Sonance Ellipse SUR Installation Instructions Manual

I N S T A L L A T I O N I N S T R U C T I O N S

SONANCE ELLIPSE SUR IN-CEILING SPEAKER

PN. 33-2931

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Sonance Ellipse SUR in-ceiling speaker.
When properly installed, this product will provide you with years of
entertainment pleasure.

To obtain the full potential of your new speakers, please read all
instructions before starting the installation. If you do not have the
necessary skills to install the speakers yourself, contact your authorized
Sonance dealer for installation options.

PARTS LIST

Each Ellipse speaker package includes the following items:

(2) Sonance Ellipse SUR speakers

(2) Paintable grille

(2) Plastic paint plug to protect speaker during painting

(1) Mounting cutout template ( in packaging )

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

FlexBracket - part number 91922

Acoustical Enclosure - part number 91921

Plastic template to reserve a hole in new construction.
Designed to be used with the Flexbar mounting system.

TM

A 1/2" medium density fiberboard enclosure designed
specifically for the Ellipse speakers.

7 - CHANNEL HOME THEATER PLACEMENT

Try to apply as many of the following suggestions when using four
Ellipse SUR speakers as your surround speakers.

Front surround speakers can be located directly to the sides of the
seating or approximately two to three feet in front of the seating for
better integration with the left, center and right speakers. The
speakers should be oriented so the coaxial drivers face the front and
rear walls of the room.

Rear surround speakers should be located approximately four to eight
feet behind the seating and the speakers should be separated six to
ten feet apart. The speakers should be oriented so the coaxial drivers
face the left and right side walls of the room.

4 to 8 feet

8 to 12 feet

TV

6 to 10 feet

Sonafill in-ceiling - part number 91928

Sonafill is a retrofitable acoustical treatment for that virtually
eliminates the noise produced by resonating drywall and
dramatically improves mid-bass sound quality

5 - CHANNEL HOME THEATER PLACEMENT

The ideal location for the Ellipse SUR is two to four feet behind the
listening position with the speakers separated approximately eight to
twelve feet.

The speakers should be oriented so the coaxial drivers face the front
and rear walls of the room.

8 to 12 feet

TV

Placement with four surround speakers

ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT OPTIONS

In many installations the main seating will be against the rear wall of
the room. In this type of room we suggest locating the speakers
approximately two feet from the rear wall and spaced from ten to
fifteen feet apart.

Locating the speakers in this way will provide a more diffuse surround
presentation.

TV

10 to 15 feet

Placement with two surround speakers

Alternative placement with two surround speakers

1

WIRE GAUGE AND QUALITY

The total wire resistance should be less than 10% of the speaker
impedance. If using an 8 ohm speaker, your total wire resistance
should be no more than 0.8 ohms.

In simple terms, the extra resistance from the wire will have a very
negative affect on the sound quality of the speaker. The sound can be
less dynamic, definition of bass frequencies can be reduced, and in
extreme cases, the high frequencies can be attenuated. Amplifier
power is also wasted in the wire, reducing the maximum output level
of the system.

Please refer to the following chart when deciding on the appropriate
wire gauge for your installation.

Wire resistance in Ohms vs. length of cable run

Distance in Feet

20 gauge

18 gauge

16 gauge

14 gauge

12 gauge

10 gauge

50' 100' 150' 200' 250' 300'

5.18

4.32

3.45

1.73

1.30

.85

.54

.34

.22

2.59

1.94

1.28

.81

.51

.33

2.59

1.71

1.08

.68

.44

3.24

2.14

1.35

.85

.56

3.89

2.56

1.62

1.02

.67

.86

.65

.43

.27

.17

.11

Acoustic Pillow

Damping Tiles

Acoustic Pillow

Damping Tiles

The Sonafill System

PREPARING THE INSTALLATION LOCATION

All Sonance speakers are designed to be relatively insensitive to
changes in enclosure volume. To achieve the ultimate performance
from the Ellipse SUR speaker, a section of the ceiling bay can be
sectioned off to form a back box. Building this enclosure will create a
dramatic improvement in the quality of bass response and power
handling.

Ideal Back box volume:

Insulating the ceiling cavity

Speaker performance can be enhanced by insulating the cavity with
fiberglass insulation.

When installing speakers in a ceiling, it is best to lay a sheet of unfaced
fiberglass insulation over the back of the speaker.

To further improve the sound quality, install insulation in the bays
adjacent to the speaker location. This will reduce noise produced by
the unsupported drywall.

Sonafill

Sonafill is a retrofitable acoustical treatment for loudspeakers that
virtually eliminates the noise produced by resonating drywall and
dramatically improves mid-bass sound quality. Sonafill also reduces
room-to-room noise especially in multi-channel installations where
many speakers are installed.

The Sonafill system consists of two pillows and four tiles. Installation is
accomplished by first adhering the tiles to the inside of the cavity, then
stuffing the two pillows in place behind the tiles.

Ellipse SUR 1.00 cubic feet (28.3 liters)

®

New Construction

The Ellipse LCR speaker features an integral FlexBar mounting system
for quick mounting into ceilings. The Ellipse FlexBracket is only
necessary in new construction installations when reserving a location
for the speaker is desired.

The FlexBracket will serve as a guide for the drywall installer when
cutting holes for in-ceiling speakers. The FlexBracket can be nailed,
screwed or stapled to the joists so that the hole is in the desired
location once the drywall is installed.

Ellipse FlexBracket

Retrofit

With the FlexBar system, the speaker can be installed directly into
existing ceilings. Once the hole is cut and the cable is run, the
speakers can be installed in a matter of seconds.

Once you have determined the area you would like to locate your
speakers, you will need to do an obstruction survey. Before you cut the
hole for the speaker, be certain no joist, conduit, pipe, heating duct or
air return will interfere with the speaker.

A cut out template is provided in the packaging of the speaker.
Position the 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 circle and insert a coat hanger into the hole to
feel for possible obstructions. If no obstructions are found, proceed
with cutting the hole using a drywall saw and run the speaker wires.

TM

2

INSTALLING THE SPEAKERS

Step 1

Remove the paint plug from the
speaker. Attach the wire from your
amplifier to the terminals on the back of
the speaker. Double check the polarity
of the speaker wires, amplifier + to
speaker + and amplifier - to speaker -.
Proper polarity is critical in home theater
installations.

Step 2

To install the Ellipse LCR, insert one side
of the Flexbar clamps through the hole
in the drywall. Once the feet are
through the hole, insert the other side of
the Flexbars into the cutout.

Note: The maximum clamp thickness is
1-1/4" (32mm)

Step 3

Tighten the four screws on the front of
the baffle. The Flexbars will
automatically begin clamping the
speaker. When you notice resistance on
the four screws, the speaker has been
clamped successfully.

The flange is designed to flex and
conform to any small imperfections in
the wall surface. The screws should not
be tightened so far that the flange bows
out.

Step 4

After the four Flexbar screws are
tightened the grille can be installed.
Insert about half of the grille into the
groove at the edge of the speaker.
Gently fit the remaining half of the grill
into the speaker by working your hands
around the speaker fitting the grille into
the groove as you go along.

PAINTING THE SPEAKERS AND GRILLES

Speakers and grilles can be painted before installation, which will
eliminate the "paint scar" if the speaker needs to be removed for
service. Speakers may also be painted after installation, but before the
grilles are attached. All speakers come from the factory fitted with a
plastic "paint plug." Use the paint plug to protect the drivers while the
flange is being painted with the ceiling.

Sonance suggests always painting the grilles separate from the
speaker. The grilles may be lightly sprayed with thin paint (5 parts
thinning agent to 1 part paint), but be careful not to plug the holes.
Too much paint will adversely affect the sound of the speaker.

Once the grilles and flange are painted and dry, remove the paint plug
from the flange and install the grilles.

Note: The torque applied to the
mounting screws can be adjusted for
proper grille fit.

3

Ellipse SUR

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SERVICE

Speaker Design In-ceiling surround infinite baffle

r Two - 1/2" (13mm) Cloth domes

Tweete
Midrang

e Two - 3" (76 mm) Black glass composite cones

Woofe

r 6 1/2" (165 mm) Black glass composite cone with a

rubbe

r surround

Frequency Respons
Impedanc
Powe
SP

Grill

Speaker Dimension
Cutout Dimension

Weigh

e 8 ohms nominal, 6 ohms minimum

r 5 to 125 watts

L 89 dB 1W / 1m

e Aluminum

t 16.0 lbs (7.26 kg) per pair

e 50Hz to 20 kHz +/- 3dB

s 10 1/2" (267mm) x 15 1/2" (394mm) x 5 7/8" (149mm)

s 9" (229mm) x 14" (356mm) elliptical

10 1/2" (267mm)

The Technical Assistance Department at Sonance is available at (800)
582-0772

or [phone] to answer any questions concerning the

operation and installation of your speakers between the hours of 7:00

and 5:00 PM Pacific time, Monday through Friday, except holidays.

AM

In the event your unit should need repair or service, you may return

unit to your authorized dealer or use the following guidelines:

the

1. Be prepared to state the model number and / or serial number,
of purchase and dealer's name and address when calling.

date

2. Contact Sonance directly at [phone] or [phone] or

www.sonance.com

at

3. If you are returning the product directly to Sonance, call us to

a return authorization number before shipping. YOU MUST

obtain
HAVE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TO RETURN YOUR UNIT.

4. The original packaging must be used. If the original packaging is

unavailable, replacements can be obtained from Sonance for a
small fee.

5. Ship the product via United Parcel Service, Federal Express, or

Please do not use the U.S. Mail service.

RPS.

6. Write the return authorization number on the outside of the box.

7. Ship to:

: Quality Assurance Department

51
/1

"2
3(

m49
m
)

8. FREIGHT COLLECT SHIPMENTS WILL BE REFUSED !

Attn

Sonance

Avenida Fabricante

212

Clemente, CA 92672-7531

San

14" (356mm)

Limited Lifetime Warranty

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 after September 1, 2003. Purchases made before that date carry a
limited 5 year warranty.

Defective products must be shipped, together with proof of purchase, prepaid insured to the
Sonance Authorized Dealer from whom they were purchased, or to the Sonance factory at the
address listed on this installation 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 Sonance Authorized Dealer, it is determined

(
9

3

.8

5
m

8/7
"

m
)

9
"

(
2

2
9
m

m
)

that the unit was defective in materials or workmanship at any time during this warranty
period, Sonance or the Sonance Authorized 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 its sole option may replace the unit with a
current model of equal or greater 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 a Sonance. Authorized 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.

Sonance 212 Avenida Fabricante San Clemente, CA 92672-7531, USA [phone] or [phone] FAX: [phone] Technical Support: [phone]

c

2003 Sonance. Sonic

w w w . s o n a n c e . c o m

Eye, Flexbar, and Sonafill are trademarks of Sonance.