InSpire audio connections
inSpire Audio™ systems provide the most realistic church bell ringing available. This page contains instructions for installing these systems as well as illustrated downloads and links to each system's specifications. The digital amplifiers supplied with inSpire audio systems are custom tuned for the supplied speakers. All amplifier settings are pre-programmed to simplify the installation of this sophisticated bell ringing system.
Common instructions
- Do not connect power to system until all connections are completed.
- Start with the speakers and hookup amplifier and carillon last.
- Never combine primary power and audio wiring in the same conduit or junction box.
- Always use stranded wire for audio.
- Place a junction box at both the amplifier and speaker locations so 14 AWG cable pigtails can be used to make connections.
What size wire should I use?
Size matters when it comes to low impedance speaker wiring. As the distance increases, consider the insertion loss for a given wire size and then increase the wire size (smaller AWG numbers) accordingly. Pro audio system designers generally look for a loss less than 0.2 dB but that may not be realistic for your situation.
This table is provided to help you understand what kinds of losses occur with different size wire. A 3 deciBel loss is one fourth of your amplifier power, that is, for 100 Watts output, only 75 Watts will get to the speaker. Lost power is dissipated over the length of the wire as heat.
| Loss for 4-Ohm Load (-dB) | Distance (feet) 14 AWG | Distance (feet) 12 AWG | Distance (feet) 10 AWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 (1/4 Power!) | 300 | 450 | 750 |
| 1 | 100 | 150 | 250 |
| 0.5 | 50 | 75 | 125 |
If the amplifier is capable and programmed to output to a 70 Volt line, 14 AWG wire can be used. Keep in mind that speakers designed for 70 Volt lines have built-in transformers with their own insertion losses.
inSpire AX audio systems
DSP amplifier outputs
- Long throw horn outputs
- Each audio package includes a digital amplifier with DSP tuned to drive long-throw mid-high frequency horns. This is important because the realism available on the full range outputs of AX Virtual Bell Instruments may overload ordinary horn drivers.
- Full-range speaker outputs
- Audio packages that support full-range outputs are tuned to work either by themselves (inSpire Performance) or together with the long throw horns. The combination of equalization and level balancing provides not only speaker protection, but an authentic balanced carillon sound.
- Subwoofer speaker outputs
- The high-end audio packages feature a tower subwoofer output that provides hum tones of large bells.
- Packages without a subwoofer can be configured to drive two inside monitoring speakers for stereo monitoring.
System specification and hookup pages
- inSpire Outreach AX
- Specification
- Hookup (same instructions as Ascent)
- inSpire Ascent AX
- Specification
- Hookup
- inSpire Performance AX
- Specification
- Hookup
- inSpire Professional AX
- Specification
- Hookup
- inSpire Ultimate AX
- Specification
- Hookup
inSpire Millennium audio systems
inSpire Ascent
This package includes a digital amplifier with DSP tuned to drive four long-throw mid-range frequency horns and a single 12-inch, two way full range horn.
- Three pairs of wires to the tower and optional Chime Master factory installation can provide optional directional level control for the long-throw speakers.
Millennium Carillon connections
- Use the supplied amplifier control cable to connect the Amplifier Control jack on the carillon to Input 1 and GPI. This supplies both tower audio and power/standby control to the amplifier.
- Connect the carillon to AC power.
- Connect the amplifier to AC power.
- The carillon has been shipped with the scheduled outside volume set to Level 4. It can be adjusted for different times of the week from level 1 to 8.
Millennium optional inside speaker
- Use the supplied 1/4 inch to green Euro connector to connect the Line Output Inside jack on the carillon to Input 4 on the amplifier.
- Connect the lead from the inside speaker to the amplifier's Output D terminals. The volume level is set using the cursor up/down buttons on the front panel, or the iOS/Android Church Bell Remote App's monitor volume buttons.