Summary of the content on the page No. 1
I N S T A L L A T I O N G U I D E
FOR USE IN MULTI-CHANNEL MUSIC OR HOME THEATER SYSTEMS
HIGH DEFINITION, LEFT/CENTER/RIGHT CHANNEL, IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKER
HDLCR
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you for choosing the HDLCR High-Definition, Left/Center/Right Channel In-Wall Loudspeaker from Niles. With proper installation and operation, you should enjoy years of trouble-free use. Niles manufactures the industry’s most complete line of custom installation components and accessories for audio/video systems. To see the complete Niles product assortment, visit us on the Internet at: www.nilesaudio.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Features and Benefits 1 Insta
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
INTRODUCTION The Niles HDLCR High-Definition, Left/Center/Right Channel, In-Wall Loudspeaker is expressly designed for superior sonic quality in front-, center-, or rear-channel applications. It employs advanced technology components that extract the subtle nuances in recorded music or the thun- derous action sound in a movie. The HDLCR is the perfect choice wherever quality of sound is the most important consideration. FEATURES AND BENEFITS INJECTION-MOLDED TCC WOOFERS WITH BUTYL- RUBBER SU
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
INSTALLER-SELECTABLE ACOUSTIC FINE TUNING Using the baffle-mounted TREBLE and BASS CUT controls, the installer can de-emphasize the bass and/ or treble response by 3 dB after installing the HDLCR to precisely tone match the sound in any room. CTR L/R MODE SWITCH The HDLCR includes a baffle-mounted CTR L/R mode switch to optimize performance in applications as either a center channel or left/right loudspeaker for front-channel use. EASY RETROFIT INSTALLATION IN YOUR EXISTING HOME Designed for eas
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
NILES’ HD HIGH-DEFINITION VOICE MATCHING Ensures compatibility with other Niles HD High-Definition in-wall, on-wall, and ceiling-mount models to accommodate a wide range of system designs. ® DOLBY DIGITAL READY The HDLCR is specifically designed for Home Theater Sound. This model exceeds the specifications set forth by Dolby Laboratories for the accurate reproduction of Dolby Digital-Encoded Sources. INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS Figure 1. Mounting an HDLCR loudspeaker into an wall. Bracket New C
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
TOOLS AND PRECAUTIONS We recommend using the following tools to install a HDLCR loudspeaker: • Electric drill with 1/4- and 1/2-inch drill bits, and a 1-inch flat drill bit (for drilling through studs) • Keyhole or drywall saw Stiff wire, fish tape, or glow rods (for routing cables) • • Phillips screwdriver set • Cable ties • Pencil • Level Rubber gloves and protective eyewear • Before starting the installation, please observe the following precautions: •
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
LOUDSPEAKER WIRE Use 2-conductor loudspeaker wire when connecting loudspeakers to your receiver or amplifier. For most applications, we recommend using 16- or 18-gauge wire. For wiring runs longer than 80 feet, we recommend 14-gauge wire. The spring-loaded terminals of the HDLCR will accommodate up to 12-gauge wire directly. Larger sizes can be accommodated via pin connectors. When running wire inside walls or ceilings, use special jacketed cable (CL-2 or CL-3) to protect the wire and for fire
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
INSULATING THE WALL CAVITY For best performance from your speakers, fill the wall cavity behind the speaker with fiberglass insulation (e.g., R-19 un-batted insulation). Try to keep the same amount of insulation for each speaker, particularly in the same room, for consistent bass response. TECH TIP Wire size is expressed by its AWG (American Wire Gauge) number – the lower the number, the larger the wire. For example, 12 AWG is physically larger than 14 AWG. SPEAKER PLACEMENT NOTE: THE NILES H
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Speaker Placement Zone 5' 10' 10' Speaker Placement Zone Figure 2. Recommended HDLCR loudspeaker placement for front left and right channels. As for placement height, place front left and right speakers on either side of the picture source so that their tweeters are not more than 24 inches above or below the center-channel speaker’s tweeter (see Figure 3 on page 8). NOTE: DO NOT PLACE AN HDLCR SPEAKER TOO CLOSE TO A DIRECT-VIEW TV MONITOR, AS IT MAY CAUSE PICTURE DISCOLORATION. IN GENER
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
PLACING AN HDLCR AS THE CENTER-CHANNEL SPEAKER The center-channel speaker is the workhorse in a home theater system. It handles all of the critical dialog and is vitally important in creating the illusion of sounds emanating directly from the picture. Here are some tips for obtaining optimum center-channel performance: • In a typical installation, place the HDLCR horizontally, directly above the television or projection screen. Try to insure that the speaker is not placed too high relativ
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
• For installations where a perforated projection screen will be used, place the HDLCR, either horizontally or vertically, behind the screen at ear level, as shown in Figure 4. Perforated Screen HD LCR HD LCR HDLCR Figure 4. Recommended HDLCR center-channel placement behind a perforated projection screen. INSTALLATION FUNDAMENTALS RUNNING THE SPEAKER WIRE IN NEW CONSTRUCTION IMPORTANT: IF YOU HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT WHETHER YOU ARE CAPABLE OF INSTALLING A NILES CEILING-MOUNT LOUDSPEAKER, PLEA
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
RUNNING THE SPEAKER WIRE IN NEW CONSTRUCTION (CONTINUED) SCHEDULING AND PREPARATION Plan to schedule the speaker wiring after the electrical wiring is finished. That way you can avoid wire routes, which could potentially induce hum over the speaker wire. The basic wiring rules are: • Never run speaker wire through the same hole as an electrical cable. • Never run speaker wire into the same J-box as electrical cable. • Avoid running the speaker wire beside the electrical cable. Keep
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
• When drilling holes in ceiling joists, drill in the center of the joists and try to locate the hole near the end of the joist. IMPORTANT: DO NOT DRILL THROUGH A GLU-LAM OR LOAD-BEARING BEAM WITHOUT THE DIRECTION OF YOUR CONTRACTOR. • Try to line the holes up perfectly, because it makes pulling the wire much easier. A good technique is to snap a chalk line across the face of the studs or against the bottom of the ceiling joists. Then work backward so that you can always s
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
CONCEALING SPEAKER WIRE (CONTINUED) ABOUT EXTERIOR WALLS Concealing wires in exterior walls is more complex, since the walls are stuffed with insulation to protect the house from the heat and cold outside. Moreover, our national building code requires that a horizontal stud placed between the vertical studs break the hollow wall space in exterior walls. This “fire blocking” makes it very difficult to retrofit long lengths of wire. In some areas of the country, the exterior walls are constructe
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
Figure 7. An example of unobstructed wall space for speaker wiring. When you don’t have access above or below the wall, try to estimate the existing wire and pipe locations from known positions of electrical outlets and plumbed fixtures on both sides of the wall. Take a look at the outside of your house too – sometimes conduit, vents, or drainpipe will provide useful visible clues. Choose the route with the fewest potential obstacles. If the home is built on a slab, or a speaker wire route
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
CONCEALING SPEAKER WIRE (CONTINUED) CUTTING HOLES In traditional wood stud/drywall construc- tion, first cut the hole for the speaker. Then, in the opening, use a drill with a long bit to auger a wire route up or down the wall. Next, cut a hole in the drywall for stud access, drill holes through the studs, and run your wire, as shown in Figure 9. After the wire has been run, patch the hole with the cut drywall using standard dry- wall joint tape and joint compound. Let the patch dry, sand
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
4 Wire Ties Figure 10. The hole-saving brackets with QuickSnap new-construction wings can be installed horizontally or vertically. 2. Screw one side of the assembled bracket with wings to the stud or joist, using one of the supplied screws. Level the bracket, and then screw the other side of the bracket/wing assembly to the stud or joist. Two screws on each side make for a very secure installation. 3. Attach the wire to the bracket at the indicated wire tie points, as shown in Fi
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
EXISTING CONSTRUCTION: INSTALLING A BRACKET IMPORTANT: BEFORE YOU CUT INTO ANY WALL, REVIEW THE SECTIONS ON SPEAKER PLACEMENT ON PAGE 6 AND RUNNING THE SPEAKER WIRE IN NEW CONSTRUCTION ON PAGE 9. BE SURE NOT TO DRILL OR CUT THROUGH EXISTING WIRES, PIPES, OR STRUCTURE. IF YOU FEEL ANY EXTRA RESISTANCE AS YOU ARE DRILLING OR SAWING, STOP! 1. Locate studs or joists by using a stud sensor or by hand knocking. Do not place the edge of the cutout directly next to a stud or joist, since the f
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
FINISHING THE INSTALLATION PAINTING THE GRILLE AND FRAME After drywall is up, each HDLCR frame and grille may be painted without the need for primer. For best results, use a spray gun or airless sprayer, thin the paint to prevent clogging of the grille holes, and apply several light coats instead of one heavy one. 1. Paint each grille and let it dry before installation. 2. Paint each frame and let it dry before installation. INSTALLING THE FRAME 1. Fill each wall cavity with insulat
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
® INSTALLING A NILES MS-100 MICROSENSOR 1. For each speaker, locate the half-inch round, molded “IR Sensor Knockout” on the baffle. 2. Lay each speaker face down on a clean carpet or rug. Put the tip of a screwdriver into the center of the round “knockout” and sharply tap the screwdriver handle as necessary. NOTE: TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE CROSSOVER NETWORK, ALWAYS REMOVE A KNOCKOUT FROM THE REAR OF THE SPEAKER. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE A KNOCKOUT WITH THE SPEAKER FACE UP.
