ULTRA-X20XP Loudspeaker
The ULTRA-X20XP requires an external Meyer Sound 48 V DC power supply. (See meyersound.com/product/mps for datasheets and details.) Using an external power supply eliminates the need for wiring conduits while still preserving the advantages of a self-powered loudspeaker system. The unit's onboard amplifier and signal-processing circuits are designed to store DC power and tolerate voltage drops, thereby accommodating long, light-gauge cable runs.
ULTRA-X20XP Rear View
ULTRA-X20XP Input Connector
The ULTRA-X20XP loudspeaker uses a Phoenix 5-pin male connector to receive DC power and balanced audio. The input connector’s five pins, two for DC power (-, +) and three for balanced audio (+, -, Shield/ground), are clearly labeled on the ULTRA-X20XP rear panel. shown in the figure below.
ULTRA-X20XP Rear Panel with Phoenix 5-pin Male Connector
Caution
When wiring ULTRA-X20XP loudspeaker cables, it is extremely important that each pin be wired correctly. Make sure the 48 V DC from the external power supply is wired directly (and only) to the 48 V DC pins on the ULTRA-X20XP loudspeaker connector, and that the polarity is observed (- to -, + to +) to avoid damaging the loudspeaker. Make sure to wire the audio pins correctly or system performance will be compromised.
Note
Also see the IntelligentDC Products Wiring Verification Installation Instructions (PN 17.902.040.01).
ULTRA-X20XP LED
The ULTRA-X20XP uses the three-color LED on its rear panel to indicate the loudspeaker’s status.
ULTRA-X20XP LED - Limit and On/Status Indicator
Power On (Green)
When powering up the ULTRA-X20XP loudspeaker, the following startup events occur and are indicated by the LED:
The LED flashes all colors during power-up.
After a few seconds, the LED lights solid green, indicat- ing the loudspeaker is ready to reproduce audio.
Caution
If the power-up sequence leaves the LED flashing multiple colors or solid red, and it does not produce audio, the loudspeaker has encountered an error and may need to be serviced. Contact Meyer Sound Technical Support.
If the power-up sequence leaves the LED solid red and the loudspeaker outputs audio, its voltage may have dropped below 25 V DC. Cease operation immediately and verify its power supply and cabling.
Limiting (Yellow)
The ULTRA-X20XP LED lights solid yellow to indicate limiting is engaged for the high-frequency channel. The LED flashes yellow to indicate limiting is engaged for the low-frequency channels.
The ULTRA-X20XP LED turns yellow when the loudspeaker’s signal rises 2 dB above the limiting threshold, indicating that a safe, optimal level has been exceeded.
When limiting is engaged for a channel, its gain is reduced. The limiter protects the drivers and prevents signal peaks from causing excessive distortion in the amplifier, thereby preserving headroom and maintaining a smooth frequency response at high levels. When source levels return to normal below the limiter’s threshold, the LED turns green and limiting ceases.The ULTRA-X20XP performs within its acoustical specifications at normal temperatures when the ULTRA-X20XP LED is green, or when limiting is not continuous. During continuous limiting, the loudspeaker is nearing its operational limits, resulting in the following effects:
Increasing the input level has no effect.
Distortion increases due to clipping and nonlinear driver operation.
The drivers are subjected to excessive heat and excursion, which compromises their life span and may eventually damage them.
Caution
If the ULTRA-X20XP loudspeakers in a system begin to limit before reaching the desired SPL, Meyer Sound recommends adding more loudspeakers to the system to achieve the desired SPL without exposing them to the hazardous conditions listed above.
ULTRA-X20XP Temperature and Limiting
The ULTRA-X20XP LED also lights solid yellow when its heat sink temperature reaches its maximum heat dissipation. Even though the ULTRA-X20XP continues to operate while the LED is yellow, the limiter threshold is lowered, causing the output level to be lowered by 3 dB, to prevent the loudspeaker from overheating. When the temperature of the heat sink cools, the LED changes from yellow to green and the limiter threshold returns to normal.
Clipping (Red)
The ULTRA-X20XP LED turns red when the loudspeaker’s input stage clips, causing the amplifier to overload. The source level must be reduced.
Caution
If the ULTRA-X20XP LED turns solid red and the loudspeaker continues to output audio, though at reduced levels, the loudspeaker’s voltage may have dropped below 25 V DC. Cease operation immediately and verify its power supply and cabling.
ULTRA-X20XP Current Draw and Cable Requirements
Each ULTRA-X20XP loudspeaker draws a maximum current of 0.9 A continuous and 3.5 A peak from its external 48 V DC power supply. The current draw for the ULTRA-X20XP is dynamic and fluctuates as operating levels change. The cabling between the ULTRA-X20XP and its external power supply adds resistance and hence causes a voltage drop at the loudspeaker. Because lower DC voltages compromise amplifier performance (peak SPL), and in some cases frequency response, use short cables to minimize the cable resistance. For long cable runs, 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.
Cable Lengths and Cable Gauges for ULTRA-X20XP Loudspeakers
Cable lengths up to 150 feet between the ULTRA-X20XP and its external power supply are supported with only 1 dB of peak SPL loss using 18 AWG wire. Longer cable lengths are possible with heavier gauge wires (see the tables below).
Cable Gauge | Resistance (/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 | 150ft |
20 AWG | 0.01008 | 87 ft |
Cable Gauge | Resistance (/ft) | 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 the ULTRA-X20XP and its external power supply should not exceed 2 Ω.
Calculating the Maximum Cable Length
The maximum cable length for a ULTRA-X20XP can be calculated with the following formula:
maximum length = 2 Ω / (2 * cable resistance in Ω/ft)
For example, the maximum length of an 18 AWG cable with a resistance of 0.00636 Ω/ft is 157.2 feet [2 /(2 * 0.00636)].
Wiring ULTRA-X20XP Loudspeaker Cables with Belden 1502 Cable (or equivalent)
The most convenient method of wiring ULTRA-X20XP loudspeaker cables is with a multiconductor cable such as Belden1502, which has dedicated conductors for DC power and balanced audio in a single jacket. When wiring ULTRA-X20XP loudspeaker cables with Belden1502, use the conventions illustrated in Figure4 and described in Table3.
The thicker red and black wires (18 AWG) are for DC power. Cables can be up to 150 ft with just 1 dB of peak SPL loss.
The blue, white, and shield drain wires (shielded together) are for audio.
Belden 1502 Composite Cable
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 |
Wire | Signal | Gauge |
|---|---|---|
Red | DC power (+) | 18 AWG |
Black | DC power (–) | 18 AWG |
White | Balanced audio (+) | 22 AWG |
Blue | Balanced audio (–) | 22 AWG |
Shield drain | Balanced audio, (shield) | 24 AWG |
Caution
Make sure the 48 V DC from the external power supply is wired directly (and only) to the 48 V DC pins on the ULTRA-X20XP loudspeaker connector, and that the polarity is observed (- to -, + to +) to avoid damaging the loudspeaker. Make sure to wire the audio pins correctly or system performance will be compromised.
Long Cable Runs with Separate Cable for DC Power and Audio
For installations where Belden 1502 is not feasible, or for installations that require cable runs longer than 150 ft, separate cables for DC power and balanced audio may be used: 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 figures below. DC power cable runs longer than 150 ft require cable gauges larger than 18 AWG; see Cable Lengths and Cable Gauges for ULTRA-X20XP Loudspeakers.
Phoenix Connector with Separate Power and Audio Cables
Separate Cables for DC Power and Balanced Audio