AUDIO & ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONSTalkBox
Made in Switzerland

ACOUSTIC GENERATOR - STIPA REFERENCES T I PA R E F E R E N C E I N A C C. W I T H I E C 6 0 2 6 8 - 1 6
SYSTEM LINE-UP
P R E C I S E F L AT N E S SC A L I B R AT E D L E V E L

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Introduction

The TalkBox is an active acoustic signal generator for speech intelligibility measurements ofevacuation and announcement systems, as well as for level alignment of teleconference orany audio system incorporating a microphone input. In combination with the XL2, it facilitatescomplete end-to-end evaluation of the speech intelligibility STIPA from the talker’s microphone
to the listeners’ ears.
The TalkBox simulates a human talker (60 dBA @ 1 meter according to the IEC 60268-16 standard) with the STIPA test signal and spoken messages. Further it provides a wide range of test
signals like sine, pink noise, white noise and delay.
The TalkBox features human head-like dimensions and is based on a solid-state generator. It replays
the STIPA test signal with a precise frequency response, individually equalized for each TalkBox, also
ensuring best performance through the internal amplifier and the precision loudspeaker. A variety of supplied or user-defined test signals may
be faithfully reproduced for different alignment application areas.

Application Areas
Evacuation System Commissioning
Installed Sound System Calibration
Classroom testing
AV Installations
TalkBox2Portable and easy to operate

CF Card containing
Test Signals & Calibration Data

DC Input
Remote MuteInput

Stand Mounting
Adapter
Power Amplifier andSignal Processor

3How can a TalkBox help you?
The TalkBox is a professional tool that simplifies STIPA measurements. It combines sound samples, an amplifier, and a loudspeaker into a lightweight, humanhead-sized box. It delivers the built-in equalized acoustic test signals at exactly
the levels specified by the standard. Pop it onto a microphone stand to position
it where the mouth of the human speaker would normally be.
The NTi Audio TalkBox removes the uncertainties and reduces your effort, as
it is designed precisely for this use; it assists you in testing the entire signal
path, including the microphone and the acoustic environment. Also, the LineOut connection may be used to inject test signals into systems which do notinclude an announcement microphone.

Testing the whole signal chain
The TalkBox, together with the XL2 Acoustic Analyzer, are used to test the entire signal chain
from the speaker's mouth to the listeners' ears, considering the acoustic environment of boththe sending and the receiving rooms.

Acoustic Input
Microphone(Frequency Response & Distortion)
Room Acoustics
Background Noise4

Audio Processing
Distortion
NoiseLimiterAmplifier

Acoustic Output / Distribution
Speakers(Frequency Response & Distortion)
Room Acoustics
Background NoiseCalibrating Conference Systems

Teleconference systems play a significant role in today’s connected world, allowing companies to communicate
seamlessly across continents. Proper system alignment, delivering consistent speech levels and excellent intelligibly is a key success factor for the installing company.
The conference participants expect that they be allowed to concentrate on the business topics at hand and not be distracted by any inadequacies or failures in the communication system.
NTi Audio equipment provides you with the tools to align the systems and rooms with excellence and confidence.
The NTi Audio TalkBox simplifies and improves the setup of microphones, system levels and equalization. Itgenerates a reference human speech signal or other standard audio test signals, so that entire conference systems can be adjusted by a single person. Additional test signals support the determination of system flatness
and response effects e.g. in teleconference applications.
The TalkBox generates all test signals for professional conference room setup. Typically the TalkBox is placedat measured reference points, those being each anticipated speaking position in the room. The XL2 then objectively measures speech intelligibility at the different listening positions.
The TalkBox is also often used to objectively determine the intelligibility of speech in rooms where no amplification system is used, such as in classrooms. In this case only the acoustic environment is tested. The TalkBox isplaced at the teacher's usual speaking position while the XL2 objectively measures speech intelligibility at thedifferent student positions.

5Essential TalkBox features
Typical Frequency Response (meets the specified ±1 dB tolerance band IEC 60268-16 requirement)
2Level [dB]

10-1-2-3-410100

1000

10000

100000Frequency [Hz]Individually EqualizedStandard and Custom Signals

The NTi Audio TalkBox includes a precision broadband
loudspeaker. Precise flatness of ±1 dB over the relevant
frequency range and the highest reproduction quality are
guaranteed by individual equalization and calibration using
advanced FIR filtering and DSP technology. The radiation
characteristic complies with ITU-T P.51 in wide ranges.

The TalkBox also generates additional waveforms; whitenoise, pink noise, sine wave, reference speech signals andthe delay time measurement chirp. Custom signals may beloaded onto the CF Card and are seamlessly looped.

Calibrated Output Level

Lombard Effect

The IEC 60268-16 standard specifies a sound pressure level for a speaker simulator of 60 dBA at 1 meter distance.
The TalkBox output levels are calibrated to comply withthis standard. To avoid operating failures the TalkBox has
no volume control.

Human voices tend to rise in level in emergency situations.
In order to reproduce this so-called Lombard effect, all
STIPA-related signals are additionally available at an increased level of 70 dBA at 1 meter distance.

Balanced Line Out

Balanced Line In

Using the balanced Line Out, the TalkBox operates as anaudio signal generator. Deviations in sampling frequency- a dangerous trap when using CD players for STIPA measurements - are eliminated.

Any external signal can be connected to the system using
the balanced Line In. The signal is simultaneously looped
to the Line Out and reproduced through the internal DSP
to the loudspeaker.

Universal Power Supply
The TalkBox supports a power supply range of 10 - 18
VDC. An external power supply for worldwide operation isincluded.
6Technical Specifications
Ta l k B oxWaveform· Up to 15 different signals· Waveforms can be added / changed by the user
· Factory signal set:NTi Audio STIPA Test Signal, Reference Speech Signal,
Sine 1 kHz, White Noise, Pink Noise, Delay Time Chirp

Line Out· XLR, balanced 100 W, unbalanced 50 W
· Maximum output level: +18 dBu

Line In· XLR, balanced 38 kW· Maximum input level: +18 dBu· Internal delay XLR input to speaker: 59 ms

CF Card· 512 MB included, FAT32 formatted· Wave file format: 16 bit, 44.1 kHz mono

AcousticalFlatness· STIPA band levels (on-axis)· typ. < ± 0.5 dB @ 24°C
· typ. < ±1.0 dB @ 10°C – 30°C

AcousticalOutput Level· STIPA: 60 dBA @ 1m ± 0.5 dB,
acc. IEC60268-16· STIPA band sensitivity gradient:- 0.07 dB / °C (average)· Others see track list in user manual

Power Supply· 10 - 18 VDC, 10 W· External switching power supply included(for worldwide usage 100 V .. 240 V )External Mute

Jack 3.5 mm (1/8" )Floating switch required

Mounting· Mic Stand 5/8" with Adapter to 3/8"

Dimensions· L x W x H: 150 x 150 x 175 mm(5.9 x 5.9 x 6.9 inch)

Included
Accessories· Mains Power Adapter· CF Card· Soft Carrying Case

Weight· 3.5 kg

Related Products
Signal Generator

Analyzer

Sound Source

Analog Audio: Minirator MR-PRO

XL2 Analyzer with STIPA Option

DS3 Dodecahedron Loudspeaker and PA3 Amplifier7Ta lk Bo x
info@nti-audio.com

www.nti-audio.com

TalkBox, XL2, Minirator MR-PRO, MR2, DS3 Dodecahedron Speaker
and PA3 Power Amplifier are trademarks of NTi Audio AG.

05.22

All information is subject to change without notice.