PD002

Product Data
ZIRCON

Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

Description
The Zircon is a loudspeaker-microphone probe for measuring in situ absorption and reflection
properties of surfaces. These may be indoor surfaces, such as in concert halls and gyms, or outdoor
surfaces, such as road surfaces (ISO 13472-1, ref [1]), sound barriers installed in a free field (NF S 31-
089, ref [2]) and traffic noise reducing devices (EN 1793-5, ref [3]).
Using the wall measurement stand, the Zircon can be rotated horizontally and vertically, indicating
(and optionally snapping to) each 10° angle. Using the floor measurement stand, the Zircon can be
rotated vertically over 360°. The Zircon is easy to dismantle and transport in its flight cases.

Features
Optimal ergonomic design
Wall measurement stand 10° angle indication in 2 dimensions (optional snap function)
Floor measurement stand enables vertical rotation over 360°
Tethered constructions ensure high stability and acoustical transparency
Ergonomically placed grips for easy handling
High performance miniature microphone
Includes protective flight cases
Included cables with connectors and lengths of your choice
Easy to dismantle and transport

Applications
; Measurement of the Sound Power Reflection Factor QW of road surfaces, using the F-stand.

Figure 1. Floor sound absorption and reflection measurement setup.

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

; Measurement of the Reflection Index RI or Sound Insulation Index SI of road traffic noise
reducing devices,using the W-stand.
; Measurement of the sound absorption properties of indoor surfaces of large rooms, such as
gyms,using the W-stand.

Figure 2. Wall sound absorption and reflection measurement setup.

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

Figure 3. Connection to an analyser (not included).

The Zircon has to be connected to an analyser, for instance the impulse response measurement
program DIRAC by Acoustics Engineering, running on a notebook PC. The analyser has to generate a
stimulus, such as an MLS or sweep signal. The received response is a summation of the direct sound
from the loudspeaker (incident sound on the surface under test), the sound reflected by the surface
under test and unwanted reflections via objects in the neighbourhood. From this response, the
analyser has to calculate the overall impulse response by deconvolution (see figure 4).
Starting the impulse excitation at t = 0 s, the first sound, coming directly from the loudspeaker, arrives
at t = (ds-dm)/c, where ds–dm is the source-microphone distance and c is the sound velocity in air.
The second instance of the impulse response represents the sound reflected by the surface under
test, 2dm/c seconds later, where dm is the distance between microphone and surface under test.
Finally, dp/c seconds from the start, the first parasitic reflection arrives at the microphone position,
where dp is the distance the wave reflected by the closest object other than the surface under test has
to travel from loudspeaker to microphone.
Through time-windows, drawn in red in figure 4, the direct and surface-reflected components can be
separated from the overall impulse response. Taking into account that for a spherical wave the
amplitude is inversely proportional to the distance, the sound reflection and absorption properties of
the surface under test can be derived from these components.
The lowest significant frequency depends on the length of the time windows. The direct sound time
window is right-limited by the start of the surface-reflected sound it has to eliminate, while the surface
reflection time window is left-limited by the direct sound tail, and right-limited by the first arriving
parasitic reflection it has to eliminate. Both windows can be extended by using the subtraction
technique described below [ref 4].

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

c = sound velocity in air [m/s]

0 t

direct sound sound reflected by parasitic

from source surface under test reflections
from other
(ds-dm)/c 2dm/c objects
dp/c

Figure 4. Typical overall impulse response from Zircon sound reflection and absorption measurement.

With the subtraction technique, first a free-field measurement is performed by pointing the microphone
into a direction with minimum reflections, for instance outdoors into the sky, away from the surface
under test. The free-field measurement allows the use of a longer (right extended) direct sound time
window, accurately providing the impulse response of the Zircon itself, which represents the direct
sound component in figure 4. By subtracting the free-field impulse response from the overall impulse
response of figure 4, the direct sound component is removed. Now the surface reflection could arrive
earlier (by placing the microphone closer to the surface), and the surface reflection time window can
be made longer (left-extended). This longer window extends the usable frequency range. Another
advantage of a decreased microphone-surface distance is an increased surface-reflected signal to
noise ratio.

Components
The Zircon Probe comprises the LS14 loudspeaker unit, the CA12 loudspeaker cable assembly, the
DPA 4060-B microphone, the MM14 microphone mast, the CA14 microphone cable assembly and the
FC14 flight case.
The Zircon W-stand, for wall measurements, comprises the WS14 stand with horizontal swivel, the
VS14 vertical swivel fork and the FC15 flight case.
The Zircon F-stand, for floor measurements, comprises 2 SW12 stand wheel units, the FS14 stand,
and the FC16, FC17 and FC18 flight cases.
When ordering the Zircon Probe, denote the type of loudspeaker and micophone cable assemblies.
For ordering information on a Zircon W-stand with snap function, or a separate component, please
contact Acoustics Engineering,

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

Zircon Probe

LS14 loudspeaker unit with a Speakon FC14 flight case for the Zircon Probe and
connector for the loudspeaker and a 3-pole its accessories.
male XLR connector for the microphone.
Provides vertical swivel function if used with
the VS14 vertical swivel fork.

CA12-xxYYY loudspeaker cable assembly with a Speakon connector for connection to

the Zircon loudspeaker. Length and plug at the other side on demand, using the following
code in the order number. The default length (omitting xxYYY) is 10 m and the default plug
is a 2-pole Speakon connector.

xx = length in meters YYY = type of plug

YYY = SPK (default 2-p)

Speakon connector

YYY = XLR (default 4-p)

male XLR connector

YYY = JCK 6.3 mm

jack plug

YYY = BAN two 4 mm

banana plugs

YYY = OPN open ended,

no terminator

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

Zircon Probe (continued)

DPA 4060-B prepolarized omnidirectional

miniature condenser microphone from DPA,
with microdot connector.

MM14 microphone mast, to fixate the microphone position with respect to the
loudspeaker. Consists of 6 separable pieces and 3 microphone wire clips. Distance
between loudspeaker and microphone 1.00 m (without microphone insert) or 1.25 m (with
microphone insert).

mast
support
upper piece microphone
lower piece middle piece microphone
(with tethers) insert
holder

wire clips

CA14xxYYY microphone cable assembly with 3-pole XLR connector for connection to
the Zircon microphone. Length and plug at the other side on demand, using the following
code in the order number. The default length (omitting xxYYY) is 10 m and the default plug
is a 3-pole XLR connector.

xx = length in meters YYY = type of plug

YYY = XLR 3-p male

XLR connector, balanced

YYY = JK3 3.5 mm

jack plug, unbalanced

YYY = JCK 6.3 mm

jack plug, unbalanced

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

Zircon W-stand (for wall measurements)

WS14 stand. Enables the source height to be adjusted between 1.5 and 2.2 m. Pin-
lockable at 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 m. Separate tension wires and carabine hooks provide a
stiff construction for the height of 2 m.

horizontal swivel, with 10º

angle indication, optional
snap function, and on top
2 M6 mounting holes at
45 mm distance

tension wires

VS14 vertical swivel fork. Provides a vertical

swivel function with 10º angle indication, if
combined with the Zircon Probe. Optional snap
function. With 2 knurled M6 screws at 45 mm
distance, for mounting on the WS14 stand. A
counterweight (top right) is used to balance the
microphone insert, while a horizontal fixation
cord (bottom right) serves as a counterweight
in absence of the microphone mast.

FC15
flight case.

Alterations reserved

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

Zircon F-stand (for floor measurements)

FS14 2 tripods with a light-weight tethered bridge, thereby minimizing parasitic sound
diffraction and enabling accurate low absorption measurements. Provides a nominal source
height of 1.25 m, when placed on two SW12 wheel units. This height can be adjusted.
The Zircon is kept in place by a clamp table and forms an integrated part of the
construction.

FC16 flight case

for tubes.

FC17 flight case

for 2 tripods, clamp
table and tension
wires.

FC18 flight case

for 2 SW12 stand
wheel units.

Alterations reserved

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

Characteristics
The Zircon is compliant with the ISO 13472-1 [ref 1], the NF S 31-089 [ref 2] and the CEN/TS 1793-5
[ref 3] standards. Figure 5 shows the free-field impulse response.

100%

50%

0%

-50%

-100%
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
t [ms]

Figure 5. Zircon impulse response, measured with microphone mast

attached and source-microphone distance of 1.00 m.

Zircon Probe
Parameter Condition Min Typ Max Unit
LS14 loudspeaker unit
Operating frequency range Third octave frequency bands 50 10000 Hz
Nominal impedance 8 L
Continuous 50 W
Power handling
Peak 80 W
At 1 m distance in front,
Sound Pressure Level 104 dB
at 50 W applied power
Microphone power supply PP3 battery 9 V
Power supply operation time Starting from full battery 140 h
Microphone input Microdot
Connectors Microphone output 3-pole XLR
Loudspeaker input Speakon
Weight 9.5 kg
DPA 4060-B microphone
Diameter Prepolarized condenser element 5.4 mm
Operating frequency range -3 dB 20 20000 Hz
Sensitivity At 1 kHz 14 20 28 mV/Pa
Equivalent noise level CCIR 468-1 35 38 dB

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

Zircon Probe (continued)

Parameter Condition Min Typ Max Unit
MM14 microphone mast
Without microphone insert 1.00 m
Source-microphone distance
With microphone insert 1.25 m
Weight Including microphone insert 0.9 kg
FC14 flight case
Dimensions 45 x 45 x 45 cm
Weight Filled 20 kg
Alterations reserved

Zircon W-stand (for wall measurements)

Parameter Note Min Typ Max Unit
WS14 stand
10º angle indication
Horizontal angle of rotation unlimited deg
Optional snap function
Rotational centre
Provided Zircon height Lockable at 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2 m 1.5 2.2 m
Tensable at 2 m
Weight Without snap function 4.5 kg
VS14 vertical swivel
LS14 loudspeaker unit
Vertical angle of rotation 10º angle indication 40 90 320 deg
Optional snap function
Mounting screw distance 2 knurled M6 screws 45 mm
Bottom plate width 40 mm
Weight Without snap function 2.5 kg
FC15 flight case
Dimensions 123 x 35 x 17 cm
Weight Filled 16.5 kg
Alterations reserved

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Zircon Loudspeaker-Microphone Probe

Zircon F-stand (for floor measurements)

Parameter Condition Min Typ Max Unit
SW12 stand wheel units
Provided additional stand
13 cm
height
Dimensions Each unit, folded, L x W x H 69 x 35 x 20 cm
Weight Each unit 8.5 kg
FS14 stand
Provided source height Including SW12 units 1.25 m
Flight cases
FC16 (tubes) 110 x 17 x 14
Dimensions L x W x H FC17 (tripods, table, wires) 123 x 37 x 22 cm
FC18 (stand wheel units) 73 x 39 x 39
FC16, filled 12.5
Weight FC17, filled 20.5 kg
FC18, filled 30
Alterations reserved

References

[ref 1] ISO 13472-1:2002 Acoustics – Measurement of sound absorption properties of road surfaces in situ –
Part 1: Extended surface method.
[ref 2] NF S 31-089 Acoustique – Code d’essai pour la détermination de caracteréstiques intrinsèques des
écrans installés in situ.
[ref 3] CEN/TS 1793-5:2003 Road traffic noise reducing devices – Test method for determining the acoustic
performance – Part 5: Intrinsic characteristics – In situ values of sound reflection and airborne sound
insulation.
[ref 4] Mommertz E., Angle-dependent in-situ measurements of reflection coefficients using a subtraction
technique. Applied Acoustics, 46, 1995, pp. 251-263
[ref 5] Adrienne Research Team, Test methods for the acoustic performance of road traffic noise reducing
devices – Final report - European Commission – DGXII – SMT Project MAT1-CT94049, 1998

Copyright 2003-2006 Acoustics Engineering January 2006 13

Acoustics Engineering develops systems for the prediction and measurement of
acoustical parameters, resulting in user-friendly tools that enable you to perform fast and
accurate acoustical measurements and calculations.

For information on our products, please contact

Acoustics Engineering Email: info@acoustics-engineering.com

Phone/Fax: +31 485 520996

Mail: Acoustics Engineering

Groenling 43-45
5831 MZ Boxmeer
The Netherlands

Website: www.acoustics-engineering.com

Copyright © Acoustics Engineering 2006

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