Installation Guide for HOME TECHNOLOGY ARCHITECTS models including: HTA-26, HTA-28, HTA-48W, HTA Series Invisible Speaker, HTA Series, HTA Series Speaker, Invisible Speaker, Speaker
RETROFIT INSTALLATION talling an HTA Invisible Speaker into an already finished wall is similar toIns making a wallboard patch. Remove the overlay sheets that comes attached to the face of each speaker
HTA-26 HTA-28 HTA-48W Quick Start Installation Guide For New Construction and Retrofit Installations PLAN LOCATION 16" OC FRAMING MBX & WIRE PLACESAVER THEN DRYWALL REMOVE PLACESAVER RETROFIT INSTALLATION Installing an HTA Invisible Speaker into an already finished wall is similar to making a wallboard patch. Remove the overlay sheets that comes attached to the face of each speaker and temporarily attach them to the walls to assist in planning speaker placement. Once the approximate speaker locations have been selected, use a stud finder to locate the nearest framing cavity and drill test holes to verify. Align the sides of the overlay sheet so they are centered over the existing framing members and use the overlay as a template to cut the wallboard to the size of the speaker. The finished opening should be 16" width centered on the framing studs. SPEAKER INSTALLATION 1. FRAMING, BACK BOXES AND PLACESAVERSTM For retrofit and for new construction, it is recommended to add cross member framing above and below the speaker opening so that the speaker may be attached on all four sides. Back boxes are recommended. MBA and MBX back boxes should be installed flush with the framing. See the instructions with MBC back boxes for proper installation. BX back boxes are installed at the same time as the speaker panel and instructions are covered below. In new construction, PlaceSaversTM are installed when the job is prewired. Center the PlaceSaverTM on the framing and attach with provided hardware. This reserves the exact space for the speaker during the wallboard installation preventing the speaker panel itself from exposure the harsh construction environment. Using PlaceSaversTM will save you time and money. 2. WIRING Install regular speaker wiring and attach it securely to the studs. Be sure to feed the wire through the knockout hole in the back box. It is recommended to use a wire clamp to secure the wire at the knockout leaving sufficient slack length to be able to connect to the speaker panel when installed. For runs of 15m (50 feet) or less, use 16 gauge wire. For runs longer than 15m (50 feet), use 14 gauge wire. 3. BX BACK BOXES BX Back Boxes install directly onto the Invisible Speaker frame before the speaker frame is installed into the wall. First, insert the back box speaker wires into the binding posts on the speaker crossover, noting proper polarity and then install the box directly to the back of the speaker panel using the provided screws in the predrilled holes. Use only the provided screws as other screws may cause damage to the speaker. 4. SPEAKER ALIGNMENT AND TEST FIT After the wallboard has been installed, remove the PlaceSaverTM. Correct registration is achieved when the perimeter screw flange of the speaker is flush with the adjoining wallboard allowing the face of the speaker to protrude approximately 2mm (1/16") beyond the wallboard. This creates a recess for the seam tape which prevents sanding back into the tape during the finishing process. If necessary, shim the screw flange out flush with the wallboard by layering the provided selfadhesive shims around the perimeter of the rear of the speaker (shims should cover the screw holes). It is critical to add the correct number of shims so that the wallboard and flange surfaces are flush with one another. If the speaker is recessed in relation to the wallboard excessive material build-up on the surface of the speaker can occur during the finishing process which may lead to poor sound quality and possible premature failure. 2mm (1/16") GAP CHECK REGISTRATION SHIM IF NECESSARY CONNECT WIRING ATTACH SPEAKER TEST WITH AMP 5. CONNECT SPEAKER WIRES Insert the speaker wires into the binding posts on the speaker crossover (or BX back box) noting proper polarity. For smaller gauge wires, bend the exposed wire back upon itself prior to insertion to make better contact with the binding posts. 6. SPEAKER MOUNTING Attach the speaker panel screw flanges directly to the structural framing using the provided wallboard screws. The panels have been predrilled with the proper number of holes. Be sure that all of the screws are installed and that they hold securely to the framing. Do not use nails. 7. RECHECK SPEAKER REGISTRATION Now that the speaker is secured, recheck that the outer flange of the speaker is flush with the surrounding wallboard. Place a long straight edge across middle of the speaker to verify that the speaker face protrudes approximately 2mm (1/16") beyond the wallboard in each direction. Check that the speaker is not warped from strain caused by uneven framing. A warped speaker frame will cause the speaker face to bulge. Having the correct registration minimizes the amount of joint compound that might be built up over the face of the speaker during the finishing process. This 2mm (1/16") protrusion of the speaker face will become invisible after the seams are properly finished and joint compound is feathered out from the speaker appropriately. 13MM (1/2") WALLBOARD Install with screw flange flush to wallboard. Speaker face to protrudes by 2mm (1/16") so plaster can be feathered away from speaker. Joint Seam Compound Tape Screw Flange Speaker Face 16MM (5/8") WALLBOARD Install with screw flange flush to wallboard. Speaker face to protrude by 2mm (1/16") so plaster can be feathered away from speaker. Joint Seam Compound Tape Screw Flange Speaker Face 13mm (1/2") Wallboard Speaker Frame No Shims Typically Required Structural Framing 16mm (5/8") Wallboard Speaker Frame 4mm (1/8") Shim Structural Framing Note: The typical installations shown above are provided as guidelines. For your installation, the number and thickness of shims needed may differ due to variances in wallboard material and other construction variables. 8. TEST SPEAKER SOUND Before proceeding to wall finishing, test each speaker with music or pink noise from an amplified sound source at listening volume to ensure full speaker functionality. Make note of sound coming from the high/mid/low frequency drivers of each speaker and listen for any rattling or vibration. Now is the time to correct any potential issues. SEAM TAPE JOINT COMPOUND SAND BETWEEN COATS INSPECT FINISH WHEN DRY WALL FINISHING 9. SEAM FINISHING After the registration and sound check, seam finishing can proceed. The speaker panel should be finished in place similar to any other piece of wallboard. Selfadhesive nylon mesh tape is recommended due to its ease of use, however paper tape is also acceptable. Use only air-dry joint compounds and plasters for seam finishing. Do not use chemically curing joint compound. For best results, we recommend at least three light applications of joint compound, sanding between coats. Allow 24 hours between each application of joint compound for complete drying. Failure to allow the joint compound to completely dry between applications may result in fine hairline cracking around the speaker. If this occurs, repair the crack using standard wall finishing techniques. The crack will not reappear. The joint compound should be spread beginning 5cm8cm (2"3") in from the speaker edge and then feathering outward 30cm (16"20") in order to achieve a smooth, flat transition. It is important that enough joint compound be applied around the speaker to make a very gradual transition from the surface of the wallboard to the face of the speaker panel. Every situation is different, but it will normally take at least a 30cm (16"20") fan of joint compound around the perimeter of the panel to create a flatlooking transition. Be sure to feather the joint compound away from the speaker as to not build up more than the maximum allowed 2mm (1/16") of joint compound over the face of the speaker panel. HTA speakers do not require a skim coat to attain a smooth finish. However, some advanced finishing techniques and materials such as Venetian plaster or heavy plaster coats may require skimming over the front of the speaker. In these situations, it may be necessary to shim the speaker proud of the surrounding wallboard so that we avoid buildup of more than 2mm (1/16") in thickness on the face of the speaker. 10. SAND SMOOTH Sanding is the last important step before the painting begins. This can make or break the quality of the installation. When sanding, imperfections in the application of the joint compound may appear. If so, additional joint compound and sanding may be needed to create a seamless transition. Best practice may include the use of a flashlight to shine sheer light down the wall or ceiling in order to identify high/low spots in the finish work. 11. PAINT AND FINISH Once sanding is complete the face panel is ready for painting. Light "orange peel" texture, light knockdown texture, wallpaper, veneer, or level 5 finish may be applied. Heavy knock down or trowel finishes are not recommended. HTA speaker face panels are engineered for optimum audio performance with no more than 2mm (1/16") of any material applied to the surface of the speaker. To exceed the 2mm (1/16") limitation will cause degradation of audio quality. 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