Russound SP622.1, SP652.1 User Manual

A/V DISTRIBUTION & CONTROL SYSTEMS

Instruction Manual

SP652.1 SP622.1

INTRODUCTION

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 SP652.1 & SP622.1 speakers as
easy to install as they are to listen to. If you’ve had any home “do-it­yourself” 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 amplifier­to-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

2

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 behind the viewers.
The SP652.1 speaker also make
excellent, unobtrusive front
channel home theater speakers
for 5 channel listening.

4

5

2

33

2

4

11

EXCELLENT

for stereo imaging

EXCELLENT

for stereo imaging

FINE for

background music;

ACCEPTABLE

for stereo

effect

3

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.

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.

4

Drawing 2

Okay

Ideal