Parasound Custom CS/T-280A User manual

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O W N E R ' S M A N U A L
Custom Series In-Wall and In-Ceiling Loudspeakers
Congratulations on your purchase of Custom Series In-Wall loudspeaker system and thank you for your
selection of Parasound. Custom Series loudspeakers are designed to provide you with high-fidelity
audio reproduction in a wide variety of applications. Please take a few minutes to read these instructions
thoroughly to make the installation easier and to insure the best performance of your new loudspeakers.
Precautions
If you have any doubts about your ability to properly install in-wall loudspeakers, you should consider
the services of a custom installer. If you plan to install them yourself, always use good quality tools to
save time and make the installation go more smoothly.
All Custom Series loudspeakers mount into a standard 2" x 4" (or greater) stud depth walls. Determine
the final location of both left and right speakers before cutting any holes since changes to one speaker
may affect the other either aesthetically or acoustically. Look for pipes, wiring or any other conflicting
material that might be damaged before beginning the installation.
Prewiring
Before you purchase loudspeaker wire, check local building codes to make sure that the wire is rated to
comply with applicable local safety codes such as UL or CL-2. Use only stranded wire no thinner than
AWG 16. For runs longer than 100 feet, we recommend minimum of AWG 14 or AWG 12. When
pulling wire, take care not to pull the wire too fast to prevent stretching the wire or scorching the
insulation from excess friction. Leave 2 to 3 feet of excess loudspeaker wire at both ends; it is easier to
trim off excess wire than to splice additional wire. When securing the wire inside the walls, be careful
not to pierce the insulation with nails or staples.
For best performance and easier troubleshooting, always "home run" wiring when installing multiple
speakers rather than connecting from one speaker to the next. When connecting multiple speakers, make
sure that the power amplifier is capable of adequately driving the combined impedance of the speakers.
If not, you may need additional amplifiers or an impedance protection device that are often built into
loudspeaker selection boxes.
Pre-Drilled Hole for Infrared Receivers for Models CS/T-255A, CS/T-265A, CS/T-280A
These models have a 1/2" hole in the bezel to accommodate an infrared receiver such as the popular
Xantech Video Link model 490. The hole can be easily accessed by removing the rubber bushing from
the rear of the bezel. If you plan on hiding an infrared receiver behind the loudspeaker grille, be sure to
pre-wire a three conductor control wire along with the speaker wire.

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Preparing the Wall or Ceiling Cutout
Confirm that there is at least 1 1/2" of clearance between each edge of the planned cutout and adjacent
studs or joints. Fasten the supplied cardboard template to the wall or ceiling with tape or thumbtacks.
Check again for equal distance of both speakers from the ceiling or floor. Use a level or the inwall
template's self levelling feature to insure that the template is fastened correctly. Next, trace around the
perimeter of the template. Before making the final cutout, make a small 6 inch "test cutout" in the center
of the pencilled outline. Reach inside the test hole to verify that there are no obstructions in the way of
your planned cutout.
Before cutting the hole, first score the drywall with a razor knife. Next, use a keyhole saw to complete
the cut. Remove remaining debris from the edge of the hole. Insert the loudspeaker without the
mounting bracket into the cutout to make sure it fits easily without forcing.
Secure the speaker wire to a stud near the cutout so its weight will not tug on the terminals of the
speaker after it is connected. This will also keep the wire from dropping behind the wall before you have
a chance to connect it. Before connecting the wire to the terminals, make sure the speaker wire runs
through, not around, the speaker’s metal mounting bracket.
We recommend that you add a “blanket” of sound absorbing material behind the woofer to reduce sound
transmission into the adjoining room and to prevent reflections bouncing back against the woofer cone.
To further isolate sound from the adjoining room and improve bass response, you may consider
installing a separate cabinet between the studs.
Installing Custom Series Loudspeakers in Walls and Ceilings
Remove the grille gently pulling the grille frame away from the frame. Set the grille aside for now.
Parasound Custom Series loudspeakers employ mounting “swing-arms”
(mounting dogs) that will automatically swing out when the mounting
screws are first turned clockwise (see drawing). After they swing out,
the arms will then clamp against the drywall from behind the wall.
Tighten all the bolts evenly. This securely clamps the wall between
the speaker’s molded frame in front and metal bracket behind.
Avoid using excessive force to prevent deforming the drywall or
cracking the speaker's mounting frame.
Any sound leakage from behind the molded frame can be blocked
with foam weather-stripping directly behind the plastic speaker bezel.
Treble Adjustment for Models CS/T-255A, CS/T-265A, CS/T-280A
If you are installing your Custom Series loudspeakers in a "live" room or mounting them on-axis to the
listening position, it may be desirable to adjust the output level of the tweeter to reduce brightness.
Certain Parasound Custom Series loudspeakers come equipped with a treble adjustment control that
allows you to attenuate the tweeter level from 0 dB (flat) to -3 dB or - 6 dB. Once you have installed the
loudspeakers, use a slotted screwdriver or small coin to adjust the treble level as necessary.

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Flatten Here
Flatten Here
Installation Instructions for NC/K-M Rough-In Kits
Follow these instructions if you will cut the final hole for the speaker with a pin router.
1. Determine the final cut-out location of the Custom Series loudspeaker.
2. Install one of the 25” mounting bars horizontally between
two studs with the slot facing up and toward you.
3. Use a level or carpenter’s square before nailing or screwing
the bar into the studs.
4. Slide the cut-out frame into the desired location with the
3/8” tabs facing toward you.
5. Place the other 25” horizontal bar onto the top of the cut-out
frame and nail or screw it into the studs.
6. Flatten the outer edge of the slot of the mounting bars
against the studs with a hammer to keep the frame from
sliding.
7. Once the drywall has been hung, use a pin router to cut out
the hole against the outer edge of the cut-out frame.
8. Install the Custom Series loudspeaker as shown above in
Installing in Existing Walls and Ceilings.
Note: Follow these instructions if you will cut the final hole for the speaker with keyhole saw.
1. Determine the final cut-out location of the Custom Series loudspeaker.
2. Install one of the 25” mounting bar horizontally between two studs
with the groove facing up and toward you.
3. Use a level or carpenter’s square before nailing or screwing
the bar into the studs.
4. Slide the cut-out frame into the desired location with the
3/8” tabs facing the inside of the wall.
5. Place the other 25” horizontal bar onto the top of the
cut-out frame and nail or screw it into the studs.
6. Flatten the outer edge of the slot of the mounting
bars against the with a hammer studs to keep the frame
from sliding.
7. Once the drywall has been hung, use keyhole or similar
saw to cut out the hole to the inside edge of the cut-out
frame.
8. Install the Custom Series loudspeaker as shown above in
Installing in Existing Walls and Ceilings. Make sure
the Custom Series mounting bracket is installed on the
speaker with the slotted side facing toward you and the
flat side facing away from you. This allows the upper and
lower sections of the mounting bracket to fit into the upper
and lower tabs of the cut-out frame.
Flatten Here
Flatten Here

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Parasound Custom Series Specifications
CS/T-280A CS/T-265A CS/T-255A CS/S-250A
Frequency Response 36 Hz-22 kHz +/- 3 dB 42 Hz-22 kHz +/- 3 dB 52 Hz-22 kHz +/- 3 dB 70 Hz-18 kHz +/- 3 dB
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohms 8 Ohms 8 Ohms 8 Ohms
Minimum Impedance 6 Ohms 6 Ohms 6 Ohms 6 Ohms
Sensitivity 1 Watt/1Meter 89 dB 88 dB 87 dB 86 dB
RMS Power Range 10-100 Watts 10-75 Watts 10-75 Watts 10-40 Watts
Woofer Size 8" 6.5" 5 1/4" 5 1/4"
Surround Material Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane Poly Foam
Tweeter Size 1 " Titanium Dome 1 " Titanium Dome 1 " Titanium Dome 1" Cone
Crossover Frequency 2.4 kHz 2.4 kHz 2.6 kHz 2.2 kHz
Crossover Slope 12 dB per octave 12 dB per octave 12 dB per octave 6 dB per octave
Dimensions
Hole Cut-Out 8 5/8" x 12 7/8" 7 3/8" x 10 3/4" 6 1/4" x 9 5/8" 6 1/4" x 9 5/8"
Outer Edge of Frame 10" x 14" 8 5/8" x 12" 7 1/2" x 11" 7 1/2" x 11"
Optional Accessories
Rough-In Kits NC/K-8M NC/K-6M NC/K-5M NC/K-5M
CS/S260A CS/T-65R CS/S-60R CS/W-1002
Frequency Response 46 Hz-20 kHz +/- 3 dB 58 Hz-20 kHz +/- 3 dB 60 Hz-18 kHz +/- 3 dB 26 Hz-150 Hz +/- 3 dB
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohms 8 Ohms 8 Ohms 8 Ohms
Minimum Impedance 6 Ohms 6 Ohms 6 Ohms 6 Ohms
Sensitivity 1 Watt/1Meter 88 dB 88 dB 87 dB 87 dB
RMS Power Range 10-65 Watts 10-60 Watts 10-40 Watts 10-120 Watts
Woofer Size 6 1/2" 6 1/2" 6 1/2" 10"
Surround Material Poly Foam Polyurethane Poly Foam Polyurethane
Tweeter Size 1" Soft Dome 1 " Titanium Pivoting
Crossover Frequency 2.6 kHz 2.6 kHz Full Range 140 Hz
Crossover Slope 12 dB/octave 12 dB/octave 12 dB/octave Low Pass
Dimensions
Hole Cut-Out 7 3/8" x 10 3/4" 7 5/8" Diameter 7 5/8" Diameter 10 3/4" x 10 3/4"
Outer Edge of Frame 8 5/8" x 12" 9" Diameter 9" Diameter 12" x 12"
Optional Accessories
Rough-In Kits NC/K-6M NC/K-7M NC/K-7M NC/K-10M
CS/T-25R CS/S-20R CS/T-80R
Frequency Response 65 Hz-20 kHz +/- 3 dB 70 Hz-17 kHz +/- 3 dB 55 Hz-20 kHz +/- 3 dB
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohms 8 Ohms 8 Ohms
Minimum Impedance 6 Ohms 6 Ohms 6 Ohms
Sensitivity 1 Watt/1Meter 87 dB 86 dB 88 dB
RMS Power Range 10-50 Watts 10-30 Watts 10-70 Watts
Woofer Size 5 1/4" 5 1/4" 8"
Surround Material Butyl Rubber Poly Foam Butyl Rubber
Tweeter Size 1 " Pivoting Titanium "Whizzer Cone" 1 " Pivoting Titanium
Crossover Frequency 2.6 kHz 2.6 kHz
Crossover Slope 12 dB/octave Full Range 12 dB/octave
Dimensions
Hole Cut-Out 6 1/2" Diameter 6 1/2" Diameter 9 3/8" Diameter
Outer Edge of Frame 7 3/4" Diameter 7 3/4" Diameter 10 3/4" Diameter
Optional Accessories
Rough-In Kits NC/K-2M NC/K-2M NC/K-8M

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Parasound Products, Inc. 950 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
415-397-7100 / FAX [phone]
affordable audio for the critical listener
Custom Painting with the Paint Shield
You can paint the frame and grille of Custom Series loudspeakers to match the decor of the room it is
installed in. Simply insert the plastic paint shield into the grooves of the baffle and brush or spray paint
the outer portion of the frame. You can paint the speaker frame either in or out of the wall, but the grille
must be painted separately. The holes in the grille are very tightly spaced. Be sure the paint is thin
enough not to clog the holes. If necessary, you can gently blow through the holes after the paint is first
applied.
Parasound Limited Warranty (USA only)
Your Parasound Custom Series In-Wall Loudspeakers are covered by a limited warranty against defects
in materials and workmanship for a period of two years from date of purchase. This warranty is
provided by the Parasound dealer where the unit was purchased. Warranty repair will be performed only
when your purchase receipt is presented to validate your ownership, date of purchase and authorized
status of the selling dealer. Defective parts will be repaired or replaced without charge by your
authorized dealer’s store or the location designated by your dealer that is authorized to service
Parasound equipment. Additional information is available by calling or writing to the Service Manager,
Parasound Products, Inc. at the address below. Charges for unauthorized service and transportation
costs are not reimbursable under this warranty. This warranty covers only audio and electrical
performance. This warranty does not cover removal or reinstallation costs.
This warranty becomes void if the product has been damaged by alteration, misuse, accident or neglect.
Alteration includes any removal, obscuring or defacement of a serial number. This warranty becomes
void if the speaker has been connected or operated contrary to printed instructions. The warrantor
assumes no liability for property damage or any other incidental or consequential damage whatsoever
which may result from the failure of this product. Any and all warranties of merchantability and fitness
implied by law are limited to the duration of this expressed warranty.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations
may not apply to you. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary state by state.
© 1996 Parasound Products, Inc.