AudioSource AC8CD User Manual

AC6CD/AC8CD

6.5”/8” 2-Way Ceiling Speakers

Congratulations on your purchase of the AudioSource
AC Dual Mono Ceiling Speaker System. This product
is designed to reproduce the audio portion of your
home entertainment environment with accuracy and
detail that will satisfy the most discriminating listener.

Please read this Installation Manual to ensure the
proper installation and performance of your AC
Series speakers.

Preparing for your Installation

Gather the necessary tools for your installation.

You will need the following tools:

1) A Keyhole or Drywall Saw

2) A Phillips Screwdriver

3) Masking Tape

4) A Pencil

5) A Tape Measure

6) A Stud Finder (recommended)

7) Your AC6-8CD speaker

AC Summed Mono Speaker Operation

This AC series speaker is designed for use in areas where
even distribution of sound is desired but stereo imaging
is not practical because of space limitations, such as a
bathroom or long hallway.

With a dual voice coil woofer and dual tweeters, this
AC series speaker can sum stereo amplifier channels
into a mono audio signal. Two pairs of input terminals
allow connection of both channels from a stereo amplifier
to a single summed mono speaker. Set the switch on
th e ba ck of the spe aker to 16Ω for s ummed mono
operation.

Caution! Amplifier damage will occur if the AC6-8CD is
set to 8Ω with two amplifier channels connected!

AC6-8CD Conventional Speaker Operation

This speaker can be used to reproduce a single channel
of audio by making connection to either set of input
terminals and setting the switch on the back of the
speaker to 8Ω. In this configuration, both woofer voice
coils and both tweeters are driven in parallel by the
connected amplifier channel.

Placement

Plan your speaker placement carefully. Make certain
that electrical, plumbing and any other services will not
interfere within the ceiling where you plan to install your
speakers. The AC6-8CD speaker can be mounted in
walls, but are typically used in ceilings. The speaker
should be located so that it provides even coverage
at your listening position.

New Construction

If you are installing your speakers in new construction
before the finished walls go up, AudioSource offers
New Construction Brackets, which provide a stable
frame that can be fastened to the wall studs or
ceiling joists on 16” or 24” centers. This allows the
sheet rock or other surface covering to be installed
and provides a template to cut the opening for the
AC6CD or AC8CD speaker.

Existing Construction

In most modern buildings ceiling joists are positioned
on 16” centers, providing a space between the joists of
approximately 14 3/8”. The specifications chart shows
the appropriate cut out sizes (p. 4). Additionally, you
should allow an extra 3/4” in all directions behind the
ceiling surface to allow room for the screw clamps that
mount the speaker to the ceiling to swing into position.

Use a stud finder to locate the joists behind the ceiling
surface. Also, you should now check for obstructions
like cross bracing in front of and behind the desired
speaker location.

Grill Removal for Installation

After selecting the mounting location, mark the hole to
be cut out. A template is provided in the speaker box.
Locate and align the template, then mark with pencil
on the ceiling surface. If you are unsure whether there
are obstructions behind the ceiling surface where the
speakers are to be mounted, cut a small hole in the
center of your marked mounting location. Holding your
drywall saw at a 45 degree angle (See Figure 1), cut a
square hole that you can use to locate any obstructions,
should they exist.

ROOM

Figure 1

The 45 degree wedge shape of the removed surfacing
material will make replacement, if necessary, a much
easier task and yield a better finish when patching the
work.

Once it has been determined that there are no obstruc­tions, cut the hole to mount the speaker using the drywall
saw at a 90 degree angle to the ceiling surface. Cover
the raw edges of the wallboard with masking tape
(See Figure 2). This will prevent the back pressure of the
speaker from blowing loose gypsum dust out and onto
the painted ceiling surface after installation. Do not allow
the tape to extend more than 1/4” beyond the edge of the
hole into the room. The frame of the speaker will cover
and hide the tape.

Masking T.ape

ROOM

Figure 2

Next run your speaker wire to your speaker locations.
A UL rated CL3 speaker wire is recommended when
running wire inside your walls. In many areas it may
be required by code. When running your speaker wire
you should avoid having the speaker wire run parallel
to the 120V power lines to avert picking up hum and
interference from the power service. If the speaker
wire needs to cross a 120V power line at a right angle
this is acceptable and will not create a problem.

If you are uncomfortable with running the speaker wire
yourself in existing construction, it is recommended that
you retain a qualified custom home installation specialist
or electrician.

CAUTION! The grill is held in place by contact pressure
around the edges where it attaches to the speaker frame.
To avoid difficulty reinstalling the grill, care should be taken
to not distort its shape
while removing it.

1/4"(6mm)

While looking at the rear
of the speaker assembly,
rotate two of the adjacent
mounting clamps outward
and then evenly press them
towards the grill. The clamp
screws contact the inner
surface of the grill, pushing
it gently out of its mounting
groove (Figure 3). Only lift
the grill 1/4" (6mm) at this
location. Next use the other
mounting clamps to further
loosen the grill. Use care to
not distort the grill shape.

Figure 3

Connecting the Speaker

It is now time to connect the speaker wire to the speaker.
Your speaker wire is usually coded to identify each
conductor as either positive or negative. This can be
by color coding, or one conductor may have a printed
marking or at least a rib along one edge that you will not
find on the other. Identify which type of polarity coding
that your wire is using. You must carefully observe that
the positive terminal of the speaker output on your
amplifier is connected to the positive terminal of the
AC-CD speaker. Likewise, the negative terminal of the
amplifier’s speaker output should be connected to the
negative terminal of the AC-CD speaker (Figure 4).

(+) Amp

(-) Amp

(-) Amp

(+) Amp

(R)

(L)

Right and Left

Channels are

Both Connected

(Summed

Mono Speaker)

Installing the Speaker

Installation Tip! To further enhance the performance
of your AC-CD speaker, the ceiling joist cavity where
you plan to place your speaker can be stuffed with a
generous quantity of fiberglass insulation. Stuff the area
in front of and behind the speaker opening with 6” thick
insulation to a depth of approximately 2 feet beginning
1 foot in front and 1 foot behind the speaker opening. If
the insulation is foil or paper backed, face the backing
away from the speaker. The addition of this insulation
will help prevent unwanted transfer of sound into the
otherwise large and resonant cavity of the uninsulated
ceiling.

(+) Amp

Figure 4

(-) Amp

(R or L)

Only Right or Left

Channel is
Connected

(Conventional

Speaker)

Caution! If the AC-CD is set to 8Ω with two amplifier
channels connected, amplifier damage will occur.

2