Cambridge Soundworks Ambiance 602 User Manual

Ambiance 602

Two-Way In-Ceiling Stereo

Loudspeaker

Contents

Introduction ................................................................... 1

About This Manual ........................................................ 1

Tools Required .............................................................. 1

Placement ..................................................................... 2

Wiring ............................................................................ 2

Installation ..................................................................... 3

About Amplier Power ................................................... 5

In Case of Difculty .................................................... 5

10-Year Limited Warranty .............................................. 6

Specications .............................................................. 7

Introduction

Thank you For purchasing

an Ambiance in-ceiling stereo

loudspeaker. It will provide natural,

balanced sound reproduction

without taking up space in your

listening room. The superb acoustic
performance and single enclosure
stereo design makes it an excellent

choice for any location that cannot
accommodate two separate

speakers for stereo sound.
Ambiance stereo loudspeaker is

easily installed by anyone from a

professional installer to a do-it-

yourselfer, and the in-ceiling design
provides nearly invisible background

music.

The white nish may be easily

painted to match the surrounding
surface (refer to page 4).

The Ambiance in-ceiling stereo

loudspeaker utilizes a dual-voice
coil woofer and two tweeters to

reproduce stereo sound from a
single enclosure.

The dual silk-dome tweeters

are designed for smooth high

frequency reproduction. A self

resetting automatic protection

circuit protects the tweeters from
damage due to overpowering or
excessive distortion. The dual-voice
coil woofer driver uses a polymer
cone with butyl rubber surround.
The assembly is both durable and
sonically peerless.

About This Manual

Care in speaker placement and

installation will pay dividends in
optimum enjoyment, This booklet
provides tips and instructions to
help you get the most from your

loudspeaker. Please read it through

thoroughly before proceeding with

the speaker installation.
Installing the Ambiance speaker

is straightforward and may be
performed by an experienced do­it-yourself homeowner. However,
some familiarity with typical home
construction is necessary.

This manual assumes the installer
possesses skill in the proper use of

hand and power tools, a knowledge
of local re and building codes, and
a familiarity with the area above
the surface of a ceiling where the
speaker will be installed.
Note: Cambridge SoundWorks will
not assume any responsibility for
the integrity of the attachment of the

speaker and its mounting brackets to

a wall or ceiling. The quality of the
installation is solely the responsibility

of the installer.

Cambridge SoundWorks is

not responsible for any damage

resulting from the installation or

installation process, or due to wiring

or materials used in the installation.

If you are not comfortable with
performing a speaker system
installation, we recommend you rely
on a qualied home entertainment
installer. Contact your dealer

or Cambridge SoundWorks for
assistance in selecting a suitable
installer.

Tools Required

1. Stud-nder.

2. Pencil.

3. Drill with 1/4” bit (for plaster

ceilings).

4. Utility knife, jigsaw, drywall router,

or other means of cutting a hole
in the mounting surface.

5. Wire cutter and/or stripper for
preparing speaker wires.

6. #1 Phillips screwdriver.

1 2

Placement Wiring

Because the new Ambiance stereo
loudspeaker has wide-dispersion,
there is a great deal of exibility in

placement.
Unlike freestanding loudspeakers

(which can be easily repositioned),

an in-ceiling speaker installation is

permanent. The homeowner and
installer should work together to

determine the best location. The

ideal position should provide an

unobstructed sound path from the
speaker to the listeners. In some

instances, a compromise between
ideal location and appearance may
be necessary.
Try to keep the Ambiance speaker
at least 18” away from room corners
or wall/ceiling borders. This avoids
the detrimental effects of sidewall/

ceiling echoes.

The Ambiance in-ceiling stereo

speaker is not magnetically shielded.

The minimum acceptable distance
the speaker can be placed from a
CRT TV monitor depends on the

monitor’s sensitivity to magnetic
elds, but will typically be a foot or
more. If relevant, make sure the
magnetic eld of the speaker will not
distort a nearby televisions’ picture
before you decide on a permanent

location.
Due to it’s fully enclosed

design, the speaker requires
more clearance than open­back speakers. Refer to the
dimensions on page 7 to

determine if you have sufcient

clearance.

Pre-wiring new construction is
strongly recommended if possible.
Access to a basement, attic, or
crawl space can simplify the task
of routing wires to the appropriate
locations. If you are a do-it-yourself
homeowner, you may wish to hire a
professional to run the wires, even
if you are planning on mounting the
speaker yourself.
The wire connectors will accept
up to AWG #14 speaker cable. A
minimum of AWG #16 should be
used for runs up to 50 feet, with
AWG #14 for runs longer than 50
feet. Make sure the wire you choose
is rated for in-wall use. Check with
a local building inspector if you are

unsure.

Installation

Conventional Plaster or
Drywall Ceilings

Decide roughly where to place the

1.

speaker. Using a stud-nder (or
other means), locate any joists

near these locations. Adjust
speaker placement so the ceiling

cutout is not located directly below

a joist. Some speaker adjustment

is available within the cutout.

Use the supplied template to
outline the area to be cut. When

cutting into a ceiling, be careful
not to damage wiring, conduit,

or plumbing. A lath-and-plaster
or plaster skim-coat construction
ceiling is prone to spreading
cracks. To reduce cracking in

these ceilings, score the plaster

surface along the marked cut line

with a utility knife to a depth of at
least 1/8”. Also, drill a 1/4” hole

before cutting. Make the cutout

using your preferred tool.

1

2

Completed Install

3

4

3 4

If you have not already done

2.

so, run the speaker wires to the
source or local room volume

control. Note: The ceiling

may contain some form of
insulation. Fiberglass batting
should be left in place, as it is
sonically desirable and will hold
its shape. Remove blown-in
type insulation from the air

space behind the speaker.

Note: Wear gloves when
handling insulation.

Locate the speaker wires and
strip 3/8” of insulation from

the ends. The stripped ends

can be directly inserted into
the speaker wire connectors.

Note: Speaker cable has

various means of identifying the
two conductors, either by color,
a molded-in shape, or markings

on the jacket. Be consistent

with all the connections within
the system. On the Ambiance
loudspeaker, use the red
terminals for “+”, and the
black terminals for “-”.

A smooth, at ceiling surface

3.

will provide the best air seal

and most secure installation. If

you must install the speakers in
a rough, uneven surface, use

a strip of foam gasket tape or a
bead of caulk along the back of

the speaker’s mounting ange.
This provides a good air seal.

Position the speaker in the

cutout. Using a #1 Phillips
screwdriver, tighten the four
Phillips screws along the edges
of the speaker. The swing
arms will extend to hold the
speaker rmly in position. Only
moderate force is necessary

to secure the Ambiance
loudspeaker to the mounting

surface. Be careful to not over-

tighten.

4.

Install the speaker grille.

Note: If desired, you may

paint the grille and frame to
match the room decor before
installation. To paint the

speakers, do not install the
grille. Instead, place the paint

shield (the center punch-out
section of the template) in place

of the grille to protect the bafe
surface and drivers. Paint the grille
and frame separately, being careful
not to ll in the small holes in the
grille. A fan, or hair dryer on “cold”
setting, can be used to blow paint
out of the holes in the grille while
the paint is still wet. After the paint
is completely dry, remove the grille,

being careful not to scratch the

newly painted surfaces. Save the

paint shield for future repainting.

Suspended Ceilings

Note: Suspended ceilings provide

a less secure mounting surface
than solid ceilings. The Ambiance

speaker includes a safety-loop to

keep the speaker from falling if a tile

should fail or in the event of a re.

Connect a steel cable or chain to
this loop. Connect the other end to

some available solid support above

the ceiling.

Select the tile you wish to

1.
use to mount the speaker

and remove it from the grid.
Examine the space above the

tile to make sure there are no
obstructions.

Use the supplied template

2.
to outline the area to be cut.

Make the cutout using your

preferred tool.
Install the speaker into

3.

position. Using a #1 Phillips
screwdrivers, tighten all four
mounting screws. The swing
arms will extend to hold the
speaker rmly in position.

Install the speaker grille. Note:

4.
If painting the speaker refer to

step 4, page 4 previous section.
If you have not already done

5.
so, run the speaker wires to the
source or a local room volume

control.

Locate the speaker wires and

6.
strip 3/8” of insulation from

the ends. The stripped ends

can be directly inserted into
the speaker wire connectors.

Note: Speaker cable has

various means of identifying the
two conductors, either by color,
a molded-in shape, or markings

on the jacket. Be consistent

with all the connections within
the system. On the Ambiance
loudspeaker, use the red
terminals for “+”, and the black
terminals for “-”.

Reinstall the ceiling tile into it’s

7.

supporting grid.

About Amplier Power In Case of Difculty

The amount of power needed
to drive loudspeakers varies
signicantly. It it effected by factors
such as the size of the room,
absence of presence of in-wall
volume controls, the acoustics, the
type of music, and how loud you
play the speaker.
Even the smallest Ambiance
loudspeaker can play safely with
the most powerful home ampliers
and receivers. Distortion caused
by overdriving either the speaker or

associated equipment can cause

damage, even if the amplier
or receiver power is within the

capabilities of the speaker.

If the sound becomes “grainy”
or “gritty”, you may be overdriving
the amplier or receiver. This
type of distortion can damage
tweeters, even from a low powered
amplier. Turn down the volume

until the distortion disappears. If

the new level is not loud enough
for your needs, you may need a
more powerful amplier. Contact
the retailer where you purchased
your speakers, or a Cambridge
SoundWorks Audio/Video Consultant
for advice.

Keep the volume turned down
when connecting or disconnecting
components in order to prevent
damage from strong, non-musical
transients. This will help protect
your ears, as well as the speakers.
If the speaker is overdriven for
an extended period, the high­frequency output will be reduced.

This is a result of the automatic

tweeter protection built into each
speaker. If this occurs, simply
reduce the volume and the circuit
will automatically reset.

If you suspect there is a problem
with your Ambiance loudspeaker,
contact the retailer where it
was purchased or a Cambridge
SoundWorks Audio/Video
Consultant, who will help you track
down the problem. If together you
agree there is something wrong with
your Ambiance loudspeaker, return
it to the retailer that sold it to you.

Mail-order and Internet retailers

will generally require a Return

Authorization number. Products
purchased from a Cambridge

SoundWorks store, you may call us
for a factory Return Authorization.

Do not return the Ambiance
loudspeaker or any parts

without rst obtaining a Return

Authorization.

5 6

10-Year Limited Warranty

To the original purchaser,
Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc.
warrants the Ambiance 602

loudspeaker to be free from defects

in material and workmanship
for a period of ten (10) years

from date of purchase. With

respect to defects, Cambridge
SoundWorks will, at its option,

replace the product or repair the

defect in the product with no

charge to the original purchaser
for parts or labor.

This warranty does not extend
to any defect, malfunction or
failure caused by misuse, abuse,
accident, faulty hookup, defective

associated equipment or use of the

speaker with equipment for which

it is not intended.

This warranty is valid only when

the speaker is returned to an

authorized store where it was
purchased. Or, if you bought
directly from Cambridge SoundWorks,

call for a Return Authorization
number for the unit and return

it to the accompanying address,
freight prepaid, together with a
copy of the original sales slip to
establish warranty status. Please do

not return the Ambiance 602, or
any of its parts, to the factory
without prior authorization.

This is the sole and express

warranty. This warranty is in lieu
of all other warranties, expressed
or implied, of merchantability,
tness for purpose or otherwise.
In no event shall Cambridge

SoundWorks be liable for incidental

or consequential damages or have
any liability with respect to defects

other than the obligations set

forth above.

To ensure warranty coverage it is

incumbent upon the original purchaser
to inform Cambridge SoundWorks or

any of its Authorized Service Agencies
of the defect within the warranty period.
The only acceptable method of
establishing warranty status is a copy of

the original proof of purchase indicating
customers name and purchase date.

For warranty information contact:

Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc.

26 Dartmouth Street

Westwood, MA 02090

1 (800) FOR-HIFI

(1-800-367-4434)

www.cambridgesoundworks.com

email: [e-mail]

Specications

Ambiance 602

Speaker Type: 2-Way Stereo
Woofer: 6 1/2”
Tweeter: 2 x 3/4” silk dome
Frequency range: 55-20,000 Hz
Recommended Amplier Power Range: 10 W - 100 W RMS
Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1 meter): 87dB
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Overall Dimensions (Dia x D): 9.45” x 6.13”
Mounting Hole Dimensions: 8.04”
Mounting Depth: 5.42”

9.45”

8.04”

6.13”

5.42”

7.56”

7

26 Dartmouth Street

Westwood, MA 02090

(800) FOR-HIFI

(1-800-367-4434)

www.cambridgesoundworks.com

email: [e-mail]

P81-2350