English
Limited Warranty
Dear customer,
Welcome to B&W.
This product has been designed and
manufactured to the highest quality
standards. However, if something does go
wrong with this product, B&W
Loudspeakers and its national distributors
warrant free of charge labour (exclusion
may apply) and replacement parts in any
country served by an official B&W
distributor.
This limited warranty is valid for a period of
five years from the date of purchase or two
years for electronics including amplified
loudspeakers.
Terms and Conditions
1 The warranty is limited to the repair of
the equipment. Neither transportation,
nor any other costs, nor any risk for
removal, transportation and installation
of products is covered by this warranty.
2 This warranty is only valid for the
original owner. It is not transferable.
3 This warranty will not be applicable in
cases other than defects in materials
and/or workmanship at the time of
purchase and will not be applicable:
a. for damages caused by incorrect
installation, connection or packing,
b. for damages caused by any use other
than correct use described in the user
manual, negligence, modifications, or
use of parts that are not made or
authorised by B&W,
c. for damages caused by faulty or
unsuitable ancillary equipment,
d. for damages caused by accidents,
lightning, water, fire heat, war, public
disturbances or any other cause
beyond the reasonable control of B&W
and its appointed distributors,
e. for products whose serial number has
been altered, deleted, removed or
made illegible,
f. if repairs or modifications have been
executed by an unauthorised person.
4 This guarantee complements any
national/regional law obligations of
dealers or national distributors and
does not affect your statutory rights as
a customer.
How to claim repairs under
warranty
Should service be required, please follow
the following procedure:
1 If the equipment is being used in the
country of purchase, you should
contact the B&W authorised dealer
from whom the equipment was
purchased.
2 If the equipment is being used outside
the country of purchase, you should
contact B&W national distributor in the
country of residence who will advise
where the equipment can be serviced.
You can call B&W in the UK or visit our
web site to get the contact details of
your local distributor.
To validate your warranty, you will need to
produce this warranty booklet completed
and stamped by your dealer on the date of
purchase. Alternatively, you will need the
original sales invoice or other proof of
ownership and date of purchase.
Owner’s manual
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing Bowers and
Wilkins CCM817 speakers.
Since its foundation in 1966, the continuing
philosophy of B&W has been the quest for
perfect sound reproduction. Inspired by the
company’s founder, the late John Bowers,
this quest has entailed not only high
investment in audio technology and
innovation but also an abiding appreciation
of music and movies to ensure that the
technology is put to maximum effect.
The CCM817 is an audiophile quality
speaker, primarily designed for in-ceiling
mounting in 2-channel and home theatre
installations. Its angled baffle enables the
optimum listening axis to be directed more
towards the listening area, which improves
sound quality and imaging in a way that
normal ceiling speakers cannot offer. It also
has applications as an in-wall surround
speaker.
However, no matter how good the speakers
themselves, they will not deliver their full
potential unless properly installed. Please
read through this manual fully. It will help
you optimise the performance of the
system.
B&W distributes to over 60 countries
worldwide and maintains a network of
dedicated distributors who will be able to
help should you have any problems your
dealer cannot resolve.
Check the contents
This pack should contain:
2x Baffle with drive units and crossover
2x Grille
2x Paint mask
2x Alignment template
Choosing the position
Check that there is no conflict with other
installations (pipe work, air conditioning,
power cabling etc.). In existing drywall
construction, use a stud-finding tool to
map the construction accurately and a pipe
detector to scan the proposed installation
position.
Refer to the section drawing of the speaker
and ensure that there is enough clearance
behind the plasterboard (sheetrock) for the
clamps to swing out fully.
Avoid installing the speakers in the same
cavity as flimsy ducting, which may be
induced to rattle.
The speakers are designed to operate
satisfactorily in a wide range of cavity
volumes, ideally above 15 litres (0.5 cu ft),
so make sure the volume is not too
restricted by cross studs.
In solid wall construction, be prepared to
provide a cavity in the wall that extends
outside the boundaries of the speaker's
frame, otherwise bass performance will be
compromised.
The speakers are balanced for half-space
mounting (ie flush in a ceiling or soffit).
Placement near a wall/ceiling junction or in
a corner may give rise to too much bass
and a boomy quality to the sound. Try to
keep the speakers at least 0.5m (20in) from
wall/ceiling edges.
The following sections give guidance on
optimum positioning, but this may be
modified in line with domestic constraints.
WARNING: The speakers produce a static
magnetic field. As such They should not be
placed within 0.5m (20in) of equipment that
may be affected by such a field (eg
Cathode Ray Tubes in TVs and Personal
Computers).
Front speakers for audio or home
theatre
The CCM 817 is ideal for use when it is
required that the speakers be mounted in
the ceiling so as to be as unobtrusive as
possible. For home theatre, they should be
mounted about 0.5m (20 in) from the plane
of the screen or the front wall in the case of
an audio-only installation. The frame should
be rotated so that the drive units are
directed towards the listening area.
(figure 1)
For 2-channel applications, the speakers
should subtend an angle of between 40º
and 60º at the centre of the listening area.
(figure 2)
For home theatre, the left and right
speakers should be approximately 0.5m
(20 in) from the sides of the screen.
(figure 3)
Surround speakers
The speakers should normally be
positioned in the ceiling with the frame
rotated so that the drive units are directed
towards the centre of the listening area.
5.1 channel
The horizontal angle to the centre of the
listening position should be approximately
120º round from the centre of the screen.
The speakers may also be successfully
mounted in the side wall for this
application. They should be positioned at
least 60cm (2 ft) above ear height and with
the frames rotated so that the drive units
are directed towards the centre of the
listening area. (figure 4)
6.1 channel
Position two speakers to the sides in line
with the centre of the listening area and
one centrally behind the listeners, with the
frames rotated so that the drive units are
directed towards the centre of the listening
area. (figure 5)
2