Russound SP650, SP550.2 User Manual

A/V DISTRIBUTION & CONTROL SYSTEMS

Instruction Manual

SP550.2 SP650.1

Congratulations on selecting Russound Wall-Mounted Speakers. Like all RUSSOUND speakers, they combine acoustic technology with durability and will provide years of musical enjoyment.

This manual is designed to make your SP550.2 & SP650.1 speakers as easy to install as they are to listen to. If you’ve had any home “do-it-yourself” experience, you should find installation of your new speakers a simple job.

However, we suggest you read through this manual before starting out. If you then decide that installing your Russound In-Wall Speakers is beyond your skills, call your Russound dealer to arrange for professional installation.

NECESSARY TOOLS TO DO THE JOB

TOOLS FOR INSTALLATION IN EXISTING WALLS:

• A pencil

• A drill with a 1-inch flat bit

• A retractable utility knife or keyhole saw

• A length of stiff wire about 3 feet long (a straightened wire coat hanger works fine)

• A Phillips-head screw driver which will fit the fastening-screws (for the dog ears)

• A pair of diagonal pliers or wire strippers

Some of the following may also be needed, depending on the application

• A stud finder

• Drill bit just slightly larger than the diameter of one speaker wire

• Plumb bob or small weight on a string

• Insulated staples for securing speaker wire

• Masking tape

• Paint and applicator for changing grille and outer frame finish

SPEAKER WIRE

The amount of wire you’re going to need will of course vary with speaker placement. We recommend labeling speaker wires left + right and room location. Doing this takes the guess work later.

What kind to use

We recommend using Russound AW series speaker cable or any reputable brand of 16 to 12 gauge multi-stranded wiring for amplifier-to-speaker connections.

Selecting the proper gauge

Wire is measured in “gauges”. The bigger the number, the smaller the wire. For example, 18-gauge is thinner than 14-gauge.

The gauge of wire you need is determined by the distance between your amplifier/receiver and the in-wall speakers. Use the following chart as a guide:

Length Minimum Gauge 10 to 100 ft. 16 80 to 125 ft. 14 Over 100 ft. 12

Where To Place Your SPEAKERS

Placement can make all the difference in how your RUSSOUND speaker system sounds. There are at least three “WHERE’s” and a “HOW” to factor into your layout:

• HOW you intend to use your in-wall speakers

• WHERE they’ll sound best (stereo imaging and acoustic considerations)

• WHERE it’s possible to install them (wall and ceiling surfaces)

• WHERE they can be installed that makes it easy to get wires to them without remodeling your entire house.

STEREO IMAGING

If your Russound In-wall Speakers are going to be your primary listening source in a room, you need to consider some other factors to insure proper imaging. The term “stereo imaging” refers to a speaker system’s ability to project music so that it sounds like the performers are in a 3-dimensional space between the speakers. It’s the whole point of having a stereo instead of monophonic sound.

Drawing 1

Russound In-wall speakers may be used for

rear surround sound channels by placing

them (1) behind, (2) on each side of the

viewing position or (3) in the ceiling just

SP650.1 speakers also make excellent,

unobtrusive front channel home theater

behind the viewers. The SP550.2 &

speakers for 5 channel listening.

EXCELLENT

for stereo imaging

FINE for

background

music;

ACCEPTABLE

for stereo

effect

EXCELLENT

for stereo

imaging

OTHER ACOUSTIC CONSIDERATIONS

For best fidelity, there are several other factors to keep in mind before you start actual installation.

Concerns and reflections

When an in-wall speaker is placed close to the corner of a room, bass frequencies are emphasized. This can be okay if both speakers are mounted near corners (while maintaining stereo imaging). But try to avoid placing just one speaker in a corner and another on a long flat wall.

Treble is emphasized when it reflects back from reflective surfaces such as large windows. Conversely, highs tend to be muffled by soft surfaces such as drapes, rugs, upholstered furniture, carpeted steps and even textured fabric wall paper.

In general, the best acoustic performance will result if both speakers face a similar type of surface and are placed in similar positions on the same type of wall.

Drawing 2

Okay Ideal

Installation Depth

Russound In-Wall speakers require at least 2-3/4” of wall depth (measured from the outside surface of the wall). This means that they can be installed in any wallboard and 2x4 stud wall. In fact, the dense, rigid nature of plasterboard or (lath and plaster in older homes) acts as a superb speaker baffle.

You can also install Russound speakers in stud walls covered with thick wood paneling or in wallboard/plaster ceilings.

However, avoid:

• T-bar “drop ceilings” with very thin fiberboard panels which can buzz and vibrate. If you suspect this will happen, reinforce the drop-in panel with wood or particle board.

• Any wall which can’t provide proper depth (clearance) for the back of the Russound speaker. This includes brick or concrete walls where the wallboard or paneling is attached to thin furring strips.

• Inside wall space less than 10” wide and 48” in height

• Walls where you know that there are pipes, heating ducts and ESPECIALLY AC wiring in the general vicinity. For

example, if there is an outlet along the baseboard, there is often a live wire running partly up the wall at that point.

SPEAKER WIRE PATHS

In general, you should pay particular attention to the following areas:

• Avoid running speaker wires close to house electrical wiring for any distance. If you have to run them parallel, make sure to space the speaker wires at least two feet from the AC line. It is, however, okay for speaker wires to cross paths with AC line or go through the same hole together with house wiring if they separate before and after.

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