1 Vive Fundamentals Christie University
Objectives
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
Articulate current in-market solutions
Define Vive Audio
Describe the technology behind Vive.
Currently in Market The vast majority of current in-market cinema audio solutions rely on a distributed
system using speakers with horn loaded compression driver technology.
Compression Driver
Compression drivers were first introduced in 1928.
The signal is produced by alternating current
in a diaphragm.
The Diaphragm is larger than the horn throat -
audio signal is compressed, and then
expanded through the horn.
Limitations of compression drivers include:
Higher Distortion
Less Dynamic Range
Uneven dispersion.
Compression driver and horn dispersion pattern is
spherical - bouncing sound off the ceiling and walls.
This means reduced clarity, reduced listening "sweet
spot" in the auditorium to the center, excluding the
sides and far back as well as reduced volume
towards the rear of the auditorium.
Vive Fundamentals
2 Vive Fundamentals Christie University
As an example, ~90dB is equivalent to hearing a
motorcycle at 25 feet, whereas ~82dB is the
equivalent to a garbage disposal - in other words,
90dB is nearly twice as loud as 80dB.
Note, Vive speakers have no horn, therefore are not
compromised by the limitations of compression
drivers.
Point Source vs. Line Source
Point source compression driver vs. a line source driver
Current in-market solutions utilize a Point Source driver throughout the system. The point
source is spherical propagation while the line source, which is used in Vive, is cylindrical
propagation. Note that the Vive LS3S surround speaker utilizes a blend of Point Source
with Ribbon Driver technology. The Ribbon driver improves the timbre matching, i.e. the
tonal characteristics, between the surrounds and screen channels.
Point Source drops off or dissipates at approximately 6dB per doubling of distance. Click
the illustration of the point source
to reveal an example of a theatre
auditorium. Here we see when
the system is calibrated to
85dB at the reference seat.
Note that the reference seat is
2/3 back from the screen. If you
are sitting in the front row the
sound is at approximately 90dB.
However in the back row, the
sound is at approximately 82dB.
That's a significant delta of 8dB.
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Line Source drops off or
dissipates at approximately 3dB
per doubling of distance.
Click the illustration of the
line source to reveal an
example of a theatre
auditorium. Here we see when
the system is calibrated to 85dB
at the reference seat, the sound
at the front of the auditorium is
at about 86.5dB and the back is
approximately 83dB. That's a
difference of 3.5dB.
This is significant for two reasons. Number one, every three dB is twice the differential.
Also the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers or SEMPTE Specification
notes that you should not have a differential greater than 6dB from front to back.
What is Vive? Christie Vive Audio is a complete audio solution capable of bringing
immersive cinema sound to any auditorium; including, small, medium,
large/ Atmos theatres.
Vive's full speaker lineup includes: Screen Channel Speakers (Line Arrays),
Subwoofers and Surround Speakers.
Complemented by the Christie IMB & SKA-3D audio/ video processor, Vive's
amplifiers and speakers can be integrated into any existing or new cinema
auditorium.
Vive meets the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE)
requirements for screen speakers. These requirements include: Cover the
entire auditorium, Produce the most sound and High volume levels across
the full audio spectrum with full fidelity. Vive also meets DCI audio
standards, which include: 20 or 24 bits per sample, 48 kHz or 96 kHz sample
rate. Up to 16 full bandwidth channels, WAV container, uncompressed PCM
audio, all speakers calibrated to 85dB with pink noise.
Vive supports any leading Cinema Audio format including: Dolby Atmos,
5.1/ 7.1 and Auro 11.1.
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Vive delivers exceptional timbre-matching, enhanced voice intelligibility and low
distortion, with the speakers’ unique parabolic line-array design increasing the optimal
listening area up to four times that of the standard point-source systems.
Vive Features
The top features of Vive:
Line array configurations
The number of drivers in the line array will dictate coverage
Ribbon Driver technology
Vive speakers employ Ribbon Driver Technology. Ribbon Drivers tech allows for a
wider dispersion pattern. For example, the LA1 Line Array has a 120º horizontal
dispersion and 30º vertical dispersion.
Uniformity of coverage with 4x the optimal listening area
Ribbon Driver line arrays produce more focused linear sound.
Timbre matching among speakers
All speakers are tuned the same. This means that they are tonally similar and can
be used in any configuration.
Fatigue-free sound
Because the dynamic range is so good with the Vive speakers, you can hit over
100dB and it won’t hurt your ears.
Ribbon Driver Technology
Ribbon Driver
Ribbon Drivers are direct radiators and do not require a horn to produce sound.
A Ribbon Driver speaker consists of a thin metal-film ribbon suspended in a magnetic
field. The electrical signal is applied to the ribbon, which moves with it to create the
sound. The advantage of a ribbon driver is that the ribbon has very little mass thus; it
can accelerate very quickly, yielding very good high-frequency response.
They are capable of producing very wide horizontal dispersion and highly focused
vertical dispersion with very consistent sound pressure levels (SPL) through the listening
area.
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It is made up of a tough ultra-low mass
ribbon membrane sandwiched
between six powerful neodymium
magnets.
Alternating current from amplifier flows
through conductors built into the
ribbon membrane, creating a varying
electromotive force.
Ribbon membrane is pushed and
pulled by magnetic forces on either
side, causing it to vibrate.
Compared to Compression Driver Speakers, Ribbon Driver Line Arrays offer greater:
Directivity: Tightly controlled vertical dispersion to put sound where it is needed
Coverage: Consistent volume levels from front row to back row of the venue
Phase Coherence: Improves multichannel imaging, reduced screen attenuation
Output: Higher SPL in listening area are possible with a line array than from a traditional
point source speaker, using the same drivers.
Fatigue-free sound: the low-distortion sound and low-power requirements that are
produced by ribbon driver speaker systems result in a fatigue-free sound that enhances
listener experience.
Ribbon Driver Dispersion Pattern
Sound produced by a point source compression
driver results in a spherical propagation pattern,
which spreads equally in all directions. This requires
the use of a horn to provide directivity control.
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In contrast, sound produced by a Ribbon
Driver line source results in a cylindrical
propagation pattern. This has wide
horizontal dispersion and controlled
vertical dispersion. Sound Pressure Level
(SPL) produced by a line source system
decays at half the rate of a point source
system; 3dB per doubling of distance vs.
6dB per doubling of distance. This results
in more uniform SPL throughout the
listening area.
Line Array Technology
A line array configuration can provide a highly focused
cylindrical dispersion pattern over a large area. Line
arrays have become a standard in professional audio.
A ribbon driver diaphragm features a low mass, flexible
membrane with a voice coil printed or mounted to it.
The voice coil is flat (on a plane) and interacts with the
magnetic field created by magnets placed on either
side of the planar diaphragm. Ribbon driver
loudspeakers offer several performance advantages
compared to compression driver/horn.
Minimal power compression - Ribbon drivers have
lower power compression compared with cone-type
and compression drivers, where the voice coil is in a
constrained space with limited air flow. The structure is
open on a ribbon driver diaphragm and though air is
not a good conductor of heat, the increased open
surface area for the conductors, compared to
compression drivers and cone-type drivers, offers
improved heat transfer from the diaphragm to the
surrounding environment, so operating temperatures
can be lower for a given sound level.
Lower distortion - Unlike compression drivers, ribbon drivers do not suffer from high
frequency breakup, in part due to the lower mass of the diaphragm -typically about
1/30 the mass of a compression driver. Since the voice coil is in contact with the planar
diaphragm, the driving force covers a large percentage of the flat diaphragm surface,
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which further reduces distortion due to diaphragm breakup and other issues found in
compression driver domes, where the voice coil is at the perimeter of the diaphragm.
Faster transient response - Since a ribbon driver diaphragm has less mass than a
compression driver, the overall rate of acceleration/deceleration of the ribbon driver
diaphragm can be faster, due to lower momentum, leading to better transient
response. This is ideal for digital cinema content with a high crest factor.
Higher dynamic range - The faster transient response that a ribbon driver offers due to
the direct-drive low-mass design increases the available dynamic range by
approximately 10 to 12dB when compared to compression drivers where the
momentum of the diaphragm must be overcome to accelerate the diaphragm and
then overcome again to change direction.
Extended high frequency response - Ribbon drivers offer an extended high frequency
response compared to compression drivers. This is due to the direct drive of the flat
voice coil attached directly to the planar diaphragm, compared to the losses found in
compression drivers as the voice coil vibrations need to first travel up the voice coil
bobbin, through the joint between the bobbin and the diaphragm, and the
interference of the sound as it transits into and then back through the diaphragm.
In this diagram we see the notable increase to the coverage of the sweet spot listening
area with Vive's Ribbon Driver line array speakers. Vive speakers are calibrated to
provide even coverage throughout the auditorium.
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Advantages
Ribbon Driver Technology
provides several
advantages over traditional
point-source, compression
driver audio systems:
Cylindrical propagation
provides increased sound
coverage and significantly
larger optimal listening
area.
Consistent SPL coverage.
Decreased SPL drop-off
over distance.
Vive Speakers The Vive line of speakers, when paired together can create screen
channel speakers, corner surrounds and surround channels.
Line Array Speakers
LA1
The LA1 line array speaker is a coaxial articulated ribbon driver line
array in a single sealed enclosure.
Driver components include 9 3.5" ribbon drivers with
Neodynium magnets.
Frequency response at 80-20kHz @ -6dB points
Maximum SPL or Sound Pressure Level at 123dB
continuous and 135dB peak.
Rated impedance 8ohms.
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LA1 line arrays can be paired with S115 subwoofers to create a screen channel. This is
ideal for auditoriums of 50-150 seats. Note that you'll need three screen channels per
auditorium, left, center and right channels - and five if the screen is wider than 40 feet.
LA3
Just as the LA1, the LA3 line array speaker is a coaxial articulated ribbon
driver line array in a single sealed enclosure.
Driver components include 18 3.5" ribbon drivers with Neodynmium
magnets.
Frequency response at 80-20kHz @ -6dB points.
Maximum SPL or Sound Pressure Level at 126dB continuous and 137dB
peak.
Rated impedance 4 ohms.
LA3 line arrays can be paired with
S215 subwoofers to create a
screen channel. This is ideal for
auditoriums of 250-350 seats. Note
that you'll need three screen
channels per auditorium, left,
center and right channels - and five
if the screen is wider than 40 feet.
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LA4
The LA4 line array speaker is a coaxial articulated ribbon driver line array in
a single sealed enclosure.
Driver components include 8 6" ribbon drivers with Neodynmium magnets.
Frequency response at 70-20kHz @ -6dB points.
Maximum SPL or Sound Pressure Level at 130dB
continuous and 141dB peak.
Rated impedance 4 ohms.
The LA4 is ideal for auditoriums of 350 - 450 seats.
The LA4 can be combined with the S215 subwoofer to create a
3-way, bi-amplified, full range speaker/ sub system.
LA5
The LA5 line array speaker is a coaxial articulated ribbon driver line array
in a single sealed enclosure.
Driver components include 12 6" ribbon drivers with Neodynmium
magnets.
Frequency response at 70-20kHz @ -6dB points.
Maximum SPL or Sound Pressure Level at 135dB continuous and 146dB
peak.
Rated impedance for Mid-frequency is 4 ohms and 2.7 ohms for high
frequency.
The LA5 is ideal for auditoriums of 500+
seats.
The LA5 can be combined with two S215
subwoofer to create a 3-way, tri-amplified, full range
speaker/ sub system.
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Subwoofers
S115
The S115 Subwoofer is a 1x15" low frequency driver.
Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL) is 125dB continuous and 134dB peak.
Extended low frequency response with bandwidth
of 27-300Hz @ -10db.
Crossed braced cabinet tuned to 27Hz.
LA1 line arrays can be paired with S115 subwoofers
to create a screen channel.
S118
The S118 Subwoofer is a 1x18" low frequency driver.
Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL) is 127dB continuous
and 136dB peak.
Extended low frequency response with bandwidth of 20-
250Hz @ -10db.
Crossed braced cabinet tuned to 23Hz.
S215
The S215 Subwoofer is a 2x15" low frequency driver.
Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL) is 131dB continuous and 140dB peak.
Extended low frequency response with bandwidth of 27-300Hz @ -
10db.
Crossed braced cabinet tuned to 27Hz.
LA3 line arrays can be paired with S215 subwoofers to create a
screen channel.
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S218
The S218 Subwoofer is a 2x18" low frequency driver.
Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL) is 133dB continuous and 142dB peak.
Extended low frequency response with bandwidth
of 20-250Hz @ -10db.
Crossed braced cabinet tuned to 23Hz.
The S218 subwoofer is designed for Low Frequency
Effects channels and can be combined with the
CDA7.5 amplifier.
Surround Speakers
LS3S
The LS3S utilizes one 3.5"ribbon driver with Neodymium magnets, one 6.5" mid-bass driver
and one 6.5" bass-driver with a 2.way linear phase internal crossover @2.5kHz.
Maximum SPL is 109dB continuous and 121dB Peak.
Wide 120 degrees horizontal dispersion and 60 degree vertical
dispersion patterns.
Provides optimal coverage for auditoriums of 250-350 seats.
A rated impedance of 4 ohms.
The LS3S when combined with a subwoofer for bass management,
creates a 3-way. bi-amplified full range speaker/sub system. As
mentioned earlier, an auditorium analysis will determine the quantity of speakers
required. As a rule of thumb, the LS3S Line Source Surround speakers should be placed
8ft apart.
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LA3S
The LA3S utilizes six 3.5"ribbon driver with Neodymium magnets, four 5.25" paper/ Kevlar
composite drivers with a 2-way linear phase internal crossover @1.5kHz.
Maximum SPL is 117dB continuous and 129dB Peak.
Wide 120 degrees horizontal dispersion and 60 degree vertical dispersion patterns.
Provides optimal coverage for auditoriums of 250-350 seats.
A rated impedance of 8 ohms.
The LA3S surround speakers feature dramatically higher RMS to
peak max SPL ratio than traditional, compression driver systems.
This means that powerful, sudden bursts of sounds, such as
explosions, pop through quickly and flawlessly, without the lag
that can detract from the purity of the experience.
The LA3S are designed for Atmos/ Auro installation and can be
integrated in a variety of locations, including, wall, corner or
ceiling.
LA3C
The LA3C utilizes 12 3.5"ribbon driver with Kapton diaphragm and
Neodymium magnets, eight 5.25" paper/ Kevlar composite drivers with a
2-way linear phase internal crossover @1.5kHz.
Maximum SPL is 120dB continuous and 132dB Peak.
Wide 120 degrees horizontal dispersion and 120 degree vertical
dispersion patterns.
Provides optimal coverage for auditoriums of 250-350 seats.
A rated impedance of 4 ohms.
As with the LA3S surround speakers, the LA3C speakers also feature
dramatically higher RMS to peak max SPL ratio than traditional,
compression driver systems.
Designed for Atmos. Auro installations for overhead/ ceiling installations.
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LA4S
The LA4S utilizes four 6"ribbon drivers plus four 6.5" paper/ Kevlar mid-
bass drivers.
Maximum SPL is 128dB continuous and 139dB Peak.
Wide 120 degrees horizontal dispersion and 60 degree vertical
dispersion patterns.
Provides optimal coverage for auditoriums of 350-450 seats.
A rated impedance of 3 ohms.
LA4C
The LA4C utilizes eight 6"ribbon drivers plus eight 6.5" paper/ Kevlar composite
mid-bass drivers.
Maximum SPL is 128dB continuous and 139dB Peak.
Wide 120 degrees horizontal dispersion and 100 degree vertical dispersion
patterns.
Provides optimal coverage for auditoriums of 350-450 seats.
A Rated impedance of 4 ohms.
LA5S
The LA5S utilizes six 6"ribbon drivers and six 6.5" paper/ Kevlar composite mid-
bass drivers.
Maximum SPL is 128dB continuous and 139dB Peak.
Wide 120 degrees horizontal dispersion and 60 degree vertical dispersion
patterns.
Provides optimal coverage for auditoriums of 500+ seats.
A Rated impedance of 4 ohms.
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LA5C
The LA5C utilizes twelve 6"ribbon drivers plus twelve 6.5" paper/ Kevlar
composite mid-bass drivers.
Maximum SPL is 128dB continuous and 139dB Peak.
Wide 120 degrees horizontal dispersion and 120 degree vertical dispersion
patterns.
Provides optimal coverage for auditoriums of 500+ seats.
A rated impedance of 4 ohms.
Vive Amplifiers
Christie Vive Audio Amplifiers
Represents
the latest
technology,
utilizing an
advanced
high-speed
Class D architecture.
Fast transient response even with low impedance loads.
Automatic Clip Limiting (ACL) circuitry which provides trouble-free operation into
loads as low as 2 ohms.
Use Neutrik Speakon high current locking output connectors.
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What do the different classes of amplifiers mean?
Different Classes of Amplifiers
Class A amplifiers have current constantly flowing
through the output transistors even if there is no
incoming audio signal, so the output transistors are
always on. This type of amplifier has the lowest
distortion of any but it’s extremely wasteful and
inefficient, dissipating 80% of its power in heat with
an efficiency of only 20%.
Class B amplifiers use output transistors that switch on and off, with one device
amplifying the positive portion of the waveform, the other device the negative part. If
there is no incoming audio signal, then no current flows through the output transistors.
Consequently, Class B amplifiers are much
more efficient (about 50% to 70%) than
Class A, however there may be non-linear
distortions that occur when one set of
transistors switch off and the other set
switches on.
Class A/B amplifiers combine the virtues of Class A and Class B designs by having one
output device stay on a bit longer, while the other device takes over amplifying the
other half of the audio waveform. In other words, there is a small current on at all times
in the crossover portion of each output device, which eliminates the potential switching
distortion of a pure Class B design. Efficiency of a Class A/B amp is still about 50%.
17 Vive Fundamentals Christie University
Class D amplifiers, although there are a number of different design variations, are
essentially switching amplifiers or Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) designs. The incoming
analog audio signal is used to modulate a very high frequency PWM carrier that works
the output stage either fully on or off. This ultra-high frequency carrier must be removed
from the audio output with a reconstruction filter so that no ultra-high frequency
switching components remain to corrupt the audio signals. As previously mentioned,
Class D designs are extremely efficient, typically in the range of 85% to 90% or more
when compared to Class A amplifiers.
Vive Family of Amplifiers
Christie CDA professional amplifiers offer a range of power options to meet a variety of
uses:
2000W, 3000W, 5000W and 7500W.
An auditorium analysis will determine required quantity of amplifiers and speakers.
Note, THD or Total Harmonic Distortion is used to characterize the linearity of audio
systems and the power quality of electric power systems. In audio systems, lower THD
means the components in a loudspeaker, amplifier or microphone or other equipment
produce a more accurate reproduction by reducing harmonics added by electronics
and audio media.
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CDA2
The CDA2 amplifier has a minimum load impedance of 2 ohms, 540W per
channel at 4 ohms @<0.1% THD.
o Sample configurations include Two LS3S line source surround speakers
paired with a CDA2 amplifier.
CDA3
The CDA3 amplifier has a minimum load impedance of 2 ohms, 870W per
channel at 4 ohms @<0.1% THD.
o Sample configurations include one LA1 Line array paired with one S115
subwoofer and a CDA3 amplifier, OR for Atmos or Auro systems, two LA3S
surround speakers paired with one CDA3 amplifier.
CDA5
The CDA5 amplifier has a minimum load impedance of 2 ohms, 1500W per
channel at 4 ohms @<0.1% THD.
o Sample configurations include one LA5 Line array paired with two S215
subwoofers and two CDA5 amplifiers, or one LA3 line array paired with
one S215 subwoofer and a single CDA5 amplifier.
CDA7.5
The CDA7.5 amplifier has a minimum load impedance of 2 ohms, 2030W per
channel at 4 ohms @<0.1% THD.
o Sample configurations include a CDA7.5 amplifier paired with a S118, S218
or S2115 subwoofers.
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Audio/ Video Processing
The Christie SKA-3D
The SKA-3D is a cinema audio processor, video scaler/processor, switcher and
alternative content interface. Alternative content includes advertising, Blu-ray, satellite
receivers etc., to look and sound as a feature presentation.
The SKA-3D can
extract high
definition audio
from HDMI signals.
It has a 31‐band, graphic EQ for each of the main
outputs and a four band, parametric EQ for the LFE output.
The SKA-3D also has five channels of two‐way crossover providing three screen
channels and two surround channels.
Note, a Loudspeaker Management System (an external 3-way Crossover) may be
required in some installations. This is needed as the SKA-3D only has two-way crossovers.
With the screen channels you may need to divide the spectrum into three bands for the
subwoofer, mid-drivers and the ribbon drivers.
Also, the SKA-3D is not compatible with Dolby Atmos or Auro Systems.
This diagram shows you how the SKA-3D fits into the Christie cinema audio chain.
Vive speakers plug into a CDA amplifier, which plugs into the SKA-3D, which plugs into a
Christie IMB equipped cinema projector.
Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this document is accurate and reliable, however in
some cases changes in the specifications may not be reflected in this document. Christie reserves the right to
make changes to specifications at any time without notice.
training.christiedigital.com Vive Fundamentals v1.0 Sept14