Sonance SM55 User manual

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing Sonance Surface-Mount Speakers.
When properly installed your new speakers will give you years
of entertainment pleasure. This manual covers the SM55 and
SM55 SST (Single-Stereo Technology®) speakers.
Box Contents
Item Quantity Quantity
(SM55) (SM55 SST)
Surface Mount Speaker 2 1
Paintable Grille 2 1
Speaker Terminal Screws 4 4
Speaker Placement
Distributed Audio (SM55 and SM55 SST)
The SM55 and SM55 SST’s low installation profile makes them
ideal for use in distributed audio systems. They provide coverage
of a very wide listener area, allowing them to be mounted in a
wide variety of installation locations.
Because a single SM55 SST speaker reproduces both stereo
channels from a single location, it will deliver outstanding
performance from a wide variety of mounting locations where a
pair of stereo speakers would be impractical, including hallways,
bathrooms and closets.
The table and illustration below show how far apart the speakers
can be placed at various ceiling heights while still providing good
coverage for all listeners.
Ceiling Height Spacing (Standing) Spacing (Seated)
9-Foot Ceiling 5’7” 9’5”
10-Foot Ceiling 9’7” 13’5”
12-Foot Ceiling 13’7” 17’5”
14-Foot Ceiling 17.7’ 21.5’
Surround Channel (SM55)
The SM55’s low-profile design and wide area coverage also
make it an excellent choice for surround channel applications in
home theater systems.
5.1-Channel System (see Figure 2)
• Locate the left and right surround speakers on the ceiling
between 2 feet and 6 feet behind the listening position. The
speakers should be between 6 feet and 10 feet apart.
7.1-Channel System (see Figure 3)
• LLeefftt&&RRiigghhttSSuurrrroouunnddSSppeeaakkeerrss::Place the left and right sur-
round speakers directly to the sides of the listening position,
between 6 feet and 10 feet apart.
• SSuurrrroouunnddBBaacckkSSppeeaakkeerrss::Place the surround back speakers
between 2 feet and 6 feet behind the listening position. The
surround back speakers should be closer together than the left
and right surround speakers — between 3 feet and 6 feet
apart.
Before Installation
1. Determine the location for the speaker (see Speaker
Placement).
2. The SM55 and SM55 SST Mounting Plates (available sepa-
rately) are designed to install onto a J-box (single or double)
that has already been mounted in the ceiling.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SM55 AND SM55 SST
SURFACE-MOUNT SPEAKERS
TV
3' – 6'
Apart
2' – 6'
Surround
Back
Speakers
Left & Right
Surround Speakers
FIGURE 3: 7.1-CHANNEL SURROUND CHANNEL SPEAKER PLACEMENT
TV
6' – 10'
Apart
2' – 6'
Left & Right
Surround
Speakers
FIGURE 2: 5.1-CHANNEL SURROUND CHANNEL SPEAKER PLACEMENT
1
C OVERAGE
A
REA C
OVERAGE
A
REA
S PEAKER
S
PACING
FIGURE 1: DISTRIBUTED AUDIO COVERAGE AREA

2
SONANCE SM55 & SM55 SST SURFACE-MOUNT SPEAKERS
• The Mounting Plate allows the speaker to be installed after
the ceiling has been finished. The Mounting Plate also
allows the speaker to be rotated after installation to align it
with design elements in room.
3. If there is no J-box in the ceiling, the speaker can be mounted
directly on the ceiling surface without using the Mounting Plate.
IMPORTANT: Anchors and attachments appropriate
for the ceiling construction must be used if the
Mounting Plate is not used. It is the responsibility
of the installer to select anchor and attachment
devices appropriate for the ceiling construction.
NOTE: IF THE SPEAKER IS INSTALLED WITHOUT THE MOUNTING
PLATE IT CANNOT BE ROTATED AFTER INSTALLATION.
Installation Using a J-Box
1. Run speaker wires through the ceiling or conduit, from the
amplifier into the J-Box. Mark the wire’s “+” and “–” leads.
• Consult local building codes before running speaker wires
through ceilings.
2. Bring the speaker wires through the J-Box and attach them to
the binding posts on the back of the Mounting Plate. (The
SM55 plate has one set of posts; the SM55 SST plate has two
sets, see Figure 4.) The binding posts will accept single
banana plugs or bare wire.
• Loosen the set screw on the binding post, insert the plug or
wire, then tighten the set screw to secure the wire.
IMPORTANT: When
using bare wire, be
sure that no stray “+”
and “–” strands touch
each other. (Stray
strands that touch
each other can cause
a short-circuit that can
damage the amplifier.)
3. Use the 1½” x 6-32 flat head
screws included with the
Mounting Plate to attach it to
the J-Box. (See Figure 5.)
• Use two screws for a sin-
gle-gang J-Box; use four
screws for a double-gang
J-Box.
4. The Mounting Plate is fitted with a paint plug that protects the
speaker terminals if the ceiling is painted after the Plate is
installed. Remove the paint plug before installing the speaker.
5. To install the speaker, place the speaker against the Mounting
Plate so that the male terminal connectors on the speaker fit
into the female connectors on the Mounting Plate. The
neodymium magnets on the speaker will secure the speaker to
the Mounting Plate. (See Figure 6.)
Be sure to align the “+” and “–” connectors on the speaker with
the corresponding connectors on the Mounting Plate.
• After the speaker is installed you can rotate it to align it with
design elements in the room. See Speaker Adjustments:
Rotating the Speaker, on page 3.
Installation Without a J-Box
1. Remove the grilles from the speakers.
• The grilles are held on the speakers by 2 small tabs on each
side of the grille frame. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to
gently pry each side of the grille frame away from the
speaker to release the tabs, and slide the grille off the
speaker (see Figure 7).
FIGURE 4: WIRING THE MOUNTING PLATE
SM55 (LEFT); SM55 SST (RIGHT)
A) Loosen Set Screw
B) Insert Wire
C) Tighten Set Screw
A, C
B
A, C
B
FIGURE 5: ATTACHING THE
MOUNTING PLATE TO THE J-BOX
(SM55 PLATE SHOWN)
FIGURE 6: ATTACHING THE SPEAKER TO THE MOUNTING PLATE
Mounting Plate
(installed onceiling)
SM55
Speaker
(back side)
Neodymium
Magnets
Terminal Connections
(2 onSM55;
4 onSM55SST)
1. Insert ScrewdriverBetween
Grille Frame and Speakerat
Tab Locations and Gently Pry
Grille Away From Speaker
2. Slide Grille Assembly
Off OfSpeaker
FIGURE 7: REMOVING THE GRILLE

3
SONANCE SM55 & SM55 SST SURFACE-MOUNT SPEAKERS
2. Unscrew the male banana con-
nectors from the bottom of the
speaker and replace them with
the supplied Speaker Terminal
Screws (see Figure 8A).
3. Run speaker wires through the
ceiling, from the speaker mount-
ing location to the amplifier.
• Consult local building codes
before running speaker wires
through ceilings.
4. Strip ½” – ¾” of insulation from
each speaker lead. Twist the wire
strands to ensure that there are
no stray strands. (Stray strands
that touch each other can cause a
short-circuit that can damage the amplifier.)
5. Wrap the bare wire ends around the Speaker Terminal Screws
and tighten the screws to secure the wires. Be sure to connect
amplifier “+” to speaker “+” and amplifier “–” to speaker “–”.
(See Figure 8B.)
IMPORTANT: Be sure that no stray “+” and “–”
strands touch each other. (Stray strands that touch
each other can cause a short-circuit that can damage
the amplifier.)
6. Feed any excess speaker wire back through the ceiling and
place the speaker in the desired mounting location.
7. Mark the locations of the four mounting holes on the ceiling.
8. Drill holes at the marked locations and install anchor devices
appropriate for the ceiling construction material into the holes.
9. Place the speaker at the mounting location again and drive four
screws or bolts appropriate for the chosen anchor devices
through the four mounting holes on the speaker and into the
anchors in the ceiling (see Figure 9).
IMPORTANT: Always use low-torque settings;
NEVER over-tighten.
10. Replace the grilles on the speakers.
Painting The Grilles
Please refer to the included Painting Instructions sheet.
Speaker Adjustments
Rotating the Speaker
When installed using the Mounting Plate, the SM55
and SM55 SST can be rotated around their center axes after
installation to align them with architectural or design elements
in the room. (See Figure 10.)
NOTE: EXCESSIVELY ROTATING THE SPEAKER CAN TWIST THE
SPEAKER WIRES IN THE J-BOX BEHIND THE MOUNTING PLATE,
CAUSING THEM TO DISCONNECT, BREAK OR SHORT-CIRCUIT.
Specifications
Tweeter: (SM55) — 1" (25mm) silk dome,
ferrofluid- cooled
(SM55 SST) — Two 1: (25mm) silk
domes, ferrofluid-cooled
Woofer: (SM55) — 5¼" (133mm) carbon fiber
cone, with a rubber surround
(SM55 SST) — 5¼" (133mm) carbon
fiber cone, with a rubber surround,
dual voice coil
Frequency Response: 65Hz – 20kHz ±3dB
Impedance: 8 ohms nominal; 6 ohms minimum
Power Handling: 5 watts minimum;
60 watts maximum
Sensitivity: 88dB SPL (2.83V/1 meter)
Grille Material: Perforated aluminum
Dimensions (W x H x D): 121
/8” x 121 /8” x 3¼
(308mm x 308mm x 83mm)
Shipping Weight: (SM55) — 10 lbs (4.5kg) pair
(SM55 SST) — 5 lbs (2.3kg) each
FIGURE 9: MOUNTING THE SPEAKER DIRECTLY ON THE CEILING
Appropriate Screws orBolts
forCeiling Anchors
FIGURE 10: ROTATING THE SPEAKER
FIGURE 8:
REPLACING THE BANANA
PLUGS WITH SPEAKER
TERMINAL SCREWS
A.
B.

LIMITED FIVE (5) YEAR WARRANTY
Sonance warrants to the first end-user purchaser that this Sonance-brand product (“Product”), when purchased from an authorized
Sonance Dealer/Distributor, will be free from defective workmanship and materials for the period stated below. Sonance will at its
option and expense during the warranty period, either repair the defect or replace the Product with a new or remanufactured Product
or a reasonable equivalent.
EXCLUSIONS
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE IS IN LIEU OF, AND EXCLUSIVE OF, ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY PROVIDED BY SONANCE. ALL OTHER EXPRESS AND IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR USE, AND IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED. No one is authorized to make or modify any
warranties on behalf of Sonance.
The warranty stated above is the sole and exclusive remedy and Sonance’s performance shall constitute full and final satisfaction
of all obligations, liabilities and claims with respect to the Product. IN ANY EVENT, SONANCE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR
CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, ECONOMIC, PROPERTY, BODILY INJURY, OR PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE
PRODUCT, ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY OR OTHERWISE.
This warranty statement gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state. Some states do
not allow the exclusion of implied warranties or limitations of remedies, so the above exclusions and limitations may not apply. If your
state does not allow disclaimer of implied warranties, the duration of such implied warranties is limited to period of Sonance’s express
warranty.
Your Product Model and Description: Surface Mount Series Speakers
Warranty Period for this Product: Five (5) years from the date on the original sales receipt or invoice or other satisfactory proof of
purchase.
Additional Limitations and Exclusions from Warranty Coverage: The warranty described above is non-transferable, applies only to the
initial installation of the Product, does not include installation of any repaired or replaced Product, does not include damage to allied
or associated equipment which may result for any reason from use with this Product, and does not include labor or parts caused by
accident, disaster, negligence, improper installation, misuse (e.g. overdriving the amplifier or speaker, excessive heat or cold or
humidity, outdoor installation), or from service or repair which has not been authorized by Sonance.
Obtaining Authorized Service: To qualify for the warranty, you must contact your authorized Sonance Dealer/Installer or call Sonance
Customer Service at [phone] within the warranty period, must obtain a return merchandise number (RMA), and must deliver
the Product to Sonance shipping prepaid during the warranty period, together with the original sales receipt, or invoice or other
satisfactory proof of purchase.
©2009 Sonance. All rights reserved. Sonance and Single-Stereo Technology are registered trademarks of Dana Innovations.
Due to continuous product improvement, all features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
For the latest Sonance product specification information visit our website: www.sonance.com
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