Focal user manual Rear panel description, Analogue input, Digital input, SM11-S subwoofer

5 PRODUCTS OVERVIEW

This section of the manual is applicable to 3 products: SM11-L, SM11-R, SM11-C (fig. A, C).

These 3 products are identical, from a technical and functional point of view, and only differ by the shape of their enclosure. For specific information on their companion, the SM11-S subwoofer, please refer to a further section.

The design of the enclosures was meant to acoustically optimise the performance of the loudspeakers.

SM11-L and SM11-R are meant to be used respectively as Left and Right main speakers (or the opposite if used as back surround speakers), while the SM11-C is to be used as a centre channel speaker.

The shape of each of these enclosures ensures minimal detrimental effects of acoustic diffraction, and maximum spatial imaging by allowing mirror configurations.

On the SM11-L and SM11-R, the 30 degrees angle of the mid-hi panel (with respect to the LF driver panel), makes it easy to meet the recommendations for surround monitoring (aligning LF panels is just enough).

The attached pictures allow to locate the main components, on the front and rear panels.

Rear panel description

As can be seen on the rear panel view (fig. B), two separate XLR-type inlets are provided for audio connections, one for an analogue signal, the other one for a digital (AES-3 compatible) signal.

Both use the standard cabling scheme, namely: Pin 1 = Ground (shield)

Pin 2 = In phase voltage ("hot")

Pin 3 = Out-of-phase voltage ("cold")

Selection of one input or the other is done automatically by the SM11 internal programme, with highest priority to the incoming digital signal whenever it can be locked on.

Analogue input

The analogue signal is to connect to the dedicated XLR input mentioned above (inside the ANALOGUE IN box)

The sensitivity of this input can be adjusted using the two-position switch located within the same box:

the +4dBu position is suitable for standard professional audio equipment, while –10dBV position may be used for other types of sources providing a lesser output level.

When this input is used the sampling rate of the internal A/D converter is 96kHz.

Digital input

The digital signal is to connect to the XLR input located inside the DIGITAL IN box.

This input will accept AES signal with sampling rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kHz and the internal programme will update its parameters accordingly and automatically.

As is known, the AES signal carry data for 2 separate audio channels -namely "Left" and "Right"- so it is necessary to select which one of the two is to be used (each SM11 deals with only one input channel): this is done by means of a two-position switch located above the XLR connector.

When using the digital input, please bear in mind the usual recommendations applicable to digital connections, especially if long cable runs are required: choose an appropriate (110 Ohms) cable, use an AES compatible distributor to ensure impedance matching when several receivers are fed from a single source. Focal can supply an inexpensive passive splitter (please contact your dealer).

SM11-S subwoofer

The optional SM11-S subwoofer is intended to compliment a SM11 system in a 5.1 configuration (fig. E, F).

Though the low frequency extension is already substantial when using a stereo pair of SM11’s on their own, one might also want to add some extra low end and/or increase the overall max. SPL, in which case the SM11-S is the ideal solution.

The SM11-S is totally compatible with the rest of a SM11 system: similar inputs and connectors, same controls. The only functional difference is that it does not accept InfraRed control signals (it has no IR receiver).