Sonifex RM-2S4 - Reference Monitor, 2 LED Meters, 4 Stereo Channel Inputs

Sonifex RM-2S4

The Sonifex RM-2S4 is a 1U rack-mount unit offering quality loudspeaker monitoring and accurate, high-resolution metering of up to four stereo audio sources and more with the addition of optional expansion cards. Sources may be in any mixture of analogue and AES/EBU digital formats, with sample rates up to 192kHz accepted. Audio inputs can be analogue or digital because they are autoswitching using the left Neutrik™ XLR for AES/EBU, or both Neutrik™ XLRs for analogue inputs and they can be used in any combination.

Analogue inputs can be balanced or unbalanced in any combination. The digital inputs have switchable AES/EBU termination for (close-range) bridging operation and there is extra global input gain available for both analogue and digital low-level sources.

Sources (and additional banks of sources, if fitted) are selected via a front panel rotary encoder, with clear LED indication of the current selection. 

The level of the chosen source is displayed on a pair of bright, multicoloured 53-segment bargraph meters, with a choice of seven accurately modelled scales/responses to suit different applications and local preferences. Clear scale labels are provided for you to chose the scale displayed and the meter brightness can be adjusted from the front panel. A separate phase meter indicates channel correlation or phase error conditions. On the rear panel, open-collector alarm outputs provide hardware indication of sustained underlevel, overlevel, phase errors and digital source lock.

Six illuminated pushbuttons provide access to a range of audio ‘modifiers’ – instant dimming of the volume, individual muting of each audio channel, stereo-to-mono conversion, phase inversion and Middle+Side transcoding. On the rear panel, logic-level inputs allow direct remote access to the DIM and MUTE functions.

The three-way loudspeaker system is fed via a DSP-based active crossover and a trio of highly efficient Class-D amplifiers. Careful attention to driver selection, materials and case design, plus active DSP equalisation, has ensured a flat response and outstanding reproduction from such a shallow unit. A protective limiter prevents damage to the loudspeakers under overload conditions and the front-panel headphone socket automatically mutes the internal loudspeakers when a plug is inserted.A Balance control allows you to alter the stereo imaging of the left and right channels.

A further five-band parametric equaliser can be accessed for room-equalisation purposes via Sonifex SCi Windows-based remote control software. Source selection, status monitoring and unit ID functions, plus firmware updates to add extra functionality, are all accessible remotely via both USB and RS232 connections in conjunction with Sonifex SCi software. The open control protocol also allows operation with terminal programs or customised applications.

Optional additions to the RM-2S4 include HD video input expansion cards, allowing multiple AES groups embedded within an HD-SDI or SD-SDI signal to be de-embedded and monitored, either with (RM-HDE1) or without (RM-HD1) Dolby® E or Dolby® Digital encoding. The RM-2S4 operate from global mains voltages (85-264V AC, 47-63Hz) without adjustment.

Sonifex RM-2S4 Specifications

Inputs Audio

• Inputs: 4 x stereo analogue or AES/ EBU digital (autoselecting)
• Max level (0dB input gain): +18dBu (analogue)/0dBFS (digital)
• CMRR: >60dB typical
• Input Impedance: 20kΩ (analogue) 110Ω (digital with termination switchable)
• AES/EBU Sample Rate: 32 to 192kHz, converted internally to 48kHz
• Input Gain: 0, +6, +12 or +18dB digital gain (switchable)
• Selection: Front panel rotary control with indicator LEDs 

Line Level Outputs

• Audio Outputs: 1 x stereo analogue or AES/EBU digital (switchable)
• Gain re Selected Input: Unity or variable, following volume control (switchable)
• Maximum Output Level: +18dBu (analogue)/0dBFS (digital)
• Output Impedance: <50Ω (analogue)/110Ω (digital)
• AES/EBU Sample Rate: 48kHz
• Distortion: <0.02% (1kHz, +8dBu output)
• Noise: -84dB RMS, unity gain ref +8dBu output
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz +0/-0.5dB
• Crosstalk: Analogue I/O, ref 0dBu 
  
  • 1kHz input:
  • 10kHz input:

Audio Modifiers

• Modifier Selection: Illuminated front panel pushbuttons
• DIM: Reduces speaker audio level by 10dB
• CUT L & CUT R: Mutes left/right speaker audio
• MONO: Combines left and right audio inputs
• PHASE INVERT: Inverts phase of right audio input
• M+S: Converts stereo input to Middle (sum) and Side (difference) signals 

User-Variable Equalisation

• Type: Parametric
• Bands: Five
• Centre Frequency: 200Hz to 18kHz
• Bandwidth: 0.25 to 2 octaves
• Boost/Cut: ±12dB
• Programming: Via USB/serial control port 

Amplifier/Loudspeakers

• Configuration: Three-way with stereo mid/ high-frequency drivers & mono low-frequency driver
• Power Output: 2 x 5W (HF) + 20W (LF) with protective limiter
• Crossover: 500Hz (3rd order Butterworth)
• Distortion (HF Outputs): < 0.05% (1kHz, 3W output)
• Distortion (LF Output): < 0.05% (100Hz, 6W output)
• Noise: More than 80dB below full output
• Volume: Mute to full volume via front panel rotary control
• Balance Trim: ±6dB via front panel rotary control
• Peak Acoustic Level: 102dB SPL @ 2ft

Level Metering

• Number: 2 x 53-segment tri-colour LED bargraphs
• Characteristics:
  
  • Selectable by switch from: 
  • 1. Dual BBC PPM + standard VU 
  • 2. BBC PPM 
  • 3. EBU PPM 
  • 4. Nordic PPM 
  • 5. AES/EBU digital PPM 
  • 6. DIN PPM 
  • 7. Standard VU 
  • 8. Extended VU
• Ballistics: According to selected characteristic
• Line-Up Level: According to selected characteristic 

Phase Metering

Type: 5-segment, indication at 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 degrees

Remote Control

• USB: Slave device, 19200 baud
• Serial: RS232, 19200 baud, 3-wire connection
• Alarm Outputs:
  
  • 1. Audio underlevel/fail (latching) 
  • 2. Audio overlevel (latching) 
  • 3. Sustained phase error (latching) 
  • 4. AES/EBU input unlock (non-latching) 
  • Open-collector outputs rated at 30V, 
  • 50mA maximum 
  • Output low/conducting in normal condition (no alarm)
• Control Inputs:
  
  • 1. Mute audio 
  • 2. Dim audio 
  • 3. Alarm reset 
  • Pull-to-ground to activate inputs 

Status Indicators

• LIMIT: Indicates loudspeaker protection limiter is active.
• CLIP: Indicates internal digital clipping due to overlevel.
• LOCK: Indicates lock achieved on selected digital input(s).
• OPT: For future use.

Connectors

• Audio Inputs: 8 x XLR 3-pin female (balanced, may be unbalanced)
• Audio Outputs: 2 x XLR 3-pin male (balanced, may be unbalanced)
• Headphones: 1/4” (6.35mm) A-gauge 3-pole stereo jack socket
• USB: Type B socket
• Serial: D-sub 9-pin female
• Remote I/O: D-sub 15-pin male
• Mains Input: Filtered 3-pin IEC male, continuously rated 85 - 264VAC, 47 - 63Hz, fused, 60W peak, 30W average
• Fuse Rating: Anti-surge fuse 2A 20 x 5mm 

Equipment Type

• RM-2S4: Reference Monitor, 2 LED meters, 4 stereo channel inputs 

Physical Specification

• Dimensions (Raw):
  
  • 48cm (W) x 30.5cm (D) x 4.4cm (H) (1U) 
  • 19” (W) x 12” (D) x 1.73” (H) (1U)
• Dimensions (Boxed):
  
  • 57cm (W) x 52cm (D) x15cm (H) 
  • 22.4” (W) x 20.5” (D) x 5.9” (H)
• Weight:
  
  • Nett: 4.5kg Gross: 6kg 
  • Nett: 10lb  Gross: 13.2lb