ELECTRO-VOICE
®
Xi-A Rigging Manual
3
I. Introduction
1.1 The Flying Xi-A Loudspeaker Systems
The flying versions of the X-Array Install™ loudspeaker systems all incorporate a unique two-point
flying system that consists of two lengths of heavy-duty, L-track, aircraft-type rigging hardware on
the top and bottom of each enclosure. The design allows arrays to be assembled very quickly, and
offers such flexibility in the vertical angling of the cabinets that pull-up points are usually
unnecessary. Furthermore, the cabinets may be oriented with the rigging track on the top and
bottom of the enclosure or on the sides of the enclosure. For fire safety and additional structural
strength in both flying orientations, top-to-bottom and side-to-side metal straps link the rigging
track assemblies inside the enclosure. In addition, a line of flying hardware accessories is
available for use with the Xi-A loudspeaker systems from Sound Manufacturing, Inc. (See
Appendix A for available rigging accessories.)
II. Basic Xi-A Rigging Primer
2.1 Anatomy of an Xi-A Flying System
A basic two-cabinet flying system is shown in Figure 2.1a, illustrating the integral components that
make up a typical Xi-A loudspeaker array, where the enclosures are oriented with the rigging
hardware on the top and bottom of the enclosures. A similar two cabinet system is shown in
Figure 2.1b where the enclosures are oriented with the rigging hardware on the sides of the
enclosures. The top cabinets are the starting points for constructing the arrays in both examples.
These cabinets are first secured to a grid through the use of two grid straps per cabinet. (The
GS-1B grid straps are recommended.) The Xi-A enclosures are equipped with two pieces of track,
which have multiple positions where the grid straps may be attached. The linear positioning of the
attachment points along the track (front-to-back) determines the vertical angling of the enclosure.
The remaining ends of the grid straps are then secured to cross members of a grid. The relative
positioning of the straps along the cross members of the grid (front to back) determine the relative
horizontal splay angle between two adjacent columns of enclosures. A second row of enclosures
may be added below the original two by utilizing linking straps that attach from the lower track
pieces of the top enclosures to the upper track pieces of the bottom enclosures. (LS-1B, LS-2B
and LS-3B linking straps, each a different length, are recommended.) Additional cabinets may be
hung in succession in this fashion, as long as the load on any of the enclosures or rigging straps
does not exceed their working-load-limit rating. The loudspeaker/array/grid assembly is then
raised into position by a motorized chain hoist (or hoists) of sufficient load rating. Note that the
weight of such an array can be quite substantial and the building structural supports to which the
hoists are attached must be capable of supporting such a load with a sufficient safety factor. In
permanent installations, the chain hoists are often eliminated, with the grid assembly being
secured directly to the building structure. The reader is referred to Chapters IV and V of this
manual for a detailed discussion of the structural strength ratings of the Xi-A loudspeakers and L-
track rigging accessories, and information on how to safely suspend Xi-A loudspeaker systems
overhead.
