CPA 08 Manual - KSdigital

Instruction Manual C5
Active Studio Reference Monitor System
06/08
KS Digital GmbH - Kossmannstr 38 A - 66571 Eppelborn - Germany - www.ksdigital.de
KS Audio USA - 1062 Cephas Drive - Clearwater, FL 33765 - USA - www.ksaudiousa.com

Safety Instructions
1. Important, read all instructions – You should read all information concerning safety and operation before
you use these speakers.
2. Please keep this manual – You may need it in the future.
3. Important, observe the warnings – All warnings on these speakers and in this manual should be observed
by you in the interests of your own safety.
4. Please follow these instructions – All of the tips and instructions in this manual serve to optimize the
operation of these speakers and enhance your listening experience.
5. Water and moisture – These speakers must not be used in wet environments, e.g. in bathrooms or next to a
swimming pool, the danger of electric shock will exist.
6. Ventilation – This product must be installed in such a way, that the necessary ventilation is not impeded.
For example, the equipment must not be operated on a bed, sofa, carpet or similar surface where the black
cooling fins can be covered. The equipment must not be placed in shelving or other locations that prevent
the circulation of air at the rear of these speakers.
7. Heat- Please do not install these speakers near a radiator or other source of heat.
8. These speakers are designed for use with an AC voltage of 115V / 60 Hz or 230V / 50 Hz, depending in
which country you have purchased these speakers. Never attempt to operate these speakers with another
power supply.
9. Power cable – Please lay your power cable in such a way that it is not a hazard for tripping over or can be
damaged. In particular, be careful where cable connections and sockets are located.
10. Ensure that neither foreign objects nor liquids come into contact with or penetrate these speakers.
11. Only roperly qualified service personnel may service these speakers.
12. Repairs – Never attempt to open these speakers or try to service or repair this equipment
yourself. Please leave servicing to properly qualified service personnel.
13. In order to avoid electric shock, never use this equipment with a power extension cable where the
electrical contacts or cables are not completely protected an grounded.
14. Ground – Please ensure that the ground is connected to the equipment.
15. If the speakers are not operated according to these instructions, the warranty will not be applicable and the
user may be exposed to danger of electric shock.
Warning
To prevent electric shock, these speakers must not be exposed to rain or moisture.

Thank you for choosing these monitors handmade for you in Germany by KS digital.
For more than 20 years, KS has created world-class sound transmission devices and has always followed one aim:
the genuine reproduction of life-like sound. KS products can be found in the inventory of the most illustrious and
distinguished opera houses, recording studios, radio / TV stations, and mastering studios worldwide. The current ADM and
C series product lines have already established an excellent reputation for themselves. The guiding principals for the KS
design are based on the ideals of sound neutrality proving the products are incorruptible tool for working with and judging
acoustic reproductions. KS produts are enjoyed and trusted by producers in well-known studios and amongst famous artists
worldwide.
Development
As we developed the C series, we continuously considered the time-aligned emission of the audio signals. If an impulse is
correctly reproduced with no time delay, then this corresponds to the linear frequency and phase characteristics of the
original. It is the high impulse responsiveness of the utilized chassis, designed according to KS digital specifications. The
high speed of the amplifiers in MOSFET technology, including the active filters, lead the way to accomplishing the aim of
achieving infinite sound neutrality.
C5 - The Concept
The C5 is now our smallest studio monitor in our lineup. It has been designed and optimized for operation in a genuine
near field environments. The coaxial design of the C5 driver most closely facilitates the ideal understanding of a point
source. Without a horizontal or vertical displacement of the axis, an optimum impulse characteristic is achieved resulting
in a corresponding frequency and phase response. Using materials of the highest quality such as a woven carbon fiber cone
and neodymium magnets, these C5 speakers achieve exceptional reproduction of music and speech despite their size. An
optional stand / wall bracket facilitates an optimal alignment to the listening position. Whether as a high quality near field
speaker at an audio or video editing workstation or as a bridge monitor at a mixing consol, the C5 is the tool of choice.
Quickly installed, mobile and exact, the C5 offers even in acoustically difficult surroundings, a reliable and neutral near
field monitor with sufficient headroom. For expansion of the frequency characteristics in the low frequency range, we can,
of course, offer compatible subwoofers. Please consult your dealer or check our current catalog.
Active Frequency Crossover Unit
The C5 utilizes a 3 step filter (1) A system filter to correct the frequency characteristic, (2) A third order Bessel filter that
separates the bass / mid-range at 2.5kHz and connects the tweeter, and (3) A Chebyshev filter at 60Hz that protects the
bass/mid-range driver from damage while reproducing lower frequencies. The Bessel filter between the bass / mid-range
driver plays a special role. It was selected because Analog Bessel filters are characterized by almost constant group delay
across the entire cross-over frequency range, thus preserving the slope of filtered signals at the cross-over point.
This supports the KS ideals of achieving absolute sound neutrality in a point source speaker.
The Driver
The coaxial build of the C5 driver best supports the point source concept. It enables the emission of all frequencies on one
level without internal phase displacement and is independent to where the listener is located. The carbon fiber membrane
of the bass/mid-range driver also fits into this concept. Carbon fiber is an extremely stiff and leight-weigh material to
ensure a clean bass reproduction and high impulse fidelity. The C5 tweeter contains a very light woven cloth dome. These
materials reliably suppresses resonances within the system and produces, together with the neodymium magnet, a
remarkably strong impulse and bass tones.
The Output Stage
In the development of the C5, it was important for us to follow our concept of impulse fidelity and exact phase
reproduction in the output stage as well. With the performance of these output stages, high impulse peaks can be cleanly
amplified without deviating from the high plateau already achieved by the new filters and driver design. An additional
peak limiter also prevents the overload of the whole system. Two identically operating output stages calibrated by hand
operate together in a hybrid technology. This high performance output stage, is constructed for an optimal impulse
transmission. With a bandwidth of 100 kHz, the 100W high frequency amplifier works with the tweeter and the 170W
low/mid frequency amplifier works with the bass/mid-range driver.

Diagram 1
Front view of the C5
1
2
Front View
1. Bass/mid-range loudspeaker
2. Tweeter
3. LED
4. Groove for front grill
4
3
Diagram 2
Rear view of the C5
Operating Controls
6 7 8
9
Rear View
5. Balanced XLR input
6. Gain: Input sensitivity + 6/-10dB
7. High: Control for room adjustment in
High frequency range +/- 6dB (see Diagram 3)
8. Bass: Control for room adjustment in
bass/mid range +/- 6dB (see Diagram 3)
9. Bass reflex ports
10. 230 V or 115 V AC IEC connector socket
11. Fuseholder
12. On/ Off power switch
13. Black cooling fins for the output stage
5
13
12
10
11

1 Bass/mid-range driver: The 6.5” (16.5cm) high performance bass/mid-range driver of the C5 utilizes an
extremely stiff carbon fiber membrane with a strong magnet as its motor. It was developed especially for the C5 and
combines high impulse fidelity with a large voice coil for the reproduction of bass frequencies at high volumes. In
addition, the membrane is designed to be the wave-guide for the tweeter.
2 Tweeter: The 1” (2.54 cm) dome tweeter for high frequencies is driven by an extremely strong neodymium magnet
and reproduces frequencies far above 20 kHz with a minimum of distortion.
3 LED: The blue Light Emitting Diode (LED) illuminates to indicate when the system is switched on.
4 Mounting the Protective Grill: The accompanying protective grill for the loudspeaker needs only be pressed into both
of the grooves.
5 Input: The balanced XLR analog input can be driven with a nominal level of up to +26dbu.
6 Input Gain: The recessed input level control provides a continously variable range of +6/-10dB. A small flat head
screwdriver of approx. 2.4 mm or smaller is needed to make adjustments and is not included with the unit.
7 High Gain: The recessed input level control provides the possibility to compensate for specific acoustic
problems in the listening area with high frequency response. The control provides a range of+/-6dB. (see Dia ram 3).
A small flat head screwdriver of approx. 2.4 mm or smaller is needed to make adjustments and is not included with the
unit.
8 Low Gain: The recessed input level control provides the possibility to compensate for specific acoustic
problems in the listening area with the low frequency response. The control provides a range from +/-6dB
(see diagram 3). A small flat head screwdriver of approx. 2.4 mm or smaller is needed to make adjustments and is not
included with the unit.
9 Bass Reflex Ports: With the help of the bass reflex principle, the lower end of the C5’s frequency range is extended.
The ports must not be blocked or covered. They are situated at the rear of the speaker.
10 IEC Plug: 230v / 115v AC IEC connector socket.
11 Fuse: specified, 1.6 slow blow for 115v / 0.8 slow blow for 230v
12 On/Off Switch: The power on/off switch disconnects the C5 completely from the mains. No power is used as long as
the switch is in the Off position.
13 Cooling: There are two powerful output stages with a maximum power output of over 300W in total. The black
cooling fins heat up during operation. They must no be covered or blocked. Therefore plase ensure there is good
ventilation behidn the uni at all times.
Diagram 3:
low/mid and high frequency filters
response curves
shown in maximum position

Potential Applications
The C5 has been especially designed for use as the near field monitor for a range of up to one meter between monitor and
listener. The result is a very small diffusion field with less room-based interferences, less overall volume and a clean and
exact reproduction of the input signal. The KS digital C5 reliably exhibits these advantages, even under the most difficult
listening conditions.
In view of the fast growth in DAW based workstations, the classic listening area of between 1.5 – 3 meters ( 5 - 10 ft)
between listener and speaker has decreased. The specific acoustic situation found at a DAW workstation, almost typical in
an audio, video, post/production area, present a genuine challenge. Sound-reflective surfaces (desktops, flat screens) and
poor room acoustics aggravate the problems in the listening area. With conventional 2 way monitors, the distance to the
listener must be long enough so that the radiated sound from both sound sources (bass/mid-range and tweeter) arrive
together and it can no longer be determined that there are two individual sound sources. For this, the speakers are usually
placed behind the workstation on a stand. Due to the larger distance the interaction between the two speakers is better. But
there is an increase in proportion of room reflections and room nodes. In addition, it is necessary to work with higher
volume levels. The coaxial construction of the C5 coupled with the filters and output stages, are both designed for linear
phase and enable the C5 to be placed extremely close to the workstation. Thus, with the C5, all these problems can be
elegantly eliminated.
Illustration
Signal Flowchart
Diagram 4
On Axis Frequency Characteristic
/ Response Curve

System Specifications
Lower cut-off frequency -3dB 20 kHz
Maximum short term acoustic output sine wave on
axis in half space, from 100Hz to 2.5 kHz@1m@0.5m
Maximum peak acoustic output per pair continous
Maximum peak acoustic output per pair
conditions with Sub Woofer, low cut in use
Drivers: Bass, Treble - mangetically shielded
Weight
Dimensions H W D
Amplifier
Bass amplifier short term output power
Treble amplifier short term output power
>102 dBSPL
>107 dBSPL
>111dBSPL
115dBSPL
6 1/2” carboncone as waveguide for 1” neodym tweeter
8.4 kgs 18.5 lbs
20 x 20 x 23 cm
8” x 8” x 9”
170 W
100 W
Amplifier system distortion at nominal output
THD 0.05%
SMPTE-IM 0.05%
CCIF-IM 0.05%
DIM 100 0.05%
Signal to Noise ratio
Mains voltage
100dB
100, 120, 220 or 230 V according to region
Voltage operating range +/- 10%
Input Crossover and Filter
Input connector XLR female Pin 1 gnd, pin 2+, pin 3-
Input impedance
10 kOhm balanced
Input Level Control
Variable from -10dBu to +4dBu
Crossover frequency, Bass/Treble
2.5 kHz with Bessel 18dB per octave
Adjustment in signal processing
stepless adjustment -6dB to +6dB in bass and treble
Accessories
Table stand / wall mount
optional

General Information
A Pair of C5 can be easily upgraded to a 5.1 system simply by adding more C5 speakers and a KS digital subwoofer.
The C5 is magnetically shielded, however, a small residual field may be present at extreme close proximities to CRT
screens.
In the manufacturing process, pairs of C5 speakers are always matched within a tolerance between +/- 0.5 – 1.0db.
To aid in exact input level settings, KS uses recessed continously variable controls.
There are NO user serviceable parts inside the C5. Opening the cabinet will void all warranties.
Please contact your dealer or the KS headquarters for service as specified in this manual.
Options
C5 stand /wallmount
Transportation
KS products are tools for daily use and are correspondingly robustly manufactured. You should, however, be aware of the
following:
As with all types of electronic devices, condensation and moisture must be avoided i.e. when the speaker comes from a hot
and humid truck and is brought into a cold venue. Give the system as much time as possible to adjust to room
temperature. Of course, direct exposure to liquids is never safe and should be prevented at all times.
The vibrations of a transport vehicle are usually safe - all components and cabinetry are well secured with properly glued
joints and are screwed or bolted for extra strength where necessary. It has however been shown that train or airplane
transport without further packaging creates un-due stress on KS products. We recommend for such situations shock resistant
flight cases.
Significant contamination by dust, etc. is dangerous for electronic assemblies as it may cause a short circuit.
It is therefore advisable, that the devices are periodically opened, and cleaned out with compressed air.
2 year Limited Warranty
Because KS products leave the factory only after a detailed final inspection, we offer the following warranty.
The warranty is for 24 months after point of delivery. The warranty is for repair or replacement only and does not include
any costs beyond the repair or replacement. The repair work is carried out in our factory or at one of our service centers.
All freight costs are to be borne by the customer. This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship or
malfunctions thereof. Any abuse, misuse, or not for intended use, or any unauthorized 3rd party technical intervention
violates this warranty. Our warranty obligation is also suspended if the customer has uncompleted or outstanding contractual
obligations to KS Digital. KS Digital needs to be notified within 8 days of delivery if the product is defective due to
shipping or transportation. Note, if shipping damage is suspected, KS Digital will first determine that the damage
happened during shipping. In this case, the freight company must be contacted to confirm the damage. No notification
will violate the warranty. This warranty allows specific legal rights, and there may be other allowable rights which vary
from state to state in the USA. This warranty complies with Article 2, UCC, Uniform Commercial Code as of May 2008.