Polk Audio RC85i 2-way Premium In-Wall 8″ Speakers-Complete Features/User Guide

Polk Audio RC85i 2-way Premium In-Wall 8″ Speakers

Specifications

• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 30Hz-20Khz
• RECOMMENDED POWER: 20-100wrms
• IMPEDANCE: Compatible with 8 Ohm amplifiers
• EFFICIENCY (DB 1W/1M): 90db
• DRIVE UNIT COMPLEMENT MID-BASS: 1–8″ (20cm) mineral filled polypropylene cone, rubber suspension
• TWEETER: 1″ (2.5cm) soft dome in swivel mount
• CUTOUT DIMENSIONS: 8n” x 12w” (22.1cm x 32.4cm), 22.07cm x 32.39cm, Depth with 2″ drywall: 2d” (7.30cm)
• SHIPPING WEIGHT PAIR: 112 LBS- 5.22 Kg

Introduction

You can hear seamless audio quality and Polk’s excellent sound reproduction with these timbre-matched discrete recessed speakers, delivering depth of music and clear, an extremely short dialogue adds to your existing home theater system or build your own Polk collection and enjoy the same great Polk surround sound everywhere experience more balanced & lifelike sound – An 8″ dynamic-balance woofer and a 1″ tweeter are included to give your music greater depth and detail. Wider dispersion for even-sound coverage thanks to a mineral-filled polymer cone and robust composite driver baskets. The rubber seal performs better and prevents moisture access, making it ideal for use in a bathroom, kitchen, sauna, or covered porch.

PLACEMENT OPTIONS

Polk Audio RCi Series In-Wall Loudspeakers give you nearly endless placement options. But remember that placement choice for your in-wall speakers bears careful consideration, as installation requires that you cut a hole in your wall! Fill a room with sound by installing in-wall speakers in nearly any wall or ceiling location [figure 1]. Polk RCi Series In-Wall Loudspeakers have a wide dispersion pattern and aimable tweeters that allow you to focus their sound.

FIGURE 1
RC Series audio and A/V placement options, in wall or ceiling.

ADJUSTING THE TWEETER

Aiming the tweeter toward your listening position improves imaging and detail. When using RCi Series In-Wall Loudspeakers as front/main home theater speakers [figure 2], aim the tweeter toward your listening position. For rear/surround speakers installed in walls or ceilings [figure 3], aim the tweeter toward the nearest reflecting surface (an adjacent wall or ceiling) for a more diffuse sound field (if you so desire; for more direct sound, aim the tweeters at your listening position).

FIGURE 2
Recommended measurements for HT front stage placement.

Holding the edges of the tweeter carefully between the thumbs and forefingers of both hands, rock the tweeter slightly to aim it [figure 4].

RC60I, RC80I MODELS
 Grasping the round tweeter with the tips of the fingers of one hand, pivot the tweeter toward the direction you desire [figure 5]. Do not “turn” the tweeter like a door knob.

Note
 RCi Series In-Wall Loudspeakers are not magnetically shielded and should not be placed closer than 1’ (30cm) from a television or video monitor. If you experience discoloration or distortion, immediately move the speakers away from your TV.

FIGURE 3
Examples of in-wall and in-ceiling placement. When used as rear/surrounds, aim tweeter toward the nearest reflecting surface (an adjacent wall or ceiling) for a more diffuse sound field.

FIGURE 4
RC55i, RC65i, RC85i models: Holding the edges of the oblong tweeter carefully between the thumbs and forefingers of both hands, rock the tweeter slightly to aim it.

FIGURE 5

RC60I, RC80I MODELS
Grasping the round tweeter with the tips of the fingers of one hand, pivot the tweeter in the direction you desire. Do not turn tweeter like a door knob.

PAINTING YOUR RCi SERIES IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKERS

You will need:

• Paint of your choice (to make the job easier, we recommend spray painting the grille)
• A paperclip or corkscrew (for removing the paintable grille, corkscrew can also be used to open the wine when you relax with your newly painted RCi speakers))
• Masking tape
• Paint mask (to cover unpaintable parts, supplied!)

.

FIGURE 6

Use a paperclip to remove grille.

1. Separate the parts of the speaker. If the speaker is not yet installed, the grille can be removed simply by pushing the clamp screws forward to push the grille off the speaker from the inside. If the speaker is already in the wall, carefully hook the grille with a bent paper clip and pull it gently away from the frame [figure 6].
2. When painting the frame of the speaker, use the supplied paint masks to carefully mask off the front of the speakers to protect the drivers and baffles while painting. You can do this while the speaker is already installed in the wall (if, for instance, you’re repainting the room). If you do not have the paint masks, carefully mask the speaker components using paper and masking tape.

FIGURE 7

Mask the drivers and baffles, then spray paint in thin coats.

PAINTING THE FRAME

1. Apply paint to exposed (unmasked parts). Use two or more thin coats. Spray painting is recommended [figure 7].
2. When the paint is completely dry, remove the masking material.

PAINTING THE GRILLE

1. The grille of the RCi Series speaker features an even, protective powder coating. This powder coating is an ideal primer.
2. Grilles must be spray painted. Do not use a brush and paint. Thick, brushed paint may clog the grille holes.
3. RC55i, RC65i, RC85i models: Before spray painting the grille, carefully remove the grille’s fabric scrim by peeling it away from the inside of the grille [figure 8]. Place this on a clean, flat surface where it will not get wrinkled.

FIGURE 8

Peel away fabric grille scrim before painting grille.

4. After removing the grille by carefully hook- ing it with a bent paper clip and pulling it gently away from the frame, spray on two thin coats of finish color. If you’re using a compressor and spray gun, use the finest, most diffuse setting. Be careful not to fill the holes in the grille with paint [figure 9].
5. When the paint is completely dry, carefully reinstall the grille by fitting it into its recess so that it is just resting on the frame. Starting with one corner, go around the speaker and push the grille into the grille notch a little bit at a time. Be gentle; the grille may be easily bent out of shape by rough handling. You will feel a positive “snap” when it is fully in place.
6. RC55i, RC65i, RC85i models: When the grille is dry, carefully press the fabric scrim back into place on the inside of the grille. The special fabric scrim hides the speaker’s drivers from view, and will not interfere with the sound.

FIGURE 9

Paint the grille. Use thin coats of spray paint. Do not block grille holes with paint.

INSTALLATION

Out of the box and into the wall, that’s how easy it is to install Polk RCi Series In-Wall Loudspeakers.

If you intend to do the installation yourself, we recommend that you possess some skill in the proper use of hand and power tools. You should have a thorough understanding of local building and fire codes and a familiarity with the area behind the wall or ceiling into which you plan to install your speakers.

Install speaker wires before installing speakers. Wire meeting appropriate building and fire codes must be used. Use at least 18 gauge wire or heavier for the utmost in sound quality. Wiring is best performed by an experienced professional. If you are in doubt that you possess the necessary skills or tools, consult your Polk Audio dealer, or a professional installer.

FIGURE 10a

Round Template: Trace within the pop-out area.

YOU WILL NEED

• Pencil for marking the location of installation
• Keyhole saw, utility knife or material- appropriate incising implement for cutting drywall or other wall material
• Level
• Screwdriver, preferably powered, with Phillips head bit
• Power drill with appropriate bit (optional, for starting wall cut)

FIGURE 10b

Rectangular Template: Trace around the template.

FOLLOW THESE EASY STEPS

• Make sure the material into which you plan to mount the speakers (plaster, drywall, paneling, stone, etc.) can support the weight of the speakers (see specification page for the weight of your model).
• Make sure the locations you select do not conceal studs, electrical wiring or plumb- ing. Prior to installation, hold the speaker in your chosen location to make sure it safely clears obstacles such as studs, corners, beams, lighting fixtures and door/window frames. Your cutout must be at least 1″ (25mm) from adjoining walls or ceiling, internal studs or plumbing.
• Using the template, trace the installation location with a pencil. You can do this by holding the template in your preferred location and tracing around it (rectangle) or within the template pop-out area (round). Use a level to make certain the template is straight and plumb. This is the exact cutout size [figures 10a & 10b].

FIGURE 11

Cut the hole with the appropriate tool.

• Carefully cut the hole with the appropriate cutting tool for your wall or ceiling material. Start the hole by drilling a hole on the inside of the tracing (with the drill bit touching the line). Use this hole to insert the saw or knife and begin cutting [figure 11].
• Once you have cut the hole, fish your previously positioned wiring out of the hole and connect the speaker. Follow the hookup directions included with your receiver. Strip 2 inch (12 mm) of insulation from each of the two conductors of the wire to expose the bare metal and twist each of the conductors into a single unfrayed strand (so you have two unfrayed strands). Note that one of the terminals on the rear of each speaker is red (+) and the other is black (-). Make certain that you connect the wire from the red terminal (+) of your amplifier or receiver to the red terminal (+) on your speaker and the wire from the black terminal (-) of your amplifier or receiver to the black terminal (-) on your speaker. Most wire has some indicator (such as color-cod- ing, ribbing or writing) on one of the two conductors to help you maintain consistency [figure 12].

FIGURE 12

HOOK UP THE SPEAKER WIRES

• To install the speaker, first carefully remove the grille using a straightened paperclip or other pointed metal tool. Insert the point into one of the grille perforations near a corner and lift the grille free. Never use a knife or screwdriver to pry between the grille and the speaker frame. This will damage your speaker.
• Loosen the rotating wall clamps by unscrewing them. Make sure that the rotating wall clamps are flipped inwards so that your speaker fits into your cutout without nicking your wall. Then place the speaker carefully into the cutout [figure 13]. If you have a level, use it to help you correctly align the speaker. Tighten the wall clamp screws with a screwdriver. This will rotate the wall clamps and secure the speaker to the wall. Hint—on the RC55i, RC65i and RC85i models, tighten the center screws before tightening the corners for the most flush fit to your wall. Do not over- tighten the wall clamp screws [figure 14].

FIGURE 13

Place the speaker carefully into the cutout.

• Carefully reinstall the grille by fitting it into its recess so that it is just resting on the frame. Starting with one corner, go around the speaker and push the grille into the grille notch a little bit at a time. Be gentle; the grille may be easily bent out of shape by rough handling. You will feel a positive “snap” when it is fully in place. (Where’s the corkscrew?)

FIGURE 14

Tighten retaining wall clamps to engage wall. Use a #2 Phillips head screwdriver or a powered screwdriver.

SAFETY FIRST

When installing your RCi Series In-Wall Loudspeakers, be aware of the weight of your particular model (see specification page for the weight of your model) and the sturdiness of the material into which you are installing the speaker. Also be aware of any concealed studs, electrical wiring or plumbing in the wall or ceiling into which you are installing the speakers. If you are not sure of a safe way to install these speakers, consult a professional installer, your authorized Polk Audio dealer, or a building contractor.

If you plan to install your RCi Series speakers where water will directly contact them, it is advisable to use a silicone sealant or caulk between the frame of the speaker and the wall surface. This seal should prevent water from getting behind the loudspeaker and possibly damaging the wall surface. Do not position the speaker where water can pool

on the surface of the woofer cone or tweeter dome, as this will great decrease the speaker’s useful life (and everything will sound—glub! glub! —like it’s coming from under water!).

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are Polk’s in-wall speakers up to snuff?
  These speakers came highly recommended in online reviews after some study. The templates worked flawlessly, and the speakers look fantastic in the wall. The sound is clear and powerful, with a wide frequency range and deep bass.

• Is a receiver required for Polk speakers?
  The Polk Audio 5-1/4″ Bookshelf Speakers are wired stereo system compatible. These speakers require a stereo receiver / amplifier to be powered; they do not come with one.

• Are Polk speakers suitable for use in a home theatre?
  A surround-sound speaker system provides movie buffs with a home audio experience that is more similar to what they hear in the cinema. Because it offers the best combination of performance, design, user-friendliness, and cost, we chose the Polk Signature Elite Series as our favorite.

• Is it possible to listen to music using in-wall speakers?
  Many in-wall speakers produce superb sound. The only thing you lose with a stereo setup if you install them appropriately and use a nice speaker is that the sound may not be as expansive. However, in-ceiling speakers are a sonic compromise.

• Are there any nice in-wall speakers available?
  Despite the seeming blasphemy, many high-end in-wall and in-ceiling speakers work quite well for distributed audio or two-channel systems, in addition to theatre applications. A well-designed in-wall speaker can deliver remarkably precise sound reproduction.

• I don’t have a receiver; therefore, how can I power my speakers?
  All you have to do now is connect the AUDIO OUT to the HDMI connector on the TV. After that, connect the amplifier to the speaker via the output connection. When you think about it, a two-channel amplifier and a receiver function almost identically, so there’s not much of a difference in terms of connection.

• What is the source of electricity for wireless speakers?
  Yes, most wireless speakers require AC adaptors and must be plugged into a standard outlet or power strip. Some systems employ rechargeable batteries to become “totally wireless,” although this feature necessitates constant charging and repositioning to use this type of surround sound system.

• What is the best way to wire a Polk speaker?
  Lift the two spring clips on the back panel of the Polk speaker to open holes for each wire, then attach the two wires on one end of the speaker cord to the back of the speaker. Push the red wire through the hole in the Polk’s red clip. The other wire should be inserted into the hole behind the black clip.

• What’s wrong with my Polk sound bar?
  Your Polk soundbar isn’t operating because of a connectivity problem or because of your settings. Check that the cords are securely placed and, if necessary, restart your soundbar.

• What do the LEDs on the Polk soundbar indicate?
  The input is set to the auxiliary analogue input by two white LEDs. A single green light indicates that the soundbar is getting a Dolby Digital audio signal, while a single purple light indicates that one of the soundbar’s four audio modes is engaged (movie, music, night effect, or voice adjust).

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