Niles CM7HD User manual

CEILING MOUNT
INSTALLATION GUIDE
DESIGNER AESTHETICS
AUDIOPHILE PERFORMANCE

WWW.NILESAUDIO.COM
Thank you for choosing the Niles CM Loudspeaker Series. With proper
installation, use, and care, your loudspeakers will deliver years of listening
enjoyment. Niles manufactures the industry’s most comprehensive line of
custom installation components and accessories. For information on our
complete product assortment, please visit us at: www.nilesaudio.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 3
Features and Benefits 3
Parts Guide 4
Installation Considerations 4
Installing the Loudspeakers 6
Switch Adjustments 8
Painting the Grilles 8
Installing the Grilles 8
Applications 9
CONGRATULATIONS!

NILES AUDIO – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 1-760-710-0992 2
LEFT/CENTER/RIGHT CEILING-MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
SURROUND EFFECTS CEILING-MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
STEREO INPUT CEILING-MOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS
CM7
CM7
CM7
CM7
CM8
CM8
CM8
CM7
CM7 CM8

3WWW.NILESAUDIO.COM
INTRODUCTION
Niles CM Loudspeakers deliver an uncompromising combination of designer
oriented aesthetics, superb sound performance, and ease of installation. Small
footprint and low prole, MicroThin™ magnetically attached grilles provide the
look that today’s homeowners desire. Available in 7” and 8” versions, there are
left/center/right, surround effects, and stereo input models to satisfy applications
ranging from advanced home theaters to distributed audio systems.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
DESIGNER AESTHETICS
Magnetically attached MicroThin™ round speaker grilles ensure a clean,
unobtrusive designer appearance that blends with the room’s aesthetics. Optional
square grilles provide added design exibility.
INSTALLATION EASE
Three patent-pending, spring tensioned mounting clamps permit quick installation
and compensate for uneven mounting surfaces and varied environmental
conditions. Weather-resistant construction enables installation in moist areas such
as bathrooms or outdoors under eaves.
INSTALL WITH CONFIDENCE
The best-built loudspeakers deserve the best protection—the Niles Lifetime
Limited Warranty.

4
NILES AUDIO – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 1-760-710-0992
PARTS GUIDE
PACKAGE CONTENTS FOR:
CM7BG, CM7MP, CM7PR, CM7HD, CM7SI, CM8MP, CM8PR,
CM8HD AND CM8SI
(1) Niles CM loudspeaker, (1) Magnetically attached round grill, (1) Hole template
with painting standoffs, (1) Owner’s manual, (1) Warranty card
PACKAGE CONTENTS FOR: CM7FX
(2) Niles CM7FX loudspeakers, (2) Magnetically attached round grilles, (2) Hole
templates with painting standoffs, (1) Owner’s manual, (1) Warranty card
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
Recommended tools for installation:
7” LOUDSPEAKERS
These require an 8-1/2” (21.6 cm)
diameter hole opening and a
minimum of 4-3/8” (11.1 cm)
depth when measured from the
exterior face of the drywall. To the
sides of the hole you will need 1”
(2.54 cm) for the mounting tabs to
clamp the speaker to the drywall.
8” LOUDSPEAKERS
These require a 9-3/4” (24.8 cm)
diameter hole opening and depth
of 4-3/4” (12.1 cm) from the
exterior face of the drywall. To the
sides of the hole you will need 1”
(2.54 cm) for the mounting tabs to clamp the speaker to the drywall.
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
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piece of R19 insulation
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Figure 1. Required dimensions for installation in ceiling.
CM7 3-5/16" (8.4 cm)
CM8 4-1/8" (10.5 cm)
Depth Behind Drywall
Assuming 5/8" drywall
CM7 8-1/2”(21.6 cm)
CM8 9-3/4”(24.8 cm)
Diameter Hole Opening

5WWW.NILESAUDIO.COM
*Not for use with SI Speakers
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS CONTINUED
NOTE: BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN LOCATING THE SPEAKERS. VERIFY ALL LOCATIONS ARE
CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CUTTING THE FIRST HOLE.
Each speaker requires two-conductor wiring of sufcient gauge. The gauge
depends on the length of the wire. For recommendations, please refer to (Figure 2).
(Stereo Input loudspeakers require four-conductor wiring).
When running loudspeaker wire inside walls or ceilings, use special jacketed
cable (CL-2 or CL-3 rating) to protect the wire and for re prevention. In some
municipalities, conduit is required. For a trouble-free installation, low voltage wire
such as loudspeaker wire must be 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.
Distance from speaker to amplifier Wire Gauge
Less than 80 feet 16
80 to 200 feet 14
More than 200 feet 12
Figure 2. Speaker Wire Gauge Guide

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(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
INSTALLING THE LOUDSPEAKERS
It is often easier to lay the speakers out on the oor and then transfer the
locations to the ceiling with a laser plumb bob. If you are using new construction
brackets, place string across the centers of the bracket to provide a way to align
the bracket to the laser. Remember, you will need 1” (2.54 cm) to the sides of the
mounting hole for the mounting clamps to secure the speaker to the drywall.
1. Once you have determined a possible position for the hole 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.
2. 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 for the CM7 Series and 4-3/4”
of depth for the CM8 Series loudspeakers. If the wire’s movement is
obstructed by anything, fill the hole(s) with spackle and try another
location. (If there is any risk of uninsulated electrical connections within
the ceiling area, use insulating gloves or other materials or consult with an
installation professional before proceeding).
3. If the coat hanger moves freely in a complete circle and you have
sufficient depth, tape the template to the ceiling and proceed to layout the
other speakers. Once you are comfortable with all speaker locations, use
a pencil to lightly outline the circular template.
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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.
NOTE: DO NOT INSTALL LOUDSPEAKERS BEFORE THE DRYWALL HAS BEEN COMPLETELY
FINISHED AND PAINTED.

7WWW.NILESAUDIO.COM
INSTALLING THE LOUDSPEAKERS CONTINUED
6. Prep the speaker wire by stripping 1/4”-1/2” from each speaker lead.
Twist the strands or tin the leads with solder to ensure there are no stray
strands that could short and possibly harm the amplifier.
7. If you’ve chosen to use insulation behind the loudspeaker, place it
through the hole and center it on the opening. If using paper-backed
insulation, it should be placed so that the paper side is away from the
loudspeaker.
8. The speaker has black and red
spring-loaded connectors (Figure 3).
Black is for the negative (-) wire and
red for the positive (+). It is important
to observe correct wiring polarity.
This is especially important for the
Stereo Input (SI) Loudspeaker. If you
have wire other than black and red,
make sure you connect it the same
on the amplifier end as the speaker
end. Failure to do so will adversely
affect the loudspeakers’ performance.
9. Once the speaker wires are
connected, carefully slide the
loudspeaker into the opening hole
(Figure 4). While holding the speaker
in place, tighten the mounting screws
to secure the speaker to the drywall.
We recommend using a motorized
screwdriver. Be careful not to over
tighten. The CM loudspeakers feature
spring loaded mounting clamps that
allow the speaker to remain flush
with the ceiling, even if the
drywall shifts or expands.
NOTE: DO NOT CARRY THE SPEAKER
BY THE TWEETER OR TWEETER
BRIDGE. THIS MAY DAMAGE THE
SPEAKER.
Figure 4. Installing a
CM loudspeaker.
Figure 3. Spring-loaded speaker wire
connectors.
Mounting clamps require
1” clearance to the sides
of the hole opening

8
NILES AUDIO – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 1-760-710-0992
SWITCH ADJUSTMENTS
TREBLE SWITCH
(PR AND HD MODELS)
The three-position tweeter switch allows you to adjust the high frequency output
of the loudspeaker to compensate for room acoustics. The center position,
marked 0, does not affect the tweeter’s output. Moving the switch to the –
position reduces the tweeter output by 3 dB to compensate for bright rooms
(tile or wood oors, sparse furnishing, tall ceilings). Moving the switch to the
+position increases the tweeter output by 3 dB to compensate for absorptive
rooms (carpeting, lots of drapery, plush furniture, etc.).
DIFFUSE / DIRECT SWITCH (CM7FX)
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are mixed using non-localized surround effects and music is usually recorded in a
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recordings that equally emphasize front and surround sounds. For 7.1-channel
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PAINTING THE GRILLES
The CM loudspeaker grilles can be painted without priming, but the fabric scrim
must rst be removed. The installation template has die cut standoffs that can be
used to position the grille off the ground while painting. Use several light coats
sprayed from different sides and angles to cover all surfaces and not ll in any
holes. If you do ll some holes, use compressed air to open them before the paint
dries. It may be helpful to slightly dilute the paint to prevent it from clogging the
grille holes.
INSTALLING THE GRILLES
The Niles MicroThin™ speaker grille installs magnetically over the speaker.
Carefully center the grill over the speaker and let the magnets do their work,
verifying that the grill sets ush against the ceiling at all edges.

9WWW.NILESAUDIO.COM
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
APPLICATIONS
Niles CM Loudspeakers are designed to be installed in any standard ceiling.
When choosing a location, thought should be given to the sound coverage of the
loudspeaker, and ease of running the speaker wire. Niles manufactures a large
variety of speaker models for many different applications, with special models for
shallow depth ceilings, models with Rear Wave Enclosures to minimize any sound
bleeding through to adjacent rooms, etc.
STEREO SOUND APPLICATIONS
The best stereo effect will be achieved if both
loudspeakers are at an equal distance from the
listening area. Ideally all loudspeakers should
be on the same horizontal plane (Figure 6). Avoid
installing loudspeakers near corners to prevent
a “boomy” or diffracted sound. Also note that
the lower the ceiling, the closer the loudspeaker
should be placed to the listener.
HOME THEATER
APPLICATIONS
Left/Center/Right – Position the center
channel loudspeaker directly over the
television, with the left and right speakers
equidistant from the center. The separation
between the left and right should not be
more than the distance to the primary
seating area (Figure 7).
Side Surround Effects (CM7FX) – Position
surround effects loudspeakers to the sides
of the listening area with the tweeters in-line
with the listener. The tweeters should point
to the front and rear of the room (Figure 7).
Rear Surround Effects (CM7FX) – Position
surround effects loudspeakers behind the
listening area, to the inside of the front left
and right speakers. The tweeters should
point to the sides of the room (Figure 7).
Figure 7. Home Theater Application.
Critical
Listening
Position
FX
LCR
FX
FX
LCR
FX
LCR
Figure 6. Stereo Sound Application.
3-6'
8'
8'
3-6'

10
NILES AUDIO – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 1-760-710-0992
APPLICATIONS CONTINUED
SINGLE SPEAKER STEREO INPUT APPLICATIONS
(CM7SI, CM8SI)
Stereo Input loudspeakers are ideal for small rooms where positioning two
loudspeakers is not practical. Examples would be a small kitchen, bathroom,
hallway, or small bedroom. Locate the loudspeaker as close to the center of the
room as possible for the most even distribution of sound (Figure 8). Avoid installing
the loudspeaker near a corner to prevent a “boomy” or diffracted sound.
Figure 8. Single Loudspeaker Stereo Input Application.

11 WWW.NILESAUDIO.COM
Model Woofer Tweeter /
Midrange
Recommended
Amplifier Power
Normal
Impedance
Frame Dimensions
with Grille
Hole Cut-Out
Dimensions
Depth (5/8”
Drywall Ceiling)
CM7BG 7”
Polypropylene
woofer cone
13mm
Kaladex 10-75 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 9-7/8” (25.1 cm) 8-1/2”
(21.6 cm) 3-3/4” (9.5 cm)
CM7MP
7” Black
Glass Fiber
Tight Weave
woofer cone
1” Ultra Silk 10-130 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 9-7/8” (25.1 cm) 8-1/2”
(21.6 cm) 3-3/4” (9.5 cm)
CM7PR
7“ Black
Glass Fiber
Tight Weave
woofer cone
1” Teteron 10-130 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 9-7/8” (25.1 cm) 8-1/2”
(21.6 cm) 3-3/4” (9.5 cm)
CM7HD 7” Aluminum
Ceramic
woofer cone
1” Nano
Al/Cer/Tita 10-160 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 9-7/8” (25.1 cm) 8-1/2”
(21.6 cm) 3-3/4” (9.5 cm)
CM7SI
7” Black
Glass Fiber
Tight Weave
woofer cone
Dual 1”
Ultra Silk 10-130 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 9-7/8” (25.1 cm) 8-1/2”
(21.6 cm) 3-3/4” (9.5 cm)
CM7FX
7” Black
Glass Fiber
Tight Weave
woofer cone
Dual 1”
Teteron 10-140 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 9-7/8” (25.1 cm) 8-1/2”
(21.6 cm) 3-3/4” (9.5 cm)
CM8MP
8” Black
Glass Fiber
Tight Weave
woofer cone
1” Ultra Silk 10-140 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 11-3/8” (28.9 cm) 9-3/4”
(24.76 cm) 4-1/8” (10.5 cm)
CM8PR
8” Black
Glass Fiber
Tight Weave
woofer cone
1” Teteron 10-140 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 11-3/8” (28.9 cm) 9-3/4”
(24.76 cm) 4-1/8” (10.5 cm)
CM8HD 8” Aluminum
Ceramic
woofer cone
1” Nano
Al/Cer/Tita 10-160 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 11-3/8” (28.9 cm) 9-3/4”
(24.76 cm) 4-1/8” (10.5 cm)
CM8SI
8” Black
Glass Fiber
Tight Weave
woofer cone
Dual 1”
Teteron 10-130 watts 8 ohm nominal;
6 ohm minimum 11-3/8” (28.9 cm) 9-3/4”
(24.76 cm) 4-1/8” (10.5 cm)
SPECIFICATIONS

12
NILES AUDIO – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 1-760-710-0992
1-800-BUY-HIFI (289-4434)
BY PHONE (IN USA)
CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS
8:00 AM to 5:30 PM PT
6:00 AM to 4:00 PM PT
TECHNICAL SUPPORT HOURS
www.nilesaudio.com
ON THE WEB
EMAIL TECHNICAL SUPPORT
EMAIL FOR PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
BY PHONE (OUTSIDE USA)
1-760-710-0992

©2011 The AVC Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Niles and the Niles logos, UltraSilk and Blending
High Fidelity and Architecture are registered trademarks of The AVC Group, LLC. MicroThin is a
trademark of The AVC Group, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
We reserve the right to change specifications, descriptions and prices without notice. The technical and
other information contained herein is not intended to set forth all technical and other specifications.
Designed and engineered in the USA. 9901198 Rev A
1969 Kellogg Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008
1-760-710-0992
1-800-BUY-HIFI – www.nilesaudio.com

CAUTION -Speaker components will get hot while playing music at
moderate to high volume levels. Nothing should ever come
in
contact with
any
of
the components
of
the installed speaker. Non-flammable materials
in
proximity to these components and the back
of
the speaker must have at a
minimum
1"
or
26mm clearance. Flammable materials like plastic vapor
barriers must have a minimum
of
3"
or
78mm clearance from these
components and the back
of
the speaker.
P
/N
9901220
Rev:
A

• • • • •
LIMITED
WARRANTY
CARD

LIMITED
VVARRANTY
Niles Audio Corporation ("NILES") warrants
to
the original retail purchaser only that this product will be free
of
manufacturing defects
in
material and workmanship for the following periods and subject
to
the limitations and exclusions
set forth below:
Lifetime Warranty
All Passive Loudspeaker Products (those not requiring AC or battery power).
Ten
years from the date
of
purchase
All Other Passive Products (those not requiring AC or battery power).
Two years from the date
of
purchase
All Active Products (those requiring AC
or
battery power).
This warranty is not transferable
to
subsequent purchasers
of
the product.
To
obtain warranty service, contact the
authorized dealer where you purchased your product
or
take the unit
to
the nearest authorized NILES dealer (with proof
of
purchase -claims made without proof
of
purchase will be denied) who will test the product and if necessary, forward
it
to
NILES for service. If there are no authorized NILES dealers
in
your area, you must contact NILES
to
receive a factory
Return Authorization Number.
DO
NOT RETURN ANY UNIT WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION
AND SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS FROM NILES.
Upon examination, NILES will, at its sole option and expense, repair or replace any product found
to
be defective. NILES
will return the repaired or replaced unit
to
you via its usual shipping method from the factory
to
your address
in
the United
States
of
America or Canada only. Any shipping costs for addresses outside
of
the United States or Canada shall be the
responsibility
of
the purchaser.
In
the event that this model is no longer available and cannot be repaired effectively, NILES,
at its sole option, may replace it with a different model
of
equal or greater value,
or
refund the original purchase price paid.
THE FOREGOING ARE
YOUR
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY.
This Warranty does not include service
or
parts
to
repair damage caused by improper use
or
handling, including but not
limited
to
damage caused by accident, mishandling, improper installation, commercial use, abuse, negligence, or normal
wear and tear, or any defect caused by repair
to
the product by anyone other than NILES.
This warranty does not cover reimbursement for your costs
of
removing and transporting the product for warranty service
evaluation,
or
installation
of
any replacement product provided under this warranty.
This Warranty will be void if:
• the Serial Number on the product has been removed, tampered with or defaced.
• the product was not purchased from
an
authorized dealer or reseller.
THE
FOREGOING WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE
AND
IN LIEU
OF
ALL OTHER EXPRESSED
AND
IMPLIED
WARRANTIES. NILES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS
ALL
SUCH
OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT
NOT
LIMITED
TO
IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
AND
NON-
INFRINGEMENT, WITH RESPECT
TO
THE
PRODUCT.
TO
THE
MAXIMUM
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NILES
SHALL
NOT
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
ANY
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES EXCEPT
TO
THE
EXTENT
PROVIDED (OR PROHIBITED) BY APPLICABLE LAW, EVEN IF NILES HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE
POSSIBILITY
OF
SUCH DAMAGES.
Notwithstanding the above, if you qualify as a "consumer" under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or applicable state
laws, then you may be entitled
to
any implied warranties allowed by law forthe Warranty Period. Further, some states
do
not allow limitations on how long
an
implied warranty lasts or allow the exclusion or limitation
of
consequential damages,
so such limitations may not apply
to
you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state
to
state.
For the name
of
your nearest authorized NILES dealer, contact: NILES AUDIO CORPORATION,
P.O.
BOX 160818, Miami,
Florida 33116-0818,
or
call 1-800-289-4434, 1-305-238-4373. Please be advised that NILES only sells its products via
the Internet through a select group
of
authorized Internet dealers. These are listed on our website at www.nilesaudio.com.
Products offered on the Internet through unauthorized Internet dealers are not covered bythe NILES warranty and may
be either:
1)
goods acquired on a secondary or grey market
2)
counterfeit or stolen goods
3)
damaged, or defective goods
Please fill in
your
product
information
and
retain
for
your
records.
I
Model
________________
_ Serial
No.-----------------------
Purchase Date
_______
_
ATTENTION:
TO
OUR VALUED CONSUMERS:
To
insure that consumers obtain quality pre-sale and after-sale support and service, NILES products are sold exclusively
through authorized dealers. This warranty is VOID if the products have been purchased from
an
unauthorized dealer.

THE
FIRST
NAME
IN
CUSTOM
INSTALLATION
41
1-800-BUY-HIFI
(760)
710-0992
www.nilesaudio.com
©2012
The
AVC
Group 1969 Kellogg Ave, Carlsbad, CA
92008.
All rights reserved.
WR00009