OEM Systems IW-SYS3 In-Wall Audio System — Owner's Manual

Owner's manual for the OEM Systems IW-SYS3 In-Wall Audio System — a dual-zone AM/FM/CD/AUX/USB audio entertainment system designed to mount horizontally between 2x4 wall studs on 16" centers.

Important Safety Instructions

• Do not use this apparatus near water (bathtub, sink, wet basement, pool, etc.).
• Mount to the wall per the mounting dimensions; do not block ventilation openings.
• Do not install near heat sources.
• Clean with a slightly dampened cloth only — no harsh chemicals or solvents.
• Speaker wiring: use #18 AWG stranded wire or larger (18/2 AWG stranded preferred).
• Unplug during lightning storms or long periods of disuse.
• If using an outdoor antenna, ensure proper grounding per NEC Section 810 to protect against voltage surges and static discharge.
• Service required if the power cord/plug is damaged, liquid/objects enter the unit, it's exposed to rain, or dropped/damaged.

Overview / Features

The IW-SYS3 is a dual-zone audio system with Digital Clock, Alarm & Snooze functions, and a full-function remote control. It plays CDs and AM/FM radio (60 presets: 30 AM, 30 FM). The auxiliary input connects an MP3 player or other audio device; the front USB port plays audio files from a USB flash drive. Suitable for whole-house audio systems capable of driving up to 8 pairs of 8-ohm loudspeakers.

• Digital AM/FM tuner with Auto Seek
• CD transport (accepts audio CDs, CD-R, CD-RW with MP3/WMA files)
• Front USB port (MP3/WMA playback, up to 192 tracks, FAT32 only — NTFS not supported)
• Remote control included
• Adjustable LCD display w/ LED backlight (4 brightness levels, 2 contrast levels)
• Digital clock with dual independent alarms (Radio, Aux, Buzzer, CD, or USB alert sources)
• Sleep/timer function (10–90 minutes in 10-minute increments)
• Independent Bass & Treble controls (±6 range) plus 5 preset EQ modes
• Zone B paging via built-in microphone
• Audio muting, Intro scan, track/preset programming, ID3 metadata display
• UL Listed; 2-Year Limited Warranty

Specifications

What's in the Box

IW-SYS3 In-Wall Audio System, Remote Control (batteries not included), AM Antenna, FM Antenna w/ balun, Black Button™ Wire Clamp Connector, (4) Mounting Screws, (5) Screw Caps, Owner's Manual.

Compatible accessories (from OEM Systems Company): mainstation MS-D1 (connects via AUX cable), IWM-2RGRG In-Wall Jack Plate (connects via AUX input).

Tools needed: Drywall saw, #2 Phillips screwdriver, double-insulated CL2/CL3 speaker wire, power drill with 7/64" (2.8mm) bit, stud finder, level, wire stripper.

Front Panel Controls

Operations Reference

Intro Scan

Plays the first 10 seconds of each CD/USB audio track. Press INTRO to start; press again to release.

Random (Shuffle)

Mixes CD/USB playback order, playing through all tracks before repeating. Press RANDOM to activate; press again to release.

Repeat

First press repeats a single track; second press repeats the entire disc/drive; third press cancels repeat.

Programming Radio Presets

1. Tune to the desired frequency.
2. Press MEMORY — the display flashes a preset number (1–30).
3. Select the desired preset with the PRESET buttons (times out after 3 seconds of inactivity).
4. Press MEMORY again to store — preset number increments automatically for the next station.

Programming CD/USB Playback Order

1. Select CD or USB input and let it initialize/begin playing.
2. Press STOP.
3. Press MEMORY — display shows P-01 001 (program mode).
4. Select a track with the navigation buttons, then press MEMORY to store it (advances to P-02, etc.).
5. Repeat for additional tracks, then press PLAY to begin programmed playback.

Note: Programming is lost when the input is changed or STOP is pressed.

Auto-Programming Radio Stations

Press and hold AS/PS for 1 second to auto-program up to 30 FM or 30 AM stations for the currently selected band (60 total both bands). Press AS/PS to preview all 30 presets (5 sec each, starting/ending at preset 1); press again to stop and stay on the current station.

Clock Set / Display

Press and hold CLOCK-SET for 1 second to enter setup, then step through: Hour → Minute → 12H/24H format → Display brightness (4 levels) → Display contrast (2 levels) → SET OK. You can skip through to any specific setting by continuing to press CLOCK-SET; skipped settings remain unchanged.

Using the Alarms

Each of the two independent alarms can use a different alert source (Radio, Aux, Buzzer, CD, or USB — default is Radio). Alarm 2's buzzer has a higher pitch than Alarm 1's.

To program: Press and hold ALARM 1 or 2 for 1 second, then step through Hour → Minute → Ring source → Volume (default 20) → SET OK. Ensure the chosen alert source has active content (e.g., a CD loaded) or no sound will play. Press the ALARM button to toggle it active/inactive without losing programming. Note: alarm and clock settings are lost on power failure.

Preset EQ Settings

Numeric Keypad (Remote)

The 10+ button toggles between 1, 2, or 3-digit entry mode (shown as dashes on the display), letting you directly access radio presets 1–30 or tracks 1–999 depending on the digit count needed. 2-digit mode is most commonly useful.

Sleep Timer

Press SLEEP to activate — starts at 90 minutes; each additional press within 5 seconds decreases by 10 minutes (down to 10). After 5 seconds of no input, the timer locks in and the system will auto-off at the countdown's end. Press SLEEP again while in sleep mode to cancel.

Troubleshooting

Rear Connections

Pre-Amp Out & Aux In

Pre-Amp Audio Out jacks (above the AM antenna input) accommodate RCA plugs for external connection to another amplifier's inputs; output level is variable, controlled by Master Volume. Aux In RCA jacks (above the FM antenna input) accept line-level audio from most components, or headphone outputs of personal audio players (phonograph requires a phono preamp). Use shielded cables for all connections. Switch off both the IW-SYS3 and connected amplifier before wiring. Note: the Page function is not available on Pre-Amp outputs.

Antennas

Connect the supplied AM antenna to the Motorola-style AM jack; secure the FM dipole antenna leads under the balun screws, then connect the balun to the F-style 75-ohm FM jack. These should suffice for good reception in most cases. For poor reception areas, try repositioning antennas within the wall first (non-metallic tool) before resorting to an attic-mounted antenna, which should be installed by a qualified person with a coaxial run and proper grounding per NEC guidelines.

Speaker Connections

Two internal stereo amplifiers drive two speaker pairs: Main Speaker Pair A (BASE, for nearby speakers) and Auxiliary Speaker Pair B (independent volume, also carries Page audio). Handles up to four 8-ohm speakers per channel. Recommended wire: 18 AWG minimum, 16 AWG preferred.

1. Strip ~1/2" (13mm) insulation from each conductor.
2. Open the terminal latches.
3. Insert conductors observing polarity (+ to +, – to –) — reversed polarity causes reduced/weak bass.
4. Flip the latch to secure.

Multiple speaker pairs on one output must be wired in parallel (not series), maintaining a combined impedance no less than 2 ohms. If using autoformer-type volume controls with impedance multiplication, set them to 1X unless the combined load is below 2 ohms.

Mounting Instructions

Caution: Do not install in an exterior wall.

1. Use a stud finder to locate studs (interior wall only).
2. Check for concealed obstructions (wiring, plumbing, ducts) that may run through the wall cavity from adjacent rooms/floors.
3. Inspect the wall interior/attic/crawlspace for obstructions using inspection tools if needed.
4. Mark the cutout using the mounting dimensions, ensuring it's level.
5. Cut the hole (a drywall saw works cleanly on drywall).
6. Run wiring if not already in place.
7. Mark and predrill the 4 attachment holes (7/64"/2.8mm bit suggested) — can be marked by positioning the unit in the cutout and marking through its 4 front holes with a scribe.
8. Make audio, antenna, and AC connections.
9. Screw the unit to the wall using the 4 provided screws.
10. Install the 4 screw caps over the mounting holes.

Mounting Dimensions

• Opening in wall: 14-1/4" W x 5-1/4" H x 3-3/4" D (studs on 16" centers)
• Face plate: 17-7/8" W x 6-1/8" H, face relief 4-5/8"
• Mounting screws: #2 Phillips pan head, 3.5mm x 40mm x 4pcs; pilot hole ø7/64" (2.8mm)

AC Power Connection

Warning: This installation should be made only by a qualified service person, conforming to all local codes.

1. De-energize the branch circuit — verify no power is present.
2. Remove the metal cover of the AC Electrical Wiring Compartment (2 Phillips screws).
3. For flexible Romex®-style sheathed cable, use the supplied Black Button™ Wire Clamp (or your own cable clamp).
4. Snap the Wire Clamp into the 7/8" hole at the bottom of the wiring compartment.
5. Strip ~4" (100mm) of jacket from the electrical cable, then 1/2"–5/8" (13–16mm) of insulation from each conductor. Ensure the transformer primary wiring inside has the same amount of exposed conductor.
6. Push the cable through the wire clamp until the jacket passes through.
7. Connect GROUND (AC supply) to the GREEN pigtail lead (labeled EARTH) with a properly sized wire nut.
8. Connect NEUTRAL (usually white) to the BLUE transformer primary wire (labeled AC) with a wire nut.
9. Connect HOT (black) to the BROWN transformer primary wire (labeled AC) with a wire nut.
10. Reinstall the metal wiring compartment cover.
11. Complete other rear-panel connections (speakers, antennas, etc.).

The plastic-sheathed electrical wire must pass through a wire clamp when entering the wiring compartment.

Warranty

2-Year Limited Warranty on the IW-SYS3 In-Wall Audio System.