INSTALLING THE
NETWORK DECODER CARD
Introduction
You will need to install a netword decoder card to
use the “network.” Follow the directions below to
install the card. There is also a series of schematic
diagrams (on page 38) to help you properly connect
the speakers to a network or analog system.
Note:
A network decoder card is not needed to use
the analog RCAs.
Step 1: Disconnect all cables.
Step 2: Remove the (4) screws holding the heat
sink to the amplifier housing. Set the
screws safely aside.
Step 3: Remove the amplifier and loose cables
from the amplifier housing.
Step 4: Remove the two screws from the two
metal standoffs located on the PCB.
Step 5: Install the network decoder card on the
standoffs, mating the two sides of the
40-pin connector. Press down and ensure
that the card snaps onto the two
plastic standoffs.
Step 6: Secure the network decoder card by
reinserting the two standoff screws
into the two metal standoffs.
Step 7: Reinstall the amplifier onto the amplifier
chassis (reversing steps 1, 2 & 3).
Note
: Illustration shows orientation of ribbon
connector to silkscreen marking on PCB.
Note
: Illustration shows orientation of ribbon
connector to silkscreen marking on amplifier.
CONNECTING LC
i
-IP SPEAKERS TO
A NETWORK OR ANALOG SYSTEM
This is the list of speaker connection options, which
are shown schematically on pages 39-43:
1a. Network pair (Control on Left)
1b. Network pair (Control on Right)
2. Network (Independent Control)
3a. Analog pair (Control on Left)
3b. Analog pair (Control on Right)
4a. Analog pair (Control on Left)
4b. Analog pair (Control on Right)
When using a Center Channel with an
analog pair
5a. Analog (Independent control when used
with either Hookup 3a or 3b)
5b. Analog (Independent control when used
with either Hookup 4a or 4b)
Important Note
: Switch settings are located on
the back of the speaker baffle.
Reset Button Reminder
Note:
Each speaker has a RESET BUTTON,
which is accessible through a clearly-marked hole
on the front of the speaker.
Engage the RESET BUTTON whenever you:
• Reconfigure the switch settings.
• Update the firmware on the network decoder card.
• Update the amplifier’s firmware.
PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION
WIZARD PROGRAM USER’S GUIDE
Computer Requirements
Operating System: Windows XP
USB Port : 5-wire USB 1.1 connector
Hard drive: 5 Megabytes
Required Speaker Connections
To connect your computer to the speaker,
you have two options:
1. USB port
2. Ethernet jack with network decoder card
(sold separately).
LC
i
-IP PERFORMANCE
OPTIMIZATION WIZARD PROGRAM
Polk Audio provides the Performance Optimization
Wizard on CD-ROM. This program enables you to
optimize the performance characteristics of Polk
Audio LC
i
-IP speakers specifically to their location
in a given room and to the physical characteristics
of that room.
You can also download the Performance Optimization
Wizard from our website (www.polkaudio.com).
• For maximum accuracy, answer as many
questions as possible. Do not ”skip” questions
unless the information is unavailable.
• Should you have any questions before or during the
setup process, please feel free to contact Polk Audio
Installer Support Services at 1-800-377-POLK.
Walking Through the Room
Optimization Choices
• This program can be used for installing and
setting up in-wall or in-ceiling LC
i
-IP speakers
and asks a series of basic configuration
questions and a series of questions about
the room environment (figure1).
Figure 1
• Depending on the speaker you’re installing,
its location and the room, you may be asked for
a series of measurements, including the height
of the listening room's ceiling, distances from
walls, ceiling and floor to the speaker(s), as well
as vertical and horizontal angles of speakers
relative to the listening area. You may also be
asked to provide measurements for the height,
width, depth and center of the listening area
(figure 2).
For more information visit our website at www.polkaudio.com
5
4
Polk Audio Customer Service: 1-800-377-7655 (Outside US & Canada: 410-358-3600) Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM EST, polkcs@polkaudio.com
INSTALLING LC
i
-IP SPEAKERS
INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATION
FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE
Note: Polk Audio performance enclosures are
sold separately.
Polk Audio Performance Enclosures offer the best
possible sound quality with pre-construction and major
renovation installations. They are perfect volume cabi-
nets that provide LC
i
-IP speakers with the ideal volume
and internal damping material for optimum bass per-
formance. They are constructed of rigid MDF and exten-
sively braced to ensure that all of the speaker's energy
works to produce tight, clean, low distortion bass. Polk
provides brackets, gaskets and all the hardware you
need to do a quick and rattle-free installation. LC
i
-IP
Performance Enclosures guarantee the most consistent,
dynamic, full-spectrum sound with superior bass exten-
sion. As an added bonus, homeowners will enjoy
superior room-to-room sound isolation.
OTHER OPTIONS
Better Sound
When you can't install a Performance Enclosure but
want to get better bass, install fire breaks above and
below the speaker position to make an ideal-volume
enclosure. Also, a layer of fiberglass or Dacron
®
behind the speaker helps.
Note:
Leave space around the speaker’s amplifier;
insulating material must not come in contact
with the amplifier.
Important Note:
If installing LC
i
-IP speakers in
an external wall, the operating ambient temperature of
the speakers is 0-50° C (32-122° F). For most types of
construction, the external walls will be insulated,
but it
is important that insulation does not come in con-
tact with the speaker’s amplifier.
Pre-construction Brackets are available to locate the
speaker and tie off wires before the drywall installers
finish their work. Order the LC
i
-IP Pre-Construction
Brackets by contacting Polk Audio's Sales Department
at 800-638-7276.
Good Sound
Cut a hole for the speaker, feed the wires, and simply
drop the speaker in. Polk Audio's unique, rotating cams
secure the speaker safely with no extra assembly or
mess. LC
i
-IP Loudspeakers are designed to outperform
any other custom install speaker, even when they're
simply dropped into the wall or ceiling.
WIRE RECOMMENDATIONS
Network Line
Shielded Cat-5 cable with RJ-45 connectors.
Wiring termination convention should be the
same at both ends of the cable.
COMM Line
Shielded Cat-5 cable with RJ-45 connectors.
Wiring termination convention should be the
same at both ends of the cable.
Analog Line
Low capacitance multi-stranded RCA shielded cable.
Cable runs up to 100 feet should have a capacitance
of 20pF/ft. For cable runs greater than 100 ft. call
Customer Serivce at 1-800-377-7655.
USB Connection
USB 1.1, 5-wire, USB to mini-USB cable.
Power Lines
These recommendations are for all connections
from the power supply to each speaker:
Wire gauge/
Wire Length
# of Conductors
Optimal
14/4
1’
Acceptable
16/2
150’
Cable Installation Tips
• Observe the proper polarity at each connector.
• Wall insulation should never come in contact with
the amplifier located on the back of each speaker.
• Never kink or bend any cable, nor should any
cable interfere with other cables.
• Never try to make a short cable reach, ever.
• Avoid long cable runs if possible — the shorter
the cable, the better the sound quality. Do,
however, ensure that your cables are long enough.
• Cable should be at least 3 feet away from
fluorescent light boxes and other sources of
electrical interference.
• Label both ends of each cable.
• Always keep AC power cords and analog
power cords separate.
CONNECTION AND CONTROL OPTIONS MATRIX
Speaker
Input
Switch Setting
Control
1a: NETWORK PAIR
CH 1
CH 2
Network Control CFG Channel Comm USB
(Control on Left)
Left Speaker
x Y B 1 x
Right Speaker
N B 2 x
1b: NETWORK PAIR
CH 1 CH 2 Network Control CFG Channel Comm USB
(Control on Right)
Left Speaker
N B 1 x
Right Speaker
x
Y B
2 x
2: NETWORK
CH 1 CH 2 Network Control CFG Channel Comm USB
(Independent Control)
Left Speaker x Y B
1
x
3a: ANALOG PAIR
CH 1 CH 2 Network Control CFG Channel
Comm USB
(Control on Left)
Left Speaker x x Y
B 1 x
Right Speaker
N B 2 x
3b: ANALOG PAIR
CH 1 CH 2 Network Control CFG Channel Comm USB
(Control on Right)
Left Speaker
N B 1
x
Right Speaker
x x Y B 2 x
4a: ANALOG PAIR
CH 1 CH 2 Network Control CFG Channel Comm USB
(Control on Left)
Left Speaker x Y A 1 x
Right Speaker
x N
A 2
x
4b: ANALOG PAIR
CH 1 CH 2 Network Control CFG Channel Comm USB
(Control on Right)
Left Speaker x N A
1 x
Right Speaker
x
Y A 2 x
5a: ANALOG (Independent
CH 1 CH 2 Network Control CFG Channel Comm USB
Control when used with
Speaker x Y
B
1 x
3a or 3b)
5b: ANALOG (Independent
CH 1 CH 2 Network Control CFG
Channel Comm USB
Control when used with
Speaker x Y A 1 x
4a or 4b)