d & b audiotechnik XSL-SUB User manual

SLXSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB
Manual 1.3 en

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General information
XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual
Version: 1.3 en, 01/2023, D2753.EN .01
Copyright © 2023 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
1.1 d&b ArrayCalc............................................................................ 5
2 XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB loudspeaker.................................. 6
2.1 Intended use................................................................................ 6
2.2 Connections................................................................................ 7
2.3 Operation.................................................................................... 7
2.3.1 Controller settings.................................................................... 8
2.4 Technical specifications............................................................ 10
3 Manufacturer's declarations......................................... 12
3.1 Conformity of loudspeakers..................................................... 12
3.2 WEEE Declaration (Disposal).................................................. 12
Contents
d&b XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 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 deployment. Pay attention to the correct
application and maximum load capacity of the accessories as
detailed in our specific "Mounting instructions" or in our
"Rigging manuals".
▪ Ensure that all additional hardware, fixings and fasteners used
for 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 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.
1 Safety precautions
d&b XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 en4

1.1 d&b ArrayCalc
For both safety and acoustic reasons, d&b line arrays must be
designed using the d&b ArrayCalc simulation software. The
software is available as a native stand-alone application for both
Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems and can be
downloaded at www.dbaudio.com.
Detailed information on how to use and operate ArrayCalc is
provided by the Help system of the software. To access the Help
system, press F1 or select the Help button ( ) from
the ArrayCalc toolbar. This will launch the HelpViewer which
provides an overview of the program as well as a search function
and direct access to the related topics.
In addition, ArrayCalc will provide you with typical array
configurations within the permitted load limits and will help you get
familiar with the mechanical load conditions and limitations.
d&b TI 385
Further information on line array design can be found in "TI 385
d&b Line array design, ArrayCalc". The TI is supplied with the
software or can be downloaded from the d&b website at
www.dbaudio.com.
d&b Seminar
We also recommend you to attend the regularly hosted d&b Line
array training seminars. Further information regarding the d&b
seminars and a seminar schedule can also be found on the d&b
website at www.dbaudio.com.
d&b Video tutorials
In addition, d&b provides related video tutorials which can also be
found on the d&b website at www.dbaudio.com or
www.sl-series.com.
d&b ArrayCalc
d&b XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 en 5

2.1 Intended use
NOTICE!
Only operate d&b SL-Series loudspeakers with the specified and
correctly configured d&b amplifiers, otherwise there is a risk of
damaging the loudspeaker components and the directional
characteristics of the system cannot be achieved.
Applicable d&b amplifiers: D40 | D80
Product description
The XSL-SUB and XSL-GSUB are the cardioid subwoofers for the
XSL system. They can be used to supplement XSL8 and XSL12
cabinets, either flown (XSL-SUB) or ground stacked (XSL-GSUB).
When the Z5770 XSL Flying frame set is used, XSL-SUB cabinets
can be flown as separate SUB columns or in mixed arrays together
with XSL TOP cabinets using the additional Z5783 XSL-SUB
Adapter frame.
Both cabinets are actively driven, 2-way bass-reflex designs
housing two long excursion neodymium drivers. One 18" driver
radiates towards the front while one 12" driver radiates towards
the rear of the cabinet.
The front and rear drivers are driven by separate amplifier
channels and operate in independent bass reflex chambers.
Through its cardioid dispersion pattern, this setup avoids unwanted
energy behind the system and greatly reduces the reverberant field
at low frequencies providing highest accuracy in low frequency
reproduction. The frequency response extends from 37 Hz to
110 Hz (35 Hz to 85 Hz - INFRA mode).
The cabinet enclosures are constructed from marine plywood and
have an impact and weather protected 2K finish. The front and
rear of the cabinets are protected by a rigid metal grill backed by
an acoustically transparent and water repellent fabric. Each side
panel incorporates two handles and mounted on the rear panel
are four heavy duty wheels.
Two runners extend from the rear to the front panel of each cabinet
protecting the bottom panel against scratching.
Two correspondingly shaped recesses are incorporated in the top
panel of each cabinet to accept these runners and prevent cabinet
movement when stacking XSL-GSUBs or XSL-SUBs.
An M20 threaded flange in the top panel accepts a corresponding
pole for the deployment of TOP cabinets.
SL-Series rigging components and arrays
The cabinets are mechanically connected using the rigging strands
on both sides of the cabinet front and a central strand at the rear
of the cabinet.
All necessary rigging components are mounted on the cabinet and
fold and/or slide out when needed.
A detailed description of the SL-Series rigging components is given
in the respective rigging manuals.
2 XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB loudspeaker
d&b XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 en6

Cardioid dispersion
Cardioid dispersion avoids unwanted energy behind the system
and greatly reduces the excitation of the reverberant field at low
frequencies providing the greatest accuracy of low frequency
reproduction. The subwoofers can be used as stand-alone solutions
or in stacked combinations with a minimum distance of 60 cm (2 ft)
between adjacent cabinets or between the subwoofers and a side
wall. When positioned in front of walls, the minimum distance to
rear walls is maintained by the wheels mounted at the rear of the
cabinet.
2.2 Connections
The cabinets are fitted with NLT4 F/M connectors. All four pins of
both connectors are wired in parallel using the following pin
assignment:
▪ Pins 1+/1– feeding the front LF driver.
▪ Pins 2+/2– feeding the rear LF driver.
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
Amplifier output mode(s): 2-Way Active
Application Setup Cabinets per
pair of amplifier
channels
XSL-SUB XSL-SUB
XSL-SUB AP
XSL-SUB Fln
2
1
1
XSL-GSUB XSL-SUB
XSL-SUB AP
2
1
In its standard mode the XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB can be used as
subwoofer for applicable d&b loudspeaker systems operated in
CUT mode. The two channels of the system are tuned to create a
cardioid dispersion pattern thus providing maximum rejection to the
rear. It can be used in flown or stacked combinations with a
minimum distance of 60 cm (2 ft) between adjacent columns of
cabinets.
Cardioid dispersion pattern
NLT4 F/M Connector wiring
d&b XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 en 7

AP setup
In connection with d&b ArrayProcessing (AP), the AP setup
contains the AP data that is generated by the d&b 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.
Fln setup
The "Fln" setup (flown setup) for XSL-SUBs is meant to work as a
low frequency extension for a flown XSL-SUB array, which can
either be part of a mixed array or a pure SUB column next to or
behind an XSL-TOP array.
Thus the setup is based on a higher cut-off frequency with
improved phase alignment in the wider overlap region.
The setup allows both known configurations:
1. CUT for TOPs and Standard for SUBs.
2. Full range for TOPs and 100 Hz for SUBs.
The setup also includes the Coupling function to allow the
configuration of TOPs and SUBs in one control group.
The INFRA mode is not applicable for this application and is
therefore not available within this setup.
2.3.1 Controller settings
Depending on the selected setup, for acoustic adjustment the
100 Hz (Fln setup) and INFRA modes (Standard setup) as well as
the Coupling function can be selected.
100 Hz mode (Fln setup)
With the 100 Hz mode selected, the frequency range of the
system is reduced to the range from 37 Hz to 85 Hz.
It can be used when actively driven SUB cabinets are used to
supplement TOP cabinets operated in full range mode in a mixed
array to compensate for the effect of close coupling between the
SUB and TOP cabinets.
INFRA mode (Standard setup)
With the INFRA mode selected, the frequency response of the
system extends from 35 Hz to 85 Hz.
The XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB can now be used to supplement
applicable d&b loudspeaker systems operated in full range mode.
d&b XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 en8

Coupling function
The Coupling function compensates for coupling effects between
the cabinets by reducing the low and low-mid frequency level.
The SL-Series setups provide a two-stage filter (Low/Mid), which
allows the independent shaping of the low and low-mid responses.
The characteristcs of the Coupling function are shown in the
diagram opposite. The standard setting (0) maintains the default
array response. Coupling values can be set in the range from +5
to –5 (Low) and from 0 to –8 (Mid) in increments of 0.5.
Note: Please note that all cabinets within the array should be
operated with the same Coupling setting.
When processed conventionally (Line/Arc), the larger the array
the more attenuation by Coupling will be required to achieve a
neutral response.
When operated with ArrayProcessing (AP), an array will
automatically be provided with the system target response, as
shown in the graphic opposite. All coupling effects caused by
the array length and shape are considered in the AP data. The
Coupling function may still be used for additional corrections,
for example of room properties or coupling effects between
main hangs and outfills.
Frequency response correction of the Coupling function
for low and low-mid fequency level*
*schematic diagram
d&b XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 en 9

2.4 Technical specifications
System data
Standard setup
Frequency response (–5 dB Standard) 37 Hz - 110 Hz
Frequency response (–5 dB INFRA) 35 Hz - 85 Hz
Fln setup
Frequency response (–5 dB Standard) 40 Hz - 125 Hz
Frequency response (–5 dB 100 Hz ) 37 Hz - 85 Hz
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field) with D40/D80 137 dB
(SPLmax: Broadband signal IEC 60268)
Loudspeaker data
Nominal impedance front/rear 8/16 ohms
Power handling capacity front (RMS/peak 10 ms) 700/1500 W
Power handling capacity rear (RMS/peak 10 ms) 400/800 W
Components 1 x 18" driver front/1 x 12" driver rear
Connections 1 x NLT4 F/M
Pin assignment 1+: Front+/1–: Front– /2+: Rear+/2–: Rear–
Optional front splay (XSL-SUB) 0° or 2.5°
Weight XSL-SUB 66 kg (146 lb)
Weight XSL-GSUB 62 kg (136 lb)
XSL-SUB frequency response, Standard and INFRA modes
XSL-SUB frequency response, Fln setup - Standard and 100 Hz mode
d&b XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 en10

XSL-SUB cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]*
*The same dimensions apply to the XSL-GSUB
d&b XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 en 11

3.1 Conformity of loudspeakers
This declaration applies to:
d&b Z0774 XSL-SUB loudspeaker
d&b Z0775 XSL-GSUB loudspeaker
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 directives including all applicable
amendments.
Detailed and applicable declarations are 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 XSL-SUB/XSL-GSUB Manual 1.3 en12

D2753.EN .01, 01/2023 © d&b audiotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
www.dbaudio.com