Ultimatum MF5 User manual
MF5 Loudspeaker
Service Manual
System description
The Ultimatum MF5 is a multi-chamber, multi-facet loudspeaker system incorporating seven drive
units per enclosure. The crossover network is essentially 2 way, plus additional super-tweeters,
these being mounted at the top of the enclosure, facing upwards.
The visible drive units are mounted on sub-baffles SBU and SBT. These are attached to the main
enclosure via a polyethylene membrane. There are two passive drive units inside the enclosure, in
cavities B and C.
The enclosure comprises four discrete internal cavities.
One LF drive unit ‘LF2’ is employed in cavity C1 and three LF drive units ‘LF1’ are employed in
cavities C, B and A, in a variation of the isobaric configuration.The drive units in cavities C1 and A
receive the same bass/midrange signal, in phase. Cavity C1 is sealed. Cavity A is bass-reflex tuned.
The two units employed in cavities C and B are passive, each with a resistor connected in parallel
with the voice coil. The front-mounted and lowest-mounted LF units are connected in parallel,
receiving the bass/midrange signal, in phase. Cavity C1 also contains the main ‘HF1’ tweeter drive
unit.
Cavity C also contains the two EMIT type Super-tweeter ‘HF2’ drive units.
Crossover Network.
L1: 0.8mH
C1: 3.8mfd (3.3 + 0.5)
C2: 0.5mfd
L2: 0.4mH
R1: 6.8 Ω
R2: 6.8 Ω
Replacing drive units
Caution: Use only NEAT ACOUSTICS replacement parts.
To replace LF2 drive unit:
1) Place the enclosure with the drive units facing upward. Remove the foam trim ring from the drive
unit, being careful not to stretch it out of shape.
2) Remove the old silicone adhesive by carefully peeling it away from the bass unit
surround.
3) Unscrew the four allen screws and remove the drive unit. De-solder the cable.
4) Solder to the new drive unit, ensuring correct polarity of the connections and that the cable does
not foul the cone of the internal drive unit LF1.
5) Fit the replacement unit using the four allen screws.
6) Apply a small bead of silicone to the edge of the surround in one continuous loop.
7) Carefully apply the trim ring making sure it seats inside the small lip on
the edge of the driver basket, then gently run your finger around the trim
pushing it onto the silicone.
Leave the speaker on its back for at least an hour for the silicone to cure.
To replace HF1 (main tweeter) drive unit:
1) Place the enclosure with the drive units facing upward. Remove the foam trim plate from the drive
unit.
2) Unscrew the four allen screws and remove the drive unit. De-solder the cable.
3) Solder to the new drive unit, ensuring correct polarity of the connections.
4) Fit the replacement unit using the four allen screws.
5) Apply a thin, even layer of adhesive to the tweeter faceplate.
6) Carefully apply the new foam trim plate, making sure it is flat.
Leave the speaker on its back for at least an hour for the adhesive to cure.
To replace HF2 (supertweeter) drive unit:
NB: The dual super tweeters are connected in series. If one supertweeter goes ‘open-circuit’ the
other will cease to operate. It may only be necessary to replace one supertweeter. If in doubt,
replace both.
1) Remove the foam trim plate from the drive unit. (This will probably tear during removal, a new trim
plate should be used.)
2) Unscrew the three wood screws and remove the drive unit. De-solder the cable.
3) Solder to the new drive unit, ensuring correct polarity of the connections.
4) Fit the replacement unit using the three wood screws.
5) Carefully apply the new foam trim plate, making sure it is flat.
To replace (internal) LF1 drive unit:
1) Place the enclosure on its back, with the drive units facing upward. Remove drive units LF2 & HF1
as described above
2) Remove the foam lining. Remove the eight hex-head M6 fixing bolts in cavity A1 which hold the
sub-baffle ‘SBU’ in place. Remove SBU.
3) Unscrew the four allen screws and remove the drive unit/s. De-solder the cable.
4) Solder to the new drive unit/s, ensuring correct polarity of the connections.
5) Fit the replacement unit/s using the four allen screws.
6) Replace the sub-baffle ‘SBU’ using the M6 fixing bolts. Take care to align the sub-baffle with the
main speaker enclosure.
7) Re-fit the drive units and trims on sub-baffle ‘SBU’ as described above.
To replace the crossover network.
1) Place the enclosure with the drive units facing downward.
2) Undo the M5 allen screws which secure the crossover panel to the rear panel and the rear panel
itself. Remove the rear panel (leaving the crossover/terminal panel in place).
3) Rotate the crossover/terminal panel so that the crossover components are facing towards you.
4) De-solder (or cut) each cable in turn, then connect and solder it to the correct point on the new
terminal/crossover panel.
5) When all connections have been transferred to the new terminal/crossover panel, place the rear
panel on the enclosure and fit the terminal/crossover panel to the rear panel using the four M5 allen
screws.
6) Fasten the rear panel to the enclosure with the M5 allen screws.
Parts List - Ultimatum MF5
Ite
m
Description
Part number
1
Bass/midrange drive unit
168mm
NE LF1
2
Foam trim ring for NE LF1 & NE LF2
NE FTR1
3
Bass/midrange drive unit w/phase plug
168mm
NE LF2
4
Tweeter. Inverted tioxid type. 25mm
NE HF1
5
Foam Trim plate for NE HF1
NE FTR2
6
Super tweeter EMIT type. 25mm
NE HF2
7
Foam Trim plate for NE HF2
NE FTR3
8
Crossover panel bass/midrange
NE XO5
9
Sub-baffle Top
NE SBT
10
Sub-baffle Front Upper
NE SBU5
11
Baseplate
NE UBP
12
Spike
NE US1
13
Locking collar
NE ULC
Neat Acoustics Ltd., tel: 01833 631021 fax: 01833 630022 www.neat.co.uk
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