ELAC AIR-X - Technical Specifications Explained; Understanding Specification Terms

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Explanatory notes on specications
On the back page of your user manual and on the separate sheet, you will nd the specications for your loudspeaker.
The specications include the following details:
• Dimensions: height x width x depth (in mm)
• Weight (in kg)
• Principle
• Drive Units: number of drive units and their diameters
• Mains Fuse / Mains Voltage
• Power Consumption, Full Output
• Crossover Frequency
• Reproduction Range (in hertz)
• Max. Amplier Power
• S/N Ratio (A-weighted)
• Inputs
• Input Sensitivity
• Input Impedance
The “Dimensions” specied for the loudspeakers refer to the overall dimensions.
The “Weight” refers to the total weight of the loudspeaker without packaging and accessories (e.g. mains cable).
Depending on the air humidity and the type of wood used, the total weight may vary by up to 10 %.
The “Principle” describes the acoustic and electrical design of the loudspeaker (e.g. closed box or bass reex, active (= with built-in
amplier built-in) etc.).
The “Drive Units” indicate the number and type of drive units in the loudspeaker.
The “Mains Voltage” is the voltage that must be supplied by the local utility company in order for the device to function properly.
The mains voltage may uctuate between the specied values.
The “Fuse” specication indicates the current and voltage ratings for the mains fuse to be used at the given mains voltages.
The “Power Consumption, Full Output” indicates the maximum electrical power drawn from the mains when the appliance is
connected to the mains supply.
The “Crossover Frequency” is determined by the (active) crossover built into the loudspeaker. It denes the frequency at which
the frequency ranges of two adjacent drive units overlap.
The “Reproduction Range” of a loudspeaker is dened by the upper and lower cuto frequencies of the sound-pressure ampli-
tude/frequency response. At the cuto frequencies, the sound pressure level decreases by 8 dB (a factor of 2.5) relative to the
mid-range. In a standard domestic room, the eective lower cuto frequency may be lower than the standard values due to
room resonance.
The “Max. Amplier Power” species the maximum electrical power that the power ampliers can provide to drive the loudspeak-
ers. This can be measured using dierent methods. Pulse power is measured using signals that the power ampliers can handle
for short periods. The sine-wave power output, on the other hand, is determined using a continuous sinusoidal signal that the
power ampliers can produce for extended periods.
The “S/N Ratio (A-weighted)” describes the behaviour of the output signal in relation to the background noise or other unwanted
signals generated by a device. The higher this ratio, the better the reproduction of quiet signals (such as reverb eects). The A-
weighting indicates that the sensitivity of the human ear was taken into account.
The “Inputs” specication lists the available inputs and their connector standards.
The “Input Sensitivity” refers to the voltage that must be applied to the LINE IN inputs on the device to achieve the maximum
amplier power.
The “Input Impedance” is the AC resistance of the LINE IN inputs on the device. This is normally set at a high impedance value so
that the source is not subjected to an unnecessary load.