Loudspeakers

Q-SYS supports several groups of loudspeaker types. Although the groups are different, the majority of Controls, Properties, and Control pins are identical. In this topic the Controls, Properties, and Control Pins, are listed together, and noted where they differ between loudspeakers. Each loudspeaker needs to be configured based on its model, specific hardware configuration, and venue considerations. The following is a listing of the groups of loudspeaker components available in Q-SYS Designer.

Q-SYS allows the addition of loudspeakers and loudspeaker systems other than those manufactured by QSC. This Generic and Generic 70V/100V (distributed audio) Speaker components allow you to configure Q-SYS to meet the specifications of other, or generic, loudspeakers or loudspeaker systems.

Inline Processing allows you to apply the Intrinsic Correction or Basic Correction settings for a QSC loudspeaker even if you're using an amplifier that is not directly supported by Q-SYS.

Property

Function

Choices

Name

User-defined name identifying the loudspeaker

User input

Location

User-defined name that groups the loudspeaker with other components in the same physical location, or in the same organizational scheme.

User input

Mode

Not all of the loudspeakers have the Mode property. For those that have a Mode Property, the selections vary.

Low-Z – Indicates a low impedance system.

70 V / 100 V – Indicates a distributed system

2-Way, 3-Way, 4-Way – Indicates the number of separate amplifier channels.

Low-Z

2-Way

3-Way

4-Way

70 V

100 V
Line Arrays

Box Count

 

The total number of loudspeaker Boxes in the array. This field is the sum of the Boxes in each segment.

Calculated

Total Splay

The splay angle of the entire array. Available only with more than one segment.

0° to 90°

Segments

Boxes are grouped into segments.

1 to 8

Legacy Voicing

For WideLine-8 arrays only:

  • Select 'No' to use the newer voicing that offers improved balance. This is the default in Q-SYS version 8.3 and later for new WideLine-8 loudspeaker components.
  • Select 'Yes' to use the older voicing profile. This is the default for designs with existing WideLine-8 components that have been upgraded to version 8.3 and later. For existing components, you can optionally switch to the newer voicing.

Yes / No
Generic Loudspeakers

Band Count

The number of frequency bands available.

If you are using Custom voicing, the band count of the loudspeaker and the Loudspeaker Custom Voicing Component must match.

1 to 8

RMS Threshold (V)1

This limits the output RMS signal to below the specified voltage level.

Default = 22

3 to 220

RMS Attack (s)1

This adjusts the time it takes for the output amplitude to fall once the RMS Threshold is exceeded.

Default = 3.5

0.1 to 18

RMS Release (s)1

This adjusts the time it takes for the output to rise after dropping below the RMS Threshold.

Default = 14

0.4 to 72

Peak Voltage1

This limits the output peak signal to below the specified voltage level.

Default = 56.5

8 to 566
AD-C, AD-S (except AD-S282H), Generic, and Generic 70V/100V Loudspeakers

Inline Processing

Inline processing allows you to apply the Intrinsic Correction or Basic Correction settings for a QSC loudspeaker even if you're using an amplifier that is not directly supported by Q-SYS. With Inline Processing, the correction is accomplished in the Core.

Notes:

  • Inline Processing is not applicable for DataPort amplifiers (CX & DCA series), as loudspeaker processing is accomplished by the CODP4 – DataPort Output Card.
  • Inline Processing is not applicable to network amplifiers (CXD-Q, CX-Q, and DPA-Q series), as loudspeaker processing is accomplished by the amp's internal processor.
 Yes / No

Line Voltage

For Generic 70/100 V Speakers only, this sets the amplifier's gain to output the specified voltage when an input voltage is applied at input sensitivity.

100V

70V (Default)

Custom Voicing

The user-defined name of the Loudspeaker Custom Voicing component that will be used with this loudspeaker (and others using the same voicing) to adjust the loudspeaker voicing.

The text entered here must match the text in the Loudspeaker Custom Voicing Component's Custom voicing Property.

If you have a loudspeaker that calls out a Custom Voicing that does not exist, Q-SYS displays a message when you load to the Core, or Emulate, indicating the error. The design will not run.

If there is a mismatch between the number of bands in the Custom Voicing Component and the loudspeaker, Q-SYS displays a message when you load to the Core, or Emulate, indicating the error. The design will not run.

To safely create multiple Generic Speaker Components when the loudspeakers are the same, and are using Loudspeaker Custom Voicing:

  1. Add a single Generic Speaker to the Inventory and drag its component into the design.
  2. Add a Loudspeaker Custom Voicing component to the Inventory and drag its component into the design.
  3. Duplicate the Generic Speaker Component the desired number of times. This automatically adds Generic Speakers with default settings to the Inventory.
  4. Select all of the Generic Speaker components you want to share the same Custom Voicing. Assign the Custom Voicing component to all of the Generic Loudspeakers at once. While you have all the Loudspeaker Status/Control components selected, you may also set the remainder of the loudspeaker properties that match.
  5. Run or Emulate the Design and adjust the Loudspeaker Custom Voicing controls as required. All of the loudspeakers that have this Custom Voicing assigned to them are affected.

Any existing Loudspeaker Custom Voicing Component.
1. As of Q-SYS 8.1, these direct limiter parameters replace the previous parameters for Speaker Impedance, RMS Power, Voice Coil Diameter, and Compression Driver. Consult the speaker manufacturer to obtain these values.

Loudspeaker Status

Control

Function

Default / Range

Status

Component status is conveyed with the Status LED and Status box, which uses both color and text to indicate the current condition:

  • OK: The device is functioning normally.
  • Initializing: The device is in the process of a firmware or configuration update, or the design is starting.
  • Compromised: The device is functioning, but a non-fatal problem exists. Refer to the Status box for details.
  • Missing: The device cannot be discovered.
  • Fault: The device is malfunctioning or is not properly configured. Refer to the Status box for details.
  • Unknown: This status appears during a Core reboot (for example, during a firmware update), or when a design is being uploaded to the Core and before it has started running.
  • Not Present: If applicable to the device, this status appears when the device is not connected to the network and its Is Required component property is set to 'No'. This status also appears if the device component's Dynamically Paired property is set to 'Yes', pairing has not been assigned in Core Manager, and the device component's Is Required property is set to 'Yes'. See Dynamic Pairing.

N / A

Input - Mute

Mutes the input to the loudspeaker. When this mute button is on, the associated channel in the DataPort component indicates muted.

Off / On

Input - Gain

(dB)

Sets the gain for the loudspeaker.

Default = 0

Range = -100 to 20

Delay

(Architectural)

Architectural Delay is a single delay time that is applied equally to all bands of a loudspeaker component. This allows you to time-align this loudspeaker component in relation to other loudspeakers components in the same architectural (or acoustic) space. The Architectural Delay variable ensures that the time alignment of the loudspeaker is consistent both when the source to the amp is via the Q-LAN network or via the analogue inputs when the amplifier is in Standalone mode. The Architectural Delay is also preserved when switching between DataPort enabled amplifiers using the DAB-801.

Default = 0

Range 0.001ms to 2.0s

Meter Select

Selects the type of metering for all three meters

Default = Peak

Range = RMS or Peak

Monitor - Listen

This is a radio type button and is linked to all other Listen buttons in your design. When this button is engaged:

  • the loudspeaker must have more than one band to have this button.
  • any other Listen button in other loudspeakers that may be engaged is disengaged,
  • all the bands in the selected loudspeaker have the Listen button engaged automatically
  • the Listen buttons for the associated channels in the amplifier are engaged automatically,
  • you can turn on and off any combination of the individual band Listen buttons in the loudspeaker.

When this button is not engaged, you can only select one band at a time.

You must have the Loudspeaker Monitor component in the Schematic and properly connected to make use of the monitoring capability.

Note: The Monitor buttons are not linked in Emulate mode. Your design must be in Run mode for the functionality described above to operate.

Off / On

Inline Processing

The Inline Processing property must be set to Yes for the following. When Inline Processing is set to Yes, these Loudspeaker Status, Mute, Gain, and Architectural Delay are the only controls available.

Control

Function

Default / Range

Line Arrays, AD-S Series (except AD-S28Tw), and AP Series

User High Pass

The User High Pass setting, when available, allows you to change the crossover frequency of the selected. The Default setting is the standard crossover frequency, and it depends on the loudspeaker.

Default

80 Hz

100 Hz

Line Array Subwoofers and AD-S28Tw

User Low Pass

The User Low Pass setting allows you to change the crossover frequency of the selected subwoofer. The Default setting is the standard crossover frequency, and it depends on the loudspeaker.

Default

100 Hz LP for Line Array Subs

80 Hz LP for AD-S28Tw

140 Hz LP for AD-S28Tw

Band

Depending on the loudspeaker, the Band count can be Full Range, or multiple bands.

Control

Function

Default / Range

Mute

Mutes the input to the loudspeaker. When this mute button is on, the associated channel in the DataPort amplifier component is muted.

Off / On

Open

LED indicating if the speaker circuit is open. On or Red = Open

Off / On

Short

LED indicating if the speaker circuit is shorted. On or Red = Short

Off / On

Threshold, Open

(Ohms)

Sets impedance threshold for reporting open circuit faults. Open circuit detection can be disabled by setting a value greater than 150 Ohms.

Default = 100

Range < 150

Threshold, Short

(Ohms)

Sets impedance threshold for reporting short circuit faults. Short circuit detection can be disabled by setting a value of 0 Ohms.

Default = 1

Impedance (Full) 1

Displays the average value of the loudspeaker impedance, in ohms, based on all the frequencies present in the program material. This information is not updated unless the signal is at a sufficient level.

N / A

Low Enable (Pilot Tone) 1

Enables or disables the Low Pilot Tones

Off / On

Low Impedance (Pilot Tone) 1

The impedance of the loudspeaker when the 20 Hz Pilot Tone is on.

N / A

High Enable (Pilot Tone) 1

Enables or disables the High Pilot Tones

Off / On

High Impedance (Pilot Tone) 1

The impedance of the loudspeaker when the 22 kHz Pilot Tone is on

N / A

Voltage

Graphic display of the voltage in the speaker circuit. Based on the Meter Select, this can be Peak or RMS.

N / A

Current

Graphic display of the current in the speaker circuit. Based on the Meter Select, this can be Peak or RMS.

N / A

Power

Graphic display of the power in the speaker circuit. Based on the Meter Select, this can be Peak or RMS.

N / A

Limiter

Amount of attenuation applied to prevent damage to the loudspeaker. Graphic and text display of the amount of limiting, in dB, for the associated band.

N / A

High Pass Freq

For Generic 70/100 V Speakers, a high-pass filter is used for amplifier and transducer protection and cannot be disabled. Consult the speaker manufacturer to obtain the appropriate high-pass frequency value. Note that when this high-pass frequency value and the Custom Voicing high-pass filter value differ, Q-SYS uses the highest frequency of the two.

WARNING: To prevent transformer overheating and potential damage, you must consult the speaker manufacturer to obtain the appropriate high-pass frequency value.

Default = 50.0Hz

Range = 30.0Hz to 300.0Hz

Listen

Enables you to listen to the loudspeaker input for the associated band.

This is a radio type button and is linked to all other Listen buttons in your design. When this is engaged, any other Listen button that may be on is disengaged. When engaged, the associated amplifier channel Listen button is automatically engaged.

The exception is when the master Listen button for this loudspeaker is on, you can listen to one, all, or any combination of bands in this loudspeaker.

You must have the loudspeaker Monitor Component in the Schematic and properly connected to make use of the monitoring capability.

Off / On

Gain

(dB)

Controls the Monitor gain.

Default = 0

Range = -100 to 20

Line Arrays, AD-S Series (except AD-S28Tw), and AP Series

User High Pass

The User High Pass setting, when available, allows you to change the crossover frequency of the selected loudspeaker when used in tandem with a subwoofer. The Default setting is the standard crossover frequency, and it depends on the loudspeaker.

Default

80 Hz

100 Hz

Line Array Subwoofers and AD-S28Tw

User Low Pass

The User Low Pass setting allows you to change the crossover frequency of the selected subwoofer. The Default setting is the standard crossover frequency, and it depends on the loudspeaker.

Default

100 Hz LP for Line Array Subs

80 Hz LP for AD-S28Tw

140 Hz LP for AD-S28Tw
1. When Q-SYS detects an amplifier attenuator at -20 dB (20 dB below full output) or below, Pilot Tones and Impedance readings are disabled. In addition, if Pilot Tones are enabled when the amplifier attenuator is turned to -20dB or below, the loudspeaker Status will indicate a compromised state.

Status Control Pins

The following control pins are associated with the Status section of the Control Panel. Not all pins are available on all loudspeakers, or in all modes.

Pin Name

Value

String

Position

Pins Available

Gain (Input)

-100 to 20

-100 dB to 20 dB

0.000 to 1.00

Input / Output

Monitor Listen

0

1

disable

enable

0

1

Input / Output

Mute (Input)

0

1

unmute

mute

0

1

Input / Output

Peak/RMS Select

0

1

Peak

RMS

0

1

Input / Output

Status

0

1

2

3

4

OK (green)

Compromised (orange)

Fault (red)

Unknown (red)

Updating (blue)

0

0.250

0.500

0.750

1.00

Output

Band Control Pins

The following Control Pins are associated with the frequency bands. Each band has its own set of control pins.

Pin Name

Value

String

Position

Pins Available

Current

0 to n

0 A to n A

0.000 to 1.00

Output

High Pilot Impedance

0 to n

0 Ohms to n Ohms

0.000 to 1.00

Output

High Pilot Tone Enable

0

1

Disable

Enable

0

1

Input / Output

Impedance

0 to n

0 Ohms to n Ohms

0.000 to 1.00

Output

Limiter Reduction

0 to 60

0 dB to 60 dB

0.000 to 1.00

Output

Low Pilot Impedance

 0 to n

0 Ohms to n Ohms

0.000 to 1.00

Output

Low Pilot Tone Enable

0

1

disable

enable

0

1

Input / Output

Monitor Gain

-100 to 20

-100 dB to 20 dB

0.000 to 1.00

Input / Output

Monitor Listen

0

1

disable

enable

0

1

Input / Output

Mute

0

1

unmute

mute

0

1

Input / Output

Open

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Open Threshold

0 to 150

0W to 150W

0.000 to 1.00

Input/Output

Power

0 to n

0 W to n W

0.000 to 1.00

Output

Short

0

1

false

true

0

1

Output

Short Threshold

0 to 150

0W to 150W

0.000 to 1.00

Input/Output

Gain (Input)

-100 to 20

-100 dB to 20 dB

0.000 to 1.00

Input / Output

Voltage

0 to n

0 V  to n V

0.000 to 1.00

Output

Line Arrays, AD-S Series (except AD-S28Tw), and AP Series

User High Pass

N / A

Default

80 Hz

100 Hz

N / A

Input/Output

Line Array Subwoofers and AD-S28Tw

User Low Pass

N / A

 

N / A

 

Intrinsic Correction™

Intrinsic Correction is an advanced and proprietary voicing algorithm that spatially averages more than a thousand measurements to achieve the ideal power response and phase correlation of the system. Protection filters are included to prevent excess of the systems mechanical and thermal limitations. This highly refined loudspeaker voicing is built into all powered loudspeaker systems. Passive loudspeakers may also obtain Intrinsic Correction via model-specific presets within Q-SYS and processing amplifiers.

Loudspeakers - Commercial

Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

AD-C.SUB

Yes

Sub 6" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-C4T

Yes

2-way 4.5" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-C4T-LP

Yes

2-way 4.5" LF low profile

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-C6T

Yes

2-way 6.5" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-C6T-LP

Yes

2-way 6.5" LF low profile

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-C820

No

2-way 8" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-C821

No

2-way 8" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-C1200

No

2-way 12" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-C81Tw

No

Sub 8" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

AD-P.HALO

Yes

2-way 6.5" omni

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-P.SUB

Yes

Sub 6" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-P4T

Yes

2-way 4.5" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-P6T

Yes

2-way 6.5" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

AD-S.SUB

Yes

Sub 6" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-S4T

Yes

2-way 4" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-S5T

Yes

2-way 5.25" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-S6

Yes

2-way 6.5" FR

Passive

AD-S6T

Yes

2-way 6" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-S8T

Yes

2-way 8" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-S10T

Yes

2-way 10" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-S12

Yes

2-way 12" LF

Passive

AD-S112sw

Yes

12" direct-radiating subwoofer

Passive

AD-S162T

Yes

Column 16 x 2.5"

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-S402T

Yes

Column 4 x 2.5"

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AD-S802T

Yes

Column 8 x 2.5"

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

AC-C2T

Yes

2.75" Full Range

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AC-C2T-LP

Yes

2.75" Full Range

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AC-C4T

Yes

4" Full Range

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AC-C6T

Yes

2-way 6" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AC-C8T

Yes

2-way 8" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

AC-S4T

Yes

2-way 4" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

AC-S6T

Yes

2-way 6" LF

70/100V X-former/Low-Z

Loudspeakers - Performance

Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

AP-212sw

Yes

Sub 2 x 12"

Passive

AP-4122m FOH

Yes

2-way 12" LF Front of House

Passive

AP-4122m MON

Yes

2-way 12" LF Monitor

Passive

AP-5102

Yes

2-way 10" LF

Passive / Bi-amp

AP-5122

Yes

2-way 12" LF

Passive / Bi-amp

AP-5122m FOH

Yes

2-way 12" LF Front of House

Passive / Bi-amp

AP-5122m MON

Yes

2-way 12" LF Monitor

Passive / Bi-amp

AP-5152

Yes

2-way 15" LF

Passive / Bi-amp

Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

E10

Yes

2-way 10" LF

Passive

E12

Yes

2-way 12" LF

Passive

E15

Yes

2-way 15" LF

Passive

E18

Yes

Sub 18"

Passive

E215

Yes

2-way 2 x 15" LF

Passive
Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

ILA
(WL2082-i)

Yes

2-way / 3-way 8" x 2 LF

Bi -amp / Tri-amp

WideLine-10
(WL2102-w)

Yes

2-way / 3-way 10" x 2 LF

Bi -amp / Tri-amp

WideLine-8

(WL3082)

Yes

2-way 8" x 2 LF

Tri-amp
Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

GP218-sw

Yes

Sub 18" x 2 LF

Passive

GP212-sw

Yes

Sub 12" x 2 LF

Passive

WL218-sw

Yes

Sub 18" x 2 LF

Passive

WL212-sw

Yes

Sub 12" x 2 LF

Passive

WL118-sw

Yes

Sub 18" LF

Passive

Loudspeakers - Cinema

Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

RMS

Yes

4-way speaker system RSC-112 & RSB-212

Quad-amp

SC-222

Yes

2-way 2 x 15

Bi-amp

SC-222X

Yes

2-way 2 x 15 LF Passive

Passive

SC-223

Yes

3-way 15" x 2 LF

Bi-amp

SC-223X

Yes

3-way 15" x 2 LF

Passive / Bi-amp

SC-412C

Yes

2-way 1 x 15

Bi-amp

SC-413C

Yes

3-way 15" LF

Bi-amp / Tri-amp

SC-414

Yes

4-way 15" x 1 LF

Tri-amp / Quad-amp

SC-422C

Yes

2-way 2 x 15 LF

Bi-amp

SC-423C

Yes

3-way 15" x 2 LF

Bi-amp / Tri-amp

SC-423CF

Yes

  

Bi-amp / Tri-amp

SC-424

Yes

4-way 15" x 2 LF

Tri-amp / Quad-amp

SC-424-8F

Yes

  

Tri-amp / Quad-amp

SC-433C

Yes

3-way 15" x LF

Bi-amp / Tri-amp

SC-434

Yes

4-way 15" x 3 LF

Tri-amp / Quad-amp

SC-443C

Yes

3-way 15" x 4 LF

Bi-amp / Tri-amp

SC-444

Yes

4-way 15" x 4 LF

Tri-amp / Quad-amp

SC-1120

Yes

2-way 12" LF

Passive

SC-1150

Yes

2-way 15" LF

Passive

SC-2150

Yes

3-way 15" x 2 LF

Passive / Bi-amp
Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

SR-800

Yes

2-way 8" LF

Passive

SR-1000

Yes

2-way 10" LF

Passive

SR-1020

Yes

2-way 10" LF

Passive

SR-1030

Yes

2-way 10" LF

Passive

SR-1290

Yes

2-way 12" LF

Passive

SR-1590

Yes

2-way coax 15" LF

Passive

SR-5152

Yes

2-way 15" LF

Passive / Bi-amp

SR-8101

Yes

2-way 8" LF

Passive

SR-8200

Yes

2-way 8" LF

Passive
Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

GP118Cine-sw

No

Sub 18" LF

Passive

GP218Cine-sw

No

  

Passive

RSB-212

Yes

Standalone RSB-212 subwoofer

Passive

SB-118F

Yes

Sub 18"

Passive

SB-218F

Yes

Sub 18"

Passive

SB-1180

No

  

Passive

SB-2180

No

  

Passive

SB-7118

No

  

Passive

SB-7218

No

  

Passive

SB-15121

No

  

Passive

Loudspeakers - Custom

Name Intrinsic Correction? Configuration Options

Generic Speaker

User-defined low impedance (16, 8, or 4Ω) loudspeaker.

Generic 70/100 V Speaker

User-defined high impedance (with transformer) loudspeaker.

Custom Voicing

Virtual, user-defined DataPort-based processing for loudspeakers.