Installation manual

Community S-Series - Operation and Installation Manual - Page 33
General Application Guidelines
In choosing the right S-Series product for your application, the initial factors to consider are
the size of the venue, the style of music and speech to be reproduced, and the location(s)
of the loudspeaker(s).
In smaller venues with less demanding musical styles, one can usually achieve excellent
results with either of the two smaller S-Series models. A good rule of thumb is to consider
using a pair of the two-way S-1296 or S-1596 full-range models for venues that host up to
approximately 200 persons.
By adding a second pair of either the S-1296 or S-1596 models, venues that host as many
as 300 to 400 persons can be effectively covered. Each pair of enclosures may be
configured side-by-side or one over another, to produce additional forward radiated power.
In rooms that are particularly wide but shallow in depth, a second pair may be required
simply to obtain the necessary horizontal coverage, even if overall power is not an issue.
With its 15” cone driver, the S-1596 will provide additional low-frequency content than that
of the S-1296 which has a 12” cone driver, resulting in a richer, fuller response. However,
if either model is to be used with S-215S or S-218S subwoofers, the difference in the
response between the 1296 and 1596 will be minimal.
S-3294 and S-3594 models are true three-way designs, employing horn loaded mid-range
drivers in addition to their horn loaded high-frequency drivers. This design yields better
directional control than a two-way system. The added directionality is an asset in
reverberant rooms where it’s important to keep the sound energy off of the walls, floor and
ceiling, and/or when there’s a need to cover long distances, either indoors or out.
The larger S-3594 with its 15” cone driver will provide deeper low-frequency response than
that of the S-3294 which employs a 12” cone driver, but here again the difference in
response will be minimal if either model is used with a S-Series subwoofer.
The S-Series includes two Subwoofers; the 215S employs dual 15” drivers, while the 218S
features dual 18” drivers. Either model will add greatly increased power and extended low-
frequency response to the S-Series full-range loudspeaker(s) that it’s used with.
The smaller of the two, the 215S, is characterized by a tight, punchy sound, while the
larger 218S adds deep, dramatic low end with a rapid transient response. When using
multiple subwoofers, such as two or three on each side of the stage, it’s best to keep the
enclosures stacked or positioned tightly together for maximum mutual coupling.
If either the HIGH-PASS output on the subwoofer, or an external electronic crossover is
employed, the use of a subwoofer will free up the low-frequency power demand on the full-
range loudspeaker(s), thereby increasing output capability in the upper bass range. If an
electronic crossover is used (highly recommended), intermodulation distortion in the
amplifiers will also be reduced, resulting in maximum sonic performance.
Note: The guidelines referred to above are “rules of thumb only.” Performance
will vary based on room acoustics, room geometry (particularly ceiling height),
the location of the loudspeaker(s), the size and type of the amplifiers, and the
stylistic demands of the music and speech that are to be reproduced.
POSITIONING SUBWOOFERS
Subwoofers are far less directional than the mid-range and high-frequency loudspeakers
they are designed to augment. This is because low-frequency wavelengths are significantly
longer than mid-range and high-frequency wavelengths. A 30 Hz wave is approximately 35
feet in length and a 100 Hz wave is approximately 11.3 feet in length. These extremely
long wavelengths cause behavior that’s quite different from their shorter mid and high-
frequency counterparts.
First, long wavelengths do not ‘see’ small or moderate size obstructions as obstacles; they
simply diffract around such barriers as if they’re not there.