Focal POLYGLASS 165 VRS User Manual

POLYGLASS

User Manual

Congratulations on choosing Focal automobile speakers.
Focal speakers remain high quality products, due to the multitude of advanced
materials used. Detailed research and development in the laboratory, from
dedicated engineers and technicians, played a major role in producing such high
performing products. To gain the best results from your speakers, please ensure
you follow these recommendations. If not followed correctly any fault observed,
may not be covered by the guarantee.

Technical advances, included in the
Polyglass range

• Polyglass cones woofer

• TNB aluminum / magnesium inverted dome
tweeter

• Separated crossover, fully optimised with
adjustable level control. High quality
components used throughout.

• Butyl surround

Français page 7

Included

• 2 x woofer / midrange (2-way kits)

• 2 midrange (3-way kits)

• 2 woofer (3-way kits)

• 2 x TNB tweeters

• 2 x gaskets

• 2 x crossovers

• fixing screws

• 2 x grilles

THE FOCAL GUARANTEE ONLY APPLIES IF PAGE 15 IS
RETURNED TO US WITHIN 10 DAYS OF PURCHASE.

Focal® is a trademark of Focal-JMlab® - BP 374 - 108, rue de l'Avenir - 42353 La Talaudière
cedex - France - Tel. [phone] - Fax [phone] - www.focal-fr.com

Due to constant technological advances, Focal reserves its right to modify specifications without notice. Images may not conform exactly to specific product.

POLYGLASS

User Manual

Important recommendations

Before attempting any installation work, it is very important to verify how much space is
available to fit the speakers into the vehicle.
Key points:

• For direct replacement of original speakers, please check there is enough space for your
new Focal speakers and grilles.

• Ensure the speaker is clean from debris and metallic particles that maybe attached
(especially after drilling)

• Use the foam gasket supplied (inside the grille), for airtight placement of the speaker into
the panel.

• Do not touch the tweeter cone.

Choice of installation and positioning the tweeter

To achieve best results for your installation, please follow these simple guidelines

• Use a variety of speakers to achieve a large bandwidth, the most central possible.

• Speakers positioned in the most forward location possible, for correct staging.

• Tweeters positioned preferably high in the doors or in the dash (if space permitting),
to obtain un-muddled high and midrange frequencies. These being directive to the
listener.

• To position the tweeters direct in-line to the listeners ears, for improved imaging.

2

Prefered woofer and
mid-range positions.

3 x prefered tweeter

positions

POLYGLASS

User Manual

Cables and connections

For best results with your speakers, we recommend you include the use of Focal cables.
Alternatively, other high quality cable can be used, if sufficient section thickness is available
(minimum thickness = 1mm
ensure a strong efficient signal is maintained. Always ensure the polarity is respected, (+ is
connected to + and - is connected to -). Maintain correct connections, from principal source
radio / amplifier (left / right / front and rear), and crossover to speakers (tweeter to tweeter, mid
to mid, woofer to woofer), is always observed.

2-way kits connections

2

). This is particularly important for long lengths of cable to

Woofer

3

Right Output

Left Output

Input

Input

Tweeter

Woofer

Tweeter

Fitting the tweeter

There are two mounting possibilities available: surface or flush mount. The tweeter arrives
supplied in its flush-mounting pod. Very carefully, remove the grille, by gently prizing it off
(using a paper clip will help).

Surface mounting: choose the angle that best suits your installation (10° or 30°) and mount
the pod firmly using the screws supplied. Feed the wire through the hole in the pod and refit
the tweeter and grille in place.

Flush mounting: cut a neat 45mm diameter hole

Grille

Unlocking tool

in the panel where you want to place the tweeter.
Then with the metal mounting strip held from
behind (ensuring the ends are pointing towards
the hole), insert the screw through the flush-mount

Tweeter

Pod

pod from the front and tighten the two parts
together. Feed the wire through the hole in the pod

Mounting strip

and refit the tweeter and grille in place.

POLYGLASS

User Manual

3-way kits connections

4

Woofer

Midrange

Right Output

Left Output

Input

Input

Tweeter

Woofer

Midrange

Tweeter

POLYGLASS

User Manual

Fitting the crossover

Locate the crossovers in a dry, preferably
ventilated area, using either the screws
supplied or double-sided tape.
To open the box, squeeze the middle on the
side, and remove the cover.
In some cases, depending on your installation
and the space available, it maybe easier to
route the cables and connect to the crossover,
before securing the crossover to the vehicle.
Please check before.

Level adjustment of tweeter and midrange

The toggle switch found inside the crossover, allows the user to adjust the tweeter level.
This user-friendly option allows effective adjustments to be made, to your own personal listening
pleasure, plus optimising the infinite amount of speaker installation locations available.
This allows the system to be “tailor made” to your vehicle, effectively ensuring the best acoustics
are possible. Remember too much treble and your system may sound aggressive, thus suffer a
lose of dynamics, resulting in poor definition.
Level position 0 or -3dB, if the tweeter is located very close to woofer-midrange.
Level position -3 or -6dB, if the tweeter is located high in the vehicle (in the dash or high in the
doors) with the woofer positioned comparatively low.
Level position 0 or -3dB, if the tweeter is located in kick panel.

4

5

The 165 VR crossover also integrates a filtering slope setting (6dB or 12dB) in order to optimize
the integration of the kit. We advise you to begin with the 6 dB setting which suits most of the
cars.

Tweeter level adjustment

0dB, -3dB and -6dB