Electro-voice Phoenix User manual

In 1985 EV introduced the MT series to

address the needs of concert sound profes-

sionals looking for high SPL capabilities,

reduced distortion and constant coverage

using smaller enclosures. MT series achieved

these goals by utilizing revolutionary Manifold

Technology that employed multiple drivers on

a single horn. Not long after its introduction,

major sound companies deployed large MT

series systems for the world’s top tours, ush-

ering in a new paradigm in sound reinforce-

ment. Unique products included the quad

18-inch MTL-4 subwoofer and the MTH-4 with

four 10-inch woofers, four 2-inch compression

drivers and four 1.25-inch compression driv-

ers, all in a single enclosure. MT series was

quickly embraced as the worldwide standard.

As line arrays came into vogue and manufac-

turers put more resources into their design,

the market for loud, ground stacked systems

with ﬂying capabilities was neglected. As a

customer-driven company offering complete

application-speciﬁc solutions, EV recognized

the need to ﬁll the void created by line array.

Phoenix, with second generation Manifold

Technology and all-new DVX woofer design,

speciﬁcally addresses the needs of custom-

ers in this market. From regional PA com-

panies to high-end concert touring, Phoenix

provides medium and long-throw solutions

for applications including festivals, clubs and

outdoor events—anywhere high SPL non-line

array systems are required.

Phoenix is the rebirth

of patented Electro-Voice Manifold Technology.

Electro-Voice® Manifold Technology

Unique to all Phoenix high-mid systems and monitors is patented Electro-Voice

Manifold Technology. Borrowing from the innovations of the original MT series, yet

employing the most advanced Electro-Voice technology, Phoenix manifolds boast

major advantages over single compression driver designs. More drivers means

higher power handling capacity and more SPL per horn, allowing the use of less

overall cabinets for the same output. Dual drivers offer the beneﬁt of tremendous

headroom in the mid and high frequencies letting you conﬁdently push that vocal

up and over the top of a dense mix or high stage volumes. Additionally, dual driv-

ers don’t have to work as hard as a single driver which results in less heat build

up in each driver and provides reliable roadworthy longevity. In the rare event one

driver fails, the integral redundancy of a dual driver system offers peace of mind

that the show will go on.

Snapshots of Dynamic FEA for a high

power signal (100V) for a conventional design (top)

versus DVX (bottom). The changing colors in the gap

indicate an extreme variation of the magnetic ﬂux for the

conventional design, while there is only slight variation

with DVX. The result is a more even travel of the DVX

voice coil, signiﬁcantly reducing harmonic distortion.

Electro-Voice®DVX®Transducer Technology

EV is known globally as a pioneer and leader in transducer designs for professional loudspeaker

systems. The result of an ongoing multi-million dollar R&D project, EV’s groundbreaking DVX woof-

er series sets a new benchmark for performance, high SPL output and low distortion. DVX motor

structure and suspension is optimized for very linear movement using state-of-the-art development

tools, such as computer simulation software for dynamic ﬁnite element analysis (Dynamic FEA).

In conventional woofer designs, high power signals with peaks up to and beyond 100V create a

wide variation in the magnetic ﬁeld, disturbing the linear movement of the voice coil and resulting in

audible distortion. Unique DVX motor geometry greatly reduces these changes in magnetic ﬂux,

reducing harmonic distortion up to 20dB.

DVX frames are designed with integrated Forced Air Voice Coil Cooling™. The movement of cone

and voice coil forces air inside the woofer, taking heat away from the voice coil and exhausting it

thorough the pole plate. This results in drastically cooler operation and reduced power compres-

sion, so DVX can provide continuously higher output. The asymmetric suspension of DVX provides

a perfectly harmonic system that eliminates typical loudspeaker resonances that can cause audible

sound coloration. This process of Ring-Mode Decoupling (RMD) reaches back to the late 90’s and is

already integrated in DVX. Computer modeled die cast frames are optimized to be rugged and light-

weight, while specially cold forged magnets provide higher sensitivity and additional weight savings.

Offering an unprecedented level of sonic clarity, dynamic capability, very high output and long-term

endurance and reliability, the amazing performance of DVX woofers needs to be heard to be believed.

Combined with the output potential of manifold technology , DVX is the base for the outstanding

acoustical performance of Phoenix.

With every excursion, cool air is drawn through the

voice coil, removing heat. This signiﬁcantly reduces power

compression, resulting in higher long-term SPL.

Intended for situations where very high SPL

and maximum throw are desired, the PX2122 packs tremendous horsepower. Dual ND2 com-

pression drivers are precisely summed in a manifold conﬁguration for increased power handling,

maximum high and mid frequency headroom, and lower distortion. Designed to reproduce the

frequency range above 80 Hz, the PX2122 works perfectly with the PX2181 subwoofer.

The tight coverage of the low distortion 45° x 30° rotate-able horn gives the PX2122 excellent

array characteristics. An integral 15° per side trapezoidal design allows arraying up to three wide,

with a recommended minimum of two per side. In an effort to simplify setup, PX2122 cabinets can

be securely splayed within the safety grooves routed into the PX2181 subwoofer, reducing the

need for straps and eliminating speaker cluster guesswork.

Dual high-efﬁciency, forced-air cooled DVX3121 12-inch woofers compliment the high perfor-

mance manifold section of the PX2122. With an overall broadband sensitivity of 102dB and “bi-

amp only” architecture, the PX2122 is ready to be utilized to its maximum high power potential.

The PX2122 employs rugged EVCOAT® covering and 18-mm, 13-ply plywood with complex

tongue-in-groove construction for long-term strength and consistency. Handles on the top, bottom

and both sides make transport easy, while eight M10 points provide ﬂexibility in situations where

hanging is either necessary or optimal.

accessory:

Optional PX-D1 wheel kit for PX2122 and PX2152 rotates to a horizontal position for rolling and a vertical position

when forming arrays, eliminating the need to remove and store the PX-D1 during use.

Whether combined with the PX2181 subwoofer

or used as a standalone system, the PX2152 shines in medium throw applications that require

the low-frequency reproduction of 15-inch woofers. Accurately summed dual ND2 compres-

sion drivers in a manifold conﬁguration allow for increased power handling, mid and high-

frequency headroom, and low distortion. Selectable bi-amp or passive operation makes the

PX2152 work extremely well in conjunction with Phoenix subwoofers or as a single box system

for live and club sound.

The wider 60° x 45° coverage pattern of the low distortion rotate-able horn gives the PX2152

added ﬂexibility in system design. With an integral 15° per side trapezoidal angle, two PX2152 can

be arrayed for a larger system; simply use one cabinet for a smaller system. In an effort to simplify

setup, PX2152 cabinets can be securely splayed within the safety grooves routed into the PX2181

subwoofer, reducing the need for straps and eliminating speaker cluster guesswork.

Dual high-efﬁciency, forced-air cooled DVX3150 15-inch woofers compliment the high perfor-

mance manifold section of the PX2152. With an overall broadband sensitivity of 99dB and the

ability to run full range passive or bi-amp, the PX2152 is an outstanding solution for a wide variety

of applications.

The PX2152 employs rugged EVCOAT® covering and 18-mm, 13-ply plywood with complex

tongue and groove construction for long-term strength and consistency. Handles on the top,

bottom and both sides make transport easy, while eight M10 points provide ﬂexibility in situa-

tions where hanging is either necessary or optimal.

accessories:

Optional durable covers for Phoenix systems resist the normal wear and tear of the road. Shown from left - PXC-Sub,

PXC-Top, PXC-15M and PXC-12M.

The PX2181 is a high-efﬁciency horn-loaded

dual 18-inch subwoofer intended for high-output low-frequency sound reinforcement. With the

ability to perform in either portable or ﬁxed installation applications, the ﬂexibility of the PX2181

makes it usable within a Phoenix system, a club installation, or as an add-on to much larger con-

cert touring systems.

Designed to be placed in vertical and horizontal orientations, alignment cups are placed in the

PX2181 enclosure to secure multiple subwoofers in an array. Up to three Phoenix top boxes can be

safely placed within the unique grooves routed into two sides of the PX2181 in the horizontal posi-

tion, while routed foot receptacles securely maintain a single Phoenix top box in the vertical position.

A switch allows the user to toggle between parallel mode (in which both woofers can be ad-

dressed by one ampliﬁer channel) and dual mode (where each woofer can be addressed indepen-

dently). In dual mode, three PX2181 subwoofers can be connected to two ampliﬁer channels for

maximum ﬂexibility and output.

The PX2181 utilizes dual DVX3180 18-inch woofers, a high-efﬁciency design with forced-air

cooling. When coupled to the dual low-frequency horns, the system achieves an amazing 105dB

sensitivity, allowing for performance that is equally at home in a Phoenix system or a much larger

touring rig. The enclosure is constructed from 18-mm, 13-ply plywood, utilizing tongue and groove

joints and EVCOAT® for long-term durability.

accessory:

Optional PX-D2 wheel kit for PX2181 makes transport simple and effective.

Combining the punch of dual 12-inch DVX 3121, a narrow 45° x 30° horn pattern, and

dual ND2 manifold compression drivers, the PX2122 is designed to be used in medium

to long throw applications with a minimum of two cabinets per side. The bi-amp only

architecture ensures that the PX2122 is used to maximum potential.

The PX2122 shares the same exterior dimensions as the PX2152 for coherent aesthet-

ics. Both cabinets employ rugged EVCOAT covering, and 13-ply plywood using complex

tongue-in-groove construction for strength and consistency. Its integral 15° per side

trapezoidal arrangement allows arraying up to three wide within the grooves routed into

the PX2181 subwoofer.