COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS ™ Owner’s Manual SLS Full-Range Loudspeakers And SBS Subwoofers
A T R A D I T I O N O F E X C E L L E N C E A N D I N N O VAT I O N Since the founding of our company in 1968, Community has been a constant developer and innovator of loudspeaker technology. Many of our engineering achievements were undertaken to solve problems, when no prior solutions existed. Others resulted from simply seeing a better way to do things. Over the years our technologies have been imitated, and our methods have become common practice throughout the professional sound industry.
E C S TAT E M E N T O F C O N F O R M I T Y This document confirms that the range of products of Community Professional Loudspeakers bearing the CE label meets all of the requirements in the EMC directive 89/336/EEC laid down by the Member States Council for adjustment of legal requirements. Furthermore, the products comply with the rules and regulations referring to the electromagnetic compatibility of devices from 30-August-1995.
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE FIGURES and TABLES PAGE EC Statement of Conformity .............................................................................................. 3 1. Introduction and Safety Information ..................................................................... 5 2. Introduction to Electronically Controlled Loudspeaker Systems ............................ 6 3. Unpacking and Inspection ....................................................................................
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS™ OWNER’S MANUAL 1 INTRODUCTION Welcome! You’ve joined the group of people that have chosen high quality Community loudspeaker systems and components for 30 years. We’re really gratified you did and we will do our best to make sure you are satisfied with your new loudspeaker. In order for you to get the most effective use of this product please take a few minutes to read this manual.
2 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS In simple terms, an electronically-controlled loudspeaker system consists of: 1. The loudspeaker components and enclosure. 2. An associated electronic device that modifies the source signal in some fashion. 3. The power amplifier used to drive the loudspeaker system.
3 UNPACKING AND INSPECTION The Community SLS and SBS loudspeakers are inherently rugged and are carefully packed in well designed cartons. It is a good idea to carefully inspect the unit after it has been removed from the packaging as sometimes there is hidden damage due to some unfortunate incident in shipment. Please note that once the shipment has left Community (or the dealer), the responsibility for damage is borne by the freight company.
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FIGURE 1: Physical Features PAGE 10 Community Solutions™ Owner’s Manual
4 PHYSICAL FEATURES MOUNTING / RIGGING POINTS (See FIGURE 1) DESCRIPTION MOUNTING / RIGGING POINTS 4 on top corners. 3/8”-16 Captive internal nuts. MOUNTING / RIGGING POINTS 4 on bottom corners. 3/8”-16 Captive internal nuts. REAR PANEL PULL-BACK POINT 3/8”-16 T-nuts. On SLS models the primary use is to retain the enclosure’s rear panel. May also be used as a pull-back point.
5 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Community Solutions loudspeaker systems are electronically-controlled speaker systems with features and functions designed for both permanent installation and portable applications. There are two product groups: the SLS series of full-range loudspeakers and the SBS series of subwoofers.
5.1.3 Low Frequency Drivers The low frequency drivers in the larger SLS and SBS loudspeakers are triple spider, high sensitivity cone type transducers. The 6.5” (165 mm) driver used in the SLS915 and SLS918 and the 8” (203 mm) SLS920 LF drivers are dual spider designs. The multiple spider suspensions provide superior mechanical damping for the cones resulting in “tight” low frequency reproduction at very low distortion levels.
wavefront, as if from a single source. The SBS subwoofers do not have internal crossovers. function must be supplied by external electronic devices. 5.6 This Operating Modes: PASSIVE and BIAMPLIFIED A switch on the SLS input panels selects between either of two operating modes: PASSIVE mode (single amplifier) or BIAMPLIFIED mode (separate low and high frequency amplifiers).
5.14 Front Grille The front grille is powder paint coated, 16 gauge perforated steel, retained by screws in each corner. 3M™ dual-lock fasteners are used elsewhere on the grille face to provide additional support and to damp any resonances. The grille has an edge gasket that allows easy installation of a custom grille cloth for matching the surrounding decor. 5.
6 OPERATING MODES Your SLS and SBS loudspeaker systems are designed to be used with an electronic controller. 6.1 Electronic Controller Options Community Solutions loudspeakers are specifically designed to be electronically-controlled by a device that directly precedes the power amplifier in the signal chain. The controller processes the audio signal to provide an optimized signal to the loudspeaker under all operating conditions.
7 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS FIGURES 2 and 3 show the possible configurations for the SLS and SBS loudspeakers. (Note: Refer to the SECTION 10.5 “Connecting the Loudspeakers” herein and to the specific controller’s Owner’s Manual for exact connection details and operation.
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8 CHOOSING POWER AMPLIFICATION It is important to select the proper power amplifier output for the loudspeaker. To avoid the potential for damage and/or less than optimum performance you need to have enough amplifier power but not too much. The published power ratings for Community Solutions loudspeakers, as listed in the Technical Specifications in CHAPTER 16, are only applicable when the loudspeakers are used with an electronic system controller or processor.
9 OPERATING REQUIREMENTS These sections define the operating requirements for the various controllers and modes of operation for both the SLS full-range loudspeakers and SBS subwoofers. 9.1 Operating Requirements Using Electronic Controllers Refer to FIGURES 2 and 3 for block diagrams of the acceptable configurations. 9.1.
9.1.3 SBS Subwoofer with An Electronic Controller The SBS subwoofer requires a single amplifier channel amplifier. Also required is an electronic crossover to limit the high frequencies from being reproduced by the subwoofer and a high-pass filter to prevent subsonic frequencies from overdriving and possibly damaging the loudspeaker. TABLE 4 shows the recommended amplifier sizes for the SBS subwoofers.
10 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION 10.1 Loudspeaker Cable / Wiring To get the maximum performance from your loudspeaker, proper 2 conductor wire and good quality connectors must be used. The most important factor in selecting wire is its resistance which is primarily a function of wire gauge and length. It is desirable to keep the total resistance under 0.2 Ohm for any wire run to the speaker to maximize electro-mechanical damping and minimize power losses.
10.2 Input Connectors 10.3 Paralleling or Daisy-chaining Two Loudspeakers The SLS and SBS loudspeakers have jacks that accept two types of connectors: Neutrik Speakons and dual banana type plugs. Both are high current connectors and neither requires soldering to make the connection from the wire to the connector. For permanent installations, either the banana plugs or Neutrik Speakons make excellent connections that easily detach for service.
10.5.2 SLS BIAMPLIFIED Mode Operation (See FIGURE 5) Operation of the SLS loudspeakers in BIAMPLIFIED mode requires putting the slide switch on the input panel in the “Biamplified” (up) position. In this mode the LF and HF connections can be made using either of the Neutrik Speakon connectors. Note that each Speakon connector can accept both the LF and HF inputs.
11 PHYSICAL INSTALLATION 11.1 IMPORTANT NOTE: Mounting/rigging Point Holes The mounting/rigging points of the SLS and SBS loudspeakers must either be used for mounting hardware or “plugged” with the hex-socket screws provided. There are two reasons for this. When suspending the loudspeaker from one end, the screws in the mounting/rigging points on the other end transfer the load through the internal steel bracing to the bottom surface of the enclosure for better support.
11.3 Front Grille All SLS and SBS loudspeakers have a 16 gauge perforated steel grille on the face of the enclosures to provide a finished appearance and to protect the drivers. The grille is essentially acoustically transparent with a TI (Transparency Index) rating of over 13,700, where 10,000 is considered essentially transparent. The grille is painted using a powder coating process that bonds the paint to the steel.
11.4 Enclosure Finish The enclosures are finished with a water-based acrylic paint (trade-named Polene™). If desired, this finish can be painted over with a custom color using any standard, water-based, DTM acrylic paint without the need for any special surface preparation. FE models are finished in black, hand-laminated fiberglass. If it is desired to paint these enclosures with a custom color, they must be sanded and then washed with a solvent (such as turpentine or denatured alcohol) prior to painting.
WARNING: Never exceed the working load limits (WLL) specified in FIGURE 9. FIGURE 9: Working Load Limits (WLL) for Mounting/Rigging Points The top and bottom mounting/rigging points are connected to each other through the enclosure with internal steel bracing. Thus the bracing in the enclosure, rather than the wood, carries the weight of any under-hung load attached to the bottom mounting/rigging points.
11.5.3 Using Only Two Mounting/Rigging Points If only the two rear mounting/rigging points are used, the loudspeaker will hang with a down-angle of approximately 30 degrees. This may be ideal for many situations. If less down-angle is needed, four mounting/rigging points should be used with the front mounting/rigging points used to pull up the front of the enclosure to the desired down-angle. Alternately you can use the front two mounting/rigging points and use a pull-back to set the desired down-angle.
11.5.6 Stand and Mounting Bracket Inserts The SLS915, SLS918 and SLS920 loudspeakers and the SBS12 subwoofer have 5/16-18 threaded T-nut inserts on the bottom of the enclosures for mounting the loudspeakers on stands and for securing a bracket to the enclosure for installation to a wall surface. The T-nut inserts are positioned and sized to mate with an Ultimate Support stand mount (model MB-200), Omnimount brackets (see TABLE 6) or similar hardware.
11.5.7 SBS25 Pole Socket The 1-3/8 in. (35 mm) diameter pole socket on the top of the SBS25 subwoofer accepts the Community SB5 Mounting Pole accessory. This allows an SLS915, SLS918, or SLS920 fitted with a 13/8” (35 mm) stand socket, such as an Ultimate Support SM200, to be pole mounted on top of the SBS25. The SB5 is a 5 ft. (1524 mm) long x 1-3/8 in. (35 mm) diameter steel pole finished with black paint. When inserted the pole goes to the bottom of the enclosure.
12 ACOUSTICAL ADJUSTMENTS Once the loudspeaker has been set-up or installed and connected according to the configuration you need, it is ready for acoustical adjustments. 12.1 Initial Testing The following procedures are designed to prevent damage to the loudspeaker during initial testing of the system. 1. Before powering up any equipment, turn down the input level controls on the power amplifiers and set other level controls to nominal operating positions.
1. As a minimum, you need to use at least a voltmeter along with the maximum output voltage specification for each piece of electronics. The preferable tool is an oscilloscope that can be used to observe the signal directly. If neither of these are available, you can use the level or clipping indicators on each piece of equipment in the signal chain. Without some method of determining the clipping point for each piece of equipment, you cannot expect to optimize the gain structure. 2.
example, if you decide that a subwoofer is not loud enough, do not turn up the input level control of its amplifier. Instead, turn down the input level of the full-range loudspeaker’s amplifier. 12.5 Equalization Once level balances are set, you can then equalize the loudspeaker(s), if necessary. Community loudspeakers, used with an electronic controller, are optimized for highly accurate and well balanced reproduction “out-of-the-box”.
13 OPERATING PRECAUTIONS The following sections detail certain operating precautions for the loudspeaker which will aid in achieving and maintaining its maximum performance and reliability. They also include important information for situations and usage outside the basic set-up and operation described in the previous sections. 13.
by several dB, quickly and noticeably. How much reduction will depend on the amount and frequency range of the excessive power. As a further indication of the operation of either of these circuits, a brighter, steadier light will be seen through the bass ports than for the HF driver protection. The open relay will then reset itself after several seconds, depending on the amount of excessive power, and the loudspeaker’s output volume will return to normal.
FIGURE 14: Effects of Amplifier Clipping 13.4 Generic Electronic Control (Non-Community) It is technically possible to use generic signal processing equipment such as DSP signal processors, analog EQs, and limiters to set up workable and reasonable operating parameters for the SLS and SBS loudspeakers. Bear in mind that dynamic equalization, IntelliSense™ protection and certain other parameters built into Community’s controllers are virtually impossible to mimic using generic devices.
Community loudspeakers are capable of producing levels in excess of potentially dangerous levels close to the enclosure. In normal operation it is intended that the listener will at a distance from the enclosure where SPL levels will be within tolerable limits. Avoid operating the loudspeaker systems at levels that exceed 100 dB SPL in the listening area for more than short periods.
should be kept below 10% (-10 dB) of the loudspeaker’s RMS rating to ensure the loudspeaker will not be damaged.
13.8 Microphone Feedback One of the more potentially damaging signals in an audio system is microphone feedback. This usually results in a high volume level, single-tone signal (essentially a sine wave) being reproduced through the loudspeakers. This kind of signal can quickly damage the drivers and therefore the situation should be corrected as quickly as possible. To avoid this situation the following approaches can be tried.
14 OPERATING PRECAUTIONS FOR THE SLS918 The SLS918 is essentially an SLS915 combined with an SBS12 subwoofer into one enclosure. When used in PASSIVE mode it has similar performance to an SLS915/SBS12 combination but does not require an electronic crossover. It is important to note that the PowerSense DDP protection circuit for the SLS918 LF driver is bypassed in BIAMPLIFIED mode. When using an electronic controller in this mode electronic protection is provided by the controller.
15 SERVICING 15.1 Servicing SLS Drivers To service an SLS driver it must be removed from the enclosure. Refer to FIGURE 16 for details of notso-obvious procedures for the M200 and bottom bolts for the lower LF driver. Details will vary slightly from model to model. FIGURE 16: Servicing SLS Drivers (Side view cut-away of SLS loudspeaker) 15.2 Servicing SBS Drivers 15.3 Servicing an SLS Input Panel and Crossover 15.
16 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 16.1 SLS Full-Range Loudspeaker Specifications SLS915 Frequency Response Sensitivity (1W / 1m SPL) 250 Hz - 4 kHz Over Entire Bandwidth Max. Power (RMS / Program) Passive Mode Biamp Mode: LF HF Max.
16.2 SBS Subwoofer Specifications 5 SBS12 SBS22 SBS25 SBS45 Frequency Response 45 - 250 Hz 35 - 250 Hz 35 - 150 Hz 27 - 150 Hz Sensitivity (1W / 1m SPL) 94 dB 96 dB 98 dB 100 dB Over Entire Bandwidth Max. Power (RMS / 200W / 500W 400W / 1000W 400W / 1000W 800W / 2000W Program) Max. Voltage (RMS / 40V / 89V 40V / 89V 40V / 89V 80V / 179V Peak) Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm 4 Ohm 4 Ohm 8 Ohm Nominal Dispersion Omni @ 100 Hz Omni @ 100 Hz Omni @ 100 Hz 230 @ 100 Hz Crossover None None None None Max.
17 IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY Should you have a problem with your Community Solutions loudspeaker, find the symptom and follow the associated “What To Do” instructions. Be aware that a particular symptom may have several possible causes. Please refer to appropriate sections in this manual if you need more detailed information. SYMPTOM – SLS LOUDSPEAKERS Distortion, low volume, or no volume from any or all drivers.
mode – SLS915/920/960/980. (Note: LF drivers are wired in series.) No low frequencies in Biamplified mode. No low frequencies in BIAMPLIFIED mode. No low frequencies in Passive mode. (Note: SLS915/920/960/980 LF drivers are wired in series.) No low frequencies in PASSIVE mode. No mid or high frequencies in Biamplified mode. No mid or high frequencies in Biamplified mode. No sound. No sound in Passive mode. No sound or very low volume. LF amplifier is not on or loudspeaker disconnected.
Bass is weak from SBS22 or SBS25. (Note: SBS22 and SBS25 drivers are wired in parallel.) Bass is weak from SBS45. (Note: SBS45 drivers are wired with 2 series pairs in parallel.) One driver not functioning. No bass SBS12. Driver is not functioning. No bass from SBS22 or SBS25. (Note: SBS22 drivers are wired in parallel.) Driver is not functioning. No bass from SBS45. Driver is not functioning. No bass or bass is weak. Subwoofer is not functioning. One or more drivers not functioning.
18 WARRANTY INFORMATION AND SERVICE FOR THE USA Transferable Warranty (Limited) – valid in the USA only T R A N S F E R A B L E WA R R A N T Y " ( L I M I T E D ) ” VA L I D I N T H E U S A O N LY Community loudspeaker systems are warranted in the USA to be free from manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five years, as determined by one of the following two methods, whichever is longer: Starting from the date of retail purchase, as noted on the sales receipt from an authorize
Owner’s complete name, daytime phone number, return street address and return authorization number. The serial number of the product being returned and a copy of the retail sales receipt, if possible. A complete description of the problem(s) experienced, including a brief description of how the equipment is being used and with what brand, model and output power of amplifier. Upon receipt, the service center will determine if the problem is covered under warranty.
19 BASIC REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST The following replacement parts may be ordered through authorized Community Service Stations. Please contact Community for your nearest Service Station. MODEL(S) SLS915 & SLS918 SLS920 SLS960 SLS980 SBS12 & SBS22 SBS25 & SBS45 SLS920, SLS960 & SLS980 SLS920, SLS960 & SLS980 All SLS All SLS SLS920, SLS960 & SLS980 All SLS All SLS & SBS All SLS All SLS & SBS All SLS & SBS All SLS & SBS All SLS & SBS All SLS & SBS 1 REPLACEMENT PART 1 6.
INDEX Grille ......................................................................... 15, 26 Grille Cloth ..................................................................... 26 A Accessories ..................................................................... 15 Acoustic Level Precautions ............................................ 37 Acoustical Adjustments .................................................. 32 Amplifier Clipping..........................................................
Pull-Back Capability ....................................................... 29 Pull-Back Points ............................................................. 29 Q Quick Start-Up Diagram ............................................... 8, 9 R Radio Design Labs.......................................................... 16 Recommended Amplifier Power .................................... 19 Replacement Parts .......................................................... 49 Residual Noise ............................
Community Professional Loudspeakers 333 East Fifth Street Chester, PA 19013-4511 USA TEL: 1-(610) 876-3400 FAX: 1-(610) 874-0190 www.communitypro.
