SuperOne Ci
In-Wall Loudspeaker
OWNER’S MANUAL
Now Hear This
6400 Goodyear Road
Benicia, CA 94510
800-NHT-9993
1-31-047-1
between the two speakers (fig.1). To get an idea how they will look in the room, try taping the supplied cutout templates
to the wall. Keep in mind that room furnishings play an important role in absorbing and reflecting soundwaves. Midrange
and high frequencies in particular will be absorbed by soft furnishings such as sofas, carpets and curtains. A large num-
ber of these soft furnishings will dull the sound, while a “live” room with few furnishings will brighten the sound. As the
SuperOne Ci is not magnetically shielded, do not install it in a location where it will be within 18” of a television. Unshielded
magnets placed in close proximity to a television screen can cause picture discoloration and eventually damage the pic-
ture tube. When installing three SuperOne Ci’s for front channels in a home theater system, you can position the L & R
speakers farther apart to create a wider soundstage. When installing a SuperOne Ci as a center channel speaker, it should
be installed at least 18” directly above the location where the television will be.
Packing List (each speaker):
“SuperOne Ci” pack includes:
(1) Baffle with drivers
(6) 4 x 16mm panhead screws
“Bezel and Grille” pack includes:
(1) Bezel
(1) Metal grille
(6) 4 x 16mm flathead screws
(6) Small foam rubber absorbers
(6) Large foam rubber absorbers
“Mounting Bracket” pack includes:
(1) Mounting bracket
(2) Mounting wings
(4) 5 x 50mm flathead screws
(1) Cutout template - paint shield
Tools Needed:
#2 Philips screwdriver
Pencil
Tape measure
Utility knife or keyhole saw
Level
Wire strippers
Safety goggles
Protective gloves
Tech Tips: Pre-Wiring for New Construction
1. For best results, avoid running speaker cable near electrical wire, as it may induce a 60Hz hum in the audio signal. It’s a
good idea to run the speaker cable after the electrical wiring has already been completed, so that you can route the speaker
cable at least three feet away from the electrical wiring. If speaker cable and electrical wiring must run parallel, install the cable
within a metal conduit. Note that low-voltage wiring (doorbell, intercom, telephone, security, etc.) are unlikely to induce hum and
can typically be run parallel to speaker cable with no detrimental effects.
2. When drilling holes through wall studs or ceiling joists, use a drill bit that is at least as wide as the speaker cable that will be
routed through them. Always drill through the center of the stud or joist. If the hole must be drilled within one inch of the edge
of a wall stud, add a nail plate to the drywall side to protect the cable from possible nails and screws put in the wall later. Line
up the holes in the studs or joists as you go, so that pulling the cable through them will be easier.
fig.2
fig.3
fig.4
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Installation: New Construction
(unfinished walls)
1. Begin by installing the mounting bracket between adjacent studs. The SuperOne Ci
performs best in the vertical orientation. Be sure to mount the bracket in the appropriate
direction so that the tweeter is at the top. Attach the mounting wings to the bracket by
inserting them into the locking plastic tabs in the side of the bracket (fig.2).
2. Select the desired location for the speaker, using a level to ensure that it is precisely
positioned. The wings feature progressively elongated sections (1”, 1”, 2”, 2”, 2”, 3”, 3”)
with screw holes spaced in one-inch increments. Attach the wings to the studs with the
5 x 50mm flathead screws. For maximum stability, use two screws for each wing. Break
off the extra portion of the wing by snapping it at one of the pre-molded “break” lines
(fig.3).
fig.5
3. Complete the pre-wiring before the drywall goes up (see “Tech Tips: Pre-Wiring for
New Construction”). Leave an extra few feet of speaker cable, and secure it to the cable
tie on the mounting bracket (fig.4).
4. During the drywall phase, cut a hole 12-1/8” high by 8” wide around the bracket. The
bezel outer frame will extrude out about 1 inch beyond the perimeter of the cutout to hide
minor imperfections in the cutout.
5. If the SuperOne Ci bezel frame and grille are to be painted in the wall, paint now
before installing the baffle (see “Painting”).
6. After the drywall is complete, attach the bezel to the bracket with six 4 x 16mm flat-
head screws that line up with the six raised bosses on the bracket (fig.5). If the frame is
not installed in the proper orientation, all six screw holes will not line up. Tighten screws
snugly, making sure not to over-tighten, as this may compromise the fit of the bezel. The
use of power screwdrivers is not recommended. The absorptive strips on the back of the
bezel’s outer frame reduce unwanted vibrations and will compress slightly to allow the
frame to rest flush against the wall on all four sides. When installed correctly, the brack-
et and bezel “sandwich” the drywall.
fig.6
7. Connect the speaker cable to the spring posts on the SuperOne Ci baffle, making sure
to observe correct polarity (see “Connections”).
8. Place one of the large foam isolators in each of the six raised bosses on the bezel.
Place one of the small foam isolators in each of the 6 holes on the front surface of the
baffle. Put the baffle into the bezel so the holes on the baffle line up with the holes in the
center of the raised bosses on the bezel (fig. 6). Push one of the 4 x 16mm screws
through a hole on the baffle and into the hole on the bezel and tighten it by hand so that
the baffle and the bezel stay together. Insert the remaining screws, then tighten all of
them snugly, making sure not to overtighten, as this may compromise the fit of the baf-
fle. The use of power screwdrivers is not recommended. Exersize caution not to damage
the drivers when inserting the screws.
9. Attach the metal grille by inserting it into the grooves in the baffle.
fig.7
fig.8
„
Installation: Existing Construction
(retrofitting finished walls)
fig.9
Warning: Exercise caution when drilling into existing walls. Do not drill
through existing wires, pipes, conduits, heating or air conditioning ducts. If
you feel resistance while drilling, stop immediately.
1. Using a studfinder or the “knocking” method, locate the wall studs in the wall
area where you wish to mount the speaker. The speaker will be mounted
between adjacent studs, no closer than two inches from either stud (fig.7).
2. Determine that there are no obstructions behind the desired cutout area. This
may be accomplished by drilling a hole in the center of the cutout area and using
an “L”-shaped piece of metal (like a coat hanger) to “feel around” behind the wall.
If you discover an obstruction, fill the hole with patching compound and try anoth-
er location.
3. If there are no obstructions found behind the wall, use the supplied cutout tem-
plate and a pencil to draw a 12-1/8”H x 8”W outline of the area to be cut out. Use
a level to ensure that the cutout is precisely positioned. Begin by drilling the four
corners with a 1/4” bit (fig.7). Then cut out the wall section with a utility knife or
keyhole saw, following the lines traced around the mounting template. If the wall
is painted or wallpapered, use the keyhole saw.
4. If the wall is constructed of lath and plaster, outline the penciled marks with
masking tape, drill the four corners with a
1/4” drill bit, and use a utility knife to cut through the plaster down to the lath. Use
a saber saw with a metal cutting blade or a pair of tin snips to gently cut through
the lath, being careful not to vibrate plaster off the wall.
fig.10
5. Insert the SuperOne Ci mounting bracket diagonally through the cutout in the
wall, then pull forward into position. If the cutout was cut correctly according to
the cutout template, the bracket should fit snugly into place. The plastic tabs on
all sides of the bracket will rest flatly against the back side of the wall (fig.8).
6. While holding the bracket flatly against the rear side of the wall with one hand,
attach the bezel to the bracket with six 4 x 16mm flathead screws that line up with
the six raised bosses on the bracket (fig.9). If the bezel is not installed in the prop-
er orientation, all six screw holes will not line up. Tighten screws snugly, making
sure not to over-tighten, as this may compromise the fit of the bezel. The use of
power screwdrivers is not recommended. The absorptive strips on the back of the
bezel’s outer frame prevent unwanted vibrations against the drywall, and will com-
press slightly to allow the frame to rest flush against the wall on all four sides.
When installed correctly, the bracket and bezel “sandwich” the drywall.
7. If the SuperOne Ci bezel frame and grille are to be painted in the wall, paint
Tech Tips: Optimizing Sonic Performance
Bass response is smoothest when the speaker is mounted within a rigid wall that flexes very little. For improved perfor-
mance, add 2”x4” cross-braces horizontally roughly one foot above and one foot below the speaker location. Use wood
glue and extra screws when attaching the drywall to the studs around the speaker. Additionally, once the speaker cutout
has been made in the drywall, add a bead of wood glue inside the wall where the drywall meets the studs and cross-
braces. If possible, use two layers of drywall for maximum rigidity.
For more controlled bass response, add insulation to the wall cavity around and behind the speaker to provide acoustic
damping. Be sure to add the same amount of insulation to speakers in the same room to ensure consistent sound. Use
R-12 or R-19 fiberglass insulation, and be sure to wear protective gloves to avoid contact with the fibers. If the insulation
is paper- or foil-faced, position the paper or foil side away from the speaker.
now before installing the baffle (see “Painting”).
8. Connect the speaker cable to the spring posts on the SuperOne Ci baffle, making sure to observe correct polarity (see
“Connections”).
9. Place one of the large foam isolators in each of the six raised bosses on the bezel. Place one of the small foam iso-
lators in each of the 6 holes on the front surface of the baffle. Put the baffle into the bezel so the holes on the baffle line
up with the holes in the center of the raised bosses on the bezel (fig. 10). Push one of the 4 x 16mm screws through a
hole on the baffle and into the hole on the bezel and tighten it by hand so that the baffle and the bezel stay together. Insert
the remaining screws, then tighten all of them snugly, making sure not to overtighten, as this may compromise the fit of the
baffle. The use of power screwdrivers is not recommended. Exersize caution not to damage the drivers when inserting the
screws.
10. Attach the metal grille by inserting it into the grooves in the baffle.
„
Painting
fig.11
The bezel frame and grille of the SuperOne Ci are finished in a matte white powder-coated
finish that may be painted to match the wall. The frame and grille may be painted either
before or after the speaker is installed. Keep in mind that the grille contains hundreds of
tiny holes that are essential to the sound of the speaker. Take care not to cover these holes
with paint.
1. Paint the bezel frame and the grille at the same time using the same paint. Use the supplied
paint shield (fig.11) to protect the inside of the bezel from overspray (paint will reduce the effective-
ness of the absorptive materials). Fold the corners down and insert the paint shield into the grooves
where the grille would attach. Be careful not to punch through the round hole in the middle of the
shield.
2. When using spray paint, apply two thin coats, making sure to let the first coat dry completely before
applying the second. This will avoid running. When using a compressor and spray gun, apply the
paint using its finest setting. Painting with a brush is not recommended, but when necessary be sure to thin the paint so
as not to cover the holes in the grille. If paint does cover any of the grille holes, poke them out with a paper clip.
3. Once painting is complete, remove the paint shield from the bezel by carefully punching out the round hole in the
middle, and using this hole to pull the shield free. Do not attempt to paint the black baffle surface (which houses the
drivers) behind the grille. Its black finish prevents the speaker’s black drive units from being visible once the grille is
attached.
„
Connections
Before connecting speakers to your system, it is important that you turn off the power to your amplifier / receiv-
er to avoid damage to the equipment. Before installing the SuperOne Ci, map out the wiring paths between the
speakers and the amplifier. Make sure that the speaker cable does not rest on sharp or pointed objects.
The SuperOne Ci is compatible with virtually all quality amplifiers. Proper wiring of the speakers is essential to good sound.
At a minimum, 16AWG 2-conductor speaker cable is recommended for runs of 10 feet or less, with heavier special
purpose speaker cable used for longer runs. For best results, use equal length runs of cable for the left and right
speakers. When permanently installing cable inside walls, be sure to use cable that is rated for in-wall use and
has special jacketing for fire prevention. In the U.S., the U.L. standard is CL-2, CL-3 and CM cable, and in Canada
the CSA standard is FT4 cable. The cables should be run in accordance with National Electrical Code and any
applicable local building codes. Prepare the cable by stripping 1/4” to 3/8” of insulation from the ends and twisting the
exposed wire strands tightly. The spring-loaded binding posts on the back of the speaker will accept raw wire only.
Be sure to wire both the left and right speakers "in-phase." That is, the Positive (red) terminal on the amplifier
output must be connected to the corresponding Positive (red) terminal on the speaker. Likewise with the Negative
(black) terminals. All speaker cables have some sort of marking along one or both conductors to help you make the
correct connections. Incorrect speaker phase is indicated by weak bass and the lack of a well-defined stereo image.
„
Operation
The SuperOne Ci was designed to handle a wide range of listening levels, but every speaker has limits. It is important to
use common sense and listen for signs of possible distress from the speakers. Underpowered amplifiers are most often
the cause of speaker damage. For example, a 60-watt amplifier runs out of power when called upon to produce more than
60 watts, and the resulting distortion can damage the speaker. If you tend to listen at high volume levels, more powerful
amplifiers are preferable because they are less likely to run out of power.
Noticeable distortion or harsh breakup is an indication that either your amplifier or your speakers are running beyond their
capacity, and the volume should be decreased. If you can feel any heat emanating from the woofer or tweeter, reduce the
level immediately. Speaker damage most often occurs from sustained high volume levels, not from transient sounds or
brief musical peaks. Excessive boosting of bass, treble or equalizer controls can worsen the problem, and is not recom-
mended.
„
Maintenance
The SuperOne Ci’s require minimal maintenance under normal use. The grille and frame may be cleaned using a damp
cloth or a mild, non-abrasive cleaner. Do not expose the speaker to direct sunlight, high temperatures, or moisture. Do
not attempt to clean the actual drivers.
Limited Warranty
Valid Only in the U.S.A.
Warranty Period
For the period of 5 years for parts and 5 years for labor from date of original purchase (the warranty period) from an authorized NHT dealer, Now Hear This
(NHT) warrants that if our product fails to function properly under normal use due to a manufacturing defect when installed and operated according to the
owner’s manual instructions enclosed with the unit, it will be repaired or replaced with a unit of comparable value at the option of NHT without charge to you for
parts or actual repair work. Parts supplied under this warranty may be new or rebuilt at the option of NHT.
What’s Not Covered
This warranty does not cover any product which is used in any trade or business, or in an industrial or commercial application.
This warranty does not cover the cabinet or any appearance item, or any damage caused to the product resulting from: alterations, modifications not autho-
rized in writing by NHT, accident, misuse or abuse, damage due to lightning or power surges, or being subjected to power in excess of the speaker’s published
power rating.
This warranty does not cover the cost of parts which would otherwise be provided without charge under this warranty, obtained from any source other than an
authorized NHT service location. This warranty does not cover defects or damage caused by the use of unauthorized parts or labor or from improper mainte-
nance.
Altered, defaced or removed serial numbers void this warranty.
Your Rights
The liability of NHT will be limited to the purchase price of the product, and NHT will not be liable for incidental or consequential damages. NHT limits its oblig-
ations under any implied warranties under state laws to a period not exceeding the warranty period. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied
warranty lasts, and some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages. The above limitations or exclusions may not
apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.
To Obtain Service
NHT has appointed a number of authorized service companies throughout the USA should your product ever require service. To receive warranty service, you
will need to present your sales receipt showing place and date of original owner’s transaction.
To find the name and address of the nearest authorized NHT service location, call or write: Customer Service Department, Now Hear This, 6400 Goodyear
Road, Benicia, CA 94510. 800-NHT-9993.
Please do not return product to this address. It is not a service location.
Keep this warranty with your sales receipt. Record date and place of purchase for future reference.
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