Owner's manual
2
INTRODUCTIONS
Congratulations on selecting Russound Ceiling-Mounted Speakers. Like
all RUSSOUND speakers, they combine acoustic technology with durabil-
ity and will provide years of musical enjoyment. An added feature of
model SP503.1 and model SP522.1 is the dual-voice coil design. This is
unique in that both left and right signals can function in one speaker,
which is ideal for installations in bathrooms, laundry rooms, hallways,
etc.
This manual is intended to make your SP503.1, SP522.1 or SP523.1
speakers as easy to install as they are to listen to. If you’ve had any
home “do-it-yourself” experience, you should find installation of your
new speakers a simple job.
However, we suggest you read through this manual before starting
out. If you then decide that installing your Russound In-Wall
Speakers is beyond your skills, call your Russound dealer to arrange
for professional installation.
NECESSARY TOOLS TO DO THE JOB
TOOLS FOR INSTALLATION IN EXISTING WALLS
• A pencil
• A drill with a 1-inch flat bit
• A retractable utility knife or keyhole saw
• A length of stiff wire about 3 feet long (a straightened wire coat
hanger works fine)
• A Phillips-head screw driver which will fit the fastening-screws (for
the dog ears)
• A pair of diagonal pliers or wire strippers
Some of the following may also be needed, depending on the
application:
• A stud finder
• A Drill bit just slightly larger than the diameter of one speaker wire
• Insulated staples for securing speaker wire
• Masking tape
• Paint and applicator for changing grille and outer frame finish
SPEAKER WIRE
The amount of wire you’re going to need will of course vary with speak-
er placement. We recommend labeling speaker wires left + right and
room location. Doing this takes out the guess work later.
What kind to use:
We recommend using Russound AW series speaker cable or any rep-
utable brand of 16 to 12 gauge multi-stranded wiring for amplifier-to-
speaker connections.
Selecting the proper gauge:
Wire is measured in “gauges”. 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 in-wall speakers. Use the following chart as a
guide:
Length Minimum Gauge
10 to 100 ft. 16
80 to 125 ft. 14
Over 100 ft. 12
WHERE TO PLACE YOUR CEILING SPEAKERS
Placement can make all the difference in how your RUSSOUND speaker
system sounds. There are at least three “WHERE’s” and a “HOW” to fac-
tor into your layout:
• HOW you intend to use your ceiling speakers
• WHERE they’ll sound best (stereo imaging and acoustic considera-
tions)
• WHERE it’s possible to install them (wall and ceiling surfaces)
• WHERE they can be installed that makes it easy to get wires to them
without remodeling your entire house.
STEREO IMAGING
If your Russound Ceiling Speakers are going to be your primary listening
source in a room, you need to consider some other factors to insure
proper imaging. The term “stereo imaging” refers to a speaker system’s
ability to project music so that it sounds like the performers are in a 3-
dimensional space between the speakers. It’s the whole point of having
a stereo instead of monophonic sound.