frequency level is reduced. The cabinet
is now configured for use with applicable, actively driven d&b
subwoofers.
HFA mode
In HFA mode (High Frequency Attenuation), the HF response of the
system is rolled off. 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 function
The CPL (Coupling) function compensates for the different acoustic
properties depending on whether the loudspeaker is freely
positioned or flush-mounted.
At attenuation values of up to –5, CPL begins gradually around
1 kHz and reaches the maximum attenuation below 200 Hz. At
higher values of up to –9, the filter corner frequency gradually
shifts to higher frequencies while an attenuation of 5 dB is
maintained.
Positive CPL values create an adjustable low frequency boost (0 to
+5 dB) at around 90 Hz and can be set when the system is used in
full range mode without subwoofers.
-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
d&b 44S Manual 1.1 en 7

2.4 Dispersion characteristics
The following graphs show dispersion angle over frequency of a
single cabinet plotted using lines of equal sound pressure (isobars)
at –6 dB and –12 dB.
44S Isobar diagram horizontal 44S Isobar diagram vertical
44S Isobar diagram horizontal 44S Isobar diagram vertical
d&b 44S Manual 1.1 en8

Altering the HF horn dispersion
Depending on the application (horizontal or vertical setup of the
cabinet), the HF horn can be rotated through 90°.
To rotate the HF horn, proceed as follows:
Tools required:
▪ Allen hex torque wrench 2.5 mm.
1. Place the cabinet on its back panel.
2. Depending on the cabinet variant, first undo the four Allen hex
screws holding the front grill and remove the front grill.
3. Undo the four Allen hex screws of the HF horn.
4. Carefully pull out the HF horn and turn it clockwise by 90°.
5. Refit the horn as follows:
1. Make sure the gasket [G] is seated properly.
2. Refit the horn and tighten the screws with a maximum
torque of 2 N×m.
6. Recheck your work and refit the front grill.
d&b 44S Manual 1.1 en 9

2.5 Technical specifications
System data
Frequency response (–5 dB standard) 90 Hz - 17 kHz
Frequency response (–5 dB CUT mode) 150 Hz - 17 kHz
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field)
with D80|D20|30D|40D 123 dB
with D6|10D 121 dB
(SPLmax peak, pink noise test signal with crest factor of 4)
Loudspeaker data
Nominal impedance 16 ohms
Power handling capacity (RMS/peak 10 ms) 150/500 W
Dispersion angle (h x v) 90° x 30°
Components 2 x 4.5“ driver with neodymium magnet
2 x 1.25“ dome tweeter mounted on CD horn
Passive crossover network
Connections 4-pin Phoenix Euroblock and 2 x NL4 M
Pin assignment Phoenix: 1: + / 2: – / 3: + / 4: –
NL4 M: 1+/1–
Weight loudspeaker 3.6 kg (8 lb)
Dead weight Backbox 2.6 kg (5.7 lb)
Weight loudspeaker with Backbox 6.2 kg (13.7 lb)
44S cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]
44S frequency response, standard and CUT modes
d&b 44S Manual 1.1 en10

Flush mounting
Z5427 44S Backbox front view, dimensions in mm [inch]


Z5427 44S Backbox side view and max. wall thickness, dimensions
in mm [inch]
Z5427 44S Backbox cut out dimensions in mm [inch]
Z5428 44S Backbox grill (cover grill), dimensions in mm [inch]
Note: Please also refer to the Z5427 Mounting instructions, which are supplied with the 44S Backbox
d&b 44S Manual 1.1 en 11

3.1 EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)
This declaration applies to:
d&b Z1650 44S 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 44S Manual 1.1 en12

D2632.EN .01, 09/2020 © d&b audiotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
www.dbaudio.com