Leviton Architectural Edition by JBL Indoor Speakers — User Guide

User guide for the Leviton Architectural Edition™ powered by JBL Indoor Speakers — Cat. Nos. AEC65 & AEC80 (Ceiling Speakers), AEI65 & AEI80 (In-Wall Speakers), and AEM65 (Dual Tweeter Stereo Ceiling Speaker).

Overview

Thank you for choosing Leviton Architectural Edition™ powered by JBL. Leviton recommends registering your product on their website to receive updates on the latest advancements.

Parts Included

• AEI65 and AEI80: one pair of speakers with grilles, plus a template/paint shield (remove the inner rectangle at the perforation before cutting drywall).
• AEC65 and AEC80: one pair of speakers with grilles, plus a template/paint shield.
• AEM65: one speaker with grille, plus a template/paint shield.

Speaker Placement

Proper placement of the speakers is an important step in obtaining the most realistic soundstage possible. These recommendations are guidelines — slight variations will not diminish listening pleasure.

• Front speakers: place the same distance from each other as they are from the listening position, at about the same height as the listener's ears, with tweeters aimed toward the listener at ear-level height.
• Rear/surround speakers (home theater): place slightly behind the listening position, ideally facing each other and higher than the listener's ears. If not possible, mount in a wall or ceiling behind the listening position, facing forward. Surround speakers should provide diffuse, ambient sound rather than call attention to themselves. In Dolby® Digital and DTS® systems, aim tweeters toward the listening position at ear level.
• Dual Tweeter Stereo Speaker (AEM65): plays two channels through one loudspeaker via its dual-tweeter/dual-voice-coil construction. For two-channel (stereo) applications (e.g., a single speaker in a remote room), install centrally in the ceiling, swiveling tweeters so one points left and the other right, aimed at ear level. May also be used for left/right surround channels in a 5.1 system (mount in ceiling slightly behind listening position, centered, tweeters pointing left/right) or for 7.1 systems using two AEM65 units (one per side, tweeters aimed away from each other toward front/rear of the room).

Speaker Connections

The wires for both speakers should be the same length — hide excess wire behind the wall if one speaker is closer to the amplifier. Speakers and electronics terminals have corresponding (+) and (−) terminals; Leviton Architectural Edition powered by JBL uses Red for (+) and Black for (−). Connect both speakers identically: (+) on the speaker to (+) on the amplifier, (−) to (−). Wiring "out of phase" results in thin sound, weak bass, and a poor stereo image.

To use the push-type speaker terminals: press the red (+) or black (−) cap for the desired terminal, insert the bare end of the speaker wire into the hole below the cap, and release the cap. Gently tug the wire to confirm it's fully inserted. The Red side (or ridged/coded side) of the wire is usually positive polarity. For wire runs inside the wall, use CL2/3 fire-rated cable per local codes.

Recommended Wire Gauge

Installation

Warning: to be installed and/or used in accordance with appropriate electrical codes and regulations. Leviton/JBL in-wall and ceiling speakers are designed for easy installation; if unsure of your ability to install properly, contact your dealer or a qualified installer. Speaker wire runs inside a wall must be fire-rated — consult your local electrical inspector when in doubt.

Tools required: pencil, measuring tape, carpenter's level, Phillips #2 screwdriver, utility knife, awl.

In-Wall Speaker Installation (Existing Construction)

1. Remove the grille from the speaker frame by pulling on the paper tab (or gently pry with an unfolded paper clip through a grille hole if the tab is missing).
2. Determine the correct speaker location. Remove the inner template (paint shield) at the perforation; use the outer template when cutting the drywall.
3. Always allow at least 1/2" between a wall stud and the speaker cutout, or the locking tabs will not swivel into place.
4. Cut the drywall.
5. Connect the speaker wires to the speaker.
6. Place the frame assembly in the wall.
7. Screw down each of the four Phillips head screws — the locking tabs will swivel into place and secure the unit to the rear of the drywall.
8. Replace the metal grille.

The speakers feature unique swivel mounts for the tweeters, letting you aim the directional high frequencies toward the listening position at ear-level height. Before installing the grille, gently press the outer edge of the tweeter mount to adjust its position — it will not swivel more than 15 degrees in any direction; do not force it further. You may also rotate the tweeter to orient the JBL logo as desired.

Ceiling Speaker Installation (Existing Construction)

Follow the same 8-step process as In-Wall installation. Note: Cat. No. AEM65 requires two sets of speaker wires, one for each channel. The dual tweeters on the AEM65 may be swiveled independently — for optimum imaging, aim them to the left and right of the listening position at ear-level height, if your application permits.

Painting the Speaker Frame and Grille

Leviton Architectural Edition powered by JBL loudspeakers can be painted to match any decor — the satin finish on the grille and frame functions as a primer coat. Before painting, install the paint shield (inner section of the template) securely into the recess in the baffle to protect speaker components. Use high-quality spray paint and apply a thin coat. Keep grille perforations free of paint — filling them will diminish sound quality. Gently remove the acoustical foam blanket from the grille before painting and reattach it after the paint dries.

Troubleshooting

• No sound from any speakers: check that the receiver/amplifier is on and a source is playing; check all wires/connections for frayed, cut, punctured, or touching wires; review proper receiver/amplifier operation.
• No sound from one speaker: check the "Balance" control on your receiver/amplifier; check wires and connections.
• Low or no bass output: confirm correct polarity (+/−) on left/right speaker inputs; consider adding a powered subwoofer; in Dolby Digital/DTS modes, confirm subwoofer output is enabled or that front/rear speakers are configured as "LARGE" if no subwoofer is used — see your receiver/processor's manual.
• System plays at low volumes but shuts off as volume increases: check all wires/connections for damage; if using more than one pair of main speakers, check the minimum-impedance requirements of your receiver/amplifier.

Specifications

† The maximum recommended amplifier power rating ensures proper system headroom for occasional peaks; sustained operation at these maximum power levels is not recommended. Dolby is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

Warranty

Leviton warrants to the original consumer purchaser that this product is free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal and proper use for five years from the purchase date. Leviton's only obligation is to correct such defects by repair or replacement, at its option, if returned prepaid with proof of purchase to Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc., Att: Quality Assurance Department, 59-25 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck, New York 11362-2591. This warranty excludes labor for removal/reinstallation and is void if the product is installed improperly, overloaded, misused, opened, abused, or altered.

Manufacturer Contact

Leviton Techline: 1-800-824-3005
www.leviton.com