Montarbo W14As Instruction Manual page 13

Important !!!
Input sensitivity and clipping. How to avoid clipping
Every amplified speaker system is characterized by a value of input
sensitivity. The sensitivity is defined as the value of the amplifier's input
signal that will result in maximum power output. An increase in input
signal over that threshold will result, not in increased power, but in a
distortion phenomenon called 'clipping' (output stage saturation).
In this condition, the speaker will operate improperly. The diaphragm
will exceed it's excursion limits, and the voice coil will overheat beyond
it's thermal limits, resulting in overheating and premature failure.
The active processors will help in avoiding clipping, by reducing the
amplifier gain and thus the input sensitivity, but this type of protections
may be overridden in very extreme conditions.
What the active processor cannot modify is a signal that is distorted
before getting to the active speaker's input.
The effects of this type of signal are the same as described above.
How to avoid clipping
The simplest way to avoid clipping is to check each level in the signal's
chain. Start from each input channel of the mixer and adjust the gain
control and the equalizer's controls so that the PFL meter will never
(or only occasionally) indicate more than 0dB. In simpler mixers, check
that the 'clip' or 'peak' indicator is always off, or blinks only
occasionally. If these levels are exceeded, reduce the channel's input
gain.Once the desired mix is obtained, adjust the output level so that
it never exceeds the active speaker's or the power amplifier's input
sensitivity, as displayed on the master output VU-meter.
In models W17As and W14As the input sensitivity is 0dB.
active, processor controlled, bi-amped speaker systems
Hanging the speakers. Tips and warnings
The W17As and W14As speakers feature 6 fly points built into the
cabinet (patent pending) for easily hanging them without using
special or additional accessories. The position of the 6 fly points allows
for great flexibility in terms of speaker configuration.
 See examples at page 37.
In order to guarantee a safe and secure installation, observe the
following guidelines:
1 - When hanging the speakers, use only means of suspension
(in accordance with the safety regulation valid in the country
of use) having a carrying capacity rated and guaranteed by
the manufacturer.
2 - Avoid knots. Use cables with pre-made eyelets instead.
3 - Never depend on only one means of suspension for hanging
speakers (for example, one cable, passing through several fly
points to connect two speakers); always use at least two of
them and make sure they are sufficiently strong. So, if one fails
the other will sustain the load.
4 - Never hang more than three speakers together in a cluster
(each speaker is designed to support up to two other speakers).
5 - Always make sure that the truss structure intended to support
the speakers is sturdy enough to hold their weight, even under
stressful, adverse conditions.
Always consider the effect of additional loads (for example, wind
in case of outdoor installations).
W14As / W17As
13
ENGLISH