d & b audiotechnik Y Series User manual

YY8/Y12
Manual 1.2 en

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General information
Y8/Y12 Manual
Version: 1.2 en, 10/2016, D2712.EN .01
Copyright © 2016 by d&b audiotechnik GmbH; 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
Eugen-Adolff-Straße 134, D-71522 Backnang, Germany
T [phone], F [phone]

1 Safety precautions.............................................................. 4
1.1 Information regarding the use of loudspeakers........................ 4
2 Y8/Y12 loudspeaker.......................................................... 5
2.1 Product description..................................................................... 5
2.2 Connections................................................................................ 6
2.3 Operation.................................................................................... 6
2.3.1 Controller settings.................................................................... 7
2.4 Dispersion characteristics........................................................... 8
2.5 Technical specifications.............................................................. 9
3 Manufacturer's declarations......................................... 10
3.1 EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol).......................... 10
3.1.1 WEEE Declaration (Disposal).............................................. 10
Contents
d&b Y8/Y12 Manual 1.2 en 3

1.1 Information regarding the use of loudspeakers
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 Y8/Y12 Manual 1.2 en4

2.1 Product description
The Y8 line array module is intended for small to medium scale
sound reinforcement applications. When the Y Flying frame is
used, up to 24 cabinets can be flown in vertical columns producing
a constant directivity dispersion pattern of 80° in the horizontal
plane.
The Y12 line array module is acoustically and mechanically
compatible with the Y8 providing a 120° horizontal dispersion.
The Y8/Y12 cabinets are passive 2-way designs, both housing
2 x 8" 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 0° to 14° with a 1° resolution.
The two LF drivers are positioned in a dipolar arrangement
providing an exceptional dispersion control even at lower
frequencies with the nominal horizontal dispersion angle being
maintained down to 500 Hz.
The frequency response extends from 54 Hz to above 19 kHz.
The cabinets are constructed from marine plywood and have an
impact and weather protected PCP (Polyurea Cabinet Protection)
finish. The fronts of the cabinets are protected by a rigid metal grill
backed by an acoustically transparent foam. Each side panel
incorporates a handle while two additional recessed grips are
provided at the rear.
Y-Series rigging components and arrays
Y-Series arrays may consist of a combination of Y8 or Y12
loudspeakers and/or Y-SUB cardioid subwoofers.
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 to the
cabinet and fold out or slide out when needed.
A detailed description of the Y-Series rigging components is given
in the Y-Series Rigging manual which is provided with the Y Flying
frame.
A detailed description of planning and designing Y arrays is given
in the technical information "TI 385 d&b Line array design,
d&b ArrayCalc" which is also provided with the Y Flying frame.
The d&b ArrayCalc simulation software can be downloaded from
the d&b website at www.dbaudio.com.
2 Y8/Y12 loudspeaker
d&b Y8/Y12 Manual 1.2 en 5

2.2 Connections
The cabinets are fitted with a pair of NLT4 F/M connectors. All
four pins of both connectors are wired in parallel. The Y8 and Y12
loudspeakers use the pin assignments 1+/1–. Pins 2+/2– are
designated to actively driven subwoofers. Using the male
connector as the input, the female connector allows for direct
connection to a second cabinet.
The cabinets can be supplied with NL4 M or EP5 connectors as an
option.
Pin equivalents of the connector options are listed in the table
below.
NLT4 F/M
NL4 M 1+ 1– 2+ 2– n.a.
EP5 1 2 3 4 5
d&b LoadMatch
Starting with the D80 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:
D80/D20/D12/D6/10D/30D.
Application Setup Cabinets per
channel
Y8 Y8 Arc/Y8 Line 2
Y12 Y12 Arc/Y12 Line 2
The applicable d&b amplifiers provide two setups ("Arc" or "Line")
for the Y8 and Y12 loudspeakers. These are available in Dual
Channel or Mix TOP/SUB mode.
Arc and Line setups
The selection of Arc or Line depends on the curvature of the array.
Both setups may be used within one array.
The Arc setup is intended for line array loudspeakers when used in
curved array sections.
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 mid/high range is reduced to compensate for the
extended nearfield.
passive
crossover
Connector wiring
d&b Y8/Y12 Manual 1.2 en6

The transition from Line to Arc configuration within the array is
made according to the splay progression but may allow for certain
deviations due to the wiring of the cabinets in groups of up to two.
2.3.1 Controller settings
For acoustic adjustment the functions CUT, CPL and HFC can be
selected.
CUT mode
Set to CUT, the low frequency level of the cabinets is reduced. The
Y8/Y12 array is now configured for use with the d&b Y-SUB or
J-SUB subwoofers.
CPL function
The CPL (Coupling) function compensates for coupling effects
between the cabinets of an array. CPL begins gradually around
2 kHz, with the maximum attenuation below 100 Hz. As coupling
effects increase with the length of the line array, the CPL function
can be set to dB attenuation values between 0 and –9. With
higher attenuation values the corner frequency of the filter shifts
towards lower values.
Positive CPL values create an adjustable low frequency boost (0 to
+5 dB) and can be set when the system is used in full range mode
without subwoofers.
Note: Make sure that all cabinets within the line array are
operated with the same CPL setting.
HFC function
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 for cabinets covering distances larger than 25 m
(82 ft) and HFC2 for those covering distances larger than 50 m
(164 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.
Frequency response correction of the CPL function
Frequency response correction of the HFC function
d&b Y8/Y12 Manual 1.2 en 7

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 dispersion is maintained above
600 Hz, while a useful horizontal dispersion control is achieved
down to 500 Hz.
Isobar diagram Y12 horizontal
Isobar diagram Y8 horizontal
d&b Y8/Y12 Manual 1.2 en8

2.5 Technical specifications
Y8/Y12 system data
Frequency response (–5 dB standard) 54 Hz - 19 kHz
Frequency response (–5 dB CUT mode) 100 Hz - 19 kHz
Max. sound pressure (1 m, free field)
with D6/10D 134 dB
with D12/D20/30D 137 dB
with D80 139 dB
(SPLmax peak, pink noise test signal with crest factor of 4)
Y8/Y12 loudspeaker
Nominal impedance 8 ohms
Power handling capacity (RMS/peak 10 ms) 400/1600 W
Nominal dispersion angle (horizontal) Y8 80°
Nominal dispersion angle (horizontal) Y12 120°
Splay angle setting 0° ...14°
1° increment
Components 2 x 8“ driver
1 x 1.4” exit compression driver
Passive crossover network
Connections 2 x NLT4 F/M
optional 2 x NL4 M or EP5
Pin assignment NLT4 F/M and NL4 M: 1+/1–
EP5: 1: + / 2: –
Weight 20 kg (44 lb)
Y8/Y12 cabinet dimensions in mm [inch]
Y8 frequency response, standard and CUT modes
Y12 frequency response, standard and CUT modes
d&b Y8/Y12 Manual 1.2 en 9

3.1 EU conformity of loudspeakers (CE symbol)
This declaration applies to:
d&b Y8 loudspeaker, Z0707
d&b Y12 loudspeaker, Z0708
manufactured by d&b audiotechnik GmbH.
All production versions of these types 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.
3.1.1 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.
3 Manufacturer's declarations
d&b Y8/Y12 Manual 1.2 en10

D2712.EN .01, 10/2016 © d&b audiotechnik GmbH
www.dbaudio.com