Specifications

Community R2-Series Installation/Operation Manual — Page 22
LIMITING
Community recommends use of a limiter to help prevent loudspeaker damage due to sudden transients
(dropped microphones, etc.) or amplifier clipping. When used for this purpose, connect the limiter as the last
item in the signal chain before the power amplifier (at the input to the power amplifier). Although R2s have built-
in DYNA-TECH protection circuitry to help prevent damage to the drivers from excessive power, electronic
limiting is strongly recommended. This is especially true if an R2 is installed in relatively inaccessible locations or
is being operated by personnel who are not trained operators.
In such cases the limiter should be used as a hard-line device to prevent amplifier clipping and prevent output
voltages in excess of 40V RMS and 95V peak power. The following are recommended settings for this purpose.
Set the limiter threshold to actively limit the audio signal if the average rises above 40V. In no case should the
limiting allow amplifier clipping. If adjustments are available: set the attack time to moderate time (10 msec is a
good starting point) and the release time to fast (1 msec is a good starting point). This will allow most peak
(dynamic) information to pass. The limiting ratio should be set to at least 10:1. Although this may compromise
audio quality when limiting, you are protecting the drivers at this point and therefore audio quality should be a
secondary consideration.
AMPLIFIERS WITH BUILT-IN LIMITING
Recently power amplifier manufacturers have introduced amplifiers with either built-in limiting or accessory
limiting modules. In both cases these limiters are usually designed to prevent the amplifier from clipping. This
type of limiting is acceptable to use in lieu of a stand-alone limiter because it is easy to set-up, is specifically
designed for the amplifier, and in most cases, is tamper-proof. This assumes that the amplifier output is sized as
recommended in “Choosing Power Amplification” on page 12.
OPERATING PRECAUTIONS