CEILING MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
www.nilesaudio.com
CEILING MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
www.nilesaudio.com
CEILING MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you for choosing ICS Loudspeakers. With proper installation, use, and care, your loudspeakers will
deliver years of listening enjoyment. For information on the complete line of advanced IntelliControl ICS
products, please visit us at: www.intellicontrol.com
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Each package contains 1 pair of iC7FX loudspeakers; 1 pair of Aluminum MicroPerf™ Grilles and 1 pair of
cardboard paint mask/hole cutout templates.
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
We recommend using the following tools and material to install your ICS loudspeaker:
Before starting the installation, please observe the following precautions:
running Wires in Walls or Ceilings
When running loudspeaker wire inside walls or ceilings, use special jacketed cable (a minimum of 18 to
16-gauge two-conductor CL-2 or CL-3 rated loudspeaker wire) to protect the wire and for fire prevention. In
some areas, conduit is also required. For a trouble-free installation, low-voltage wire such as loudspeaker
wire must be run in accordance with the National Electrical Code and any applicable provisions of the
local building code. If you are unsure of the correct installation techniques, wire jacket, or type of conduit
to use, consult a professional audio/video installer, building contractor, or the local building and inspection
department.
SELECTING THE LOCATION FOR YOUR LOUDSPEAKERS
The iC7FX loudspeakers are designed to be installed in any standard ceiling. There are two considerations for
placing the loudspeakers; ease of running the cable to the loudspeakers and coverage of the loudspeakers.
The surround effect will be most convincing if both of the loudspeakers are at equal distance from the listener.
Avoid installing the loudspeakers near corners to prevent a “boomy” or diffracted sound. ICS loudspeakers
will cover an area of a circle with a 16-foot diameter when mounted at an 8-foot height. (See Figure 1)
EXISTING CONSTRUCTION INSTALLATION
IMPORTANT: BEFORE YOU CUT INTO ANY WALL, REVIEW THE PRIOR SECTION ON LOUDSPEAKER PLACEMENT
WHEN SELECTING THE LOCATION FOR YOUR LOUDSPEAKERS.
1. When determining the location of the loudspeaker cutout, keep in mind that the mounting dogs will extend
3/4” beyond the cutout. Make sure that you do not place the edge of the cutout directly next to a ceiling
joist. Locate the joists using a stud sensor or by hand knocking. Use the supplied cutout template (remove
the largest perforated circle and use cardboard square with hole as the template) to determine how large
of a hole you will need to cut. These templates are packed with your loudspeakers between the styrofoam
packing and the ends of the box.
2. Once you have determined a possible position for the cutout, drill a 1/8” pilot hole just barely through the
ceiling (1/2” to 5/8” deep in most homes) in the center of your proposed loudspeaker location.
BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DRILL THROUGH EXISTING WIRES, PIPES, OR STRUCTURE. IF YOU FEEL ANY EXTRA
RESISTANCE AS YOU ARE DRILLING, STOP.
3. Cut a foot-long piece of coat hanger. Bend the wire (creating a right angle) leaving 5-1/2” at one end (this
allows for the extra width of the mounting dogs). Poke the “L-shaped” wire into the pilot hole and turn it in a
complete circle and move it into the ceiling cavity to make sure you have approximately 4-3/8” of depth. If
the wire’s movement is obstructed by anything, fill the hole(s) with spackle and try another location.
4. If the coat hanger moves freely in a complete circle and you have sufficient depth, hold the template up
to the ceiling surface. The cardboard square with the circular hole is the template. The inner perforated
circle within the larger circle that was removed in step 1 earlier is the paint mask. Keep it for painting the
loudspeaker later. Outline the circular cutout on the ceiling surface lightly with a pencil. Drill the starting
point of your cut with a 1/4” bit.
5. If you are cutting drywall use a sheetrock or keyhole saw, cut the hole with the saw at a 45° angle. That
way the drywall section can be replaced cleanly if there is an unseen obstruction behind the wall.
IMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO SAW THROUGH EXISTING WIRES, PIPES, OR STRUCTURE. IF YOU FEEL
EXTRA RESISTANCE AS YOU ARE CUTTING, STOP.
NEW CONSTRUCTION INSTALLATION
Mounting tHe neW ConstruCtion BraCket
The optional CM700 BKT can be used with the iC7FX loudspeaker. The hole saving bracket enables a faster
and cleaner final installation of the loudspeaker. It forces the drywall installer to cut out the loudspeaker hole for
you and provides wire ties for the loudspeaker wire, reducing the risks of accidental loss or movement of the
wire. In addition, it enables you to align your loudspeakers with other ceiling fixtures with great accuracy since
you can really see exactly where the loudspeaker will be. To install the bracket, first pivot the long wing out
until it stops, which will be in straight line with the short wing. The wings and brackets have centering lines to
simplify placement of the loudspeakers. Screw one side of the assembled bracket with wings to the joist using
one of the supplied screws. Level the bracket. Screw the other side of the bracket/wing assembly to the joist.
Two screws on each side make for a very secure installation. Secure the wire to the bracket using bracket’s wire
tie tab. The drywall installers will cut the drywall to the exact size of the bracket. (See Figure 2)
ConCealing loudspeaker Wire For a Future installation
Attach the loudspeaker wire in a loop between the ceiling joists and carefully mark the exact location of the
wire on a set of plans. Ask the general contractor to inform the drywall installers that the loudspeaker wire
loops are concealed for future installations.
UNPACKING AND FINAL INSTALLATION
1. You will find two loudspeakers bagged in a lower portion of packing. Remove the loudspeakers from the
bags. The metal grilles are installed on the loudspeakers and will need to be removed. This is easily done by
rotating the mounting ‘dogs’ out with your fingers and pulling them towards the front of the loudspeaker. This
will push the screw heads against the inside of the grille to work it out of the baffle. (See Figure 3)
2. At each loudspeaker location, route the wire to the input connectors, then separate the loudspeaker wire
so that at least 2 inches of each conductor are free. Strip away 1/4 inch of insulation from each individual
loudspeaker wire.
3. Press down each spring-loaded connector one at a time, insert the appropriate conductor and then release the
connector. Check to be sure that the connector is making contact with stripped wire and not the wire jacket.
Gently tug on the loudspeaker wire to make sure it holds in place. If not, repeat this procedure until it does.
IMPORTANT: OBSERVE CORRECT POLARITY: POSITIVE (+) GOES TO THE RED POST AND NEGATIVE (–) GOES TO
THE BLACK POST.
4. Rotate the dogs back to their original positions so that they do not protrude out from the diameter of the
loudspeaker.
5. Insert the loudspeaker into the hole by carefully holding it with both hands and angling it slowly into the hole
until the frame is flush with the ceiling. Holding it in place carefully with one hand, (do not push against the
woofer or tweeter) use a cordless drill to begin mounting the loudspeaker.
6. Tighten the four screws using a #2 Phillips bit. Use low torque and low speed or you may damage the
loudspeaker. This should pull the frame and mounting dog together (sandwiching the drywall) so that the
frame is absolutely flush with the wall surface. There should be no gaps between the wall and the frame.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE SCREWS! OVER TIGHTENING THEM MAY MAKE THE GRILLE DIFFICULT
TO INSTALL
7. Direct the tweeters. The tweeters are directed by gently pressing on the outer edge of the tweeter housing. It
will move in any direction. For enveloping surround sound create more reflections and thus more ambiance
by directing the tweeters towards the sidewalls. (See Figure 4)
8. Set the Treble level control. Listen to a well-recorded piece of music or movie selection at the user’s favorite
listening position. Listen for treble harshness or ringing, particularly when the loudspeakers are placed in a
room without carpet. Use the -3dB Treble cut position to correct. (See Figure 5)
9. Set the Diffuse / Direct control. Use the Diffuse setting when listening to movies and classical music. The
sound will be less focused as it is reflected along the room’s boundaries. This is the best choice, since most
films are mixed using non-localized surround effects and classical music is usually recorded in a favorable
acoustic environment. Use the Direct setting when listening to discrete multi-channel recordings that equally
emphasize front and surround sounds. For multiple sets of iC7FX loudspeakers, use the Diffuse setting on
the Side/Rear loudspeakers for more surround effect. For the Surround Back loudspeakers, use the Direct
setting to focus the sound. (See Figure 6)
10. Install the MicroPerf grille. Start by positioning one edge of the grille slightly inside the loudspeaker.
Gently work around the loudspeaker a little at a time until the grille is fully seated. Don’t try to insert the
grille fully in any one area, as this will make complete installation more difficult. Don’t force the grille to fit
as you may damage the grille if you apply too much force.
11. Connect the other end of each loudspeaker wire to the receiver (or amplifier) carefully observing polarity.
12. Turn on the home theater receiver and calibrate all loudspeakers in the system according to the receiver
manufacturer’s instructions.
PAINTING THE GRILLE AND FRAME
The iC7FX loudspeakers and flush-mount metal grilles may be painted without the need for primer.
1. Install loudspeaker into ceiling or wall following the previous steps 1 - 6.
2. Remove the smallest perforated circle from the cardboard square template. This is the paint mask that
protects the loudspeaker from paint. Gently press it into place inside the baffle.
3. Paint the frame of the loudspeaker.
4. Paint the grille separately from the loudspeaker frame. For best results when painting the grille, use a spray
gun or airless sprayer. Thin the paint to prevent clogging of the grille holes and apply several light coats
instead of one heavy one.
5. Gently remove the paint mask after paint has dried by pressing in the tab in the center and carefully pulling
out the mask with your finger. Be very careful not to poke the tweeter with your finger.
6. Finish installation of the loudspeaker following the previous steps 7 –12.
