Paradigm OM-110 Owner's Manual

Paradigm Electronics Inc. In Canada: 205 Annagem Blvd., Mississauga, ON L5T 2V1. In U.S.: MPO Box 2410, Niagara Falls, NY 14302

OWNERS MANUAL

OM-110

Thank you for choosing award-winning Paradigm®speakers and congratulations!

You are about to hear the difference our sonically accurate in-wall/in-ceiling speakers
make in your audio/home theater system. These speakers are the product of countless
hours of comprehensive research and development and will reward you with exceptional
sound for many years.

To ensure proper installation, please read this manual and follow all instructions.
If you have further questions, contact your dealer or visit the Q&A page on our
website at www.paradigm.com.

In-Wall/In-Ceiling

YOUR NEW SPEAKERS

Although Paradigm®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 high-frequency 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.

YOUR LISTENING ROOM

Paradigm®in-wall/in-ceiling speakers are suitable for use in a wide variety of listening environments.
Note however, that room construction, dimensions and furnishings 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 bracket, hardware, and wire tie

•

1 mounting template

•

1 paint mask

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Your New Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

How To Avoid Speaker Damage

. . . . . . . . . . 1

Your Listening Room

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Speaker Assembly Parts List

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Speaker Placement Guidelines

. . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Color-Match Painting

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Installation into Existing Walls or Ceilings

. . . 4

Speaker Placement (pictorial)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Speaker Installation and
Connection (pictorial)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Limited Warranty

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2

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 in-wall/in-ceiling speakers feature wide, uniform dispersion and can be installed almost
anywhere. For the most accurate timbre and imaging however, 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 feature a Guided Soundfield

™

, see placement options

and additional recommendations following:

Placement Options for ‘SM’

Models

Your ‘SM’ speaker offers two options for connection:

• Stereo Input: Wide dispersion “Left plus Right” channel sound from a single ‘SM’ speaker.

• Mono Input: Very wide dispersion stereo sound from two ‘SM’ speakers, one for the left,
one for the right.

With their Dual-Directional Soundfield™, ‘SM’ speakers provide wider than normal dispersion,
allowing them 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 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 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 rear-channel sound.

7.1 Surround + Rear Placement Using Two 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.

7.1 Rear Placement Using One 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 ‘SM’ models turn to page 5.

3

SPEAKER PLACEMENT

(continued)

Placement Options for Guided Soundfield™ Models

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 wide-dispersion 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’ (4.3 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 similar to that provided by
Paradigm

®

ADP speakers. 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 5. 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.

4

COLOR-MATCH PAINTING

(optional)

Your new in-wall/in-ceiling speakers have a textured finish in neutral white to blend into any room.
They may also be painted to match any decor. If you plan to paint your speakers, keep in mind that
it is much more difficult to do so after they have been installed—paint them before installation (and
remove them from the wall before you start). Please note:

•

Do not paint the surface behind the grille

•

Do not heat-cure your newly painted speakers

•

Avoid painting the rear surface of the speaker—protect the rear surface by masking it

To Paint, Follow These Steps:

1) Remove the metal grilles and position the paint mask (supplied) in its place.

2) Lightly sand speaker flanges with fine sandpaper to provide better paint adhesion.

3) In a well-ventilated area, apply several light coats of paint, letting the speaker dry completely
between coats. Follow the paint manufacturer’s directions.

4) When painting the speaker grilles, be careful to not plug the holes with paint. Remove the
protective cloth from inside the grille before painting, and re-attach after the paint has dried.
It is easier to spray the grille than use a brush. Do not

paint the grilles when they are installed

on the speaker.

INSTALLATION INTO EXISTING WALLS OR CEILINGS

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. We also recommend
the use of a high performance in-wall volume control such as the Paradigm

®

VC-150.

(See dealer).

1. Mounting

Place the mounting template onto the wall or ceiling. Cut a hole as indicated. (Fig. 3a or 3b)

In-Wall Mounting

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˝x 4˝ (5 cm x 10 cm) walls or R-20 for 2˝x 6” (5 cm x 15 cm) walls. Place one
piece just above and the other piece just 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.

In-Ceiling Mounting

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.

5

INSTALLATION INTO EXISTING WALLS OR CEILINGS

(continued)

2. Connecting and Installing

You are now ready to connect and install the speaker. If you are color-match painting your
speakers do so now before proceeding. Follow painting instructions provided earlier.

Connecting

(all speakers except models with ‘SM’ in their name, see below)

Place complete assembly to the wall or ceiling and 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 ‘SM’ Models

Stereo Input (Single Speaker)

(Fig. 6a): Connect one speaker channel at a time to your receiver/amplifier.

Connect the Right red (+) amplifier terminal to the Right red (+) speaker terminal and the Right
black (-) amplifier terminal to the Right black (-) speaker terminal. Connect the Left red (+) amplifier
terminal to the Left red (+) speaker terminal and the Left black (-) amplifier terminal to the Left
black (-) speaker terminal.

Mono Input

(Fig. 6b): Connect one speaker at a time to the left and right channels of your

receiver/amplifier. First, convert the Right speaker to Mono: Using a short piece of cable, connect
the Right red (+) speaker terminal to the Left red (+) speaker terminal and the Right black (-) speaker
terminal to the Left black (-) amplifier terminal. Then …

Connect the Right red (+) amplifier terminal to the Right red (+) speaker terminal and the Right
black (-) amplifier terminal to the Right black (-) speaker terminal.

Repeat the entire procedure for Left speaker.

Installing

Confirm the Series that your speaker belongs to, then follow the appropriate directions below:

CS Series Speakers (Rectangular and round)

1) Holding the speaker’s front lip with your thumbs and index fingers push the mounting

screws toward each other with your other fingers so that the mounting brackets fit through
the hole. (Fig. 4a)

2) Release the screws and gently push the speaker to the wall/ceiling. (Fig. 4a)

Models with Guided Soundfield™

: Rotate speaker at this point so that drive assembly

points in the desired direction

(not shown)

.

3) While holding the speaker in place, alternately tighten each screw until speaker is firmly

installed. (Fig. 4b)

PV Series Speakers (Rectangular and round)

1) Gently push the speaker assembly through the hole until only the flange is visible. (Fig. 5a)

2) While holding the speaker in place, alternately tighten each screw. The tightening action

will automatically release hidden spring clamps on the rear designed to hold the speaker
firmly in place. (Fig. 5b)

3. Installing the Grille

Press the grille into the groove on the front face of the speaker.