Niles HDL-4 Original operating instructions
HDL-4
INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE
MODEL
HDL-4
HIGH DEFINITION SPEAKER SELECTION SYSTEM
HDL-4
Introduction
The HDL-4 allows you to connect up to four pairs of speakers
to your stereo receiver or amplifier and play any one pair, any
combination of pairs, or all pairs at once. You don't have to
worry about overloading your amplifier. The HDL-4 has a pro-
tection circuit that keeps your amplifier running safely, even
if you have all four pairs of speakers playing at the same time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Features and
Benefits 2
Installation
Considerations 4
Installation 9
Operation 11
Specifications 14
HDL-4
High Definition
Speaker Selector
System
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Features and Benefits
The HDL-4 offers a number of improvements over other
speaker selectors:
●High power handling capability of 250 watts/channel
continuous music power.
●Pre-printed Room Labels are included for easy identification
of speaker ON/OFF buttons.
●Rear-panel switch for constant or selectable impedance
protection.
●Self-cleaning, silver-plated switch contacts assure many
years of trouble-free use.
●Isolated left and right channel ground returns make the
HDL-4 compatible with all types of amplifiers.
●Massive copper traces on printed circuit board handle
large amounts of amplifier current, ensuring high dynamic
range and clarity.
●May be used with 4, 6, or 8-ohm speaker systems.
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TECH
SUPPORT
HOTLINE
If you have
questions regarding
the operation of the
Niles HDL-6, contact
your local Niles
dealer or Niles
Customer Service at
1-800-289-4434.
●Two-piece removable connectors greatly simplify installa-
tion and hookup. All wiring can be attached directly to the
connectors before installing them in the HDL-4.
●Removable connectors accommodate up to 14 gauge wire
or "pins", making the HDL-4 compatible with most "high-
definition" speaker cables.
●100% tested, electronically and acoustically, for frequency
response, distortion and power handling.
●Standard 17" width allows the HDL-4 to stack neatly with
other standard size components.
●Ideal for both home and commercial sound installations.
●Only an 1/8" standard screwdriver and wire stripper are
required for installation.
●Frequency response: Flat(+0dB,-0dB) from 20Hz to20kHz.
●Ten year parts and labor warranty.
●Proudly made in the USA.
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Installation Considerations
HDL-4 Power Handling
The HDL-4 is designed for use with a receiver or amplifier
having a maximum power output of 250 watts per channel
at 8 ohms. Damage caused by the use of a higher-power
receiver or amplifier will void the warranty. Consult your Niles
dealer, or receiver/amplifier manufacturer, if you are uncer-
tain about the power rating of your receiver or amplifier.
Amplifier Impedance Load
As more pairs of speakers are parallel connected to a receiver
or amplifier, the overall system impedance becomes lower.
For example, if two pairs of 8-ohm speakers are connected
in parallel, the impedance will be 4 ohms; two pairs of
4-ohm speakers in parallel become 2 ohms, and so on.
Most receivers or amplifiers are not rated for use below a 4
ohm load. Most manufacturers do not recommend connect-
ing more than two pairs of speakers without using some
form of impedance correction.
The HDL-4 includes impedance correction circuitry which
protects your receiver or amplifier from low impedance
loads. The circuitry assures that your receiver or amplifier will
see a safe operating load, even when all four speaker pairs
are playing at the same time. 4
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TOOLS
REQUIRED
• 1/8" Standard
Slotted Screwdriver
• Wire Stripper
The actual impedance load the HDL-4 presents to your
receiver or amplifier will vary, depending on how many
speaker pairs are playing, and the impedance rating of each
speaker. If you have four pairs of 8-ohm speakers playing, the
HDL-4 will present a 4.5 ohm impedance load to your receiv-
er/amplifier. With four pairs of 4-ohm speakers playing, the
load drops to slightly under 4 ohms.
If you intend to use the HDL-4 with more than two pairs of
4-ohm speakers, it is recommended that you verify that the
receiver or amplifier is capable of driving a 4-ohm load. Consult
your Niles dealer, or receiver/amplifier manufacturer, if you are
uncertain about the capabilities of the receiver/amplifier.
Type of Speaker Wire
For most applications, we recommend you use 16 or 18 gauge,
stranded copper speaker wire for the HDL-4 connections. For
wiring runs longer than 80 feet, 14 gauge wire is recommend-
ed. Using speaker wire larger than 14 gauge for the HDL-4
connections is not recommended—the wire may not fit into
the connectors. Never use solid-core, aluminum, or "Romex"
type wire with the HDL-4. When running speaker wires inside
walls, most states and municipalities in the U.S. specify that
you must use a special type of speaker wire. Usually, the
requirement is that the wire has a specific "CL" fire rating, such
as "CL-2" or "CL-3". Consult your Niles dealer, building contrac-
tor, or local building and inspection department if unsure
about which type of wire is best for your application.
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"TECH TIP"
Wire size is
expressed by it's
AWG (American
Wire Gauge)
number. The lower
the AWG number,
the larger the
wire,
i.e., 12 AWG wire is
physically larger
Avoiding Interference
Speaker wires can act as an "antenna" for electrical noise.
Locating speaker wires too close to a light dimmer or switch
may cause a "buzzing" or "popping" sound to be heard
through the speakers. If you must locate the HDL-4 wiring
near electrical devices, route the speaker wires several feet
away from the electrical wiring.
Using the HDL-4 with Tube-Type Amplifiers
Virtually all tube amplifiers must have a load connected at all
times. If the amplifier to be connected to the HDL-4 is a tube
amplifier, be sure to always have at least one pair of speakers
switched on at all times. An alternative is to permanently
connect a 150 ohm, 5 watt resistor across the tube amplifier's
output in parallel with the HDL-4. See (Figure 1) on next
page for hookup diagram.
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Figure1
Using a
Tube Amplifier
Tube Amplifier
Niles HDL-4
150 150
AMPLIFIER
L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+
SPEAKER 4 SPEAKER 3 SPEAKER 2 SPEAKER 1
CONSTANT
PROTECTION
ON OFF
Niles Audio
Corporation,
Miami, Florida USA
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AMPLIFIER
L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+
SPEAKER 4 SPEAKER 3 SPEAKER 2 SPEAKER 1
CONSTANT
PROTECTION
ON OFF
Niles Audio
Corporation,
Miami, Florida USA
Recessed
areas for
custom room
labels.
Attractive
low-profile
design.
Simple
push-button
operation.
Connect up to four pairs
of speakers. Protection switch safeguards your
receiver or amplifier even with all
4 pairs of speakers playing.
Two-piece
removable
connectors.
Constant
Impedance
Protection
Switch
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Installation
1. Select a convenient mounting location for the HDL-4.
2. Run all the necessary wiring to the HDL-4. Label the wires
for future reference. See (Figure 2).
TUNER 94.9
15
AMPLIFIER
L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+ L+ L- R- R+
SPEAKER 4 SPEAKER 3 SPEAKER 2 SPEAKER 1
CONSTANT
PROTECTION
ON OFF
Niles Audio
Corporation,
Miami, Florida USA
Niles HDL-4
Receiver
Speaker
Pair 4 Speaker
Pair 3 Speaker
Pair 2 Speaker
Pair 1
Figure2
Wiring Diagram
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