Yorkville Sound nx55p owner manual NX55P Active Full Range Loudspeaker

NX55P Active Full Range Loudspeaker

Using the popular nx20 as a base, adding 550 Watts of bi-amped power and topping-it-off with aad- vanced signal processing, the NX55P is destined to set the new standard for active loudspeakers. The woofer amplifier, or low frequency amplifier, amp delivers over 450 Watts to the 12 inch neodymium woofer. To reduce the overall weight of the amplifier section, the woofer amplifier uses Class D switching technology. A 100 Watt, two-tier linear technology, Class H amplifier drives the 1 inch dia- phragm horn driver. This allows the horn to produce clean transients while keeping up with the high output of the woofer. Two-tier amplifier technology isn’t typically seen in a product like this, however we found the advantages (lower weight, more efficiency, higher headroom and lower operating temperature) made it a perfect choice for powering the top end.

This combination of Class D and Class H amplifier technologies helps keep distortion to a minimum while reducing the need for massive heat dis- sipation. In fact, to a level low enough to eliminate the need for heavy heatsinks. The advantage of this unique combina- tion of two-tier and Class D amplification has reduced extrane- ous heat to the point

that NX55P’s can easily be

used in any orientation (close to walls, floors and in close arrays with multiple cabinets). Competitive active loudspeak- ers, with large finned heatsinks, need to be operated vertically and with plenty of clear- ance (to ensure proper heat dissipation and ventilation). Since you have more versatility in regards to the orientation of the enclosure, the NX55P becomes ideal for flying in large clusters and in point-source concert sound systems. Yorkville’s designers took extra care making sure that in tight clusters overheating would not be an issue.

Taking advantage of the design process, an opportunity was taken to tweak the electronics for maximum overall speaker performance and protection. Solutions were borrowed from our high-end TX-Series PA systems. The limiters used, at the input and crossover stages, are a complex combination of gain reduction and sweep-

ing filters. If the NX55P is pushed to its maximum input/output levels, advanced filtering begins rolling off unnecessary subsonic frequencies. The processing also protects individual components ensuring failure free operation (even after long term operation at close to maximum output levels). The filter has a remarkable response time, less then 70ms, allowing the system to constantly be re-tuning itself. This makes sure the output is as clean, as loud and as clear as possible at any

given moment. This is achieved without negatively affecting the overall sonic quality of the cabinet. This ensures that the essential part of the mix, like the vocals

or solo instruments, come out clean and clear when the cabinet is being operated at the extremes of power and woofer excursion. Ex-

tremely fast and accurate limiting is in place to protect the speaker components.

As a bonus, the NX55P has a built in mixer! This al- lows the loudspeaker to be

used directly with a micro- phone and/or line source. The

loop output allows additional active cabinets to be driven from one source (up to a maximum of 50 NX55Ps). If desired, you can combine a pair of the NX55P’s using the mixer inputs on each cabinet and coupling the loop outputs. In this example you would have an ideal presentation system. Two microphone inputs, two line inputs (opti- mized for CD, Cassette or laptop computer audio source), complete within two speaker cabinets. As mentioned, our active cabinets can be linked together, the limitation is that only three ‘mixers’ can be active at any one time. This allows three Mic sources and six line sources available in an array of three or more cabinets). The microphone inputs have equalization and high pass filtering designed appropriately for vocal applications. The trim control allows looped cabinets to be individ- ually adjusted in level. This is invaluable in ap- plications where large numbers of cabinets are used such as in clusters or in trade show applications (or when NX55P’s are used as repeater cabinets or for side fill). The 100 Hz high pass filters allow the NX55P to be used more efficiently with any active subwoofer.

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