Niles Audio OS6.5, OS5.5 User Manual

I N S T A L L A T I O N G U I D E

F O R U SE IN DI S T R I B U T E D A U D I O O R H O M E T H E AT E R S YS T EM S

I N D O O R / O U T D O O R W E AT HE RP RO OF L OU DS PE A K E R S

OS7.5 OS6.5 OS5.5

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you for choosing Niles OS Indoor/Outdoor Loudspeakers. 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 see the complete Niles product assortment, visit us on the
Internet at: www.nilesaudio.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 1

Features and Benefits 2

Parts Guide 4

Installation Considerations 6

Painting the Loudspeaker 11

Installation 14

Operation 17

Specifications 18

Notes 19

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 bestselling 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
SoundfieldTM 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. 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 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
elegant-appearing loudspeakers.

NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 305-238-4373

1

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

PATENT-PENDING INTEGRATED
WOOFER/BAFFLE ASSEMBLY

Increases the woofer cone-area to cabinet-width ratio for enhanced bass output

CARBON-WEAVE POLYPROPYLENE WOOFER CONE

Reduces breakup and lowers distortion

BUTYL-RUBBER WOOFER CONE SURROUND

Damps resonance and provides exceptional durability

DISPERSION STABILIZER

Distributes midrange tones for clear off-axis sound

TRI-LAMINATE TETERON DOME TWEETER

One-inch fluid-cooled tweeter provides ultra-wide dispersion for clear, detailed, and extended
high-frequencies

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

ARCHITECTURALLY-FRIENDLY DESIGN

Delivers stellar acoustical performance, yet tucks discreetly 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

2

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 loudspeakers in home
theater systems

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

NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 305-238-4373

3

PARTS GUIDE

d

e

a

b

c

d

b

d

g

g

f

Figure 1. OS .5 Parts Guide

a. Mounting Bracket
b. Nail Hole
c. Wire Hole
d. Screw Hole
e. Bracket Knob
f. Grille
g. Cabinet
h. Shelf Stand

4

h

e

i

j

Figure 2

i. Binding Posts

. Threaded Insert (1/4"-20 Thread size)

j

NOTE: Bracket and Shelf Stand are used depending upon installation requirements.
See

NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 305-238-4373

. OS .5 Parts Guide (continued)

INSTALLATION

on page 14.

5

INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

TOOLS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

• Electric drill with 1/4- and 1/2-inch drill bits, and a 1-inch flat drill bit for drilling
through studs)

• Three screws or bolts suitable for the mounting surface

• The proper screwdriver for the mounting hardware

• Safety cable (optional)

• Cable ties

• Wire stripper

• Pencil

• Level

• Rubber gloves and protective eyewear

WIRING

The OS loudspeakers connect to your receiver or amplifier using 2-conductor loudspeaker wire
(see Figure 3 on the next page). For most applications, we recommend using 16- or 18-gauge
wire. For wiring runs longer than 80 feet (24.38 meters), we recommend 14-gauge wire. The
binding posts on OS loudspeakers 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. For example, 12 AWG is
physically larger than 14 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.

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 pair of loudspeakers has its own volume control. Niles makes a wide range of indoor
and outdoor volume controls with and without muting capabilities. Consult your local Niles dealer
for more information. Volume controls are connected in line with the loudspeaker, so you must
connect the wire from the amplifier to the volume control and then from the volume control to the

loudspeaker (see Figure 4 on the next page).

6