Parasound Outsider series User manual

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O W N E R ' S M A N U A L
www.parasound.com

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Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Outsiders Series Loudspeaker system and thank you for
choosing Parasound.Your new Outsiders were developed using the finest loudspeaker and crossover
components available. Extensive computer modeling and countless hours of listening were spent to
insure accurate audio reproduction in a variety of installations where placement compromises must
sometimes be made.
The kevlar woofer cones with polyurethane rubber surrounds and the ferrofluid-treated wide dispersion
tweeters are carefully constructed to resist the effects of hostile weather climates.The specially molded
cabinets are hermetically sealed to resist the elements.
Please take a few minutes to read these instructions thoroughly to make the installation easier and
insure optimum performance.
Unpacking and Inspection
Carefully unpack your Outsiders and locate the enclosed accessories:
Qty Description
2 Outsiders loudspeakers
2 Mounting brackets
2 Plastic speaker-to-bracket mounting knobs
1 Bag with four round stickers to cover unused bracket mounting holes
Be sure to carefully inspect the speakers for any signs of shipping damage. If you notice any, contact
your Parasound Dealer immediately. Save your carton and packing inserts for safe transport in case
you move or your loudspeakers ever require shipping.
Precautions
If you have any doubts about your ability to install outdoor 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.
Determine the final location of both left and right speakers pulling any wire or mounting hardware
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
thanAWG 16, and for runs longer than 100 feet, we recommend a minimum ofAWG 14.When pulling
wire, take care not to pull the wire too fast to prevent stretching the wire or scorching the insulation
from 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 speaker wire, be careful not to pierce the insulation
with nails or staples.

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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.
ChoosingYour Mounting Locations
Placement affects the performance of all loudspeakers. To obtain maximum bass output, locate each
speaker near the junction of two walls or a wall and ceiling.
Be aware that outdoor speaker placement makes it nearly impossible to hear the same level of bass as
you would hear indoors where the enclosed cavity reinforce low frequencies. Never attempt to drive
the speaker to attempt to reach the same outdoor levels you would expect from indoor loudspeakers.
This could damage the loudspeakers and/or amplifier.
If you hear distortion from the loudspeakers,you should reduce the volume. If you think your amplifier
cannot adequately drive the loudspeakers, consult your Parasound dealer for advice.
Outdoor Location Considerations
Outsiders Series loudspeakers are designed to resist most weather conditions. Please observe the
following precautions to extend their life:
1. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight to prevent the loudspeakers from being subjected to heat and
ultraviolet radiation.
2. Outsidersuse stainlesssteel grills andmountingscrews.But evenstainless isnot immune toextended
exposure to salt air.You should take care to minimize its extremely corrosive effects. If you live
nearsalty waterorwhere thereis saltyfog, mountyour loudspeakers whereyou caneasilydisconnect
them, rinse them well with fresh water and store them dry indoors when not in use. Loudspeaker
corrosionisevidenceof extended exposureto saltair orsalt waterand is notcovered underwarranty.
3. Never locate your Outsiders directly on the ground where pooled water could reach the grill or
driver units. If they must be located near the ground, place an object underneath them to raise them
above puddles.
4. Warning! Never submerge the loudspeakers or attempt to operate them underwater. This could
lead to risk of shock.
5. Do not locate the speakers closer than two feet to any direct heat source such as an exposed radiator
or heating duct.

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Outsiders Series Mounting Brackets
The unique mounting brackets included with your Outsiders Series loudspeakers allow you to mount
the speaker quickly, and in a variety of angles and positions.
Mounting the Outsiders
1. Determine the location on the wall where you will mount each Outsiders speaker.
2. Determine the position and angle of the mounting bracket.
3. Fasten the bracket to the wall with screws or bolts that can support the speaker. You must use the
supplied shoulder washers to avoid scratching the bracket’s epoxy powder paint. If you scratch or
chip the paint, you will compromise its resistance to corrosion.
4. Gently slide the speaker into the bracket and align the recessed threaded holes at each end of the
speaker with the corresponding holes in the bracket.
5. Screw the plastic knob with the metal bolt through the bracket into the threaded hole in the end of
the speaker. It’s not necessary to apply excessive force on the knobs to hold the speaker in place.
Repeat for the other end of the speaker.
6. Position the speaker at the desired angle and hand-tighten the knobs.
7. Loosen the bracket knobs slightly when you want to pivot the speaker, then retighten.
Connecting Speaker Wire to the Outsiders Series Loudspeakers
Outsiders Series Loudspeakers employ gold-plated five-way binding posts, so you can connect either
spade lugs, banana plugs, or bare wire. When using bare wire, we recommend that you “tin” the
speaker wire with solder to help prevent oxidation. Note that the rear of the Outsiders Series cabinet
has a recess to help facilitate routing speaker wire.
Route an appropriate length of wire that is no thinner than 16 AWG to each speaker and be sure to
maintain correct + and - polarity to insure correct phasing. Most wires have a ridge or pattern on one of
the conductors to help keep the polarity consistent.
If the installation requires the wire to be exposed to direct sunlight or buried, you may want to use
special underground/UV resistant wire. Seal holes where wires enter exterior walls to prevent air or
water leaks.
Covering HolesWhen Not Using Brackets
The four small round “dots” are used to cover the recessed threaded bushings when you don’t attach
brackets to your Outsiders. They simply cover up the holes.

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Repainting the Grills
Before painting, lightly sand both sides of the grill. After painting, make sure to blow through the
perforations to make sure none were closed by paint.After the paint dries, we recommend an additional
clear-coat for protection.
Maintenance
Keep your Outsiders Series loudspeakers clean and free of debris such as leaves and dirt. It’s a good
idea to wipe the outside of the cabinet with a soft cloth and a quick application of spray or paste wax
to keep the finish looking new. Do not remove the grill to expose the drivers or attempt to disassemble
the cabinets. In Case ofTrouble
If you suspect a problem with your Outsiders Series loudspeakers, first recheck all your connections.
If only one speaker is inoperative, the trouble may be caused by another component or even a defective
hookup cable.We suggest you contact your authorized Parasound Dealer or Installer, or call Parasound
Technical Service. We may be able to suggest diagnostic tests you can easily perform yourself and
which will save you a lot of trouble.
If we determine that the speaker should be returned to Parasound or anAuthorizedWarranty Center for
inspection and possible servicing, call for the location of a Warranty Center near you. If you choose to
send it to Parasound, you must call or write to obtain a Return Authorization number. You will be
asked to repack the unit in its original packing and an outer cardboard carton for proper protection in
transit. We will give you shipping instructions. We may refuse units that arrive without the correct
ReturnAuthorization number; an unsuitable shipping carton or that has evidence of improper internal
packing. We cannot accept collect shipments.After repair under warranty, the unit will be returned to
you prepaid.

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Outsider Series Loudspeaker Specifications
Outsider L
Frequency Response 50 Hz-22 kHz +/- 3 dB
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohms
Minimum Impedance 6 Ohms
Sensitivity 1 Watt/1Meter 89 dB
RMS Power Range 10-100 Watts
Woofer Size 5 1/4”
Cone Material Kevlar
Surround Material Butyl Rubber
Tweeter Size 1” Dome
Tweeter Diaphragm Material Aluminum
Crossover Slope 12 dB per octave
Crossover Frequency 1.5 kHz
Outsider S
Frequency Response 58 Hz-22 kHz +/- 3 dB
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohms
Minimum Impedance 6 Ohms
Sensitivity 1 Watt/1Meter 89 dB
RMS Power Range 10-70 Watts
Woofer Size 4 1/2”
Cone Material Kevlar
Surround Material Butyl Rubber
Tweeter Size 1” Dome
Tweeter Diaphragm Material Aluminum
Crossover Slope 12 dB per octave
Crossover Frequency 1.7 kHz
Parasound Products, Inc. 950 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
415-397-7100 / FAX [phone] www.parasound.com
© 2000 Parasound Products, Inc. Rev 1.0Features and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice