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IW-100 Powered Subwoofer Installation Guide 

 

Introduction 

This woofer and enclosure were carefully engineered to deliver well-defined bass, while remaining virtually invisible in a 
room.  The enclosure is designed for installation during new construction or major remodel jobs to fit between framing 
studs placed on 16” centers.  The enclosure dimensions are 42” high X 14” wide X 3 ½ “ deep.  The IW-100 is to be used 
as a powered subwoofer system in conjunction with the Phase Technology P-200 Subwoofer Power Amplifier. During 
pre-wire it is recommended that you will want to run heavy gauge 2 conductor wire from your source location to the 
woofer location. We recommend 16 gauge or larger depending on the length of the run. 

 
Selecting the Woofer Location 

When selecting a location to install the woofer, it is recommended the woofer be located near the left and right speakers it 
will be supporting.  That is to say in a traditional room with four walls, it is better to place the woofer on the same wall or 
if not on the same wall, as close as possible to the main left and right speakers. Avoid placing the woofer on an opposite 
wall from the main speakers whenever possible. 
 
Room placement will affect the output of the woofer.  It is recommended that the woofer be placed near the floor or the 
ceiling and as close to the corner as possible.  Avoid placing the woofer in the center of the wall or the center of the room

 

Getting Started

 

Before beginning your installation, it is recommended that you measure the bay (the space between studs) you intend to 
install the woofer enclosure.  Although 16” centers are the standard for framing construction, you will likely find many 
variations.  For the simplest installation and best results, select a bay that is clear of any obstructions like electrical wiring, 
gas or water pipes.  The woofer enclosure is intended to rest on the bottom plate between vertical studs.  The bottom (toe) 
plate is the 2” X 4” stud lying on the floor, to which the vertical studs supporting the wallboard are nailed. .  The height of 
the actual woofer in the enclosure was selected to allow the return-air vent used to conceal the woofer and to provide 
adequate clearance for decorative base molding up to 6” wide.  

Note:

 IN custom homes, the base molding may be wider 

than 6” requiring a cutout around the air vent.  You may wish to

 

raise the woofer enclosure slightly above the bottom 

plate.  Consult the general contractor if this is a concern. 

 

Step 1 

Open each end of the carton and slide the woofer enclosure out of the carton.  

Note:

 Do NOT pull the woofer enclosure 

from the packing carton using the speaker wires as a handle. 

 

Step 2 

Place the enclosure between the framing studs. 

To avoid vibration between the studs, sheet rock and the enclosure 

drive three 2 ½ ” wood screws per side through the studs and into the enclosure 4” down from the top, center and 
4” up from the bottom

.  This will retain the woofer in place prior to drywall finishing. 

 

Step 3

 

Once the woofer is in place you are ready to connect the speaker leads to the amplifier leads.  The wire in the enclosure is 
16 Gauge plenum rated UL approved stranded copper wire.  You may make connections a number of ways including butt-
connectors, wire nuts, electrical tape and solder.  Soldered connections with heat-shrink insulation, is the recommend way 
to splice the amplifier and woofer wires.  If you need to remove the woofer from the enclosure, please note the (+) 
terminals are indicated in red. 

Note:

 Low voltage electrical codes differ by state. Check your local low voltage code 

before selecting a method of wire splicing.  

 

Final Installation

 

Drywall will be installed followed by painting. The low resonant foam on the face and back serves as an absorptive barrier 
between the cabinet and the wallboard. Once completed, install the return-air vent over the woofer area.  The vent is a 
standard 10” X 12” steel return-air vent that may be painted to match the room colors.  Using the vent as a template, 
center it over the woofer opening – mark the screw holes with a pencil.  Remove the vent and drill a 3/32” pilot hole 
making certain you drill deep enough to penetrate the enclosure.  Center the vent over the pilot holes making sure the vent 
openings are pointing toward the floor and insert the screws supplied with the vent.  Tighten the mounting screws until the 
vent is snug against the drywall.  Use care not to over-torque the screws to avoid distorting the steel vent frame. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

218-2043

 

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