Niles Audio VCS-2S Owner's Manual

The VCS-2S is a wall-mount, standard-style volume control. It con­nects between the speaker-level output of an amplifier, speaker
selector, etc. and a pair of speakers.

The VCS-2S adjusts the volume of speakers connected to it by
attenuating the amplifier signal. Niles volume controls use auto­formers instead of L-pads for the volume controlling element.
This assures minimal internal power dissipation with virtually no
power wasted as heat.

B

LENDING H IGH F IDELITY AND A RCHITECTURE

®

VCS-2S

PREMIUM STEREO VOLUME CONTROL

1. Make sure the amplifier
or receiver power is OFF
and set the volume to
minimum.

2. Set the VCS-2S volume
to maximum (fully clock­wise).

3. If you are using a Niles
speaker selection system,
locate the ON/OFF button
which corresponds to the
speaker pair you wish to
play. Set it to the ON posi­tion.

4. Turn on the amplifier or
receiver and select a
source, such as the tuner
or CD player.

5. Slowly turn up the
amplifier or receiver vol­ume and set it to a com­fortable (not maximum)
listening level. Be careful
not to overdrive or "clip"
your amplifier. If the
sound becomes muddy or
distorted, you have
reached the limit of your
amplifier’s volume capabil­ity and should quickly
reduce the volume to
avoid damaging your
speakers.

6. Adjust the volume of
the speakers to the desired
listening level using the
VCS-2S. If all the speaker
pairs in your system are

equipped with Niles vol­ume controls, you can
leave the amplifier or
receiver volume set at one
position and use the Niles
controls exclusively.

7. You can turn off the
speakers by turning the
knob on the VCS-2S fully
counter-clockwise, or by
pressing the ON/OFF but­ton on your speaker selec­tor.

Audio Power Handling

60 Watts/channel peak music power

Mounting

In-wall, fits into most 18 cu. inch sin­gle-gang P-ring or electrical boxes at
least 2-9/16” deep

Wiring Requirements

Individual runs of 2-conductor speak­er wire, 14-22 gauge

Unit Dimensions

2-3/4" wide x 4-1/2" high

Depth Behind Plate

2-7/8”

Niles Audio Corporation 1 2331 S.W . 130 Street Miami, Florida 331 86 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

©1999 Niles Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Niles, the Niles logo and Blending High Fidelity and Architecture are registered trademarks of Niles
Audio Corporation. Because Niles continuously strives to improve its products, Niles reserves the right to change product specifications without notice.
Printed in the USA 10/96 DS00111B

• The VCS-2S uses a 12-position control, which is superior to 10­position designs. You get a broader range of adjustment—there
are ten steps of attenuation instead of eight. Steps 11-6 attenu ­ate -3 dB per step; steps 5-2 are -6 dB per step. Step 12 is “full­on” and step 1 is “full-off”.

• Greater dynamic range — you get 42 dB of total attenuation
instead of the typical 20 or 30 dB.

• POP-FREE switching between all steps.

• 100% tested, electronically and acoustically, for frequency

response, distortion and power handling. Printed circuit board
construction uses no hand wiring, assuring high reliability.
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 KHz ± 1.2 dB.

• Isolated left and right channel grounds make it safe for use with
any amplifier.

• May be used with 4, 6, or 8 Ohm speaker systems.

• Power handling: 60 watts/channel peak music power.

• Available colors: White, Bone, Almond, or Black.

• Ten year parts and labor warranty.

• Proudly made in the USA.

Introduction

Features and Benefits

Operation

Specifications

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Installation

If you are installing the VCS-2S into an existing wall, take time to
consider any possible obstructions which may be hidden inside the
wall, such as wood and metal studs; electrical, telephone or other
types of wiring; plumbing; conduit; old wall safes; etc.

1. Install the electrical box or p-ring in the usual manner.

2. Run all the necessary wiring to the VCS-2S. Label the wires for

future reference.

3. Make the connections to the VCS-2S. Locate the connectors for
the VCS-2S (remove them if they are plugged in). Next, strip 1/4” of
insulation from the end of each wire. Tightly twist the end of each
wire until there are no frayed ends. Insert each wire into the appro­priate hole on the removable connector blocks; secure the wiring to
the connectors by tightening the small connector screws.Be certain
that proper phasing is observed— connect the positive terminals on
the VCS-2S to the positive terminals on the amplifier and speakers;
the negative terminals on the VCS-2S to the negative terminals on the
amplifier and speakers.(See Figures3and4).

4. Plug the connectors into the VCS-2S as shown. (SeeFigure 5).

The inputs of the VCS-2S are the connector pins labeled
“AMPLIFIER”. The outputs are the connector pins labeled
“SPEAKERS”. Be sure not to reverse these connections or the
VCS-2S will not function properly.

5. Secure the VCS-2S to the electrical box or p-ring. Insert the 1-1/4”

long device screws into the round-shaped screw holes on the top
and bottom of the VCS-2S front plate. Position the VCS-2S so that
the screws are aligned with the threaded holes in the electrical box
or p-ring. Tighten the screws using a standard slotted screwdriver.

P-Rings and Electrical Boxes

The mounting depth of the VCS-2S is 2-9/16”. When installed, the unit
extends 2-1/16” behind the sheetrock wall (assuming 1/2” sheetrock).
For installation, you must choose between a standard light switch plas­ter ring (p-ring) or a standard 18 cu. in. (or larger) electrical box.
Suitable p-rings and electrical boxes are available from your Niles deal­er or local electrical supply company. Using the p-ring is best because
it gives you unobstructed access to the full depth of the wall. In some
instances, the use of a p-ring may be inappropriate, such as in a retro­fit (existing) installation, or when building codes require that wall
devices be enclosed in electrical boxes. Contact your local building
code and inspection department if unsure.

Type of Speaker Wire

For most applications, we recommend you use 16 or 18 gauge, strand­ed copper speaker wire for the VCS-2S connections. For wiring runs
longer than 80 feet, 14 gauge wire is recommended. Using speaker wire
larger than 14 gauge for the VCS-2S connections is not recommend­ed—the wire may not fit into the connectors. Never use solid-core, alu­minum, or “Romex” type wire with the VCS-2S. When running speaker
wires inside walls, most states and municipalities in the U.S. specify that
you must use a special type of speaker wire. Usually, the requirement is
that the wire has a specific “CL” fire rating, such as “CL-2” or “CL-3”.
Consult your Niles dealer, building contractor, or local building and
inspection department if unsure about which type of wire is best for
your application.

VCS-2S Mounting Location

Convenient mounting locations for the VCS-2S are near entryways or
exits, near a desk, at your bedside, close to a telephone, or near other wall
controls.

DO NOT INSTALL THE VCS-2S INTO ELECTRICAL BOXES
WITH 110 VOLT DEVICES

Some states or municipalities allow devices such as the VCS-2S to be
installed into the same electrical box as 110 volt devices, provided a “low­voltage partition” is used between the devices. We do not recommend
this. Speaker wires can act as an “antenna” for electrical noise. Locating
speaker wires too close to a light switch or dimmer may cause a “pop­ping” or “buzzing” sound to be heard through the speakers. If you must
locate the VCS-2S near electrical devices, install it in a separate metal elec­trical box, ground the box to the electrical system ground, and route the
speaker wires several feet away from the electrical wiring.

Installation Considerations

TOOLS

REQUIRED

• 1/8" Standard

Slotted Screwdriver

• 1/4" Standard

Slotted Screwdriver

• Wire Stripper

"TECH TIP"

Wire size is

expressed by it's

AWG (American

Wire Gauge)

number. The lower

the AWG number,
the larger the wire,

i.e., 12 AWG wire is

physically larger

than 14 AWG.

Figure 3

Wiring the connectors

Figure 4

Wiring Diagram

Figure 5

Installing the block