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DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 24
INST ALLA TION & OPERA TION GUIDE
MODEL
MODEL
OS6
OS6
Indoor/Outdoor Loudspeaker.
®
B LENDING H IGH F IDELITY
®
AND A RCHITECTURE
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DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 1 CONGRATULATIONS Thank you for choosing the OS6 Indoor/Outdoor Loudspeaker from Niles. With proper installation and operation, you'll enjoy years of trouble-free use. Niles manufactures the industry's most complete line of custom installation components and accessories for audio/video systems. For a free full line catalog write: Niles, Catalog Request, P.O. Box 160818, Miami, Florida 33116-0818 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2 FEATURES & BENEFITS 3 PAR
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INTRODUCTION DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 22 INTRODUCTION The OS6 marries unparalleled listening satisfaction with the freedom to listen to music anywhere! You can use them indoors and outdoors (even on a boat). The extraordinary sonic performance of the OS6 was achieved by harmonizing unique and proprietary technology with the most advanced manufacturing methods and materials available. The OS6 is a two-way speaker in an acoustic suspension enclosure. The cabi- net is shaped to f
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FEATURES & BENEFITS DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 3 FEATURES & BENEFITS LONG THROW POLYPROPYLENE WOOFER The unusually stiff and light polypropylene cone, the butyl rubber surround, the substantial magnet, and the rigid steel basket are all optimized for large excur- sions of the woofer. In this way, the five inch cone can create the same deep bass output of a much larger speaker moving small distances in and out. The end result is rich satisfying bass from a compact, weather resist
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FEATURES & BENEFITS DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 20 PRECISION CROSSOVER An electronic dividing network inside the cabinet precisely distributes the music to the woofer and the tweeter. The two-way design of the OS6’s crossover provides excellent stereo imaging and low distortion. SWIVELING BRACKET The U-shaped bracket and bracket knobs allow the OS6 to be pointed at the optimum listening position and locked into place quickly and easily. EASY THREE-WAY MOUNTING SYSTEM 1. The OS6 ca
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FEATURES & BENEFITS DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 5 The enclosure itself is shatterproof. The OS6’s components are weather resistant, UV-resistant, saltwater corrosion-resistant, and immune to damage from temperature extremes (-50 to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit). 5
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PARTS GUIDE DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 18 PARTS GUIDE a e b c d b d f g h e i Figure 1 OS6 Parts Guide a. Bracket f. Grille j b. Nail Hole g. Cabinet c. Wire Hole h. Baffle d. Screw Hole i. Binding Posts e. Bracket Knob j. Threaded Inserts 6
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 7 INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS TOOLS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED • A wire stripper • A pencil • A level (optional) • Three screws or bolts suitable for the mounting surface • The proper screwdriver for your mounting hardware • A drill bit of the right size and type • An electric drill WIRING The OS6 connects to your receiver or amplifier using 2-conductor speaker wire (See Figure 2). For most applications, we recommend using 16 or
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 16 Figure 2 Figure 3 Wiring directly from a receiver or Incorporating a volume control amplifier INCORPORATING A VOLUME CONTROL It’s possible to control the volume of the sound at the speaker location. Plan to wire the system so that each pair of speakers has its own volume control. Niles makes a wide range of indoor and outdoor volume controls. Consult your local Niles dealer for more information. Volume controls are connec
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 9 PLACING THE OS6 FOR THE BEST SOUND QUALITY The OS6’s dispersion pattern is very broad. The speaker is very sensitive and will handle a lot of amplifier power. This allows good sound quality over an extremely large listening area. However, if a single pair is positioned to provide coverage of a very large room or patio, you will have “hot spots” of loud sound when you are near the speakers. The best way to avoid hot spots fo
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 14 Make sure you are not blocking or reflecting the sound off of furniture or other objects. You should have a direct line of sight with the front of the speaker. To determine the best position, measure the distance between the ideal listening position and the wall you plan to mount the speakers on. Try to place the speak- ers so that they are at least one-half the listening distance apart (this maintains a large, pleasant st
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 11 1. If the speaker is never going to be exposed to sudden accidental impacts, wind, waves or earthquakes you can simply hang it on a nail using the nail hole(s) of the bracket (See Figure 7). Nail Mounting Screw Mounting OmniMount or Custom Bracket Mounting Figure 7 The OS6 can be mounted three ways. 2. The safest and most secure way to mount the speaker is by screwing it to the mounting surface using your own hardware (su
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PAINTING THE OS6 DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 12 PAINTING THE OS6 The enclosure, the brackets, and the grilles of the OS6 can all be painted to match the surroundings. Because we want you to preserve the acoustic quali- ties of the grille, please paint the grille according to the grille painting instruc- tions. Make sure you pick a paint that is appropriate for the mounting location. There are interior and exterior varieties, and even paint for marine uses. If you are not sure wh
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PAINTING THE OS6 DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 13 2. Wipe off the other sides of the cabinet, the bracket, bracket knobs, and grille with a damp cloth. Do not touch or rub the speakers on the front baffle. Make sure everything is dry before masking. 3. Mask off the binding posts and the brass threaded inserts on the back panel with masking tape. 4. Mask off the threaded inserts on the top and bottom with masking tape. 5. Protect the front of the speakers by inserting the supplied pa
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PAINTING THE OS6 DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 10 If you are using an applicator or brush and a can of paint, thin the paint first. Thick paint will tend to clog the grille holes. REPLACING THE GRILLE Carefully fit the grille into its recess so that it is barely in place. Starting with one corner, go around the speaker, pushing the grille in a little bit each time. You should be gentle, the aluminum grille can be easily bent out of shape. You will feel a positive “snap” when it is f
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INSTALLATION DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 15 INSTALLATION MOUNTING THE BRACKET 1. Remove the bracket knobs and the bracket from the speaker. 2. Hold the bracket up to the mounting surface. The speaker can be mounted either horizontally or vertically. Hold the bracket so that the speaker wire fits through the large, circular wire hole in the bracket. Align the bracket to be square with the surroundings (use a level for accuracy). 3. Mark the locations of the three oval-shaped screw
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INSTALLATION DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 8 CONNECTING THE SPEAKER 1. Separate the two conductors of the speaker wire so that at least two inches of each conductor are free. 2. Strip one half inch of insulation from the end of each conductor of the speaker wire. 3. If you have any connectors (gold pins or bananas) which you prefer to use, affix them to the stripped wire ends now. Only gold plated connectors should be used outside as they will not tarnish or corrode. 4. Use the brac
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INSTALLATION DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 17 3. Stand so you are the same distance from each speaker and listen to the rich- ness of the bass and the loudness of the sound. 4. Turn off the amplifier and reverse the connections on one speaker only. 5. Repeat the listening test with the same setting of the volume control. When the sound has a richer bass and is slightly louder the speakers are working together or “in-phase”. FINAL ADJUSTMENTS 1. After checking that the speaker is in
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OPERATION DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 6 OPERATION LISTENING AT HIGHER VOLUMES Outdoors there are no walls to reflect and contain the sound. It requires more power to achieve a reasonable volume of sound outside than it does when you are indoors. You also frequently find yourself very far from the speaker. It is possible to turn the volume so high that the amplifier runs out of power. This creates “clipping” distortion. Clipping distortion makes treble sound very harsh and unmusica
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SPECIFICATIONS DS00215A/OS6 Manual 3/1/99 9:19 AM Page 19 SPECIFICATIONS RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER POWER Five to 100 watts per channel NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 Ohms FREQUENCY RESPONSE 110Hz to 21kHz, plus or minus 3 dB (on axis) SENSITIVITY 89 decibels for 2.83 volts of Pink Noise, measured at 1 meter on axis WIRING REQUIREMENTS Sixteen to 18 gauge 2-conductor (unshielded or shielded) wire for runs up to 80 feet. Fourteen gauge 2-conductor (unshielded or shielded) wire for runs up to 200 feet. TEMPERA
