B
SPEAKER WIRE
The amount of wire you’re going to need
will vary with speaker placement (which we
cover next). But we’re covering the subject
of wire now because it’s something you
may have to go out and obtain along with
whatever tools you don’t already have.
What kind to use
Acoustech ceiling speakers may be
used for surround and rear sound
channels by placing them (1) behind
or (2) in the ceiling, just behind the
viewer.
We recommend using inexpensive, multi
stranded “zip-cord” for amplifier-to-speaker
connections. Also called lamp cord, it’s sold
in pre-packed rolls and in bulk displays at
hardware, lighting and home improvement
stores. Zip-cord’s outside covering
(insulation) can be transparent, black,
brown, white, etc. Color doesn’t matter.
Wire-thickness does. For in-wall and in-
ceiling, a good quality wire should be used
so the outside plastic covering won’t crack
and break down over time.
Selecting the proper gauge
Wire is measured in “gauges”. For no
particularly good reason, the bigger the
number, the smaller the wire. For example,
18-gauge is thinner than 14-gauge.
The gauge of wire you need is determined
by the distance between your amplifier/
receiver and the speakers. Use the
following chart as a guide:
If in doubt, be safe and get a smaller gauge
(i.e. thicker wire). Using too thin a gauge
over a long distance can compromise
sound quality. And besides, there isn’t a
vast cost difference between gauges.
How much to buy
Basically, more than you think you need. As
we noted earlier, a discussion of lengths is
sort of premature until you’ve decided on
exact placement, so you may want to skip
to Section B on "Where to put your
speakers.” But if you have a rough idea of
the distance from your amplifier to the
speakers, here are a few tips:
• Because of the complicated paths which
are often required to route wires, you’ll
definitely need more than the amount
derived from simple measurements.
• Even if one speaker is a lot closer to the
amp than the other speaker, you should
use the same length of wire for both
paths. This insures that both speakers will
play at equal volume.
• Professional installers often use the
following rule of thumb: “As the crow flies”
amp to speaker distance TIMES FIVE.
That allows enough for both speaker
paths plus a very healthy margin for
unplanned detours. Remember the
electrician’s favorite adage: “You can
always cut off extra wire, but you cannot
make wire longer once it is cut.”
DRAWING 2
Amplifier considerations
Virtually any receiver, power amplifier or
integrated amplifier can be used with your
Acoustech Ceiling Speaker. Although
Acoustech speakers are rated for high
power, it’s OK to use an even more
powerful amplifier if you take some simple
precautions, which we
cover on page 9 (“Taking care of your new
in-ceiling speakers”).
A more serious consideration is whether or
not you intend to power more than one set
of speakers with the same amplifier or
receiver. If you intend to hook speakers to
both “A” and “B” receiver outputs and then
play both sets of speakers at the same
time, you should read the section starting
on page 9 of this manual (“More on
amplifiers and impedances”), to avoid
potential problems.
WHERE TO PUT
YOUR SPEAKER(S)
Since these are primarily used in ceiling
applications, we highly recommend
installing in an open attic space. If you
need to go into the ceiling of a first floor
r o o m ( i n a t w o s t o r y h o u s e ) , w e
recommend the use of a professional
installer.
DRAWING 3
Placement can make all the difference in
how your Acoustech speaker systems
sound – and how easy they are to install.
There are at least three
“WHERE’S” and a “HOW” to factor into
your layout:
• HOW you intend to use your speakers
• WHERE they’ll sound best (acoustic
considerations)
• WHERE it’s possible to install them
(ceiling surfaces)
• WHERE they can be installed that makes
it easy to get wire to them without
remodeling your entire house.
VARIOUS USES
Acoustech Ceiling Speakers can be used
for background music, as a primary
listening system, or as built-in surround and
rear speakers in an audio/video home
theater.
Background music
If you just want low-volume background
music to float through a room, placement
for best acoustics is not particularly critical.
You can pretty well ignore all our diagrams
and tips on imaging and other acoustical
matters. Just put your speaker where it’s
convenient and non-intrusive to room
decor. You can even place the speaker in
an adjoin- ing room, such as a living room
that flows into a formal dining room, or in a
kitchen and breakfast nook.
Surround sound
Acoustech Ceiling Speakers make
excellent surround sound speakers. They
can be mounted in any of the positions
shown in Drawings 2 and 3, especially from
the ceiling.
OTHER ACOUSTIC
CONSIDERATIONS
For best fidelity, there are several other
factors to keep in mind before you start
actual installation.
DRAWING 4
Vertical Placement
Treble frequencies are
quite directional. While
the dome tweeters in
A c o u s t e c h A u r a P r o
series speakers are
designed to disperse
high frequencies over a
wide area, they will give
you the best sound
when positioned so that
they cover the listening
area in a cone of
coverage as shown in Drawing 4. Of
course, if the speakers are being installed
in an area where listeners usually stand up
(such as a kitchen or hallway), they are
best suited for ceiling mount
(see Drawing 3).
Corners and reflections
When a speaker is placed close to the
corner of a room, bass frequencies are
emphasized.
Treble is emphasized when it reflects back
from reflective surfaces such as large
windows. Conversely, highs tend to be
muffled by soft surfaces such as drapes,
rugs, upholstered furniture, carpeted steps
and even textured fabric wall paper.
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