One-speaker Stereo Mode vs. Two-speaker Stereo Mode
As can be seen in the coverage examples, the one-speaker stereo mode has the
advantage of covering a larger area than the two-speaker stereo mode. The
difference in coverage area between the one-speaker stereo mode and the two-
speaker stereo mode is significant. Four speakers in the one-speaker stereo mode
can cover a maximum area of 1672 square feet (155.3 sq. meters). The same four
speakers in two-speaker stereo mode can cover a maximum area of 840 square feet
(78.0 sq. meters).
The trade off between the two configurations is volume. The two-speaker stereo
configurations will be able to play louder in its area than the one-speaker stereo
configuration.
Choosing the Speaker Cable
In order to choose the proper speaker cable, please follow these steps:
• Unless you are using a Niles’ WVC100 or WMVC100 series weatherproof
impedance matching volume controls or equivalent, only two halves of an RS8Si
loudspeaker can be safely attached to a typical amplifier channel, if that amplifier
is rated to drive 4 ohms. This means that two loudspeakers can be attached to an
amplifier channel in the one-speaker stereo mode or one loudspeaker can be
attached in the two-speaker stereo mode You can do this by running wires from
each loudspeaker to the amplifier or you can connect one loudspeaker to
another. Make sure this is taken into account when calculating cable length and
number of amplifier channels needed. If you are unsure about these calculations,
consult an audio/video installer.
• You will need 2-conductor speaker cable that clearly identifies each conductor in
the cable. If burying your cable in the ground is required, use cable rated for
direct burial or run cable through PVC pipe. Always use moisture resistant cable.
• After calculating the length of cable needed for each speaker, use the furthest
length cable to determine the gauge (thickness) of speaker wire to use:
Wire Gauge
Maximum Distance
16 . . . . . . . . . . . .60 ft
(18 m)
14 . . . . . . . . . . . .100 ft (30 m)
12 . . . . . . . . . . . .160 ft (50 m)
• When running wires inside walls or outdoors, you should install your wires while
conforming to your local building requirements and codes. If you are unsure of
these codes, consult a professional audio/video installer, building contractor or
local building and inspection agency that has jurisdiction.
• If the one-speaker stereo mode is used for this installation, remember that each
speaker uses two separate cables to get their signals. Plan the number and length
of cables, accordingly.
Figure 2 shows how this would work for a square area of 35 feet by 28 feet
and using stereo signals. Using our spacing rules as shown in Table 1, leads
to the need for four speakers. The loudspeaker coverage pattern is shown
in the diagram.
Figure 3 shows the same area as Figure 2, however the number of speakers has
increased by 2. You can see a greater area of stereo coverage and this would also
have a more even sound level across the listening area. This illustrates the fact that
not using the maximum spacing allowed leads to improved sound quality.
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Figure 2 Two-speaker Stereo Coverage – with 4 speakers
Figure 3 Speaker Stereo Coverage – with 6 speakers
Table 1 Summary of spacing rules
Mode
Sources
Spacing from Sides
Spacing Between
Spacing
Speakers within a row
Between Rows
Single Speaker
Stereo
11 ft
22 ft
38 ft
Stereo 3.4m
6.7m
11.6m
Two Speaker
Stereo
11 ft
18 ft
28 ft
Stereo
3.4m
5.5m
8.5m
Note: These are maximun recomended distances, sound quality improves if you use smaller spaces
