Escient SWITCH 16 CHANNEL AUDIO MS616A Leaflet

This installation guide covers this Switch 16 Channel Audio model:

• Europe: EFMS616A/N1B
• UK: EFMS616A/T1B

The following items are included in your Escient Switch 16 Channel Audio

• Escient Matrix Switch 16 Channel Audio (

MS616A)

• IEC power cord

• This manual

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufac-

turer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, 

or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A 

polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type 
plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third 
prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your out-
let, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10.Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, 

convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11.Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12.Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manu-

facturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when 
moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13.Unplug this apparatus during lighting storms or when unused for long periods 

of time.

14.Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when 

the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when a power-supply 
cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the 
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not oper-
ate normally, or has been dropped.

Do not expose the apparatus to dripping or splashing. Do not 

place objects filled with liquids near the apparatus.

N'exposez pas l'appareil à l'égoutture ou à 

l'éclaboussement. Ne placez pas les objets remplis de liquides près de 

l'appareil.

Setzen Sie den Apparat nicht Bratenfett oder dem Spritzen aus. 

Setzen Sie nicht die Gegenstände, die mit Flüssigkeiten nahe dem Apparat 

gefüllt werden.

To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this 

apparatus to rain or moisture.

Pour réduire le risque du feu ou de choc électrique, 

n'exposez pas cet appareil à la pluie ou à l'humidité.

Um das Risiko des Feuers oder des elektrischen Schlages zu 

verringern, setzen Sie diesen Apparat nicht Regen oder Feuchtigkeit aus.

Equipment must be connected to a Mains socket outlet with a 

protective earthing connection.

L'équipement doit être relié à une sortie de douille de 

forces à un raccordement de mise à la terre protecteur.

Ausrüstung muss an einen Hauptleitungseinfaßungsanschluß 

mit einem schützenden Erdunganschluß angeschlossen werden.

Network Requirement: Ethernet or ZigBee 802.15.4 mesh network

The following resources are available:
• Your Escient-authorized reseller

• Escient Web Site: http://www.escient.co.uk

• Switches up to 16 input sources to up to 16 simultaneous output zones.

• Adjustable gain, treble, bass, and balance for each zone

• Audio sensing on inputs

• Device chassis is three standard rack units (RU) tall and rack mountable con-

forming to EIA 19” rack standards (13.3 cm x 44 cm x 35.6 cm)

• Communicates with control devices via Ethernet 10/100 port and ZigBee 

(a wireless standard for mesh-networking).

Backlighting feature turns on with any button push or Select Dial push and stays lit 
for a preset time (default is 30 seconds). 

1. Front Display—For displaying or setting audio switch settings and navigating 

system menus

2. Buttons—For choosing options or menus displayed in the front panel user 

interface

3. Select Dial—For scrolling through and selecting screen elements or options 

displayed in the LCD

1. Power Plug Port—For standard IEC cord (included). Supports universal AC 

input (100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz).

2. Ethernet—RJ-45 for a 10/100 Mb Ethernet connection
3. Audio In (Left-Right pairs) 1-16—RCA jacks for stereo channel input for up 

to 16 stereo analog sources

4. Audio Out (Left-Right pairs) 1-16—RCA jacks for stereo channel line output 

for up to 16 amplifiers

Each of the 16 signal sensing analog audio inputs (the RCA style ports) is labeled 
1-16 for each individual source. 

The system automatically creates generic source names displayed in the front of 
the device. To change these names, you must update your system using 
supported system designing software (such as Composer Pro on a PC). For more 
information, refer to the documentation that shipped with your Escient controller or 
contact your professional installer or reseller.

The best method of initially setting up system routing for the Switch 16 Channel 
Audio is using Composer Pro software on a PC (for trained installers only). You 
can also make adjustments from the front display.
The front display allows you to set or change audio source routing and change 
zone settings for volume, bass, treble, and mute. The display also shows the 
current source and zone activity.

This device operates as part of the Escient home system, which requires physical 
and logical connections to function as designed.
Essential setup tasks include: 
1. Connect Input and Output Devices
2. Connect Input and Output Devices

3. Connect to the Network and Power
4. Set Up Logical Connections
5. Static IP Modifications
This chapter describes, in general terms, how to set up physical connections 
required for the Switch 16 Channel Audio and all associated devices. Refer to any 
device-specific documentation for additional installation instructions.
To set up the logical connections required, refer to Escient Composer Pro User 
Guide software documentation.

1. Connect audio source devices (such as CD changers or players, tuners, 

iPods, or tape players) you want included in the system to the audio in jacks. 

2. Connect amplifiers or amplified speakers as needed to the audio out jacks. 

1. If you are using an Ethernet connection for the Switch 16 Channel Audio, plug 

the data cable from the home network connection into the Switch 16 Channel 
Audio RJ-45 port (labeled Ethernet) and the network port in your wall or at the 
network hub or switch.

2. Connect the power cord provided to the back of the Switch 16 Channel Audio 

and to the power outlet. Once the power cord is connected, the Switch 16 
Channel Audio should power up.

Physical and logical connections are required in order to control, navigate, and 
use the Switch 16 Channel Audio as designed. 
Thus far you have set up the physical connections for the Escient Switch 16 
Channel Audio. To complete the logical setup, trained installers must use a PC 
connected (and with Escient Composer software installed) to the home network. If 
you are a trained Escient installer, refer to the Composer Help file.

To set the network configuration: 
1. At the In to Out Assignments screen, press the Network button.
2. On the Network Configuration screen, choose an Ethernet or ZigBee network 

by rotating and pressing the Select Dial.

IMPORTANT! When making logical connections in Composer, 
identify the device as the network type (Ethernet or Zigbee) that you 
choose on the device network configuration. To avoid unexpected 
behavior, do not identify the device as both network types.
IMPORTANT! En établissant les rapports logiques dans le 
compositeur, identifiez le dispositif comme type de réseau (Ethernet 
ou Zigbee) ce vous choisissent sur la configuration réseau de 
dispositif. Pour éviter le comportement inattendu, n'identifiez pas le 
dispositif en tant que les deux types de réseau.
WICHTIG! Wenn Sie logische Beziehungen im Komponisten 
herstellen, identifizierenen Sie die Vorrichtung als die Netzart 
(Ethernet oder Zigbee) diese Sie wählen auf der 
VorrichtungsNetzwerkkonfiguration. Um unerwartetes Verhalten zu 
vermeiden, identifizierenen Sie die Vorrichtung nicht als beide 
Netzarten.

3. If the switch is set to use a ZigBee network, the EUID, Gateway, and ZigBee 

channel number are displayed. This screen has two menu options:
•

Identify: When identifying the switch in Composer, press this button.

•

Back: Returns to the Network Configuration screen.

4. If the switch is set to use an Ethernet network, the MAC address, method of 

obtaining a network IP address, the device’s IP address, Subnet Mask, and 
Gateway are displayed. 
The Switch 16 Channel Audio, by default, uses DHCP to obtain a network 
IP address. 

If the local area network does not support DHCP, you can configure the 
switch to use a Static IP address instead:

Table 1-1. MS616A Technical Specifications

# of Channels

16 L/R Stereo Pairs

Input Connectors

RCA Jacks

Input Impedance

10 k

Ω typical

Nominal Input Level

-14 dBV

Maximum Input Level

+4 dBV

# of Channels

16 L/R Stereo Pairs

Output Connectors

RCA Jacks

Output Impedance

50 

Ω typical

Nominal Output Level

-14 dBV

Maximum Output Level

+4 dBV

Available Gain

Mute (-75 dB) to -40 to +8 dB

Treble

-12 to +12 dB, 2 dB steps, High Shelving EQ

Bass

-12 to +12 dB, 2 dB steps, Low Shelving EQ

Balance

L / R

Voltage

100-240V~

Frequency

50/60 Hz

Amps

0.12/0.06 Amps

Watts

14.4 Watts

1

2

3

1

2

3

4