Panphonics Sound Shower AA-160e User manual

Panphonics AA-160e / AA-160mm AMPLIFIER
Operation Manual
1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Panphonics AA-160e and AA-160mm audio amplifiers are capable of driving
Panphonics speakers with high-quality audio. AA-160 amplifiers can be operated
either manually or remotely over LAN. Panphonics Automatic Volume Control feature
monitors the background noise level and starts to increase the output volume of the
AA-160 amplifier after the noise exceeds a set base level. This feature keeps the
audio at audible level in a changing environment. AA-160mm amplifier is internally
equalized for more suitable music reproduction.
© Panphonics Oy, Sound Shower AA-160e / AA-160mm AMPLIFIER operation manual v5.4 14.08.2014
Panphonics reserves the right to change this manual or the related products without any prior notice

2. QUICK START INSTRUCTIONS
1. Make sure you have all the provided equipments (AA160 amplifier / Power Supply / Power cord /
Microphone cable) 2. Connect Panphonics speaker D-connector to amplifier 3. Connect ambient microphone to
amplifier 4. Connect RCA or XLR cable to the media player 5. Connect RCA or XLR cable to amplifier 6.
Connect Power Supply cables 7. Green LED starts blinking when powered 8. Select input source by pressing
button 1 to select RCA or by pressing button 2 to select XLR. XLR is default source. 9. Place the ambient
microphone to a suitable place where it can measure the ambient noise level of the area where speakers are
installed 10.Calibrate automatic volume control by pushing both selector buttons at the same time (Please
note that the calibration noise is played at high volume)

3. CONNECTIONS & CONTROLS IN AA-160 AMPLIFIER
1. RCA input
Input for unbalanced connections. The connector is summed to mono internally.
When connecting a media player set the media players output volume (when
adjustable) as high as possible without causing any distortion to the AA-160 amplifiers
input stage. If the full volume setting causes distortion to the input of the AA-160
amplifier, lower the media players output volume. If the media players full volume
setting does not provide high enough overall volume increase the AA-160 amplifiers
input sensitivity by using a Telnet connection over LAN (see section 5,4). Set the final
output volume by using the AA-160 amplifiers Volume Knob (#8).
2. XLR input (Default)
Input for balanced connections. When connecting a media player set the media
players output volume (when adjustable) as high as possible without causing any
distortion to the AA-160 amplifiers input stage. If the full volume setting causes
distortion to the input of the AA-160 amplifier, lower the media players output
volume. If the media players full volume setting does not provide high enough overall
volume increase the AA-160 amplifiers input sensitivity by using a Telnet connection
over LAN (see section 5,4). Set the final output volume by using the AA-160 amplifiers
Volume Knob (#8).

3. Ambient Microphone Input
Input for the ambient microphone. The microphone monitors the ambient noise level
when using the Automatic Volume Control feature. Use only the provided microphone.
The microphone can be disconnected if the Automatic Volume Control feature is not
in use.
4. Input selector for the RCA input
Press to choose the RCA input for the incoming signal.
5. Input selector for the XLR input
Press to choose the XLR input for the incoming signal.
6. Ethernet ports (bridged)
For connecting the AA-160 amplifier to the Local Area Network (LAN). Use a standard
Ethernet cable (not provided). Bridged ports make linking other devices possible. Use
a Telnet connection to operate the AA-160 over LAN (see section 5).
7. Power and command indicator LEDs
When powered Green LED starts to blink rapidly. When on standby, Green LED blinks
slowly. Red LED blinks when the AA-160 receives a new command or setting.
8. Volume knob / standby switch
Rotate to adjust the output level of the AA-160 amplifier. Push to toggle between
standby mode on / off. The volume knob is a Digital rotary encoder- type.
9. Power input connector
Input for the provided power supply.
10. Fuse
To replace the fuse open the fuse holder by pushing it gently and turn
counterclockwise. Replace with a fuse type T2AE250VP.
11. Speaker out connector
Amplifier output for a speaker. Use only Panphonics speakers and audio elements.
12. Automatic Volume Control calibration
Press the buttons #4 and #5 simultaneously to calibrate the Automatic Volume Control
feature manually.

4. Automatic Volume Control feature
Panphonics Automatic Volume Control feature monitors the background noise level
and starts to increase the output volume of the AA-160 amplifier after the noise
exceeds a set base level. This feature keeps the audio at audible level in a changing
environment.
Before the Automatic Volume Control feature is ready to use the AA-160 amplifier
must be calibrated. This can be made either directly from the unit or remotely over
the LAN.
The ambient microphone and a speaker must be connected to the AA-160 amplifier
and installed to their final positions. The ambient microphone needs to be placed in
the same space as the speaker, with a maximum radius of 5 meters from the
speakers.Do not install the microphone directly in to the speakers sound field.
Media player should be turned off during calibration.
Make sure that the sound field coverage is clear from any items during the calibration
and the person calibrating the unit is not standing in front of or directly beneath the
speaker. The calibration signal consists of a short bursting noise, which can be
harmful for hearing.
The calibration should be made during the time of average background noise level.
The base level is automatically set during a calibration procedure. In some
circumstances the automatic base level setting will not give the optimal results. It is
sometimes more convenient to setup the parameter manually (over the LAN) e.g.
when there is excessive non-stop noise during the installation. The correct base level
setting can be found by using e.g. sound pressure level meter during the time of
average background noise level. To set the base level manually, see section 5,6,2.
Please note that the calibration routine needs to be carried out again should
there be any major changes in the installation environment!

5. Operation over LAN.
AA-160 series amplifier can be connected to the standard Local Area Network (LAN)
through the Ethernet port. To control the AA-160 amplifier a Telnet connection should
be used. It is possible to adjust all the general functions through the network. There
are also parameters for fine-tuning the Automatic Volume Control feature. The full
command reference list is at the end of this section. The default IP address/ network
mask is 192.168.1.111/ 255.255.255.0. The default Telnet password is “passu” *.
*If Mac OS X terminal Telnet client is used, the password might be asked twice
because of the echoing defaults
1. Configuring the device’s IP address.
1. Show current IP settings.
Command: ip
Response: IP #.#.#.# / #.#.#.# GW=#.#.#.#
2. Change current IP address.
Command: ip #.#.#.#
Response: OK
The new value does not take effect until ”ip update” command is sent. After ”ip update” a new
connection must be made and settings saved by issuing ”save setup”. If the new settings are not
saved after ”ip update” the unit will reboot after about 5 minutes and return back to the old
settings. Also, if power is lost before saving the new settings with "save setup" then unsaved
settings will be returned back to the old settings.
3. Change current subnet mask settings.
Command: ip mask #.#.#.#
Response: OK
The new value does not take effect until ”ip update” command is sent. After ”ip update” a new
connection must be made and settings saved by issuing ”save setup”. If the new settings are not
saved after ”ip update” the unit will reboot after about 5 minutes and return back to the old
settings. Also, if power is lost before saving the new settings with "save setup" then unsaved
settings will be returned back to the old settings.
4. Change current gateway settings.
Command: ip gw #.#.#.#
Response: OK
The new value does not take effect until ”ip update” command is sent. After ”ip update” a new
connection must be made and settings saved by issuing ”save setup”. If the new settings are not
saved after ”ip update” the unit will reboot after about 5 minutes and return back to the old
settings. Also, if power is lost before saving the new settings with "save setup" then unsaved
settings will be returned back to the old settings.
5. Take new ip settings in use.
Command: ip update
Response: NA

After ”ip update” a new connection must be made and settings saved by issuing ”save setup”. If
the new settings are not saved after ”ip update” the unit will reboot after about 5 minutes and
return back to the old settings. Also, if power is lost before saving the new settings with "save
setup" then unsaved settings will be returned back to the old settings.
6. Change password of the ip connection.
Command: ip password xxxxx xxxxx
Response: OK
New password must be repeated twice after the command. Passwords are to be separated by a
space character. The default password is “passu”. Maximum length of the password is 16
characters.
7. Show MAC number of the unit.
Command: mac
Response: MAC #-#-#-#-#-#
2. Changing standby mode ON/OFF
1. Amplifier standby ON.
Command: PWRON
Response: STATUS##,ON
2. Amplifier standby OFF.
Command: PWROFF
Response: STATUS##,OFF
3. Amplifier status query.
Command: STATUS
Response: STATUS##,ON/OFF
Returns ON/OFF depending on the amplifier state.
3. Selecting Input.
The desired input can be selected by the following commands.
1. Select RCA input.
Command: input rca
Response: OK
2. Select XLR input.
Command: input xlr
Response: OK
4. Changing the input sensitivity.
The minimum is “PRE00” which corresponds the amplitude 1:1. The maximum is “PRE20” and it
corresponds +20dB amplitude. If the setting should be permanent (even during the power
failure), use the “PRESAVE” command to save the setting.

1. Read current gain setting from the unit.
Command: PREREAD
Response: PRE=##
2. Set input sensitivity.
Command: PRE##
Response: STATUS00,ON
Range: 00-20 (default 10)
3. Save input sensitivity setting to Flash memory.
Command: PRESAVE
Response: OK
Input sensitivity chart:
RCA input PRE
setting
Max in Vp-p
0
> 4
10
1.32
15
0.8
20
0.45
XLR input PRE
setting
Max in Vp-p
0
> 4
10
1.60
15
0.78
20
0.45
5. Adjusting Volume
Setting the volume corresponds directly to the AA-160 amplifiers volume encoder (see section
3,8). If the setting should be permanent (even during the power failure), use the “VOLSAVE”
command to save the setting.
1. Read current volume setting from the unit.
Command: VOLREAD
Response: VOL=##
2. Set volume.
Command: VOL##
Response: STATUS##,ON
Range: 00-37
3. Save volume to Flash memory.
Command: VOLSAVE
Response: OK

6. Adjusting the Automatic Volume Control feature
After the calibration procedure the feature can be switched on or off and the base level setting
can be changed. The numerical base level value is given in decibels (dB) range. If the settings
should be permanent (even during the power failure), use the “amb save” command to save the
settings. If it’s needed to restore the factory parameter settings for the Volume Control, use the
“amb factory” command.
1. Run calibration routine for Volume Control.
Command: amb calibrate
Response: NA
2. Set the base level.
Command: amb baselevel ##
Response: OK: Value set
Range: 31-69 (default 50dBA)
!
3. Set Volume Control active.
Command: amb on
Response: OK
4. Set Volume Control inactive.
Command: amb off
Response: OK
!
5. Save Volume Control parameters to Flash memory.
Command: amb save
Response: OK
!
6. Restore Volume Control factory settings and store parameters to Flash memory.
Command: amb factory
Response: OK
7. Fine-tuning the Volume Control feature
The following parameters and commands are used to change and monitor the behavior of the
Automatic Volume Control. If the settings should be permanent (even during the power failure),
use the “amb save” command to save the settings. If it’s needed to restore the factory
parameter settings for the Volume Control, use the “amb factory” command.
1. View last read rms values of line in and MIC.
Command: adc
Response: OK: ADC media=-##, mic=##
2. Change how much gain is increased according to ambient noise.
Command: amb slope #.##
Response: OK: Value set
Range: 0.01-1.49 (default 0.8)
Increase in value equals increase in gain.
3. Maximum gain due to ambient noise.
Command: amb maxgain ##
Response: OK: Value set

Range: 2-39 (default 20dB)
Increase in value equals increase in gain.
4. Step time for gain increases. Unit dB/100ms.
Command: amb step_up #.####
Response: OK: Value set
Range: 0.0011-0.99 (default 0.15)
Smaller value equals longer response time.
5. Step time for gain decreases. Unit dB/100ms.
Command: amb setup_down #.##
Response: OK: Value set
Range: 0.01-0.99 (default 0.3)
Smaller value equals longer response time.
6. Minimum target level change before adjustment (hysteresis).
Command: amb hysteresis #.###
Response: OK: Value set
Range: 0.001-4.999 (default 1dB)
!
7. Save Volume Control parameters to Flash memory.
Command: amb save
Response: OK
!
8. Restore Volume Control factory settings.
Command: amb factory
Response: OK
9. View current parameters.
Command: amb parameters
Response: ##,*###,##,*###,*###,*####,##,-##,#,*###,*##,*###,#,#,*###,*####,###
Show current ambient control parameters, all values printed as integers. Small float values are
multiplied by 1000. These are marked with an asterisk. The values are printed in the following
order:
BaseLevel, Slope, MaxGain, StepUp, StepDown, Hysteresis, SpeakerGain, LineSquelchLevel,
LinePeakTolerance, LinePeakDecay, SpeakerGainStepUp, SpeakerGainStepDown,
AmbientMaskClearance, AmbientMaskDelay, AbientFollowStepUp, AmbientFollowStepDown,
AmbientForceDownInterval
10. View current status
Command: amb status
Response: G,-8,0,71,F,0,0,1,0,L,4,48,0,0,M,50,-53,H,4268
Show current levels and ambient control status. The last value is a running average of the
ambient flag during the last 20000 samples. To get the actual average divide the value by 20000.
The data is printed out in the following order:
LinePeakLevel, AdjustGain, SpeakerGain, LineAtPeak, LineOverSquelch, AmbientFlag, PeakPlot,
MicMaskLevel, AmbientLevel, TargetGain, TargetErrInt, LastMic, LastLine, AmbientHistory