Meyer Sound Documentation

Ultra XP loudspeakers receive DC power and balanced audio from a single input connector, available as Phoenix™ 5-pin male, SwitchCraft® EN3™ 5-pin male, or ECO-M 7-pin male. The sealed EN3 and ECO-M connectors are ideal for outdoor, all-weather use. To function properly, Ultra XP loudspeakers require an external MPS-488HP IntelligentDC power supply.

All connectors include two pins for DC power (positive and negative) and three pins for balanced audio (positive, negative, and shield). Pin outputs are clearly labeled on loudspeaker user panels (pins 3 and 4 for ECO-M connectors are not used by Ultra XP loudspeakers). Ultra XP loudspeakers ship with an appropriate cable accessory for assembling loudspeaker cables (see the table below). For more information, see Belden 1502 Cable (or Equivalent) and Assembling Loudspeaker Cables

Table 1. Loudspeaker Input Connector Options

		Phoenix 5-Pin Male	SwitchCraft EN3 5-Pin Male	ECO-M 7-Pin Male
Loudspeaker connectors
Sealed (outdoor, all-weather use)		No	Yes	Yes
Included cable accessory		Phoenix 5-pin cable mount connector	EN3 5-pin-to-pigtail cable	ECO-M 7-pin cable mount connector
Belden 1502 wiring		Pin Outs
DC power (–)	Black	1	1	1
DC power (+)	Red	2	2	2
Audio shield	Sheild Drain	3	3	S (Shield)
Audio (–)	Blue	4	4	5
Audio (+)	White	5	5	5

DC current draw for Ultra XP loudspeakers is dynamic and fluctuates as operating levels change. Cabling between Ultra XP loudspeakers and their external power supply adds resistance and hence causes a voltage drop at the loudspeakers. Because lower DC voltages compromise amplifier performance (peak SPL), and in some cases frequency response, cable resistance should be kept to a minimum.

Cable Lengths and Cable Gauges

Cable lengths up to 150 feet between the Ultra XP loudspeakers and their external power supply are supported with only 1 dB of peak SPL loss using 18 AWG wire. Longer cable lengths are possible with heavier wire gauges as described in the tables below.

Table 2. Ultra XP Loudspeaker Cable Lengths (AWG)

Cable Gauge	Resistance (Ω/ft)	Approximate Max. Length
12 AWG	0.0016	600 ft
14 AWG	0.00253	375 ft
16 AWG	0.00402	237 ft
18 AWG	0.00636	150 ft
20 AWG	0.01008	87 ft

Table 3. Ultra XP Loudspeaker Cable Lengths (European)

Cable Gauge	Resistance (Ω/m)	Approximate Max. Length
2.50 mm2	0.0052	157 m
1.50 mm2	0.01076	87 m
1.00 mm2	0.02087	45 m
0.75 mm2	0.03307	27 m

Note

• The total cable resistance between Ultra XP loudspeakers and their external power supply should not exceed 2 ohms.

• For long cable runs, you can use a large cable gauge for DC power and a separate balanced audio cable for audio. For more information, see “Long Cable Runs with Separate Cable for DC Power and Audio” on page 11.

Calculating the Maximum Cable Length

The maximum cable length for an Ultra XP loudspeaker can be calculated with the following formula:

maximum length = 2 ohms / 2 * cable resistance

For example, the maximum length of an 18 AWG cable with a resistance of 0.00636 is 157.2 feet (2 / 2 * 0.00636).

The most convenient method of wiring Ultra XP loudspeaker cables is with a multiconductor cable such as Belden 1502, which has dedicated conductors for DC power and balanced audio in a single jacket. When wiring loudspeaker cables with Belden 1502, use the conventions in the table below.

The red and black wires are 18 AWG, thicker than the other three wires, and should be used for DC power (cable lengths up to 150 feet are possible with just 1 dB of peak SPL loss). The blue, white, and shield drain wires should be used for audio.

Belden 1502 Composite Cable

For installations where Belden 1502 is not feasible, or for installations that require cable runs longer than 150 feet, you can use separate cables for DC power and balanced audio: a large-gauge cable for DC and a high-quality, balanced audio cable for audio. The separate cables attach to the Phoenix connector at the loudspeaker as shown in the figure below. Cable runs longer than 150 feet for DC power require cable gauges larger than 18 AWG; for more information, see Cable Lengths and Cable Gauges.

Separate Cables for DC Power and Balanced Audio

Ultra XP loudspeakers with EN3 connectors ship with an EN3 5-pin-to-pigtail cable. The EN3 end of the cable connects directly to the loudspeaker input connector. The pigtail end of the cable, which connects to the external power supply, can be terminated with either an EN3 5-pin male connector (included with the MPS-488HPe) or a Phoenix 5-pin female connector (included with the MPS-488HPp). The pigtail can also be spliced to a longer loudspeaker cable or to a junction box. The EN3-to-pigtail cable uses Belden 1502 cable (or equivalent), which can be wired for both DC power and balanced audio. The EN3-to-pigtail cable is available in plenum or regular (non-plenum) versions.

EN3-to-Pigtail Cable

When source levels for an Ultra XP loudspeaker exceed maximum input levels for its drivers, limiting is engaged and is indicated by the two Limit LEDs on the rear user panel.

The bottom LED indicates limiting for low-frequency channels. The top LED indicates limiting for high-frequency channels. When engaged, limiting not only protects the drivers, but also prevents signal peaks from causing excessive distortion in the amplifier’s channels, thereby preserving headroom and maintaining smooth frequency responses at high levels. When source levels return to normal, below the limiter’s threshold, limiting ceases.

Limit LEDs

Ultra XP loudspeakers perform within their acoustical specifications at normal temperatures when the Limit LEDs are unlit, or when the LEDs are lit for 2 seconds or less and then turn off for at least 1 second. If an LED remains lit for longer than 3 seconds, the loudspeaker enters hard limiting where:

The on / status LED on the user panel indicates whether an Ultra XP loudspeaker is operating normally (green), over-heating (yellow), or clipping (red).

Normal operation (green)

The On/Status LED is green during normal operation, when the loudspeaker is powered on.

Overheating and limiter threshold (yellow)

The On/Status LED turns solid yellow when the loud- speaker’s internal temperature reaches 75° C (167° F), indicating the unit is reaching its maximum heat dissipation.

When the On/Status LED is yellow, a reduction in SPL is recommended. While the loudspeaker will continue to operate while the On/Status LED is yellow, the limiter threshold is lowered by 6 dB (causing the output level to also be reduced) to prevent the loudspeaker from overheating.

When the internal temperature cools to 60° C (140° F), the On/Status LED changes from yellow to green and the limiter threshold returns to normal.

Amplifier Cooling System

Amplifiers for Ultra XP loudspeakers rely solely on natural convection for cooling from air flowing over their heat sinks. The efficient amplifier and heat sink design keeps temperatures low, even when units are operated at high ambient temperatures, in tightly packed configurations, and driven continuously at high output levels.

Caution

The Ultra XP loudspeaker’s heat sink can reach temperatures up to 75° C (167° F) during extreme operation. Use extreme caution when approaching the rear of the loudspeaker.

Clipping on Input (Red)

The On/Status LED turns red when the loudspeaker’s input stage clips. When the On/Status LED is red, the source level should be reduced to avoid distortion and to avoid overloading the amplifier.

Ultra XP loudspeakers require an external MPS-488HP IntelligentDC power supply. The single-space 19-inch rack unit distributes DC power and balanced audio to up to eight Ultra XP loudspeakers, or other Meyer Sound IntelligentDC loudspeakers. Composite multiconductor cables, such as Belden 1502 or equivalent, can deliver both DC power and balanced audio to loudspeakers at cable lengths up to 150 feet with just 1 dB of loss in peak SPL using 18 AWG wire. Longer cable runs are possible with heavier gauges. Meyer Sound’s RMS remote monitoring system is optionally available for the MPS-488HP.

When wiring IntelligentDC loudspeaker cables, each pin in the cable must align correctly with the corresponding pin in the MPS channel output connector (see Channel Outputs). Ensure the 48 V DC from the MPS power supply connects directly (and only) to the 48 V DC pins on the loudspeaker connector, and that the polarity aligns (negative to negative, positive to positive) to prevent damage to the loudspeaker. In addition, verify the audio pin polarity, as reversals in audio signals can affect system performance.

Assembling Phoenix-to-Phoenix Loudspeaker Cables

When connecting loudspeakers equipped with Phoenix connectors to the MPS-488HPp power supply, you need a Phoenix 5-pin female to Phoenix 5-pin female cable. The following procedure documents how to assemble this cable.

Assembled Phoenix-to-Phoenix Cable

1. If the cable has not yet been stripped, strip one end of the cable. Strip the outer shielding by 1 inch and then strip the black, red, blue, and white wires by 0.275 inch.

   

2. Insert the five exposed conductors into the five cable holes in a Phoenix 5-pin female cable mount connector. Use the following wiring scheme.

   Pin Destinations for Phoenix 5-Pin Female Cable Mount Connector

3. Secure the conductors by tightening the five screws in the Phoenix cable mount connector. Screws should be torqued to 5–6 Nm(4.4–5.3 In-Lbs).

   Caution

   Screws should not be inserted into the Phoenix connector while the connector rests in a mating plug. Doing so will damage the contacts. During assembly, the Phoenix connector should only be held in place externally.

4. Repeat the previous steps and attach the other end of the cable to another Phoenix 5-pin female cable mount connector.

5. Verify the wiring polarity is correct for both cable ends

Assemble Phoenix-to-EN3 cables

When connecting loudspeakers equipped with EN3 connectors to power supplies equipped with Phoenix connectors, you'll need a Phoenix 5-pin female to EN3 5-pin female cable like the one shown below. The following procedure describes how to assemble this cable. If starting with an EN3-to-pigtail cable, skip steps 4–7 in this procedure.

Procedure. To assemble Phoenix-to-EN3 cables:

1. Strip the outer shielding by one (1) inch and then strip the black, red, blue, and white wires by 0.275 inch.

   

2. Insert the five exposed conductors into the five cable holes in a Phoenix 5-pin female cable mount connector. Use the following wiring scheme.

   

3. Secure the conductors by tightening the five screws in the Phoenix cable mount connector torqued to 0.5–0.6Nm (4.4–5.3In-Lbs).

   

   Caution

   Do not tighten screws while the connector rests in a mating plug. Doing so will damage the contacts. During assembly, only hold the Phoenix connector in place externally.

4. On the ohter end of the cable, strip the outer shielding one (1) inch and then strip the black, red, blue, and white wires 0.275 inch.

5. Disassemble the EN3 5-pin female connector and feed the stripped cable through the boot, cable clamp housing, and coupling ring.

   

6. Solder the five exposed conductors to the five pins on the EN3 cord connector using the following wiring scheme.

   

7. Reassemble the EN3 5-pin female connector:

   1. Align the coupling ring’s side notches with the cord connector’s side notches and slide the couple ring onto the cord connector.

   2. Carefully insert the end of the cable clamp housing into the cord connector until it locks into place. Snap the cable clamps in the cable clamp housing into their compartments.

   3. Slide the boot forward so it covers the cable clamp housing completely.

8. Verify correct wiring polarity for both cable ends.

Assemble EN3-to-EN3 cables for legacy MPS power supplies

To connect an IntelligentDC loudspeaker to a legacy MPS power supply, you may need an EN3 5-pin female to EN3 5-pin male cable like the one shown below. The following procedure describes how to assemble this cable. If you start with an EN3-to-pigtail cable, you can disregard step 5 in the procedure.

Note

Cable mount connectors cannot connect to other cable mount connectors. Cable mount connectors can only connect to panel mount connectors (like those on the loudspeaker and legacy MPS power supplies) or inline connectors. To extend cables with EN3 connectors on both ends you can use an EN3 5-pin female-to-male cable coupler (PN 28.163.033.01).

Procedure. To assemble EN3-to-EN3 cables:

1. Strip one end of the cable's outer shielding by one (1) inch and then strip the black, red, blue, and white wires by 0.275 inch.

   

2. Disassemble the EN3 5-pin male connector and feed the stripped cable through the boot, cable clamp housing, and coupling ring.

   

3. Solder the five exposed conductors to the five pins on the EN3 cord connector using the following wiring scheme.

   

4. Reassemble the EN3 5-pin male connector:

   1. Align the coupling ring’s side notches with the cord connector’s side notches and slide the couple ring onto the cord connector.

   2. Carefully insert the end of the cable clamp housing into the cord connector until it locks into place. Snap the cable clamps in the cable clamp housing into their compartments.

   3. Slide the boot forward so it covers the cable clamp housing completely.

5. Repeat steps 1-4 to attach the EN3 5-pin female connector to the other end of the cable.

   

   Pin Destinations for EN3 5-Pin Female Cable Mount Connector

6. Verify correct wiring polarity for both cable ends.

Assembling Phoenix-to-ECO-M Loudspeaker Cables

When connecting loudspeakers equipped with ECO-M connectors to the MPS-488HPp power supply, you need a Phoenix 5-pin female to ECO-M 7-pin female cable. The following procedure documents how to assemble this cable.

Assembled Phoenix-to-ECO-M Cable

Procedure. To assemble a Phoenix-to-ECO-M cable

1. If the cable has not yet been stripped, strip one end of the cable. Strip the outer shielding by 1 inch and then strip the black, red, blue, and white wires by 0.275 inch.

   

2. Insert the five exposed conductors into the five cable holes in a Phoenix 5-pin female cable mount connector. Use the following wiring scheme.

   

   Pin Destinations for Phoenix 5-Pin Female Cable Mount Connector

3. Secure the conductors by tightening the five screws in the Phoenix cable mount connector. Screws should be torqued to 5–6 Nm(4.4–5.3 In-Lbs).

   Caution

   Screws should not be inserted into the Phoenix connector while the connector rests in a mating plug. Doing so will damage the contacts. During assembly, the Phoenix connector should only be held in place externally.

4. If the other (ECO-M) end of the cable has not been stripped, strip the outer shielding 1 inch and then strip the black, red, blue, and white wires 0.100 inch.

5. Disassemble the ECO-M 7-pin female connector and feed the stripped cable through the pressing screw, pinch ring, seal, angled hood, and sleeve.

   

   ECO-M 7-Pin Female Cable Mount Connector, Assembled (Left) and Disassembled (Right)

6. Fasten the five exposed conductors to the (1, 2, S, 5, and 6) pins on the ECO-M insert connector using the following wiring scheme.

   

   Pin Destinations for ECO-M 7-Pin Female Cable Mount Connector

7. Reassemble the ECO-M 7-pin female connector:

   1. Return the sleeve to the angled hood and secure it with the insert connector.

   2. Return the seal and pinch ring to the angled hood and secure it with the pressing screw.

8. Verify the wiring polarity is correct for both cable ends.

The UPJ-1XP and UPJunior-XP have VariO horns that can be easily rotated to deliver either wide or narrow coverage, whether the loudspeakers are oriented vertically or horizontally. The VariO horn is factory installed with a wide coverage of 80-degree horizontal by 50-degree vertical (when the loudspeaker is oriented vertically). The horn can be rotated to provide a narrow, targeted coverage of 50-degree horizontal by 80-degree vertical (when the loudspeaker is oriented vertically).

VariO Horn at 80-Degree Horizontal by 50-Degree Vertical (Left) and 50-Degree Horizontal by 80-Degree Vertical (Right)

Optional rain hoods, both vertical and horizontal, are available for Ultra XP loudspeakers that protect user panels from water intrusion.

Vertical rain hood

The Ultra XP vertical rain hood should be used when loud- speakers are oriented vertically.

Vertical rain hood kit contents

Table 14. PN 40.196.062.02

Item	Part Number	Quantity
Vertical rain hood	66.196.062.01	1
Pan head screws	101.008	2

Installing the vertical rain hood

Procedure. To install the vertical rain hood:

1. Orient the Ultra XP loudspeaker vertically and attach any required cables.

2. Align the vertical rain hood with the user panel and its two center holes.

3. Secure the vertical rain hood to the user panel with the included pan head screws.

Horizontal rain hood

The Ultra XP horizontal rain hood should be used when loudspeakers are oriented horizontally.

Horizontal Rain Hood Kit Contents

Table 15. PN 40.196.062.01

Item	Part Number	Quantity
Horizontal rain hood	66.196.062.02	1
Pan head screws	101.008	2

Installing the horizontal rain hood

Procedure. To install the horizontal rain hood:

1. Orient the Ultra XP loudspeaker horizontally and attach any required cables.

2. Align the horizontal rain hood with the user panel and its two center holes.

3. Secure the horizontal rain hood to the user panel with the included pan head screws.

Weather-protected UPM-1XP and UPM-2XP loudspeakers

Weather-protected versions of the UPM-1XP and UPM-2XP are available for fixed, outdoor installations. The weather-protected cabinets differ from normal models in that the orientation of the loudspeaker is flipped and the rear panel connectors are located at the top instead of the bottom.

Caution

The weather-protected UPM-1XP and UPM-2XP loudspeakers can be mounted vertically or horizontally but must be mounted with a 0-degree tilt, or preferably with downtilt, to ensure the loudspeaker’s electronics are shielded from the elements.

Reversed rain hood kit

A special reversed rain hood kit is required for weather-protected UPM-1XP and UPM-2XP loudspeakers. The reversed rain hood accommodates and protects the rear panel connectors at the top of the cabinets.

Table 16. PN 40.196.062.03

Item	Part Number	Quantity
Reversed rain hood	66.196.062.03	1
Pan head screws	101.008	2

Weather-Protected UPM-1XP with Reversed Rain Hood