Sonance DR-series User Manual

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing Sonance Virtuoso® DR-series in-ceiling speakers. When properly installed, these speakers will give you many years of entertainment pleasure. To get the most out of your new speakers, please read this manual thoroughly before you begin installation.

Since all of the Sonance Virtuoso

speakers have the same exact footprint and have identical installation requirements, the directions in this manual apply to each model. This manual covers the following Virtuoso speaker models: V834

DR, V833DR, V832DR, V831DR

To achieve the best performance,Sonance recommends that these speakers be installed by a Sonance Authorized Dealer/Installer.

SAFETY WARNING:

These speakers have FastMount® tabs that prevent the speaker from falling out of the mounting hole during the installation process.

The edges of FastMount tabs are very sharp. Use caution when handling the speaker.

See Installation (page 4) for complete information about the FastMount tabs.

PARTS LIST

Your Sonance VirtuosoDRspeakers include the following:

• (2) Sonance Virtuoso

Speakers

• (2) Paintable Grilles

• (2) Plastic paint plugs to protect speakers during painting

• (1) Mounting cutout template (in packaging)

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

VirtuosoDRMetal Grille (part# 92290): Metal replacement for included grilles.

Virtuoso

Cloth Grille (part# 92285): Cloth-covered replacement for included grilles.

Virtuoso

FlexBracket (part# 92247): Plastic template to reserve a mounting hole

for the speaker in new construction. Designed to be used with the RotoLock® mounting system.

VirtuosoDRCoverplate (part# 92245): Covers the hole made by the FlexBracket during construction until the speaker is installed.

Virtuoso

Acoustic Enclosure (part# 91900): ½” MDF enclosure that

provides ideal acoustic performance and maximum reduction of sound transmission into adjacent spaces. Designed for use only in new construction.

Virtuoso

Retrofit Enclosure (part# 92243): Molded enclosure that reduces

sound transmission into adjacent rooms and spaces. Can be used in both new construction and retrofit installations.

Virtuoso

Fire-Rated Back Can (part# 91908): Meets ASTM E 119 and UL2043

criteria for commercial installations.

Sonafill

In-Ceiling System (part# 91928): Retrofittable acoustical

treatment for in-ceiling speakers consisting of two pillows and four tiles that virtually eliminates noise produced by resonating drywall. Dramatically improves midbass sound quality and reduces sound transmission into adjacent rooms.

SPEAKER PLACEMENT

The locations of the speakers should be determined by considering the primary listening location, the primary use for the speakers (distributed audio, 2-channel or home theater) and aesthetic values. For optimum results contact your Authorized Sonance Dealer for advice.

Distributed Audio Placement

Sonance VirtuosoDRspeakers have very smooth and predictable off-axis response, increasing placement options while providing excellent coverage in distributed audio systems. The chart below shows how far apart the speakers can be placed while still providing good coverage. The distances are based on ear heights of 62” for standing listeners and 40” for seated listeners.

Home Theater Placement

Left, Center and Right Speakers

• Place the left, center and right speakers from 1 foot to 2 feet in front of the video screen, anywhere from 6 feet to 10 feet apart, with the center channel speaker as close to midway between the left and right speakers as possible.

• Place the left & right speakers at least 2 to 3 feet away from the side walls.

• The main listening position should be between 4 and 10 feet away from the speakers.

• If necessary, pivot the Sonic Eye (midrange/tweeter) and the woofer of each speaker towards the listening position to maximize the soundstage.

Use Illustration 1 as a guide.

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SONANCE VIRTUOSO®DR-SERIES 8” IN-CEILING SPEAKERS

Speaker spacing in feet for a distributed audio system

Standin g Lis tener Seated Listen er

10-foot ceiling

12-foot ceiling

14-foot ceiling

8-foot ceiling

9.5'

13.5'

17.5'

21.5'

5.7'

9.7'

13.7'

17.7'

6'– 10'

apart

6' – 10'

apart

2' – 6'

2'– 3'

1'– 2'

Left & Right

Surround Speakers

Left, Center

& Right

Speakers

Illustration 1: 5.1-Channel Home Theater Placement

Left & Right Surround Speakers (5.1-Channel System)

Locate the left and right surround speakers on the ceiling between 2 feet and 6 feet behind the listening position. The speakers should be between 6 feet and 10 feet apart. Since the surround speakers are usually called-upon to create diffuse effects like the sound of wind or rain, they can be located close to walls without adversely affecting sound quality.

• You can create a more diffuse, spacious surround effect by pivoting the Sonic Eye and the woofer towards a wall or window, away from the listeners.

Use Illustration 1 as a guide.

Left & Right Surround and Surround Back Speakers (7.1-Channel System)

• Left & Right Surround Speakers: Place the left and right surround speakers directly to the sides of the listening position, between 6 feet and 10 feet apart. The speakers can be placed close to the side walls.

• Surround Back Speakers: Place the surround back speakers between 2 feet and 6 feet behind the listening position. The surround back speakers should be closer together than the left and right surround speakers — between 3 feet and 6 feet apart. Like the left and right surround speakers, the surround back speakers can be located close to walls without adversely affecting sound quality.

• You can create a more diffuse, spacious surround effect by pivoting the Sonic Eye and the woofer towards a wall or window, away from the listeners.

Use Illustration 2 as a guide.

2-Channel Placement

Follow the directions for Home Theater Placement for the left and right speakers.

WIRE GAUGE

Extra resistance in the speaker wire can make speakers sound less dynamic and reduce definition of the bass frequencies. In extreme cases, it can even attenuate high frequencies. Also, amplifier power is wasted in wire with extra resistance, reducing your system’s maximum output level.

To prevent degrading sound quality, the total wire resistance should be less than 10% of the speaker’s impedance. This means that for an 8-ohm speaker, the total resistance of the wire should be less than 0.8 ohms.

Refer to the table at the top of the next column when selecting the proper wire gauge for your system.

PREPARING THE INSTALLATION LOCATION

All Sonance speakers are designed to be relatively insensitive to variations in enclosure volume. To achieve the ultimate performance from your speakers, a section of the ceiling bay can be partitioned to form a back box. Building such an enclosure will create a dramatic improvement in your speakers’ bass performance and power handling.

Ideal back box volume requirements:

Virtuoso V834

DR: 2.5 ft

Virtuoso V833

DR 2.2 ft

Virtuoso V832

DR 2.0 ft

Virtuoso V831

DR 2.0 ft

Insulating the Ceiling Cavity

You can reduce sound transmission to adjacent rooms and further improve speaker performance by inserting a sheet of unfaced fiberglass insulation over the back of the speaker.

To reduce noise produced by unsupported drywall, install fiberglass insulation in the ceiling bays adjacent to the speaker location.

Optional VirtuosoDRRetrofit Enclosures

For installations where it isn’t possible to partition the ceiling bay to form a back box (such as when you’re retrofitting the speakers into an existing ceiling), you can effectively reduce sound transmission into adjacent rooms by fitting the speakers with optional Virtuoso

Retrofit Enclosures (part# 92243). This enclosure is designed specifically to be used with Virtuoso

speakers, and will noticeably reduce sound “spillover” from the

rears of the speakers into adjacent rooms and spaces.

INSTALLING THE SPEAKERS

Before Installation: New Construction

For installations in new construction, Sonance recommends using a Virtuoso FlexBracket (part#92247) to reserve a location for the speaker. The FlexBracket has perforated wings that can be positioned at any angle around the bracket, and is nailed or screwed to the studs.This serves as a guide for the drywaller so that the speaker hole will be in the desired location once the drywall is installed.

Before Installation: Retrofit

1. Determine the location for the speaker (see Speaker Placement on page 1).

2. Perform an obstruction survey to be certain that there are no studs, conduit,

pipes, heating ducts or air returns that will interfere with the speaker.

Wire resistance in Ohms vs. length of cable run

Distance in Feet 50' 100' 150' 200' 250' 300'

1.04

.65

.41

.26

.16

.10

18 gauge

16 gauge

14 gauge

12 gauge

10 gauge

20 gauge

2.07

1.30

.82

.52

.32

.20

3.11

1.96

1.22

.77

.49

.31

4.14

2.61

1.63

1.03

.65

.41

5.18

3.26

2.04

1.29

.81

.51

6.22

3.91

2.45

1.55

.97

.61

6'– 10'

apart

3' – 6'

apart

2' – 6'

2'– 3'

1'– 2'

Surround

Back

Speakers

Left & Right

Surround Speakers

Left, Center

& Right

Speakers

Illustration 2: 7.1-Channel Home Theater Placement

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SONANCE VIRTUOSO®DR-SERIES 8” IN-CEILING SPEAKERS

3. The cutout for all VirtuosoDRspeakers is 101/8” (257mm). There also must be at least 6” (152mm) depth within the ceiling cavity for the speaker.

4. Position the included cutout template where the speaker is to be located and pencil an outline on the ceiling.

• If you are unsure about obstructions, drill a small hole in the center of the outline and insert a coat hanger wire into the hole to feel-around for possible obstructions.

5. Cut the hole using a drywall saw, and run the speaker wires.

Installation

Sonance VirtuosoDRspeakers feature exclusive FastMount® tabs and an integral RotoLock® mounting system for quick mounting directly into existing ceilings and walls.

WARNING: The edges of FastMount tabs are very sharp. Use caution when handling the speaker.

1. Remove the paint plug from the speaker. Connect the speaker wire to the terminals on the speaker. (The V834

has two sets of “+” and “–” terminals. You can use either set.) Double-check that you connected amplifier + to speaker + and amplifier – to speaker –.

Note: The V834DRcan be bi-wired by removing the jumpers between the LF and MF/HF “+” and “–” terminals, and connecting two sets of speaker wires from the amplifier, one to each set of terminals.

2. Make sure all the RotoLock clamps are in the full clockwise position so that they are tucked within the mounting hole’s border. Insert the speaker into the hole in the ceiling. The RotoLock system can accommodate a maximum ceiling material thickness of 1¼”.

• The FastMount tabs will prevent the speaker from falling out of the mounting hole, allowing the installer to let go of the speaker to pick-up tools or other items (see Illustration 5).

Note: The FastMount tabs are designed for one-time use only. If the speaker is removed from the mounting hole the FastMount tabs will disconnect and remain inside the wall.

3. Tighten the four screws on the front of the speaker baffle. The RotoLock clamps will automatically rotate into position and begin clamping the speaker (see Illustration 5).

• When you notice resistance on the screws the speaker has been clamped successfully.

Note: The speaker flange is designed to flex and conform to any small imperfections in the ceiling surface. Do not tighten the screws so much so that the flange bows-out.

Important: Always use low-torque settings; NEVER over-tighten.

4. Attach the grille after the speaker has been installed.Insert about half of the grille into the groove at the edge of the speaker.Gently fit the remaining half of the grille by working around the speaker,fitting the grille into the groove as you go.

Note: You can adjust the torque applied to the RotoLock screws to achieve a proper grille fit.

PAINTING THE SPEAKERS AND GRILLES

You can paint the speakers and grilles before installing them, which will eliminate the “paint scar” if the speaker ever needs to be removed for service. You can also paint the speakers after installation, but before the grilles are attached. All Virtuoso

speakers come from the factory fitted with a plastic ‘paint plug’. Use the paint plug to protect the speaker drivers while the flange is being painted along with the wall.

Sonance always suggests painting the grille separately from the speaker. Before painting, carefully remove the under-grille cloth. It is held in place with a light tacking glue that makes it easy to remove.

Spray the grilles with thinned paint (5 parts thinner to 1 part paint), being careful not to plug the holes. Too heavy a coat of paint on the grille will adversely affect the sound of the speaker.

Once the grilles and flange are painted and dry, replace the under-grille cloth, remove the paint plug from the speaker flange and install the grille.

SPEAKER ADJUSTMENTS

Pivoting Woofer and Sonic Eye

All VirtuosoDRspeakers have a pivoting woofer assembly and a pivoting Sonic Eye® (midrange-tweeter assembly). These pivoting drivers allow you to direct sound toward or away from the listening area.

If you’re using the speakers in stereo or as the front L/C/R speakers in a home theater, pivot the woofer and/or Sonic Eye directly towards the listening area. This can be especially helpful if the speakers are widely-separated and the music fails to blend into a central sonic image.

If you’re using the speakers as surround channel speakers in a home theater, you can create a more diffuse, spacious surround effect by aiming the woofers and/or Sonic Eye towards a wall or window, away from the listeners.

To pivot the woofer:

Apply pressure on the outer edge of the Sonic Eye support bracket, as shown below in Illustration 6

To pivot the Sonic Eye:

Apply light pressure to the tweeter ring and the outside edge of the midrange, as shown below in Illustration 6. Do not apply pressure to the midrange cone or the tweeter dome.

Tweeter and Midrange Level Controls

The V832

DR, V833DR and V834DR have a tweeter level control switch that lets

you boost or cut the tweeter’s level by 3dB. The V833

DR and V834DR also have

a midrange level control that lets you boost or cut the midrange level by 3dB.

Once you have installed the speakers, listen to a variety of music that you are familiar with. If the music all tends to sound too bright or dull, use the Tweeter Control to compensate. If the music all tends to have too much or too little presence, use the Midrange Control to compensate. If some recordings sound dull or lack presence and some sound bright and have too much presence, the speaker is accurately reproducing differences in the recordings, and you should leave the control in the middle (0dB) position.

SPECIFICATIONS

V834

Tweeter: 1" (25mm) Beryllium Dome, Ferrofluid

cooled, pivoting

Midrange: 4" (102mm) Beryllium cone, rubber surround,

pivoting

Woofer: 8" (203mm) Beryllium cone, rubber surround,

pivoting Frequency Response: 30Hz – 20kHz ±3dB Impedance: 6 Ohms nominal; 4 Ohms minimum Power Handling: 5 Watts minimum; 175 Watts maximum Sensitivity: 91dB SPL (2.83V 1 meter) Grille Material: Perforated Aluminum Adjustments: Tweeter and midrange level (±3dB) Dimensions (Dia. x D): 11¼" (286mm) x 6" (152mm) Cutout Diameter: 101/

8" (257mm)

Shipping Weight: 22 lbs. (10kg) Pair

V833DR

Tweeter: 1" (25mm) Silk dome, Ferrofluid cooled,

pivoting

Midrange: 4" (102mm) Carbon Fiber cone, rubber

surround, pivoting

Woofer: 8" (203mm) Carbon Fiber cone, rubber

surround, pivoting Frequency Response: 32Hz – 20kHz ±3dB Impedance: 6 Ohms nominal; 4 Ohms minimum Power Handling: 5 Watts minimum; 150 Watts maximum SPL: 91dB SPL (2.83V 1 meter) Grille Material: Perforated Aluminum Adjustments: Tweeter and midrange level (±3dB) Dimensions (Dia. x D): 11¼" (286mm) x 6" (152mm) Cutout Diameter: 101/8" (257mm) Shipping Weight: 20 lbs. (9kg) Pair

V832DR

Tweeter: 1" (25mm) Silk dome, Ferrofluid cooled,

pivoting Midrange: 4" (102mm) Polypropylene cone, rubber

surround, pivoting Woofer: 8" (203mm) Polypropylene cone, rubber

surround, pivoting Frequency Response: 38Hz – 20kHz ±3dB Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal; 6 Ohms minimum Power Handling: 5 Watts minimum; 125 Watts maximum Sensitivity: 90dB SPL (2.83V 1 meter) Grille Material: Perforated Aluminum Adjustments: Tweeter level (±3dB) Dimensions (Dia. x D): 11¼" (286mm) x 6" (152mm) Cutout Diameter: 101/8" (257mm) Shipping Weight: 20 lbs. (9kg) Pair

V831

Tweeter: ¾" (19mm) Silk dome, Ferrofluid cooled,

pivoting Midrange: 4" (102mm) Polypropylene cone, rubber

surround, pivoting Woofer: 8" (203mm) Polypropylene cone, rubber

surround, pivoting Frequency Response: 45Hz – 20kHz ±3dB Impedance: 8 ohms nominal; 6 ohms minimum Power Handling: 5 Watts minimum; 100 Watts maximum Sensitivity: 89dB SPL (2.83V 1 meter) Grille Material: Perforated Aluminum Adjustments: None Dimensions (Dia x D): 11¼" (286mm) x 6" (152mm) Cutout Diameter: 101/8" (257mm) Shipping Weight: 16 lbs. (7.3kg) Pair

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SONANCE VIRTUOSO®DR-SERIES 8” IN-CEILING SPEAKERS

Midrange Control

(V834DR & V833DR)

Tweeter Control

(V834DR, V833

&V832DR)

Illustration 7: Tweeter and

Midrange Level Controls

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SERVICE

If you any have questions about the operation or installation of this product, please call our Technical Assistance Department on any business day at (800) 582-0772 or (949) 492-7777; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST.

If your speakers should need repair or service, contact your Sonance Authorized Dealer for help, or use the following procedure:

1. Prior to calling, note the product’s model number, serial number, purchase date, and the name and address of the dealer where you purchased the product.

2. Contact our Technical Assistance Department at the above number(s) and describe the problem the unit is experiencing. If applicable, they will issue a Return Authorization Number.

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST HAVE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TO RETURN YOUR SPEAKER TO SONANCE!

3. If you’re directed to return the unit to Sonance for repair, pack the unit in its original shipping carton. If needed, you can obtain replacement packaging from us for a small charge. Note: it is best if you place the box into an additional outer “overcarton”before shipment to minimize a chance of theft in shipment. Please include a copy of the original bill of sale inside the package.

4. Contact a package delivery company such as United Parcel Service or Federal Express to arrange prepaid (not collect) shipping. Do not use the U.S. Postal Service.

IMPORTANT: Freight collect shipments will be refused.

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6. Ship the packaged unit to:

Quality Assurance Department Sonance 212 Avenida Fabricante San Clemente, CA 92672-7531

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY COVERAGE (U.S. ONLY)

Sonance warrants to the original retail purchaser only that this Sonance product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship, provided the speaker was purchased from a Sonance Authorized Dealer.

Defective products must be shipped, together with proof of purchase, prepaid insured to the Authorized Sonance Dealer from whom they were purchased, or to the Sonance factory at the address listed on this instruction manual. Freight collect shipments will be refused. It is preferable to ship this product in the original shipping container to lessen the chance of transit damage. In any case, the risk or loss or damage in transit is to be borne by the purchaser. If upon examination at the factory or Authorized Sonance Dealer it is determined that the unit was defective in materials or workmanship at any time during this warranty period, Sonance or the Authorized Sonance Dealer will, at its option, repair or replace this product at no additional charge, except as set forth below. If this model is no longer available and can not be repaired effectively, Sonance, at is sole option, may replace the unit with a current model of equal or grater value. In some cases where a new model is substituted, a modification to the mounting surface may be required. If mounting surface modification is required, Sonance assumes no responsibility or liability for such modification. All replaced parts and product become the property of Sonance. Products replaced or repaired under this warranty will be returned to the original retail purchaser, within a reasonable time, freight prepaid.

This Warranty does not include service or parts to repair damage caused by accident, disaster, misuse, abuse, negligence, inadequate packing or shipping procedures, commercial use, voltage inputs in excess of the rated maximum of the unit, or service, repair or modification of the product which has not been authorized or approved by Sonance. This Warranty also excludes normal cosmetic deterioration caused by environmental conditions. This Warranty will be void if the Serial Number on the product has been removed, tampered-with or defaced. This Warranty is in lieu of all other expressed warranties. If the product is defective in materials or workmanship as warranted above, the purchaser’s sole remedy shall be repair or replacement as provided above. In no event will Sonance be liable for any incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the product, even if Sonance or an Authorized Sonance Dealer has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply. All implied warranties on the product are limited to the duration of this expressed Warranty. Some states do not allow limitation on the length of an implied warranty. If the original retail purchaser resides in such a state, this limitation does not apply.

EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS

The warranty set forth above is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, of merchantability,fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise. The warranty is limited to Sonance products registered herein and specifically excludes any damage to loudspeakers and other allied or associated equipment which may result for any reason from use with this product. Sonance shall, in no event, be liable for incidental or consequential damages arising from any breach of this warranty or otherwise. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SONANCE VIRTUOSO®DR-SERIES 8” IN-CEILING SPEAKERS

Sonance • 212 Avenida Fabricante • San Clemente, CA 92672-7531,USA • (800) 582-7777 or (949) 492-7777 • FAX: (949) 361-5151 • Technical Support: (800) 582-0772

www.sonance.com

33-3981 04/06

Sonance, Sonance Virtuoso, RotoLock, Sonic Eye, Sonafill and FastMount are trademarks or registered trademarks of Dana Innovations.

Due to continuous product improvement, all specifications are subject to change without notice. For the latest Sonance product specification information visit our website:

www.sonance.com

Sonance DR-series User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual