Tannoy Reveal user manual Introduction, Unpacking and visual checks

1.0 INTRODUCTION

You’re thinking, “Come on, a user’s manual for speakers? That’s like a user’s manual for a toothbrush.” You know enough not to plug your speakers into an AC outlet, and you know you should hook them up in phase and then you listen to them. How much more do you need to know? We know these speakers are headed for the professional or semi-professional studio market, so we know we don’t need to tell you about putting your potted plants on top of the speakers, or to avoid putting the right one on the bookshelf, and the left one on the floor behind the sofa. We know you are serious listeners or you wouldn’t have bought Tannoy monitors. We decided that someone needed to produce this type of manual, and because we’re actually interested in monitoring, not just speaker sales, we figured it would have to be us. This user’s manual will tell you how to get the absolute best performance out of your new monitors.

2.0 THE BASICS

The Reveal is the latest playback monitor from Tannoy, a company with unrivalled experience in studio monitoring. It has an extremely detailed, dynamic sound with a wide, flat frequency response – all of which are essential for monitoring with reliable accuracy.

The 25mm (1”) soft dome HF unit is seamlessly matched to a 165mm (6.5”) long throw bass unit by the precision low-loss crossover network. The drive units are mounted on a massive 40mm thick baffle, curved to minimise diffraction and creating the loudspeakers distinctive styling. Both drive units are magnetically shielded to allow the system to be used close to video monitors.

Don’t put potted plants on top of your speakers, don’t plug them into AC outlets, or hook them up out of phase. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about some of the technical things to keep in mind.

2.1Unpacking and visual checks

To remove the speakers from the carton without damage open the end flaps fully and bend them right back (remember they are packed in pairs). Turn the package upside-down on the floor and lift the carton vertically up to leave the speakers resting on their packing tray. Nothing on or in your speakers should rattle about. Inspect each speaker for signs of transit damage. In the unlikely event of this having occurred inform the carrier and the supplier. Keep all the packaging if damage has occurred, as this will show evidence of excessive handling forces. It is also a good idea to keep the carton if possible for future transportation.

2.2Preliminary recommendation

Initially we would like to give a word of warning on high sound levels, which these speakers are capable of generating over sustained periods of time. Levels over 95 dB for 8 hours per day will eventually cause permanent hearing loss. Because Tannoy monitors have very low levels of time, amplitude and frequency distortion it is not always obvious that the sound level is high while working with them.

For continuous exposure we recommend the occasional use of a sound level meter capable of integrating the sound level over a period of exposure according to noise control standards. This should be used just to check that noise levels are always within safety limits.

2.3Connecting your speakers

The types of cable used to connect the speakers to the power amplifier will marginally affect the sound. The cross-sectional area of the cable should be large enough so as not to affect the