Amplifier Simultaneous
Output Rating
Speaker Output A
Speaker Output B
Two sets of 8
Ω
spkrs.
1 pr. B.I.C In-Wall speakers
AND
1 set 8
Ω
speakers
OR
1 pr. B.I.C In-Wall speakers
AND
1 pr. B.I.C In-Wall speakers
One 8
Ω
set, one 4
Ω
set
1 pr. B.I.C In-Wall speakers
AND
1 set 4
Ω
speakers
OR
1 pr. B.I.C In-Wall speakers
AND
2 prs. of B.I.C In-Wall speakers
Two sets of 4
Ω
spkrs.
2 prs. of B.I.C In-Wall speakers
AND
1 set 4
Ω
speakers
OR
2 prs. B.I.C In-Wall speakers
AND
2 prs. of B.I.C In-Wall speakers
A QUICK
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Before returning your B.I.C In-Wall Speaker
for service, it’s a good idea to check out these
simple remedies first.
No sound from either speaker.
1. Incorrect source selected on receiver or
preamplifier.
2. Mute button pressed on receiver.
3. Wrong speaker output selected – many
receivers have an “A” and “B” speaker
switch. Make sure it’s in the right position.
No sound from one speaker.
1. Un-secure connection at either the speaker
or amplifier – double check them.
2. Balance control turned all the way left or
right – return it to center.
3. Bad connecting cable between sound
source and amplifier – try a new cable.
4. Defective speaker – contact your B.I.C
dealer, or call 1-888-242-4551.
Intermittent sound from one speaker or
speakers play initially but then shut off.
1. Short circuit at either the amplifier or
speaker connectors is activating the amp’s
protection circuits – double check connec-
tions, making sure no stray strands of wire
from one conductor are touching the other.
Both speakers play but sound is mixed
with hum.
1. It could be a faulty patch cord. If so, there
will be hum from your main speaker system
as well as from your B.I.C Speakers.
2. Assuming you didn’t have hum in your
system before, one or both of the speaker
wires has been run too close to internal
AC house wiring. Re-route it so that it
stays at least 2 feet away from AC power
wiring when running parallel.
Both speakers play but sound is muffled
and “strained.” Amplifier may shut off if
volume is raised too far.
1. Too thin a gauge of wire has been run too far
a distance between amp and speakers. Make
sure that you have followed our suggestions
as to wire gauge versus overall distance.
When volume is turned up to a high
level, the treble cuts in and out.
1. The FH8-W features a special protection
circuit which electronically disconnects
the tweeter if it starts getting too hot. Turn
down your amplifier and make sure to
read the section of this manual titled
“Taking care of your new B.I.C
speakers”
which starts on this page.
FURTHER READING
TAKING CARE OF YOUR
NEW B.I.C SPEAKERS
B.I.C America Speakers are designed to last the
life of your home if you follow a few simple rules.
The main “killers” of any loudspeaker system
are: 1) too little power at high volumes, 2) too
much power at high volume, 3) transient thumps.
Not enough power
It’s a surprising fact, but far more speakers are
damaged by too little power than by too much!
When an amplifier runs out of power while trying
to re-create musical peaks, it causes a form of
high frequency distortion called clipping. In mod-
erate amounts, clipping simply makes the music
sound terrible. In greater quantities over a period
of time, it can damage or destroy the tweeters
(high frequency reproduction speakers) in any
speaker system. If you like your music LOUD,
consider getting an amplifier with at least 60
watts per channel.
Too much power
There’s nothing wrong with driving your
FH8-W Speakers with a high power amp –
the extra power helps them achieve quick
musical transients found in digital recordings.
However, you should restrain yourself and not
get too heavy-handed with the volume control
(or remote buttons). If the music begins to
sound distorted or you hear a “clacking”
sound during bass notes, back off! And natural-
ly, if the internal protection circuits are inter-
mittently shutting off the tweeter, you’re
exceeding its safe power input level.
Transients
Loud, deep THUMPs, caused when you turn
your stereo on or off, can seriously damage any
loudspeaker including your B.I.C in-wall
models. It’s always a good practice to turn the
volume down (or press the MUTE button if your
receiver has one) when changing sources (such
as changing from tuner to CD player input). Also
remember to turn your system off before discon-
necting any hook-up cables. When they’re pulled
out, a huge burst of low frequency hum often
occurs if the system is still on.
Cleaning
B.I.C FH8-W Speakers are covered with a
durable finish which can be cleaned with soap
and water or spray cleaners. Avoid the use of
ammonia-based cleaning products, however. If
you’ve painted the grilles and frames, follow the
paint manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
MORE ON AMPLIFIERS
AND IMPEDANCE
Not all amplifiers or receivers can safely operate
two pairs of speakers at once from the same out-
put channels. If you intend to hook up two pairs of
B.I.C Speakers and use both at the same time, it’s
important to consider both the impedance of the
speakers and the capabilities of the amplifier
you’re using.
First consult the owner’s manual that came with
the amp or receiver. It should tell you the mini-
mum speaker impedances during simultaneous
operation. On some models, the manual will
recommend that only two pairs of 8 ohm
speakers be used at the same time. Others might
allow one set of 8-ohm speakers and one set of
4-ohm impedance speakers. A few extremely
robust receivers and power amplifiers may even
allow two sets of 4-ohm speakers.
If you can’t readily determine this information,
consult the dealer where you purchased the
amplifier, or call the manufacturer.
Next, determine the impedance of your other
speakers. It’s often printed on the back of the
enclosure down near the connection terminals, or
you can consult the speaker’s owner’s manual.
B.I.C In-Wall Speakers are rated at 8 ohms imped-
ance. In general, this means that most amplifiers
will allow you to simultaneously operate one set of
B.I.C In-Wall Speakers and one other set of 8-ohm
loudspeakers, or two sets of B.I.C In-Wall Speakers.
If your other speakers are rated at 4 ohms, some
amplifiers may experience difficulty driving both
sets at once and shut off intermittently when the
volume control is turned up. In this case, you
should operate only one set of speakers at a time
or keep the volume extremely low.
Parallel operation
Two sets of 8-ohm speakers connected in
parallel create a 4-ohm load. This means that
some amplifiers can be used to drive as many as
four sets of B.I.C In-Wall speakers at the same
time (or three sets and one pair of main listen-
ing room speakers).
The chart below may be used as a guide:
11
