7
AQUICK
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Before returning a B.I.C Ceiling Speaker
for service, it’s a good idea to check out these
simple remedies first.
No sound from the speaker
1. Incorrect source selected on receiver or
preamplifier.
2. Mute button pressed on receiver.
3. Wrong speaker output selected – many
receivers have an “A” and “B” speaker
switch. Make sure it’s in the right position.
4. Unsecure connection at either the speaker
or amplifier – double check them.
5. Balance control turned all the way left or
right – return it to center.
6. Surround mode not turned on and/or
surround level too low.
7. Bad connecting cable between sound
source and amplifier – try a new cable.
8. Defective speaker – contact your B.I.C
dealer or call 1-877-558-4242.
Intermittent sound from speaker or
speaker plays initially but then shuts off.
1. Short circuit at either the amplifier or
speaker connectors is activating the amp’s
protection circuits – double check connec-
tions, making sure no stray strands of wire
from one conductor are touching the other.
Speakers plays but sound is mixed
with hum
1. It could be a faulty patch cord. If so, there
will be hum from your main speaker system
as well as from your B.I.C Ceiling Speakers.
Assuming you didn’t have hum in your system
before, one or both of the speaker wires has
been run too close to internal AC house
wiring. Re-route it so that it stays at least
2 feet away from AC power wiring when
running parallel.
Speaker plays but sound is muffled and
“strained.” Amplifier may shut off if
volume is raised too far.
1. Too thin a gauge of wire has been run too far
a distance between amp and speaker. Make
sure that you have followed our suggestions
as to wire gauge versus overall distance.
When volume is turned up to a high
level, the treble cuts in and out.
1. The B.I.C Ceiling Speaker features a
special protection circuit which electronically
disconnects the tweeter if it starts getting too
hot. Turn down your amplifier and make
sure to read the section of this manual
titled “Taking care of your new B.I.C
speakers” which starts on this page.
FURTHER READING
TAKING CARE OF YOUR
NEW B.I.CSPEAKERS
B.I.C Ceiling Speakers are designed to last the
life of your home – if you follow a few simple
rules.
The main “killers” of any loudspeaker system
are 1) too little power at high volumes, 2) too
much power at high volume, 3) transient thumps.
Not enough power
It’s a surprising fact, but far more speakers are
damaged by too little power than by too much!
When an amplifier runs out of power while try-
ing to re-create musical peaks, it causes a form
of high frequency distortion called clipping. In
moderate amounts, clipping simply makes the
music sound terrible. In greater quantities over
a period of time, it can damage or destroy the
tweeters (high frequency reproduction speakers)
in any speaker system. If you like your music
LOUD, consider getting an amplifier with at least
60 watts per channel.
Too much power
There’s nothing wrong with driving your
B.I.C Speakers with a high power amp – the
extra power helps them achieve quick musical
transients found in digital recordings.
However, you must remember to restrain your-
self and not get too heavy-handed with the
volume control (or remote buttons). If the
music begins to sound distorted or you hear a
“clacking” sound during bass notes, back off!
And naturally, if the internal protection circuits
are intermittently shutting off the tweeter,
you’re exceeding its safe power input level.
Transients
Loud, deep THUMPs, caused when you turn
your stereo on or off, can seriously damage any
loudspeaker including your B.I.C ceiling mod-
els. It’s always a good practice to turn the vol-
ume down (or press the MUTE button if your
receiver has one) when changing sources (such
as changing from tuner to CD player input). Also
remember to turn your system off before discon-
necting any hook-up cables. When they’re pulled
out, a huge burst of low frequency hum often
occurs if the system is still on.
Cleaning
B.I.C Ceiling Speakers are covered with a
durable finish which can be cleaned with soap
and water or spray cleaners. Avoid the use of
ammonia-based cleaning products, however. If
you’ve painted the grilles and frames, follow the
paint manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
MORE ON AMPLIFIERS
AND IMPEDANCE
Not all amplifiers or receivers can safely
operate two sets of speakers at once. If you
intend to use your B.I.C Ceiling Speakers at the
same time as your main speakers –
or if you intend to hook up two sets of B.I.C
Ceiling Speakers and use both at the same time,
it’s important to consider both the impedance
of the speakers and the capabilities of the
amplifier you’re using.
First consult the owner’s manual that came
with the amp or receiver. It should tell you the
minimum speaker impedances during simulta-
neous operation. On some models, the manual
will recommend that only two pairs of 8 ohm
speakers be used at the same time. Others
might allow one set of 8-ohm speakers and
one set of 4-ohm impedance speakers. A few
extremely robust receivers and power amplifiers
may even allow two sets of 4-ohm speakers.
If you can’t readily determine this information,
consult the dealer where you purchased the
amplifier, or call the manufacturer.
Next, determine the impedance of your other
speakers. It’s often printed on the back of the
enclosure down near the connection terminals,
or you can consult the speaker’s owners’ manual.
B.I.C Ceiling Speakers are rated at 8 ohms
impedance. In general, this means that most
amplifiers will allow you to simultaneously
operate one B.I.C Ceiling Speaker and one
other set of 8-ohm loudspeakers – or two sets
of B.I.C Ceiling Speakers.
If your other speakers are rated at 4 ohms,
some amplifiers may experience difficulty dri-
ving both sets at once and shut off intermit-
tently when the volume control is turned up.
In this case, you should operate only one
set of speakers at a time or keep the volume
extremely low.
INSTALLING B.I.C
SPEAKERS DURING NEW
CONSTRUCTION
Needless to say, installing speakers when a
house is being built is far easier than doing
it later.
sIf possible run speaker wires after AC
wiring is in place to avoid induced hum
caused by close parallel proximity.
sSecure speaker wires in place along the run
with insulated staples only and be careful
not to pierce the insulation. Allow a bit of
slack for expansion of building materials.
sNeedless to say, the actual speakers should
not be installed until the wall board is in
place. In the meantime, leave several feet
of wire coiled up and secured to the back
side of the speaker opening.
sWhen it comes time to put up the drywall,
make sure the speaker cutout hole doesn’t
extend farther than the sides of the mount-
ing frame.
sAfter the wallboard is put up and finished,
install the speakers as detailed on pages 5 - 6
of this manual.
