Focal 300 SERIES In Ceilling Loudspeakers User Manual

June 9, 2024
FOCAL

Focal 300 SERIES In Ceilling Loudspeakers

Specifications

Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-15

Please validate your Focal-JMlab warranty, it is now possible to register your product online: www.focal.com/warranty

  • 1 x loudspeaker from the 300 Series range
  • 1 x mounting frame
  • 1 x circular grille
  • 1 x square grille
  • 1 x protective screen to use when painting walls/ceilings
  • 1 x QuickStart
  • 1 x cut-out template

Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-16

Aluminum/Magnesium alloy inverted dome TNV2 tweeter: the tweeter developed for these products uses Focal’s exclusive inverted dome technology, allowing for optimal energy transfer and limited directivity. The dome’s Aluminum/Magnesium alloy guarantees outstanding stiffness and damping to provide a soft and dynamic treble.
Flax speaker driver cones: all the speaker driver cones of the 300 Series range are made using Flax sandwich technology. Flax is an eco-textile with astounding structural properties: it is light, rigid and well damped for providing greater neutrality of the timbre and better definition. Magnetically attached protective grille: easy to fit and improved integration. OPC® (Optimum Phase Crossover): optimisation of the phase for a more accurate, a more stable and a more natural sound image. Usable in humid environments: resistant to humidity, the loudspeakers can be installed in bathrooms, kitchens… Optional mounting kit.  Our policy of continual product improvement means that Focal-JMlab reserves the right to modify the technical specifications of its products without notice. Product may vary from images.

Breaking-in your loudspeakers
The speaker drivers used in the Integration 300 Series loudspeakers are complex mechanical assemblies which need a break-in period to operate at their best and to become acclimatised to the temperature and humidity of your environment. This break-in period varies depending on the conditions in question and may take several weeks. To reduce this time, we recommend operating your loudspeakers for about 20  consecutive hours. Once the loudspeakers’ characteristics have totally stabilised you will be able to enjoy your Integration 300 Series loudspeakers’ performance to the full.

Pre-installation wiring
You can only install your loudspeakers once you have wired them up. Make sure you leave enough room to allow you to wire up your loudspeakers with ease (approximately 20″/ 50cm). We recommend using a cable with a marker in order to ensure the polarities of the speaker drivers are respected (+/-). Choose good quality cables with a cross-section appropriate to their length: your retailer will be able to advise you.

Choosing an amplifier
It is not an excess of amplifier power that can damage your loudspeakers and drivers but a lack of power. Moreover, if the volume is turned too high, the amplifier saturates and generates parasite signals that may destroy the tweeter. The dynamic capacity and definition of Integration 300 Series loudspeakers are high enough to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of whatever amplifier is connected. Your retailer will be able to guide your choice to suit your tastes and budget.

Installation

Existing installation

  • Before installing your loudspeakers, make sure that there is nothing obstructing the ceiling/wall, such as air vents, and make sure that no cables will interfere with the installation. Use the appropriate tools to help you determine the correct location.
  • Make sure there is enough space to install your product in the ceiling/wall.
  • Trace the supplied cut-out template on the ceiling/wall. Cut along the trace using an appropriate tool to make a circular hole in the ceiling/wall

New installation

  • Use the specific optional mounting kit
  • Wire the loudspeakers before carrying out the installation

Conditions of guarantee
All Focal loudspeakers are covered by guarantee drawn up by the official Focal distributor in your country. Your distributor can provide all details concerning the conditions of guarantee. Guarantee cover extends at least to that granted by the legal guarantee in force in the country where the original purchase invoice was issued.

Mounting the loudspeaker
300 Series products include a mounting frame, a loudspeaker and both circular and square magnetic grilles. No tools are required to mount the loudspeakers of the 300 Series range.

Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-3 Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-4 Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-5 Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-6 Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-7 Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-8

  1. Pivot the mounting bracket until it clips onto the mounting frame so that the mounting frame can be pushed through the opening .

  2. With one hand, insert the mounting frame into the opening in the ceiling/wall, making sure it rests flush against the ceiling/wall .

  3. To fasten the mounting frame to the ceiling/wall, insert your other hand into the opening, and use two fingers to pivot the mounting bracket to the opposite side to its initial position

  4. Push the mounting bracket down until it reaches the stop.

  5. Finally, release the mounting bracket making sure it is securely in place. Also make sure the mounting bracket isn’t resting on the loudspeaker cable .

  6. Note 1 : repeat the operation for the other mounting brackets.

  7. Note 2 : to unlock the mounting bracket: use two fingers to pivot the mounting bracket towards the outside, pull upwards and release.

  8. Connect the previously stripped loudspeaker wires to the spring loaded terminals on the loudspeaker. It is essential to connect the loudspeakers respecting the correct polarity: the cable connected to the “+” terminal on the amplifier must be connected to the red terminal on the loudspeaker. Likewise, the cable connected to the “-” terminal on the amplifier must be connected to the black terminal on the loudspeaker. Stereo image and bass perception would be seriously compromised if these conditions were not respected .

  9. The loudspeakers are now ready to be assembled to the mounting frame. In order to do this, position the red arrows on the loudspeaker in line with the open padlocks on the mounting frame .
    Note : if you plan to use your product as in-ceiling loudspeakers, the loudspeaker can be securely fastened to the ceiling using a safety sling (not supplied) which fastens to the hook on the rear of the product

  10. Insert the loudspeaker into the mounting frame until the stop, then pivot the loudspeaker using the red handles so that the markers are positioned between two open padlocks

  11. The circular or square grilles can now be mounted to the loudspeaker. The grille is held to the mounting frame magnetically, all you need to do is simply line them up

  12. 300 ICA6 loudspeakers have a red positioning arrow on their mounting frame. This arrow is used to point to the final listening position when installing the product

Setting the tweeter (300 ICW6, 300 ICA6, 300 ICW8)
The tweeter can be set using the switch at the rear of the loudspeaker as shown in the diagram

Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-9

Orienting the tweeter (300 ICW6, 300 ICA6, 300 ICW8)
The tweeter can be tilted +/- 20° and can be pivoted 360°: direct the tweeter towards the listening area for maximum precision of the treble and of the stereo image

Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-10

In-wall position of the main loudspeakers.
Your Integration 300 Series loudspeakers have been designed to deliver the most faithful sound reproduction, whether they are used for stereo music or home cinema. Nonetheless, some simple rules should be followed to optimise their performance and to guarantee good tonal balance and a realistic sound image. The loudspeakers should be positioned symmetrically, facing the listening area, ideally forming an equilateral triangle with it. However, it is possible to vary these distances to find an ideal compromise according to the particular disposition of the room  The loudspeakers should be positioned at the same height, in the same horizontal plane. Ideally, the tweeter should be positioned at the same height as the listener’s ears when in the normal listening area

Position of surround and central loudspeakers
The sophistication of film soundtracks means that a very broad range of surround-sound effects can be achieved nowadays. The choice of positioning for surround-sound loudspeakers is crucial for achieving a realistic 3D sound- space. The aim is to apply some basic rules to achieve sounds that are sufficiently diffused and difficult to locate The centre loudspeaker must be positioned near the screen for realistic reproduction of dialogue. If you’re using a micro-perforated projection screen (acoustically transparent), you can consider placing a centre loudspeaker behind it. If you plan to use the products from the 300 Series range as in-wall loudspeakers, place the surround loudspeakers high enough up, above the listeners’ ears. Do not place surround- sound loudspeakers too far behind the listening area, as this degrades sound perception. Aim for a placement along the side walls, on either side of the listening area or ever so slightly behind the listening area to achieve more enveloping sound effects If you plan to use the products from the 300 Series range as in-ceiling loudspeakers, place them far enough apart on each side of the listening area, or ever so slightly behind the listening area For 6.1 or 7.1 surround-sound systems, you can use a combination of loudspeakers from the 300 Series as both in-wall or in-ceiling loudspeakers.

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Special precautions
The only maintenance required for the Integration 300 Series loudspeakers is dusting with a dry cloth. If the loudspeaker is dirty, we recommend simply cleaning it with a damp cloth. Never use solvents, detergents, alcohol-based or corrosive products, scrapers or scourers to clean the loudspeaker surface. Keep the loudspeakers away from sources of heat.

Painting
If you wish to do so, you can paint the grilles of your products so they blend in with your interior. We recommend first removing the grille from the product and then painting it using a paint spraying device. You can use the same type of paint as the wall paint  If you want to paint the ceiling/wall without removing your 300 Series product, we have supplied a protective screen. The screen fastens to the mounting frame magnetically

Focal-300-SERIES-In-Ceiling-Loudspeakers-fig-14

Correct elimination of this product.
This marking indicates that within the EU this product should not be disposed of with other household wastes. To prevent any risk to the environment or human health, please recycle them responsibly to encourage the reuse of material resources. To return your used device, please use the return and collection systems available, or contact the retailer where you purchased the product. They can recycle this product safely.

Focal-JMlab® – BP 374 – 108, rue de l’Avenir – 42353 La Talaudière cedex – France – www.focal.com Tel. (+33) 04 77 43 57 00 – Fax (+33) 04 77 43 57 04 – SCCG – 10/05/2022 – v1

Go to the user manual

www.focal.com/300series/usermanual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

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CUSTOM INTEGRATION

Safety instructions : please read before installing products

READ FIRST IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS!

|

An exclamation mark in an equilateral triangle warns the user that the manual contains important instructions on how to use and look after the device.

---|---
1.  Read these instructions.

2.   Keep these instructions.

3.   Heed all warnings.

4.   Follow all the instructions.

5.   Do not use this device near water.

6.   Only clean with a dry cloth.

7.  Do not obstruct ventilation openings. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the device.

8.   Do not install the device close to a heat source such as a radiator, cooker, heat vents or any other appliance (including amplifiers) that gives out heat.

9.   Only use accessories recommended by the manufacturer.

| 10.   Only use trolleys, stands, tripods, mounts or tables recommended by the manufacturer or sold with the device. If using a trolley, take extra care when moving the trolley and device together, to prevent the device from falling off and causing injury.

11. All maintenance tasks should be performed by a qualified professional. Maintenance is required in case of any kind of damage to the device (damaged cable or plug, spillages

or objects inserted into the device, exposure to rain or humidity, if the device malfunctions or overturns, etc.).

| 12.  70/100V products: Never install or connect these products when the line is under voltage. Risk of electric shock.

13.  To avoid damaging your hearing, do not listen to loudspeakers at high volumes for long periods of time. Listening to loudspeakers at high volumes can cause damage to the user’s ears and may lead to hearing problems (temporary or permanent deafness, buzzing in the ears, tinnitus, hyperacusis). Exposure to excessive volumes (over 85dB) for more than one hour can cause irreparable damage to your hearing.

(CEI 60417-6044)

The methods of installing and mounting loudspeakers to walls, ceilings or any other surface depend on the conditions and standards of construction, refurbishment, safety and cabling in force and applicable to the brackets involved. In addition, the products may vibrate and damage the brackets in which they are installed. For this reason, the relevant installation operations must be performed by a qualified professional who is familiar with the installation and safety standards. Focal does not provide any end-of-use warranty for a given  bracket or installation, as installing the loudspeakers is the customer’s sole responsibility. Focal is therefore not liable in any capacity whatsoever in the event of unhooking, fall, accident and/or any other result or damage of any kind related to the installation of loudspeakers.

Please validate your Focal-JMlab warranty, it is now possible to register your product online: www.focal.com/warranty

Conditions of warranty

All Focal loudspeakers are covered by warranty drawn up by the official Focal distributor in your country. Your distributor can provide all details concerning the conditions of warranty. Warranty cover extends at least to that granted by the legal warranty in force in the country where the original purchase invoice was issued.

Correct elimination of this product.
This marking indicates that within the EU this product should not be disposed of with other household wastes. To prevent any risk to the environment or human health, please recycle them responsibly to encourage the reuse of material resources. To return your used device, please use the return and collection systems available, or contact the retailer where you purchased the product. They can recycle this product safely.

Focal-JMlab® – BP 374 – 108, rue de l’Avenir – 42353 La Talaudière cedex – France – www.focal.com Tel. (+33) 04 77 43 57 00 – Fax (+33) 04 77 43 57 04 – SCCG – 17/08/2021 – v4 – CODO1652

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

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Download This Manual (PDF format)

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