Thiel Audio Products Speaker PowerPlane User Manual

THIEL  
Model  
PowerPlane™  
Coherent  
®
Source  
in-wall  
loudspeaker  
system  
OWNER INFORMATION  
 
Vertical speaker mounting to the frame  
studs may require using two adjustable  
mounting adapters (shown at left), available  
in 16" and 24" lengths. These adapters can  
be ordered from THIEL.  
VERTICAL MOUNTING  
(Step one through four views  
shown from rear of wall)  
Step Four  
Step One  
Step Two  
Step Three  
After the wall opening is cut  
using the template, place the  
adapter so that the metal side  
is flush with the bottom of the  
wall opening. Slide the  
Further secure the adapter by  
running a screw through the  
end of the adapter’s metal  
flange into the wall stud.  
Repeat on the other side.  
Once the adapter is mounted,  
and adjusted, run one screw  
through the top of the metal  
piece into the wood below to  
secure the two adapter pieces  
together.  
Repeat the previous  
instructions for securing  
the upper adapter, with  
the metal side of the  
adapter flush with the  
top wall opening. Install  
the speaker as shown in  
Step Three of the  
adjustable metal section so  
that its metal flange is against  
the studs. Hammer both sides  
of the adapter’s metal tongs  
into the studs.  
horizontal mounting.  
CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS  
The PowerPlane uses 5-way binding posts which accept several types of speaker cable termination. Make sure that all  
connections are tight. For proper performance, speakers in a multi-speaker system must be wired in the same polarity. The  
speaker’s input terminals are color coded to facilitate this. The wire connected to the red ringed input terminal of each speaker  
should connect to the respective positive (+) output terminal of the amplifier; the wire connected to the black ringed input  
terminal should be connected to the respective negative (–) output terminal of the amplifier. The speakers should be connected  
to the amplifier with high quality cable to ensure minimal loss of power and proper control by the amplifier.  
Due to European CE regulations that do not permit banana plug type loudspeaker connections, we ship THIEL speakers with  
removable plugs installed in the ends of the binding posts. If you wish to use banana plug type connections, you may remove the  
black plastic plug inserted into the end of each metal binding post cap. To remove the plug, use your fingernail to pry along the  
bottom edge of the plastic insert and lift out.  
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT  
The PowerPlane is a very high quality sound reproducer and will benefit from use with high quality associated equipment.  
Since it is extremely accurate, it will reveal sources of distortion generated elsewhere in the system. For example, distortion  
resulting from poor recordings or inferior electronics will be reproduced accurately.  
BREAK-IN  
The PowerPoint, like most speakers, requires a period of playing before they perform optimally. The time depends on how  
loudly the speakers are played; more time is required if played softly, less if played loudly. At least 50 hours at moderately  
loud levels are required before the speaker is performing near optimum.  
 
POWER REQUIREMENTS  
It is important to have enough power to play at the level you desire without distortion. If high sound levels are desired, the  
PowerPoint’s are designed to be used with amplifiers rated up to 200 watts per channel (into 8 ohms). If you play the  
speakers more loudly than the volume the amplifier can cleanly produce, the amplifier will produce overload (clipping)  
distortion. The sound will become compressed, strained, and in extreme cases, obviously distorted. This distortion is actually  
non-musical additional energy and since it is concentrated in the high frequency region where the speaker is least able to  
handle it, tweeters can be damaged in extreme cases.  
Keep in mind that sound quality is usually much more important than sound quantity. There can be large differences in the  
sonic performance of two amplifiers of equal power, and this is more important than large differences in power. Most  
everyone will be happier with a 100 watt amplifier of high sonic quality than a 200 watt amplifier of mediocre sonic quality.  
For this reason, we feel there is no substitute for listening in making your amplifier decision.  
The question “how much power do I need?” does not have the simple answer most people expect because it is not  
determined only by the loudspeaker’s efficiency, but also by the volume desired and the size of the room. If all three factors  
are average, about 100 watts per channel is required. Each factor can raise or lower this amount by about three times.  
1) Usually, people who “don’t like music loud” can decrease their power to about one-half. Also, people who like music  
loud should increase their power by 2 times or more. Most people fall within a normal range.  
2) A speaker with a low efficiency of 84 dB/W-m will require twice the power of an average 87 dB/W-m speaker and one  
with a high rating of 90 dB/W-m will require only half the power of an average speaker. The PowerPlane is of above average  
efficiency (89 dB) and therefore requires less than an average amount of power for average volume levels.  
3) A small room will need less power for a given loudness level than a large room. A very small room of 1000 cu ft (11' x  
11' with an 8' ceiling) will require about half the power of an average size room. A large room of 6000 cu ft (20' x 30' with a  
10' ceiling) will require twice the average power. If the listening room is connected to another room by a large open area, the  
required power will increase, but not by the amount of the combined room volume. If the room has a “dropped” ceiling with  
light panels, the ceiling will be almost transparent acoustically and the space above the ceiling should be added. If the panels  
are heavy they will act as a more normal ceiling.  
In conclusion, a person who doesn’t like to play music very loudly and has a small room can get quality sound with the  
PowerPlane with as little as 30 watts whereas a person who sometimes likes to play loudly and has a large room may need  
200 watts or more.  
GRILLE  
The PowerPoint’s grille is magnetically attached to the cabinet and can be removed by gently prying the grille forward. The  
PowerPlane grille can be made more opaque for visual reasons, but with a small amount of sonic degradation, by adding the  
included “scrim” to the back of the grille. To install the scrim, first remove the metal grille and apply a coating of spray  
adhesive to the rear of the grille. After the adhesive becomes tacky, press the scrim to the grille starting at the center and  
working outward making sure the scrim adheres to the grille everywhere it makes contact.  
PAINTING THE FRONT PANEL  
The PowerPlane is shipped with an off-white finish, but can be painted any desired  
color. To paint the speaker, first remove the grille and then the driver trim ring by  
removing the six mounting screws. Place the mask over the driver, then place the  
trim ring on top of the mask. Painting should be done prior to installing the scrim, as  
mentioned above.  
Painting mask placement  
SERVICE  
If your speaker system requires service, contact your authorized THIEL dealer. If you need to contact THIEL, service  
information and technical support is available at (606) 254-9427, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or via  
e-mail at [email protected].  
 
REPLACING THE COAXIAL TWEETER MODULE  
In the unlikely event that your PowerPlane loudspeaker requires service, the entire  
coaxial driver can be removed from the front of the cabinet, or the tweeter module  
can be replaced separately without removing the woofer.  
To replace just the tweeter module, bend the end of small paper clip and hook it under  
the module’s protective screen. While applying pressure against the screen with two  
fingers, slowly pull the module out. When installing the new tweeter, position it so that  
both module pins are placed in the two socket holes of the magnet system. Make sure  
that the pin marked with a red dot is inserted into the red marked hole. After the new  
module is inserted, push hard on the screen with some lateral force in all directions to  
insure that the tweeter is firmly seated and sealed.  
POWERPLANE CABINET DIMENSIONS  
in millimeters and inches  
475 18-11/16"  
Input  
Grille covers  
shaded area  
Mounting  
holes  
NOTE:INPUT CAN  
BE INSTALLED IN  
THE DOWN POSITION  
406  
16"  
FRONT VIEW  
SIDE VIEW  
475  
18-11/16"  
Depth required behind wall surface: 3 78"  
Required wall opening: 9 12" x 14" min.  
10 12" x 15" max.  
356  
406  
14"  
16"  
TOP/BOTTOM VIEW  
 
THIEL POWERPLANE SPECIFICATIONS  
Amplitude Response  
75 Hz-20 kHz ±3 dB  
Minimum ±10°  
Phase Response  
Sensitivity  
Impedance  
Recommended Power  
Size  
4 ohms (3 ohms minimum)  
30-200 watts  
11.5 " H x 4" D x 19" L (horizontal)  
11 pounds  
Weight  
LIMITED 10 YEAR WARRANTY  
THIEL warrants every THIEL PowerPlane system against defects in materials and workmanship to the original owner for  
a period of ten years from the date of purchase. THIEL will, at no charge, replace any defective part and make any repairs  
necessary to ensure its proper performance when the defective unit is returned to us postpaid.  
This warranty does not cover damage due to accident or abuse and is void if the unit has been tampered with.  
This warranty is automatic and no registration is required. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also  
have other rights which are particular to your state.  
The following information is for your records.  
Serial Numbers______________________________  
Purchase Date_______________________________  
Purchased From_____________________________  
CONTRIBUTOR  
HARDWOOD  
FORESTRY FUND  
THIEL  
1026 Nandino Boulevard  
Lexington, Kentucky 40511-1207  
06/00  
 

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