Thank you for choosing the Niles CM Loudspeaker Series. With proper
installation, use, and care, your loudspeakers will deliver years of listening
enjoyment. Niles manufactures the industry’s most comprehensive line of
custom installation components and accessories. For information on our
complete product assortment, please visit us at: www.nilesaudio.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 3
Features and Benefits 3
Parts Guide 4
Installation Considerations 4
Installing the Loudspeakers 6
Switch Adjustments 8
Painting the Grilles 8
Installing the Grilles 8
Applications 9
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LEFT/CENTER/RIGHT CEILING-MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
CM7
CM7
CM7
CM7
CM8
CM8
CM8
SURROUND EFFECTS CEILING-MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
CM7
STEREO INPUT CEILING-MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
CM7CM8
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INTRODUCTION
Niles CM Loudspeakers deliver an uncompromising combination of designer
oriented aesthetics, superb sound performance, and ease of installation. Small
footprint and low pro le, MicroThin™ magnetically attached grilles provide the
look that today’s homeowners desire. Available in 7” and 8” versions, there are
left/center/right, surround effects, and stereo input models to satisfy applications
ranging from advanced home theaters to distributed audio systems.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
DESIGNER AESTHETICS
Magnetically attached MicroThin™ round speaker grilles ensure a clean,
unobtrusive designer appearance that blends with the room’s aesthetics. Optional
square grilles provide added design exibility.
INSTALLATION EASE
Three patent-pending, spring tensioned mounting clamps permit quick installation
and compensate for uneven mounting surfaces and varied environmental
conditions. Weather-resistant construction enables installation in moist areas such
as bathrooms or outdoors under eaves.
INSTALL WITH CONFIDENCE
The best-built loudspeakers deserve the best protection—the Niles Lifetime
Limited Warranty.
3
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Page 5
PARTS GUIDE
PACKAGE CONTENTS FOR:
CM7BG, CM7MP, CM7PR, CM7HD, CM7SI, CM8MP, CM8PR,
CM8HD AND CM8SI
These require an 8-1/2” (21.6 cm)
diameter hole opening and a
minimum of 4-3/8” (11.1 cm)
depth when measured from the
CM7 3-5/16" (8.4 cm)
CM8 4-1/8" (10.5 cm)
Depth Behind Drywall
Assuming 5/8" drywall
exterior face of the drywall. To the
sides of the hole you will need 1”
(2.54 cm) for the mounting tabs to
clamp the speaker to the drywall.
CM7 8-1/2” (21.6 cm)CM8 9-3/4” (24.8 cm)
Diameter Hole Opening
8” LOUDSPEAKERS
These require a 9-3/4” (24.8 cm)
diameter hole opening and depth
of 4-3/4” (12.1 cm) from the
exterior face of the drywall. To the
sides of the hole you will need 1”
(2.54 cm) for the mounting tabs to clamp the speaker to the drywall.
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Figure 1. Required dimensions for installation in ceiling.
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
NOTE: BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN LOCATING THE SPEAKERS. VERIFY ALL LOCATIONS ARE
CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CUTTING THE FIRST HOLE.
Each speaker requires two-conductor wiring of sufcient gauge. The gauge
depends on the length of the wire. For recommendations, please refer to (Figure 2).
(Stereo Input loudspeakers require four-conductor wiring).
CONTINUED
Distance from speaker to amplifierWire Gauge
Less than 80 feet
16
80 to 200 feet14
More than 200 feet12
Figure 2. Speaker Wire Gauge Guide
When running loudspeaker wire inside walls or ceilings, use special jacketed
cable (CL-2 or CL-3 rating) to protect the wire and for re prevention. In some
municipalities, conduit is required. For a trouble-free installation, low voltage wire
such as loudspeaker wire must be in accordance with the National Electrical Code
and any applicable provisions of the local building code. If you are unsure of the
correct installation techniques, wire jacket, or type of conduit to use, consult a
professional audio/video installer, building contractor, or the local building and
inspection department.
Not for use with SI Speakers
*
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Page 7
INSTALLING THE LOUDSPEAKERS
It is often easier to lay the speakers out on the oor and then transfer the
locations to the ceiling with a laser plumb bob. If you are using new construction
brackets, place string across the centers of the bracket to provide a way to align
the bracket to the laser. Remember, you will need 1” (2.54 cm) to the sides of the
mounting hole for the mounting clamps to secure the speaker to the drywall.
1. Once you have determined a possible position for the hole cutout, drill a
1/8” pilot hole just barely through the ceiling (1/2” to 5/8” deep in most
homes) in the center of your proposed loudspeaker location. BE VERY
CAREFUL NOT TO DRILL THROUGH EXISTING WIRES, PIPES, OR
STRUCTURE. IF YOU FEEL ANY EXTRA RESISTANCE AS YOU ARE
DRILLING, STOP.
2. Cut a foot-long piece of coat hanger. Bend the wire (creating a right angle)
leaving 5-1/2” at one end (this allows for the extra width of the mounting
dogs). Poke the “L-shaped” wire into the pilot hole and turn it
in a complete circle and move it into the ceiling cavity to make sure
you have approximately 4-3/8” of depth for the CM7 Series and 4-3/4”
of depth for the CM8 Series loudspeakers. If the wire’s movement is
obstructed by anything, fill the hole(s) with spackle and try another
location. (If there is any risk of uninsulated electrical connections within
the ceiling area, use insulating gloves or other materials or consult with an
installation professional before proceeding).
3. If the coat hanger moves freely in a complete circle and you have
sufficient depth, tape the template to the ceiling and proceed to layout the
other speakers. Once you are comfortable with all speaker locations, use
a pencil to lightly outline the circular template.
5. If you are cutting drywall, use a sheetrock or keyhole saw. Cut the hole
with the saw at a 45° angle. That way the drywall section can be replaced
cleanly if there is an unseen obstruction behind the wall. IMPORTANT: BE
VERY CAREFUL NOT TO SAW THROUGH EXISTING WIRES, PIPES,
OR STRUCTURE. IF YOU FEEL EXTRA RESISTANCE AS YOU ARE
CUTTING, STOP.
NOTE: DO NOT INSTALL LOUDSPEAKERS BEFORE THE DRYWALL HAS BEEN COMPLETELY
FINISHED AND PAINTED.
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INSTALLING THE LOUDSPEAKERS
CONTINUED
6. Prep the speaker wire by stripping 1/4”-1/2” from each speaker lead.
Twist the strands or tin the leads with solder to ensure there are no stray
strands that could short and possibly harm the amplifier.
7. If you’ve chosen to use insulation behind the loudspeaker, place it
through the hole and center it on the opening. If using paper-backed
insulation, it should be placed so that the paper side is away from the
loudspeaker.
8. The speaker has black and red
spring-loaded connectors (Figure 3).
Black is for the negative (-) wire and
red for the positive (+). It is important
to observe correct wiring polarity.
This is especially important for the
Stereo Input (SI) Loudspeaker. If you
have wire other than black and red,
make sure you connect it the same
on the amplifier end as the speaker
Figure 3. Spring-loaded speaker wire
connectors.
end. Failure to do so will adversely
affect the loudspeakers’ performance.
9. Once the speaker wires are
connected, carefully slide the
loudspeaker into the opening hole
(Figure 4). While holding the speaker
in place, tighten the mounting screws
to secure the speaker to the drywall.
We recommend using a motorized
screwdriver. Be careful not to over
tighten. The CM loudspeakers feature
spring loaded mounting clamps that
allow the speaker to remain flush
with the ceiling, even if the
drywall shifts or expands.
NOTE: DO NOT CARRY THE SPEAKER
BY THE TWEETER OR TWEETER
BRIDGE. THIS MAY DAMAGE THE
SPEAKER.
7
Figure 4. Installing a
CM loudspeaker.
Mounting clamps require
1” clearance to the sides
of the hole opening
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Page 9
SWITCH ADJUSTMENTS
TREBLE SWITCH
(PR AND HD MODELS)
The three-position tweeter switch allows you to adjust the high frequency output
of the loudspeaker to compensate for room acoustics. The center position,
marked 0, does not affect the tweeter’s output. Moving the switch to the –
position reduces the tweeter output by 3 dB to compensate for bright rooms
(tile or wood oors, sparse furnishing, tall ceilings). Moving the switch to the
+ position increases the tweeter output by 3 dB to compensate for absorptive
rooms (carpeting, lots of drapery, plush furniture, etc.).
The CM loudspeaker grilles can be painted without priming, but the fabric scrim
must rst be removed. The installation template has die cut standoffs that can be
used to position the grille off the ground while painting. Use several light coats
sprayed from different sides and angles to cover all surfaces and not ll in any
holes. If you do ll some holes, use compressed air to open them before the paint
dries. It may be helpful to slightly dilute the paint to prevent it from clogging the
grille holes.
INSTALLING THE GRILLES
The Niles MicroThin™ speaker grille installs magnetically over the speaker.
Carefully center the grill over the speaker and let the magnets do their work,
verifying that the grill sets ush against the ceiling at all edges.
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APPLICATIONS
Niles CM Loudspeakers are designed to be installed in any standard ceiling.
When choosing a location, thought should be given to the sound coverage of the
loudspeaker, and ease of running the speaker wire. Niles manufactures a large
variety of speaker models for many different applications, with special models for
shallow depth ceilings, models with Rear Wave Enclosures to minimize any sound
bleeding through to adjacent rooms, etc.
STEREO SOUND APPLICATIONS
The best stereo effect will be achieved if both
loudspeakers are at an equal distance from the
listening area. Ideally all loudspeakers should
be on the same horizontal plane (Figure 6). Avoid
installing loudspeakers near corners to prevent
a “boomy” or diffracted sound. Also note that
3-6'
3-6'
8'
8'
the lower the ceiling, the closer the loudspeaker
should be placed to the listener.
HOME THEATER
APPLICATIONS
Left/Center/Right – Position the center
channel loudspeaker directly over the
television, with the left and right speakers
equidistant from the center. The separation
between the left and right should not be
more than the distance to the primary
seating area (Figure 7).
Side Surround Effects (CM7FX) – Position
surround effects loudspeakers to the sides
of the listening area with the tweeters in-line
with the listener. The tweeters should point
to the front and rear of the room (Figure 7).
Rear Surround Effects (CM7FX) – Position
surround effects loudspeakers behind the
listening area, to the inside of the front left
and right speakers. The tweeters should
point to the sides of the room (Figure 7).
Figure 6. Stereo Sound Application.
LCR
FX
FX
Figure 7. Home Theater Application.
LCR
Critical
Listening
Position
LCR
FX
FX
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Page 11
APPLICATIONS
CONTINUED
SINGLE SPEAKER STEREO INPUT APPLICATIONS
(CM7SI, CM8SI)
Stereo Input loudspeakers are ideal for small rooms where positioning two
loudspeakers is not practical. Examples would be a small kitchen, bathroom,
hallway, or small bedroom. Locate the loudspeaker as close to the center of the
room as possible for the most even distribution of sound (Figure 8). Avoid installing
the loudspeaker near a corner to prevent a “boomy” or diffracted sound.
Figure 8. Single Loudspeaker Stereo Input Application.
the original retail purchaser only that this product
Niles Audio Corporation
manufacturing defects
set forth below:
Lifetime Warranty
Passive Loudspeaker Products (those not requiring AC or battery power).
All
years from the date
Ten
Other Passive Products (those not requiring AC or battery power).
All
Two years from the date
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All
This warranty is not transferable
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Upon examination,
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at its sole option, may replace it with a different model
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America or Canada only. Any shipping costs for addresses outside
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