DATA SHEET AC 22 & AC 22B
ACTIVE CROSSOVERS
General Description
The Rane AC 22 and AC 22B Active Crossovers are drivers designed to produce a specific range of frequencies,
Stereo 2-Way with mono subwoofer option, or can be used as and no more, will not be driven past their limits, thereby
a Mono 3-Way. They employ state-variable 4th-order minimizing distortion and driver fatigue.
Linkwitz-Riley filter alignments to minimize phase To further guarantee the transparent operation of the
difficulties in the critical crossover region. The model AC 22 AC 22 and AC 22B, adjustable Delay circuits appear on the
utilizes ¼" TRS connectors with balanced/unbalanced inputs Low (& Mid when used in 3-Way mode) Outputs of each
and unbalanced outputs. The new AC 22B uses XLR Channel to compensate for any physical misalignment of the
connectors with active balanced inputs and outputs. drivers. Time correction ensures the mechanical phase
Simply put, a Linkwitz-Riley alignment is two cascaded alignment of adjacent drivers will be acoustically correct, thus
2nd-order Butterworth filters exhibiting identical phase maintaining the integrity of the electrical phase alignment of
characteristics on their Low pass and High pass Outputs. This the crossover’s filters. The Low Delay circuit may be inter-
characteristic guarantees in-phase outputs at all frequencies. nally transplanted to the High Output when neccessary. CD
In-phase outputs are mandatory for proper acoustic summing horn equalization is also possible with an internal modifica-
of common signals from adjacent drivers in the crossover tion.
region. An added benefit of this topology is steep 24 dB per See RaneNote 107 for more information regarding
octave rolloff slopes. A slope of this magnitude guarantees Linkwitz-Riley designs.
Features AC 22 Features
• Stereo 2-Way or Mono 3-Way • ¼" TRS Inputs & ¼" TS Outputs
• Linkwitz-Riley Alignment with 24 dB per Octave Slopes • Active Balanced/Unbalanced Inputs & Unbalanced Outputs
• Adjustable Delays
• Mono Subwoofer Switch and Output AC 22B Features
• Infrasonic, Ultrasonic, and RFI Filters • XLR Inputs & Outputs
• Low Output Muting (2-Way) • Fully Active Balanced Inputs & Outputs
• Input & Output Level Controls
• UL/CSA/CE and 100/120/230 VAC Remote Power Supplies
Data Sheet-1
AC 22 & AC 22B
ACTIVE CROSSOVERS
Parameter Specification Limit Units Conditions/Comments
Crossover: Alignment Linkwitz-Riley Proprietary 4th-order state-variable
..........Slopes 24 dB/octave
..........Range 70-3.6 kHz Low to High 41-detent continuously variable pot
Time Delay Adjust Range Off to +2 5% ms Low & Mid Outputs
AC 22 Inputs: Type Active Balanced/Unbalanced
..........Connectors ¼" TRS
..........Impedance 20k 1% ohms
..........Maximum Level +21 1 dBu
..........Gain Range Off to +6 -0/+4 dB
AC 22 Outputs: Type Active Unbalanced
..........Connectors ¼" TS
..........Impedance 100 1% ohms
..........Maximum Level +20 1 dBu 600 ohms or greater
..........Gain Range Off to +6 -0/+4 dB
AC 22B Inputs: Type Active Balanced
..........Connectors XLR pin 2 hot per AES standards
..........Impedance 20k 1% ohms
..........Maximum Level 21 1 dBu
..........Gain Range Off to +6 -0/+4 dB
AC 22B Outputs: Type Active Balanced
..........Connectors XLR pin 2 hot per AES standards
..........Impedance 200 1% ohms
..........Maximum Level +20 1 dBu 600 ohms or greater
..........Gain Range Off to +12 -0/+4 dB
Band Muting Switches Yes Low & Mid Outputs
RFI Filters Yes
Infrasonic Filter 20 Hz, 18 dB/oct., Butterworth 3% Hz
Ultrasonic Filter (AC 22) 40 kHz, 6 dB/oct., Bessel 3% Hz Linear phase
Frequency Response 20-40 kHz +0/-3 dB
THD+Noise 0.02 .01 % +4 dBu, 20-20 kHz
IM Distortion (SMPTE) 0.02 .01 % 60 Hz/7 kHz, 4:1, +4 dBu
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 92 2 dB re +4 dBu, 20 kHz noise bandwidth
Unit: Agency Listing
..........120 VAC model Class 2 Equipment National Electrical Code
UL & CSA Exempt Class 2 equipment
..........230 VAC model CE-EMC EMC directive 89/336/EEC
CE-Safety Exempt per Art. 1, LVD 73/23/EEC
Power Supply: Agency Listing Class 2 Equipment
..........120 VAC model UL File no. E88261
CSA File no. LR58948
..........230 VAC model CE-EMC EMC directive 89/336/EEC
CE-Safety LV directive 73/23/EEC
..........100 VAC model Built to JIS Japan only
Power Supply Requirement 18 VAC w/center tap 0.1 Vrms RS 1 (see data sheet)
..........Maximum Current 160 mA RMS Current from Remote Supply
Unit: Construction All Steel
..........Size 1.75"H x 19"W x 5.3"D (1U) (4.4 cm x 48.3 cm x 13.3 cm)
..........Weight 4 lb (3 kg)
Shipping: Size 4.25" x 20.3" x 13.75" (11 cm x 52 cm x 35 cm)
..........Weight 8 lb (5 kg)
Note: 0 dBu=0.775 Vrms
Data Sheet-2
AC 22 & AC 22B
ACTIVE CROSSOVERS
AC 22 Block Diagram
AC 22B Block Diagram
Data Sheet-3
AC 22 & AC 22B
ACTIVE CROSSOVERS
Rear Panels
Choosing the Right Architectural Specifications
Configuration: Mono, Two-
The active crossover shall contain 4th-order Linkwitz-
Channel Mono or Stereo? Riley filters. Provisions shall exist to correct for driver
Very few systems indeed will utilize a two channel misalignment by means of adding time delay to the low
crossover for the purpose of true stereo imaging. Discrete frequency outputs.
stereo channels which are run from the mixing board are The crossover frequency shall be controlled by a continu-
usually used for panning effects and/or for separate equaliza- ously variable control with 41 detents to allow mechanical
tion of left and right speaker stacks. Different sides of the reference of crossover setting.
room often require significantly different equalization due to Signal inputs shall be active balanced/unbalanced designs
varying room acoustics, dimensions, positioning of speaker terminated with ¼" TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) connectors for the
stacks near walls, curtains and the like. AC 22, and active balanced terminated with XLR connectors
Even though you may not plan to use stereo equalization for the AC 22B. Signal outputs shall be unbalanced type
or panning effects, it is recommended that your system utilize terminated in ¼" TS connectors for the AC 22, and active
discrete crossover channels for each stack of speakers to balanced design terminated with XLR connectors for the AC
ensure flexibility and control for consistent, optimum sound 22B. RFI filters shall be provided. Infrasonic and ultrasonic
quality. For example, if you plan to run a multi-stack system filters shall be built-in.
mono three-way, use the AC 23 rather than the AC 22 for The active crossover shall afford an input level range of
separate control over each set of speakers—especially since off to +6 dB. The output level controls shall afford a level
phase alignment may differ with each stack requiring separate range of from off to +6 dB (+12 dB for the AC 22B) with
time delay adjustments. Even with only a single system muting capability on the low frequency outputs. The cross-
equalizer, the AC 23 can deliver the extra independent control over shall supply two independent channels.
which can make a difference in sound throughout the listen- The unit shall be exempt from agency safety requirements
ing area. If all drivers are built into a single cabinet, or you and powered from a UL listed, CSA certified remote power
are running bi-amped monitors, then the AC 22 is the one for supply (120 VAC) or CE approved (230 VAC) via a rear
you. panel input modular plug. The unit shall be constructed
entirely from cold-rolled steel, and mount into a standard 1U
EIA rack.
Available Accessories The unit shall be a Rane Corporation AC 22 or AC 22B
• SC 1.7 Security Cover Active Crossover.
References
1. S.H. Linkwitz, “Active Crossover Networks for Noncoincident Drivers,” J. Audio Eng. Soc., vol. 24, pp. 2-8 (Jan/Feb 1976).
2. D. Bohn, “A Fourth-Order State-Variable Filter for Linkwitz-Riley Active Crossover Designs,” presented at the 74th
Convention of the Audio Engineering Society, New York, Oct. 9-12, 1983, preprint no. 2011.
3. D. Bohn, “Linkwitz-Riley Crossovers,” Rane Note 107, (1983).
4. D. Bohn, “Why Not Wye?” Rane Note 109, (1984).
5. D. Bohn, “Overload Characteristics of State-Variable Crossovers,” Rane Note 112, (1985).
6. D. Bohn, “Linkwitz-Riley Active Crossovers Up To 8th-Order: An Overview,” Rane Note 119, (1989).
©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5098 TEL (425)355-6000 FAX (425)347-7757 WEB [Link]
Data Sheet-4 All features & specifications subject to change without notice. DOC 103033 PN 07531 9-98