Meyer Sound Documentation

All components in an audio system (self-powered loudspeakers, mixing consoles, and processors) must be properly connected to an AC power distribution system, ensuring that AC line polarity is preserved and that all grounding points are connected to a single node or common point using the same cable gauge (or larger) as the neutral and line cables.

120 V AC, 3-Phase Wye System (Single Line) Line-Neutral-Earth/Ground

The figure below illustrates a basic 120 V AC, 3-phase Wye distribution system with the loudspeaker load distributed across all three phases, with each loudspeaker connected to a single line and common neutral and earth/ground lines. This system delivers 120 V AC to each loudspeaker

120 V AC, 3-Phase Wye System (Single Line to Loudspeakers)

120 V AC, 3-Phase Wye System (Two Lines) Line-Line-Earth/Ground

The figure below illustrates a 120 V AC, 3-phase Wye distribution system with each loudspeaker connected to two lines and a common earth/ground line. This configuration is possible because Amie tolerates elevated voltages from the ground line and does not require a neutral line. This system delivers 208 V AC to each loudspeaker.

120 V AC, 3-Phase Wye System (Two Lines to Loudspeakers)

Tip

The 120 V AC, 3-phase Wye system with two lines is recommended because it allows loudspeakers to draw less current than with single-line systems, thereby reducing voltage drop due to cable resistance. It also excludes the potential of varying ground to neutral voltages producing an audible hum.

230 V AC, 3-Phase Wye System (Single Line) Line-Neutral-Earth/Ground

The figure below illustrates a basic 230 V AC, 3-phase Wye distribution system with the loudspeaker load distributed across all three phases, with each loudspeaker connected to a single line and common neutral and earth/ground lines. This system delivers 230 V AC to each loudspeaker.

230 V AC, 3-Phase Wye System (Single Line to Loudspeakers)

Caution

For 230 V AC, 3-phase Wye systems, never connect two lines to the AC input of Amie, as the resulting voltage would exceed the upper voltage limit (275 V AC) and will damage the loudspeaker.

The Amie-Sub user panel includes two powerCON 20 connectors, one for AC Input (blue) and one for AC Loop Output (gray), as shown in the figure below.

AC Input (Top) and AC Loop Output (Bottom) Connectors

AC Input (Blue)

The blue AC Input connector supplies power to Amie-Sub. The 3-conductor powerCON 20 is rated at 20 A and uses a locking connector that prevents accidental disconnections. A 10-foot AC power cable, rated at 15 A, is included with each loudspeaker. If the included AC power cable is replaced, make sure to use a cable with the appropriate power plug (on the other end) for the region where the unit will be operated. Amie requires a grounded outlet. To operate safely and effectively, it is extremely important that the entire system be properly grounded.

The AC Input connector also supplies power to any additional loudspeakers connected to the loudspeaker’s gray Loop Output connector.

Caution

When looping AC power for loudspeakers, do not exceed the current capability of the AC Input connector (20 A) or the included AC power cable (15 A). Consider the total current draw for all loudspeakers on the circuit, including the first loudspeaker.

AC Loop Output (Gray)

The gray AC Loop Output connector allows multiple Amie-Subs to be looped and powered from a single power source. The 3-conductor powerCON 20 is rated at 20 A and uses a locking connector that prevents accidental disconnections. For applications that require multiple Amie-Subs, connect the AC Loop Output of the first loudspeaker to the AC Input of the second loudspeaker and so forth.

The maximum number of Amie-Subs that can be looped from the AC Loop Output connector is determined by the voltage of the power source, the current draw of the looped loudspeakers, the circuit breaker rating, and the rating of the AC power cable connected to the first Amie-Sub loudspeaker, as described in the table below.

Table 1. Maximum Amie-Subs that Can Be Looped

Circuit Breaker/ Connector Rating	115 V AC	230 V AC	100 V AC
15 A	8 looped (9 total)	18 looped (19 total)	8 looped (9 total)
20 A	11 looped (12 total)	24 looped (25 total)	11 looped (12 total)

Note

Current draw for Amie-Sub is dynamic and fluctuates as operating levels change. The indicated number of loudspeakers that can be looped assumes that operating levels are normal and not such that loudspeakers are constantly limiting.

Amie-Sub ships with a gray powerCON 20 cable mount connector, rated at 20 A, for assembling AC looping cables. Assembled 1-meter AC looping cables (PN 28.115.032.03) are also available from Meyer Sound.

Amie-Sub ships with a gray powerCON20 cable mount connector, rated at 20A, for assembling AC looping cables, as shown in the figure below. The pins on the powerCON20 cable mount connector are labeled as follows:

powerCON 20 Cable Mount Connector

How AC power cables are wired is determined by the type of AC power distribution system used ( see AC Power Distribution). When wiring AC power cables for single-line systems, use one of the wiring schemes described in the table and illustrated in the figure below:

AC Wiring Scheme, illustrated

Amie-Sub operates as intended when receiving AC voltage within the following range:

If the voltage drops below 90 V, the loudspeaker uses stored power to continue operating temporarily; the loudspeaker powers off if the voltage does not return to its operating range.

If the voltage rises above 275 V, the power supply could become damaged.

Current draw for loudspeakers is dynamic and fluctuates as operating levels change. Because different cables and circuit breakers heat up at varying rates, it is important to understand the following types of current ratings and how they affect circuit breaker and cable specifications.

Use the information provided in the table below as a guide for selecting the gauge of cables and the circuit breaker ratings for the system’s operating voltage.

The minimum electrical service amperage required by a loudspeaker system is the sum of the maximum long-term continuous current for all loudspeakers. An additional 30 percent above the combined Maximum Long-Term Continuous amperages is recommended to prevent peak voltage drops at the service entry.

Amie-Sub's Intelligent AC™ power supply automatically selects the correct operating voltage (allowing the loudspeaker to be used internationally without manually setting voltage switches), eliminates high inrush currents with soft-start power up, suppresses high-voltage transients up to several kilovolts, filters common mode and differential mode radio frequencies (EMI), and sustains operation temporarily during low-voltage periods.

Powering on Amie-Sub

When powering on Amie-Sub, the following startup events take place over several seconds.

1. Audio output is muted.

2. Voltage is detected and the power supply mode is automatically adjusted as necessary.

3. The power supply ramps up.

4. On the user panel, the Active/Status LED flashes multiple colors successively.

5. The Active/Status LED turns solid green, indicating the loudspeaker is unmuted and ready to output audio.

Caution

If the Active/Status LED does not turn solid green, or the Amie does not output audio after 10 seconds, remove AC power immediately and verify that the voltage is within the required range. If the problem persists, contact Meyer Sound Technical Support.

Make sure to observe the following important electrical and safety guidelines.

The XLR 3-pin female Input connector accepts balanced audio signals with an input impedance of 10 kΩ. The connector uses the following wiring scheme:

Pins 2 and 3 carry the input as a differential signal. Pin 1 is connected to earth through a 1 kΩ, 1000 pF, 15 V clamped network. This circuitry provides virtual ground lift for audio frequencies while allowing unwanted signals to bleed to ground. Make sure to use balanced XLR audio cables with pins 1–3 connected on both ends. Telescopic grounding is not recommended and shorting an input connector pin to the case may cause a ground loop, resulting in hum.

The XLR 3-pin male Loop output connector allows multiple loudspeakers to be looped from a single audio source. The Loop output connector uses the same wiring scheme as the Input connector (see Audio Input (XLR 3-Pin Female)). For applications that require multiple Amie-Sub, connect the Loop output of the first loudspeaker to the Input of the second loudspeaker and so forth.

Calculating Load Impedance for Looped Audio Signals

To avoid distortion when looping multiple loudspeakers, make sure the source device can drive the total load impedance of the looped loudspeakers. In addition, the source device must be capable of delivering approximately 20 dBV (10 V rms into 600 Ω) to yield the maximum SPL over the operating bandwidth of the loudspeakers.

To calculate the load impedance for the looped loudspeakers, divide 10 kΩ (the input impedance for a single loudspeaker) by the number of looped loudspeakers. For example, the load impedance for 10 Amie-Sub is 1000 Ω (10 kΩ/ 10). To drive this number of looped loudspeakers, the source device should have an output impedance of 100 Ω or less. This same rule applies when looping Amie-Sub with other Meyer Sound self-powered loudspeakers.

Note

Most source devices are capable of driving loads no less than 10 times their output impedance.

Tip

Audio outputs from Meyer Sound’s loud- speaker GALAXY Network Platform have an output impedance of 50 ohms. Each output can drive up to 20 Meyer Sound (10 kΩ) loudspeakers without distortion.

Caution

Make sure that all cabling for looped loudspeakers is wired correctly (Pin 1 to Pin 1, Pin 2 to Pin 2, and so forth) to prevent the polarity from being reversed. If one or more loudspeakers in a system have reversed polarity, frequency response and coverage will be significantly degraded.

Two optional integration modules are available for the Amie-Sub loudspeaker: a 7.1 Integration Module and a 2.1 Integration Module (see 2.1 Integration Module Operation).

7.1 Integration Module Operation

The 7.1 Integration Module, shown in the figure below, features industry-standard multi-pin DB-25 female connectors and can be used for 5.1 or 7.1 configurations with third-party, high-quality, 8-channel, DB-25-to-XLR cables (not included).

7.1 Integration Module

Note

The DB-25 multi-pin female connectors are wired to an analog pinout that has become the standard in the audio industry; it is sometimes referred to as the Tascam® DTRS pinout.

DB-25 Pinout (female)

Audio Input (DB-25 female)

The DB-25 input accepts up to seven channels of audio (L, C, R, and Surround) for output to Amie loudspeakers, as well as an LFE input.

Audio Output (DB-25 female)

The DB-25 output provides:

• Up to seven channels (L, C, R, and Surround) to drive Amie loudspeakers. These signal paths are passive—no internal processing is performed between input and loop output.

• LFE + Bass Management output channel to loop additional Amie-Sub loudspeakers. This output either provides the input passed without any internal signal processing (Bypass mode) or an LFE + Bass Management, internally processed version of the input.

7.1 LFE + Bass Management

For the LFE input, there are three controls on the user panel that affect how this signal is output to the Amie-Sub driver, as shown in the second figure below.

• LFE switch: the user can selectively add 10 dB of gain by setting this switch to the “+10 dB” position.

• LFE + Bass Management dial: the user can add ±6 dB gain/attenuation to the output of the loudspeaker by rotating this dial to the appropriate position.

• Bass Management: When switched to the Bypass position, the signal passes from input to the subwoofer driver without any internal signal processing.

When switched to the ON position, the subwoofer driver receives a combined signal consisting of both channel (L and R) inputs summed, low-pass filtered and then further summed with the (selectively) 10 dB-boosted and then phase-matched (all-pass filtered) LFE input.

The result of this last summation may be boosted or attenuated by the ±6 dB LFE + Bass Management dial.

Note

• The option to boost the signal by 10 dB is provided for playback of recorded audio in situations where the LFE channel was recorded 10 dB lower than the other channels and where the source equipment has not already restored this 10 dB.

• The purpose of the all-pass filter is to phase-match the LFE channel signal with the low-pass filtered and summed L,C, R and Surround channel signals.

LFE + Bass Management Signal Paths

Physical Knob and Switches Relating to LFE and Bass Management Control

2.1 Integration Module Operation

The 2.1 Integration Module features two input channels using 3-pin XLR-F connectors (see Audio Input (XLR 3-Pin Female)) and an additional 3-pin XLR-F LFE input, as shown in the figure below.

Two 3-pin XLR-M looping outputs (see Audio Loop Output (XLR 3-Pin Male)) are provided.

2.1 Integration Module

2.1 LFE + Bass Management

For the LFE input, there are three controls on the user panel that affect how this signal is output to the Amie-Sub driver (see Figure13):

Note

These controls work identically as the ones described for the 7.1 Integration Module except there are only two input channels and no LFE loop output.

• LFE switch: the user can selectively add 10 dB of gain by setting this switch to the “+10 dB” position.

• LFE + Bass Management Dial: the user can add ±6 dB gain/attenuation to the output (of the internal signal processing path) at the LFE loop output and at the Amie-Sub driver by rotating this dial to the appropriate position.

• Bass Management Switch: When switched to the Bypass position, the signal passes from input to the subwoofer driver (and to the output loop) without any internal signal processing.

When switched to the ON position, the subwoofer driver receives a combined signal consisting of both channel (L and R) inputs summed, low-pass filtered and then further summed with the (selectively) 10 dB-boosted and then phase-matched (all-pass filtered) LFE input.

The result of this last summation may be boosted or attenuated by the ±6 dB LFE + Bass Management dial.

Note

• The option to boost the signal by 10 dB is provided for playback of recorded audio in situations where the LFE channel was recorded 10 dB lower than the other channels and where the source equipment has not already restored this 10 dB.

• The purpose of the all-pass filter is to phase-match the LFE channel signal with the low-pass filtered and summed L, C, R andSurround channel signals.

The Amie-Sub employs Meyer Sound’s advanced TruPower® limiting. Conventional limiters assume a constant driver impedance and set the limiting threshold by measuring voltage alone. This method is inaccurate, because driver impedances change as frequency content in the source material changes, and as thermal values for the loudspeaker’s voice coil and magnet vary. Consequently, conventional limiters often begin limiting prematurely, which reduces system headroom and dynamic range.

In contrast, TruPower limiting anticipates varying driver impedances by measuring both current and voltage to compute the actual power dissipation in the voice coil. This approach improves performance, both before and during limiting, by allowing the driver to produce the maximum SPL across its entire frequency range, while also retaining signal peaks. TruPower limiting also eliminates power compression at high levels over lengthy periods, which helps regulate voice coil temperatures, thereby extending the life of the driver.

LF Limit LEDs

The low-frequency driver for Amie-Sub is powered by the amplifier which includes a limiter. Limiting activity is indicated with one of the two Limit LEDs on the user panel.

Amie-Sub Limit LEDs

When engaged, the limiter not only protects the driver but also prevents signal peaks from causing excessive distortion in the amplifier channel, thereby preserving headroom and maintaining smooth frequency response at high levels. When levels return to normal, below the limiter thresholds, limiting ceases.

Amie-Sub performs within its acoustical specifications at normal temperatures when the Limit LED is unlit, or when the LED is lit for 2 seconds or less and then turns off for at least 1 second. If the LED remains lit for longer than

3 seconds, the loudspeaker enters hard limiting where:

• Increases to the input level have no effect

• Distortion increases due to clipping

• Drivers are subjected to excessive heat and excursion, thereby compromising their lifespan

Caution

The Limit LED indicates when a safe, optimum level is exceeded. If an Amie-Sub loudspeaker system begins to limit before reaching the desired SPL, consider adding more units to the system.

During normal operation, when Amie-Sub is powered on, the On/Status LED is solid green. If the loudspeaker encounters a hardware fault, or the unit begins to overheat, the LED flashes red. In some instances, the loudspeaker will continue to output audio while the LED flashes red, though with a reduction in the limiter threshold and acoustic output to protect the loudspeaker.

If a loudspeaker is overheating, a reduction in SPL may be necessary. If after a reduction in SPL and an appropriate cooling period, the On/Status LED continues to flash red (does not return to solid green), contact Meyer Sound Technical Support.

If the On/Status LED flashes red and the loudspeaker does not output audio, contact Meyer Sound Technical Support immediately.

The Amie-Sub comes standard with 3/8-inch 16 mounting points on both sides. The Amie-Sub may be mounted on the ceiling with the optional MUB-Amie-Sub U-Bracket.

In addition, an optional black cloth grille frame is available for applications where such an appearance is desired. Details for these optional rigging kits are provided in Amie-Sub Rigging Accessories.

When installing Meyer Sound loudspeakers, the following precautions should always be observed:

The optional MUB-Amie-Sub U-Bracket (40.251.050.01), shown in the figures below, enables the mounting of a single Amie-Sub loudspeaker to the ceiling. The MUB-Amie-Sub has 3/8-inch - 16 mounting points on both sides of the cabinet. The kit includes two 3/8-inch screws/washers for attaching the MUB-Amie-Sub to the loudspeaker.

MUB-Amie-Sub U-Bracket

MUB-Amie-Sub Ceiling Mount

The optional grille frame with black cloth mounts on top of the steel grille. It attaches with magnets, three on top and three on bottom.

Optional Black Cloth Grille Frame

MAPP is a powerful, cross-platform application for accurately predicting the coverage pattern, frequency response, phase response, impulse response, and SPL capability of single or arrayed Meyer Sound loudspeakers.

MAPP System Design Tool

Whether planning for fixed installations or for tours with multiple venues, you can use MAPP to accurately predict the appropriate loudspeaker deployment for each job, complete with coverage data, system delay and equalization settings, rigging information, and detailed design illustrations. MAPP’s accurate, high-resolution predictions ensure that systems will perform as expected, thereby eliminating unexpected coverage problems and minimizing onsite adjustments.

The key to the accuracy of MAPP’s predictions is Meyer Sound’s exhaustive database of loudspeaker measurements. Performance predictions for each loudspeaker are based on 720 1/48th-octave-band measurements taken with a SIM audio analyzer in the Meyer Sound anechoic chamber. The extraordinary consistency between Meyer Sound loudspeakers guarantees that predictions from MAPP will closely match their actual performance.

MAPP client software lets you configure Meyer Sound loudspeaker systems and define the environment in which they operate, including air temperature, pressure, humidity, and even the location and composition of surfaces. You can also import CAD (.DXF) files containing detailed venue information to act as a visual aid.

MAPP prediction requests are sent by the client software to Meyer Sound servers, where complex, high-resolution (magnitude and phase) polar data is processed with sophisticated acoustical prediction algorithms. The resulting predictions are then displayed in the MAPP client software.

With MAPP, you can:

MAPP Capabilities

With MAPP, the user can:

• Simulate different loudspeaker configurations to refine system designs and determine the best coverage for intended audience areas

• Model loudspeaker interactions to locate constructive and destructive interferences so that loudspeakers can be re-aimed and repositioned as necessary

• Place microphones anywhere in the Model View space and predict loudspeaker frequency response, phase response, and sound pressure levels at each microphone position

• Determine delay settings for fill loudspeakers using the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform and phase response feature

• Preview the results of signal processing to determine optimum settings for the best system response

• Automatically calculate load information for arrays to determine necessary minimum rigging capacity, front-to-back weight distribution, and center of gravity location

• Generate and export system images and system PDF reports for client presentations

• Synchronize GALAXY processor output channel settings in real-time with virtual or real GALAXY units, allowing in-the-field changes to be predicted during system alignments

The Galileo GALAXY Network Platform is a sophisticated loudspeaker management tool for controlling all Meyer Sound speaker types. The GALAXY loudspeaker processor extends a high level of audio control in driving and aligning loudspeaker systems with multiple zones. It provides a powerful toolset for corrective equalization (EQ) and creative fine-tuning for a full range of applications from touring to cinema.

Users can readily program the GALAXY processor using Compass software running on a host computer or via the Compass Go application for the iPad. Connecting MAPP to the GALAXY processor will also allow the user to push output channel settings created in MAPP as a starting point. Compass Control Software includes custom-designed settings for each family of speakers, as well as to integrate families together. For example, the Product Integration feature matches the phase characteristics between Meyer speaker families to ensure the most coherent summation.

Processing tools for inputs and outputs include delay, parametric EQ, and U-Shaping EQ. Output processing also includes polarity reversal, Low-Mid Beam Control (LMBC), atmospheric correction, and All-Pass filters.

The built-in summing and delay matrices allow a user to easily assign gain and delay values, respectively, at each cross point. This capability greatly facilitates using one loudspeaker to satisfy multiple purposes.

Front panel controls let a user intuitively and quickly operate a GALAXY processor without a computer during live use.

The GALAXY 408, GALAXY 816, and GALAXY 816-AES3 processor versions have the same audio processing capability with different I/O.