of your contractor.

Try to line the holes up perfectly, because it makes pulling the wire much easier. A good technique is to snap a chalk line across the face of the studs or against the bottom of the ceiling joists. Then work backward so that you can always see the holes you have already drilled. Paying careful attention to this will save you a lot of time later on!

Pulling the Cable

Pull the cable in sections (from the stereo to the volume control, from the volume control to the speaker). Start with the longest sections and use left over wire to complete the short sections. If you plan to pull many rooms at the same time through a central route, walk off the distance to each destination, add a generous fudge factor for turns and other obstacles, then cut off each section so that you have a bundle of wires you can pull at once.

Whenever you run the wire further than four and one half feet from a hole in a stud or joist (open attic space, going up walls, etc.), fasten the wire to the joists or studs using cable clamps or appropriately sized wire staples. The wire should not have large sags in it, nor should it be too tight. Try to protect the wire from being stepped on in attics or other unfinished crawl spaces. There are guard strips, raceways and conduits which can be used to protect the cable. Consult the local building code for special requirements in your area.

Concealing Speaker Wire

in Existing Walls

This is actually a fairly simple task if you restrict your choice of speaker locations and wire routes to the interior walls or ceilings of your home. Interior walls in almost all North American residences are hollow, so that it is easy to flush mount speakers into them and route new speaker cable around the house. What you see

when you look at the painted wall board, plaster, or paneling is only the skin of the wall. Behind the skin is the skeleton; two- by-four wood or metal “studs” running vertically from the floor to the ceiling in walls and two-by-six or larger “joists” run- ning horizontally in the ceilings and floors. In between the studs and the joists is the space for the wiring and plumbing of your home.

Exterior walls are different. They must insulate the house from the heat and cold outside, so they are stuffed with insulation. The national building code requires that the hollow wall space in exterior walls be broken by a horizontal stud placed between the vertical studs. This “fire blocking” makes it very difficult to retrofit long lengths of wire. In some areas of the country the exterior walls are constructed of solid masonry, and have no hollow space for speakers or wires.

Start by examining all the possible routes you might take to run the speaker wire from the speaker to the volume control and back to the stereo. Use a stud sensor or other device to locate the internal struc- ture of the wall. You want to avoid all studs or joists. A typical route would be: from the speaker location in the ceiling, across the attic, then down through a top plate (the horizontal 2x4 or 2x6 laid across the vertical studs) to the volume control location, back up to the attic, across the attic, and finally down another wall plate to a J-Box in the wall behind the stereo system itself (See Figure 6).

Identify where all of your electrical, phone, and TV wiring is likely to be and plan to route around it all. You can acci- dentally induce 60Hz hum on your speak- ers if you run your speaker wire right beside electrical wire for more than a few feet. Try to keep speaker wire running par-

Installation Fundamentals

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Niles Audio CM6HD, CM5HD, CM8HD manual Pulling the Cable, Concealing Speaker Wire Existing Walls

CM6HD, CM8HD, CM5HD specifications

Niles Audio has long been synonymous with high-quality sound solutions, and their line of in-ceiling speakers, the CM5HD, CM8HD, and CM6HD, showcases this commitment to excellence. Designed for residential and commercial applications, these speakers combine aesthetics with performance, making them ideal for any setting.

The CM5HD is the entry-level model, yet it doesn't compromise on sound quality. With its 5.25-inch polypropylene woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter, it delivers clear, balanced audio across various frequency ranges. The CM5HD is equipped with a patented Tri-Logic™ technology, allowing for seamless integration into a home’s audio system. This technology helps in achieving a wider soundstage and better imaging, making it perfect for both music and movie experiences.

Moving up to the CM6HD, the larger 6.5-inch woofer enhances bass response, providing a richer audio experience. Its 1-inch pivoting soft dome tweeter allows for customizable sound direction, ensuring that listeners get the most immersive audio experience possible. The CM6HD also features a unique magnetic grille that allows for easy installation and discreet appearance, ensuring that the aesthetic of any room remains intact while still enjoying exceptional sound quality.

The CM8HD is the flagship model of the series, designed for audiophiles seeking the ultimate performance. With an 8-inch woofer and dual 1-inch tweeters, this speaker is built to fill larger spaces with powerful, full-bodied sound. The CM8HD includes Niles Audio’s advanced dual voice coil technology, offering flexibility in audio performance. Its optimized tweeter placement means that users can enjoy sound that is evenly distributed throughout the room, making it perfect for larger home theaters or entertainment spaces.

All models in the CM series feature a weather-resistant design, making them suitable for indoor and outdoor installations. Niles also offers customizable paintable grilles that allow these speakers to blend seamlessly into any décor. Additionally, each model incorporates advanced high-definition sound reproduction capabilities, ensuring that high-resolution audio files are played back as intended.

In conclusion, the Niles Audio CM5HD, CM6HD, and CM8HD in-ceiling speakers combine cutting-edge technology with elegant designs. With features that enhance sound quality, user flexibility, and aesthetic appeal, these speakers are perfect for anyone looking to elevate their audio experience in any environment, proving that great sound can be enjoyed without sacrificing style.