Meyer Sound PARABOLIC SOUND BEAM SB 1 User Manual

Q&A  
SB-1  
The Meyer Sound SB-1  
Parabolic Sound Beam is  
a powerful, long-throw  
device for projecting  
mid- and high-frequency  
energy over distances  
from 100 to 500 feet.  
By producing an  
extremely narrow, tightly  
controlled beam of sound  
energy, the SB-1 enables  
very effective long-range  
“fill” coverage in large-  
scale sound reinforcement  
applications.  
The SB-1 comprises an  
optimized aspherical  
waveguide with 2-inch  
throat (4-inch  
diaphragm diameter)  
compression driver  
feeding a large parabolic  
reflector, and a 12-inch  
cone driver mounted at  
the center of the reflector.  
Built-in electronics  
include dual  
PATENT PENDING  
Why did Meyer create the SB-1?  
complementary  
The SB-1 is intended to solve one of the most common problems in  
large-scale reinforcement: assuring effective high-frequency reproduction  
at great distances from the main PA.  
MOSFET class AB/H  
amplifiers with 1240  
watts total power output,  
TruePower™ Limiting  
driver protection, and  
frequency and phase  
response alignment  
circuitry. This powerful  
combination of  
components provides flat  
response from 500 Hz to  
15 kHz and 110 dB  
peak SPL output at  
100 meters.  
Traditional solutions for long-range high-frequency projection have  
employed narrow-coverage horns (also called “long throw” horns). But  
the sound pressure produced from a horn decreases by 6 dB with each  
doubling of distance from the source, and this substantially limits its  
useful range. Certain methods for stacking or arraying horns can  
increase the system’s throw by effectively moving the acoustical source  
farther behind the array, but these techniques break down at  
propagation distances greater than about 100 feet.  
The SB-1 Sound Beam is the first practical alternative to horns for  
large-scale long-throw applications. It produces sound waves whose SPL  
decreases by as little as 3 dB per doubling of distance, with flat  
response and consistent bandwidth over five octaves — and its pattern  
remains consistent for distances up to 500 feet.  
What Meyer systems is it designed to work with?  
The SB-1 can be used to supplement any large-scale long-throw main PA  
system, including those comprised of MSL-3s, MSL-4s, MSL-5s, MSL-6s,  
or MSL-10s in any combination.  
Meyer  
Sound  
mounted at the center of the dish. The cone is driven by special band-  
limiting and phase manipulating circuitry that uses phase cancellation to  
suppress side lobes in the range of 500 Hz to 1 kHz. This sophisticated  
scheme reduces the amplitude of the side lobes by over 50 dB,  
substantially extending the usable mid-frequency response.  
Constant beamwidth with frequency is achieved by feeding the SB-1  
reflector from an optimized aspherical horn that is placed at the focal  
point of the dish. Developed using high-resolution measurement in an  
anechoic environment, this horn enables the SB-1 to achieve a uniform  
10-degree beamwidth at frequencies up to 15 kHz.  
Is the SB-1 made for permanent installations only, or is it portable?  
The SB-1 physical packaging has been designed to satisfy both fixed and  
portable applications. For shipping, the high-frequency pod and its  
mounting arms are disassembled and packed in a stowage space that is  
accessed through a hatch on the top of the dish. A removable front  
cover protects the dish surface and 12-inch cone from damage, and the  
enclosure is fitted with handles so that it can be easily maneuvered.  
How is it mounted/rigged?  
Meyer Sound offers a mounting yoke. Fabricated of heavy-gauge steel  
tubing, this rugged rigging fixture suspends the SB-1 dish from one point  
on each side, allowing it to be swung through more than 300 degrees  
for maximum freedom of vertical aiming. Two hanging points (one on  
either side) are provided so that the assembly can be flown.  
Alternatively, the yoke allows placing the SB-1 free-standing on a  
scaffold or catwalk above the main system.  
How is the SB-1 arrayed and aimed?  
The SB-1 provides a consistent 10 degrees of coverage over a range of  
100 to 500 feet and projects a circular coverage pattern. Best  
performance is attained when multiple units are placed with the main PA  
array and splayed in an arc at 8 degree angles. This provides a slight  
overlap between the patterns of adjacent units for more even coverage.  
A surveyor’s transit, placed atop the cabinet for sighting, is handy for  
fine adjustments in aiming.  
How can I predict coverage from the SB-1 when planning a system  
installation?  
The SB-1 projects a circular pattern with a consistent 10-degree coverage  
angle. As a rule of thumb, the diameter of the projected circle can be  
estimated by multiplying the distance from the SB-1 by .175 — so, at  
300 feet, for example, the maximum coverage diameter is about 53 feet.  
Alternatively, if you are working from a plan view of the venue, you can  
use a protractor to lay out 10-degree coverage wedges (remember to  
overlap them eight degrees center-to-center for smoother coverage).  
What is the maximum distance at which the SB-1 will project over  
100 dB SPL?  
Figure 2B  
Under ideal conditions, the SB-1 can deliver over 100 dB SPL at its full  
design throw of 500 feet. In practice, however, the SPL at long distances  
can be affected by atmospheric conditions — especially at the highest  
Meyer Sound Laboratories  
has devoted itself to  
designing, manufacturing,  
and refining components  
that deliver superb sonic  
reproduction. Every part of  
every component is  
frequencies. The best propagation of sound waves occurs when the  
air is either very hot and moist, or very cold and dry. In more  
moderate conditions, attenuation due to air loss may exceed 3 dB  
per doubling of distance from the SB-1.  
Interestingly, unlike conventional horn systems, two adjacent SB-  
1s can be aimed into the same coverage area for an increase of 6  
dB in SPL — without producing cancellations. This unique property  
of the SB-1 can be exploited to compensate for air losses.  
designed and built to  
exacting specifications  
and undergoes rigorous,  
comprehensive testing  
in the laboratories.  
Can the SB-1 be modified to work below 500 HZ?  
No, the 500 Hz limit is determined by the laws of physics: it is the  
lowest frequency (longest wavelength) at which the parabolic  
reflector remains effective. To provide the same narrow directivity  
at lower frequencies would require a vastly larger dish.  
Except in special circumstances, however, there is generally little  
need for a highly directional low-frequency device. As reinforcement  
professionals know from experience, low frequencies travel farther  
(that is, are less quickly absorbed by the air) than high ones, so  
long throw capability is less of an issue. If the need arises to steer  
very low frequencies so as to avoid them spilling into unwanted  
coverage areas, selective phase cancellation techniques are more  
economical to implement than very large parabolic dishes.  
Research remains an  
integral, driving force  
behind all production.  
Meyer strives for sound  
quality that is predictable  
and neutral over an  
Is the SB-1 weather-resistant?  
While the SB-1 is designed and constructed to withstand touring  
and intermittent outdoor use, it is not designed for permanent  
outdoor installations. A weather-resistant version is in  
development; contact your Meyer Sound representative or the  
factory technical support department for details.  
extended lifetime and  
across an extended range.  
SB-1 PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS  
LISTED  
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3K59  
COMMERCIAL  
AUDIO SYSTEM  
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Made by Meyer Sound, Berkeley, CA, USA  
European Office:  
Meyer Sound Germany  
GmbH  
Carl Zeiss Strasse 13  
56751 Polch, Germany  
Pod Storage  
Compartment  
48.5  
18.0  
SB1 - 01.049.068.01  
Meyer Sound Laboratories, Inc.  
2832 San Pablo Avenue  
Berkeley, CA 94702  
Air Duct  
tel: 510.486.1166  
fax: 510.486.8356  
54.0  
Yoke  
Attachment  
Point(s)  
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Input  
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Amplifier  
FRONT  
SIDE  
REAR  
© 1997 Meyer Sound Laboratories, Inc.  
All rights reserved  

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