Master audio Joker JK46A User manual

JK46A
Pol.Ind.Norte-Perpinyà,25
08226 TERRASSA (Barcelona-SPAIN)
Copyright © 2014 [email protected]
All rights reserved www.master-audio.com
Sept 14
User’s manual / Manual usuario

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 2
ENGLISH
Safety Instructions
1. All safety instructions must be read before using this device.
2. The exclamation mark in the triangle indicates internal components which if
replaced can affect safety.
3. The lightning symbol within the triangle indicates the presence of dangerous
uninsulated voltages.
4. This device must not be exposed to rain or humidity.
5. Only clean the device with a dry cloth.
6. Do not install the device near heat sources such as radiators, heaters or other
heat-emitting elements.
7. The equipment must be repaired by qualified technical service personnel when:
A. The mains supply cable is damaged, or
B. Any object or liquid has damaged the device; or
C. The equipment does not function normally or correctly; or
D. The equipment has been exposed to the rain; or
E. The chassis is damaged
8. Disconnect the device in the case of electric storms or during long periods of
disuse.
9. Never hang the equipment by its handle.
10. Only use manufacturer recommended accessories.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DON’T OPEN
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock do
not expose this equipment to rain or moisture
WARNING:

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 3
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. General
Master Audio would like to thank you for your confidence in our Joker Series. We
suggest you to carefully read the following instructions in order to obtain the best
results in performance.
1.2. Features and presentation
JK46A
- Self-powered acoustic system
- XLR electronically balanced input & XLR parallel output
- AC PowerCon input
- 600 W class D amplifier for low-mid range
- 100 W class D amplifier for high range
- 24-bit AD/DA converters, 48kHz sampling rate
- Self amplifier diagnostics: output power, temperature, clipping
- DSP Controls (delay, volume, polarity, presets and limiters)
- 4x6" neodymium woofers with carbon fiber cone and 1.5” voice coil
- 1.75" PETP diaphragm neodymium driver
- 50º to 100º (H) x 55º (V) asymmetrical dispersion horn
1.3. Presets
The JK46A cabinet includes several manufacturer presets for different types of
applications.
FLAT
Flat response
• Standard preset
NEARFIELD
-3dB mid
frequencies
(800Hz-3kHz)
• Small venues
• Medium level
• Short-medium
distance
NEARFIELD+
-3dB mid
frequencies
(200Hz-3kHz)
• Small venues
• Medium level
• Short distance

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 4
LONGTHROW
+3dB high
frequencies
• Large venues
• High level
• Medium-long
distance
SPEECH
-6dB Low
-6dB High
• Microphone use
• No matter level
or distance
XOVER
HPF 100Hz
• Use with Joker
subwoofers
ATTENTION: When any of the subwoofers from Joker series is used in conjunction
with the JK46A in XOVER preset, the subwoofer must operate in positive polarity.
When any of the subwoofers from Joker series is used in conjunction with the JK46A
in FACTORY, NEARFIELD, NEARDFIELD+ or LONGTHROW presets, the
subwoofer must operate in negative polarity.
POLE MOUNT use: When any of the
subwoofers from Joker series is used in
conjunction with the JK46A in XOVER preset
and in pole-mount configuration, a delay of
2.9ms must be set on JK46A*.
*For a 70cm pole bar

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 5
2. CONNECTIONS
2.1. Overview
The power and audio connections are located on the unique Joker back panel, shown
in Fig. 1. The different parts of the panel are explained in detail in the following
sections of the manual.
Control Panel
A) LCD: Displays basic information about the DSP Status. The main screen shows the
following information.
•Current preset
•Input Level
•Output Level LF Channel
•Output Level HF Channel
•Amplifier temperature
•ALC mode enabled/disabled
•ECO mode enabled/disabled
•Keypad locked/unlocked
B) KEYPAD: Allows the user to perform basic operations on the DSP such as Preset
selection, delay adjust and also user preferences. To enter the menu the keypad must
be unlocked by pressing simultaneously the MENU and SELECT keys.
C) GAIN CONTROL: Use the Up and Down arrows to adjust the gain of the system.
The gain can be adjusted between 0 and -20dB. Once -20dB is reached and the Down
key is further pressed, the system will be muted. To unmute it, press the Up key again.
D) PROTECTION LED: This led lights up when the amplifier is in a protection situation
(such as temperature excess, overcurrent, or other situations that can compromise the
amplifier’s integrity).
It will also light up when the amplifier is in standby mode. This happens for a couple of
seconds at start-up.
The Protection led will light off when the amplifier recovers from the abnormal
situation. Shall the Protection led keep up lighted on even after a system restart,
please contact an authorized service.
E) LIMITER LEDS: The limiter leds light up to indicate that the amplifier is delivering
the maximum power set by the limiter circuit. The limiter prevents the loudspeaker
from receiving excessive or distorted signal. Continuous lightning of these leds
indicate that the signal is being massively compressed. In this case, the input level
should be reduced in order to get a proper dynamic headroom.

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 6
Fig.1. JK46A control and connection panel
A
B
C D
E
F
G
H
CO
NTR
O
L PANEL
MODEL SPECIFICATIONS
CONNECTION PANEL
I

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 7
Model Specifications:
F) MODEL DATA: The basic data of the model is found here:
- Model reference
- Amplifier rated power (Watts)
- Maximum continuous Sound Pressure Level delivered by the system (dB SPL)
G) QR CODE: For further information about the specifications of the system, a QR
Code is available on this panel.
To scan the QR code you need a mobile device with camera, a QR Code reader
application (*) and an internet connection. When the QR is scanned, the web surfer of
your mobile device will be redirected to the product page of Master Audio’s web site,
when you can find all the information related to the product.
(*)QR Code reader applications are available for free for the most common
smartphone platforms: iPhone/iPad (App Store), Android Marketplace, Blackberry
AppWorld and Bada App Market.
Connection Plate
H) AC MAINS INPUT: Mains supply connection via PowerCon (blue connector for AC
in).
Always use mains power cable supplied by manufacturer.
Never connect the Joker cabinets to an unearthed mains supply or by using
an unearthed mains cable.
I) BALANCED INPUT/LINK:
XLR-3 Female balanced signal connector for signal input.
XLR-3 Male connector for parallel connection of various cabinets with the same input
signal.
IMPORTANT: Please always use balanced microphone cable with the following pin
assignment: 1= Shield (Ground) 2= Live (+) 3= Return (-)
2.2. Configurations
2.2.1. Parallel connection
Connect the signal (mixing desk output) to INPUT on the first unit. Use the LINK
output to transfer the INPUT signal to the second unit and thus sequentially for further
units. All of the units in this chain must be switched on. For the mains connection use
the cable with the blue PowerCon.
Do not connect JK46A units using PowerCon without earth.

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 8
Fig.2. Parallel connection for JK46A cabinets
2.2.2 Parallel connection with subwoofer
You can connect the Joker subwoofers in parallel with JK46A full range cabinets.
Please, follow the same parameters as explained in figure 2.
3. MOUNTING AND PLACEMENT
For a proper installation of a sound system, it is strongly recommended to carefully
read the following advices.
3.1. Placement The JK46A cabinets should be
located in a high position, slightly
inclined to the audience. If the
loudspeakers are located too
low, the listeners at the end of
the room will not hear a good
sound quality.
Fig.3. Flying placement

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 9
3.2. JK46A with subwoofer
The JK46A is equipped with a 35mm socket for mounting the
speaker on a subwoofer. Be careful not to use this system on non-
flat surfaces as it may become unstable.
Fig.4. JK46A with subwoofer
3.3. Asymmetrical and rotatable horns
The JK46A incorporates an asymmetrical dispersion horn which will optimise
coverage either in horizontal or vertical position.
To rotate the horn, unscrewed the frontal grille, and then, unscrewed the four fixing
screws of the horn. Rotate it 90 degrees taking care of the wires. Screw the horn
again and finally place the frontal grille in its right position.
Fig.5. Rotatable horn
Good coverage of audiences often is a conflicting combination of:
*wide coverage for the closest audience (short throw)
*narrow coverage for distant areas (long throw)
The asymmetrical dispersion horn coverage varies from "short throw" to "long throw"
along the vertical axis (keeping a constant vertical directivity). In conclusion,

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 10
directivity feature of (50º to 100º(H), 55º(V)) can be seen as if the horn itself had "two"
horizontal directivities (audience coverage), which depend on the distance. For short
distances the horn should be used with its "wide" dispersion (100º). For long
distances the horn should be used with its "narrow" dispersion (50º). We suggest you
to pay attention to the following examples.
3.3.1. Vertical-Positioned Cabinets (Flown and aiming to the audience)
We need wide coverage (100º) for the closest listeners and narrow coverage for the
distant audience.
Fig.6. Vertical position
3.3.2. Horizontal-Positioned Cabinets (Flown and aiming to the audience)
We need wide coverage (100º) for the closest listeners and narrow coverage for the
distant audience.
Fig.7. Horizontal position

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 11
WARNING: The horns have the "Nearfield" mark printed on the 100º horizontal
coverage side.
Fig.8. “Near Field” logo
3.4. Rotatable logo
JK46A’s front logo can be rotated.
3.5. Flying
Only experienced people should fly speaker cabinets. Extreme care should be taken
to assure the load bearing capabilities of the structures where the cabinets will be
placed. Hanging hardware (as chains, eyebolts, lock pins...) should be regularly
inspected and replaced if in doubt.
WARNING!!! DO NOT SUSPEND THE CABINETS FROM THE HANDLES!!!!
3.5.1. JK46A vertical flying with SP46 wall-mount bracket
The JK46A may
be wall mounted
by the SP46
wall-mount
bracket
accessory.
Fig.9. SP46 bracket
Refer to “SP46 instructions manual” for more information

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 12
3.5.2. JK46A flying with ACR-M8 eyebolts
These models provide several M8 flying points. Their correct use will permit the flying
in horizontal or vertical position.
Fig.10. JK46A rigging points
JK46A
Horizontal flying 2&5 or 3&6 or 9&10 or 11&12 (front rigging points)
1&4 or 7&8 (back tilt points)
Vertical Flying 5&6 or 9&11 (front rigging points)
4 or 7 (back tilt points)

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 13
3.5.3. JK46A vertical flying with HR26 bar
Use HR26 flying bar for
vertical flying of JK46A
Refer to “HR26 instructions
manual” for more
information
Fig.11. HR26 flying bar for JK46A
3.6. JK46A grille
To remove the front grille,
first remove the screws
on both the left and right
side.
Insert two bent paper
clips into the holes in the
grille and carefully pull it
off.
Fig.12. Grille screws

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 14
4. SYSTEM SETUP
Thanks to their internal microcontroller and DSP System, the JK46A Active cabinets
can be configured for different applications. This section explains all the possible
configurations.
The LCD and keypad on the cabinet’s back panel are used for the setup.
IMPORTANT: To enter the Menu, the keypad must be unlocked by
simultaneously pressing the keys MENU and SELECT
4.1 Startup and Main Screen
At start-up the LCD screen will show the Master Audio and Joker logo. After a few
seconds, the main screen shown in Fig. 13 will be displayed:
Fig. 13: Main screen display
A: Current preset
B: Input and Output levels
C: Gain level
D: Temperature of the power stage
E: Special features
- Eco: when Ecomode is enabled
- ALC: when Adaptive Loudness Compensation is enabled
- Lock: shows when the keypad is locked
- Polarity: positive (Pol+) or negative (Pol-) (only in Subwoofers)
4.2 Selecting a Preset
To change the Preset, follow these steps:
1) If the keypad is locked, unlock it with
MENU + SELECT
2) Press PRESET once. You will enter the
Preset menu, and the current preset will be
shown
3) Press PRESET to browse through the available presets of the system. When you
find the desired one, press SELECT to set it as the current preset. You will be
redirected to the main screen
FLAT
30
0.0dB
Lock
Eco
A
B
C
D
E
ALC
FLAT

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 15
Delay
20.0m
58.8ms
4.3 Gain setting
In order to change the gain, first unlock the
keypad with MUTE + SELECT and then
press UP or DOWN. Then you will enter the
gain setting screen.
The Gain can be adjusted between 0dB and -
20dB. When -20dB level is reached, and the
DOWN key is further pressed, the system will mute and this will be shown in the
screen. To unmute the system, press the UP key at least once.
To accept the gain setting and go back to the main screen, press SELECT. Should
this not happen after 30 seconds, the system will automatically switch to the main
screen.
4.4 Browsing the menus
To browse the menus, the MENU and SELECT keys are used. Always remember to
unlock the keypad to perform an action.
MENU browses the different options on each level. To accept an option, press
SELECT. To enter the main menu, press MENU once. The following options are
available:
Audio Settings Info
Configuration Back
Press SELECT to enter to the submenus.
AUDIO SETTINGS MENU
Using the MENU key, the following options can be browsed. Press SELECT to enter
each of them.
Gain: Access to the Gain slider described in Section 4.3.
Delay: A 40-meter delay line is available. Use
the UP and DOWN arrows to set the desired
delay between 0 and 40m. Press SELECT to
finish.
Mute: Here the system can be muted. Two-
way systems offer also the chance of muting
only one of the ways, useful for check and
service.
Once you are finished, go to “Back” and press
SELECT. Whenever one or more transducers
are muted, the word MUTE will be shown in the
main screen.
Gain
-9.5dB
Mute
OFF .
ALL
LF
HF
Back

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 16
Limiter
-3.0 dB
Limiter: Adjust the limiter Threshold, using UP
and DOWN arrows. Default setting is 0dB
(maximum power)
Once you are finished, press SELECT.
Polarity (only for Subwoofers): select
between positive and negative polarity (180º
inversion). It provides a very useful feature to
quickly align the subwoofers in one
application.
CONFIGURATION MENU
Entering the configuration menu, the following options can be set:
ECO Mode: Under this option, the ECO mode
can be disabled or enabled with different sleep
times.
Under the ECO mode, the system will
continuously analyze the input signal. If no
input signal is present after the number of
minutes selected in this option, the system will
go in a low power consumption mode
(standby). This condition will be indicated by a message in the LCD.
When the audio signal is present again, the system will wake up and continue playing
until the input signal is gone the next time.
If the Eco mode is selected, the word Eco will display in the main screen.
IMPORTANT: The system needs about 2 seconds to wake up from the low power
consumption mode. It is not recommended to use it for time-critical applications.
Front LED: Joker active cabinets are
equipped with a front led, that lights up when
the cabinet is powered on.
The behaviour of the front LED can be
changed here:
Off: The front led remains always off
On: The front led remains always on
On when Limiting: The front led is normally
off and lights up when either of the limiters are active.
Off when Limiting: The front led is normally on and turns off when either of the limiters
is active (the default setting):
IMPORTANT: In the default setting, the Font Led will be lit Off when either of the
limiters is active.
Polarity
Positive .
Negative
Back
ECO Mode
Disabled .
Enable in 1m
Enable in 10m
Enable in 30m
Back
Front LED
Off
On
On when Limiting
Off when Limiting .
Back

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 17
Backlight: Select how the backlight of the LCD
in the back panel will behave. The backlight will
always light up after a key press except when
the option “Always Off” is selected here.
Keypad lock: Choose whether the keypad is
locked or not after no activity (the timeout can
be configured here). Remind that the keypad is
unlocked by pressing MUTE+SELECT keys at
the same time
Language: Select here the user interface
language. Press SELECT to change to the
highlighted option
INFO MENU
This option provides a quick overview of all the current settings of the system. Press
SELECT to get the information displayed. There are three information screens, which
can be switched by pressing SELECT.
In the last screen (Settings), it is also possible to reset the system to the factory
values. To do this, press MENU and then highlight the option Restore with MENU.
Press SELECT to confirm
The factory default for a Joker system is the following:
Audio Settings
•Preset: FLAT
•Gain: 0.0dB
•Delay: 0m
LCD Backlight
Always On .
Always Off
Off in 30s
Off in 1m
Off in 5m
Off in 10m
Back
Language
English .
Espanol
Back
Keypad Lock
Unlocked
Lock in 30s .
Lock in 1m
Lock in 5m
Lock in 10m
Back
Audio Settings .
Preset: FLAT
Gain: 0.0dB
Delay: 0.0m
Limiter: -3.0dB
Mute: OFF
User Settings .
Front LED: Off when L
LCD: Off in 30s
ECO: Disabled
ALC: Auto
Keypad: Lock in 30s
Lan
g
ua
g
e: En
g
lish
System Settings .
Model: JK46A
Version: 1.0
Firmware: 4.0
Press MENU to Restore
Factor
y
Settin
g
s
Factory Settings
Back
Restore .

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 18
•Mute: Off
•Polarity: Positive (Pol+) (only in subwoofers)
User settings:
•Front LED: Off when Limiting
•Backlight: Off after 30 seconds of no activity
•ECO Mode: Off
•ALC Mode: Auto
•Keypad Lock: 30s MENU+SELECT
•Language: English
4.5 Special Features
a) RMS Limiter
Joker systems combine a carefully designed dual limiter system to independently
protect each transducer against power overload: a peak Limiter and a RMS Limiter.
The RMS Limiter prevents long term exposition of the transducer to high RMS levels
(abnormal when the music has a correct dynamic headroom). When the limiter led
lights up continuously, it means that the RMS limiter is active. On the other hand, the
Peak Limiter has an ultrafast attack to control the highest peaks of the music and only
makes the Led blink.
Thanks to the large experience of Master Audio on DSP algorithms and limiters,
these limiters are highly effective but yet unnoticeable for the listener.
b) Automatic Temperature Limiter
Under normal operation, Joker amplifiers are able to perform during many hours at
full power. However, should the temperature in the amplifier rise abnormally, the
system will automatically adjust the limiter threshold to try to compensate for the
temperature raise. The system will progressively lower the output gain.
When the temperature lowers again, the system will recover its normal operation.
Should the temperature continue rising and reach 90ºC at the amplifier’s heatsink, the
system will shut down in Protection mode.
c) Input Overload Protection
Joker systems have a nominal input voltage of +8dBu / 2V (+2dBu / 1V in
subwoofers) for full power performance; nevertheless, in order to respect the highest
dynamics of the music, the input is capable to hold a high input voltage (+20dBu /
8V). This avoids undesirable effects from sound sources and mixers capable of
delivering a higher output voltage.
It must be noticed that driving a system continuously over its nominal input level
may drastically decrease the sound quality, normally because of the lack of
headroom (dynamic response). In the long term, it might also produce unnecessary
aging of the transducers and reduce their reliability. The maximum power of the
system is obtained at its nominal input level. Under this condition, the limiter Leds
may blink occasionally. Working continuously above this level is never translated into
better results.

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 19
To avoid loudspeaker damage because of input overload issues, Joker systems build
in an input monitoring system that prevents the cabinet from being
continuously operated at excessive input signal levels. After a long period of
exposure to high input levels (more than 5 minutes over +15dBu / 4.5V), the cabinet
will enter in Input Overload Protection mode, meaning that:
- The output signal will be reduced by
20dB
- All limiter LEDs will be lit
- The front power led will blink
- A message will be shown in the LCD
(Input Overload)
To get back to the normal operation mode, the input level should be reduced to
+5dBu (1.4V). After the level reduction, the system needs around 10 seconds to
recover the normal operation mode.
d) Adaptive Loudness Compensation (ALC).
ALC is a DSP algorithm developed by the Research and Development team at
Master Audio to improve the listening experience when the cabinet is being used at
low reproduction levels.
Under this listening condition, the behaviour of human ear is to naturally enhance the
level of middle frequencies. The lower the level, the higher is the middle frequency
enhancement. To compensate for that effect, ALC applies a correction to the
frequency response of the system.
In order to do that, ALC automatically senses the
average signal level at the input: when this level is
low, the DSP will apply loudness compensation
curves (based on Fletcher-Munson’s equal
loudness contours), that will dynamically adapt the
frequency response of the cabinet to the listening
conditions.
This feature will only influence the frequency response when the input signal average
is below 6dB of the nominal input, that is, when the cabinet is performing at levels
below half of its rated program power. In the range between -6dB and 0dB in respect
to the nominal input, the ALC will not modify the response.
ALC is active by Factory Default, and may be enabled or disabled by the user. To do
that, go to the Configuration Menu, and select the option ALC (Loudness).
When ALC is active (Auto), it will be displayed in
the main screen.
ALC (Loudness)
Disabled
Auto .
Back
FLAT 30
0.0dB
Lock
A
LC

Master Audio
Joker Series (JK46A). Version 1.0 Sep14 20
5. TECHNICAL FEATURES
JK46A
Audio Input
Sensitivity +8dBu
Impedance 20kΩ
Mains Supply
Type Universal switching power supply 85-265VAC / 45- 65Hz
Heavy duty musical
program 0.7A
Standby mode
consumption <5W
Analog converters 24 bit / 48kHz
DSP architecture 48 bit
Built-in delay line 118ms / 40m
Frequency response
Usable bandwidth
(-10 dB)
50Hz-18kHz
Maximum output
level (1m/continuous) 125 dB
Amplifier (program) 600+100W
Nominal directivity
(-6dB) 50º to 100º x 55º
Components
LF 4 x 6” neodymium woofers (1.5” voice coil)
HF 1 x 1.75” PETP diaphragm driver
Cabinet
Type Bass-reflex
Height 1052 mm
Width 250 mm
Depth 260 mm
Weight (net) 18,5 Kg
Connectors 1 x AC PowerCon (input)
2 x XLR (input, link)
Material Multilayer plywood, Steel front grille with acoustic foam
Finish Hi-resistance weatherproof Polyurea paint