Sonance SM55, SM55 SST User Manual

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing Sonance Surface-Mount Speakers.
When properly installed your new speakers will give you years
of entertainment pleasure. This manual covers the SM55 and
SM55SST (Single-Stereo Technology

®

) speakers.

Box Contents

IItteemm QQuuaannttiittyy ((SSMM5555)) QQuuaannttiittyy ((SSMM5555SSSSTT))
Surface Mount Speaker 2 1
Paintable Grille 2 1
Speaker Terminal Screws 4 4

Speaker Placement

Distributed Audio (SM55 and SM55SST)

The SM55 and SM55SST’s low installation profile makes them
ideal for use in distributed audio systems. They provide coverage
of a very wide listener area, allowing the them to be mounted in
a wide variety of installation locations.

Because a single SM55SST speaker reproduces both stereo
channels from a single location, it will deliver outstanding
performance from a wide variety of mounting locations where a
pair of stereo speakers would be impractical, including hallways,
bathrooms and closets.

The table and illustration below show how far apart the speakers
can be placed at various ceiling heights while still providing
good coverage for all listeners.

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9-Foot Ceiling 5’7” 9’5”
10-Foot Ceiling 9’7” 13’5”
12-Foot Ceiling 13’7” 17’5”
14-Foot Ceiling 17.7’ 21.5’

Surround Channel (SM55)

The SM55’s low-profile design and wide area coverage also
make it an excellent choice for surround channel applications in
home theater systems.

5.1-Channel System

(see Figure 2)

• 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.

7.1-Channel System (see Figure 3)

•

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Place the left and right
surround speakers directly to the sides of the listening position,
between 6 feet and 10 feet apart.

•

SS uu rrrroo uunndd BBaa cc kk SS ppeeaa kkeerrss ::

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.

Before Installation

1. Determine the location for the speaker (see

Speaker Placement

).

2. The SM55 and SM55SST Mounting Plates (available separately)
are designed to install onto a J-box (single or double) that has
already been mounted in the ceiling.

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SM55 AND SM55SST
SURFACE-MOUNT SPEAKERS

TV

3' – 6'

Apart

2' – 6'

Surround

Back

Speakers

Left & Right

Surround Speakers

F

IGURE 3: 7.1-CHANNEL SURROUND CHANNEL SPEAKER PLACEMENT

TV

6' – 10'

Apart

2' – 6'

Left & Right

Surround
Speakers

FIGURE 2: 5.1-CHANNEL SURROUND CHANNEL SPEAKER PLACEMENT

1

C

OVERAGE

A

REA

C

OVERAGE

A

REA

S

PEAKER

S

PACING

FIGURE 1: DISTRIBUTED AUDIO COVERAGE AREA

2

SONANCE SM55 & SM55SST SURFACE-MOUNT SPEAKER

• The Mounting Plate allows the speaker to be installed after
the ceiling has been finished. The Mounting Plate also
allows the speaker to be rotated after installation to align it
with design elements in room.

3. If there is no J-box in the ceiling, the speaker can be mounted
directly on the ceiling surface, without using the Mounting Plate.

• If the speaker is installed without the Mounting Plate it

cannot be rotated after installation.

Installation Using a J-Box

1. Run speaker wires through the ceiling or conduit, from the
amplifier into the J-Box. Mark the wire’s “+” and “–” leads.

• Consult local building codes before running speaker wires

through ceilings.

2. Bring the speaker wires through the J-Box and attach them to
the binding posts on the back of the Mounting Plate. (The
SM55 plate has one set of posts; the SM55SST plate has two
sets, see

Figure 4

.) The binding posts will accept single

banana plugs or bare wire.

• Loosen the set screw on the binding post, insert the plug or

wire, then tighten the set screw to secure the wire.

IMPORTANT: When using bare wire, be sure that
no stray “+” and “–” strands touch each other.
(Stray strands that
touch each other
can cause a short­circuit that can
damage the ampli­fier.)

3. Use the 1½” x 6-32 flat
head screws included
with the Mounting Plate
to attach it to the J-Box.
(See

Figure 5

.)

• Use two screws for a

single-gang J-Box; use
four screws for a
double-gang J-Box.

4. The Mounting Plate is fit­ted with a paint plug
that protects the speaker
terminals if the ceiling is

painted after the Plate is installed. Remove the paint plug
before installing the speaker.

5. To install the speaker, place the speaker against the Mounting
Plate so that the male terminal connectors on the speaker fit
into the female connectors on the Mounting Plate. The
neodymium magnets on the speaker will secure the speaker to
the Mounting Plate. (See

Figure 6

.)

Be sure to align the “+” and “–” connectors on the speaker with
the corresponding connectors on the Mounting Plate.

• After the speaker is installed you can rotate it to align it

with design elements in the room. See

Speaker Adjustments:

Rotating the Speaker

, on page 3.

Installation Without a J-Box

1. Remove the grilles from the speakers.

• The grilles are held on the speakers by 2 small tabs on each

side of the grille frame. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to
gently pry each side of the grille frame away from the
speaker to release the tabs, and slide the grille off the
speaker (see

Figure 7

).

F

IGURE 4: WIRING THE

MOUNTING P

LATE

SM55 (LEFT); SM55SST (RIGHT)

A) Loosen Set Screw
B) Insert Wire
C) Tighten Set Screw

A, C

B

A, C

B

FIGURE 5: ATTACHING THE

M

OUNTING PLATE TO THE J-BOX

(SM55 PLATE SHOWN)

F

IGURE 6: ATTACHING THE SPEAKER TO THE MOUNTING PLATE

Mounting Plate

(installed on ceiling)

SM55
Speaker

(back side)

Neodymium

Magnets

Terminal Connections
(2 on SM55;
4 on SM55SST)

1. Insert Screwdriver Between
Grille Frame and Speaker at
Tab Locations and Gently Pry
Grille Away From Speaker

2. Slide Grille Assembly
Off Of Speaker

FIGURE 7: REMOVING THE GRILLE

3

SONANCE SM55 & SM55SST SURFACE-MOUNT SPEAKER

2. Unscrew the male banana connec­tors from the bottom of the speak­er and replace them with the sup­plied Speaker Terminal Screws
(see

Figure 8A

).

3. Run speaker wires through the
ceiling, from the speaker mount­ing location to the amplifier.

• Consult local building codes

before running speaker wires
through ceilings.

4. Strip ½” – ¾” of insulation from
each speaker lead. Twist the wire
strands to ensure that there are no
stray strands. (Stray strands that
touch each other can cause a
short-circuit that can damage the amplifier.)

5. Wrap the bare wire ends around the Speaker Terminal Screws
and tighten the screws to secure the wires. Be sure to connect
amplifier “+” to speaker “+” and amplifier “–” to speaker “–”.
(See

Figure 8B

.)

IMPORTANT: Be sure that no stray “+” and “–”
strands touch each other. (Stray strands that touch
each other can cause a short-circuit that can damage
the amplifier.)

6. Feed any excess speaker wire back through the ceiling and
place the speaker in the desired mounting location.

7. Mark the locations of the four mounting holes on the ceiling.

8. Drill holes at the marked locations and install drywall anchors
into the holes.

9. Place the speaker at the mounting location again and drive
four 1½”-long drywall screws through the four mounting holes
on the speaker and into the drywall anchors (see

Figure 9

).

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

10. Replace the grilles on the speakers.

Painting The Grilles

Please refer to the included

Painting Instructions

sheet.

Speaker Adjustments

Rotating the Speaker

When installed using the Mounting Plate, the SM55
and SM55SST can be rotated around their center axes after
installation to align them with architectural or design elements
in the room. (See

Figure 10

.)

N

OTE : EXCESSIVELY ROTATING THE SPEAKER CAN TWIST THE

SPEAKER WIRES IN THE J-BOX BEHIND THE MOUNTING PLATE,

CAUSING THEM TO DISCONNECT

, BREAK OR SHORT-CIRCUIT.

Specifications

Tweeter: (SM55) — 1" (25mm) Silk dome,

Ferrofluid- cooled
(SM55SST) — Two 1: (25mm) Silk

domes, Ferrofluid-cooled

Woofer: (SM55) — 5¼" (133mm) Carbon

fiber cone, with a rubber surround
(SM55SST) — 5¼" (133mm) Carbon

fiber cone, with a rubber surround,
dual voice coil

Frequency Response: 65Hz – 20kHz ±3dB

Impedance: 8 ohms nominal; 6 ohms minimum

Power Handling: 5 watts minimum;

60 watts maximum

Sensitivity: 88dB SPL (2.83V/1 meter)

Grille Material: Perforated Aluminum

Dimensions (W x H x D): 10¾" x 10¾" x 2½"

(273mm x 273mm x 63.5mm)

Shipping Weight: (SM55) — 10 lbs (4.5kg) pair

(SM55SST) — 5 lbs (2.3kg) each

FIGURE 9: MOUNTING THE SPEAKER DIRECTLY ON THE CEILING

1½”-Long Drywall Screws

in Drywall Anchors

FIGURE 10: ROTATING THE SPEAKER

F

IGURE 8:

REPLACING THE BANANA

P

LUGS WITH SPEAKER

T

ERMINAL SCREWS

A.

B.

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 [phone] 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 num-

ber(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.

5. Write the Return Authorization Number on the outside of
the shipping carton.

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, tampered­with 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.

©2008 Sonance. All rights reserved. Sonance and Single-Stereo Technology are registered trademarks of Dana Innovations.

Due to continuous product improvement, all features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

For the latest Sonance product specification information visit our website: www.sonance.com

SONANCE • 212 Avenida Fabricante • San Clemente, CA 92672-7531 USA

[phone] or [phone] • FAX: [phone] • Technical Support: [phone]

www.sonance.com

33-4785 05/08