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iC4 ARC In-Ceiling Loudspeaker Installation Guide
iCB8 Mounting Bracket
Aluminum Mounting Wings
Screws
Getting Wired
Proper loudspeaker wiring methods and type and quality of wire are essential to good sound. At a minimum, 6 AWG 2-conductor
speaker wire is recommended for runs up to 50 feet, 4AWG for longer runs, 2AWG for really-really long runs. When permanently in-
stalling wire inside walls, be sure to use wire that is rated for in-wall use and has special jacketing for fire prevention. In the U.S., some
of the U.L. standards are CL-2, CL-3 and CM wire, and in Canada the CSA standard is FT4 wire. The wire should be run in accordance
with National Electrical Code best practices to meet any applicable local or national building codes. Be forewarned, MDU, high-rise, com-
mercial and educational buildings have additional requirements and restrictions. For best results, avoid running speaker wire near AC
wire, as it may induce noise in the audio signal. It’s a good idea to run the speaker wire after the AC wiring has already been completed,
so that you can route the speaker wire away from AC lines or cross at 90˚. If speaker wires and AC wiring must run parallel, install the
speaker wire within a steel conduit or use shielded speaker cable. Note that low voltage wiring (doorbell, intercom, telephone, security,
etc.) can also induce hum.
Drill with Caution!
Remember, these are only suggestions. There are building codes and best practices to be followed – be sure you are familiar with them.
When drilling holes through wall studs or ceiling joists, watch your fingers, use a drill bit that is (sharp) wider than the speaker cable that
will be routed (pulled) through them. Always drill through the center of the stud or joist. If the hole must be drilled within one inch of the
edge of a wall stud, add a nail plate to the drywall side to protect the wire from possible nails and screws put in the wall later. Line up
the holes in the studs or joists as you go, so that pulling the wire through them will be easier. Maybe you consider hiring a professional
installer and see a blockbuster at the local multi-plex with some old friends instead.
Installation: New Construction (ceilings not installed – you see ceiling joists when you look up)
Installation in new construction is a three-step process. () Install the appropriate pre-construction brackets in the chosen locations
according to your well though-out plan. (2) Run your speakers wires to these locations according to your well though-out wiring plan.
(3) Install the speakers after the ceiling and trim is installed and painted but just before the carpet or flooring is installed.
The iCB8 kit is the pre-construction bracket you’ll use for the iC4-ARC speakers. Each box will contain a mounting kit for one speaker,
which includes:
() iCB8 Mounting Bracket
(2) Aluminum Mounting Wings
(4) 5 x 50mm flathead wood/metal screws
