Definitive Technology UIW RSS III User manual

Congratulations
Congratulations on your purchase of the Definitive Technology
UIW RSS III Loudspeaker.This reference quality loudspeaker
provides the highest level of sonic performance and construction
quality and is designed for easy flush-mount installation in
ceilings or walls of homes and commercial spaces. Six years of
intensive research and development by Definitive engineers,
working in collaboration with one of the world’s leading industrial
design firms, has produced the finest architectural loudspeakers on
the market. The beautiful upscale designer styling of this model
is perfect for the finest homes belonging to the most
discriminating homeowners.
UIW RSS III™
Reference Series In-Wall/In-Ceiling Surround Speaker
Owner’s Manual

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The UIW RSS IIIs have been voiced by Definitive engineers (using the
superb facilities of the Definitive Technology Advanced Research Facility) to
the same high-end standards as all Definitive loudspeakers. The drivers and
baffles are perfectly integrated into the design to minimize the diffraction
problems that are inherent with most other in-wall loudspeakers. Toensure
that you experience the finest performance possible from your UIW RSS IIIs,
we encourage you to read this owner’smanual to familiarize yourself with
the proper installation and set-up procedures.
The RSS III:
• Incorporates high-power, high-definition cast-basket Definitive
bass/midrange drivers combined with pressure-coupled low-
frequency radiators and state-of-the-art Definitive 1" dome tweeters.
• Incorporates polypropylene cones with butyl rubber surrounds.
• Incorporates a complete precision crossover system designed by
Definitive engineers for seamless driver blending.
• Incorporates a completely sealed non-resonant medite enclosure to
assure you of laboratory reference quality performance in your home.
•Is moisture resistant to allow use in bathrooms, etc.
• Is easily paintable and comes complete with mounting templates
and plastic paint masks.
•Can be used as an exceptional rear/side surround or main speaker
in a state-of-the-art home theater system or as stereo pairs in a
2-channel music system.
The Sound Quality Is Extraordinary
The UIW RSS III Loudspeaker
Please Inspect For Shipping Damage
Each loudspeaker leaves our plant in perfect condition. Any visible or
concealed damage most likely will have occurred in handling after it left the
plant and should be reported at once to your Definitive dealer or the delivery
company that delivered your loudspeakers. Please unpack your system
carefully.Save all cartons and packing materials in case you move or need
to ship your system. Record the serial numbers found on the carton of the
UIW RSS III Loudspeakers in the appropriate place on your warranty card.
Unpacking Your UIW RSS III Loudspeakers

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UIW RSS III Applications
The UIW RSS III is designed to be mounted in ceilings or in walls as a rear
or side surround speaker in stealth home theater systems of the highest quali-
ty. In addition, they can be used as a front left, right or center main speaker in
ahome theater or as a left or right stereo speaker.
UIW RSS III Positioning
For best results, we recommend that you use Definitive speakers in
combination with your RSS IIIs for the best overall sonic performance.
Definitive’s UIW RSS III Loudspeakers are designed to be mounted in walls
or ceilings with excellent results. Because of their wide dispersion character-
istics and other aspects of their superb sonic performance, mounting position
in your room is very flexible. Due to the different requirements of the wide
variety of room shapes and sizes, we recommend that you consult with the
custom installation specialist at your Definitive Technology dealer regarding
your own particular needs.
As a general guide when using the RSS III as a surround speaker:
• Try not to locate the RSS IIIs forward of the main listening position.
• If ceiling-mounting these speakers directly on either side of the main
listening position, the speakers should be oriented so that one set of drivers
shoots at the listening position and the other set shoots away from the
listening position.
•If ceiling-mounting the speakers directly behind the main listening posi-
tion, orient the speakers so that one set of drivers shoots towards the listen-
ing position and the other set shoots back away from the listening position.
Your Complete Definitive Home Theater
The UIW RSS III Loudspeakers are easily paintable and are shipped with
plastic paint masks (which should be retained even if you initially decide not
to paint the speakers). The grille and frame must be painted separately, and
for best results, prior to installation.
For the grille, spray painting is the recommended method. Follow the paint
manufacturer’s directions for ventilation and correct spraying procedure. Be
very careful not to clog the speaker grille with too heavy a coat of paint as
this will impair system sonic performance.
Painting Your UIW RSS III Loudspeakers

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For the frame, spray painting is preferred but brush or roller will also give
good results. The supplied frame masks should be put in place to protect the
speaker components for whichever method you choose.
The RSS III is designed to be installed inside the wall or ceiling of your
home quickly and easily. Because of its superb sonic performance, installa-
tion location within your room is very flexible. Your room is not like anyone
else’s room, and because of its unique size and shape will have its own
requirements for optimal sonic performance. We recommend that you
consult with the Custom Installation Specialist at your Definitive Technology
dealer regarding your special needs or if you are at all uncertain about the
best and safest way to install your RSS III.
• Installation of this product must follow all local and state building code
requirements. We strongly recommend using a qualified, professional
installer who is knowledgeable of local building codes.
• The UIW RSS III is designed for both In-Wall and In-Ceiling mounting.
• For In-Ceiling mounting, you will need to shim (or frame in the enclosure)
with appropriate framing material.
• Before starting construction or modification of your ceiling, you should
familiarize yourself with any applicable local fire and building codes
• Make sure the locations you select do not conceal studs, electrical wiring or
plumbing. Prior to installation, hold the speaker in your chosen location to
make sure it meets the clearance requirements around obstacles such as
studs, corners, beams, lighting fixtures and door/window frames
• For In-Wall mounting, the speaker requires 11/4"of clearance inside the
wall, on all four sides of the cutout, to clear the lock arms. If the desired
location is closer than 11/4"to a stud on one of the long sides of the speaker,
the long side of the speaker enclosure must be installed directly against the
stud to prevent rattling.
• For In-Ceiling mounting, the speaker enclosure must be directly against
two joists and/or framing material on the two long sides that are to be
fastened with the screws. 11/4"of clearance is required on the two
remaining sides of the enclosure to clear the lock arms.
• For all mounting applications, 1" of clearance is required around the
cutout, on the outside mounting surface, to clear the speaker bezel.
•Also note that the installation of the RSS III may require some modifica-
tion of the joist structure in your ceiling. This should only be done by a
competent professional who will configure the studs to maintain their
structural integrity and make sure that everything is in compliance with all
local and state building code requirements.
Installation Procedure Overview

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• Speaker wire must be run inside your ceiling as part of the installation
process of in-wall loudspeakers. Plan the connection before you start your
loudspeaker installation.
Installation Procedure Overview (continued)
Step-by-Step Installation
Mounting options overview
• Installation of this product must follow all local and state building codes.
We strongly recommend using a qualified, professional installer who is
knowledgeable of local building codes.
• The UIW RSS III is designed to be mounted vertically In-Wall, and either
in-line with or at 90° to joists In-Ceiling.
• For In-Ceiling mounting, you will need to shim (or frame in the enclosure)
with appropriate framing material along one or both of the long sides of
the speaker.
Required cutout and cavity size for In-Wall Installation
• Template cutout size: 83⁄8"Wx97⁄8" H.
•Minimum size of cavity required inside wall is as follows:
– Depth: 37⁄8"
– Height: 121/8"
–Width: 105⁄8"See Diagram 1, page 10 for reference.
–Width: 91⁄2"(where desired location is closer than 11/4" to a stud on one
side) See Diagram 2, page 10 for reference.
–Width: 83⁄8"(where desired location is closer than 11/4"to a stud on two
sides) See Diagram 3 & 4, page 11for reference.
Required cutout and cavity size for
In-Ceiling Installation
• Minimum size of cavity required inside wall is as follows:
– Depth: 37⁄8"
– Width: 83⁄8"between joists/framing material on sides with wood screws.
– Height: 121⁄8"between obstructions at ends where lock arms are to be
used (top & bottom ends) (11/4"of space required on each end of the
speaker to clear lock arms).

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Step-by-Step Installation (continued)
Hole location options and requirements
• In-Wall installation for studs spaced 16" on-center (or more):
– Place template at least 11/4"away from existing studs (to clear lock arms).
Template does not need to be centered between studs.
– Trace around template with pencil.
– Cut hole.
See Diagram 1, page 10 for reference.
• In-Wall installation for studs spaced 16" on-center (or more) where desired
location is closer than 11/4"to stud:
– Place template against inside of existing stud.
– Trace around template with pencil.
– Cut hole.
See Diagram 2, page 10 for reference.
•In-Ceiling installation, in-line with joists spaced 16" on-center (or more):
–Place template against inside edge of existing joist.
– Trace around template with pencil.
– Cut hole.
– If required, install supporting cross braces inside cavity.
– Install framing material inside cavity, running parallel to existing joists,
leaving 83⁄8"between frame sides.
See Diagram 3, page 11 for reference.
• In-Ceiling installation, centered, in-line with joists spaced 16" on-center
(or more):
–Center template between inside edges of existing joists.
–Trace around template with pencil.
– Cut hole.
–If required install supporting cross braces inside cavity.
–Install framing material inside cavity, running parallel to existing joists,
leaving 83⁄8" between frame sides.
See Diagram 4, page 10 for reference.

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• In-Ceiling installation, 90 degrees to joists spaced 16" on-center (or more)
– Place template at least 83⁄8"away from existing joists (to clear lock arms).
– Template dose not need to be centered between joists.
– Trace around template with pencil.
– Cut hole.
–Install framing material inside cavity, running 90° to existing joists,
leaving 83/8"between frame sides.
See Diagram 5, page 12 for reference.
Gasket requirements and application
• There are two sizes of gasket strips included in the accessory pack with the
owner’s manual.
–5short gaskets.
– 2 long gaskets.
• For ALL installations where cavity depth is 4" or less, the gaskets are
to be applied as follows:
–3SHORT gaskets are to be applied across the back of the wooden
enclosure.
•For In-Ceiling and In-Wall installations where the side of the enclosure
ends against a joist, stud or installed framing material:
– One SHORTgasket is to be applied to each side of the enclosure that will
be against the framing material. The SHORTgasket is designed
to fit behind the bezel, between the lock arm openings.
– One LONG gasket is to be applied to each side of the enclosure that
will be against the framing material.
Connecting the speaker
• Run color-coded wires between the speaker cavity and amplifier
unit. When running the wires inside the ceiling to the opening, leave a
minimum of 18" of additional length in the cavity to facilitate speaker
connection.
• Fish wiring out of hole.
•Connect the speaker wires to the UIW RSS III taking care to make red to
red (+) and black to black (-) terminal connections.
•Refer to your amplifier or receiver loudspeaker wiring instructions, turn
off the unit and connect the speaker wires to the appropriate colored out-
put terminal on the unit, again making red to red (+) and black to black (-)
connections. This will ensure absolute phase throughout the system.

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Securing speaker
• Installation of this product must follow all local and state building
code requirements. We strongly recommend using a qualified,
professional installer who is knowledgeable of local building codes.
• We recommend holding the unit by the bezel and outer edges
of the speaker to avoid damaging the drivers.
• For In-Wall installation as illustrated in Diagram 1, page 10:
–Place speaker in hole and secure all four lock arms.
• For In-Wall installation as illustrated in Diagram 2, page 10:
– Place speaker in hole and secure wood screw through the hole
in the front baffle to stud.
– Secure three lock arms (one top, one bottom and one on side
not against stud).
• For In-Ceiling installation as illustrated in Diagrams 3 and 4, page 11,
and Diagram 5, page 12:
– The speaker MUST be secured using two screws provided.
Screws insert in hole of front baffle.
– Place speaker in hole and secure to joists (or framing material) with two
screws provided. Tighten screw on one side before installing and tight-
ening opposing side.
–Secure two lock arms (top and bottom).
*VERYIMPORTANT*
Please note that the pivoting lock arms are not designed to support the weight
of the speaker in In-Ceiling installations. They only provide a secondary
supportand arethereto pull the speaker tight to the ceiling and prevent it
from rattling. Do not use them for supporting the speaker in In-Ceiling
installations. The screws going through the speaker and into the joists are
to supportthe speaker and must be installed properly.

10 5/8
1 1/4
12 1/8
9 7/8
8 3/8
4
12 1/8 H x 10 5/8 W x 3 7/8 D
12 1/8 H x 9 1/2 W x 3 7/8 D
3
9 1/2
9 7/8
1 1/4
12 1/8
8 3/8
Diagram 1
Diagram 2 9

12 1/8 H x 8 3/8 W x 3 7/8 D
8 3/8
9 7/8
1 1/4
12 1/8
8 3/8
8 3/8
1 1/4
12 1/8
9 7/8
8 3/8
12 1/8 H x 8 3/8 W x 3 7/8 D
Diagram 3
Diagram 4
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