Boston Acoustics 251 User manual

251

261

Designer Series

In-Wall Speaker Systems

Speciﬁcations 251 261

Frequency Response (±3dB) 66–20,000Hz 58–20,000Hz

Recommended Ampliﬁer Power 10–100 watts 10–100 watts

Nominal Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms

Sensitivity [1 watt (2.83v) at 1m] 89dB 90dB

Tweeter 3⁄4" (19mm) dome 3⁄4" (19mm) dome

Bass Unit 51⁄4" (135mm) copolymer 61⁄2" (165mm) copolymer

Crossover Frequency 6500Hz 6200Hz

External Dimensions (HxW) 91⁄2x63⁄4" (241 x 171mm) 109⁄16 x73⁄4" (268 x 197mm)

Mounting Hole Cutout (HxW) 83⁄4x53⁄4" (223 x 146mm) 97⁄8x71⁄8" (251 x 181mm)

Mounting Depth (from surface) 25⁄8" (67mm) 27⁄8" (73mm)

Description

Boston Designer Series speaker systems are designed to be as accurate, clean, and musical as our

free-standing speakers. The unobtrusive, ﬂush-mount design makes them ideal for installation

in walls or ceilings of rooms where space or decor make conventional speakers undesirable or

inappropriate. They can also be used for the front and/or rear channels in a home theater system.

The front surface is provided with a matte white ﬁnish. The speaker can be installed as is or can be

painted to match the room environment, using the supplied painting mask. The speaker grille is

removable, and is made of epoxy-painted galvanized steel.

Their smooth, detailed sound comes from two highly reﬁned driver elements: a copolymer bass unit

with butyl rubber surround for powerful bass and natural midrange, and a 3⁄4-inch dome tweeter that

provides outstanding clarity and articulation. The tweeter and bass unit are mounted close together

in a point-source conﬁguration for excellent imaging and extremely broad, uniform dispersion. This

is important, because wide dispersion gives you the ﬂexibility to install the speakers where they look

the best (high on the walls, for example), yet still project clear sound throughout the listening area.

Both drivers are built in Boston’s state-of-the-art production facility to be within ±1dB of the labora-

tory reference, perhaps the industry’s tightest tolerance.

Installation Instructions

IMPORTANT: This manual assumes the installer possesses skill in the proper use of hand and

power tools, a knowledge of local building and ﬁre codes, and a familiarity with the environment

behind the wall or ceiling in which the speakers will be installed.

Quantity Description

2 Designer Series Speakers

2 Mounting Bracket

2 Painting Mask

2 Metal Grille

1 Template

1 Owner’s Manual/Installation

Instructions

1 Hardware Package*

Examine the contents of the package and verify that it contains the following:

Loudspeaker Side View Mounting Bracket Mounting Hole

251

261

91⁄2"

(241mm)

95⁄8"

(143mm) 83⁄4"

(223mm)

10 9⁄16"

(268mm)

101⁄2"

(267mm) 97⁄8"

(251mm)

63⁄4"

(171mm)

25⁄8"

(67mm) 55⁄8"

(143mm) 53⁄4"

(146mm)

73⁄4"

(197mm) 27⁄8"

(73mm) 611⁄16"

(170mm)

71⁄8"

(181mm)

Hardware Package* Contents:

Quantity Description

12 8-32 x 2" Screw

2 Cable Clamp–Press-In

* If the hardware package is missing any items or is

not found, additional packages are available from

Boston Acoustics.

Placement

Since the speaker installation is permanent and the furniture placement may not be, the user

should ﬁrst determine the best long-term location — one that will accommodate future relocation

of the furniture in the room, while still allowing for an unobstructed sound path from the speakers

to the listening area.

Within reason, wherever the speakers look

right is where they’ll sound right. For best

results, place the speakers 6 to 10 feet

(1.8–3.3m) apart, so they form a triangle

with the main listening area. Try to keep the

speakers at least 12 to 18 inches (30–45cm)

from the nearest reﬂective surface (side

walls or ceiling). When used near a televi-

sion, the speakers should be mounted a

minimum of 6 inches (150mm) from the TV

to avoid interference with the picture.

As a ﬁnal check on the suitability of the

mounting location, it’s a good idea to

temporarily place a pair of small box speak-

ers, if available, at the mounting locations

chosen for the system. This will give the

listener an approximate idea of what the

speakers will sound like in that location.

Listen for pleasing stereo image, realistic

stage height, or balanced surround-ﬁeld

coverage (if using the speakers as rear-

channel surrounds). Note if any objects

in the room impede the sound path from

the speakers to the listening area.

12-18 inches

(30-45cm)

6-10 feet

(1.8-3.3m)

Painting the Speakers

If you intend to paint the speakers, it’s best to

do so before installation.

1. Remove the speaker grille. Carefully pry at

each corner with an awl or a small screwdriver.

2. Use the form-ﬁtting painting mask provided

to paint the housing. Cover the slots with

masking tape.

3. After painting, remove the mask by carefully

inserting a screwdriver into the slots. Do not

puncture the drivers behind the mask with the

screwdriver.

4. When painting the grilles, be certain that the

paint does not ﬁll the perforated holes in the

metal. If using spray paint, use two thin coats.

If using house paint or other canned paint, thin

the paint to avoid ﬁlling the holes.

Boston

Use masking tape

to cover slots

Preparing for Installation

Map out the wiring paths from the speakers to the ampliﬁer. We recommend 18-gauge wire for

runs up to 25 feet, and 16-gauge or thicker for longer runs. Be sure the speaker wire does not rest

or rub against any sharp or pointed objects.

The speakers should be mounted on a ﬂat surface to form a good seal between the speaker ﬂange

and the mounting surface.

Each speaker is 8 ohms nominal. When connecting more than two speakers per ampliﬁer channel,

you should use series/parallel wiring or line transformers. In all cases, make certain that the total

impedance does not fall below the ampliﬁer’s minimum rating. If you are not sure, contact your

Boston Acoustics dealer.

Use the cable clamp supplied to secure the speaker wire to the housing. Press the clamp into one

of the holes on the printed circuit board.

You Will Need

1. A utility knife, an electric jigsaw, or another means of cutting a hole in the mounting surface.

2. Phillips and ﬂat-blade screwdrivers.

3. A wire cutter or stripper for preparing the speaker wires.

4. An awl or a small screwdriver to remove the speaker grille.

With the hardware supplied, the speaker can be installed in existing walls and ceilings from

3⁄8" (9.5mm) to 11⁄2" (38mm) thick. For thinner walls, you will need to use spacers (not provided)

for the mounting bracket. In walls greater than 11⁄2" (38mm) thick, you will need longer screws.

Installation

1. Make a cutout using the supplied template.

2. Run the wire from the ampliﬁer to the cutout. Allow an extra foot of wire at the

cutout. Strip 1⁄2" (12mm) off the wire, and tightly twist the wire strands together.

BostonAcoustics

251

HOLE CUTTING TEMPLATE

Cut hole to exact size of template. For details,see page 6 of installation instructions.

BostonAcoustics

261

HOLE CUTTING TEMPLATE

Cut hole to exact size of template. For details, see page6 of installation instructions.

83⁄4"

(223mm)

53⁄4"

(146mm) 71⁄8"

(181mm)

97⁄8"

(251mm)

3. Remove the speaker grille. Carefully pry each

corner with an awl or a small screwdriver.

4. Prepare the speaker/bracket assembly for

installation as shown.

For new construction, an optional bracket

(Model 35UB for the 251, Model 36CB for the 261)

is available from your Boston Acoustics dealer.

5. Route the speaker wire through the cable clamp

and connect the wire to the speaker.

WARNING: To prevent electrical shock hazard,

always switch off the ampliﬁer or receiver when

making connections to the speaker.

IMPORTANT: Typically, one side of the wire is

smooth. Connect this side to the –(black) speaker

terminal. The other side has a rib or stripe. Connect

this to the +(red) speaker terminal. Connect wire

at the ampliﬁer in the same way. Failure to do so

will result in degraded sound.

6. Install the speaker according to the diagram

below.

IMPORTANT: Do not overtighten the screws.

Doing so will break the frame and/or make it

impossible to insert the grille.

Listening Levels and Power-Handling

The power recommendation for the speakers assumes that you will operate the ampliﬁer in a way

that will not produce distortion. Even our rugged speakers can be damaged by an ampliﬁer if it is

producing distortion.

If you hear a harsh, gritty noise, turn down the volume. Prolonged or repeated operation of your

speaker with a distorted signal from the ampliﬁer can cause damage that is not covered by the

warranty.

Limited Warranty

For one year from the date of purchase, Boston Acoustics will repair for the original owner any

defect in materials or workmanship that occurs in normal use, without charge for parts and labor.

Your responsibilities are to use the system according to the instructions supplied, to provide safe

and secure transportation to an authorized Boston Acoustics service representative, and to present

proof of purchase in the form of your sales slip when requesting service.

Excluded from this warranty is damage that results from abuse, misuse, accidents, shipping, or repairs

or modiﬁcations by anyone other than an authorized Boston Acoustics service representative.

This warranty is void if the serial number has been removed or defaced.

This warranty gives you speciﬁc legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from

state to state.

If Service Seems Necessary

First, contact the retailer from whom you purchased the speakers. If that is not possible, write to:

Boston Acoustics, Inc. 300 Jubilee Drive Peabody, MA 01960 U.S.A.

We will promptly advise you of what action to take. If it is necessary to return your speaker to the

factory, please ship it prepaid. After it has been repaired, we will return it freight prepaid in the

U.S. and Canada.

300 Jubilee Drive

Peabody, MA 01960 U.S.A.

978.538.5000

Boston and Boston Acoustics are registered

trademarks of Boston Acoustics, Inc.

Speciﬁcations subject to change without notice.

42-955-0

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