Sonance VC30RIM instruction manual I N S T R U C T I O N M A N U A L, V O L U M E

I N S T R U C T I O N M A N U A L

V C 3 0 R I M I M P E D A N C E - M U L T I P L Y I N G

V O L U M E

C O N T R O L

SETTING THE IMPEDANCE JUMPERS 1:

SETTING THE IMPEDANCE JUMPERS 2:

Typical Installations (Speakers with Identical Impedance)

Advanced Installations (Speakers with Differing Impedances;

The VC30RIM’s impedance adjustments protect the power amplifier by

Room Balancing)

maintaining an overall impedance that’s high enough for the amplifier to oper-

In addition to protecting amplifiers, the VC30RIM’s impedance adjustments

ate safely into.

can also be used in installations to balance the audio levels in

The impedance jumper position indicates how much the speaker’s original

different-sized rooms, or where speakers of differing impedances are used.

impedance is increased by the volume control. (The X2 position increases the

As the impedance seen by the amplifier increases, the output from the amp

speaker’s impedance 2 times, the X4 position increases a speaker’s impedance

into that load decreases. In other words, the impedance jumpers’ X1 setting

4 times, etc.)

will allow the speakers to be louder than if the X8 setting is used.

For example, a

single 8-ohm

speaker

Here’s how to balance-out room levels using the VC30RIM:

connected to an amplifier through a

X8

• Use the X1 setting for large rooms and outside areas where maximum

VC30RIM with the jumpers set in the X4

position would present a 32-ohm load to

X4

volume is needed.

the amplifier. If four pairs

of

8-ohm

X2

• Use the X2 and X4 settings for medium-sized rooms.

speakers were connected to an amplifier in

• Use the X8 setting for bathrooms and hallways that need much less overall volume.

parallel through four VC30RIMs set to the

X1

With this technique, even though the amplifier will be delivering the same

X4 position,

the

amplifier

would

power to all zones, the speakers connected to the volume controls in the small

see a safe overall impedance of 8 ohms

rooms (X8 setting) will only achieve a maximum volume that is 9dB lower

(8 x 4 = 32; 32/4 = 8).

than the amplifier's full output. (That's equal to turning the volume control

X8

1. Count the total number of speaker pairs

down three steps from full.)

the amplifier will be driving, and note

X4

• The speakers in medium-sized rooms will achieve a maximum output that

their nominal impedance according to

is 3dB down (X2 setting) or 6dB down (X4 setting) from maximum.

X2

their manufacturer.

• Speakers in large rooms and the outside zone (X1 setting) will still achieve a

2. Set the

impedance jumpers

(right)

X1

maximum output level that is equal to the amplifier's full output.

according to the tables below by slipping

This allows greater output in needy zones while still providing great low level

the jumper blocks over the appropriate

resolution in the smaller rooms.

pair of blades. (Be sure to set both jumpers.)

Important: All amplifiers need to operate at or above a certain minimum

load to remain stable. (Sonamp® amplifiers can handle loads down to 2

8-OHM CAPABLE AMPLIFIER

4-OHM CAPABLE AMPLIFIER

ohms before going into protection.)

Number of 8-Ohm

Jumper Position

Number of 8-Ohm

Jumper Position

When balancing rooms or using speakers with differing impedances,

Speakers

Speakers

1 Pair

X1

1 – 2 Pair

X1

use the following equation to calculate the overall impedance as seen by the

amplifier:

2 Pair

X2

3 – 4 Pair

X2

1/ [ (1 / (SPa x VCa)) + (1 / (SPb x VCb)) + (1 / (SPc x VCc)) + ... (1 / (SPn x VCn)) ]

3 – 4 Pair

X4

5 – 8 Pair

X4

5 – 8 Pair

X8

9 – 16 Pair

X8

This equation may look scary but it really is easy to use. The nominal speaker

More than 8 Pair

Not Recommended

More than 16 Pair

Not Recommended

impedance is represented by SP and the volume control impedance jumper

Number of 4-Ohm

Jumper Position

Number of 4-Ohm

Jumper Position

multiplying factor is shown as VC.

Speakers

Speakers

1 Pair

X2

1 Pair

X1

For example, assume that all speakers are 6 ohms nominal. Assume that VCa

2 Pair

X4

2 Pair

X2

(outdoors) is set at X1, VCb (kitchen) is set to X4 and VCc (bathroom) is set

3 – 4 Pair

X8

3 – 4 Pair

X4

to X8. The equation would be:

More than 4 Pair

Not Recommended

5 – 8 Pair

X8

1/ [ (1 / (6 x 1)) + (1 / (6 x 4)) + (1 / (6 x 8)) ]

More than 8 Pair

Not Recommended

WARNING: Operating multiple sets of speakers

= 1/ [ (1 / 6) + (1 / 24) + (1 / 48) ]

through VC30RIM volume controls with impedance

= 1/ [ 0.166 + 0.042 + 0.021 ]

jumpers set to lower values than recommended in order

= 1/ 0.229

to increase the system’s volume capability can damage

= 4.37 ohms

the volume controls and amplifier. If the system pro-

duces

inadequate

volume with the jumpers

The total impedance of this example is above 4 ohms and can be safely driven

set properly, remove some of the speaker/volume

by any amp that is stable down to 4 ohms.

control combinations from that amplifier and add an

Note: If you were using a Sonamp 275 SE to drive the load in the above example,

the amplifier’s 2-ohm stability would allow you to add even more rooms.

additional amplifier(s) to the system to power them.

(The number would depend on the speaker impedance and Volume Control

impedance jumper setting.)

OPERATION:

Setting the Maximum System Volume

Important: After you have set the impedance jumpers as shown on the previous page, you must set the maximum system volume before operating the system.

1.If the system has speaker/volume control combinations in more than one room, determine which room will be played the loudest.

2.Turn the amplifier’s volume control all the way down.

3.Feed the system a strong music signal.

4.Turn the volume control in the “loudest” room all the way up.

5.Gradually advance the amplifier’s volume control until the sound in the room is as loud as you’re likely to ever want it.

•If you hear audible distortion, lower the amplifier’s volume until the distortion disappears.

6.Bring the volume control in each room up to the loudest listening level for that room.

•Leave the volume controls already tested at their loudest listening level as you test new ones and listen for distortion. If you hear distortion, lower the amplifier’s volume until the distortion disappears.

Once the system has been set up in this way, use the volume control in each room to adjust the volume to that room’s normal listening level. Do not change the amplifier’s volume.

WARNING: Operating the system at a volume that causes amplifier clipping will — besides producing inferior sound quality — saturate the volume control transformers and can damage the volume controls, the amplifier and the speakers. If you hear audible distortion, lower the amplifier’s volume until the distortion disappears.

If the system produces inadequate volume with the amplifier’s volume set to just below clipping, remove some of the speaker/volume control combinations from that amplifier and add an additional amplifier(s) to the system to power them.

I N S T R U C T I O N M A N U A L

V C 3 0 R I M I M P E D A N C E - M U L T I P L Y I N G

V O L U M E C O N T R O L

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SERVICE

If you have any questions about the operation or installation of this product, please call our Technical Assistance Department on any busi- ness day at (800) 582-0772 or (949) 492-7777; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time.

If your product should need repair or service, contact your Sonance Authorized Dealer for help, or use the following procedure:

1.Prior to calling, note the product’s model number, serial number, pur- chase date, and the name and address of the dealer where you pur- chased the product.

2.Contact our Technical Assistance Department at the above number(s) and describe the problem the unit is experiencing. If applicable, they will issue a Return Authorization Number.

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST HAVE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TO RETURN YOUR PRODUCT TO SONANCE!

3.If you’re directed to return the unit to Sonance for repair, pack the unit in its original shipping carton. If needed, you can obtain replacement packaging from us for a small charge. Please include a copy of the original bill of sale inside the package.

4.Contact United Parcel Service, Federal Express, or RPS to arrange pre- paid (not collect) shipping. Do not use the U.S. Mail Service.

IMPORTANT: Freight collect shipments will be refused.

5.Write the Return Authorization Number on the outside of the shipping carton.

6.Ship the packaged unit to:

Quality Assurance Department

Sonance

212 Avenida Fabricante

San Clemente, CA 92672-7531

WARRANTY COVERAGE (U.S. ONLY)

If the unit fails due to a defect in workmanship or material for a period of five (5) years, Sonance will, at its option and at no charge, repair or replace the components of such unit which prove to be defective.

For this warranty to be effective, the bill of sale must show that the unit was purchased from an "Authorized Sonance Dealer" and must list the price paid. This warranty shall apply exclusively to the original purchaser and shall not apply to units purchased for industrial or commercial use.

Furthermore, this warranty shall not apply if:

1)Damage to the unit was caused by accident, abuse, or misuse;

2)The unit was opened, modified, or repaired by unauthorized per- sonnel; or

3)The unit was not used as outlined in the operating instructions.

EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS

The warranty set forth above is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise. The warranty is limited to Sonance products registered herein and specifically excludes any damage to loudspeakers and other allied or associated equipment which may result for any reason from use with this product. Sonance shall, in no event, be liable for incidental or consequential damages arising from any breach of this warranty or otherwise. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.

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