3
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
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 hard-
ware, 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:
Length
Minimum Gauge
Less than 10 ft.
18
10 to 50 ft.
16
Over 50 ft.
14
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 place-
ment, 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.”
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 7
(“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 7 of this manual
(“More on amplifiers and impedances”)
,
to avoid potential problems.
B
VARIOUS USES
Acoustech Ceiling Speakers can be used for back-
ground 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 for-
mal 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.
Acoustech ceiling speakers may be used for
rear sound channels by placing them (1)
behind or (2) in the ceiling, just behind the
viewer.
DRAWING 2
DRAWING 3
Open Attic
Acoustech
Speaker
Standard Room
1
2
DRAWING 4
Cone of
Coverage
WHERE TO PUT
YOUR SPEAKERS
Since these are primarily used in ceiling appli-
cations, we highly recommend installing in an
open attic space. If you need to go into the
ceiling of a first floor room (in a two story
house), we recommend the use of a profes-
sional installer.
Vertical placement
Treble frequencies are
quite directional. While
the dome tweeters in
Acoustech HT-8C
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
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.
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.
