Russound AW10-LSUB-BR 10" In-Ground Landscape Subwoofer — Installation Manual

Installation manual for the Russound AW10-LSUB-BR — a 10" in-ground landscape subwoofer designed for professional installation, providing high-quality bass enhancement to outdoor audio systems in even the harshest environmental conditions.

Overview

The AW10-LSUB-BR in-ground subwoofer is designed to withstand both extreme heat and cold, from humid Florida summers to bone-chilling Minnesota winters. It pairs well with the AW4-LS-BR landscape satellite speaker but can be added to any outdoor audio system.

Assembling the Subwoofer

1. Unpack the contents; use the included carrying support rope when lifting the subwoofer from the box.
2. Examine the silicone elbow — the smaller end attaches to the subwoofer body, the larger end attaches to the port tube.
3. Place a stainless steel clamp ring on each end of the silicone elbow (two different sizes provided, one per end).
4. Attach the small end of the silicone elbow to the subwoofer body port opening.
5. Before tightening, determine port tube orientation — rotate the elbow so the speaker wire connection and tap setting adjustment are best positioned for your installation.
6. Tighten the clamp ring with a screwdriver until fully secure — a good seal prevents water penetration and audio issues.
7. Attach the canopy to the large end of the silicone elbow, ensuring it forms a 90° angle with the subwoofer and is fully seated; tighten the clamp ring.
8. Adjust the tap setting switch: remove the cover by turning it counter-clockwise. Use the 8Ω setting for low-impedance amplifiers/receivers, or one of the 70V/100V settings for 70V/100V amplifiers. The subwoofer typically has better bass performance at 8Ω but is designed for 70V/100V operation.
9. Make wiring connections using the included weatherproof wire nuts, then turn on your amplifier(s).
10. Lower the subwoofer into the hole. Russound recommends a 1-2" layer of pea gravel at the bottom for drainage; the subwoofer and canopy should sit level (verify with a bubble level).
11. Before covering, verify system operation and set proper volume/tap levels while it's still accessible.
12. Once verified, replace the tap setting cover and hand-tighten; bury the subwoofer and wiring.
13. Pack dirt evenly as you fill the hole so the subwoofer doesn't rotate out of position.
14. When finished, the canopy bottom edge should sit 6"–8" above ground level.

Choosing an Installation Location

• Covers approximately 2,000 sq ft (185.8 m²); space subwoofers roughly 50 ft (15.2 m) apart.
• Avoid placement near walls or building foundations — proximity to a wall increases bass ~3dB, and a corner adds another ~3dB, which can cause unwanted vibration/sound intrusion into adjacent structures.
• Ensure the location has proper drainage — a low-lying, flood-prone area can damage the subwoofer if water rises through the port tube canopy.
• Verify no obstructions or underground utilities are present. In the U.S., dial 811 (1-888-344-7233) before digging.
• Recommended mounting depth: 15–17", leaving 6–8" of port tube/cap above ground. Add a 1-2" layer of pea gravel at the bottom for drainage (dig slightly deeper to accommodate).
• Mounting hole size: approximately 15"W x 30"L x 17-19"D (38.1 x 76.2 x 43.2-48.3 cm).
• Withstands occasional hits from landscape tools but can be damaged by lawn mowers or motorized equipment — placing near bushes, shrubs, or rock decorations can help protect it.

Painting

The canopy and port tube surfaces can be painted to match landscape décor — recommended before installation. Use any high-quality spray paint, but avoid painting the underside of the canopy, which has a mesh insect/rodent guard that can clog and interfere with sound transmission if blocked (mask this area).

Wiring Connections

Before wiring, ensure the tap setting switch (under the rear cover cap) is set to either 70V/100V for 70V/100V systems, or 8Ω for standard low-impedance amplifiers/receivers. Leave enough wire slack to protect it after testing — bury at least 6" underground or per local code, or run it through conduit. While maintaining proper polarity, twist wire leads and insert into the included waterproof wire nuts; tighten securely and test before burying or closing junction boxes.

Available Tap Settings

• 70V – 8W, 16W, 32W, 64W, 128W
• 100V – 16W, 32W, 64W
• 8Ω Bypass

Adjust the tap setting by removing the weatherproof rear cap (turn counterclockwise). When adjusting, keep total wattage of all connected speakers (including subwoofers) at or below 80% of the amplifier's rated power to leave 20% headroom. Re-attach and hand-tighten the rear cap when finished.

70V/100V Wiring Notes

• 70V/100V wiring runs a single 2-conductor stranded wire to every speaker location (leaving a small loop of 2-3 ft), using much less wire (and thinner gauge, even for longer runs) than low-impedance wiring.
• 70V/100V systems are typically wired in mono — one two-conductor run per speaker chain — connecting red wires to the positive (+) terminal and black wires to the negative (-) terminal at each speaker.
• Wire gauge should be chosen based on run length: for low-impedance loads at greater distance, use heavier gauge wire (see manual's full wire-length/impedance chart for details across 4Ω, 8Ω, and 70V speaker configurations at 6–24 AWG).
• Fully test the entire system — wiring, speakers, volume levels — before filling any trench or covering cable.

8-Ohm (Low Impedance) Wiring

1. Strip 1-2" off the cable jacket, then 1/2" of insulation off each wire.
2. Twist wire strands together so none are separated from the bundle.
3. Connect to speaker terminals observing proper polarity (red wire to positive/red terminal, black wire to negative/black terminal — note cable color-coding conventions vary: copper vs. silver for clear-jacket cable, ribs/grooves/stripe/dotted line to mark positive on same-colored-wire cable).
4. Check for stray wire strands outside the terminals; reconnect if found.

Prewiring: Run a separate 2-conductor stranded copper cable of at least 16 AWG (1.5mm) from amplifier to each speaker. Recommended minimum gauge by run length: 16 AWG for 0-100 ft, 14 AWG for 50-150 ft, 12 AWG for 100-200 ft. Keep speaker cable at least 12" (30cm) from AC power cable runs to minimize interference; cross AC wiring at right angles if unavoidable.

Technical Specifications

Speaker Care

These sealed-construction speakers need very little care — occasionally wipe with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use harsh detergents, chemical solvents, or abrasive materials, and never spray water or other liquids into the grilles.

Warranty

Russound guarantees the AW10-LSUB-BR against defects in materials and workmanship for 5 years from purchase date, covering parts and labor for repair by Russound (unit must be shipped at owner's expense with prior written authorization). Warranty does not cover damage from abuse, accident, misuse, negligence, improper installation, power surges/lightning, normal wear, product alteration, or removed serial numbers. Products purchased from unauthorized dealers/distributors are not covered. Contact Russound at (603) 659-5170 for a Return Authorization number before shipping any unit for repair.