Revel C263LP, C283LP User Manual

C263, C283, C263LP, C283LP

In-Ceiling Architectural

Loudspeaker

Instruction Manual

documentAtion conventionS

This document contains general safety, installation and operation
instructions for the Revel
loudspeakers. It is important to read this document before
attempting to use this product. Pay particular attention to:

®

C283, C263, C283LP, C263LP in-ceiling

WARNING: Calls attention to a procedure,
practice, condition or the like that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to, could result
in injury or death.

CAUTION: Calls attention to a procedure, practice,
condition or the like that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part
of or the entire product.

Note: Calls attention to information that aids in the
installation or operation of the product.

About Revel® in-ceiling SpeAkeRS

Since the first Revel® speakers in 1996, Revel products have stood at
the forefront of loudspeaker design and performance. Revel in-ceiling
loudspeakers draw upon the same research, resources and unique
perspective that put all Revel loudspeakers in a class by themselves.
Revel in-ceiling loudspeakers provide unparalleled value and are known
for their standard-setting low sonic coloration and their freedom from
distortion over an extraordinarily wide dynamic range.

in-ceiling loudSpeAkeR HigHligHtS

• Long-throw woofers with rubber surrounds provide high output with
low distortion.

• 1-inch (25mm) metal-dome tweeter with an integrated waveguide
provides optimized response both on and off axis.

• High-order crossover network delivers accurate timbre reproduction.

• Low-profile (LP) models offer high performance and allow
installation in areas where mounting depth is restricted.

pRoduct RegiStRAtion

Please take a moment to register your product on our Web site at www.
revelspeakers.com. You’ll enable us to keep you posted on our latest
advancements and help us to understand our customers and build
products that meet their needs and expectations.

box contentS

Your Revel in-ceiling loudspeaker box should contain the following
items:

1 x Revel in-ceiling loudspeaker

1 x grille

1 x extra scrim cloth for grille

1 x mounting template

1 x instruction manual

unpAcking tHe SpeAkeR

Carefully unpack the speaker. If you suspect damage from transit, report
it immediately to your dealer and/or delivery service. Keep the shipping
carton and packing materials for future use.

inStAllAtion conSideRAtionS

Your new Revel loudspeakers have been engineered to provide
extremely accurate performance. However, any speaker’s ultimate
performance will be affected by the speaker’s placement in the listening
room and the acoustics of the room. Not all listening spaces can
accommodate the ideal conditions of these two factors. Therefore,
careful attention to the placement of your Revel in-ceiling loudspeakers
will have a significant impact on the general performance of the
loudspeakers.

2

In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker

Instruction Manual

loudSpeAkeR plAcement foR diStRibuted
Sound

• Since distributed sound is general sound throughout an area, place
the loudspeakers as uniformly as possible for even sound coverage
throughout the area.

• Place the left and right loudspeakers roughly the same distance
from the primary listener locations.

• To avoid “hot spots” where the sound is too loud, plan to use more
loudspeakers, with each set to play at a lower volume.

loudSpeAkeR plAcement foR two-cHAnnel
SteReo

Place the left and right loudspeakers the same distance from the
primary listening area (or as close to the same distance as possible). The
distance from each speaker to its nearest side wall should also be the
as close to the same distance as possible.

Equal

Distance

RightLeft

Boundary

High Frequency

Compensation

Level

0+–

OFFON

Boundary

High Frequency

Compensation

Level

0+–

OFFON

5.1-Channel Speaker Placement

• In a 5.1-channel system, the surround left and surround right
loudspeakers should be located directly to the sides of, or up to
10 degrees behind, the main listening area.

Boundary
Compensation

OFFON

0+–

High Frequency

Level

Boundary
Compensation

OFFON

High Frequency
Level

0+–

Video Display

Center Front Right

Boundary

High Frequency

Compensation

Level

0+–

OFFON

Boundary

High Frequency

Compensation

Level

0+–

OFFON

Approx. 10

OFFON

Compensation
Boundary

Level

High Frequency

0+–

Surround Right

Front Left

More than

2' (0.6m)

More than

2' (0.6m)

Surround Left

°

Equal

Distance

Ideally, the distance between the left and right loudspeakers should be
slightly less than their distance from the primary listening area.

loudSpeAkeR plAcement foR Home tHeAteR

• The front left, center and front right loudspeakers should be
centered relative to the video display.

• The front left, center, and front right loudspeakers should be closer
to the video display than to the main listening area. For example,
if the video display is 10 ft (3m) from the main listening area, the
loudspeakers should be 6 ft (1.8m) or further from the main listening
area.

• The front left and front right loudspeakers should be relatively close
to the sides of the video display. For example, front left and front
right loudspeakers used with a 50-in (1.2m) video display should
generally not be more than 80 in (2m) apart.

• The center loudspeaker should be aligned with the center of the
video display.

• The surround-channel loudspeakers should be as far from the main
listening area as possible but at least 2 feet (0.6m) from side and
rear walls.

7.1-Channel Speaker Placement

• In a 7.1-channel system, the surround left and surround right
loudspeakers should be located directly to the sides of, or up to 10
degrees behind, the main listening area.

• In a 7.1-channel system, the surround back left and surround back
right loudspeakers should be equidistant from the primary listening
area and generally as far from it as possible but at least 2 ft (0.6m)
from the side and rear walls.

Boundary

High Frequency

Compensation

Level

0+–

OFFON

0+–

High Frequency

Level

Boundary
Compensation

OFFON

Surround
Back Left

0+–

Video Display

Center Front Right

Boundary

High Frequency

Compensation

Level

0+–

OFFON

OFFON

Compensation

Level

Boundary

High Frequency

Surround Right

Surround

Back Right

OFFON

0+–

Compensation

Level

Boundary

High Frequency

Boundary
Compensation

OFFON

° – 10°

0

High Frequency
Level

0+–

OFFON

Compensation
Boundary

Level

High Frequency

0+–

Front Left

More than

2' (0.6m)

More than

2' (0.6m)

Surround Left

More than

2' (0.6m)

In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual

3

inStAllAtion inStRuctionS

connecting to tHe AmplifieR

CAUTION: Do not use the tweeter-mounting baffle as a handle
to move, carry or position the speaker. Doing so can damage the
baffle. Such damage is not covered by the speaker’s warranty.

Revel architectural speakers are extremely easy to install. However, if
you are unable to understand and follow the instructions in this manual
clearly and fully, or if you are unsure of your ability to install these
loudspeakers properly, please contact your dealer or a qualified installer.

WARNING: HARMAN International assumes
no responsibility for improper installation of
hardware or for any personal injuries or product
damages resulting from improper installation or
a fallen loudspeaker.

CAUTION: REMOVE POWER

You must connect the speaker wires before the speaker is fully
installed. To protect the audio system and yourself from damage
or injury through accidental electrical shorting and surges
during installation, turn all audio system power OFF before
beginning the speaker installation.

Speaker Wire

Use high-quality speaker wire to obtain the best performance from your
Revel in-ceiling speakers.

• For wire lengths of less than 50 ft (15m), use at least 16-gauge
speaker wire.

• For wire lengths between 50 ft and 100 ft (15m – 30m), use at least
12-gauge speaker wire.

• For wire lengths of greater than 100 ft (30m), use at least 10-gauge
speaker wire.

Note: All speaker wires must comply with all local building and
safety codes for use in in-ceiling applications.

Making Connections

Connect each channel’s positive (+) terminal on the back of the amplifier
or receiver to the positive (red) terminal on the corresponding speaker;
connect each channel’s negative (–) terminal on the back of the amplifier
or receiver to the negative (black) terminal on the corresponding
speaker. Do not reverse polarities (that is, do not connect + to –, or – to
+) when making connections. Doing so will cause poor imaging and
diminished bass response.

Negative Terminal

Press down on the terminal tab to open the hole; insert the bare end of
the wire into the hole; and release the tab to secure the wire. NOTE:
C283LP and C263LP models have post-type terminals. Press down on the
post to open the hole; insert the bare end of the wire into the hole and
release the post to secure the wire.

CAUTION: To avoid short circuits that may damage your
equipment, be certain that positive and negative wire strands do
not touch each other and do not touch metal parts such as the
speaker frame.

4

(Black)

In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker

Instruction Manual

Positive Terminal
(Red)

mounting tHe SpeAkeRS

For New Construction

If you wish to pre-install a rough-in frame for the speakers before the
drywall is installed in new construction, you will need to purchase
the correct rough-in frame kit for your loudspeaker model from your
authorized Revel dealer. Detailed mounting instructions are supplied
with the rough-in kit. After the drywall is installed, follow the
installation instructions in For Existing Construction, below.

For Existing Construction

Note: The installation procedure is the same for all models
covered by this manual.

1. Ensure that the drywall, plywood or other ceiling material is 1/2" –
2" (13mm – 51mm) thick and capable of withstanding the weight of
the speaker being installed.

Make sure to allow at least 3/4" (19mm) between the edge of the
supplied installation template and any rafters or other obstructions
behind the wall, so the speaker’s locking mechanism will have room to
engage fully. Perform an obstruction survey to be sure that there are
no studs, lengths of conduit, pipes, heating ducts or air returns in the
ceiling cavity that will interfere with the speaker.

3/4"

(19mm)

4. Connect the speaker to the amplifier as explained in Connecting to the
Amplifier, on page 4.

5. Attach the speaker's seismic tab to a support line, as per local safety
regulations.

Support Line

3/4"

(19mm)

Mounting

Opening

3/4"

(19mm)

2. Determine the correct speaker location and use the template included
with the speaker to mark the ceiling material.

3. Cut the ceiling drywall along the mark you made in Step 2 to create
the mounting opening.

Seismic Tab

6. Make sure all four speaker clamps are in their “ready-to-mount”
position.

Speaker Clamps in

Ready-to-Mount Position

In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual

5

7. Insert the speaker straight into the mounting opening. Tighten the
speaker clamp screws on the front of the speaker baffle. The speaker
clamps will automatically rotate into position and begin clamping the
speaker.

• When you notice resistance on the screws the speaker has been

clamped successfully.

IMPORTANT: Always use low-torque settings. NEVER
over-tighten the clamp screws

C2 Speaker Clamps Inside

Mounting Cut-Out

Insert Speaker Straight Into

Mounting Cut-Out

Painting the Grille

Revel architectural loudspeaker grilles can be painted to match any
décor. If you wish to change the grille’s color, its satin finish will function
as a primer coat. For the best results follow this procedure:

1. Gently remove the scrim cloth from the back side of the grille before
painting.

2. Use a high-quality spray paint and apply a thin coat of color. Ensure
that the grille perforations remain free of paint. Filling them with
paint will diminish the speaker’s sound quality. If any perforations are
plugged, use compressed air to blow the paint out of the perforations.

Note: If you find any grille perforations that are plugged with paint
after the paint has dried, carefully use a straight pin or sewing
needle to remove the paint.

3. We have included replacement scrim cloths. After the paint has dried,
apply a light coat of spray adhesive to the inside of the perforated
grille and attach a new scrim cloth. IMPORTANT: Never spray
adhesive on the cloth. The square scrim cloth has pre-attached foam
pads that help prevent the grille from vibrating against the ceiling.

NOTE: Square grilles are available for Revel C263, C283, C263LP and
C283LP speakers. Contact your authorized Revel dealer for details.

exceSSive output levelS

Your Revel loudspeakers feature custom-designed transducers and
high-quality network components featuring high-order filters with steep
cutoffs that reduce the potential of damage to individual speaker drivers
and help the loudspeakers maintain their performance even under
extreme operating conditions. However, all loudspeakers have limits
when it comes to continuous playback. To extend these limits, avoid
playback at volume levels that result in distorted or strained sound.

Tighten

Clamping Screws

8. Attach the supplied grille. Powerful magnets in the speaker frame will
securely hold the grille in place.

Attach Supplied Grille

obtAining SeRvice

To obtain service, contact an authorized Revel dealer. Refer to Limited
Warranty, on page 7 for more information.

6

In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker

Instruction Manual

dimenSionS

Mounting Opening Diameter Mounting Depth Overall Dimensions (w/grille)

C283 9-5/8" (244mm) 5-1/8" (130mm) 10-23/32" (272mm) Dia. X 5-5/16" ((135mm)) Deep

C263 8" (203mm) 4-23/32" (120mm) 9-3/32" (231mm) Dia X 4-15/16" (125mm) Deep

C283LP 9-5/8" (244mm) 2-3/4" (70mm) 10-23/32" (272mm) Dia. X 2-31/32" (75mm) Deep

C263LP 8" (203mm) 2-11/16" (69mm) 9-3/32" (231mm) Dia. X 2-15/16" (74mm) Deep

Dimensions are subject to change without notice.
For complete performance specifications, please go to the Revel Web site: www.revelspeakers.com.

In-Ceiling Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual

7

limited wARRAnty

Revel Series speakers are warranted against defects. The duration of the speaker’s warranty depends on the laws in the country in which it was
purchased. Your local Revel

®

retailer can help you determine the length of your warranty.

HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated
8500 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91329

© 2012 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Revel and the Revel logo are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries,
Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries.

Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

For questions, assistance or additional information concerning any of our
products, call us at: [phone] or [phone].
For technical support, submit your detailed inquiry to:[e-mail].

Part No. REVP4908 Rev. A

www.revelspeakers.com