importantly the heat sink assembly. Make sure the heat sink has sufficient clearance to allow
reasonable airflow. This will, to some extent, be dependant on the power levels and duty
cycles under which one is operating the system.
EQ-LF:
In the real world, as opposed to the theoretical, loudspeakers operate and interact with the
space in which they are used. It is important to understand the low frequency reinforcement
that occurs as a result of the relationship of the speaker to walls etc. At the lower frequencies
(and therefore longer wavelengths), loudspeakers are typically less and less directional. The
smaller the speaker enclosure and the smaller the woofer (typically the higher the frequency)
the system becomes 360 degree radiating. The net effect is that the low frequencies get boost-
ed more and more when we place a speaker against a wall, or on a desktop.
Bass Filter:
The most important thing to understand is the need to compensate for this potential build up,
in the most simple and elegant way. On the rear panel of your Diamond Pro-Active you will see
a switch marked “Bass Filter”. This is carefully and specifically designed to control the typical
low frequency build-up caused by the speaker’s interaction with the room/space. The Bass
Filter is a simple and graceful 6dB per octave filter that cuts the bass energy progressively at
the same rate as the loudspeaker directs energy to a wider angle. Look at the application and
think of the walls or desktop in terms or a low frequency mirror affecting the bass spectrum. If
you believe you are likely to get considerable low frequency boosting it is recommended that
you use the bass filter. Again, experimentation is important. Remember: Too much bass out
put in your monitor will likely cause you to reduce the amount of energy in the low frequencies
that you place on tape or on to your recording medium. Too little lows in your monitor with
create the opposite effect. Listen and experiment. Use program material you are familiar with
and “play” with the positions and settings to get the best you can.
Portrait or Horizontal Mounting:
The preferable method of mounting a two way loudspeaker is in the vertical. This is typically
because our ears on on the sides of our head and thus we are more sensitive to horizontal
position and relationships. The positional offset of the drivers when the speaker is mounted
horizontally can result in a phase hole in the response when the listener is offset from the
centerline. The Diamond Pro is an exceptionally good loudspeaker in regards to its vertical
and horizontal performance and far less susceptible to this problem, however, it is still
recommended that the speakers are mounted vertically. The compactness of the speaker also
means there is little advantage in mounting it horizontally unless height restrictions are
exceptionally tight.
Console Top Mounting:
Care should be taken to reduce as much as possible the clearly audible effects of sound
bouncing off the control surface of the mixer or console. Experiment and find an optimal
position. Once set up on your console’s meter bridge try putting a think sound adsorbing
blanket temporarily on the console. Listen to the difference. If it is significant, try elevating the
monitors slightly and progressively to reduce the splashback of the surface. Again, set the
speakers up and listen, place the blanket on the reflecting surface and listen again. The less
the difference the better. But stop before you elevate the speakers too much.
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