INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE
MODELS
OS6.3Si
OS6.3Si
OS5.3Si
OS5.3Si
Stereo Input Indoor/Outdoor Loudspeaker
B LENDING H IGH F IDELITY
AND
A RCHITECTURE
®
CONGRATULATIONS
Thank you for choosing a Niles OS Indoor/Outdoor Loudspeaker. With proper
installation and operation, you’ll enjoy years of trouble-free use.
Niles manufactures the industry’s most complete line of custom installation
components and accessories for audio/video systems. To learn more about
Niles products visit our website: www.nilesaudio.com or call us at 800-BUY-HIFI
(800-289-4434).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2
FEATURES & BENEFITS 3
PARTS GUIDE 5
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS 7
PAINTING THE OS SERIES LOUDSPEAKER 12
INSTALLATION 15
OPERATION 18
SPECIFICATIONS 19
WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD 21
LIMITED WARRANTY 22
INTRODUCTION
Niles once again raises the bar. With our first OS Indoor/Outdoor models we
revealed a radical new understanding of loudspeaker capabilities. Niles original
OS Indoor/Outdoor loudspeakers are constantly praised for their ability to deliver
exemplary reliability and outstanding sound quality. These attributes have made
Niles OS Indoor/Outdoor loudspeakers the best selling loudspeakers in their class.
The goal of our new OS Indoor/Outdoor line-up is to raise this bar with refined
appearance and superior sonic performance. Once again establishing a
benchmark by which all others are judged. The new Niles OS Indoor/Outdoor
loudspeakers owe much of their performance and sound quality advantage to
design elements pioneered in the award-winning Niles DS Directed Soundfield™
loudspeakers. Their engineering advances come from our integrated approach to
driver and cabinet design. By integrating the woofer basket into the baffle of the
cabinet we are able to increase the woofer cone-area to cabinet-width ratio. Thus
enabling OS Indoor/Outdoor loudspeakers to provide levels of bass performance
that substantially exceed their physical size. However, deeper and more powerful
bass isn’t the only refinement in the new OS Indoor/Outdoor line-up. A new and
modern style enables OS Indoor/Outdoor loudspeakers to blend seamlessly with
the architectural elements both indoors and out. After the installation is complete,
you will be astonished by the experience of hearing such clean and powerful
sound coming from such an elegant appearing loudspeaker.
INTRODUCTION
2
FEATURES & BENEFITS
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Stereo Input “Si” Design
Plays both left and right channels to provide broad sound coverage and a stereo
effect from a single loudspeaker
Patent Pending Integrated Woofer/Baffle Assembly
Increases the woofer cone-area to cabinet-width ratio for enhanced bass output
Mica-Filled Polypropylene Woofer Cone
Reduces breakup and lowers distortion
Butyl Rubber Woofer Cone Surround
Damps resonance and provides exceptional durability
Dual Voice Coil Woofer
Delivers both left and right channels from one loudspeaker
Dual UltraSilk™ Dome Tweeters
1" fluid-cooled tweeters provides ultra-wide dispersion for clear, detailed and
extended high-frequencies
Stereo Imaging Tweeter Array
Directs the high frequency sounds from both the right and left channels from one
loudspeaker
Weatherproof Engineering
Enables OS loudspeakers to handle extreme hot, cold and moist environments,
exceeding the military’s strict anti-corrosion specification MIL-STD-883D
Advanced Material Science
Elevates appearance and longevity of the cabinet and grille, plus enhances the
performance of the woofers, tweeters and crossovers
3
Architectural Friendly Design
Delivers stellar acoustical performance yet tucks discretely away into corners and
under eaves
Low Diffraction Grille and Front Baffle
Ensures that the sound waves emanating from the woofer and tweeter are not
reflected by the surrounding parts of the loudspeaker for precise imaging and
acoustical accuracy
Rigid, Acoustically Inert Cabinet
Prevents transmission of unwanted vibrations for clean and dynamic bass response
All-Weather Versatility
Reduces installation limitations to provide great sound from the beaches of Miami
to the harsh winters of Minneapolis
Home Theater Applicability
Enables OS loudspeakers to be used as left, center, right, or surround speakers in
home theater systems
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Integrated Mounting Bracket and Shelf Stand
Provide a variety of secure, quick and easy mounting solutions
Tapered Shape
Facilitates mounting in corners and under eaves
Inverted Gold Plated 5-Way Binding Posts
Repel moisture and ensure positive connections in virtually any conditions over
long periods of time
4
PARTS GUIDE
PARTS GUIDE
b
c
dd
b
d
a
g
g
f
e
e
Figure 1 OS-5.3Si and OS-6.3Si Parts Guide
a. Bracket
b. Nail Hole
c. Wire Hole
d. Screw Hole
e. Bracket Knob
f. Grille
g. Cabinet
h. Binding Posts
i. Threaded Insert (1/4"-20 Thread size)
5
PARTS GUIDE
PARTS GUIDE
h
h
i
6
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
Tools and Materials Required
• A wire stripper
• A pencil
• A level (optional)
• Three screws or bolts suitable for the mounting surface
• The proper screwdriver for your mounting hardware
• A drill bit of the right size and type
• An electric drill
Wiring
The OS loudspeaker connects to your receiver or amplifier using 2x2-conductor
loudspeaker wire (See Figure 2). For most applications, we recommend using 16
or 18 gauge wire. For wiring runs longer than 80 feet, we recommend 14 gauge
wire. The binding posts on the OS loudspeaker will accommodate up to 12 gauge
wire directly. Larger sizes can be accommodated using spade, banana, or pin
connectors.
TECH TIP
Wire size is expressed by its AWG (American Wire
Gauge) number. The lower the number, the larger
the wire, i.e. twelve AWG is physically larger than
fourteen AWG.
When you run wire inside walls, outdoors or in marine installations, special
jacketing or conduit is required for a trouble-free installation and conformation to
the local and national building codes. If you are not sure of the correct wire jacket
or type of conduit to use, consult a professional audio/video installer, building
contractor, or the local building and inspection department.
7
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
Wiring directly from a receiver
Figure 2
or amplifier
Incorporating a volume control
Figure 3
Incorporating a Volume Control
It’s possible to control the volume of the sound at the loudspeaker location. Plan to
wire the system so that each loudspeaker has it’s own volume control. Niles makes
a wide range of indoor and outdoor volume controls. Consult your local Niles
dealer for more information. Volume controls are connected in line with the
speaker, so you must connect the wire from the amplifier to the volume control and
then from the volume control to the loudspeaker (See Figure 3).
Recommended Amplifier Power
For the OS 5.3Si loudspeaker, we recommend an amplifier with a power rating of
five (5) to one hundred (100) watts per channel for optimum performance. For the
OS 6.3Si loudspeaker, we recommend an amplifier with a power rating of five
(5) to one hundred twenty five (125) watts per channel for optimum performance.
Ironically, most speakers are not damaged by large amplifiers but by small
amplifiers. If you are playing at high volume, a small amplifier will run out of power
very quickly. When an amplifier runs out of power it creates damaging “clipping”
distortion. A large amplifier will play at the same volume without distorting. See the
section “Operation” for more information about clipping distortion.
8
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
10'
Figure 4
Illustration depicts the optimum placement zone for a listening
distance of ten feet.
Placing the OS Loudspeaker for the Best Sound Quality
Traditionally, when using a pair of stereo loudspeakers, the listener will be
positioned directly between the left and right loudspeakers to achieve optimum
stereo sound. However, in some applications this is not possible, especially when
a large area of coverage is required. It was for these types of applications that the
OS “Si” loudspeaker was created. With its ultra wide dispersion pattern, a single
OS “Si” loudspeaker is able to project quality stereo sound over a larger area. No
matter where you are—You are always in the sweet spot. (See Figure 4).
Make sure that you are not blocking or reflecting the sound off of furniture or other
objects. You should have a direct line of sight with the front of the loudspeaker.
9
You can control the loudspeakers bass output by placement. This is called the
boundary effect. You will get more bass response by mounting the OS loudspeaker
directly to a wall or other flat surface (any boundary close to the loudspeaker will
reinforce the bass frequencies). You can increase the bass output even more by
mounting the OS loudspeaker in a corner or under an eave (See Figure 5) This type
of placement gives the loudspeaker two boundaries, both reinforcing the bass
sounds. Of course, if you wish to hear less bass, try moving the loudspeaker away
from the boundary (See Figure 6).
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
Placement for more bass output
Figure 5
Figure 6
Placement for
less bass output
Mounting Methods
The OS loudspeaker should be mounted horizontally. The bracket knobs will keep
the loudspeaker angled correctly in any position once they are tightened. You can
choose from three mounting methods to attach the OS loudspeaker to the wall,
ceiling, or other mounting surface.
1. If the loudspeaker is never going to be exposed to sudden accidental impacts,
wind, waves or earthquakes you can simply hang it on a nail using the nail
hole(s) on the bracket (See Figure 7).
2. The safest and most secure way to mount the loudspeaker is by screwing it to the
mounting surface using your own hardware (suitable for the surface you are
mounting to) and the bracket supplied with the loudspeaker (See Figure 7).
10
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
Top View
Nail Mounting
Screw Mounting
Custom Bracket Mounting
Figure 7 The OS loudspeaker can be mounted three ways.
3. There is a threaded brass insert (1/4" – 20) on the back of the OS loudspeaker for
attaching a custom bracket (See Figure 7). This allows you to position the
loudspeaker at unusual angles or varying distances from the mounting surface.
Safety First!
Be careful to use hardware that is designed for the surface you are mounting to. The
OS 5.3Si loudspeaker (including bracket) weighs 9 pounds. The OS 6.3Si
loudspeaker (including bracket) weighs 11 pounds. If you are not sure of a safe
way to mount the loudspeakers, consult a professional installer or a building
contractor.
You will maximize the useful life of the loudspeaker, by placing the loudspeaker so
that it receives less exposure to the elements. Look for the best overall compromise
between sound quality, convenience, and exposure. Do not compromise safety.
11
PAINTING THE LOUDSPEAKER
The enclosure, the brackets, and the grilles of the OS loudspeaker can all be
painted to match the surroundings. Because we want you to preserve the acoustic
qualities of the grille, please paint the grille according to the grille painting
instructions. Make sure you pick a paint that is appropriate for the mounting
location. There are interior and exterior varieties, and even paint for marine uses. If
you are not sure what paint to use, consult a paint store professional or a painter.
Tools Required
• A spray can of primer paint
• The correct paint for the environment/use (oil or water based paint is fine)
• A paint brush or applicator if the paint is not in a spray can.
• A paper clip or an awl (for removing the grille)
• Masking tape
• 2 paint masks (supplied)
• A damp cloth and a dry cloth
Preparing to Paint
1. Separate the parts of the speaker. You should remove the brackets and the bracket
knobs. Remove the grille by hooking it with a bent paper clip or the tip of an awl
and pulling it away from the cabinet (See Figure 8).
PAINTING THE LOUDSPEAKER
Removing the grille using a paper clip
Figure 8
12
PAINTING THE LOUDSPEAKER
2. Wipe off the other sides of the cabinet, the bracket, bracket knobs, and grille with
a damp cloth. Do not touch or rub the loudspeakers on the front baffle. Make
sure everything is dry before masking.
3. Mask off the binding posts and the brass threaded inserts on the back panel with
masking tape.
4. Mask off the threaded inserts on the top and bottom with masking tape.
5. Protect the front of the loudspeaker by inserting the supplied paint mask in place
of the grille.
Painting the Cabinet, Bracket Knobs and Bracket
1. Apply two thin coats of a sandable spray primer to the cabinet and knobs. The
bracket doesn't require a coat of primer.
2. Allow the primer to dry completely.
3. Apply the finish color.
4. Allow the paint to dry completely.
13
5. Carefully remove the masking material.
6. Do not reattach the loudspeaker to the bracket until the bracket is mounted. Try
to keep all handling of the freshly painted parts to a minimum.
Painting the Grille
The grille is important to the sound of the OS loudspeaker. Do not fill the holes of
the grille with paint. The grille is constructed of aluminum with a perfectly even
powder coat overall. This powder coat is an ideal primer.
If you are using a spray paint, use two thin coats without any primer. If you are using
a compressor and a spray gun, use the finest, most diffuse setting. Practice on paper
if you are not experienced in painting with spray paint.
If you are using an applicator or brush and a can of paint, thin the paint first. Thick
paint will tend to clog the grille holes. To ensure a uniform appearance, paint the
front and back of the grille.
Replacing the Grille
Carefully fit the grille into its recess so that it is barely in place. Starting with one
corner, go around the speaker, pushing the grille in a little bit each time. You should
be gentle, the aluminum grille can be bent easily out of shape. You will feel a
positive “snap” when it is in place.
PAINTING THE LOUDSPEAKER
14
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION
Mounting the Bracket (if attaching the loudspeaker to a wall, ceiling, beam or
other solid structure)
1. Loosen the bracket knobs and remove the bracket from the loudspeaker.
2. Hold the bracket up to the mounting surface. The loudspeaker can be mounted
either horizontally or vertically. Hold the bracket so that the loudspeaker wire fits
through the large, circular wire hole in the center of the bracket. Align the
bracket to be square with the surroundings (use a level for accuracy).
3. Mark the locations of the three oval-shaped screw holes (See Figure 9). Be sure
to use all of the holes.
4. Drill pilot holes into the mounting surface.
Figure 9
Mounting the
Bracket
15
5. Pull the loudspeaker wire through the wire hole in the center of the mounting
bracket. Align the bracket so that the holes all line up.
6. Use your hardware to attach the bracket to the mounting surface.
Connecting the Loudspeaker
1. Separate the two conductors of each loudspeaker wire so that at least two inches
of each conductor are free.
2. Strip one half inch of insulation from the end of each conductor of the
loudspeaker wires.
3. If you have any connectors (gold pins or bananas) which you prefer to use, affix
them to the stripped wire ends now. Only gold plated connectors should be used
outside as they will not tarnish or corrode.
4. If using the bracket to attach to a solid surface, slide the loudspeaker onto the
bracket. Do not tighten the knobs completely. Angle the loudspeaker so that the
rear terminals are accessible.
5. Connect one stripped wire end to the black and one to the red terminal (repeat
this for the other channel). Pay attention to the markings on the wire. Each
channel must be connected to the amplifier in the same way.
6. If required, attach the safety cable to the loudspeaker enclosure. See Safety First
section for details.
7. Verify that the loudspeaker is in-phase as described in the Loudspeaker Phase
section.
INSTALLATION
8. Angle the loudspeaker for the best sound possible.
Figure 10
Loudspeaker Wire
Connection
16
INSTALLATION
9. Tighten the bracket knobs using only your hands. Use of any power tools may
over-tighten the knob, and strip the threads of the insert.
10. Check that the entire installation is safe and secure.
Loudspeaker Phase
Loudspeaker wire has two conductors. One conductor is attached to the negative
(-) terminals and one conductor is attached to the positive (+) terminals of both your
loudspeaker and your amplifier. Usually, the wire is marked for your convenience.
There are different ways to mark the wire; a stripe on one wire, a ribbed area of one
conductor you can only feel, different colors of metal wire on each conductor, or
there might be a fabric strand or string wound into one of the conductors. Of
course, there are some wires which appear completely identical. Be careful to
avoid mistakes. If you do, the woofer of the OS loudspeaker will not be playing
loudly. If you do not hear any or very little “bass” coming from the loudspeaker try
this simple test:
1. Play some music with the amplifier or radio set to Mono.
2. Listen to the richness of the bass and the loudness of the sound.
3. Turn off the amplifier and reverse the connections on one loudspeaker terminal
only.
17
4. Repeat the listening test with the same setting of the volume control.
5. If the sound is louder in step 4 then step 2 leave the terminals connected the way
they are. If not, put the connections back the way they were in step 1.
OPERATION
Listening at Higher Volumes
Outdoors there are no walls to reflect and contain the sound. It requires more
power to achieve a reasonable volume of sound outside than it does when you
are indoors. You also frequently find yourself very far from the loudspeaker. It is
possible to turn the volume so high that the amplifier runs out of power. This creates
“clipping” distortion.
Clipping distortion makes treble sound very harsh and unmusical. When you
hear harsh sounding treble from any good loudspeaker indoors or outdoors, turn
the volume down immediately! Those harsh sounds are masking some much
more powerful ultra-high-frequency sound spikes which will quickly damage any
fine loudspeaker.
Cleaning
You can clean the OS loudspeaker with a dampened soft cloth or paper towel. If
the loudspeaker is mounted high up on a wall or ceiling, use a broom to gently
brush it off. Hosing off the loudspeaker is not recommended, as the tweeter is a
precise mechanism which might be damaged by a high pressure stream of water.
OPERATION
18
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
OS6.3Si Loudspeaker
Recommended Amplifier Power
5W – 125W per channel
Nominal Impedance
8 ohms per channel, wired in stereo or 4
ohms with both channels wired together
Frequency Response
75Hz – 21kHz +/-3dB
Sensitivity
90dB for 2.83V pink noise
Wiring Requirements
Sixteen to eighteen gauge 2-conductor
(unshielded or shielded) wire for runs up
to eighty feet. Fourteen gauge 2conductor (unshielded or shielded) wire
for runs up to two hundred feet.
Dimensions (Loudspeaker
with U-Bracket)
13-5/16" high x 8-3/16" wide
x 9-3/16" deep
Weight (Loudspeaker and Bracket)
11 lbs.
OS5.3Si Loudspeaker
Recommended Amplifier Power
5W – 100W per channel
Nominal Impedance
8 ohms per channel, wired in stereo or 4
ohms with both channels wired together
Frequency Response
85Hz – 21kHz +/-3dB
Sensitivity
90dB for 2.83V pink noise
Wiring Requirements
Sixteen to eighteen gauge 2-conductor
(unshielded or shielded) wire for runs up
to eighty feet. Fourteen gauge 2conductor (unshielded or shielded) wire
for runs up to two hundred feet.
Dimensions (Loudspeaker
with U-Bracket)
12" high x 7-7/16" wide
x 7-3/4" deep
Weight (Loudspeaker and Bracket)
9 lbs.
19
Warranty
2 year limited
Warranty
2 year limited
PLEASE FILL OUT THE
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
CARD ON THE REVERSE SIDE,
DETACH, AND MAIL TO:
Niles Audio Corporation
Warranty Registration Dept.
P.O. Box 160818
Miami, Florida 33116-0818
DETACH HERE
WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD
Model Purchased__________________________________________________________________________
Serial Number_________________________________________________________________________
Date Purchased (month/day/year)__________________________________________________________
Dealer Name and Location_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
K Dr. K Miss K Mr. K Mrs. K Ms.
Name_________________________________________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________________________________
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Cit y___________________________________________State________________Zip_________________
Telephone (___________) ________________________________________________________________
Please take a moment to fill out our warranty registration card.The information helps us to
get to know you better and develop the products you want
Age:
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Under 25
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25-34
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35-44
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55 & over
Income:
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Under $24,999
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$25,000-$34,999
J
$35,000-$44,999
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$45,000-$59,999
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$60,000-$74,999
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$75,000-$99,999
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Over $99,999
Occupation:
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Business Owner
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apply)
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Alternative
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Country
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you read?
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3. _____________________
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product?
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Myself
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of your Niles product?
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how many square feet?
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DETACH HERE AND RETURN TO: Niles Audio Corporation Warranty Registration Dept. P.O. Box 160818 Miami, Florida 33116-0818
2 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Niles Audio Corporation ("NILES") warrants its outdoor loudspeaker products to the original
purchaser to be free of manufacturing defects in material and workmanship for a period of two
years from date of purchase.
This Warranty is subject to the following additional conditions and limitations. The Warranty is void
and inapplicable if NILES deems that the product has been used or handled other than in
accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer, including but not limited to
damage caused by accident, mishandling, improper installation, abuse, negligence, or normal
wear and tear, or any defect caused by repair to the product by anyone other than NILES or an
authorized NILES dealer.
To obtain warranty service, take the unit to the nearest authorized NILES dealer, who will test the
product and if necessary, forward it to NILES for service. If there are no authorized NILES dealers
in your area, you must write to NILES and include your name, model and serial number of your
unit, along with a brief description of the problem. A factory Return Authorization Number will
be sent to you. DO NOT RETURN ANY UNIT WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING WRITTEN
AUTHORIZATION AND SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS FROM NILES.
If the above conditions are met, the purchaser's sole remedy shall be to return the product to NILES,
in which case NILES will repair or replace, at its sole option, the defective product without charge
for parts or labor. NILES will return a unit repaired or replaced under warranty by shipping same
by its usual shipping method from the factory (only) at its expense within the United States of
America. THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT.
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY OF THE CONSUMER/PURCHASER. NILES SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED (OR
PROHIBITED) BY APPLICABLE LAW.
2 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so
the above limitation may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
For the name of your nearest authorized NILES dealer contact:
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION
P.O. BOX 160818, Miami, Florida 33116-0818.
1-800-BUY-HIFI (800-289-4434)
Please fill in your product information and retain for your records.
Model____________________________________________________________________________________
Serial No._________________________________________________________________________________
Purchase Date_____________________________________________________________________________
22
Niles Audio Corporation
12331 S.W. 130 Street
Miami, Florida 33186
Tel: (305) 238-4373
Fax: (305) 238-0185
Printed in China
©2004 Niles Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Niles reserves the
right to change product specifications without notice. Niles, the Niles logo
and Blending High Fidelity and Architecture are registered trademarks of
Niles Audio Corporation. MicroPerf and UltraSilk is a trademark of Niles
Audio Corporation. Printed in China. 11/04 DS00427ACN
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