Niles Audio Home Theater System CM6HDFX User Manual

I N S T A L L A T I O N G U I D E  
F O R U S E I N M U LT I - C H A N N E L M U S I C O R H O M E T H E AT E R S Y S T E M S  
HIGH DEFINITION, SIDE/REAR CHANNEL EFFECTS, CEILING MOUNTED LOUDSPEAKER  
CM6HDFX  
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INTRODUCTION  
Niles CM6HDfx High-Definition, Side/Rear Channel Effects, Ceiling Mounted Loudspeakers are  
expressly designed for superior sonic quality. They employ advanced technology components that  
extract the subtle nuances in recorded music or the thunderous action sound in a movie. They are  
perfect for applications where in-wall or on-wall surround speakers are not practical. Moreover,  
these ceiling mount surround speakers are designed for applications where quality of sound is the  
most important consideration.  
FEATURES AND BENEFITS  
INJECTION-MOLDED TCC WOOFER WITH  
BUTYL-RUBBER SURROUND  
The CM6HDfx features a newly-developed cone material that combines injection-molded polypro-  
pylene with talc, carbon, and ceramic (TCC) stiffening agents. As a result, the cone offers extreme  
stiffness and light weight for accurate, dynamic response. Additionally, the woofer employs a  
vented pole-piece for increased bass linearity and a butyl-rubber surround for improved midrange  
damping and clarity, as well as moisture resistance.  
DUAL 3/4” TRI-LAMINATE TETERON TWEETER DOMES  
WITH FLUID-COOLING AND ULTRA-WIDE DISPERSION  
FOR CLEAR AND DETAILED HIGH FREQUENCIES  
Each tweeter’s tri-laminate design consists of an inner textile layer which forms the dome, a high  
damping layer to kill unwanted resonances, and an outside layer of urethane to add stiffness and  
prevent breakup modes. The result is a transparently clear, sweet, natural-sounding tweeter, which  
still maintains extended frequency response. The 20°-pivot angle also ensures optimum, detailed  
high-frequency coverage.  
DIRECT/DIFFUSE SETTING  
The DIRECT/DIFFUSE switch allows the installer to select different sound-field patterns for different  
applications. In the DIFFUSE mode, the tweeters are “out of phase,” producing a very natural-  
sounding diffuse surround effect. In the DIRECT mode, the tweeters are “in phase,” producing a  
more present (“in-your-face”) surround effect.  
NOTE: BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SPEAKERS MUST BE ORIENTED WITH THE “OUT-OF-PHASE”  
TWEETER (IDENTIFIED BY A GRAY DOT) SO THEY POINT IN THE SAME DIRECTION, RELATIVE TO  
THE LISTENER. SEE PLACEMENT DIAGRAMS STARTING ON PAGE 6 FOR RECOMMENDED PLACEMENTS  
AND SETTINGS.  
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INSTALLER-SELECTABLE ACOUSTIC FINE TUNING  
Using the baffle-mounted TWEETER LEVEL control, the installer can de-emphasize the treble response  
by 3 dB after speaker installation to accommodate reflective surfaces and corner loading.  
MICROPERF™ ALUMINUM GRILLES  
Niles’ exclusive MicroPerf™ grille construction provides an exceptionally tight hole pattern for  
acoustic transparency at all audio frequencies and enables the speaker elements to remain invisible.  
MicroPerf grilles can also be painted to blend seamlessly with the surrounding decor. Additionally, the  
aluminum grille material will never rust or discolor over time.  
EASY INSTALLATION  
Each CM6HDfx speaker employs a bracketless mounting system for easy installation in an existing  
ceiling. The installer simply cuts a hole in the mounting surface, removes the speaker grille, connects  
the wires, and places the unit in the opening. The installation is completed by tightening four mounting  
“dogs” (via front panel screws) to clamp the speaker frame to the drywall.  
HOLE-SAVING BRACKET  
Available as an optional accessory, a CM6 Series New-Construction Bracket can be installed as a  
“hole-saver” for each speaker before the drywall goes up. Later, the drywall contractor cuts  
speaker holes after drywall installation, thereby reducing installation time and minimizing the  
chance for lost wires.  
OPTIONAL FIRE-RATED METAL ENCLOSURE  
Optimizes performance and ensures code compliance.  
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 CM6HDfx 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.  
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS  
Figure 1. Mounting a CM6HDfx  
loudspeaker into a ceiling.  
New Construction Bracket  
serves as a “hole saver” when  
drywall has not been applied.  
It is not necessary when  
Knockout wire tie allows the  
wire to be secured to the bracket  
throughout the new construction  
process. It knocks out cleanly  
when the speaker is installed.  
retrofitting to existing ceilings.  
New construction wings  
instantly snap into the  
bracket without screws.  
Dogs swivel 90°,  
then clamp the  
speaker frame to  
the drywall.  
Frames are molded  
with a slight texture  
to assure good paint  
adhesion.  
Mounting screws tighten  
the “dogs,” clamping the  
speaker to the drywall.  
Wings are scored for  
easy size trimming.  
Brackets and wings  
attach to the ceiling joists  
with nails or screws.  
Rust-proof aluminum  
grilles make the CM  
Series perfect for moist  
environments.  
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TOOLS AND PRECAUTIONS  
We recommend using the following tools to install a CM6HDfx 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:  
• Turn off all system power before making any connections.  
• Always wear protective eyewear when using tools.  
• Make sure hands are clean before installation.  
• Wear gloves when working with fiberglass insulation.  
RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER POWER  
For satisfactory performance, we recommend using a surround amplifier with a power rating of  
10 to 125 watts. Curiously, most loudspeakers are not damaged by large amplifiers, but rather by  
small amplifiers. If your system is playing loud music, a small amplifier will run out of power very  
quickly and can create damaging “clipping” distortions. A more powerful amplifier will play at the  
same volume without distorting. See OPERATION on page 19 for more information about amplifier  
clipping distortion.  
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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 CM6HDfx 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 prevention. In some areas, conduit is also required. For a trouble-free installation,  
low-voltage wire such as speaker wire must be run in accordance with the National Electrical Code  
and any applicable provisions of the local building code. If you are unsure of the correct installa-  
tion techniques, wire jacket, or type of conduit to use, consult a professional audio/video installer,  
building contractor, or the local building and inspection department.  
INSULATION BEHIND THE SPEAKER  
For best performance from your speakers, lay a batten of fiberglass insulation (e.g., R-19 unfaced  
insulation) on top of the speaker. 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 CM6HDFX LOUDSPEAKER IS DESIGNED FOR USE IN SIDE- OR REAR-CHANNEL  
APPLICATIONS ONLY. FOR FRONT-OR CENTER-CHANNEL APPLICATIONS, WE RECOMMEND USING A  
NILES HDLCR OR HDLCR BX LOUDSPEAKER.  
PLACEMENT FOR HOME THEATER REAR APPLICATIONS  
In home theater, the goal is to reproduce the experience of a great movie theater in your home.  
The biggest difference between the two venues is the use of a rear- or surround-speaker array in  
a commercial theater. Here, it is not uncommon to see 20 or 30 speakers placed around theater  
walls. This huge array of speakers assures the audience will feel completely surrounded by the  
ambient soundtrack of the movie.  
Filmmakers carefully use the “surround” soundtrack to envelope viewers in the sound environment  
on screen. They will place background music, rain sounds, traffic noise, etc. on the “surround”  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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PLACEMENT FOR HOME THEATER REAR APPLICATIONS  
(CONTINUED)  
soundtrack to create desired effects. However, in a home with a single pair of front speakers, this  
surround effect will be lost, and jungle sounds may actually sound like they are emanating “from the  
middle of your head,” just like headphones!  
A single pair of CM6HDfx Loudspeakers, properly placed, can create a very convincing simulation of  
an array of surround speakers. Here are some recommended placement tips:  
• Place the surround speakers near a hard reflecting surface, as shown in Figure 2.  
The reflections will help one pair of speakers to sound like several. If possible, try  
placing them near a corner (so that the adjoining walls will act as a powerful  
reflector) to create even more reflections, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.  
Figure 2. CM6HDfx  
loudspeakers placed  
near a back wall of a  
home theater room.  
Place CM6HDfx so  
tweeters fire across  
back of room.  
Place CM6HDfx so  
tweeters fire across  
back of room.  
Place CM6HDfx  
so tweeters fire  
toward walls.  
Place CM6HDfx  
so tweeters fire  
toward walls.  
Place CM6HDfx  
so tweeters fire  
toward walls.  
Place CM6HDfx  
so tweeters fire  
toward walls.  
Figure 3. CM6HDfx loudspeakers  
placed near back corner walls of a  
home theater room.  
Figure 4. CM6HDfx  
loudspeakers placed near back  
corner walls of a home theater  
room with an L-shaped sofa.  
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• If you place the surround speakers farther away from the listener, both the reflected  
and the direct sound will dissipate, requiring even more power from the surround-  
sound channels. If your sound system uses a small 5- or 10-watt surround amplifier for  
the rear speakers, be sure to place the speakers within 5 to 8 feet of the  
listening location.  
• If you are using a larger 25- to 50-watt surround amplifier, you can mount the speakers  
10 to 15 feet away from the listening location and still achieve reasonably high volume  
levels. In large or unusually-shaped rooms, this might be the only way to achieve a  
good effect.  
• If you like listening to music in surround modes (which emulate concert hall acoustics),  
consider using more than two surround speakers to provide an extraordinary effect.  
With Niles CM6HDfx loudspeakers, it is easy to add another pair without affecting the  
decor of the room.  
NOTE: FOR THIS APPLICATION, YOU WILL NEED TO USE A MORE POWERFUL AMPLIFIER THAN  
THE ONE BUILT INTO A TYPICAL SURROUND-SOUND RECEIVER OR AMPLIFIER. NILES MAKES  
A NUMBER OF SYSTEMS INTEGRATION AMPLIFIERS WITH PROPRIETARY FEATURES THAT  
MAKE THEM UNIQUELY SUITED TO ENHANCE YOUR EXISTING SURROUND-SOUND SYSTEM.  
CONSULT YOUR LOCAL NILES DEALER FOR MORE INFORMATION.  
• If your home theater system is capable of reproducing Dolby EX surround sound,  
consider using a second pair of CM6HDfx speakers (on the side walls) for an additional  
rear surround effect, as shown in Figure 5.  
Place CM6HDfx  
so tweeters fire  
along side wall.  
Place CM6HDfx  
so tweeters fire  
along side wall.  
Figure 5. Two pairs of CM6HDfx  
loudspeakers reproduce Dolby EX  
surround sound in a home theater room  
using only DIFFUSE settings.  
Place CM6HDfx so  
tweeters fire across  
back of room.  
Place CM6HDfx so  
tweeters fire across  
back of room.  
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THE BOUNDARY EFFECT  
Placing a speaker in a corner can powerfully affect the way a listener perceives bass response.  
Known as the boundary effect, placing speakers close to a wall/ceiling boundary or near a corner-  
wall boundary will emphasize certain bass frequencies while canceling others. This effect can  
make the speaker sound excessively boomy and inaccurate to some listeners, while to others it  
just seems like more bass sound.  
As a good rule-of-thumb, if you like listening to your current pair of speakers with the bass turned  
up, you’ll enjoy corner placement. However, if you listen with the tone controls at neutral, try keep-  
ing the speakers at least 2 or 3 feet from the boundaries of the room.  
USING THE DIRECT RADIATING/DIFFUSE FIELD  
SELECTOR SWITCH  
If the listener prefers a more diffuse sound field, set the DIRECT/DIFFUSE switch to the DIFFUSE  
position, as shown in Figure 6. The DIFFUSE setting provides less localization of the sound and  
a more spacious feel. Make sure to align the speakers so the “out-of-phase” tweeters (identified  
by a gray dot) are oriented in the same direction, relative to the listener. If desired, experiment with  
tweeter orientation to give the most pleasant sound for your particular installation.  
DIFFUSE  
DIRECT  
Figure 6. The  
CM6HDfx DIRECT/  
DIFFUSE switch is set  
to DIFFUSE for a more  
spacious sound field.  
If the listener prefers a more direct sound field, set the DIRECT/DIFFUSE switch to the DIRECT  
position, as shown in Figure 7. The DIRECT setting provides more localization of sound and  
creates a more dramatic surround effect. If desired, experiment with tweeter orientation to give  
the most pleasant sound for your particular installation.  
Figure 7. The  
DIFFUSE  
DIRECT  
CM6HDfx DIRECT/  
DIFFUSE switch is set  
to DIRECT for a more  
dramatic sound field.  
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USING THE TWEETER LEVEL CONTROL  
After installation, the installer can de-emphasize the treble response by 3 dB to accommodate  
reflective surfaces and corner loading by setting the baffle-mounted TWEETER LEVEL control to  
–3 dB, as shown in Figure 8.  
TWEETER  
LEVEL  
-3dB  
0dB  
Figure 8. The CM6HDfx TWEETER LEVEL  
control has two response settings. Moreover, by  
using the TWEETER LEVEL control in conjunction  
with the DIRECT/DIFFUSE switch, the surround  
sound field can be tailored in a variety of ways.  
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, PLEASE CONSULT A NILES DEALER OR PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER.  
THEY HAVE SPECIAL TOOLS, TECHNIQUES, AND EXPERIENCE TO MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE JOB  
POSSIBLE. THE INSTALLER CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH AN ESTIMATE BEFORE ANY WORK IS DONE.  
OBSERVE SAFETY FIRST!  
• Always wear gloves, safety goggles, and head protection gear when drilling or  
cutting holes.  
• Avoid drilling near nails – they ruin bits and can cause injury.  
• Be careful using “hole-hogs” and other powerful electric drills. The torque of this  
drill when suddenly stopped by a nail can break the wrist of a strong man.  
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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 your speaker  
cable at a distance of at least 3 feet from any electrical power cable.  
• If side-by-side wiring is unavoidable in particular spots in the house, move the  
speaker wire route away as soon as possible.  
• If construction forces a side-by-side run for more than 10 feet, install metal conduit  
or shielded speaker wire. Low-voltage wires such as doorbells, intercoms, telephone,  
security, or television cannot cause interference or hum on your speaker wires, so  
you can safely run all of them at the same time, through the same holes,  
side-by-side.  
• Before drilling any holes, mount the speaker brackets in the desired speaker  
Locations and mount p-rings or open-backed J-boxes where the in-wall volume  
Controls and stereo equipment will be located.  
ABOUT DRILLING  
Use a bit that is large enough for the wires you plan to run. This is an important consideration,  
since you may be drilling a lot of holes. Here are some additional tips:  
• We recommend using an auger bit for rough-  
in wiring. It will actually pull itself through  
the wood, so that the drill motor, not you,  
does most of the work.  
• Always drill the holes in the center of the  
stud. If you have to notch the stud or drill the  
hole closer than 1 inch from the edge of the  
stud, protect the wire with a nail plate, as  
shown in Figure 9.  
• When drilling holes in ceiling joists, drill in  
Figure 9. Installing a nail  
plate to protect wiring in a  
notched stud.  
the center of the joists and try to locate  
the hole near the end of the joist.  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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ABOUT DRILLING (CONTINUED)  
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 see the  
holes you have already drilled. Paying careful attention to this will save you time  
later on.  
PULLING THE CABLE  
Pull the cable in sections (from the stereo to the volume control, from the volume control to the  
speaker). Start with the longest sections and use leftover wire to complete the short sections. Also  
consider the following wiring tips:  
• If you plan to pull many rooms at the same time through a central route, walk off the  
Distance to each destination, add a generous “fudge factor” for turns and other  
Obstacles, and then cut off each section, so you can pull a bundle of wires at once.  
• When running the wire further than 4-1/2 feet from a hole in a stud or joist (e.g., open  
attic space, going up walls, etc.), be sure to fasten the wire to the joists or studs using  
cable clamps or appropriately-sized wire staples. The wire should not have large sags  
in it, nor should it be too tight.  
• Try to protect the wire from being stepped on in attics or other unfinished crawl  
spaces. Use guard strips, raceways, or conduits to protect the cable. Consult the local  
building code for special requirements in your area.  
CONCEALING SPEAKER WIRE  
ABOUT INTERIOR WALLS  
Interior walls in almost all North American residences are hollow, so they are easy installation sites  
for flush mounting speakers and routing new speaker cable in the house. Looking at a painted  
wallboard, plaster, or paneling, you only see the skin of the wall. Behind it is the home’s skeleton;  
2-by-4 inch wood or metal “studs” running vertically from the floor to the ceiling in walls and  
2-by-6 inch or larger “joists” running horizontally in the ceilings and floors. The space between the  
studs and joists is used for the home’s wiring and plumbing.  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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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 constructed of solid masonry and have no hollow space for  
speakers or wires.  
PLANNING THE SPEAKER WIRE ROUTE  
Start by examining all the possible routes you might take to run the speaker wire from the speaker  
to the home theater system. Use a stud sensor or other device to locate the internal structure of  
the wall. You will want to avoid all studs or joists. Figure 10 shows a typical wire run from the  
speaker location in the ceiling, across the attic, then down through a top plate (i.e., the horizontal  
2-by-4 or 2-by-6 inch wood laid across the vertical studs) to a wall plate or a J-Box in the wall  
behind the home theater system itself.  
Figure 10. Running  
Speaker  
Location  
speaker wire from a ceiling  
speaker to a home theater  
system location.  
Volume  
Control  
Location  
Find all the locations of your  
existing electrical, phone, and  
TV wiring, and then plan the  
speaker wire route to avoid  
them. Crossing wire paths is  
acceptable, but 60 Hz hum may  
be induced in the reproduced  
Stereo  
Location  
audio, if speaker wire is run parallel to electrical wire for more than a few feet. If possible, try to  
keep speaker wire away from parallel power cables by at least 3 feet.  
To find exactly where an electrical cable is routed, try inspecting the inside of the wall by turn-  
ing off the breaker for a particular power outlet or switch, removing the cover plate and switch or  
receptacle, and then shining a penlight into the wall. If you have access to an attic or basement  
space, you can quickly see which part of the wall space is free of obstructions, as shown in Figure 11.  
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Figure 11. 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 is planned between two finished floors, look  
for baseboards that could be removed for wire placement. Doorjambs can also be removed and  
often have enough space for speaker wire all the way around the door, as shown in Figure 12.  
Figure 12. Running speaker  
wire between a wall and a removed  
doorjamb. Nail plates are also  
installed to protect the wire when  
the doorjamb is replaced.  
OTHER POSSIBLE SPEAKER WIRE ROUTES INCLUDE:  
• Under-the-carpet runs using flat speaker wires.  
• Heating and air conditioning vents used as wire raceways for plenum-rated wire.  
NOTE: CHECK YOUR LOCAL BUILDING CODES, SINCE SOME MUNICIPALITIES REQUIRE  
CONDUIT.  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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CONCEALING SPEAKER WIRE (CONTINUED)  
CUTTING HOLES  
In traditional wood stud/drywall construction, first cut the hole for the speaker. Then, in the open-  
ing, use a drill with a long bit to auger a route across the ceiling joists. Sometimes, you will need to  
use a “notching” technique to reach areas the drill bit won’t reach or to turn corners (e.g. down a  
wall without an accessible attic).  
Avoid making an irregular hole in the  
drywall. By carefully cutting a rectan-  
gular hole, you can later use the cut  
drywall as the patch. Notch the bottom  
of the joists and run the wire through the  
notches, protecting the wire with nail  
plates, as shown in Figure 13.  
Figure 13. Example  
of a ceiling speaker  
cutout with ceiling joists  
notched for wire run.  
After the wire has been run, patch the hole with the cut drywall using standard drywall joint tape  
and joint compound. Let the patch dry, sand the surface, and touch-up the wall with paint.  
NEW CONSTRUCTION:  
INSTALLATION OF BRACKETS, FRAMES, AND GRILLES  
INSULATING THE CEILING CAVITY  
If feasible, fill the ceiling cavity with insulation after cutting speaker holes.  
MOUNTING THE NEW CONSTRUCTION BRACKET  
The hole-saving bracket enables a faster and cleaner final installation of the speaker. It forces the  
drywall installer to cut out the speaker hole for you and provides wire ties for the speaker wire,  
reducing the risks of accidental loss or movement of the wire. In addition, it enables you to align  
your speakers with other ceiling fixtures with greater accuracy, since you can see exactly where  
the speaker will be.  
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INSTALLING THE BRACKET  
1. Attach the QuickSnap™ new-construction wings to the bracket by snapping them  
into the bracket sides. If the length will interfere with corner or eaves, you can  
shorten the wings by breaking them along the scored lines.  
NOTE: THE WINGS AND BRACKETS HAVE CENTERING LINES TO SIMPLIFY PLACEMENT  
OF THE SPEAKERS.  
2. Screw one side of the assembled bracket with wings to the joist, using one of the  
supplied screws. Level the bracket, and then screw the other side of the bracket/wing  
assembly to the joist. Two screws on each side make for a very secure installation.  
3. Secure the wire to the bracket using bracket’s wire tie. The drywall installers will cut  
the drywall to the exact size of the bracket, as shown in Figure 14.  
Figure 14. The optional hole-  
saving brackets are installed, and  
the speaker wire is attached to  
the bracket.  
CONCEALING SPEAKER WIRE FOR A FUTURE INSTALLATION  
1. Attach the speaker wire in a loop between the ceiling joists and carefully mark the  
exact location of the wire on a set of plans.  
2. Ask the general contractor to inform the drywall installers that the speaker wire loops  
are concealed for future installations, as shown in Figure 15.  
Figure 15. The speaker wire  
is looped and hung on two nails  
attached to the joists, securing it  
for future use. Be sure to note the  
location on house plans.  
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EXISTING CONSTRUCTION:  
INSTALLATION OF BRACKETS, FRAMES, AND GRILLES  
PLANNING THE INSTALLATION  
IMPORTANT: BEFORE YOU CUT INTO ANY WALL, REVIEW THE SECTIONS SPEAKER PLACMENT  
ON PAGE 6 AND RUNNING THE SPEAKER WIRE IN NEW CONSTRUCTION ON PAGE 10. 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 joists by using a stud sensor or by hand knocking. Keep in mind that the  
mounting “dogs” will extend 3/4 inch beyond the cutout. Make sure you do not place  
the edge of the cutout directly next to a ceiling joist.  
2. At the planned cutout site, drill a 1/8-inch pilot hole just barely through the ceiling,  
about an inch below the center of your proposed speaker location.  
NOTE: IN MOST HOMES, THE CEILING THICKNESS IS 1/2 TO 5/8 INCH.  
3. Cut a foot-long piece of coat hanger and bend it to create a right angle, leaving  
3/4 inch to allow for the extra width of the mounting dogs. Poke the “L-shaped” wire  
into the pilot hole and turn it in a complete circle, as shown in Figure 16.  
Figure 16. Using a  
coat hanger to check  
for obstructions behind  
the ceiling speaker site.  
4. Continue turning the coat hanger as you move it into the ceiling cavity to a depth of  
approximately 6 inches. If you feel an obstruction, fill the hole(s) with spackling com-  
pound and repeat steps 1 through 4 at a new location.  
5. If the coat hanger moves freely in a complete circle, hold the supplied template up to  
the ceiling surface. Use a pencil to outline the circular cutout on the ceiling surface.  
Then drill a starting point with a 1/4-inch bit.  
6. If you are cutting drywall, use a sheetrock or keyhole saw. Cut the hole with the saw at  
a 45-degree angle. That way, the drywall section can be replaced cleanly if there is an  
unseen obstruction behind the wall.  
16  
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7. If you are cutting into a plaster ceiling, use masking tape to outline your penciled  
circle and use a razor to score the plaster down to the lath beneath. Then use a chisel  
to remove all of the plaster within the taped outline. To actually cut the lath, consider  
the following two professional methods:  
• Use a saber saw with a metal cutting blade for the quickest cut. However, saw-  
ing lath with a saber saw can easily vibrate plaster off the ceiling in a completely  
distant location, thereby creating more patchwork.  
• If you have the patience, use a pair of tin snips to slowly nip away at the lath  
instead. There is little risk with this method – it is just more time consuming.  
FINISHING THE INSTALLATION  
INSTALLING THE SPEAKERS  
1. If possible, lay a batten of insulation into each ceiling cavity. Remember to use equal  
amounts of insulation for each speaker.  
2. At each speaker, separate the speaker wire so that at least 2 inches of each conduc-  
tor are free. Strip away 1/4 inch of insulation from each speaker wire and insert the  
appropriate wire into each spring-loaded speaker connector.  
NOTE: OBSERVE CORRECT POLARITY: POSITIVE (+) GOES INTO THE RED TERMINAL AND  
NEGATIVE (–) GOES INTO THE BLACK TERMINAL.  
3. Locate the four clamps or mounting dogs which will  
hold each speaker in place, along with their front-baf-  
fle tightening screws. Rotate the dogs inward, insert  
each speaker into its cutout, and tighten the dogs by  
turning the screws clockwise, as shown in Figure 17.  
NOTE: THE TIGHTENING SCREWS WILL BE EASIER TO  
TURN IF YOU “PRIME” THEM FIRST.  
Figure 17. Tightening the  
clamps or mounting dogs.  
IMPORTANT: DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THESE SCREWS!  
OVER TIGHTENING THE CLAMPS MAY MAKE THE GRILLE  
DIFFICULT TO INSTALL.  
4. Perform step 2 at the amplifier end. Make sure each speaker is connected correctly  
according to polarity and channel use.  
5. Turn on the surround receiver and calibrate all speakers in the surround system ac-  
cording to the receiver manufacturer’s instructions.  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
17  
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INSTALLING THE SPEAKERS (CONTINUED)  
6. At each speaker, set the DIFFUSE/DIRECT switch according to the desired application  
(see page 8 for usage).  
7. At each speaker, set the TWEETER LEVEL switch according to the desired application  
(see page 9 for usage).  
8. Install grilles into each speaker – they should fit snugly. If they don’t, try loosening the  
mounting-dog screws. They may have been tightened too much.  
PAINTING THE SPEAKERS  
The CM6HDfx speakers may be painted, as the plastic frame will readily accept most paints. 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 the grilles first and let them dry before installation.  
2. Mask all speakers prior to painting them. You can use the inside circular portion of the  
hole template as a paint mask.  
3. Remove the outside portion of the template by gently pulling along the perforation.  
Affix the mask to the front of the speaker using a piece of tape. Fold the tape onto  
itself to form a double-sided loop. Affix the tape to the tweeter and place the mask  
onto the speaker.  
4. Paint the speakers. After they are dry, install the grilles.  
CHECKING SPEAKER PHASE  
Speaker wire has two conductors. On both your speaker and amplifier, one conductor is attached to  
the negative (–) terminals, while the other is attached to the positive (+) terminals. Usually, the wire  
is marked for your convenience, but the marking can be done in following different ways:  
• Stripe on one wire  
• Ribbed area you can feel on one conductor  
• Different colors of metal wire on each conductor  
• Fabric strand or string wound into one of the conductors  
Of course, there are some wires which appear completely identical. So be careful, or you might  
make a connection mistake. If you do, one speaker will be playing “out-of-phase” with the other  
speaker. A pair of out-of-phase speakers works against each other, and the sound of the two  
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playing together will be lacking in bass and sound “phasey.” If you suspect the sound is not right,  
and you cannot see any markings on the wire, try this simple test:  
1. Stand halfway between the speakers.  
2. Play some music with the amplifier or radio set to Mono.  
3. Listen to the richness of the bass and the loudness of the sound.  
4. Turn off the amplifier and reverse the connections on one amplifier channel only.  
5. Repeat the listening test with the same volume control setting. When the sound has a  
richer bass and is slightly louder, the speakers are working together or “in-phase.”  
OPERATION  
LISTENING AT HIGHER VOLUMES  
Achieving a reasonable volume of sound in a large room requires more amplifier power than it  
does in a small room. It is possible to turn the volume up so high that the amplifier runs out of  
power. This creates “clipping” distortion, which will make treble sound very harsh and unmusical.  
When you hear harsh-sounding treble from any good speaker, turn the volume down immediately!  
Those harsh sounds are masking much more powerful ultra-high-frequency sound spikes, which  
will quickly damage any fine loudspeaker. You are much less likely to damage a speaker driven by  
a large amplifier because it will be very loud before any clipping distortion is produced.  
CLEANING  
Clean the Niles CM6HDfx loudspeaker with a dampened soft cloth or paper towel. If the speaker is  
mounted high up on a wall or ceiling, use a broom to gently brush it off.  
SPECIFICATIONS  
Recommended Amplifier Power  
10 to 125 watts per channel  
Nominal Impedance  
8 ohms  
Frequency Response  
60 Hz to 21 kHz, +/- 3 dB (on axis)  
Overall Exterior Dimensions  
9-1/4" diameter  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
19  
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SPECIFICATIONS (CONTINUED)  
Hole Cut-Out Dimensions  
Depth Behind Ceiling  
8" diameter  
3-3/4" (based on 1/2" drywall)  
Wiring Requirements  
We recommend using 16- to 18-gauge speaker wire for runs up to 80 feet and  
14-gauge speaker wire for runs up to 200 feet. The connectors will accommodate  
12- to 22-gauge wire.  
LIMITED WARRANTY  
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION (“NILES”) WARRANTS ITS LOUDSPEAKER PRODUCTS TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER TO  
BE FREE OF MANUFACTURING DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS FROM DATE  
OF PURCHASE.  
THIS WARRANTY IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS. THE WARRANTY IS VOID  
AND INAPPLICABLE IF NILES DEEMS THAT THE PRODUCT HAS BEEN USED OR HANDLED OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE  
WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY  
ACCIDENT, MISHANDLING, IMPROPER INSTALLATION, ABUSE, NEGLIGENCE, OR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, OR ANY  
DEFECT CAUSED BY REPAIR TO THE PRODUCT BY ANYONE OTHER THAN NILES OR AN AUTHORIZED NILES DEALER.  
TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE, TAKE THE UNIT TO THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED NILES DEALER, WHO WILL TEST THE  
PRODUCT AND IF NECESSARY, FORWARD IT TO NILES FOR SERVICE. IF THERE ARE NO AUTHORIZED NILES DEALERS  
IN YOUR AREA, YOU MUST WRITE TO NILES AND INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBER OF  
YOUR UNIT, ALONG WITH A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. A FACTORY RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER WILL  
BE SENT TO YOU. DO NOT RETURN ANY UNIT WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION AND SHIPPING  
INSTRUCTIONS FROM NILES.  
IF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS ARE MET, THE PURCHASER’S SOLE REMEDY SHALL BE TO RETURN THE PRODUCT TO NILES,  
IN WHICH CASE NILES WILL REPAIR OR REPLACE, AT ITS SOLE OPTION, THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT WITHOUT CHARGE  
FOR PARTS OR LABOR. NILES WILL RETURN A UNIT REPAIRED OR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY SHIPPING SAME BY  
ITS USUAL SHIPPING METHOD FROM THE FACTORY (ONLY) AT ITS EXPENSE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  
THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF  
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT.  
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE CONSUMER/  
PURCHASER. NILES SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES EXCEPT TO THE  
EXTENT PROVIDED (OR PROHIBITED) BY APPLICABLE LAW.  
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO  
THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY  
ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.  
FOR THE NAME OF YOUR NEAREST AUTHORIZED NILES DEALER CONTACT:  
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION, P.O. BOX 160818, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33116-0818.  
Please fill in your product information and retain for your records.  
Model______________________Serial No.___________________ Purchase Date_______  
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WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD  
Model Purchased_________________________________________________________  
Serial Number___________________________________________________________  
Date Purchased (month/day/year)_____________________________________________  
Dealer Name and Location__________________________________________________  
______________________________________________________________________  
Dr.  
Miss  
Mr.  
Mrs.  
Ms.  
Name__________________________________________________________________  
Address________________________________________________________________  
______________________________________________________________________  
City_______________________________________State________________Zip______  
Telephone (  
)__________________________________________________  
Please take a moment to fill out our warranty registration card. The information helps us to get  
to know you better and develop the products you want  
Age:  
Musical tastes:  
(Please check  
all that apply)  
What magazines  
do you read?  
Do you . . . ?  
Under 25  
Own a House. If yes,  
25-34  
1. ________________  
how many square feet?  
35-44  
Alternative  
2. ________________  
3. ________________  
45-54  
55 & over  
Classical  
Country  
Own a Town House/  
Jazz  
Condominium/Co-op  
Income:  
New Age  
Rent an Apartment  
Rent a House  
Who will install  
the product?  
Under $24,999  
Popular  
$25,000-$34,999  
$35,000-$44,999  
$45,000-$59,999  
$60,000-$74,999  
$75,000-$99,999  
Over $99,999  
R&B  
Custom Installer  
Rock  
Are you interested in  
receiving literature on  
other Niles products?  
Electrician  
Other _____________  
Friend  
Myself  
How did you hear  
about Niles?  
Yes  
No  
Which factor(s) influenced  
the purchase of your Niles  
product? (Please check  
all that apply)  
Architect/Developer  
Are there products/  
capabilities that you would  
like to see introduced?  
Occupation:  
Custom Installer  
Arts/Entertainment  
Direct Mail  
Business Owner  
Friend/Family  
Ease of Use  
Engineer  
In-Store Display  
Price/Value  
Finance/Accounting  
Interior Designer  
Product Features  
General Office  
Magazine Ad  
Quality/Durability  
Management  
Mail-Order Catalog  
Reputation  
Professional  
Newspaper Ad  
Style/Appearance  
Sales/Marketing  
Product Brochure  
Warranty  
Student  
Product Review  
Tradesperson  
Retail Salesperson  
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®
BL E N D I N G HI G H FI D E L I T Y AN D AR C H I T E C T U R E  
N i l e s A u d i o C o r p o r a t i o n  
1 2 3 3 1 S . W . 1 3 0 S t r e e t M i a m i , F l o r i d a 3 3 1 8 6  
D e s i g n e d a n d E n g i n e e r e d i n U S A  
M a d e i n C h i n a  
©2005 Niles Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Niles, the Niles logos and Blending High Fidelity and  
Architecture are registered trademarks of Niles Audio Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their  
respective owners. Printed in China. 04/05 DS00422ACN  
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