Sonance THINLINETM User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
S ONANCE T HIN L INE
™
I N- C EILING S PEAKERS

3
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing Sonance ThinLine™ TL and SSTR-series speakers. When properly installed
your new speakers will give you years of entertainment pleasure. This manual will teach you all
about your new speakers’ many innovative features and will show you how to get the very best
performance from them. Please read it thoroughly.
The directions in this manual apply to each model in the series. This manual covers the
following speaker models: TL623R, TL622R; TL621R; TL623SSTR.
DESIGN AND FEATURES
• Thin (77mm) depth allows installation in areas too shallow for conventional in-ceiling speakers.
• Pivoting tweeters direct the sound at listeners for clear sound and improved stereo imaging even when speaker placement options
are limited.
•TL623SSTR reproduces both left and right channels from a single speaker — ideal for small spaces like hallways,closets and bathrooms.
• A 3-position tweeter adjustment switch lets you balance the speaker’s high-frequency energy to better compliment your room’s
setup and acoustics (TL623R/TL623SSTR).
• The RotoLock®mounting system makes installation quick and easy.
•The detachable mounting flange expands installation options, allowing the speaker assembly to be easily mounted in custom cabinetry.
BOX CONTENTS
Your Sonance ThinLine speaker box should contain the following items:
ThinLine TL623R/TL622R/TL621R: ThinLine TL623SSTR:
Figure 1: Sonance ThinLine™
TL-Series Speaker (left);
SSTR-Series Speaker (right)
SONANCE THINLINE™ TL and SSTR
SAFETY WARNING:
These speakers have FastMount®tabs that prevent the speaker from falling out of the
mounting hole during the installation process.
The edges of the FastMount tabs are very sharp.
Use caution when handling the speaker.
See Installation (page 8) for complete information about the FastMount tabs.
(2) ThinLine TL623R, TL622Ror TL621Rspeakers
(2) Paintable grilles
(2) Plastic paint plugs (installed on fronts of speakers)
(1) Mounting cutout template (in packaging)
(1) ThinLine TL623SSTR speaker
(1) Paintable grille
(1) Plastic paint plug (installed on fronts of speakers)
(1) Mounting cutout template (in packaging)

4
SONANCE THINLINE™ TL and SSTR
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Symphony FlexBracket (part #92337): Plastic template to reserve a mounting hole for ThinLine speakers in new construction. Designed to be used
with the RotoLock®mounting system.
SymphonyTR Coverplate (part #92335): Reusable cover protects the hole made by the FlexBracket during construction until the speaker is installed.
Sonafill®In-Ceiling System (part #91928): Retrofittable acoustical treatment consisting of two pillows and four tiles that virtually eliminates noises
produced by resonating drywall. Dramatically improves midbass sound quality and reduces sound transmission into adjacent rooms.
SPEAKER PLACEMENT
TL623SSTR
ThinLine Single Stereo Technology®SSTR speakers are ideal for use in hallways, bathrooms, closets, or in any location where listeners will be moving around
and a pair of stereo speakers would be impractical. The location of the speaker should be determined by considering the primary listening location as well
as aesthetic values. Because a single ThinLine SSTR speaker reproduces both stereo channels from a single location, it will deliver outstanding performance
from an extremely wide variety of mounting locations. For optimum results contact your Authorized Sonance Dealer for advice.
TL623R, TL622R, TL621R
When selecting mounting locations for your speakers you should consider such things as your primary listening location, the primary use for the speakers
(distributed audio, 2-channel stereo or home theater) and aesthetic values. Your local authorized Sonance dealer is an expert in audio/video system
planning and installation. We strongly recommend that you work with your dealer to ensure that your system is properly planned, assembled and installed.
Distributed Audio Speaker Placement (Mono signal)
All Sonance ThinLine speaker models have very smooth and predictable off-axis response, so they provide excellent coverage in distributed audio systems from
a wide variety of installation locations. The chart in Figure 1 shows how far apart the speakers can be placed at different ceiling heights while still
providing good coverage (as shown in Figure 2 ). The distances are based on ear heights of 62” for standing listeners and 40” for seated listeners.
Speaker Spacing (in feet) for a Distributed Audio System
Standing Listener Seated Listener
10-foot ceiling
12-foot ceiling
14-foot ceiling
8-foot ceiling 9.5'
13.5'
17.5'
21.5'
5.7'
9.7'
13.7'
17.7'
Coverage
Area Coverage Area
Speaker
Spacing
Figure 1: Distributed Audio Speaker Spacing Figure 2: Distributed Audio Coverage Area

5
SONANCE THINLINE™ TL and SSTR
Home Theater Speaker Placement
Left, Center & Right Channels
• Place the left, center and right speakers from 1 foot to 2 feet in
front of the video screen, anywhere from 6 feet to 10 feet apart,
with the center channel speaker as close to midway between the
left and right speakers as possible.
• The left & right speakers should be at least 2 feet away from the
side walls.
• The main listening position should be between 4 and 10 feet away
from the speakers.
• In some cases pivoting the woofer of each speaker towards the
listening position will help maximize the soundstage, especially
when listening to stereo music sources.
Use Figure 3 as a guide.
Left & Right Surround Channels (5.1-Channel System)
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. Since the surround speakers are usually called-upon to create diffuse effects like the sound of wind or rain you can mount them close
to walls without adversely affecting sound quality.
• You can create a more diffuse, spacious surround effect by pivoting the tweeters towards a wall or window, away from the listeners.
Use Figure 3 as a guide.
Left & Right Surround and Surround Back Channels
(7.1-Channel System)
• Left & Right Surround Speakers: Place the left and right
surround speakers directly to the sides of the listening position,
between 6 feet and 10 feet apart. The speakers can be placed close
to the side walls.
• Surround Back Speakers: 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. Like
the left and right surround speakers, the surround back speakers can
be located close to walls without adversely affecting sound quality.
• You can create a more diffuse, spacious surround effect by pivoting
the tweeters towards a wall or window, away from the listeners.
Use Figure 4 as a guide.
TV
6'– 10'
apart 6' – 10' apart
2' – 6'
1'– 2'
Left & Right
Surround
Speakers
Left, Center
& Right
Speakers
>2’
Figure 3: 5.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker Placement
TV
6'– 10'
apart 3' – 6' apart
2' – 6'
>2’
1'– 2'
Surround
Back
Speakers
Left, Center
& Right
Speakers
Left & Right
Surround Speakers
Figure 4: 7.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker Placement

6
SONANCE THINLINE™ TL and SSTR
Stereo (2-Channel)
• Place the left and right speakers anywhere from 6 feet to 10 feet apart, with the main listening position as close to midway between the speakers as
possible.
• The speakers should be at least 2 feet away from the side walls.
• The main listening position should be between 4 and 10 feet away from the speakers.
• In most cases pivoting the tweeter of each speaker directly towards the main listening position will help maximize the stereo soundstage.
Use the left and right speaker placement in Figures 3 and 4 as a guide.
SELECTING THE PROPER SPEAKER WIRE
For the best sound we recommend that you use premium Sonance
MediaLinQ®speaker cable, which also complies with UL fire rating codes.
You may also experiment with audiophile brands of speaker cable and
interconnects, but be sure to check local codes governing wire that may
be installed within walls or ceilings. Different brands of wire can have
different sonic characteristics, and some may be more compatible with the
sonic “signature” of your various audio system components.
For the best sound you should never use thin-gauge speaker wire – it will
constrict the sound and diminish bass response. Extra resistance in the
speaker wire can make a speaker sound less dynamic and reduce
definition of the bass frequencies. In extreme cases, it can even attenuate
high frequencies. Also, amplifier power is wasted in thin wire with extra
resistance, reducing your system’s maximum output level. To prevent
degrading sound quality, the total wire resistance should be less than 10%
of the speaker’s impedance. This means that for an 8-ohm speaker, the
total resistance of the wire should be less than 0.8 ohms. Refer to Figure 5 when selecting the proper wire gauge for your system.
PREPARING THE INSTALLATION LOCATION
Building a Back Box into the Ceiling Bay
Sonance ThinLine speakers are designed to provide exceptionally musical performance in a wide variety of enclosure volumes. You can get the very best
performance from your speakers by partitioning a section of the ceiling bay to form a sealed back box with a specific internal volume. Building such an
enclosure will create a dramatic improvement in your speakers’ bass performance and power handling.
Ideal back box volume requirements:
ThinLine TL623R: 1.5 ft3ThinLine TL621R: 1.0 ft3
ThinLine TL622R: 1.2 ft3ThinLine TL623SSTR: 1.5 ft3
Wire resistance in Ohms vs. length of cable run
Distance in Feet 50' 100' 150' 200' 250' 300'
1.04
.65
.41
.26
.16
.10
18 gauge
16 gauge
14 gauge
12 gauge
10 gauge
20 gauge 2.07
1.30
.82
.52
.32
.20
3.11
1.96
1.22
.77
.49
.31
4.14
2.61
1.63
1.03
.65
.41
5.18
3.26
2.04
1.29
.81
.51
6.22
3.91
2.45
1.55
.97
.61
Figure 5: Speaker Wire Resistance Table

7
SONANCE THINLINE™ TL and SSTR
Insulating the Ceiling Cavity
You can also reduce sound transmission to adjacent rooms and improve speaker performance by inserting a sheet of unfaced fiberglass insulation over the
back of the speaker. To reduce mechanical noise produced by unsupported drywall, install fiberglass insulation in the ceiling bays adjacent to the speaker
location.
Sonafill®
Sonafill (part #91928) is a retrofittable acoustical treatment system consisting of two pillows and four tiles that virtually eliminates noises produced by
resonating drywall. The tiles have pressure-sensitive adhesive and are installed on the back of the drywall on either side of the speaker between the
ceiling joists; the pillows are then stuffed in place behind the tiles. The system dramatically improves midbass sound quality and reduces sound transmis-
sion into adjacent rooms.
INSTALLING THE SPEAKERS
Before Installation: New Construction
For installations in new construction, Sonance recommends using a Symphony FlexBracket (part #92337) to reserve a location for the speaker. The
FlexBracket has perforated wings that can be positioned at any angle around the bracket, and is nailed or screwed to the studs. This serves as a guide
for the drywaller so that the speaker hole will be in the desired location once the drywall is installed.
Before Installation: Retrofit
1. Determine the location for the speaker (see Speaker Placement on page 4).
2. Perform an obstruction survey to be certain that there are no studs, conduit, pipes, heating ducts or air returns in the ceiling cavity that will interfere
with the speaker.
3. The cutout for all ThinLine speakers is 85/32” (207mm). There also must be at least 31/32” (77mm) depth within the ceiling cavity.
4. Position the included cutout template where the speaker is to be located and pencil an outline on the ceiling.
• If you are unsure about obstructions, drill a small hole in the center of the outline and insert a coat hanger wire into the hole to feel-around for
possible obstructions.
5. Cut the mounting hole using a drywall saw, and run the speaker wires from the mounting hole to the amplifier location.
• Consult local building codes before running speaker wires through walls.
Installation
Sonance ThinLine speakers feature exclusive FastMount®tabs and an integral RotoLock®mounting system for quick mounting directly into existing ceilings
and walls.
WARNING: The edges of FastMount tabs are very sharp. Use caution when handling the speaker.
1. Remove the paint plug from the speaker.
2. Run speaker wire from the amplifier location to each speaker.
3. Strip ¼” – ½” of insulation from each speaker lead. Twist the strands or tin the exposed wire with solder to ensure that there are no stray strands.

8
SONANCE THINLINE™ TL and SSTR
(Stray strands that touch each other can cause a short-circuit that can damage your
amplifier.)
4. The speaker’s connector posts are spring-loaded. Push the top of each connector post
down to open the connector and insert the exposed wires into the holes in the posts.
(The TL623SSTR has connectors for both the left and right channels.)
• The speaker’s positive post is labeled with a red dot; the negative post is labeled with
a black dot. Double-check that you connected amplifier “+” to speaker “+” and
amplifier “–” to speaker “–”.
5. Make sure all the RotoLock clamps are in the full clockwise position so that they are
tucked within the mounting hole’s border. Insert the speaker into the hole in the
ceiling (
Figure 6 ). The RotoLock system can accommodate a maximum ceiling material
thickness of 1¼”.
• The FastMount tabs will prevent the speaker from falling out of the mounting hole, allowing
the installer to let go of the speaker to pick-up tools or other items (Figure 7).
N OTE :T HE F AST M OUNT TABS ARE DESIGNED FOR ONE - TIME USE ONLY .I F THE
SPEAKER IS REMOVED FROM THE MOUNTING HOLE THE
F AST M OUNT TABS WILL
DISCONNECT AND REMAIN INSIDE THE CEILING
.
6. Tighten the four screws on the front of the speaker baffle. The RotoLock clamps will
automatically rotate into position and begin clamping the speaker ( Figure 8 ).
• When you notice resistance on the screws the speaker has been clamped successfully.
N OTE :T HE SPEAKER FLANGE IS DESIGNED TO FLEX AND CONFORM TO ANY SMALL
IMPERFECTIONS IN THE CEILING SURFACE
.D O NOT TIGHTEN THE SCREWS SO
MUCH SO THAT THE FLANGE BOWS
- OUT .
IMPORTANT: Always u s e l ow-torque settings; NEVER
over-tighten.
7. Attach the grille after the speaker has been installed. Insert about half of the grille into
the groove at the edge of the speaker. Gently fit the remaining half of the grille by work-
ing around the speaker, fitting the grille into the groove as you go.
N OTE :Y OU CAN ADJUST THE TORQUE APPLIED TO THE R OTO L OCK SCREWS TO
ACHIEVE A PROPER GRILLE FIT
.
RotoLock
®
Clamps
Figure 8:
RotoLock
®
Clamps
FastMount
®
Tabs
Figure 7:
FastMount
®
Tabs
Figure 6: Insert Speaker
Into Mounting Hole

9
SONANCE THINLINE™ TL and SSTR
PAINTING THE SPEAKERS AND GRILLES
You can paint the speakers and grilles before installing them, which will eliminate the “paint scar” that can be left on the ceiling if the speaker ever needs
to be removed for service. You can also paint the speakers after installation, but before the grilles are attached. All Sonance ThinLine speakers come from
the factory fitted with a plastic ‘paint plug’ that protects the speaker drivers while the mounting flange is being painted.
Sonance always suggests painting the grille separately from the speaker. Before painting, carefully remove the under-grille cloth. It is held in place with a
light tacking glue that makes it easy to remove.
Spray the grilles with thinned paint (5 parts thinner to 1 part paint), being careful not to plug the holes. Too heavy a coat of paint on the grille will
adversely affect the sound of the speaker.
Once the grilles and flange are painted and dry, replace the under-grille cloth, remove the paint plug from the mounting flange and install the grille.
SPEAKER ADJUSTMENTS
Pivoting Tweeter
ThinLine TL623Rand TL622Rhave a pivoting tweeter. This lets you direct sound toward or away from the listening area,
depending on how the speakers are being used:
• If you’re using the speakers in stereo or as the front left/center/right speakers in a home theater, pivot the tweeter
directly towards the listening area. This will help the sound from the speakers blend into a solid soundstage even if
the speakers are widely separated.
• If you’re using the speakers as surround channel speakers in a home theater, you can create a more diffuse, spacious
surround effect by pivoting the tweeters towards a wall or window, away from the listeners.
To Pivot the Tweeter:
Apply light pressure to the plastic ring around the outside edge of the tweeter dome, as shown in Figure 9 . Do not
touch or apply pressure to the tweeter dome.
Tweeter Level Control
The ThinLine TL623Rand TL623SSTR have a tweeter level control switch (see Figure 10 ) that lets you boost or cut the tweet-
er’s level by 3dB. This allows you to adjust the speaker’s brightness to better match your listening room or personal taste.
Once you have installed the speakers, listen to a variety of music that you are familiar with. If the music all tends to
sound too bright or dull, use the Tweeter Level Control to compensate. If some recordings sound dull and some sound bright
the speaker is accurately reproducing differences in the recordings, and you should leave the control in the middle (0dB)
position.
Figure 9:
Pivoting the Tweeter
Tweeter
Level Control
Figure 10:
Tweeter Level
Control

10
SONANCE THINLINE™ TL and SSTR
SPECIFICATIONS
TL623R
Tweeter: 1" (25mm) Silk dome, Ferrofluid-cooled, pivoting
Woofer: 6½" (165mm) Carbon fiber cone, rubber surround
Frequency Response: 43Hz – 20kHz ±3dB
Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal; 6 Ohms minimum
Power Handling: 5 watts minimum; 135 Watts maximum
Sensitivity: 90dB SPL (2.83V 1 meter)
Grille Material: Perforated aluminum
Adjustments: ±3dB Tweeter level
Dimensions (Dia. x Depth): 9¾" (248mm) x 31/32" (77mm)
Cutout Diameter: 85/32" (207mm)
Shipping Weight: 10 lbs. (4.5kg) Pair
TL622R
Tweeter: 1" (25mm) Silk dome, Ferrofluid-cooled, pivoting
Woofer: 6½" (165mm) Polypropylene cone, rubber surround
Frequency Response: 45Hz – 20kHz ±3dB
Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal; 6 Ohms minimum
Power Handling: 5 watts minimum; 125 Watts maximum
Sensitivity: 89dB SPL (2.83V 1 meter)
Grille Material: Perforated aluminum
Adjustments: None
Dimensions (Dia. x Depth): 9¾" (248mm) x 31/32" (77mm)
Cutout Diameter: 85/32" (207mm)
Shipping Weight: 10 lbs. (4.5kg) Pair
TL621R
Tweeter: ¾" (19mm) Silk dome, Ferrofluid-cooled
Woofer: 6½" (165mm) Polypropylene cone, rubber surround
Frequency Response: 50Hz – 20kHz ±3dB
Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal; 6 Ohms minimum
Power Handling: 5 watts minimum; 100 Watts maximum
Sensitivity: 88dB SPL (2.83V 1 meter)
Grille Material: Perforated aluminum
Adjustments: None
Dimensions (Dia. x Depth): 9¾" (248mm) x 31/32" (77mm)
Cutout Diameter: 85/32" (207mm)
Shipping Weight: 9 lbs. (4.1kg) Pair
TL623SSTR
Tweeter: Two 1" (25mm) Silk domes, Ferrofluid-cooled
Woofer: 6½" (165mm) Carbon fiber cone, rubber surround, dual
voice coil
Frequency Response: 43Hz – 20kHz ±3dB
Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal; 6 Ohms minimum
Power Handling: 5 watts minimum; 135 Watts maximum
Sensitivity: 90dB SPL (2.83V 1 meter)
Grille Material: Perforated aluminum
Adjustments: ±3dB Tweeter level
Dimensions (Dia. x Depth): 9¾" (248mm) x 31/32" (77mm)
Cutout Diameter: 85/32" (207mm)
Shipping Weight: 5 lbs. (2.3kg) Each