Wharfedale Pro DIAMOND 8.1 PRO ACTIVE User manual

DIAMOND PRO
OPERATING MANUAL
DIAMOND 8.1 PRO
DIAMOND 8.2 PRO
DIAMOND 8.1 PRO ACTIVE
DIAMOND 8.2 PRO ACTIVE

!Warning – read all operating and servi e instru tions that a ompany this applian e!
!Varning – läs alla användar- o h servi einstruktioner som medföljer enheten! !Atenção -
leia todas as instruções de manutenção e de operação que a ompanham este aparelho!
!AVVERTENZA – Leggere attentamente le istruzioni per il funzionamento e la manutenzione
fornite on l'unità! !Aviso: Lea todas las instru iones de fun ionamiento y de mantenimiento
que se adjuntan a este aparato!Vaara – lue kaikki laitteen mukana toimitetut käyttö- ja huolto-
ohjeet! !Advarsel – læs alle betjenings- og servi eanvisninger, der følger med produktet!
!Waars huwing – lees alle bedienings- en onderhoudsinstru ties die bij dit apparaat horen!
!Vorsi ht - Lesen Sie diese Bedienungsanleitung sorgfältig dur h! !Attention: Lisez atten-
tivement les instru tions avant d’utiliser e produit!
FORSIKTIGHET: För att minska risken för elstötar bör man inte ta bort enhetens ytterhölje
(eller det bakre skyddshöljet). Reparationer får bara genomföras av kvalifi erade ser-
vi etekniker.
AVISO: Para reduzir o ris o de hoque elé tri o, não remova a tampa (ou a obertura tra-
seira). O usuário não deve efe tuar a manutenção. Deve pedir aos té ni os qualifi ados em
manutenção.
ATTENZIONE: Per ridurre il ris hio di s osse elettri he, non rimuovere la opertura (o il pan-
nello posteriore). Le operazioni di manutenzione devono essere eseguite es lusivamente da
personale qualifi ato.
PRECAUCION: Con el fin de redu ir el riesgo de sa udidas elé tri as, no desmonte la tapa
(o la tapa posterior). El mantenimiento no deberá ser realizado por el usuario, sino por el
personal de mantenimiento ualifi ado.
WARNING: To redu e the risk of ele tri sho k, do not remove over (or ba k). No user
servi ing - qualified servi e personnel only.
VAROITUS: Tulipalo- ja sähköiskuvaaran vähentämiseksi älä irrota suojusta (tai takapaneel-
ia). Älä huolla laitetta itse,anna huoltotyöt ammattitaitoisen huoltohenkilökunnan tehtäväksi.
FORSIGTIG: For at mindske risikoen for elektrisk stød må du ikke fjerne beklædningen (eller
bagbeklædningen). Reparationer må kun udføres af kvalifi eret servi epersonale.
PAS OP: Om de kans op elektris he s hokken te minimaliseren, dient u de afdekklep (of
a hterkant) niet te verwijderen. Onderhoud dient alleen te worden uitgevoerd door gekwali-
fi eerd personeel.
VORSICHT: Um diee Gefahr eines elektris hen S hlages zu vermeiden darf die Abde kung
ni ht entfernt werden. Die Wartung des Gerätes sollte qualifiziertem Fa hpersonal vorbehal-
ten bleiben.
CAUTION: Pour réduire les risques d’éle tro ution, ne pas démonter le apot. La manipula-
tion doit être effe tuée par un personnel agréé.

Contents:
Page 1: Using your Referen e Monitor
Use of a subwoofer
Page 2: Use with CRT displays
5.1 Monitoring
Stereo Near Field Monitoring Set-up
Page 3: 5.1 Set-up
Equalisation
System
Drivers
Page 4: Crossover
Cables and Conne tions
A/C Conne tion
Amplifier/s
Installation and Appli ation
Positioning and Mounting
Page 5: EQ-LF
Bass Filter
Portrait or Horizontal Mounting
Console Top Mounting
Page 6: Stand Mounting
Center speaker Mounting and Positioning
Controls and Indi ators: Rear and Front Panel
Volume Control
Page 7: Technical Specifications and Data
Maintenan e
Safety
Accessories

Wharfedale Diamond 8.1 Pro, 8.2 Pro and Pro-A tive Near Field Referen e Monitors
The fun tion of a Referen e Monitor Loudspeaker System is to provide an a urate soni
referen e for the operator/engineer thus enabling value de isions to be made in the re ording
and mixing pro ess. The purpose of these devi es is not simply to sound ex iting, or
impressive - only to give an a urate and lean representation of the original sour es and
re ording devi es used. This must be done with the minimum destru tive intera tion with the
room and onsistently in a variety of environments. It is also essential that the Referen e
Monitor does not favor or exaggerate any part of the spe trum, but gives the engineer a
referen e for the real-world environment in whi h the program will be played and heard by the
general publi .
Using your Referen e Monitor
The Diamond Pro and Pro-A tive Near Field Referen e Monitor Loudspeaker Systems are
a urate, low distortion, high quality, self amplified (Pro-A tive version only) loudspeaker
systems designed and optimized for re ording and referen e monitoring. In this appli ation
quantitative and qualitative de isions are made by the operator based upon many fa tors, all
dependant on what is heard from the loudspeaker used as a monitor. For a urate de isions
to be made at the time of re ording in su h areas as mi rophone hoi e, position, level and
ambient spa e-positioning, and at mix-down, for level, eq, effe ts and spa ial pla ement, the
engineer must have referen e sour e loudspeakers that are smooth and neutral, image
a urately, have as low distortion as possible, and dynami stability throughout the operating
envelope.
The Diamond Pro and Pro-A tive are designed understanding all these requirements, and
perform ex eptionally well in all aspe ts. You are en ouraged to listen to favorite program
materials and to ompare the quality and balan e to your urrent monitors. Mix down from
re ordings you have already made and listen to the results on the Diamonds as well as in your
ar, or on your home stereo system. It is important that an understanding of the entire
re ording pro ess is gained through referen e to these monitors and how the results of
re ording and mixing on these work in the “real world.” We are onfident you will find these
speakers not only revealing and transparent, but musi al and involving. We hope through their
revealing nature they will en ourage more analyti al thought in the hoi e and pla ement of
mi rophones and the set-up and mapping and spatial hara ter of your mix. This is true both
for two hannel (stereo) as it is in mixing for 5.1 multi- hannel appli ations.
Use of a subwoofer
Where possible it is strongly re ommended that monitoring and mixing is done on a full range
speaker, if possible, without the use of a sub woofer. Some aution must be exer ised
however. Full range, means overing the whole audible frequen y spe trum. Nominally this is
a epted as being 20-20kHz. Your Diamond referen e monitors, whilst giving an unusually
extended low frequen y response, do not go down to 20Hz. A properly installed, appropriately
rossed over and well performing sub an be very valuable in the mixing and dubbing pro ess.
The proper set-up of a sub woofer and bass management in general is not a simple pro ess.
Anomalies in the monitoring system tend to turn up as the inverse in the mix. Pla ement is
riti al. Given the bass management is done properly and the main speakers are set-up well,
a subwoofer pla ed randomly in a ontrol room ould ause major problems. For example, the
engineer ould be sitting at a low frequen y “null” or hole in the response. Sub woofers oper-
ating at 50Hz or lower are generating very long wavelengths. For example, at 40 Hz, the
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wavelength is around 28ft (8.5m). It is quite possible that at these wavelengths from a single
sour e/woofer both your ears ould be in a phase hole. The room may be rattling and shaking,
but you would not hear the dire t sound only its effe t on the spa e. The opposite is also true.
The room and woofer intera tion ould generate a standing wave that would give up to 6dB of
build up at your ears. Thus great are should be taken in pla ement to find the best lo ation
for the speaker. If possible two sub woofers of the same type should be pla ed asymmetri al-
ly in the ontrol room. You should also take into a ount the onstru tion of the walls, floor
and eiling of the ontrol room. . One way to hear how mu h you are losing is to play some
good full range program and walk outside the ontrol room. With the door losed, how mu h
low frequen y energy are you hearing leaking out? Is this desirable? Probably not, sin e it will
annoy o-workers and neighbors and is osting you power and headroom in your system!
Overall the best advi e is to take are and time with your subwoofer pla ement and integration
to the room and main hannels. Do not simply position the subwoofer without due thought
and be impressed with the sound and power. If you are setting up a monitoring system, it is
riti al that the sub is pla ed and integrated orre tly or your produ t – your mix will suffer. It
is suggested that three of four popular DVD’s are auditioned with and without a sub in the sys-
tem. You will find that often there are great differen es in the amount of low frequen y ontent
on the tra ks. For best results, use a referen e dis with a response sweep up to 800Hz.
Use with CRT displays.
The Diamond Pro and Pro A tive referen e monitors are magneti ally shielded for use in lose
proximity to CRT displays as are found in many of today’s produ tion and dubbing systems so
pla ement next to CRT monitor displays are possible.
5.1 Monitoring
It is strongly re ommended that for 5.1 Multi- hannel monitoring, all 5 of the main hannels
should be the same loudspeaker. Criti ally, the three main “s reen hannels” should be the
same, i.e. have the same soni hara ter and overage. In a perfe t world onsumer 5.1
playba k systems would also have the Left, Center, and Right hannels all the same speaker.
It is important that professionals involved in sour e reation use the proper set-up and follow
re ommended pra ti es for speaker pla ement and balan e. This way your produ t – the
re ording, will playba k properly on all types of replay system, both inema, home theatre, ar
and other.
Note: There are some variables found in these replay systems to be taken into account of in
the monitoring environment. There are also different practices used in the creation and mixing
of program materials. Stereo, 5.1, V -Audio etc can be quite different.
For home inema and motion pi ture exhibition the monitor levels and balan e an generally
be set-up with the Left, Center and Right “s reen” hannels having the same level. The Left
and Right Surrounds are generally onsidered to be best when their summed output equals
one of the s reen hannels. In other words, ea h of the surrounds is 3dB below any of the
s reen hannels. This an vary in the real world where often all 5 of the main s reen and
surrounds are set at the same level.
Stereo Near Field Monitoring set-up:
Pla ement should be as mu h as possible for you and the two speakers to make the three
orners of an equilateral triangle. The typi al distan e your head will be from (plus or minus
reasonable movement ba k and forth) from the speaker position line, will di tate the width
through some simple math, or experimentation. This pla es the speakers at 60 degrees.
Verti al set-up should allow the speaker entral axis to point at head height. The Diamond is a
well designed speaker that is relatively insensitive to the height of the listener. However, a
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nominal entral aim point is re ommended. Again, experiment and find a omfortable median
position. Height pla ement should ideally not be from below, nor typi ally too high. Be
sensitive to early refle tions from ontrol surfa es. Careful pla ement an redu e the
destru tive effe ts of refle tions, diffra tion et . Be aware of pla ements that an ex ite avity
resonan es, and look for symmetry from left to right and a ross the main three s reen
hannels.
5.1 set-up:
The Left and Right monitors should be pla ed at 30 degrees either side of the enter line of
the set up. The rears should be pla ed at 110 degrees either side of this line.
The enter should be the same distan e from the entral monitoring point as the left and right
hannels. This an be a hieved through time delay in many pro essors or through set-up
where possible. Levels to all hannels should be either identi al, or with the Left and Right
Surround Channels down set 3dB.
Equalisation:
Whether you have the skills or experien e of equipment, it is still essential that EQ is used as
a last resort, or as “i ing on the ake” only. Take great are in the set-up and balan e of your
systems. Che k all levels and pla ements. Fix flutter e hoes, nulls/su k outs, and reso-
nan es at sour e. Then when the system is well integrated to the environment, onsider EQ.
Fix a ousti problems a ousti ally, and ele tri al problems ele tri ally! Refle tions should be
tamed at sour e and not ompensated destru tively with an equalizer! Similarly resonan es
should be hunted down and ured at sour e. Take time, listen, look and analyze.
For these reasons, we do not generally re ommend the equalization of monitoring systems.
So alled “Room EQ” is onsiderably less ne essary with a good Near Field Monitoring (NFM)
system. Sin e the whole prin iple of NFM is to remove the influen e of room intera tions
through the pla ement of speakers lose to the monitoring position, and thus the timing and
level relationship of originating signal to any room refle tions allows our built-in psy ho-
a ousti pro essing to “ignore” mu h of the room effe t. Our standard, built-in Human
Psy ho-a ousti pro essor is extremely powerful, and is able to naturally ignore late arriving
signals in favor of the originating sour e within ertain time envelopes. These are generally
15ms and 10-15dB. In NFM appli ations the lose proximity of the speakers means that any
room returns are late, thus ignored! We designed the Diamond Pro to be a naturally balan ed
produ t, with smooth, low Q, hanges in radiation pattern over its operating range. All the
transdu ers were purpose built and integrated into the design as integral parts. The natural
balan e of the speaker is su h that EQ is detrimental.
System:
The Diamond Pro is a “full range” two way dire t radiating, ported loudspeaker system in a
ompa t and well damped en losure. All omponents are spe ifi ally design for this system.
The Pro-A tive model is a bi-amplified with an a tive rossover. All omponents were
designed for optimum performan e as a system. Magneti shielding is provided on the trans-
du ers to allow their use in lose proximity to CRT displays.
Drivers:
The Diamond Pro driver omplement onsists of a 1” or 25mm soft dome high frequen y driv-
er, and a 127mm woofer. The woofer uses a sophisti ated Kevlar® one material spe ially
formed to give ex eptional rigidity yet low mass. The extreme “bulletproof” strength of Kevlar®
gives ex ellent low frequen y stiffness for long ex ursions under very high drive levels from
the voi e oil, yet at the same time its low mass means the one an remain truly pistoni at
extended frequen ies. Normal ones are a ompromised through being made light in weight to
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make the higher frequen ies at rossover, but their light weight means the one an break up
when asked to stop and start over 4,000 times a se ond at typi al rossover frequen ies, with
resultant “ one ry”,
Crossover:
8.1 Pro: internal passive rossover, 2.2kHz
8.1 Pro: internal passive rossover, 2.0kHz
8.1 Pro-A tive: internal a tive rossover, 2.0kHz
8.2 Pro-A tive: internal a tive rossover, 1.9kHz
The inherent quality and orre tness of the design of the Diamond omponents means that
simple and elegant rossover designs an be used. The la k of one break up at high fre-
quen ies means that steep and omplex rossovers with their inherent phase distortions are
avoided. Both the A tive and the passive versions of the Diamond Pro are essentially the
same. The rossover in the a tive model is at a slightly lower frequen y allowing subtle
improvement in verti al integration and stability of image and soni hara ter.
Cables and Conne tions:
Always use high quality ables and onne tors in hooking up audio equipment, espe ially in
speaker onne tion where higher urrent is likely to be seen. There are a number of high qual-
ity ables available on the market that give measurably better performan e whether in low
level signal, or high urrent voi e oil level use. Conne tors should be of high quality wherev-
er possible. The Diamond Pro passive monitor features a Neutrik Speakon ™ type onne -
tion. This type of onne tor is spe ifi ally designed to give low resistan e, high quality onne -
tion with bare metal wiping onta ts.
On the Diamond Pro-A tive we re ommend using the XLR type onne tor where possible for
superior se urity of onne tion and better onta t.
A/C Conne tion.
Make sure your power is lean and properly grounded. Experien e shows that superior
sound quality an be attained through the use of “stiff” A/C power ir uitry. Short runs of good
ondu tor diameter abling. For high level usage take the time to monitor your power voltage.
Poor A/C wiring to the studio will show the voltage dropping momentarily during high power
transients. The effe t of poor A/C distribution in your studio an be heard as soft or weak bass
and often noisy and hum through poor grounding.
Amplifier/s:
The Diamond Pro-A tive has two independent power amplifiers built in -designated and opti-
mized for ea h of the spe ifi duties. The low frequen y amplifier is designed to output 60
Watts RMS to mat h the woofer. The high frequen y power amplifier outputs 40 Watts. Both
amplifiers are arefully designed to provide enhan ed headroom with extremely gra eful over-
load hara teristi s. The net effe t of the holisti nature of the design of ea h amplifier om-
bined with its paired driver is apparent and usable output is well beyond the power levels
implied in the spe ifi ations.
Installation and Appli ation
Position & Mounting:
The Diamond Pro passive monitor is front ported to allow positioning lose to the wall. Two or
three in hes/50-75mm learan e is suffi ient to allow normal operation.
The Diamond Pro-A tive has the input and power onne tions on the rear, but most
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importantly the heat sink assembly. Make sure the heat sink has suffi ient learan e to allow
reasonable airflow. This will, to some extent, be dependant on the power levels and duty
y les under whi h one is operating the system.
EQ-LF:
In the real world, as opposed to the theoreti al, loudspeakers operate and intera t with the
spa e in whi h they are used. It is important to understand the low frequen y reinfor ement
that o urs as a result of the relationship of the speaker to walls et . At the lower frequen ies
(and therefore longer wavelengths), loudspeakers are typi ally less and less dire tional. The
smaller the speaker en losure and the smaller the woofer (typi ally the higher the frequen y)
the system be omes 360 degree radiating. The net effe t is that the low frequen ies get boost-
ed more and more when we pla e a speaker against a wall, or on a desktop.
Bass Filter:
The most important thing to understand is the need to ompensate for this potential build up,
in the most simple and elegant way. On the rear panel of your Diamond Pro-A tive you will see
a swit h marked “Bass Filter”. This is arefully and spe ifi ally designed to ontrol the typi al
low frequen y build-up aused by the speaker’s intera tion with the room/spa e. The Bass
Filter is a simple and gra eful 6dB per o tave filter that uts the bass energy progressively at
the same rate as the loudspeaker dire ts energy to a wider angle. Look at the appli ation and
think of the walls or desktop in terms or a low frequen y mirror affe ting the bass spe trum. If
you believe you are likely to get onsiderable low frequen y boosting it is re ommended that
you use the bass filter. Again, experimentation is important. Remember: Too much bass out
put in your monitor will likely cause you to reduce the amount of energy in the low frequencies
that you place on tape or on to your recording medium. Too little lows in your monitor with
create the opposite effect. Listen and experiment. Use program material you are familiar with
and “play” with the positions and settings to get the best you an.
Portrait or Horizontal Mounting:
The preferable method of mounting a two way loudspeaker is in the verti al. This is typi ally
be ause our ears on on the sides of our head and thus we are more sensitive to horizontal
position and relationships. The positional offset of the drivers when the speaker is mounted
horizontally an result in a phase hole in the response when the listener is offset from the
enterline. The Diamond Pro is an ex eptionally good loudspeaker in regards to its verti al
and horizontal performan e and far less sus eptible to this problem, however, it is still
re ommended that the speakers are mounted verti ally. The ompa tness of the speaker also
means there is little advantage in mounting it horizontally unless height restri tions are
ex eptionally tight.
Console Top Mounting:
Care should be taken to redu e as mu h as possible the learly audible effe ts of sound
boun ing off the ontrol surfa e of the mixer or onsole. Experiment and find an optimal
position. On e set up on your onsole’s meter bridge try putting a think sound adsorbing
blanket temporarily on the onsole. Listen to the differen e. If it is signifi ant, try elevating the
monitors slightly and progressively to redu e the splashba k of the surfa e. Again, set the
speakers up and listen, pla e the blanket on the refle ting surfa e and listen again. The less
the differen e the better. But stop before you elevate the speakers too mu h.
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Stand Mounting:
Depending on the appli ation stand mounting in (near to) free spa e is one of the most neutral
positions for monitors. Of ourse it is not always possible to take advantage of the isoalation
from floor, wall and ountertop effe ts that stands an allow. But ombinations of short stand
and onsole an be used to advantage.
Center Speaker Mounting and Positioning:
Ideally the enter speaker is just that; mounted in the enter! However, the type and size of
display an seriously effe t one’s options for position. The shielding of the Diamond Pro
allows it to be pla ed lose to and either over or under the CRT display. Plasma, proje tion,
rear proje tion et . all offer different advantages and options. The loser one is to the monitor,
the more riti al the angles be ome. At a reasonable distan e the imaging and integration of a
speaker is improved when ompared to being very lose. Experimentation will establish the
best distan e and position when based upon a reasonable understanding of the requirements
and standards.
Controls & Indi ators: Rear Panel
1. Volume Control: Adjusts the input level to the internal amplifiers.
2: Power On/Off Swit h
3. Input 1 Balan ed
4. Input 2 Unbalan ed
5. Bass Filter Swit h: Flat or Cut
6. AC Input
1
2
6
3
5
4
6

Models 8.1 Pro 8.2 Pro
Type 2 WAY 2 WAY
Usable frequency response 50Hz 24kHz 45Hz 24kHz
Peak SPL @ 1m, short term IEC noise source 106dB 108dB
Sensitivity 86dB 86dB
Power Handling (Watts) 100 W 100 W
Recommended amp power 30 150W 30 200W
Impedance nominal 4Ω 4Ω
Drive Units 5"LF, 1" HF 6.5" LF, 1" HF
System Magnetic Shielding Yes Yes
Crossover frequency 2.2K 2.2K
Input connectors 1 x phono speakon type /jack combo
Input connectors (active) 1 x phono (unbalanced) 1 x XLR 1/4 jack combo balanced
Active ie slew rate, distortion 10v/micro s 10v/ micro s
Finish IRIDIUM color laminate IRIDIUM color laminate
Dimensions H x W x D (mm) 295 x 198 x 252 364 x 212 x 257
Dimensions of Active H x W x D (mm) 295 x 198 x 280 364 x 212 x 322
Weight (each kg) 5.2kg 6.2kg
Weight of active unit (each kg) 7.5kg 8.0kg
Active units only:
Usable frequency range 50Hz 24kHz 45Hz 24kHz
Drive units 5" LF, 1" HF 6.5" LF, 1" HF
Crossover frequency 2.0K 1.9K
Output SPL ((from peak power) 106dB 108dB
IEC weighted noise @ 1m)
Bi amplifier power (LF/HF) 60W LF + 40W HF 60W LF + 40W HF
Input sensitivity 0.775V RMS (0 dBu) 0.775V RMS (0 dBu)
Amplifier system distortion at 0.1% @ 50W 0.1% @ 50W
System Magnetic Shielding Yes Yes
Signal to noise ratio 100dB 100dB
Mains voltage:
Voltage operating range at:
230V setting 205 250V 205 250V
115V setting 100 130V 100 130V
Power consumption:
Idle 22W 22W
Full output 130W 130W
Maintenan e:
The high quality finish on your Diamond Pro is generally not in need of any are or
attention. Do not use abrasives or abrasive materials to lean the en losure sin e the
finish may be marred. Never use water on or near ele tri al equipment.
The Diamond Pro-A tive heat sink must be he ked for learan e from obstru tions,
lint – fluff or anything that might ause overheating.
Safety:
Always use grounded A/C power. Take are to mount and operate your equipment in a
safe manner. Avoid exposure to rain and water.
A essories:
Diamond Pro Series Subwoofer.
7

Diamond 8.1 Pro Active free air
with/without bass cut
Diamond 8.2 Pro Active free air
with/without bass cut.
8

WHARFEDALE PROFESSIONAL
IAG HOUSE, SOVEREIGN COURT, ERMINE BUSINESS PARK, HUNTINGDON, PE29 6XU, UK
www.wharfedalepro.com
911.388