Operating Manual AIW25 Genelec AIW25 Active In-Wall Loudspeaker Genelec AIW25 Active In-Wall Loudspeaker The Genelec AIW25 Active In-Wall loud- Installation This results in a precise and stable sound speaker system consists of a two-way image. loudspeaker enclosure and a matched Genelec recommends that you use the ser- If the AIW25 loudspeakers are used in an remote amplifier module, RAM2. It has been vices of an authorized installation special- application where their capability for precise designed to the same rigorous standards as ist or other competent and experienced sound imaging is needed, such as the front Genelec’s high-performance HT series active installation company for the installation of channels of a Surround Sound system or a Home Theater loudspeakers. No other in- the AIW25 system. Ask your local Genelec Stereo system, we recommend that the loud- wall loudspeaker in this size class can match dealer for recommended installation compa- speakers are placed as far away from cor- the low distortion, neutrality and high sound nies in your region. ners or other walls and reflective surfaces as pressure capability of Genelec AIW25. The possible. The loudspeakers should be placed AIW25 can be used in the most demanding Matching loudspeakers and symmetrically in relation to the listening posi- applications, like the main L-C-R array of a amplifiers tion and there should be no obstructions Home Theater system, critical Stereo listen- Each AIW25 loudspeaker has been factory between the loudspeaker and the listener. ing or rear/side channels of a medium sized, calibrated for optimum performance with the This guarantees clear dialogue in films and a state-of-the-art Home Theater. RAM2 amplifier it is shipped with. Never mix good sound stage image with music. Figure these matched amplifier-loudspeaker sys- 2 shows a Left-Center-Right arrangement Unpacking tems in the installation process. The matching that works well both as Surround Sound front A Genelec AIW25 set includes the following units are marked with the same ID number. channels and a Stereo pair. items. Check that nothing is missing or dam- If you prefer a diffuse sound field, which aged in transit. If there is a problem with the Loudspeaker placement is less critical to the listening position and product, contact your local Genelec dealer. Genelec AIW25 loudspeakers are equipped gives only a vague sense of direction, for with Genelec’s proprietary Directivity Con- instance in a rear/side channel setup in a • AIW25 loudspeaker enclosure. trol Waveguide™ (DCW™). One of the main Home Theater system, you may actually • Grill insert characteristics of the DCW™ technology is benefit from the acoustical reflections from • AIW25 cardboard cut-out template that the loudspeakers give a very even and nearby boundaries. In this case, place the • Loudspeaker painting mask consistent frequency response over a large loudspeakers close to the ceiling or another • RAM2 amplifier unit listening area. A secondary function of the wall, or have them face away from the lis- • Mains power cable DCW™ is to reduce the off-axis radiated tening position, so that the proportion of • Two M4 Phillips 2 screws sound energy, thereby minimizing the reflec- reflected sound increases. • This Operating Manual tions from the side walls, floor and ceiling. BALANCED SIGNAL INPUT CONNECTOR BALANCED LINK OUT CONNECTOR UNBALANCED SIGNAL INPUT CONNECTOR COMBINED CONNECTOR, PIN SEQUENCE FROM TOP: 1. REMOTE 1(NOT ACTIVE IN UNITS SOLD IN EUROPE) 2. REMOTE2(NOT ACTIVE IN UNITS SOLD IN EUROPE) 3. TWEETER - 4. TWEETER + Figure 3. Connecting the loudspeaker cable MAINS INPUT 5. WOOFER - 6. WOOFER + Figure 1. RAM2 amplifier back panel view Cable gauge Max. length 2,0 mm2 (14 AWG) 30 m (100 ft) 3,3 mm2 (12 AWG) 40 m (130 ft) 5,3 mm2 (10 AWG) 60 m (200 ft) Figure 4. Screws for tightening the mounting tabs are located at each corner Table 1. Recommended cable thicknesses for of the front baffle different lengths of cable the cable to the strain relief tie next to the grill separately with a thin spray. Do not use Figure 2. Front loudspeaker placement loudspeaker connector. brushes or rollers. Be careful to avoid clog- Use a good quality 4-conductor cable and ging the grill with paint. make the cable runs as short as possible. Attach the cardboard painting mask on Cabling See Table 1 for recommended cable gauges. the loudspeaker front baffle before spraying The RAM2 amplifier unit has separate The connectors accept a cable up to 6 mm2 the loudspeaker to protect the drivers and power amplifiers for the tweeter and woofer. (9 gauge) thick. front baffle from smearing. Accordingly, a 4-conductor cable needs to If you are installing the AIW25 enclosure be run between the amplifier and the loud- to an existing wall, examine the walls thor- Installing the AIW25 speaker enclosure. Two cable connectors oughly for the shortest and least obstructed loudspeaker enclosure are supplied with the loudspeaker system, cable route. Be careful to avoid cutting or For new construction installs, we recom- a six-pole connector to fit the connector on drilling into electrical wires, ventilation or mend planning the loudspeaker placement the amplifier and a four-pole connector to fit water pipes. These are often visible in the at an early stage and using the optional the respective input on the top of the loud- attic, basement or crawl space below the Genelec New Construction Brackets (order speaker enclosure. floor. All of this is of course much easier code 272-0030) for marking the desired loca- Attach the cables to the green connec- when the installation takes place in an unfin- tions. The brackets can be nailed or screwed tors provided with the kit. Be sure to main- ished wall where the wall structure is still to the studs to show the drywall installers the tain correct polarity when connecting the open. In both cases it is a good idea to route places where holes for the loudspeakers are cables and be extra careful not to mix the the loudspeaker cables away from electric, to be located. tweeter and woofer cables. The correct pin video or phone cables, which might induce When installing the enclosure in an exist- sequences are marked on the amplifier and hum into the loudspeaker system. ing wall, use the cardboard wall cut-out tem- loudspeaker enclosure. Starting from the plate to find the best location. The template top, the first two poles on the amplifier con- Painting the loudspeakers also shows the position of the loudspeaker nector are for the 12 V remote control volt- The loudspeaker enclosure flange and the drivers and acoustic axis, so you can easily age, pole 3 for tweeter -, pole 4 for tweeter metal mesh grill can be spray painted to find the placement that brings them to the +, pole 5 for woofer - and pole 6 for woofer match the wall colour. Do not paint the optimum position as outlined in chapter +. Respectively, the pole sequence on the loudspeaker front baffle and drivers, or try “Loudspeaker placement”. loudspeaker connector is 1 tweeter -, 2 to paint the grill while it is attached to the Examine the wall structure carefully to find tweeter +, 3 woofer - and 4 woofer +. Secure loudspeaker. Paint the enclosure and the a clearly unobstructed location for the loud- speaker. The loudspeaker enclosure requires a minimum of 98 millimeters (3 27/32”) of free depth measured from the outer surface of the sheetrock. Also note that the enclosure flange is wider and taller than the hole and requires about 20 millimeters (3/4”) of smooth wall surface around all sides of the hole. When you have found a good location, check that the template is level and trace the hole onto the wall with a pencil along the out- Figure 5. Installing the metal support to Figure 6. Installing the RAM2 amplifier line of the template. If you are not sure that the the RAM2 amplifier module for placement module to the optional RM2 rack mount chosen part of wall is free from obstructions, on a solid aurface. adapter. you can start by making a smaller hole at the center of the marked area through which you can probe the inside of the wall. Use a dry- speaker cables as described above in chap- the temperature below the aforementioned wall saw and make the first cut at a 45° angle ter “Cabling”. maximum level. toward the center of the hole so you can put The RAM2 has two parallel 10 kOhm input If the RAM2 amplifier is placed on a the cut piece back in if the location is unsuita- connectors: a balanced female XLR and an shelf or other solid surface, the metal sup- ble. If you find no obstructions, you can make unbalanced RCA. There is also a male XLR port provided with the amplifier must be the final cut along the marked lines. connector that can be used for daisy-chain- attached to the lower part of the ampli- If you have already connected the RAM2 ing several systems together. For long cable fier front panel with an M4 screw. This amplifier units to the decoder or other signal connection lengths (>10 m or >30 ft) a bal- improves the stability of the amplifier and source, select the loudspeaker enclosure anced line connection is recommended as provides sufficient clearance for air circula- that has the same ID number as the ampli- it offers better immunity to external interfer- tion below the amplifier. fier it will be driven by. Connect the loud- ence. However, the RCA connection method speaker cables as described above in chap- is more commonly available and usually Mounting the RAM2 amplifier ter “Cabling”.