USER GUIDE

Dodecahedron Speaker Set

Omnidirectional Sound Source

Comprised of the DS3 Dodecahedron Loudspeaker and the

PA3 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
1. Connect the PA3 to the DS3 with the supplied Speakon cable
2. Connect the PA3 to AC mains power and switch it on => the
Signal ON button glows red (amplifier is muted)
3. Attach the remote control antenna to the PA3
4. Press the Signal Source button to select the required test
DS3 Dodecahedron Loudspeaker
signal => the selected Signal Source LED glows green
5. Press the Signal ON button, or the button on the remote con-
trol 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 Internal equalized Pink noise for acoustically-flat
frequency response (→ see page 3, footnote 3)
• EQ Line Enables Line IN socket. Any external input signal is
processed with the default DS3 equalization
• Preset 3 Internal Pink noise without equalization
(for maximum output power from the DS3)
PA3 Power Amplifier • 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 cable
and 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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 USER GUIDE

Warning LEDs, Troubleshooting

Warning LED Issue Root cause Countermeasure
Protect Amplifier output is muted A. The output current of the amplifier is A. Verify the connected cable / load.
too high Switch OFF the amplifier for >20 sec.
B. Temperature inside amplifier is too B. Let the amplifier cool down.
high Verify that the built-in fan is operating.
C. The amplifier output is oscillating C. Check the compatibility of the speaker
(i.e. verify the load impedance).
Clip Distorted output signal The input signal level is too high Reduce the Line IN signal volume
(none) Amplifier audibly reduces the D. The input signal is overloading the D. Select another test signal.
output volume (Note: this is a amplifier Reduce the Line IN signal volume.
protection feature) E. The impedance of the output load is E. Verify or modify the load.
too low (i.e. output power too high) Check for external short circuit.

Output level control

Mute / Unmute Signal ON Level Signal Source Signal Source button

amplifier output EQ Pink
EQ Line
Preset 3
Preset 4
Preset 5

Line IN Protect Subwoofer

Subwoofer ON
Input from external Clip

signal generator
ON

(factory use only) Output to subwoofer

PA3 front panel

Mains power switch Mains power socket

Output to dodecahedron loudspeaker

100-240VAC / 50-60Hz / 850W Speaker

Fuse 5*20mm / T6,3A OUT

PA3 rear panel

1+ 1+
2–
1–
2+ 2–

4-wire connection for DS3 loudspeaker 2-wire connection, e.g. with DS2 (PA3 in bridge mode)

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 USER GUIDE

Specifications PA3
Maximum 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 XLR symmetric
Input sensitivity 0 dBu for specified output power into 2*3 W / 2*4 W (max. gain)
Maximum input level 20 dBu / ±11 Vp
Input impedance 10 kW symmetric
Subwoofer OUT
Output connector XLR symmetric
Voltage gain 3 dB
Maximum output level 18 dBu / ±8.72 Vp
Output impedance ≤ 600 W symmetric
Filter Lowpass 120 Hz Butterworth 24 dB / Octave (4th order); additional highpass at amplifier output will
be automatically activated when the subwoofer is switched ON
Signals (selectable)
EQ Pink3) Internal noise generator, equalized Pink noise with Cf = 3.05 (9.69 dB)
EQ Line External signal, equalized
Pink Internal noise generator, non-equalized Pink noise with Cf = 3.4 (10.63 dB)
Line External signal, without equalization
User Custom specific (available on request)
Default equalization of Dodecahedron DS3 Flat acoustic frequency response from 100 Hz to 8 kHz
1/3 Octave 100 dB re 1 pW ±3 dB
1/1 Octave 105 dB re 1 pW ±3 dB
Warning LEDs
Clip Line IN input
Protect Amplifier automatically switches the output OFF at high temperature, overcurrent etc.; with auto-
retry function
Controls
Signal ON ON/OFF switch with green/red LED
Level Knob for gain control
Signal Source Switch for selection of output signal
Subwoofer ON ON/OFF switch with green LED
Remote control
Function Amplifier output ON/OFF
Transmission power 1 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
Weight 5 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
1)

: Without equalization, with 20 kHz Butterworth high pass (24 dB damping factor)
2)

: The ISO16283-1:2014 standard requires a minimum energy-averaged sound pressure difference between contiguous 1/3rd octave bands. This difference
3)

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 differences
from the DS3. This is most suitable for room insulation measurements taken in accordance with the standard.

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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 level PA3 amplifier output adjusted for acoustically equalized DS3 output signal
1/3 Octave 100 dB re 1 pW ±3 dB from 100 Hz to 8 kHz
1/1 Octave 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
Weight 7.5 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 GUIDE

DS3 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. average
x: 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. Please
read 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 not
within the reach of babies and small children. Danger of suffocation! Ensure that
children 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 electrical
devices 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 an
authorized 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 to
a 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 to
liquids 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 protected
by a residual current circuit breaker (RCD). Failure to do so may result in damage to the
unit and injury to the user. To reduce the risk of electric shock or fire, unplug this appa-
ratus 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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