Renkus-Heinz Loudspeaker - Manual (Page 2)

Loudspeaker User’s Manual
Loudspeaker User’s Manual
Loudspeaker User’s Manual
Loudspeaker User’s Manual
Page 2
Page 2
Page 7
Page 7
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker. This manual will help you install and use your Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker
properly, so that it delivers years of trouble-free operation and superior performance, as it was designed to.
RIGGING SAFELY
Before hanging or flying any Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker you should be familiar with the cabinet load ratings listed in this manual along with
the rigging techniques and any special safety considerations appropriate for your intended use. Use only the UMH points on the loudspeaker
cabinet intended for suspending the loudspeaker. You must determine the load requirements, dynamic loading and any other contributing
factors affecting the suspended loudspeakers and any necessary safety factor for specific applications. You must also calculate the required
load rating of the connection to any structure. Renkus-Heinz recommends that all rigging be done by qualified personnel in accordance with
and in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations.
NOTICE: As the installer, you assume all liability for proper design, installation and use of any rigging systems. Renkus-Heinz strongly rec-
ommends the following rigging system practices:
1. Thoroughly document your rigging with detailed drawings and parts lists.
2. Have a licensed structural engineer, architect or other qualified professional review and approve the rigging design and any building at-
tachments before you hang the loudspeakers.
3. It is always best to have a qualified professional rigger install and inspect the rigging system.
WARNING! Hanging loudspeakers is a serious undertaking that should be done only by qualified and experienced personnel. Renkus-Heinz
is not responsible for any non-Renkus-Heinz products or for any misuse of Renkus-Heinz products.
UNPACKING & CHECKING FOR SHIPPING DAMAGE
Your Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker was completely tested and inspected before leaving the factory. Carefully inspect the shipping carton be-
fore opening it, and then immediately inspect your new loudspeaker. If you find any damage notify the shipping company immediately. Only
the consignee may institute a claim for damages incurred in shipping. Be sure to save the shipping carton and all packing materials.
SELECTING A POWER AMPLIFIER
Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers have three power specifications: RMS, Program and Peak. The Program rating is printed on the model number
sticker on the back of the loudspeaker.
There are several methodologies and standards for rating the power handling of a loudspeaker. The most conservative are the EIA RS-426-
A (1980) eight-hour test and the IEC268-1 (1985) 100 hour test. Both use pink noise with a 6dB crest factor, (the voltage of the signal peaks
are 6dB greater than the RMS voltage of the noise, as compared to conventional pink noise which has a 12-16dB peak to RMS ratio) how-
ever, the frequency spectrum of the stimulus signals differ, with the EIA test being more taxing to woofers and the IEC test being harder on
HF drivers.
In both cases what is being measured is the loudspeaker’s ability to dissipate heat over a long test period—the thermal power handling.
Renkus-Heinz’s RMS power ratings are based on these stringent tests.
In 1984, the Audio Engineering Society devised a test standard for loudspeakers which also used 6dB crest factor pink noise, but in limited
bands and for a two hour duration. This methodology results in somewhat higher power handling ratings, typically 3dB. Renkus-Heinz’s Pro-
gram ratings are equivalent to AES ratings. Renkus-Heinz’s peak ratings are 6dB greater than our RMS ratings, though many manufacturers
are rating their loudspeakers at 6dB above the shorter-duration AES rating. Using the more conservative peak rating better insures the long-
term survival of drivers in high output usages.
When selecting a power amplifier for your loudspeaker you should consider the needs of your specific application. To provide the full output
capability of your loudspeaker, you should choose an amplifier whose RMS output rating falls between the RMS and Program ratings of the
loudspeaker. This means the amplifierís peak output may exceed the capacity of the loudspeaker. Factory-calibrated Loudspeaker Specific
Processing in a Renkus-Heinz controller will always deliver the most reliable protection for your loudspeaker along with the best possible
sound.
CONNECTING TO AN AMPLIFIER
Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers are available with four types of connectors; four- or eight-pole Neutrik SpeakOn connectors, terminal barrier
strip, or rubber-jacketed wire pig-tail. The model/serial number label lists the connections for proper hook-up. We use the same numbering
conventions for SpeakOn and terminal strip connectors: See Table 1 for proper wiring instructions. Pig-tail connections are color coded:
EVALUATING FAILED EXTERNALLY POWERED LOUDSPEAKERS
If you’ve followed the troubleshooting steps above and have found a loudspeaker with a problem, here’s how to narrow it down to order the
correct replacement parts.
You’ll need your known good source and amplifier and a volt-ohm meter.
Remove the grill from the loudspeaker and then remove the woofer and/or the horn & driver, depending on which component you suspect has
failed. Carefully note the wire colors and terminal colors or sizes so that you can properly reconnect everything. Note: in many cases the HF
driver is intentionally out of polarity with the woofer or mid frequency loudspeaker, this is not a defect and any replacement devices must be
connected in the same manner when reassembling the loudspeaker.
Using your ohm meter on a low ohms scale, measure across the terminals of the suspected component. The DC resistance of the voice coil
should be a little less than the nominal impedance of the loudspeaker. Three ohms or so for a four ohm loudspeaker, six ohms or so for an
eight ohm loudspeaker and 12 ohms or so for a 16 ohm loudspeaker. For woofers, carefully move the cone in and out by hand, the resistance
value should not change.
If the resistance is very low, just a couple of ohms or less, this indicates a shorted voice coil. If the resistance is very high or open, the voice
coil has failed open. In either case, the loudspeaker must be replaced, re-coned or have its diaphragm replaced if it’s a high frequency driver.
Contact Renkus-Heinz for replacement parts.
If the resistances are okay, set up your signal source and amplifier to play music a low level, 1 V RMS at the amplifier output is a good level
which will not damage any pro-audio component even without a crossover in place. Listen to each component by itself; each should sound
clean and undistorted. Any distortion, rubbing or buzzing indicates a failure. Contact Renkus-Heinz for replacement parts.
If the individual components check out okay, but the loudspeaker still fails to function properly, there may be a problem with the passive
crossover network - if one is installed. Note that crossover failures are exceedingly rare and are almost always accompanied by driver failures
due to extreme over-powering. Without test equipment, it’s difficult to test a crossover network properly, but a visual inspection will catch most
problems. Look for components with damaged lead wires, burnt traces on the PC board or charred or darkened components. If any of these
are found, contact Renkus-Heinz for replacement parts.
EVALUATING FAILED SELF-POWERED LOUDSPEAKERS
Self-powered loudspeakers can be checked using most of the same techniques listed above, but with some differences and extra cautions.
First, use the mute switches on the amplifier to narrow the problem down to just the component or components that have failed.
Before removing the grill or any components, be sure the power has been disconnected from the loudspeaker. High voltages are
present inside the cabinet and you could be injured or killed if you don’t heed this warning. Switching off the power switch does not
remove this hazard; you must disconnect the power from the loudspeaker completely.
Removing the grill and checking the individual components is done in the same manner as for externally powered loudspeakers. Some self-
powered loudspeakers have passive crossover networks and these can be inspected in the same manner as well.
Some self-powered loudspeakers have removable input and control modules. Swapping these modules from a known good amplifier of the
same type can narrow down the problem to an amplifier or module. Be careful when plugging and unplugging ribbon connectors so as not to
damage the cable or the connectors or bend any of the pins.
If you suspect an amplifier problem do not disassemble the amplifier. There are no user serviceable parts in the amplifier. The entire unit must
be returned to Renkus-Heinz for repair or replacement. Advance replacement may be available, contact Renkus-Heinz for details.
Renkus-Heinz Painting Guidelines
While most installing contractors take advantage of Renkus-Heinz’s Custom Paint option, it is sometimes necessary to paint a loudspeaker
cabinet in the field. Please use this document as a guide to achieving the best possible finish on your field painted loudspeaker.
1. Paint Choice
a. Renkus-Heinz wooden enclosures are painted with a high-solids content, water based enamel. Metal parts and enclosures are powder-
coated. In both cases they can be over-coated with any high quality water or alkyd based paint.
2. Surface preparation
a. Previously painted or powder-coated surfaces need only to have the gloss removed with fine sandpaper or a Scotch-Bright pad. This will
allow the new finish to adhere to the old.
b. Cabinets that are purchased unfinished are ready to paint with no further sanding needed.
c. Priming is not generally required.