Field Service; Choosing Loudspeakers; Commissioning - Community iBOX SERIES Installation & Operation Manual

SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION
Any driver service required is done from the front of the enclosure by removing the screws around the
edge of the grille. Crossovers and connections may be accessed by removing the connector plate. For
warranty repair, contact Community directly or ask us for the location of your nearest Authorized Service Center.
C H O O S I N G T H E R I G H T L O U D S P E A K E R S
Choose iBOX models with high enough maximum SPL to provide the needed SPL at the farthest listener
with an appropriate headroom. Typical headroom factors are at least 6 dB for voice paging, at least 10 dB for
voice reinforcement and at least 20 dB for music reinforcement.
Choose iBOX models with the right frequency response for the application. Subwoofers will improve the
sound quality of a music reinforcement system but may reduce intelligibility in a voice-only system in a
reverberant space.
Choose iBOX models with the right coverage patterns to cover the audience evenly. Point the
loudspeakers at the listeners and away from walls and ceilings or other obstructions.
Ideally, put all loudspeakers in a central location (central cluster design) or use a distributed system
design. Minimize overlap when loudspeakers are separated by more than approximately 40 feet.
Choose power amplifiers large enough to achieve the needed SPL in the venue with enough headroom
to avoid clipping. Use a limiter and high-pass filter to protect the loudspeakers. Follow proper wiring design and
adjust gains and levels to achieve the best signal to noise ratio.
Commissioning is the process of optimizing the performance of the system after it has been installed.
There are several steps in commissioning including verifying the proper operation of each system component
and adjusting system gains and levels.
The last step in system commissioning is known as system equalization or "voicing". Equalization is the
process of adjusting the frequency response of the system to optimize voice intelligibility or musical sound
quality (or both). Note that iBOX loudspeakers are factory voiced to optimize their speech intelligibility and
musical sound quality. For this reason, many designers find they can minimize overall system equalization and
still achieve excellent voice intelligibility and musical sound quality.
When equalizing an iBOX loudspeaker system the following points should be kept in mind to achieve the
best results and to avoid damaging the drivers.
1. Use only small amounts of equalization. In particular do not boost frequencies by more than about
3 dB. When cutting frequencies more than 3 dB of attenuation is acceptable. Bear in mind that extreme
frequency cuts will usually result in less than optimum performance.
2. Do not attempt to boost any frequencies below 100 Hz with a graphic equalizer. Note that with the
recommended high-pass filter, moderate amounts of boost from a simple bass control are acceptable.
For More Information and Applications Assistance
For more information on installing and operating your iBOX loudspeaker, please refer to Community's
web site at www.communitypro.com. For applications support, service or warranty information, refer to
Community's web site or contact Community at 610-876-3400 or toll-free 800-523-4934.
F I E L D S E R V I C E
A N D E L E C T R O N I C S
C O M M I S S I O N I N G T H E S Y S T E M
Community iBOX Installation/Operation Manual — Page 35