Acclaim Thin

TM

Bezel Speakers
with magnetic grill

Installation Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION
Preparation/Wiring Info ........................................................................................................ 3 Thank you for selecting the Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel In-ceiling and In-
wall Speakers. Like all Russound speakers, they combine acoustic technology
Preparation/Speaker Placement .................................................................................... 4-5 with durability and will provide years of musical enjoyment. The speaker line
provides solutions for background music, dedicated music listening and home
Preparation for Installation .............................................................................................. 6-7 theater.
Installation ................................................................................................................................. 8 The Acclaim Thin Bezel Series combines premium acoustic materials, with
our most advanced drivers to deliver exceptional performance in every
Tests and Adjustments .......................................................................................................... 9 application. From background music to spectacular surround sound, Acclaim
Thin Bezel speakers offer the finest sound around.
Troubleshooting guide.......................................................................................................... 9
Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Series speakers feature high quality drivers,
Technical specifications ......................................................................................................10 sophisticated crossover networks, and advanced designs to ensure optimum
reproduction in your home, no matter what the source material may be.
Warranty ...................................................................................................................................11

RSA-61 RSA-62 RSA-63

RSF-61 RSF-62 RSF-63 RSF-64 RSF-61T

RSG-R RSG-S
Magnetic round grill Magnetic square grill - optional
(included with the speakers) (not included with the speakers)

2 Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual

 PREPARATION / WIRING INFO
Speaker Wire Installation Tips
The amount of wire needed varies with speaker placement. Label speaker When installing the speakers, avoid:
wires with left, right, and room location. • T-bar "drop ceilings" with very thin fiberboard panels which can buzz and
What kind to use: We recommend using Russound AW series speaker cable vibrate. If needed, reinforce the drop-in panel with wood or particle board.
or any reputable brand of 16 to 12 gauge multi-stranded wiring for amplifier- • Ceilings where there are pipes, heating ducts and especially AC wiring in
to-speaker connections. the general vicinity.
Selecting the proper gauge: Wire is measured in gauges: the bigger the
number, the smaller the wire. The gauge of wire needed is determined by the
distance between your amplifier/receiver and the speakers. The longer the Speaker Wire Paths
run, the heavier the gauge needed. Use the following chart as a guide: • Avoid running speaker wires close to house electrical wiring for any
Length Minimum Gauge distance. If you have to run them parallel, leave two feet between the
0' to 100' (0 to 30m) 16 wiring. Speaker wires should cross AC lines at a 90° angle.
50' to 150' (15 to 45 m) 14 • The entire path between speakers and amplifier should be clear and
100' to 200' (30 to 60 m) 12 unobstructed. Confirm placement for a wall port close to the intended
location of the amplifier or receiver.
If the conductors are not sheathed in colored jackets, be consistent with • Label speaker wires at each end with Left and Right and the room location.
usage. The standard colors on the terminals are red Positive (+) and black
Negative (-). If the wire has transparent insulation, one conductor will be
Impedance Matching for Amplifiers and Speakers
copper-colored (+) and the other silver-colored (-). If the wire has an opaque
insulation, the conductors are differentiated by a series of ribs or grooves, a Not all amplifiers or receivers can safely operate two sets of speakers at once.
stripe, or dotted line on one conductor. Use and mark these as the Positive (+) If you intend to use more than one pair of speakers at a time it’s important
conductor. to consider both the impedance of the speakers and the capabilities of the
amplifier or receiver you’re using.

- + - +

Typical usage of speaker wire conductors

Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual 3

PREPARATION / SPEAKER PLACEMENT
Use and Placement
Determine the intended use and placement of the speakers in the room. The Acclaim Thin Bezel speaker models RSA-61, RSA-62, RSA-63 are designed
If they are going to be your primary listening source in a room, you need to provide focused dispersion ensuring that high quality sound fills the chosen
to consider some other factors to insure proper imaging. The term "stereo listening area, the ability to focus the sound towards the chosen listening area.
imaging" refers to a speaker system’s ability to project music so that it sounds Models RSF-61, RSF-62, RSF-63, RSF-64, RSF-61T are designed to provide
like the performers are in a three-dimensional space between the speakers. uniform dispersion.

15o Angled 0o Flat

Models: Models:
RSA-61 RSF-61
RSA-62 RSF-62
RSA-63 RSF-63
RSF-64
RSF-61T

Focused dispersion - using 15° tilt Uniform dispersion - using 0° flat

4 Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual

 PREPARATION / SPEAKER PLACEMENT
Speaker Placement in the Room
Bass frequencies are emphasized when ceiling speakers are placed close to a
wall. Avoid placing one speaker in a corner and another on a long flat surface.
The best acoustic performance will result if both speakers are placed in similar
positions and face a similar type of surface.
The ceiling surround speakers should be placed directly to the sides or
rear of the prime listening position, but be aimed toward the listener. This
configuration is also suitable for a TV/movie and music mixed use.
If the prime purpose of the surround system is to listen to music, the ceiling
speakers should be aimed at the prime listening position.
Acclaim In-ceiling speakers may be used for rear surround sound channels
by placing them just behind the viewers. Refer to the 5 channel placement
diagram.

Good Placement Best Placement

Refer to the details at right for sample In-ceiling placement options.
Serious Listening Serious Listening
• Good placement for serious listening: Stereo pair In-ceiling. 6' to 8'
(1.8m-2.4m) apart, on the long wall of a rectangular room, centered on the
listening area.
• Best placement for serious listening: Stereo pair In-ceiling. 6' to 8' (1.8m-2.4m)
apart, on the short wall of a rectangular room, centered on the listening
area.
• Good placement for background listening: Stereo pair behind, above or to
the sides of the main listening area. 6' to 8' (1.8m-2.4m) apart, centered on
the listening area.
• Surround sound: The multiple surround locations can all be made to work
as long as the speakers are properly directed. The ceiling speakers should
be directed so that the sound is aimed toward the listener.

Good Placement Home Theater

Background Listening Surround Sound

Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual 5

PREPARATION FOR INSTALLATION
Pre-wire or Pre-construction Make sure the speaker cutout (hole) doesn't extend further than ¼" (0.6 cm)
Locate all obstructions (AC wiring, plumbing, duct work, studs, and joists). from the inside of the mounting bracket.
Route the speaker wire to the speaker location avoiding all obstacles. Retrofit Installation
Russound offers Speaker Rough-In Brackets that can be fastened to the Locate existing pipes, duct work, and AC wiring before cutting any holes in
adjacent studs. Once the dry wall is installed, the opening is cut out. There are the ceiling.
holes molded into the bracket for speaker wire tie-off to keep the wire from 1. Center the cardboard template between adjacent joists, avoiding all wiring,
being lost during construction. pipes, duct work, and lightly mark the outline with a pencil. Then use a
keyhole/drywall saw or motorized spiral-cut tool to make the opening.
In-ceiling bracket Installation 2. Score the outline of the template with a utility knife to prevent chipping. If
dealing with lath and plaster or thick paneling, drill 1" (2.5 cm) holes in several
Rough-in Bracket
places around the pencil outline. Use a fine-toothed keyhole saw or hacksaw
blade with slow strokes to saw through and remove the inner surface.
Stud / Joist

Screw
Speaker Cable

Run two pair conductors for single point speakers.

In-wall bracket Installation Note:

speakers designed for the in-wall installation:
RSF-61, RSF-62, RSF-63, RSF-64, RSF-61T

Drill Pilot Hole

Mark template outline
Test for stud clearance
Score template outline
Magnetic square grill RSG-S Cut out opening
(sold separately)
Retrofit Installation

6 Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual

 PREPARATION FOR INSTALLATION
Additional Tips / Considerations Painting the Speaker Frame and Grill
• If possible, run speaker wires after AC wiring is in place to avoid induced Russound Acclaim Speakers have a designer white finish that can be painted
hum caused by close parallel proximity of the two types of wire. with ordinary latex paint. Remove the speaker baffle before painting.
• Secure speaker wires in place against a stud along vertical runs with 1. Remove the magnetic speaker grill and remove the scrim cloth from the
insulated staples only. Do not pierce the wire insulation. Allow a bit of slack grill and set aside.
for expansion of building materials. 2. Paint the grill. Russound recommends diluting the latex paint with water
• Route horizontal wire runs through holes drilled in studs at roughly equal 4:1 or 5:1 proportionally.
heights. 3. While the paint is still wet on the grill, and the grill is not attached to the
• The speakers should not be installed until the wallboard is in place. In the frame, use a gentle burst of compressed air against the outside surface to
meantime, leave several feet of wire coiled up and secured to the back clear the fine holes in the mesh.
side of the mounting frame. Excess length can be removed during final 4. After the paint has thoroughly dried, attached grill to the frame.
assembly.
• When installing the drywall, make sure the speaker cutout hole doesn’t
extend farther than ¼" (0.6 cm) from the inside of the mounting frame.
• Any speaker installed in a ceiling should have a safety wire firmly tied Do not attach the scrim cloth and grill
between the back of the speaker assembly and the frame of the building. until the speaker has been connected and
Use any strong insulated wire and connect it to the speaker frame or baffle, secured in the ceiling.
being careful not to let it interfere with the speaker’s operation. The other
end should be firmly attached to the joist or flooring above using a hook, Speaker
nail, or other reliable fastener.
• Terminate the wires in an outlet box attached to a stud or retrofit junction
box at the exit location. Utilize an outlet plate which has connections for
speaker wire terminations. Russound dealers offer a full line of Russound Scrim Cloth
PlateMate™ connection systems.
• After the drywall is secured and finished, install the speakers as described Grill
in this manual.

Speaker Assembly

Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual 7

INSTALLATION
Installation 3. Center the speaker in the cutout. Rotate the frame as needed before
1. Remove the grill from the speaker, if applicable. tightening the screws. Tighten the screws equally until the clamps secure
the frame. Do not overtighten.
2. Connect the speaker wire to the speaker terminals:
• Leave about 2' (60 cm) of wire extending through the ceiling cutout.
• Pull the conductors apart so the last two inches are separated and
remove ½" (13 mm) of insulation from the end of each conductor.
• Twist the strands in each conductor into tight spirals.
• Attach the speaker wires to the red and black speaker terminals. Connect
the Positive (+) conductor to the Red terminal and the Negative (-)
Cutout
conductor to the Black terminal. Make sure that no stray strands of wire
are touching the other conductor or terminal.
• Single point speakers have four terminals; Right(+), (-) and Left(+), Speaker Cable
(-). Run an extra pair of conductors and observe proper polarity when
making connections.

Speaker
As screws are tightened
clamp will rotate out and
Screw snug against the drywall.

(+) (-)

Insertion of speaker wire on back of speaker baffle Install Speaker

8 Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual

TESTS AND ADJUSTMENTS TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Listening Test Troubleshooting Guide
It’s a good idea to test everything at this point. Before returning your Russound speakers for service, try these simple
1. Turn on your stereo system or music source. Make sure that the volume remedies first.
control is turned down and that the balance control is set to center. No sound from either speaker:
2. Gently turn up the volume. You should hear music coming out of your new • Incorrect source selected on receiver or preamplifier.
Russound Speakers! (If you don’t, refer to the troubleshooting guide.) • Mute button pressed on receiver.
3. Now rotate the stereo’s balance control all the way to the left. Sound should • Wrong speaker output selected; many receivers have an "A" and "B" speaker
only come out of your left speaker. If it comes out of the right speaker, skip switch. Make sure it is in the correct position.
to Step 5.
• In-wall Volume control not turned up or wired incorrectly.
4. Rotate the balance control all the way to the right. Sound should only come
out of the right speaker. • If using a speaker selector, room/station not turned on or improperly
connected.
5. If sound comes from the right speaker when the stereo’s balance control is
turned to the left, you’ll need to change the connections on the back of the No sound from one speaker:
amplifier/receiver. Note: Turn off the amplifier. Swap the wires attached to • Unsecured connection at either the speaker or amplifier - double-check all
the left and right speaker terminals. connections.
• Balance control turned all the way left or right - return it to center.
Tweeter Adjustment • Bad connecting cable between sound source and amplifier - try a new
The tweeters pivot and should be aimed toward the intended listener. Before cable.
installing the grill, gently press on the outside of the tweeter ring as shown. • Check for stray wire strands crossing the speaker terminals.
(Not applicable for the RSF-61T) • Defective speaker - contact your Russound dealer or call Russound Tech
Support at 603.659.5170.
• Any other problems not listed, discuss with your dealer or call Russound.
Press on the outer ring of the
tweeter to achieve desired angle.

Tweeter Dome

Tweeter Adjustment

Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual 9

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Angled models
Recommended Frequency Nominal Magnet Overall Cut-out Mounting
Model Descriptioin Woofer Tweeter Sensitivity
Power Response Impedance Structure Dimensions Dimensions Depth
15o angled 1" (2.54 cm)
6.5" (16.51 cm) 90dB 11 oz 9.13" dia. 8.375" dia. 4.28"
RSA-61 two-way Pivoting 5 - 80 watts 50Hz - 20kHz 8 ohms
polypropylene cone @ 1w/1m (0.312 kg) (23.19 cm) (21.27 cm) (10.87 cm)
in-ceiling PEI
15o angled 1" (2.54 cm)
6.5" (16.51 cm) 90dB 14 oz 9.13" dia. 8.375" dia. 4.4"
RSA-62 two-way Pivoting 5 - 100 watts 45Hz - 20kHz 8 ohms
IMPP ribbed cone @ 1w/1m (0.397 kg) (23.19 cm) (21.27 cm) (11.18 cm)
in-ceiling silk
15o angled 1" (2.54 cm)
6.5" (16.51 cm) 90dB 20 oz 9.13" dia. 8.375" dia. 4.56"
RSA-63 two-way Pivoting 5 - 120 watts 40Hz - 20kHz 8 ohms
Kevlar cone @ 1w/1m (0.567 kg) (23.19 cm) (21.27 cm) (11.58 cm)
in-ceiling Teteron

Flat models
Recommended Frequency Nominal Magnet Overall Cut-out Mounting
Model Descriptioin Woofer Tweeter Sensitivity
Power Response Impedance Structure Dimensions Dimensions Depth
two-way 0.75" (1.91 cm)
6.5" (16.51 cm) 88dB 11 oz 9.13" dia. 8.375" dia. 3.49"
RSF-61 in-ceiling/ Pivoting 5 - 80 watts 50Hz - 20kHz 8 ohms
polypropylene cone @ 1w/1m (0.312 kg) (23.19 cm) (21.27 cm) (8.86 cm)
in-wall PEI
two-way 1" (2.54 cm)
6.5" (16.51 cm) 90dB 11 oz 9.13" dia. 8.375" dia. 3.49"
RSF-62 in-ceiling/ Pivoting 5 - 90 watts 50Hz - 20kHz 8 ohms
polypropylene cone @ 1w/1m (0.312 kg) (23.19 cm) (21.27 cm) (8.86 cm)
in-wall silk
two-way 1" (2.54 cm)
6.5" (16.51 cm) 90dB 14 oz 9.13" dia. 8.375" dia. 3.53"
RSF-63 in-ceiling/ Pivoting 5 - 100 watts 40Hz - 20kHz 8 ohms
IMPP ribbed cone @ 1w/1m (0.397 kg) (23.19 cm) (21.27 cm) (8.97 cm)
in-wall silk
two-way 1" (2.54 cm)
6.5" (16.51 cm) 90dB 20 oz 9.13" dia. 8.375" dia. 3.69"
RSF-64 in-ceiling/ Pivoting 5 - 120 watts 40Hz - 20kHz 8 ohms
Kevlar cone @ 1w/1m (0.567 kg) (23.19 cm) (21.27 cm) (9.37 cm)
in-wall Teteron
in-ceiling 2 x 0.75"
6.5" (16.51 cm) 90dB 20 oz 9.13" dia. 8.375" dia. 3.69"
RSF-61T single point (1.91 cm) 5 - 120 watts 40Hz - 20kHz 8 ohms
IMPP ribbed cone @ 1w/1m (0.567 kg) (23.19 cm) (21.27 cm) (9.37 cm)
stereo silk

10 Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual

 WARRANTY
All Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Speakers have a Limited Lifetime Warranty This Warranty Does Not Cover:
against defects in materials and workmanship. Proof of Purchase must • Damage caused by abuse, accident, misuse, negligence, or improper
accompany all claims. During the warranty period Russound will replace any operation (installation).
defective part and correct any defect in workmanship without charge for
either parts or labor. • Products that have been altered or modified.
Russound may replace returned speakers with a product of equal value and • Any product whose identifying number or decal, serial #, etc. has been
performance. In such cases, some modifications to the mounting may be altered, defaced or removed.
necessary and are not Russound’s responsibility. • Normal wear and maintenance.
For this warranty to apply, the unit must be installed and used according to Due to our continual efforts to improve product quality as new technology
its written instructions. If necessary, repairs must be performed by Russound. and techniques become available, Russound/FMP, Inc. reserves the right to
The unit must be returned to Russound at the owner’s expense and with revise speaker systems specifications without notice.
prior written permission. Accidental damage and shipping damage are not
considered defects, nor is damage resulting from abuse or from servicing
performed by an agency or person not specifically authorized in writing by
Russound.
Russound products are sold only through authorized Dealers and Distributors
to ensure that customers obtain proper support and service. Russound reserves
the right to limit the warranty of products purchased from an unauthorized
dealer or other source, including retailers, mail order sellers, and online sellers,
to ninety (90) days from the date of purchase.
Damage to or destruction of components due to application of excessive
power voids the warranty on those parts. In these cases, repairs will be made
on the basis of the retail value of the parts and labor. To return for repairs, the
unit must be shipped to Russound at the owner’s expense, along with a note
explaining the nature of service required. Be sure to pack the speaker(s) in a
corrugated container with at least 3" (7.6 cm) of resilient material to protect the
unit from damage in transit.
Before returning the unit for repair, call Russound at 603.659.5170 for a Return
Authorization number. Write this number on the shipping label and ship to:
Russound
ATTN: Service
5 Forbes Road
Newmarket, NH 03857

Russound Acclaim Thin Bezel Loudspeaker Installation Manual 11

 Acclaim Thin
TM

Bezel Speakers
with magnetic grill
Installation Manual
©2013 Russound. All rights reserved. Russound, Inc.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 5 Forbes Road, Newmarket, NH 03857
Specifications are subject to change without notice. tel 603.659.5170 • fax 603.659.5388
Russound is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions. email: [email protected] www.russound.com
28-1373 04/24/13, Rev.1