LEIGH DAYTON WRIGHT

Owner's Manual


DAYTON WRIGHT LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM
Model XG-10
 
 


LEIGH INSTRUMENTS LIMITED

AUDIO AND POWER DIVISION


 






















































 
 















ATTENTION:
This product is fundamentally different from most
loudspeakers.  To ensure proper operation please consult
your owners manual.
Also, please read your warranty to familiarize yourself with
your rights and responsibilities.

SAVE THE BOXES AND YOUR BILL OF SALE.


 











































 
 







CONTENTS


 
























POSITIONING

CONNECTING

DISCONNECTING

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

SERVICE POLICY

APPENDICES:
 

                    A. An Introduction to Electrostatic loudspeakers.

                    B. Discharge.

                    C. Alternate High Frequency Units.

                    D. Information Regarding Previous Models.

                    E. Adjusting Gas Pressure.

SUPPLEMENT FOR X68 SYSTEMS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS:
                    1. Front Panel Controls.
                    2. Placement.
                    3. Placement.
                    4. Connector Blocks
                    5. Performance Graph.
 
 










WARNING: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this appliance to
rain or moisture.


 




































 
 






 
























 
 









Thank you for purchasing this Dayton Wright product.  Each
item we manufacture is designed to give you reliable service
and faithful reproduction of all program material.  In order
for you to maximize the enjoyment of your purchase please take
time now to read this manual carefully.  It is designed to answer
your questions about set-up and operation.

THIS LOUDSPEAKER IS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT FROM MOST OTHER LOUDSPEAKERS (SEE APPENDIX 'A') AND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE INSTRUCTIONS BE FOLLOWED IF PROPER PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY ARE TO BE OBTAINED.

IN PARTICULAR, BOTH THE AC LINE VOLTAGE AND MAXIMUM POWER AMPLIFIER OUTPUT VOLTAGE MUST BE DETERMINED TO LIE WITHIN THE LIMITS SPECIFIED BEFORE ANY ATTEMPT IS MADE TO USE THE LOUDSPEAKER.


 










































            UNPACKING
 
 










Two people will be required for this work as the equipment is
 heavy.  The loudspeakers are usually removed from their boxes by
opening the box, flipping the box and speaker over and lifting off
the box.
 
 

SAVE THE BOXES

The packing material used to deliver the system was specifically
designed for the product.  Should you have to ship the equipment
it will prove invaluable.  Replacement packing materials can be
obtained from the factory, but regrettably a charge will be made
for this service.



 






































POSITIONING

For optimal results the sound radiated from both the front and rear of the speaker should be restricted as little as possible.  Room corners and positions close to and/or parallel to walls should be avoided.  Restriction or early reflection of the rear radiation will reduce bass through cancellation, and noticeably color the midrange.

If room geometry and furnishings dictate that the loudspeaker must be close to a wall, it should be positioned at an angle so that the sound reflected off the wall is not returned to the speaker.  For example, if one end of the enclosure is 10 cm from the wall the other end should be no closer than 70 cm to the wall.  The ideal set up for accurate stereo reproduction in a rectangular room is shown in Figure 2.
 
 
 
 

                      <-----------------------------------------------------L--------------------------------------------------------------------->
                      <---------------- 1/3 L ---------------->
 
 






FIGURE 2


 


























One of the design objectives of the loudspeaker system was the reproduction of program material which would be colored as little as possible by the room the system operates in.  The absence of room interaction allows the listener to more clearly hear the acoustic character of the environment present at the time of the original performance.  The speakers' dipole radiation pattern (at low frequencies) and the relatively narrow dispersion pattern (at mid frequencies) are conducive to this end.  The owner may enhance this effect further by using the speaker in a relatively "dead" or non reflectively appointed room.  As shown in Figure 2, this narrow dispersion pattern somewhat limits the size of the listening area wherein accurate spectral balance is achieved.


Alternately, if the owner wishes to increase the size of the listening area, this can be achieved with some small sacrifices in imaging perspective and spectral balance.  Use in a more reverberant or "live" room, plus appropriate positioning will produce a larger listening area.  Figure 3 illustrates the principles involved.
 
 











 NOTE: AXES INTERSECT IN FRONT OF LISTENING AREA
 
 
 

LISTENING AREA
 
 

FIGURE 3


 



























The speakers may be mounted on any appropriate supports (optional stands are available) from 5 cm to 25 cm from the floor.  These supports should be acoustically transparent so as not to obstruct the lower frequency cancellation which occurs under the speaker (as it does around each of the other three edges).

The height chosen will slightly affect their perceived output below 200 Hz.  For best results a mounting position perpendicular to the floor is recommended.

Due to the relatively large radiating area of these speakers there exist a number of effects which produce subtle changes in imaging and spectral balance as one moves slightly closer to, or farther away from them.  The owner is encouraged to experiment with such small changes in listening position.

CONNECTING

1 . The IM10 must be placed in a position where the connecting cables can reach the two screens.  If the distance between the screens is less than about 3 meters you can set the unit out of sight, behind one screen.


 2. Connect the output of your power amp to the input connections of the IM10.  We recommend that you place your power amp on top of the IM10.  The IM10 generates very little heat so ventilation is not a problem.  Do insure that the power amp has the unrestricted ventilation which it requires.  Use 16 gauge twin lead wire (zip or lamp cord) of about 15 cm in length.  This configuration will obviate the need for expensive, exotic cables to your speakers but you will likely require longer than usual preamp to power amp cables.  If you do not feel up to the task yourself, your dealer can assist you in making these.  We recommend well shielded, low capacitance cables such as Belden #9259 or #8421.  For most preamps, runs up to 75 feet of such cable will produce no signal degradation.

3. Connect the speakers to the IM10 using the thick attached cables.

4. Turn the bias potentiometer full down (counterclockwise), plug the IM10 into the wall and switch it on.  The red neon light should glow, the yellow interlock light should be off.  If the interlock light is on, check your connections again.

5. Slowly advance the bias pot.  You should be able to turn the control all the way clockwise without inducing discharge.  This is the correct setting for all XG-10 sets when in use.  In some unusual instances it will be necessary to reduce the bias setting to eliminate discharging.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES LEAVE A LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTED OR ADJUSTED SO THAT DISCHARGE IS OCCURRING.  In most cases discharge indicates that something is wrong.  Unplug the system while you investigate the fault if rotating the control counterclockwise does not eliminate the discharging.

6.      With the bias control fully clockwise, the system is now ready to be used.

Some very minor changes in the overall spectral balance of the speakers may occur during the first 24 hours of operation as the full field strengths develop and grow more uniform.  This is normal and the time involved is largely determined by ambient humidity.
 
 







 

  FIGURE 4


 


























DISCONNECTING

When Dayton Wright's are disconnected from the power supply there is a significant amount of energy of high electrical potential stored in the various components.  To be completely safe when handling your equipment, it is recommended that this electrical potential be dissipated by discharging the speakers and the IM 10.  Proceed as follows:

1 . Turn IM 10 off.  Leave sit for 5 minutes.  During this time some energy bleeds off.  Disconnection at full potential may damage the piezo tweeter, so this waiting period is important.  Disconnect the leads to the speakers.

2. Using insulated pliers, short pin 4 to pin 1 and then pin 4 to pin 5 on the speaker connector block (See diagram).  This should be done on each speaker.

 3. Power Supply.  Insert the ground connector, the "3rd. prong", on the line cord into pin 3 of the cable connector block (see diagram).  As the power supply is common to both channels you need only do this once.
 

OPERATION

1.     As explained above, the bias control should be full clockwise when the system is in use.

When you are going to be leaving your set unattended for some time, i.e. when you go on vacation, we feel it is a good idea to turn the IM10 off.  Generally speaking though, the IM10 should be left on all of the time.

The reason for this precaution is quite simple.  The discharge threshold of your speakers can change for certain reasons and as a speaker left discharging will eventually destroy itself, this removal of bias voltage could prevent damage to your system should something go wrong in your absence.

2. The screens as delivered from the factory can be operated as full range reproducers.  To accomplish this the Cells Switch selector should be set in the "Full Range" position, and the Tweeter Switch control set in one of the -3, 0, or +3 positions.


The choice of Tweeter Switch setting should be made subjectively since the "correct" setting is influenced by such variables as:

  - AC line voltage
  - ambient humidity of room
   average absorption coefficient of room at high frequencies
  - distance from listener to speaker and listener angular position relative to axis
  - termination impedance for magnetic cartridge (if in use).

 3.  The electrostatic cells can be rolled off at 3 kilohertz at approximately 6 db per octave,
by moving the Cells Switch to the "3 KHz" position and the Tweeter Switch to "OFF".
This feature is provided for those users who feel that the upper 3 octaves of the audio spectrum
can best be reproduced by other transducers.
For instructions re connecting these alternate high frequency units see Appendix "C".

4. The correct setting of playback volume is extremely important if the full potential of this speaker system is to be utilized.  Because the maximum S.P.L. capabilities of these speakers are very high, many new owners tend to set the playback volume much too high.  One secret to achieving convincing acoustic illusions has much to do with the avoidance of feeding to your ear/brain what one could call contradictory acoustic stimuli.  In this case, contradictory stimuli can be presented when a recording which was made using relatively distant "room" or "ensemble" mikes is played back at too high a volume.  The contradiction occurs because each instrument on the recording will possess the spectral balance captured by a "distant" mike located where the loudness of the instrument was not high.  Conversely, the closer mike positions will produce "hotter" versions of any instrument with less reverberant contributions from the studio environment.  These recordings will sound more realistic when played back louder than one would playback a "distant" recording.  The implication of all this is that the "correct" playback level for each recording is set at the time the recording is made.  For the greatest degree of realism you must therefore experiment with playback level.  Very small changes (on the order of 1 db or less) can have an effect on the acoustic illusions you are trying to create.
 

MAINTENANCE

Aside from occasional examination for bias discharge, the speakers themselves require no maintenance.  People sometimes worry about the gas leaking, but prior to their shipment from the factory, all speakers are very carefully examined for any signs of leaking.  Under normal circumstances no



 "topping up" of the gas should ever be required.  Of course, if the speaker should sustain damage to its outer membrane, the gas will leak out.  In this case service is required.  Please contact us for assistance.  One common cause for loss of gas integrity is the clawing of the outer mylar by cats or other household pits.  Pet owners are advised to take measures to prevent this.

The only other maintenance requirement is the cosmetics.  You may periodically wish to oil or wax the wood tops and bottoms.  Additionally, if the grill sleeves get dirty they can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner.

1. It has been our experience that some owners of Dayton Wright speakers who live in areas of
high salt concentrations, i.e. those who live near the seaside, have experienced corrosion problems
with the connector blocks at the base of the speakers.  If this applies in your localize, a hermitic seal
around the pins can be effected using a good silicon base grease (for example GC Electronics Type Z5, Cat. #568-S).  This will not affect the electrical contacts but will serve to protect the connectors from corrosion.

2. Do not allow "discharge" to occur.  See Appendix "B".

3. Another service hint we can offer at this time involves distortion and/or an apparent loss of efficiency in one speaker or the other.  Before proceeding with any trouble shooting efforts, cycle the interlock relay by turning the IM10 power switch on and off several times.  This serves to clean the contacts of the relay which sometimes tarnish.
 

SERVICE POLICY

We hope that the Dayton Wright product that this manual accompanies gives you many years of trouble free service.  Should you ever require assistance, because of apparent fault of the product, or just general inquiries about the product, or answers to any questions that this manual either raises, or leaves unanswered, please do not hesitate to contact the factory.

Please note that the following information is no longer valid

                Address all communications to:

                Sales Co-Ordinator - Dayton Wright
                C/O Leigh Instruments Limited
                Audio & Power Division
                350 Weber Street North,
                Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2J 4E3
                Telex: 069-55440       Phone: (519) 884-4510

Leigh Instruments Limited warrants all products sold under the Dayton Wright trade name to be free of defects for a period of 3 years from the date of manufacture subject to the following conditions.  This is a limited warranty and you should familiarize yourself with the following points:

1 . Warranty may be extended up to 1 additional year, but not to extend beyond 3 years from
date of original purchase, or to exceed 4 years from date of manufacture.

2. Warranty, in the case of electronics is transferable but in the case of loudspeakers systems
(including IM10) is extended only to the original purchaser.

3. During the period that the warranty is in effect Leigh Instruments Limited will be responsible for the cost of parts, labor and shipping one way.  Customers should prepay shipping on all units returned for repair.  Units returned collect may be refused by our receiving department.  Units returned to us collect will be returned to the customer collect.  At our option defective units may be replaced with equivalent equipment.  In no case does our liability exceed the original purchase price of the equipment.


4. Units out of warranty will be repaired at the customers expense.  Customer is then responsible
for shipping costs both ways.

5. Prior to returning any equipment a Return Authorization must be obtained.  This can be done
by phone or letter.  We will require the following information: Name, address, phone number, serial and model number of equipment being returned, date of purchase, name of dealer and the nature of complaint.  If the fault is intermittent in nature this must be stated.  To prevent abuse of the warranty we reserve the right to levy a charge against the customer where the unit returned is found to have no fault.

6. A photocopy of the bill of sale must accompany all repairs.  Please enclose this and a note explaining the fault, and referring to the Return Authorization number with all equipment being returned.

7. All units should be well packed.  We recommend you retain the original packing material, which was designed for the unit, for this purpose.  If these have been misplaced and no suitable substitutes can be found replacements can be obtained from the factory.  We regret that we must charge for this service.  Your warranty does not cover damage to units in transit so careful packing is important.  You should insure your unit for its full replacement value.  We will not be responsible for units that are lost or stolen.

8. The unit shall not have been abused or the warranty shall be voided.  Leigh Instruments shall be the sole determiner of whether a unit in question has been abused.  Abuse includes, but is not limited to, subjecting the units to unreasonable operating or environmental conditions, dropping or other inappropriate physical treatment, overdriving input stages, continued operation while bias is misadjusted, continued operation while defective, or while connected to defective equipment.  Further the warranty shall be voided if the unit has been repaired or altered in any way so as, in our judgment, to affect its reliability or stability or performance characteristics.  No warranty shall apply to units where the serial number has been altered, effaced, or removed.

9. Leigh Instruments Limited shall not be responsible for damages, consequential or incidental.

10. This warranty is in lieu of all others, expressed or implied, and Leigh Instruments Limited does not authorize any of its employees, agents, distributors or any other persons to make amendments, additions, extensions, or modifications to the content or intent of same.

11. SUBJECT TO LOCAL LEGISLATION YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTION UNDER THIS WARRANTY.
 

NOTE:
            This warranty applies only to Dayton Wright products sold in North America
(i.e. Canada, the 48 contiguous United States of America, Alaska, Hawaii and
U.S. possessions and territories.  Units sold outside these geographical limits
are warranted by the distributor who imported same, or are covered under
a Leigh warranty with modified terms.  Units affected by this clause will be accom-
panied by a separate warranty statement.



APPENDIX 'A'


 






















ELECTROSTATIC LOUDSPEAKERS

INTRODUCTION:
Most modern electrostatic loudspeakers are comprised of three parallel "plates".  The middle "plate" or diaphragm is generally a very thin and lightweight plastic film such as Mylar (very much like Saran-Wrape).  The two outer plates (called stators) are thicker, heavier and very stiff.  The stators are filled with holes so as to render them acoustically transparent at audio frequencies.  When the diaphragm vibrates between the stators (in much the same way that a drum skin moves), sound is radiated through both stators at the frequencies of vibration.  Causing this diaphragm vibration to happen is a bit complicated.

The forces which move the diaphragm away from its central position are called electrostatic forces and are the same ones which will cause a recently used comb to attract small bits of paper.  To make them work in the speaker it is necessary to charge the surface of the diaphragm to a very high DC voltage relative to the two stators.  This is called the bias voltage.  The audio signal from the amplifier is sent through a transformer which raises the signal voltage to similarly high levels.  This high voltage audio signal is applied between ground and each stator plate, with the rear stator receiving an inverted or "flipped over" version.  Thus, if the diaphragm possesses a negative charge and the front stator is driven to a positive high voltage, there will be an electrostatic attraction which will pull the diaphragm toward the front stator.  Simultaneously, the rear stator has been driven to a negative high voltage, and an electrostatic repulsion is forcing the diaphragm away from it.  The two forces therefore add to move the diaphragm.  When the polarity of the signal from the amplifier reverses, the mirror image of the above description becomes true causing the diaphragm to reverse its direction of motion.  The deflections of the diaphragm are, within limits, proportional to the applied voltages, making this type of transducer one of inherently low distortion.

The electrostatic principle of operation also possesses several other advantages.  Because the driving force is applied uniformly over the entire radiating area of the diaphragm, the diaphragm does not "break up" into spurious vibrations modes the way most cone type drivers do in the upper half of their "useful" range.  The low moving mass of the diaphragm greatly reduces the tendency for stored kinetic energy to produce the type of ringing or overhang that heavier cone type drivers are sometimes prone to.

Because the resistive impedance component of most electrostatics is quite low, there is very little heating of the "load" during loud passages of the program.  Thus, unlike some conventional loudspeakers (whose voice coil impedance's are thermally modulated), electrostatics tend to resist the slight dynamic range reductions that brief loud passages can produce.

Low frequency energy is radiated principally normal to the stator plane with most electrostatic speakers rather than omnidirectionally as with most cone/box types.  This tends to greatly reduce the number of interactions between the speaker and the room boundaries, delivering a more uniform S.P.L. distribution at frequencies below 300 Hz.

THE DAYTON WRIGHT ELECTROSTATIC SPEAKER:

The traditional complaints concerning electrostatic loudspeakers have involved low maximum S.P.L., lack of low bass output and poor high frequency dispersion.  The Dayton Wright electrostatic speaker possesses specific design virtues which have eliminated these problems.

To achieve a very high maximum S.P.L. capability, the stator spacing is much larger than in other designs.  To maintain acceptable efficiency, all voltages (DC bias and audio) are greatly increased.  To prevent these higher voltages from arcing internally, the speaker cabinet is filled not with air, but with sulphur-hexafluoride, a high dielectric arc suppression gas.


Because of its higher than air density, the sulphur-hexafluoride also mass loads the diaphragms to produce a lower system fundamental resonance.  This feature, combined with a larger than usual surface area allows the system to produce accurate bass at frequencies lower than other electrostatics.  This speaker is not bass deficient, only box deficient.

To improve the dispersion of high frequency program content the speaker is a hybrid.  Above 10 kHz a single small diameter tweeter is used to avoid the problems produced by large area tweeter panels.  This also improves the maximum S.P.L. capability of the system at high frequencies and allows for response beyond 40 kHz over a larger than usual listening area.
 
 









APPENDIX 'B'


 






















DISCHARGE

Discharge is defined as the release of an electric charge, especially with emission of light.  In the case of Dayton Wright speakers it is released within the screen when the dielectric breaks down and the bias charge jumps from the diaphragm to ground (via the stators).  This usually occurs at only one spot in an enclosure; the place where the voltage gradient is the steepest.  This discharge is usually audible as a snapping or crackling sound.  In some speakers the bias will quietly bleed off at one or more spots before it can develop the potential to generate the loud crackling or snapping associated with discharging.  This discharging is every bit as damaging to the cells as the more audible kind and you should ensure that it is not allowed to occur.  Check for it from time to time.  When the room is quiet, turn off your power amp and place your ear quite close to the speaker and listen for a noise somewhat reminiscent of the residual noise usually associated with idling electronics, or a buzzing similar to a flying mosquito.

You might also find bias leaking off by visual examination.  With the lights off in your listening room look for small 'spark' type light sources within your speakers.  The discharge will give off a faint blue light similar to other electrical arcs.  We do not wish to sound too negative on this point, but we cannot emphasize too strongly the deleterious effects that discharging can have on the speakers.  We have tried to totally eliminate the problem at the design stage, but certain trade-offs have to be made.  The magnitude of this bias voltage on the cells directly effects efficiency and distortion so it can't just arbitrarily be reduced to near zero to make the speaker infinitely reliable.  We have selected a value at which arcing will not occur for most of our customers, but, the discharge threshold can change with environmental conditions, most specifically humidity, and since we cannot control the environment into which you are placing the speakers, we must rely on you to monitor the speakers for this condition.
 
 







APPENDIX 'C'


 


























Using alternate hi-frequency units.

Many people feel that we have selected an inferior type of tweeter for use in the Dayton Wright speakers.  This tweeter however, does operate under a number of constraints that make its inherent performance characteristics desirable.  These constraints have to do largely with the gas used to fill the cabinet and the outer Mylar skin.  As most loudspeakers are designed to work in a linear fashion in air; they would perform poorly if placed within the gas environment where our tweeter must operate.  For this reason we have selected a tweeter that, in air, is not constant in output with respect to frequency, and then modified it to function well in the denser medium of the sulphur-hexafluoride behind the mylar skin.  The piezo-tweeter will also stand up to a lot of abuse.  While not indestructible it is very rugged, and we feel this is also desirable.

For those who feel that the system H.F. output must be altered through the use of an add-on high frequency driver, the following information is provided:



 
 






APPENDIX 'D'


 






















Late production of the IM 10 includes a variable resistor in the impedance modifying and equalization circuit of the system.  By careful adjustment of this resistor it is sometimes possible to effect desirable changes in the subjective efficiency and the spectral balance of the system.  The effect, primarily in the frequency range 4.5 KHz to 7.5 KHz, is quite subtle, and it is easier to degrade the quality of the sound than it is to improve it.  To those who wish to change the equalization, please note:

1. All units leave the factory with the resistor set at 5 ohms.  This is the value we feel works best, and it is only at this value that the system meets all specifications.

2. Lowering the value of the resistor lowers the system's impedance, as seen by the amplifier.  As this value is already quite low (at some frequencies as low as 2.4 ohms) only exceptionally stable amps should be used if the resistor is reset.  Subsequent damage to the system caused by a malfunctioning or oscillating power amplifier is not warranted.

3. As the resistance is changed the corner frequency at which the cells may be rolled off, nominally 3 KHz, rises.  The rate of attenuation, 6 db per octave, remains unchanged.

4. Adjustment of these resistors is not a task that we recommend everyone undertake.  Only qualified technicians should attempt it. (Keep in mind the warranty provisions regarding abuse).  Due to the potentially lethal voltages used in the system, exercise extreme caution at all times when the inner orange panel is exposed.  Do not attempt adjustment of these resistors when the unit is playing or switched on.
 
 







APPENDIX 'E'


 


























Diagnosis of Gas Related Problems. (Consult your dealer for assistance in this matter).

It is important that Dayton Wright loudspeakers have the proper amount of gas in them.  Too much gas (sometimes indicated by "fat" speakers) results in a lack of bass response while too little also results in a lack of bass possibly accompanied by a rattling noise as the front Mylar skin may occasionally hit the front edge of the bin that holds the cells.  Each speaker is gassed at the factory for average barometric pressure at an altitude approximately 1000 feet above sea level.  If the altitude at site of installation is significantly different from this it may be necessary to adjust the speaker.

1 Too much gas: At altitudes higher than 1000 feet the speaker may be "over gassed".  To correct this merely invert the speaker, (i.e. connect block at the top) remove the valve cap and hold the release needle "in" with a wooden match stick allowing the gas to escape.  After about a minute allow the valve to close and replace the valve cap.  As the gas is heavier than air the correct amount of gas will escape, no more, no less, and the internal pressure will be equalized with ambient atmospheric pressure.


 2. Too little gas: Excepting in cases of severe under gassing, repeat the above procedure allowing air to enter the speaker to the required amount.  This causes negligible dilution of the gas and should not create a problem.  In cases of extreme under gassing it may be necessary to secure additional instrument grade sulphur-hexafluoride. (available from welding supply shops).  The gas is inserted into the speaker through the inflation valve until a slight over gassed condition exists and this is then remedied as discussed earlier.

CONSULT YOUR DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE IN THIS REGARD

3. If for any reason the speaker has lost its gas entirely it will require servicing.  Speakers, without gas, left connected to a bias supply will not qualify for service under warranty.  The easiest way to determine if a problem exists is to check the resonance frequency of the speaker.  You will require a signal generator, and perhaps your dealer's assistance.  Sweep through the lower ranges, (i.e. less than 100 Hz.) and find the resonance frequency of your speaker. (the frequency at which maximum loudness, at 10 cm, on axis occurs).  If your speaker has lost gas the resonance will be high, i.e. between 65 and 80 Hz.  A properly gassed speaker will resonate between 25 and 45 Hz.
 
 

SUPPLEMENT FOR XG 8 SYSTEMS

Much of the information contained in the XG 10 Manual will be useful to owners of older Dayton Wright Electrostatics.  The sections on theory of operation and placement will be particularly germane.  There are however, differences between the two systems.

1. The Bias Control:

Bias on the XG 8 system was user adjustable whereas the XG 10 bias circuit is designed to be run at maximum.  In the XG 10 the bias control is advanced full clockwise which sets an electrostatic voltage of approximately 10.2 KV.  The output of the piezo is designed to blend smoothly with the output of the cells assuming this voltage.  This fixed voltage is less than could be obtained with the ST 300.  In the case of the ST 300, bias voltage was adjustable over the range of 1.0 KV to 22 KV.  As the user adjusts the bias voltage he also affects the efficiency of the system.

The instructions provided with the XG 8 system laid out a procedure where the user was encouraged to maximize the bias voltage, (i.e. turn the bias up until discharging occurred, then back the control down).  Habitual misadjustment of this control led to two problems: (1) mismatched driver output; and (2) poor reliability.  This is what led us to derate the bias, at some small cost in efficiency.  Therefore, please do not try to operate an ST 300 as if it were an IM 10.

2. Tweeter Controls:

There is one tweeter control per channel, and this adjusts the tweeters output over the range of ±3 db.  There is no "OFF" position.  With the bias set properly one of these positions will match the output of the cells with the tweeters.

3. Modifications:

There exist numerous "improvements" being described and/or offered to owners of XG 8 systems.  We at the factory feel that these modifications all have their downside and almost without exception we do not sanction these mods.  In any event we are the final arbitrator of disputes and we judge the quality of work done to our products and whether or not the reliability was negatively affected.  If, in our opinion, tampering with the set, or circuit changes, or incompetent workmanship has caused the failure, work required to correct the problem will not be covered under warranty.  Please keep this in mind at all times.  If someone tells you "the factory authorized it", please contact us before proceeding, or proceed in the full knowledge that you are placing your speakers and, warranty at hazard.


 S P E C I F I C A T I 0 N S

MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL

Frequency Response: 40 Hz to 35 kHz +4 db.

Sensitivity: 82 dbA S.P.L. @ 1 meter for 2.83 VRMS (nominally 1 watt) random noise over 2 octaves; 500 Hz to 2000 Hz.

Load Characteristics: Minimum impedance 2.40 @ 14 kHz
Z >612 for F <10 kHz, >6S2 for F >15 kHz.
(See Appendix 'D')

Distortion: <0.1% T.H.D. @ 1 kHz at 90 dbA S.P.L.

Power Requirements: Greater than 75 watts RMS per channel recommended

 Power Handling: Below 8 kHz: 200 volts, peak to peak, continuous
 (max. amp. input) Above 8 kHz: 100 volts, peak to peak, short term
   40 volts, peak to peak, continuous
   (nominally 625 watts @ 8 ohms)

 A.C. Line Voltage: 90 VAC to 135 VAC
 (limits) 50 or 60 Hz.*

 Dimensions: XG 10 - 106 cm x 99 cm x 24 cm (H x W x D) 41 KG
  IM 10 - 26 cm x 48 cm x 34 cm (H x W x D) 51 KG

Finish:       Cloth:          Wheat or Black
Wood: Rosewood, Walnut or Oak

*240 Volt (nominal) version available

Mylar is a Registered Trademark of the E.I. Dupont Company.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

       
 


 
 
 

           IM-10 Circuit Board - Taken from experimental circuit board
           at Dayton Wright Associates Ltd. (This was never ment to be
           used in production, however when Leigh bought the company,
           and moved it to Waterloo, the new printed circuit board artwork
           was left at the old supplier of pc boards and was lost.}
 
 
 



 
 









Staple Bill of Sale
Here
 

Retain for Warranty
Purposes


 



































© 1980, 1988 Wright Electroacoustics



 
 
 

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