Niles Audio PHD42, PHD60, PHD30 User Manual

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

F O R U S E W I T H P L A S M A O R O T H E R F L A T - P A N E L D I S P L A Y

M U LT I -WAY, H IG H - DE F IN I T IO N , W AL L- MO UN T LO U D SP E A KE R S

PHD60 PHD42 PHD30

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you for choosing the PHD60/42/30 High-Definition, Left/Center/Right Channel,
Loudspeaker from Niles. With proper installation and operation, you should 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

Installation Considerations 4

Loudspeaker Placement 5

Installing the Wall-Mount Brackets 7

Finishing the Installation 9

Operation 13

Specifications 14

Notes 15

Limited Warranty 16

Warranty Registration Card 17

NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI

INTRODUCTION

The Niles PHD60/42/30 High-Definition, Left/Center/Right Channel, Loudspeaker is expressly
designed for superior sonic quality in front left-, center-, or front right-channel applications. It
employs advanced technology components that extract the subtle nuances in recorded music or
the thunderous action sound in a movie. The PHD60/42/30 is the perfect choice wherever quality
of sound is the most important consideration.

PHD60 PHD42 PHD30

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FEATURES AND BENEFITS

THREE MODELS DESIGNED FOR USE WITH PLASMA OR
OTHER FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS

The largest model, the PHD60, is designed for use with plasma or other flat-panel displays of
60-inches or more. The PHD42 complements 42-inch and over displays, while the PHD30 works
with 30-inches or larger displays. Except for differences in the transducer complement and
performance, all three models feature similar technologies, For example: the PHD60 and 42 feature
a 3-way loudspeaker design, while the PHD30 features a 2-way design. All offer voice matching
sound quality and exceptional detail over a wide listening area.

5-1/4-INCH TCC WOOFERS WITH CONE-FORWARD™
DESIGN AND BUTYL-RUBBER SUSPENSION

The PHD60/42/30 features newly-developed woofer-cone material that combines injection-molded
polypropylene with talc, carbon, and ceramic (TCC) stiffening agents. As a result, the cone offers
extreme stiffness and light weight for accurate, dynamic response. Our patent-pending Cone
Forward™ design positions the woofer cone at the front of the baffle for natural-sounding bass
and clear, open midrange response. Additionally, the use of a butyl-rubber suspension offers
substantial benefits, including increased movement without mechanical limitations, and improved
midrange damping for better detail and clarity.

1-1/2-INCH FLUID-COOLED TETERON HYPERBOLIC­DOME MIDRANGE DRIVER

The PHD60 and PHD42 also feature a Fluid-Cooled Teteron Hyperbolic-Dome Midrange Driver that
provides high sound pressures to reproduce critical mid frequencies with exceptional accuracy.

1-INCH FLUID-COOLED TETERON TRI-LAMINATE TWEETER

The PHD60/42/30’s Fluid-Cooled Teteron Tweeter employs a tri-laminate design consisting of
an inner textile layer, which forms the dome, a high damping layer to eliminate unwanted
resonances, and an outside layer of urethane to add stiffness and prevent breakup modes. The
result is a transparently clear, sweet, natural-sounding tweeter, which still maintains extended
frequency response.

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NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI

ADJUSTABLE, DISPERSION-CONTROLLING MIDRANGE/
TWEETER POD ENABLES PRECISE IMAGING

The PHD60 and PDH42 each feature a unique Midrange/Tweeter pod that can be rotated and
pivoted to enable precise imaging regardless of placement. The pod accommodates vertical or
horizontal installations and can be set by the installer after each loudspeaker is mounted. Included
are variable treble and midrange level controls for additional response contouring.

NILES’ HD HIGH-DEFINITION VOICE MATCHING

Ensures compatibility with other Niles HD High-Definition in-wall, on-wall, and ceiling-mount
models to accommodate a wide range of system designs.

ADVANCED BASS-REFLEX DESIGN FOR ENHANCED
DYNAMIC IMPACT

The PHD60/42/30’s bass-reflex design enhances low-frequency response and dynamic impact.
Moreover, the rigid extruded aluminum enclosure helps deliver accurate bass response with
low distortion.

LOOKS GREAT AND EASY TO INSTALL

The PHD60/42/30’s contemporary finish matches popular flat-panel displays, and its integrated
wall mount brackets make installation quick and easy.

DOLBY® DIGITAL READY

The PHD60/42/30 is specifically designed for Home Theater Sound. They are designed to
complement and provide for the accurate reproduction of Dolby Digital Encoded Sources.

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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

WALL MOUNTING

The Niles PHD60/42/30 loudspeaker is equipped with an included wall-mount bracket for quick
and easy installation on a wall. Ideally, a PHD60/42/30 should be placed so that its bracket can
be installed on underlying wall studs. If stud mounting is impractical, dry-wall anchors (rated for
at least 40 pounds) can be used to mount the loudspeaker between studs (see INSTALLING THE

WALL-MOUNT BRACKETS on page 7).

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER POWER

For satisfactory performance, we recommend using a home theater receiver (or amplifier) with
a power rating of 10 to 250 watts for the PHD60,10 to 200 watts for the PHD42, and 10 to 150
watts for the PHD30. Most loudspeakers are not damaged by large amplifiers, but rather by small
amplifiers. If your system is playing loud music, a small amplifier will run out of power very quickly
and can create damaging “clipping” distortions. A more powerful amplifier will play at the same
volume without distorting. See OPERATION on page 13 for more information about amplifier

clipping distortion.

LOUDSPEAKER WIRE

Use 2-conductor loudspeaker wire when connecting loudspeakers to your receiver or amplifier.
For most applications, we recommend using 16- or 18-gauge wire. For wiring runs longer than
80 feet, we recommend 14-gauge wire. The spring-loaded terminals of the PHD60/42/30 will
accommodate up to 12-gauge wire directly. Larger sizes can be accommodated via
pin connectors.

When running wire inside walls or ceilings, always use (CL-2 or CL-3) rated cable. In some areas,
conduit is also required. For a trouble-free installation, low-voltage wire such as loudspeaker wire
must be run 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.

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.

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