Rane AC 23S, User Manual

Page: 3 / 84

3
User Guide ( English )
Introduction
The Rane AC 23S active crossover can be configured as a stereo 2- or 3-way, or a mono 4- or 5-way. It employs
4th-order Linkwitz-Riley filter alignments to minimize phase difficulties in the critical crossover region. The AC 23S
uses XLR connectors with active balanced inputs and outputs. Simply put, a Linkwitz-Riley alignment is two
cascaded 2
nd
order Butterworth filters exhibiting identical phase characteristics on their low-pass and high-pass
outputs. This characteristic guarantees in-phase outputs at all frequencies. In-phase outputs are mandatory for
proper acoustic summing of common signals from adjacent drivers in the crossover region. An added benefit of this
topology is steep 24 dB per octave rolloff slopes. A slope of this magnitude guarantees drivers designed to produce
a specific range of frequencies, and no more, will not be driven past their limits, thereby minimizing distortion and
driver fatigue. To further guarantee the transparent operation of the AC 23S, adjustable delay circuits appear on the
low & mid outputs of each channel to compensate for any physical misalignment of the drivers. Time correction
ensures the mechanical phase alignment of adjacent drivers will be acoustically correct, thus maintaining the
integrity of the electrical phase alignment of the crossover’s filters. In 2- or 3-way stereo mode, the low outputs may
be mono'ed by moving an internal jumper. Constant directivity (CD) horn equalization is possible with an internal
modification. See
Operation > Setting Output Levels > Constant Directivity Horn EQ Modifications . See the
RaneNote Linkwitz-Riley Crossovers for more information, available at rane.com/note160 .
Box Contents
AC 23S
Power Cable
User Guide
Safety & Warranty Manual
Support
For the latest information about this product (documentation, technical specifications, system requirements,
compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit
rane.com .
For additional product support, visit rane.com / support .
Quickstart
Labels above the controls refer to the unit being operated in the 2- or 3-Way Stereo mode. Labels below the
controls refer to the unit being operated in the 4- or 5-Way Mono mode. Set the Stereo/Mono switch appropriately.
The fact that the AC 23S is a multiple function unit means the outputs are switched around in Mono mode. To
operate the unit in Stereo 3-Way mode, be sure the rear panel switches are set for Stereo 3-Way, and the 4W / 5W
switch is set for 5W. Following the labels
above the controls and jacks in logical order, you will find Channel 1
Master Input Level, Low Output, Mid Output, and High Output, with the same for Channel 2. To use the unit as a
Mono 5-Way, first check that the Channel 1 and 2 switches are set to 3-Way, and the push-switch is depressed for
Mono. Connect the Input source to Channel 1
only . Following the labels below the jacks, look at Sub Out, then look
over at Low Out, now go back to Mid Out, then over to High-Mid Out and then proceed to the High Out. In
agreement with IEC and AES/ANSI standards, AC 23S wiring convention is Pin 2 positive, Pin 3 negative (return),
Pin 1 to chassis ground. See the “Sound System Interconnection” RaneNote included with this manual for more
information on cabling and grounding requirements.