USER GUIDE

Dodecahedron Speaker Set
Omnidirectional Sound Source

Comprised of the DS3 Dodecahedron Loudspeaker and thePA3 Power Amplifier, the set generates a Pink noise signal
with an acoustically-flat frequency response.
NOTE

Always wear an appropriate ear protection
when using the speaker set.

Standard Operation

DS3 Dodecahedron Loudspeaker

1. Connect the PA3 to the DS3 with the supplied Speakon cable
2. Connect the PA3 to AC mains power and switch it on => theSignal ON button glows red (amplifier is muted)
3. Attach the remote control antenna to the PA34. Press the Signal Source button to select the required test
signal => the selected Signal Source LED glows green
5. Press the Signal ON button, or the button on the remote control to unmute / mute the PA3 => the Signal ON button glows
green (unmuted) / red (muted)
6. Adjust the DS3 volume using the output level control
Signal Source Selection• EQ Pink

PA3 Power Amplifier

Internal equalized Pink noise for acoustically-flatfrequency response (→ see page 3, footnote 3)• EQ Line Enables Line IN socket. Any external input signal isprocessed with the default DS3 equalization• Preset 3 Internal Pink noise without equalization(for maximum output power from the DS3)
• Preset 4 Enables Line IN socket without equalization• Preset 5 unused (available on request for a customized signal)
Line IN Socket
Connect an external signal generator to the PA3 with an XLR cableand select the Signal Source EQ Line or Preset 4.

Remote control for PA3

Subwoofer Operation
Connect the PA3 to an active subwoofer with an XLR cable. Press
the Subwoofer ON button => the Subwoofer ON button glows
green .
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Warning LEDs, Troubleshooting
Warning LEDIssue

Root causeCountermeasure

Protect

Amplifier output is muted

A. The output current of the amplifier istoo highB. Temperature inside amplifier is toohigh
C. The amplifier output is oscillating

A. Verify the connected cable / load.
Switch OFF the amplifier for >20 sec.
B. Let the amplifier cool down.
Verify that the built-in fan is operating.
C. Check the compatibility of the speaker(i.e. verify the load impedance).

Clip

Distorted output signal

The input signal level is too highReduce the Line IN signal volume

Amplifier audibly reduces theoutput volume (Note: this is aprotection feature)

D. The input signal is overloading theamplifier
E. The impedance of the output load is
too low (i.e. output power too high)

D. Select another test signal.
Reduce the Line IN signal volume.
E. Verify or modify the load.
Check for external short circuit.

(none)

Output level control

Mute /Unmute
amplifier output

Signal ON

Level

Signal Source button

Signal Source
EQ Pink
EQ LinePreset 3
Preset 4Preset 5Line IN

Subwoofer

Protect

Input from externalsignal generator

Subwoofer ONClipON(factory use only)

Output to subwoofer

PA3 front panel

Mains power switch

Mains power socket

Output to dodecahedron loudspeaker
OI
100-240VAC / 50-60Hz / 850W
Fuse 5*20mm / T6,3ASpeaker
OUT

PA3 rear panel

1+
1–2+4-wire connection for DS3 loudspeaker

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1+
2–
2–

2-wire connection, e.g. with DS2 (PA3 in bridge mode)

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USER GUIDE

Specifications PA3Maximum short-period output power

2*260 W into 2*4 W (@ ≤ 1% THD)

Maximum continuous output power1)

2*150 W into 2*4 W (with internal Pink noise @ maximum level)

Load impedance≥ 3 W (4-wire connection) or ≥ 8 W (2-wire connection / Bridge mode)

Protection

Dynamic compressor, temperature, overcurrent, DC, excessive clipping

Output connector

4-pin Speakon (chn1: 1+|1– / chn2: 2+|2– or Bridge mode: 1+ / 2–)

THD

typ. 0.017% @ 2*120 W into 2*4 W, 1 kHz

Level flatness+0 / –3.3 dB2) @ 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Signal-to-noise ratio≥ 86 dB, bandwidth 22 kHz

Damping factor≥ 120 @ load ≥ 3 W and f < 2 kHz

Voltage gain

Muted | Level adjustable from –18 dB to 29.0 dB

Line IN
Input connector
Input sensitivity
Maximum input level
Input impedance

XLR symmetric
0 dBu for specified output power into 2*3 W / 2*4 W (max. gain)
20 dBu / ±11 Vp
10 kW symmetric

Subwoofer OUT
Output connector
Voltage gain
Maximum output level
Output impedanceFilterXLR symmetric
3 dB
18 dBu / ±8.72 Vp≤ 600 W symmetricLowpass 120 Hz Butterworth 24 dB / Octave (4th order); additional highpass at amplifier output will
be automatically activated when the subwoofer is switched ONSignals (selectable)
EQ Pink3)
EQ LinePink
Line
User

Default equalization of Dodecahedron DS3
1/3 Octave
1/1 Octave

Internal noise generator, equalized Pink noise with Cf = 3.05 (9.69 dB)
External signal, equalized
Internal noise generator, non-equalized Pink noise with Cf = 3.4 (10.63 dB)
External signal, without equalization
Custom specific (available on request)

Flat acoustic frequency response from 100 Hz to 8 kHz
100 dB re 1 pW ±3 dB
105 dB re 1 pW ±3 dB

Warning LEDs
ClipProtect

Line IN input
Amplifier automatically switches the output OFF at high temperature, overcurrent etc.; with autoretry function

Controls
Signal ON
Level
Signal Source
Subwoofer ONON/OFF switch with green/red LED
Knob for gain control
Switch for selection of output signal
ON/OFF switch with green LED

Remote control
FunctionTransmission power

Amplifier output ON/OFF1 mW

Conformity• EU; China: EMC 2014/30/EU, EN 61326-1:2013, EN 61000-3/4-x, EN 55011+A1:2009,R&TTE standard 1999/5/EG; State Radio Regulation of China• Japan: ARIB STD-T 67• USA: FCC part 15

Weight5 kg (11 lbs)

Dimensions (L x W x H)

358 x 173 x 245 mm (14.1” x 6.8” x 9.7”)

Mains supply

100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 850 W

Fuse

T6.3 A (5 x 20 mm)

Temperature, humidity

0° to +50°C (32° to 122°F) @ ≤ 90% RH (non-condensing), active cooling with fan

Accessories (included)• Remote control• Carrying bag

Order information NTi Audio #600 000 506 (433 MHz) / 600 000 510 (315 MHz,USA) / 600 000 511 (426 MHz, JP): Without filtering: Without equalization, with 20 kHz Butterworth high pass (24 dB damping factor): The ISO16283-1:2014 standard requires a minimum energy-averaged sound pressure difference between contiguous 1/3rd octave bands. This difference
shall not be more than 8 dB in the source room. The PA3 ‘EQ Pink’ signal source is designed to deliver these minimum sound pressure level differencesfrom the DS3. This is most suitable for room insulation measurements taken in accordance with the standard.

1)
2)
3)

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USER GUIDE

Specifications DS3
Standards

ISO140, ISO10140, ISO16283, ISO3382, ISO354, DIN52210, ASTM-E2235/-E336/-E90

Nominal impedance

2*4.2 W

Maximum input power RMS

320 W @ 1 hour Pink noise with Cf = 2.82 (9 dB)

Maximum peak power

600 W

Sound power level> 120.0 dB re 1 pW (typical 120.5 dB re 1 pW)

Power compression< 1 dB (after 1 h continuous operation @ maximum power)

Equalized sound pressure levelPA3 amplifier output adjusted for acoustically equalized DS3 output signal

1/3 Octave
1/1 Octave100 dB re 1 pW ±3 dB from 100 Hz to 8 kHz
105 dB re 1 pW ±3 dB from 125 Hz to 8 kHz

Bandwidth

50 Hz to 10 kHz

Input connector

Speakon (chn1: 1+|1– / chn2: 2+|2–)

Number of speakers

12 pcs. à 5”, in dodecahedral configuration

Weight7.5 kg (16.53 lbs)

Diameter

350 mm (13.8”)

Accessories (included)• Included: Carrying bag, Speakon cable 5 m, Manufacturer Calibration Certificate• Optional: Speaker stand 35 mm, 130...230 cm retractable, with carrying bag(NTi# 600 000 508)
• Optional: Speakon cable 10 m (NTi # 600 000 512) or 20 m (NTi # 600 000 513)

Order information

NTi Audio # 600 000 507

DS3 frequency response @ PA3 setting ‘Pink’ (maximum sound power)DS3 frequency response @ PA3 setting ‘EQ Pink’ (equalized)

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USER GUIDE

Polar plot of DS3 @ 1 kHz and 2 kHz for horizontal plane, measured in 1.5 m distance with 3rd octave analysis(signal source: GlideSweep)

Polar plot of DS3 @ 4 kHz and 5 kHz for horizontal plane, measured in 1.5 m distance with 3rd octave analysis(signal source: GlideSweep)

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USER GUIDEDS3 power compression @ 300 W continuous power (PA3 setting ‘Pink’)Directivity of DS3 in accordance with ISO 16283-1:2014

Directivity of DS3 in accordance with ISO 3382-1:2009
x: max. positive deviation from mean for moving 30° arc. averagex: max. negative deviation from mean for moving 30° arc. average

All information subject to change without notice.

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USER GUIDE

Safety instructions
The following paragraphs provide important instructions for the safe operation of the device. Pleaseread and follow these safety notes and instructions. Keep the instructions for future reference. Make
sure that it is available to all persons using the device.

DANGER! Threats for children
Make sure that plastic covers, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are notwithin the reach of babies and small children. Danger of suffocation! Ensure thatchildren do not detach any small parts from the device (e.g. control knobs or similar).
They could swallow the parts and choke on them! Do not allow children to use electricaldevices unsupervised.
DANGER! Electric shock due to high voltages inside the device
There are parts inside the device that are under high electrical voltage. Never remove
any covers. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the device.

DANGER! Electric shock due to short circuit
Always use a properly insulated three-core power cord with a grounding-type plug. Do
not make any modifications to the power cord or the power plug. Failure to do so may
result in an electric shock and pose a risk of fire or death. If you are unsure, contact anauthorized electrician.

CAUTION! Possible hearing damage
When the loudspeaker is connected, the device can generate volumes that may cause
temporary or permanent hearing impairment. Wear appropriate hearing protection
when operating the unit continuously at high volume. Reduce the volume immediately
if you experience ringing in your ears or hearing loss.
HINT! Fire hazard
Never cover the device or the ventilation slots. Do not mount the device directly next toa heat source. Keep the device away from open fire.
HINT! Operating conditions
The device is designed for indoor use. To avoid damage, never expose the device toliquids or moisture. Avoid direct sunlight, heavy dirt and strong vibrations.
HINWEIS! Power supply
Before connecting the device, check whether the voltage specification on the device
matches your local power supply network and whether the mains socket is protectedby a residual current circuit breaker (RCD). Failure to do so may result in damage to theunit and injury to the user. To reduce the risk of electric shock or fire, unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. If thunderstorms
develop or if you do not intend to use the device for a longer period of time, disconnect
it from the mains to reduce the risk of electric shock or fire.

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