W283, W263, W253L
In-Wall Architectural
Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual
2
In-Wall Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual
About Revel
®
IN-WAll SpeAkeRS
Since the first Revel
®
speakers in 1996, Revel products have stood at
the forefront of loudspeaker design and performance. Revel in-wall
loudspeakers draw upon the same research, resources and unique
perspective that put all Revel loudspeakers in a class by themselves.
Revel in-wall loudspeakers provide unparalleled value and are known
for their standard-setting low sonic coloration and their freedom from
distortion over an extraordinarily wide dynamic range.
IN-WAll loudSpeAkeR HIgHlIgHtS
• Long-throw woofers with rubber surrounds provide high output with
low distortion.
• 1-inch (25mm) metal-dome tweeter with an integrated waveguide
provides optimized response both on and off axis.
• High-order crossover network delivers accurate timbre reproduction.
• Dual-woofer model (W253L) is ideal for installation as left/center/
right speakers with a wall-mounted flat-screen TV.
pRoduct RegIStRAtIoN
Please take a moment to register your product on our Web site at www.
revelspeakers.com. You’ll enable us to keep you posted on our latest
advancements and help us to understand our customers and build
products that meet their needs and expectations.
box coNteNtS
Your Revel in-wall loudspeaker box should contain the following items:
1 x Revel in-wall loudspeaker
1 x rectangular grille
1 x extra scrim cloth for rectangular grille (with attached foam pads)
1 x mounting template
1 x instruction manual
uNpAckINg tHe SpeAkeR
Carefully unpack the speaker. If you suspect damage from transit, report
it immediately to your dealer and/or delivery service. Keep the shipping
carton and packing materials for future use.
INStAllAtIoN coNSIdeRAtIoNS
Your new Revel loudspeakers have been engineered to provide
extremely accurate performance. However, any speaker’s ultimate
performance will be affected by the speaker’s placement in the listening
room and the acoustics of the room. Not all listening spaces can
accommodate the ideal conditions of these two factors. Therefore,
careful attention to the placement of your Revel in-wall loudspeakers
will have a significant impact on the general performance of the
loudspeakers.
documeNtAtIoN coNveNtIoNS
This document contains general safety, installation and operation
instructions for the Revel
®
W283, W263, W253L in-wall
loudspeakers. It is important to read this document before
attempting to use this product. Pay particular attention to:
WARNING: Calls attention to a procedure,
practice, condition or the like that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to, could result
in injury or death.
CAUTION: Calls attention to a procedure, practice,
condition or the like that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part
of or the entire product.
Note: Calls attention to information that aids in the
installation or operation of the product.
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In-Wall Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual
Although the Revel W253L is designed for use primarily as front left,
center and front right speakers in a home theater system, the high-order
crossover networks employed in all Revel in-wall speakers provide very
smooth response over a wide listening area, allowing you to use any
model in any application with excellent results.
Note: All Revel in-wall speakers, including the W253L, can be used in
either horizontal or vertical orientation.
loudSpeAkeR plAcemeNt foR tWo-cHANNel
SteReo
Place the left and right loudspeakers the same distance from the
primary listening area (or as close to the same distance as possible). The
distance from each speaker to its nearest side wall should also be the
as close to the same distance as possible.
Equal
Distance
Left
Speaker
Right
Speaker
Equal
Distance
Ideally, the distance between the left and right loudspeakers should be
slightly less than their distance from the primary listening area.
loudSpeAkeR plAcemeNt foR Home tHeAteR
• The front left and front right loudspeakers should be located on
either side of the video display, with their tweeters as close to ear
level as possible.
2' (0.6m)
or less
As close to screen
as practical
• The front left and front right loudspeakers should be relatively close
to the sides of the video display. For example, front left and front
right loudspeakers used with a 50-in (1.3m) video display should
generally not be more than 80 in (2m) apart.
• The center loudspeaker should be aligned with the center of the
video display. Its tweeter should be no more than 2 ft (0.6m) above
or below the tweeters of the front left and front right speakers.
5.1-Channel Surround Speaker Placement
• In a 5.1-channel system, the surround left and surround right
loudspeakers should be located to the sides of the main listening
area, 5 ft – 7 ft (1.5m – 2.1m) from the floor.
Front Left Front RightCenter
Video Display
Surround
Left
Surround
Right
7.1-Channel Surround Speaker Placement
• In a 7.1-channel system, the surround left and surround right
loudspeakers should be located directly to the sides of the main
listening area, 5 ft – 7 ft (1.5m – 2.1m) from the floor.
• In a 7.1-channel system, the surround back left and surround back
right loudspeakers should be located on the rear wall, 3 ft – 6 ft
(0.9m – 1.8m) apart and at 5 ft – 7 ft (1.5m – 2.1m) from the floor.
Front Left Front RightCenter
Video Display
3' – 6'
(0.9m – 1.8m)
Surround
Left
Surround
Right
Surround
Back Right
Surround
Back Left
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In-Wall Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual
INStAllAtIoN INStRuctIoNS
Revel architectural speakers are extremely easy to install. However, if
you are unable to understand and follow the instructions in this manual
clearly and fully, or if you are unsure of your ability to install these
loudspeakers properly, please contact your dealer or a qualified installer.
WARNING: HARMAN International assumes
no responsibility for improper installation of
hardware or for any personal injuries or product
damages resulting from improper installation or
a fallen loudspeaker.
coNNectINg to tHe AmplIfIeR
CAUTION: REMOVE POWER
You must connect the speaker wires before the speaker is fully
installed. To protect the audio system from damage and yourself
from injury through accidental electrical shorting and surges
during installation, turn all audio system power OFF before
beginning the speaker installation.
Speaker Wire
Use high-quality speaker wire to obtain the best performance from your
Revel in-wall speakers.
• For wire lengths of less than 50 ft (15m), use at least 16-gauge
speaker wire.
• For wire lengths between 50 ft and 100 ft (15m – 30m), use at least
12-gauge speaker wire.
• For wire lengths of greater than 100 ft (30m), use at least 10-gauge
speaker wire.
Note: All speaker wires must comply with all local building and
safety codes for use in in-wall applications.
Making Connections
Connect each channel’s positive (+) terminal on the back of the amplifier
or receiver to the positive (red) terminal on the corresponding speaker;
connect each channel’s negative (–) terminal on the back of the amplifier
or receiver to the negative (black) terminal on the corresponding
speaker. Do not reverse polarities (that is, do not connect + to –, or – to
+) when making connections. Doing so will cause poor imaging and
diminished bass response.
Negative Terminal
(Black)
Positive Terminal
(Red)
Press down on the terminal’s tab to open the hole; insert the bare end of
the wire into the hole; and release the tab to secure the wire.
CAUTION: To avoid short circuits that may damage your
equipment, be certain that positive and negative wire strands
do not touch each other and do not touch metal parts on the
speaker.
mouNtINg tHe SpeAkeRS
For New Construction
If you wish to pre-install a rough-in frame for the speakers before the
drywall is installed in new construction, you will need to purchase
the correct rough-in frame kit for your loudspeaker model from your
authorized Revel dealer. Detailed mounting instructions are supplied
with the rough-in kit. After the drywall is installed, follow the
installation instructions in For Existing Construction, below.
For Existing Construction
Note: The installation procedure is the same for all models
covered by this manual.
1. Ensure that the drywall, plywood or other wall material is 1/2" – 2"
(13mm – 51mm) thick and capable of withstanding the weight of the
speaker being installed.
Make sure to allow at least 3/4" (19mm) between the edge of the
supplied installation template and any studs or other obstructions
behind the wall, so the speaker’s locking mechanism will have room to
engage fully. Perform an obstruction survey to be sure that there are no
studs, lengths of conduit, pipes, heating ducts or air returns in the stud
bay that could interfere with the speaker.
3/4"
(19mm)
3/4"
(19mm)
3/4"
(19mm)
Mounting
Opening
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In-Wall Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual
2. Determine the correct speaker location and use the template included
with the speaker to mark the wall material.
3. Cut the drywall along the mark you made in Step 2 to create the
mounting opening.
4. Connect the speaker to the amplifier as explained in Connecting to the
Amplifier, on page 5.
5. Make sure all of the speaker clamps are retracted in their “ready-to-
mount” position at the tops of the mount towers, tucked within the
mounting opening's border.
Speaker Clamps in
Ready-to-Mount
Position
6. Insert the speaker straight into the mounting opening. Tighten the
speaker clamp screws on the front of the speaker baffle. The speaker
clamps will automatically rotate into position and begin clamping the
speaker.
• When you notice resistance on the screws the speaker has been
clamped successfully.
Insert Speaker
Straight Into
Mounting Cut-Out
Tighten
Clamping
Screws
All Clamps
Inside
Mounting
Cut-Out
IMPORTANT: Always use low-torque settings. NEVER
over-tighten the clamp screws.
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In-Wall Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual
7. Attach the supplied grille. Powerful magnets in the speaker frame will
securely hold the grille in place. Be sure that it is attached evenly, and
that the edges of the grille extend over the baffle on all sides.
Adjusting the tension of the speaker clamps so that the speaker frame
is flat will help ensure that the grille contacts the wall all the way
around the speaker for a proper fit.
Attach Supplied Grille
Painting the Grille
Revel architectural loudspeaker grilles can be painted to match any
décor. If you wish to change the grille’s color, its satin finish will function
as a primer coat. For the best results follow this procedure:
1. Gently remove the scrim cloth from the back side of the grille before
painting.
2. Use a high-quality spray paint and apply a thin coat of color. Ensure
that the grille perforations remain free of paint. Filling them with
paint will diminish the speaker’s sound quality. If any perforations are
plugged, use compressed air to blow the paint out of the perforations.
Note: If you find any grille perforations that are plugged with paint
after the paint has dried, carefully use a straight pin or sewing
needle to remove the paint.
3. We have included a replacement scrim cloth. After the paint has
dried, apply a light coat of spray adhesive to the inside of the
perforated grille and attach a new scrim cloth. IMPORTANT: Never
spray adhesive on the cloth. The scrim cloth has pre-attached foam
pads that help prevent the grille from vibrating against the ceiling.
exceSSIve output levelS
Your Revel loudspeakers feature custom-designed transducers and
high-quality network components featuring high-order filters with steep
cutoffs that reduce the potential of damage to individual speaker drivers
and help the loudspeakers maintain their performance even under
extreme operating conditions. However, all loudspeakers have limits
when it comes to continuous playback. To extend these limits, avoid
playback at volume levels that result in distorted or strained sound.
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In-Wall Architectural Loudspeaker
Instruction Manual
obtAININg SeRvIce
To obtain service, contact an authorized Revel dealer. Refer to Limited Warranty, below, for more information.
dImeNSIoNS
Mounting Opening
Dimensions (H x W)
Mounting Depth Overall Dimensions
(w/grille, H x W x D)
W283 11-15/16" x 8-15/16" (303mm x 227mm) 3-11/16" (93mm) 13" x 10" x 3-7/8" (330mm x 254mm x 98mm)
W263 9-13/16" x 7-9/32" (249mm x 185mm) 3-7/16" (88mm) 10-7/8" x 8-3/8" x 3-11/16"
(276mm x 212mm x 93mm)
W253L 14-1/8" x 6-7/16" (359mm x 163mm) 3-7/16" (88mm) 15-1/8" x 7-7/16" x 3-11/16"
(384mm x 188mm x 93mm)
Dimensions are subject to change without notice.
For complete performance specifications, please go to the Revel Web site: www.revelspeakers.com.
HARMAN
International Industries, Incorporated
8500 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91329
© 2012 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Revel and the Revel logo are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries,
Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries.
Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.
For questions, assistance or additional information concerning any of our
products, call us at: (516) 594-0300 or (888) 691-4171.
For technical support, submit your detailed inquiry to:[email protected].
Part No. REVP4907 Rev. A
www.revelspeakers.com
lImIted WARRANty
Revel Series speakers are warranted against defects. The duration of the speaker’s warranty depends on the laws in the country in which it was
purchased. Your local Revel
®
retailer can help you determine the length of your warranty.
