Paradigm CI PRO, CI Elite Owner's Manual

MAN0105

1

FIREPROOF BACKBOXES

Paradigm in-wall and in-ceiling applications can now be spec’d for multi­dwelling unit applications.

Paradigm backboxes meet the following:

• ‘One-Hour Fire-Rating’ requirements

• ‘For Use in Air Handling Spaces’ requirements
Paradigm backboxes will contain fire, gas, smoke and heat within the enclosure

for up to one hour.

Paradigm backboxes also meet the following codes:

ASTM E119-98 Vertical
ASTM E119-98 Horizontal
UBC 7-1
UL 2043
CAN/ULC S101-M89

Backbox Features:

• Corrosion-resistant metal;

• Insulated lining;

• 10 db of acoustic isolation between room boundaries;

• Integrated safety tab on the back of the cabinet accommodates installer­supplied safety cable;

• Standard top-surface 3/8˝ knockouts for conduit set-screw connector. Positioning

of knockouts allows for vertical or horizontal installs;

• Pre-drilled mounting holes surround flange for easy installation;

• All boxes fit 12˝, 16˝ and 24˝ stud bays.

See your dealer for a firebox to fit your model.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fireproof Backboxes ............. 1

Your New Speakers .............. 2

How To Avoid Speaker Damage .... 2

Your Listening Room ............. 2

Speaker Assembly Parts List ...... 2

Speaker Placement Guidelines ..... 3

Color-Match Painting ............. 5

Installation ..................... 5

Installation of P80-SM ........... . 6

Speaker Placement (pictorial) ..... . 7

Speaker Installation and

Connection (pictorial) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Speaker Connection ............. 11

Troubleshooting Guide ........... 11

Limited Warranty................ 12

Paradigm Electronics Inc., 205 Annagem Boulevard,

Mississauga, ON L5T 2V1 T: [phone] F: [phone]

030915

2

YOUR NEW SPEAKERS

Although CI Pro and Elite Series in-wall/in-ceiling speakers sound great out of the
carton, they will sound even better once they are broken in. Operate them for several
hours before you listen critically.

High-frequency drivers use ferro-fluid that can thicken at temperatures below
10° C (50° F). If your speakers have been transported or stored in the cold, let them
warm to room temperature before use.

Clean speaker housing with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use a strong or abrasive
cleaner or get any part of the speaker wet.

HOW TO AVOID SPEAKER DAMAGE

Use an appropriate amplifier. At high volumes, a very powerful amplifier can

overdrive your speakers and damage them. On the other hand, if your amplifier isn’t
powerful enough, it can produce clipping distortion that can easily damage high­frequency drivers. (See your dealer.)

Don’t be fooled by your amplifier’s volume control. It adjusts listening level—it
does not indicate power output. If your speakers begin to sound harsh or grating,
or if you hear the bass breaking up, turn the volume down immediately or you
will damage your speakers! This type of damage constitutes abuse and is not

covered by warranty!
Tone controls and equalizers can demand even more power from an amplifier,

lowering the point at which it produces clipping distortion. Use them sparingly, if
at all, and do not use them when listening at loud levels.

PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND SETUP OF P80SM MODEL ON PAGE 11.

YOUR LISTENING ROOM

The CI Pro and Elite Series in-wall/in-ceiling speakers are suitable for use in a
wide variety of listening environments. Note however, that room construction,
dimensions and furnishings will all play a part in the quality of sound you
ultimately achieve. The extra care taken in installation will result in greater
listening enjoyment. Try to follow these guidelines:

a) Strong, rigid walls and ceilings are preferred for best bass balance. For

even better results, add cross-braces at about 12˝ (30 cm) above and below
(either side) the speaker to further increase rigidity.

b) Midrange and high frequencies are affected by room furnishings. For best

sound, your listening room should contain an average amount of curtains,
carpets, sofas, etc.

SPEAKER ASSEMBLY PARTS LIST (one speaker)

• 1 in-wall/in-ceiling speaker complete with attached mounting

clamps and screws

• 1 mounting template

3

SPEAKER PLACEMENT GUIDELINES (all models)

Location

When installing your speaker pick a location between studs or ceiling joists. Be careful not to
damage any wires when you cut the installation hole.

Accurate Timbre and Imaging

Our CI Pro and Elite Series in-wall/in-ceiling speakers feature wide, uniform dispersion and
can be installed almost anywhere. For the most accurate timbre and imaging, place speakers
approximately equal distance apart and select locations that allow sound to reach the listening
area unobstructed.

Bass Performance

Placing speakers near corners will emphasize bass. For more balanced sound, we recommend
that you avoid corners when considering speaker placement.

If your speakers have “SM” in their name, or an “A”, see placement options and additional
recommendations following:

Placement Options for ‘SM’ Model (P80-SM)

Your P80-SM speaker offers two options for connection:

• Stereo Input: Wide dispersion “Left plus Right” channel sound from a single

P80-SM speaker.

• Mono Input: Very wide dispersion stereo sound from two P80-SM speakers, one for the

left, one for the right.

With its Dual-Directional Soundfield™, P80-SM speakers provide wider than normal dispersion,
allowing it to be used in a variety of applications:

Single Speaker, Wide Dispersion “Left plus Right” Channel Sound (Fig. 1a)

Ideal in smaller areas less suited to a stereo pair of speakers or where a single speaker is the
preferred choice. The speaker is connected to both left and right amplifier channels. Position
speakers to achieve the broadest sound coverage in the main listening area.

Multiple Speakers, Distributed “Left plus Right” Channel Sound (Fig. 1b)

In larger areas (offices, etc.) multiple speakers (each wired for “Left plus Right” channel
sound) may be used to eliminate the sound imbalances that occur with separate stereo
speakers as people move around the room, or are seated closer to one speaker than the
other. Position speakers to achieve the broadest sound coverage in the main listening area.

5.1 Surround Placement Using Two P80-SM Speakers (Fig. 1c)

Place one speaker on either side of the listening area. Position so that one dome of
each speaker points toward the front of the room and the other points toward the back.
Connect each speaker for Mono sound, then use for L/R Surrounds to produce spacious

5.1 surround sound.

6.1 Rear Placement Using One P80-SM Speaker (Fig. 1d)

Center one speaker behind the listening area, domes positioned toward the left and right sides
of the room. Connect speaker for Mono sound, then use as 6.1 Rear for wide-dispersion rear­channel sound.

7.1 Surround +Rear Placement Using Two P80-SM Speakers (Fig. 1e)

Place one speaker on either side of the listening area. Position so that one dome of each
speaker points toward the front of the room and use those channels for L/R sound. The other
domes will be pointed toward the back of the room which can then be used for L/R rear.

4

7.1 Rear Placement Using One P80-SM Speaker (Fig. 1f)
Center one speaker behind the listening area with domes positioned toward the left
and right sides of the room. Connect to L/R Rears for spacious 7.1 rear-channel sound.

For Connection instructions for P80-SM Model turn to page 11.

Placement Options for Guided Soundfield™ Model (P80-A, E80-A)

Paradigm® Guided Soundfield™ in-ceiling speakers are optimized for use in rooms
with 8´ (2.4 m) to 9´ (2.74 m) high ceilings. They allow you to “guide” a wide­dispersion arc of sound toward a specific area of the room in much the same way
we guide a floodlight to flood an area with light. For overall clarity and balanced
bass performance, these speakers should be mounted in the ceiling 12” (30 cm)
or more from the wall, as shown in Figs. 2a to 2f.

NOTE: Guiding the sound should be done after connecting the speaker, but before final
tightening of flange screws. See “Fine Tuning the Guided Soundfield™,” below.

Guided Soundfield™ Left/Right Speakers (Fig. 2a)
Follow the general guidelines for speaker placement provided at the beginning

of the main section, keeping in mind the distance from the front speakers to your
primary listening area should be 10’ (3 m) to 14’ (4.27 m), as shown.

Adding a Guided Soundfield™ Center Speaker (Fig. 2b)

Follow the directions for placement given earlier, then position the center speaker
between the L/R speakers, with drivers pointed toward the center of the listening area.

GUIDEDSOUNDFIELD™ SURROUNDS/REARS

These speakers are also ideal for use as surrounds/rears. “Guiding” the sound toward
the sides and rear of the room creates an enveloping, reverberant soundfield. Keep in
mind that speakers should be mounted 12” (30 cm) or more from the wall.

5.1 Surround Placement (Fig. 2c)

Position one speaker on either side of the listening area, with drivers pointed
toward the side walls.

6.1 Rear Placement (Fig. 2d)

Begin with the ‘5.1 Surround Placement’ (above) then center one speaker behind
the listening area with drivers pointed toward the back wall.

7.1 Surround/Rear Placement (Fig. 2e)

Begin with the ‘5.1 Surround Placement’ (above), then position another pair of
speakers behind the listening area, one slightly right, the other slightly left of the
listening position, with drivers pointed to the back of the room, as shown.

Guided Soundfield™ for Direct-Radiating Surrounds/Rears (Fig. 2f)

Alternatively, these speakers may be used as direct-radiating speakers, positioned
with drivers pointed toward the listening area. Use Fig. 2f as a guide to positioning
as you experiment to achieve optimal surround sound in your room.

Fine Tuning the Guided Soundfield

™

Once you have decided on placement, connect the speaker following directions for
connection on page 6. Before final tightening of the flange screws, rotate speaker
until drive assembly points in the desired direction. Then, follow directions for
Installation on page 5. To readjust direction of sound, loosen screws, rotate drive
assembly until it points in the desired direction, then re-tighten screws.

5

COLORMATCH PAINTING (optional)

Your new in-wall/in-ceiling speakers have a textured finish in neutral white to
blend into any room. The grilles may also be painted to match any decor.

Please note:

Do not paint the surface behind the grille and do not use a paint roller.
To Paint, Follow These Steps:

1) Remove the grille.

2) In a well-ventilated area, apply several light coats of paint to the grille,

letting the paint dry completely between coats. Always follow the paint
manufacturer’s directions.

TIP! Be careful to not plug the grille holes with paint. It is easier to spray the grille
than use a brush. Do not paint the grilles when they are installed on the speaker.

INSTALLATION

Turn your receiver/amplifier OFF before connecting speakers. This
will avoid damage which may result from accidental shorting of the
speaker cable.

Use only speaker cable that is rated for in-wall use.

• The UL standard is CL2, CL3 and CM

• The CSA standard is FT4

For optimum sound reproduction the use of high-quality speaker cable is essential.

1. Mounting

In-Ceiling Mounting

Place the mounting template onto the ceiling. Trace along the mounting template
cut-out (Fig. 3a). Cut a hole as indicated (Fig. 3b).

For optimum performance loosely place …

• one piece of standard fiberglass (to fit joist size) above the speaker extending
12 in (30 cm) or more beyond the speaker between the joists.

• (for taller joists) fibreglass insulation directly against the joists on either side
of the mounting hole.

In-Wall Mounting

Place the mounting template onto the wall and use a level to make sure it’s
straight (4a). Trace along the mounting template cut-out (Fig. 4b). Cut a hole as
indicated (Fig. 4c).

For optimum performance loosely place …

• two pieces, 8˝ (20 cm) to 12˝ (30 cm) long, of standard fiberglass insulation in
the wall R-12 for 2˝x4˝ (5 cm x 10 cm) walls or R-20 for 2˝x 6” (5 cm x 15 cm)
walls. Place one piece above and the other piece below the mounting hole.

• a half-thick piece of fiberglass insulation, the same height as the speaker, in
the wall right behind the mounting hole.

6

2. Connecting

You are now ready to connect and install the speaker.
Connecting (Fig. 5a) (all models except those with ‘SM’ in their name, see below).
Connect the speaker cable. Correct polarity, or phase is critical for proper stereo

imaging and bass performance.
Connect the red (+) amplifier terminal to the red (+) speaker terminal. Connect

the black (-) amplifier terminal to the black (-) speaker terminal. Fasten cable to
bracket with wire tie.

Connecting P80-SM Model:

Two Speakers (Fig. 5b): Connect one speaker at a a time to the left and right
channels of your receiver/amplifier as per the diagram.

IMPORTANT! BEFORE MAKING WIRING CONNECTIONS, position
the switch to the MONO position.

One Speaker (Fig. 5c): Connect one speaker channel at a time to your
receiver/amplifier as per the diagram.

IMPORTANT! BEFORE MAKING WIRING CONNECTIONS, position
the switch to the STEREO position.

3. Installing the Speaker

IMPORTANT! While it is possible to use a manual screwdriver for installation, we
strongly suggest using a power drill. To avoid damaging or breaking the clamps,
set your drill to a LOW setting. A high power setting is NOT necessary and may
cause clamps to crack or break from the added force. Such damage is NOT covered

under warranty.

1) Set your Power Drill to the Low setting.

2) Ensure the clamps on the lip of the speaker are positioned exactly as shown
in the Warning Diagrams on the top of page 9 and 10. If they are not correctly
positioned, refer to these diagrams.

3) Gently push the assembly into the ceiling or wall hole (Fig. 3c or 4d).

4) Supporting the assembly with one hand, tighten each screw (Fig. 3d or 4e).
Stop tightening when you sense resistance.

Model with Guided Soundfield

™

(P80-A, E80-A): Rotate speaker at this point

so that drive assembly points in the desired direction (not shown).

4. Installing the Grille

1) Gently press the grille onto the front face of the speaker (Fig. 3e or 4f). The
magnets will ensure correct attachment.

2) Add the Paradigm logo, if desired.

7

6.1 Rear Placement using One
P80-SM Speaker

7.1 Rear Placement using One
P80-SM Speaker

Distributed “Left plus Right” Sound

Fig. 1d Fig. 1c

Fig. 1f Fig. 1e

Fig. 1b

5.1 Surround Placement using Two P80­SM Speakers

7.1 Surround+Rear Placement using
Two P80-SM Speakers

Single-Speaker “Left plus Right” Sound

Fig. 1a

SPEAKER PLACEMENT

(pictorial)

“SM” Model (Arrows indicate direction of tweeters)

8

7.1 Rear Placement, diffuse soundfield

Min. 12

˝

Min. 12

˝

Min. 12

˝

Direct-Radiating Speakers in a 7.1
placement

Min. 12

˝

Min. 12

˝

Min. 12

˝

10´-14

´

Min. 12

˝

10´-14

´

Front Left, Center, Right SpeakersFront Left and Right Speakers

5.1 Surround Placement,
diffuse soundfield

6.1 Rear Placement, diffuse soundfield

Fig. 2a Fig. 2b

Fig. 2d

Fig. 2c

Fig. 2f

Fig. 2e

Guided Soundfield™ Model