General

The Genelec AIW26 Active In-wall speaker system consists of a bass reflex type two- way speaker and a matched remote amplifier module, RAM1. It has been designed to the same rigorous standards as Genelec’s high- performance HT series active Home Theater loudspeakers. No other in-wall loudspeaker can match the low distortion, neutrality and high sound pressure capability of Genelec AIW26. The AIW26 can be used in the most demanding applications, like the main L-C- R array of a Home Theater system, critical Stereo listening or rear/side channels of a large, state-of-the-art Home Theater.

Unpacking

A Genelec AIW26 set includes the following items. Check that nothing is missing or damaged in transit. If there is a problem with the product, contact your local Genelec dealer.

•AIW26 loudspeaker unit with two mounting brackets attached.

•Grill frame and grill insert (packed separately)

•AIW26 cardboard cut-out template

•RAM1 amplifier unit

•Cable binding post tool

•Mains power cable

•Six M6x60 Pozidrive 3 screws

•Plexiglass cover for the control switches

•This Operating Manual

Installation

Genelec recommends that you use the services of an authorized installation specialist or other competent and experienced installation company for the installation of the AIW26 system. Ask your local Genelec dealer for recommended installation companies in your region.

Matching speakers and amplifiers

Each AIW26 speaker unit has been factory calibrated for optimum performance with the RAM1 amplifier it is shipped with. Never mix these matched amplifier-speaker systems in the installation process. The matching units are marked with the same ID number on the reflex port of the AIW26 and the top panel of the RAM1.

Speaker placement

Genelec AIW26 speakers are equipped with Genelec’s proprietary Directivity Control Waveguide™ (DCW™). One of the main characteristics of the DCW technology is that the speakers give a very even and consistent frequency response over a larger listening area than conventional loudspeak- ers. A secondary function of the DCW™ is to reduce the off-axis radiated sound energy, thereby minimizing the reflections from the side walls, floor and ceiling. This results in a precise and stable sound image

If the AIW26 speakers are used in an application where their capability for precise sound

imaging is needed, such as the front channels of a Surround Sound system or a Stereo system, we recommend that the speakers are placed as far away from corners or other walls and reflective surfaces as possible.The speakers should be placed symmetrically in relation to the listening position and there should be no obstructions between the speaker and the listener. This guarantees clear dialogue in films and a good stereo image with music. Figure 2 shows a Left-Center-Right arrangement that works well both as Surround Sound front channels and as a Stereo pair.

If you prefer a diffuse sound field, which is less critical to the listening position and gives only a vague sense of direction, for instance in a rear/side channel setup in a Home Theater system, you may actually benefit from the acoustical reflections from nearby bounda- ries. In this case, place the speakers close to the ceiling or another wall, or have them face away from the listening position, so that the proportion of reflected sound increases.

Choosing and installing the speaker cables

The RAM1 amplifier unit has separate power amplifiers for the tweeter and woofer. Accord- ingly, there are two pairs of binding posts, white (-) and red (+) for the tweeter and black (-) and grey (+) for the woofer. Be sure to maintain correct polarity when connecting the speaker cables and be extra careful not to mix the tweeter and woofer cables

Use a good quality 4-conductor cable and make the cable runs as short as possible.

Figure 2. Symmetrical L-C-R speaker installation

Cable gauge

Max. length

 

 

 

2,0 mm2

(14 AWG)

30 m (100 ft)

 

 

 

3,3 mm2

(12 AWG)

40 m (131 ft)

 

 

 

5,3 mm2

(10 AWG)

60 m (200 ft)

 

 

 

Figure 1. Main components of the AIW26 system.

Table 1. Recommended maximum lengths for speaker cables.