Barefoot Sound MicroMain45 User Manual - page 6
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6.0 Protection Features
6.1 Limiters
Peak Limiter
The Woofer, Midrange and Tweeter channels have individual Peak Limiters designed to protect each
driver from high amplitude, short duration audio input signal spikes that might cause damage due to
over excursion of the voice coil. These limiters are implemented digitally within the DSP in such a man-
ner that they have zero effect on the audio signal below their thresholds. The front LED indicator light
will flash RED when a Peak Limiter on any of the driver channels is triggered. The duration of such
events is only a fraction of a second. Therefore, the LED flash may appear pink or orange as the eye nat-
urally blends the normally aqua-blue color of the LED with the red.
RMS Limiter
The Woofer, Midrange and Tweeter channels have individual RMS Limiters designed to protect each
driver from long duration, high amplitude audio input signals that might cause thermal damage due to
the voice coil. These limiters are implemented digitally within the DSP in such a manner that they have
zero effect on the audio signal below their thresholds. The front LED indicator light will flash RED when a
RMS Limiter on any of the driver channels is triggered.
Caution: Signals large enough to trigger any of the limiters can generate very high sound pressure
levels that may result in permanent hearing damage.
6.2 Over Current
In the event of a large audio input signal that might damage the amplifiers or power supply due to cur-
rent overload, the power supply is designed to enter into Over Current protect mode. This state typical-
ly results from a large, broadband input signal burst that flat lines the limiters on all three channels sim-
ultaneously. While the fault persists the amplifier power rails shut down, the speaker goes quiet, and
the front panel LED turns red. Once the audio input signal is turned down the speaker should reboot
within a few seconds. If the speaker fails to reboot or the LED light goes out completely, disconnect the
audio input cable and power cycle the speaker. Verify the signal level is attenuated before reconnecting
audio input cable.
Caution: Signals that cause Over Current protection to trigger can generate very high sound pressure
levels that may result in permanent hearing damage.
7.0 Positioning
The acoustic center of the MicroMain45 is located at the center of the tweeter. The MM45 is designed to work
equally well as a nearfield or mid-field monitor. The minimum recommended listening distance is 1 meter
(39.4”). While speaker positioning can often be dependent on the nature of the room, a good starting point is to
create an equilateral triangle between the two speakers and the listening position. The speakers should be
angled inward so the tweeter axes aim towards the listener’s ears, crossing a few inches behind the head.
The speakers should be positioned symmetrically with both tweeters oriented to either the outside or inside.
Both orientations are acceptable, however, we recommend starting with the tweeters oriented to the outside.
You may need to experiment to determine which arrangement is optimal in you room.
Since every room has its unique characteristics, the optimal listening distances, speaker height and distances
from walls are also a matter for experimentation.