DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM INSTALLATION & Page 2 OPERATION GUIDE MM OO DD EE LL SS AT8500 AT8700 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKERS ® B L E N D I N G H I G H F I D E L I T Y A N D A R C H I T E C T U R E ®
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Page 3 Congratulations! Thank you for choosing Advanced Technology In-Wall Loudspeakers 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.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM The AT or Advanced Technology group of In-Wall Loudspeakers are designed to deliver truly stunning performance with optimum installation flexibility. All models in the AT series are constructed using the highest quality components and utilize advanced materials technology to create speakers capable of reproducing both music and movie soundtracks with stunning realism and sonic impact. They are perfect anywhere that quality of sound is the most important consideration.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Page 4 Features and Benefits Computer Optimized Crossover with Acoustical Configuration Controls The second order Linkwitz-Riley crossover is computer optimized and constructed of premium components for unparalleled sonic performance. The baffle-mounted Tone Controls provide installers with Bass, Midrange and Treble adjustment in four increments (-2dB, Flat, +2dB, +4dB).
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 25 New Construction Wings Bracket Frame Speaker Baffle Installation Considerations Figure 1 Model AT8700 Shown Grille Installation Considerations Recommended Amplifier Power For satisfactory performance, we recommend an amplifier with a power rating of twenty to two hundred watts for the AT8500 and AT8700 speakers. Curiously, most speakers are not damaged by large amplifiers but by small amplifiers.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Page 6 Installation Considerations are connected in line with the speaker, so you must connect the wire from the amplifier to the volume control and then from the volume control to the speaker. Speaker Wire Use 2-conductor speaker wire when connecting AT speakers to your receiver or amplifier. For most applications, we recommend you use a minimum of 16 or 18 gauge wire. For wiring runs longer than 80 feet we recommend a minimum of 14 gauge wire.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Insulating the Wall Cavity When it is not possible to use a backbox, good results can be achieved by treating the interior of the drywall cavity with Dynamat™ or a similar cabinet damping material. At least two linear feet of damping material should be adhered to the rear wall and to the front wall (one foot above and one foot below the cutout) of the wall cavity. Additionally, insulating the wall cavity behind the speaker with fiberglass insulation (e.g.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Page 8 Speaker Placement The Boundary Effect Corners can affect the bass response of the speaker powerfully! This is called the boundary effect. You will emphasize particular bass frequencies and cancel out other bass frequencies when you place speakers close to the wall/ceiling boundary or a corner wall boundary. This can make the speaker sound excessively boomy and inaccurate to some listeners, while to others it just seems like more bass sound.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM The rule of thumb is to add one pair of speakers for every 100 to 200 square feet of listening area. Curiously, this is not so that you can play the music louder, but so that you can play it softer! When you have only one pair of speakers in a large room you will notice that when the sound is perfect in one part of the room, it is too loud near the speakers.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Page 10 Speaker Placement Figure 5 If the primary listening position is towards the back of the room as depicted in figure 5, place the rear speakers high up on the side wall or in the ceiling with the array closest to the ceiling as pictured. the wall or even down low at power outlet height, in the ceiling, near corners, or directed at reflective objects and walls. The more reflected sound there is in the room the stronger the ambient effect at low volumes.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 19 Speaker Placement Figure 7 If you use multiple rear speakers or have an irregularly shaped listening area as shown in figure 7, place the speakers high up on the rear and side walls or in the ceiling as pictured. lation of an array of speakers. If you place them near a hard reflecting surface you can make one pair of speakers sound like several.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Page 12 Installation Fundamentals Installation Fundamentals Running the Speaker Wire in New Construction If you have doubts about whether you are capable of installing Niles AT Series speakers in your walls, consult a Niles dealer or professional installer. They have special tools, techniques, and experience to make the impossible possible. The installer can provide you with an estimate before any work is done.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 17 Exterior walls are different. They must insulate the house from the heat and cold outside, so they are stuffed with insulation. The national building code requires that the hollow wall space in exterior walls be broken by a horizontal stud placed between the vertical studs. This “fire blocking” makes it very difficult to retrofit long lengths of wire.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 14 Installation Fundamentals Unobstructed space for speaker wiring Figure 10 stereo system itself (See Figure 9). The other very common route is through the bottom plate of the wall into an unfinished basement or crawl space. Identify where all of your electrical, phone, and TV wiring is likely to be and plan to route around it all.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 15 Installation Fundamentals Figure 12 Sometimes, an under-the-carpet run is possible (there are special flat speaker wires made for under-the-rug wire runs). As a last resort, heating and air conditioning vents can be used as wire raceways for plenum rated wire (check your local building codes, some municipalities require conduit).
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 16 Installation of Brackets, Frames and Grilles in New Construction Figure 13 Installation of Brackets, Frames and Grilles in New Construction Stage One: Before Drywall is Hung 4 Wire Ties Insulating the Wall Cavity. If feasible, fill the wall cavity with insulation at this point. Attach the wings to the bracket by snapping them into the sides of the bracket.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 13 Installation of Brackets, Frames and Grilles in New Construction Figure 15 Screw one side of the assembled bracket with wings to the stud using one of the supplied screws. Level the bracket. Screw the other side of the bracket to the stud. Two or three screws (depending upon the size of the model) on each side makes for a very secure installation. Attach the wire to the bracket at the indicated wire tie points (See Figure 14).
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 18 Installation of Brackets, Frames and Grilles in Existing Walls Installation of Brackets, Frames and Grilles in Existing Walls Important: Before you cut into any wall, review the sections on running wire and speaker placement. 1.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Installation of the Speaker and Grille in New or Existing Construction Installing a Niles MS-1 MicroSensor™ There is a 1/2" round molded "IR Sensor Knockout" on the face of the speaker baffle. To prevent damage to the crossover network, you must remove the knockout from the rear of the speaker. Do not attempt to remove the knockout with the speaker face up! Lay the speaker face down on a clean carpet or rug.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 20 Installation of the Speaker and Grille in New or Existing Construction Installing the Speaker If the grille is already installed, remove it by using a bent paper clip or the tip of a corkscrew and pulling it away from the frame (See Figure 18). 1. Separate 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.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Coverage for Large Listening Areas When installing your AT8500 or AT8700 speakers in large rooms with varying listening positions, best results will be achieved by widening the dispersion pattern of the Midrange/Tweeter Array. Installing the speakers up high in the wall and spacing them appropriately will provide even coverage over a larger area. Position the Array at a 45 degree angle to achieve maximum coverage.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 Installation of the Speaker and Grille in New or Existing Construction 20 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 22 When utilizing AT8500 or AT8700 speakers to reproduce rear channel information in a home theater, the goal is to create as many reflections as possible by mounting the speakers up high in the wall or in the ceiling and aim the Midrange/Tweeter Array into the corners or at an adjoining wall to diffuse the sound (See Figures 5 and 6 on page 8).
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Page 7 Model AT8500 Driver Compliment WOOFER — 8” aluminum/urethane cone with a cast aluminum frame, vented pole piece, high temperature aluminum voice coil former, an inverted dust cap, butyl rubber suspension and a custom construction debris screen MIDRANGE — Dual 1-1/2” fluid-cooled aluminum/urethane hyperbolic domes with NDFE 35 neodymium high magnetic flux motor structure and distortion canceling balanced drive TWEETER — 1” fluid-cooled aluminum/urethane hyperbo
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 24 Specifications Specifications Model AT8700 Driver Compliment Design Principle WOOFER — 8” aluminum/titanium/urethane cone with a cast aluminum frame, bi-filer voice coil winding, a vented pole piece, an extreme temperature Til voice coil former, an inverted dust cap, a butyl rubber suspension and a custom construction debris screen Infinite baffle for large and varying air volumes MIDRANGE — Dual 1-1/2” fluid-cooled aluminum/titanium/urethane hyperbolic
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:48 AM Page 26 WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD Model Purchased___________________________________ _________________________________________________ Serial Number____________________________________________________________________________________ Dealer Name and Location________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ❑ Dr. ❑ Miss ❑ Mr. ❑ Mrs. ❑ Ms.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM PLEASE FILL OUT THE WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD ON THE REVERSE SIDE, DETACH, AND MAIL TO: DETACH HERE Niles Audio Corporation Warranty Registration Dept. P.O.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Page 1 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 two years from date of purchase. This Warranty is subject to the following additional conditions and limitations.
DS00222A/AT8500-8700 3/1/99 10:47 AM Page 1 Niles Audio Corporation 12331 S.W. 130 Street Miami, Florida 33186 Tel: (305) 238-4373 Fax: (305) 238-0185 www.nilesaudio.