Harman C540 User Manual

C540

In-Ceiling Architectural

Loudspeaker

Instruction Manual

documentAtion conventionS

This document contains general safety, installation and operation
instructions for the Revel
important to read this document before attempting to use this
product. Pay particular attention to:

®

C540 in-ceiling loudspeakers. It is

WARNING: Calls attention to a procedure,
practice, condition or the like that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to, could result
in injury or death.

CAUTION: Calls attention to a procedure, practice,
condition or the like that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part
of or the entire product.

Note: Calls attention to information that aids in the
installation or operation of the product.

®

About Revel

Since the first Revel® speakers in 1996, Revel products have stood at
the forefront of loudspeaker design and performance. Revel in-ceiling
loudspeakers draw upon the same research, resources and unique
perspective that put all Revel loudspeakers in a class by themselves.
Revel in-ceiling loudspeakers provide unparalleled value and are known
for their standard-setting low sonic coloration and their freedom from
distortion over an extraordinarily wide dynamic range.

c540 in-ceiling loudSpeAkeR HigHligHtS

• Long-throw woofer with cast frame and rubber surround provides
high output with low distortion.

• 1-inch (25mm) metal-dome tweeter with an integrated waveguide
provides optimized response both on and off axis.

• High-order crossover network with premium-quality components
delivers extraordinarily accurate timbre reproduction.

pRoduct RegiStRAtion

Please take a moment to register your product on our Web site at www.
revelspeakers.com. You’ll enable us to keep you posted on our latest
advancements and help us to understand our customers and build
products that meet their needs and expectations.

in-ceiling SpeAkeRS

unpAcking tHe SpeAkeR

Carefully unpack the speaker. If you suspect damage from transit, report
it immediately to your dealer and/or delivery service. Keep the shipping
carton and packing materials for future use.

inStAllAtion conSideRAtionS

Your new Revel loudspeakers have been engineered to provide
extremely accurate performance. However, any speaker’s ultimate
performance will be affected by the speaker’s placement in the listening
room and the acoustics of the room. Not all listening spaces can
accommodate the ideal conditions of these two factors. Therefore,
careful attention to the placement of your Revel in-ceiling loudspeakers
will have a significant impact on the general performance of the
loudspeakers.

loudSpeAkeR plAcement foR diStRibuted
Sound

• Since distributed sound is general sound throughout an area, place
the loudspeakers as uniformly as possible for even sound coverage
throughout the area.

• To avoid “hot spots” where the sound is too loud, plan to use more
loudspeakers, with each set to play at a lower volume.

• For even coverage of all listeners in a room or area, space the
speakers no more than 6.5 feet (2m) apart for 8-foot (2.5m) ceilings,
or no more than 9.5 feet (2.9m) apart for 9 – 10 foot (2.7m – 3m)
ceilings. Each speaker should be at least 3 feet (1m) from the
nearest side wall.

• The C540’s small size allows it to blend unobtrusively with typical
recessed lighting fixtures.

inStAllAtion inStRuctionS

CAUTION: Do not press on the tweeter mount. Doing so can
damage the mount. Such damage is not covered by the speaker’s
warranty.

Revel architectural speakers are the most easily installed in-ceiling
loudspeakers on the market. However, if you are unable to understand
and follow the instructions in this manual clearly and fully, or if you
are unsure of your ability to install these loudspeakers properly, please
contact your dealer or a qualified installer.

box contentS

Your Revel in-ceiling loudspeaker box should contain the following
items:

1 x Revel C540 in-ceiling loudspeaker

1 x round grille

1 x square grille

1 x extra scrim cloth for round grille

1 x extra scrim cloth for square grille

1 x mounting template

1 x instruction manual

C540 In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual

WARNING: HARMAN International assumes
no responsibility for improper installation of
hardware or for any personal injuries or product
damages resulting from improper installation or
a fallen loudspeaker.

3

connecting to tHe AmplifieR

CAUTION: REMOVE POWER

You must connect the speaker wires before the speaker is fully
installed. To protect the audio system and yourself from damage
or injury through accidental electrical shorting and surges
during installation, turn all audio system power OFF before
beginning the speaker installation.

Speaker Wire

Use high-quality speaker wire to obtain the best performance from your
Revel in-ceiling speakers.

• For wire lengths of less than 50 ft (15m), use at least 16-gauge
speaker wire.

• For wire lengths between 50 ft and 100 ft (15m – 30m), use at least
12-gauge speaker wire.

• For wire lengths of greater than 100 ft (30m), use at least 10-gauge
speaker wire.

Note: All speaker wires must comply with all local building and
safety codes for use in in-ceiling applications.

mounting tHe SpeAkeRS

For New Construction

If you wish to pre-install a rough-in frame for the speakers before the
drywall is installed in new construction, you will need to purchase
a PCK4C rough-in frame kit from your authorized Revel dealer. For
installations that require one, a fire-rated back box (model FBB4C) is
also available. Detailed instructions are supplied with the rough-in
kit and back box. After the drywall is installed, follow the installation
instructions in For Existing Construction, below.

For Existing Construction

1. Ensure that the drywall, plywood or other ceiling material is 1/2 in –
1 in (13mm – 25mm) thick and capable of withstanding the weight of
the speaker being installed.

Make sure to allow at least 1-1/2” (38mm) between the edge of the
supplied installation template and any rafters or other obstructions
behind the wall, so the speaker’s locking mechanism will have room to
engage fully. Perform an obstruction survey to be sure that there are
no studs, lengths of conduit, pipes, heating ducts or air returns in the
ceiling cavity that will interfere with the speaker.

Making Connections

Connect each channel’s positive (+) terminal on the back of the amplifier
or receiver to the positive (“+”/red) terminal on the corresponding
speaker; connect each channel’s negative (–) terminal on the back of
the amplifier or receiver to the negative (“–”/black) terminal on the
corresponding speaker. Do not reverse polarities (that is, do not connect
+ to –, or – to +) when making connections. Doing so will cause poor
imaging and diminished bass response.

Negative Terminal

(“–”/Black)

Positive Terminal
(“+”/Red)

Press down on the top of the terminal to open the hole; insert the bare
end of the wire into the hole; and release the terminal to secure the wire.

1-1/2"

(38mm)

1-1/2"

(38mm)

Mounting

Opening

1-1/2"

(38mm)

2. Determine the correct speaker location and use the template included
with the speaker to mark the ceiling material.

CAUTION: To avoid short circuits that may damage your
equipment, be certain that positive and negative wire strands do
not touch each other and do not touch metal parts such as the
speaker frame.

4

C540 In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker

Instruction Manual

3. Cut the ceiling drywall along the mark you made in Step 2 to create
the mounting opening.

4. Connect the speaker to the amplifier as explained in Connecting to the
Amplifier, on page 4.

6. Carefully insert the speaker into the mounting opening, pressing
evenly around the baffle. Ensure that the Roller Lock tool-less mounts
are in their locked, ready-to-mount, position and that none have
accidentally been pushed outside the mounting opening. As you insert
the speaker, the Roller Locks will rotate into the locking position and
will firmly clamp the speaker into the mounting opening.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to insert the speaker straight into
the opening. Do not tilt the speaker while inserting it.

Roller Locks Inside

Mounting Cut-Out

Insert Speaker Straight Into

Mounting Cut-Out

5. Make sure all three Roller Lock tool-less clamps are in their locked
and “ready-to-mount” position with their roller arms snapped into the
holders on the speaker frame, and their trigger arms down.

Roller Arms Snapped

Into Holders

7. Attach the supplied round or square grille. Powerful magnets in the
speaker frame will securely hold the grille in place.

Attach Supplied Grille

Painting the Grille

Revel architectural loudspeaker grilles can be painted to match any
décor. If you wish to change the grille’s color, its satin finish will function
as a primer coat. For the best results follow this procedure:

1. Gently remove the scrim cloth from the back side of the grille before
painting.

2. Use a high-quality spray paint and apply a thin coat of color. Ensure
that the grille perforations remain free of paint. Filling them with
paint will diminish the speaker’s sound quality. If any perforations are
plugged, use compressed air to blow the paint out of the perforations.

Note: If you find any grille perforations that are plugged with paint
after the paint has dried, carefully use a straight pin or sewing
needle to remove the paint.

All three Roller Locks in

“Ready-to-Mount” Position

with Trigger Arms Down

C540 In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual

5

3. We have included round and rectangular replacement scrim cloths.
After the paint has dried, apply a light coat of spray adhesive to
the inside of the perforated grille and attach a new scrim cloth.
IMPORTANT: Never spray adhesive on the cloth.

uSing YouR SpeAkeRS

AdjuStmentS

Adjustable Angle Tweeter

The C540 has an adjustable angle tweeter that allows you to direct the
sound toward listeners when the speaker is mounted in a less-than­ideal location. To change the angle, press on the tweeter mount, shown
in gray in the illustration below. Be careful not to touch the tweeter
diaphragm or suspension.

exceSSive output levelS

Your Revel loudspeakers feature custom-designed transducers and
high-quality network components featuring high-order filters with steep
cutoffs that reduce the potential of damage to individual speaker drivers
and help the loudspeakers maintain their performance even under
extreme operating conditions. However, all loudspeakers have limits
when it comes to continuous playback. To extend these limits, avoid
playback at volume levels that result in distorted or strained sound.

limited WARRAntY

A valid serial number is required for warranty coverage. This Revel
warranty protects the original retail purchaser for a period of five
(5) years (parts and labor) from any failure as a result of original
manufacturing defects so long as:

1. The Revel products were purchased within the 50 United States, its
territories or Canada.

2. The dealer from whom the Revel products were purchased was
authorized to sell such products at the time of the original purchase.

3. The original, dated Bill of Sale is presented whenever service is
required during the warranty period.

The balance of this warranty is transferable only if the used product is
purchased from an authorized Revel dealer. This warranty is only valid
for service within the United States, its territories and Canada; please
contact an authorized Revel dealer for warranty and service information.

Any Revel product not performing satisfactorily may be returned to
the factory for evaluation. Return authorization must first be obtained
by either calling or writing Customer Service prior to shipping the
product. The customer is responsible for shipping charges to the
factory. Customer Service will pay return shipping charges within the
United States only in the event that the product is found to be defective
as mentioned above. There are other stipulations that may apply to
shipping charges.

There is no other express warranty on this product. Neither this
warranty nor any other warranty, express or implied, including implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness, shall extend beyond the
warranty period. No responsibility is assumed for any incidental or
consequential damages, so that the above exclusion or limitation may
not apply.

This warranty provides specific legal rights. Other states may provide
additional rights. This warranty is applicable in the United States, its
territories and Canada. Outside of the United States, its territories and
Canada, please contact an authorized Revel dealer for warranty and
service information.

The information this document contains is subject to change without
notice. In the event that there are differences between this warranty
and the provisions of any advertisements, documentation, product
brochures or packaging cartons, the terms of this warranty will prevail.

obtAining SeRvice

To obtain service, contact an authorized Revel dealer. Refer to Limited
Warranty, below for more information.

dimenSionS

Mounting Opening
Diameter

Mounting Depth

Overall Dimensions
(w/grille)

3-1/2" (89mm)

3-3/8" (85mm)

4-3/8" (111mm) Dia. X 3-1/2" (89mm) Deep

Dimensions are subject to change without notice.

For complete performance specifications, please go to the Revel Web
site: www.revelspeakers.com.

6

C540 In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker

Instruction Manual

www.revelspeakers.com

© 2011 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated
All rights reserved.

Revel and the Revel logo are trademarks of HARMAN International
Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or
other countries.

Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change
without notice.

For questions, assistance or additional information concerning any
of our products, call us at: [phone] or [phone].
For technical support, submit your detailed inquiry to:
[e-mail].

Part No. XXX-XXXXX Rev.: 0