d & b audiotechnik XSL8 User manual

SLXSL8/XSL12
Manual 1.2 en

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General information
XSL8/XSL12 Manual
Version: 1.2 en, 02/2022, D2752.EN .01
Copyright © 2022 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 XSL8/XSL12 loudspeaker................................................ 6
2.1 Intended use................................................................................ 6
2.2 Connections................................................................................ 7
2.3 Operation.................................................................................... 7
2.3.1 Controller settings.................................................................... 8
2.4 Dispersion characteristics........................................................... 9
2.5 Technical specifications............................................................ 10
3 Manufacturer's declarations......................................... 12
3.1 Conformity of loudspeakers..................................................... 12
3.2 WEEE Declaration (Disposal).................................................. 12
Contents
d&b XSL8/XSL12 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 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 XSL8/XSL12 Manual 1.2 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 XSL8/XSL12 Manual 1.2 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 XSL8 is a line array loudspeaker for small to medium-scale
sound reinforcement applications. It also serves as a supplement to
other SL-Series systems for fill and/or delay purposes.
When the XSL Flying frame is used, up to 24 XSL8 cabinets can be
flown in vertical columns in either compression and/or tension
mode rigging producing an 80° constant directivity dispersion
pattern in the horizontal plane.
When the XSL Top mounting frame is used, up to 12 XSL8 cabinets
can be flown in tension mode rigging.
The XSL12 line array loudspeaker is acoustically and mechanically
compatible with the XSL8 and provides a 120° horizontal
dispersion.
The cabinets are 3-way designs, both housing 2 x 8" neodymium
forward LF drivers, 2 x 6.5" neodymium side firing LF drivers, one
horn-loaded 6.5" MF driver and 2 x 1" exit HF compression drivers
with 2" coils mounted to a dedicated wave shaping device. The
cylindrical wave segments of each cabinet couple without gaps
and sum up coherently. Splay angles between adjacent cabinets
can be set in the range from 0° to 14° in 1° increments.
The cabinets are driven by two channels of the applicable d&b
amplifier which provides dedicated processing functions for the
front LF and passively crossed-over side LF and MF/HF sections.
All components are arranged symmetrically around the center axis
of the cabinet to produce a perfectly symmetrical dispersion
pattern. This setup allows for a very smooth crossover design with
a well defined overlap of adjacent frequency bands resulting in a
very consistent and accurate horizontal dispersion.
Due to the arrangement of the forward and sideward LF drivers in
combination with their processing functions, the directivity is
maintained across the entire frequency range.
The frequency response extends from 60 Hz to above 18 kHz.
The cabinet enclosures are injection molded (ABS Polycarbonate)
and have an impact and weather protected 2K finish. The front
and side panels of the cabinets incorporate a rigid metal grill
backed by an acoustically transparent and water repellent fabric.
Each side panel incorporates a handle while two additional
handles are provided at the rear.
2 XSL8/XSL12 loudspeaker
d&b XSL8/XSL12 Manual 1.2 en6

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 out or slide out when needed.
A detailed description of the rigging components is given in the
respective rigging manuals.
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 forward LF drivers.
▪ Pins 2+/2– are connected to the passive crossover networks
feeding the side firing LF drivers and the MF/HF driver sections.
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
XSL8 XSL8 Line
XSL8 Arc
XSL8 AP
2
2
1
XSL12 XSL12 Line
XSL12 Arc
XSL12 AP
2
2
1
Line and Arc setups
The selection of "Line" or "Arc" depends on the curvature of the
array. Both setups may be used within one array.
The "Line" setup is used for long throw array sections with three or
more consecutive splay settings of 0°, 1° or 2°. Compared to the
"Arc" setup, the "Line" setup considers the different cabinet
interaction effects between straight and curved section of an array.
The Arc setup is intended for line array loudspeakers when used in
curved array sections.
AP setup
In connection with d&b ArrayProcessing (AP), 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.
NLT4 F/M Connector wiring
d&b XSL8/XSL12 Manual 1.2 en 7

2.3.1 Controller settings
For acoustic adjustment the functions CUT, HFC and Coupling can
be selected.
CUT mode
Set to CUT, the low frequency level of the cabinets is reduced. The
XSL8/XSL12 array is now configured for use with applicable d&b
subwoofer.
HFC function (Line/Arc setups only)
Selecting the HFC (High Frequency Compensation) function
compensates for the loss of high frequency energy due to air
absorption when loudspeakers are used to cover far field listening
positions.
The HFC function has two settings (HFC1 and HFC2) for different
distances the cabinets need to cover. The settings should be used
selectively; HFC1 compensates for 40 m (131 ft) and HFC2 for
80 m (262.5 ft) of additional distance from a reference position.
The compensation is adjusted for a typical relative humidity of
50 % at 22 °C. 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.
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 HFC function*
*schematic diagram
Frequency response correction of the Coupling function
for low and low-mid fequency level*
*schematic diagram
d&b XSL8/XSL12 Manual 1.2 en8

2.4 Dispersion characteristics
The graphs below show the horizontal dispersion angle over
frequency plotted using lines of equal sound pressure (isobars) at
–6 dB and –12 dB. The nominal horizontal dispersion of 80°/
120° is maintained over the entire operating bandwidth.
XSL12 isobar diagram horizontalXSL8 isobar diagram horizontal
d&b XSL8/XSL12 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) 90 Hz - 18 kHz
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field)
XSL8 with D40/D80 141 dB
XSL12 with D40/D80 140 dB
(SPLmax: Broadband signal IEC 60268)
Loudspeaker data
Nominal impedance front LF 8 ohms
Nominal impedance side LF/MF/HF 8 ohms
Power handling capacity front LF (RMS/peak 10 ms)
400/1200 W
Power handling capacity side LF/MF/HF (RMS/peak 10 ms)
300/850 W
Nominal horizontal dispersion angle
XSL8 80°
XSL12 120°
Splay angle setting 0 ... 14° (1° increment)
Components 2 x 8" front LF driver
2 x 6.5" side LF driver
1 x 6.5" MF driver
2 x 1" exit compression driver with 2" coil
Passive crossover network
Connections NLT4 F/M
Pin assignment 1+: Front LF+/1–: Front LF–
2+: Side LF/MF/HF+/2–: Side LF/MF/HF–
Weight 39 kg (86 lb)
XSL8: Frequency response*, Standard and CUT modes
*single cabinet within array
XSL12: Frequency response*, Standard and CUT modes
*single cabinet within array
d&b XSL8/XSL12 Manual 1.2 en10

XSL8/XSL12 cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]
d&b XSL8/XSL12 Manual 1.2 en 11

3.1 Conformity of loudspeakers
This declaration applies to:
d&b Z0770 XSL8 loudspeaker
d&b Z0772 XSL12 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 XSL8/XSL12 Manual 1.2 en12

D2752.EN .01, 02/2022 © d&b audiotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
www.dbaudio.com