RSL W25E In Wall Speaker Instruction Manual
- June 3, 2024
- RSL
Table of Contents
W25E IN-WALL SPEAKER
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
W25E In Wall Speaker
The RSL family thanks you for choosing our speakers. We’re confident you’ll be very happy with your new RSL W25E’s. These in-wall speakers went through an extensive engineering and development process. We thoroughly evaluated virtually all major brands of in-wall speakers including many that were more expensive and felt that their performance was lacking compared to comparable bookshelf models. Our goal was to create bookshelf speaker performance that is flexible in its application and use. Whether it’s a full home theater setup, stereo reproduction, or just background sound, the W25E’s will provide the most accurate sound reproduction available.
Features:
- The W25E speaker is unique in several respects. First, we developed the drivers and crossover to deliver the same high quality, neutral sound you’d expect from our high-end RSL bookshelf speakers.
- The W25E has a proprietary angled baffle design (15 degrees) that allows the sound to be directed optimally. This allows maximum flexibility in placing the speaker in the various home theater positions including mounting it horizontally for center channel use. As a center channel, the angled baffle allows it to be placed under or above the TV and have it angled towards the viewer. In addition, the tweeter can swivel allowing more precise directivity.
- The W25E has a selectable tweeter attenuation switch that adjusts the output of the tweeter. Normally, we recommend the 0db setting. However, in very live acoustical spaces and/or lower ceilings (closer proximity), we recommend trying the -2db setting. Experimenting is always recommended.
- The crossover network is the heart of the speaker and is often the victim of cost cutting. The W25E has a quality low distortion crossover network that you’d expect to find in costly bookshelf speakers. This along with Klippel verified drivers contributes to a more accurate, lifelike listening experience.
Included in the box:
RSL W25E in-wall speaker, Installation template, Magnetic grill, Short mounting arms for thicker walls, Paint shield.
Installation:
Critically Important. When mounting the W25E in a wall, we urge you to
place insulation behind the speaker. This is especially important if the space
between the back of the speaker and the wall behind it is narrow. Sound
emanates from the front of the speaker as well as the back. Sound coming from
the back of the speaker bounces off the wall behind it and reflects back into
the speaker. This causes cancellation at certain frequencies and results in an
uneven frequency response. Putting insulation behind the speaker absorbs the
sound and prevents it from reflecting back to the speaker assuring a smooth
frequency response.
There are various types of insulation that will work well. They include denim,
and RockwoolTM. Fiberglass will also work well, but due to its abrasive
qualities, we prefer the others. All of these should be available at your
local home improvement store.
For wiring, we recommend using high quality 12 gauge speaker wire. IMPORTANT! Before cutting, you’ll want to survey the area inside the wall as outlined in step 5 to make sure it’s clear of any wires, pipes, or other potentially hazardous obstructions.
- Remove the magnetic grill from the speaker.
- Locate the cardboard template included with the speakers and place it on the wall exactly where you want the speaker to be installed.
- Make sure the template is level (we suggest you use a level). Hold the template in place and trace around it with a pencil. This will be your cutting line.
- Drill a hole in the center of the outline that you traced with the template.
- Insert a bent coat hanger or a wire into the hole to make sure that the entire area behind the intended speaker location is free of obstructions. Also make sure there is sufficient depth to accommodate the rear of the speaker.
- When you have determined that the entire area is free from obstructions, proceed to cut along the line using a drywall saw. If possible, try to cut just inside the line to avoid making the hole too large (it’s always easier to take a little more off than to put some back on. We know as we’ve tried).
- Run the speaker wire from your receiver or amplifier to the hole in the wall where the speaker will go.
- Connect the speaker wire from your receiver to the terminals on your speaker. The W25E is equipped with push terminals. Push down on the terminal until the insertion hole is open enough to receive the bare end of the speaker wire.
- Double-check that you have connected the positive (+) wire to the positive (red) terminal, and the negative (-) wire to the negative (black) terminal. Make sure both the positive and negative wires are properly inserted and will not easily disconnect. Be certain there are no loose wire strands that could come in contact with the wire or terminal of the other terminal. This will cause a short and may damage your equipment.
- After connecting the wire, use a Phillips screwdriver (we suggest a manual screwdriver for more control) and install the speaker. Insert the speaker into the hole and lightly tighten each of the six anchor screws enough to hold the speaker in place, but will allow you to adjust it so that it is level. After that, continue to tighten the screws until you begin to feel resistance (not to exceed 20 inch lbs). Do not over tighten.
- When each of the six anchor screws are tightened properly, you can place the magnetic grill over the speaker until it holds in place.
Thick-Wall Mounting-Arm Instructions
The standard mounting arms of the RSL W25 accommodate walls with a maximum thickness of 3/4 inch. For thicker walls up to 2 inches, replace the standard mounting arms with the shorter ones that are included with your speaker.
Step 1: Remove the 6 long screws from the front of the speaker that
attach to the mounting arms.
Step 2: Rotate the mounting arms 90 degrees so that they point to the
outside of the speaker.
Step 3: Twist the mounting arm in the direction shown until it clears and
you can remove it.
Step 4: Installation of the shorter thick-wall arms is the opposite of
above. Insert the top of the arm through the retaining ring and twist down.
Then reinstall the 6 long screws onto the front of the speaker.
Painting Instructions
To paint the grill, remove the fabric lining from the inside of the grill. Use spray-paint; applying several extremely light coats and letting each coat dry thoroughly until the grill becomes the desired color. Be careful not to clog the grill holes. They need to remain open for the sound to travel through. If holes become inadvertently covered with paint, clear them with a needle or unbent paper clip. When finished, the fabric lining can be either re-applied or discarded. The fabric is provided to prevent the black baffle of the speaker from being visible through the grill. It does not affect sound quality. To paint the wall around the speakers, use the included paint shield. It snaps into place. After painting, be sure to remove the paint shield or you won’t be happy with the sound of your speakers.
Specifications
Woofer(s): Dual 5 1/4” woofers with high-energy ferrite magnets, woven
mineral-fill poly-cones, butyl rubber surrounds, and high-strength cold-rolled
stamped steel frames
Tweeter: 22mm, 7/8″ treated-fabric exposed dome swivel tweeter with
neodymium magnet
Frequency Response: 48Hz–20,000Hz
Crossover Frequency: 3,200 Hz
Crossover Slope: Asymmetrical 12/6db per octave
Crossover Components: Proprietary, low insertion-loss lami-core and air-
core inductors, RSL poly capacitors, non-inductive resistors, gold-plated
spring-loaded bind posts, FR-2 PCB
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity: 91db SPL (1W/1M)
Recommended Amplifier Power: 25-150 watts
Tuning Method: Infinite baffle
System Resonance: Application dependent
Weight: 7.6 lbs. Shipping Weight: 9.2 lbs.
Dimensions (Overall): 9 7/8” (Width),14” (Height), 4” (Depth)
Dimensions (Mounting): 8 7/8” (Width), 12” (Height), 3 3/4” (Depth)
Enclosure: 1.25-1.5 cu ft, sealed “Backer Box” is optional, but not
necessary
Peace Of Mind Warranty
We’ve worked countless hours without food, sleep, or television to build a
speaker that will serve you well for many years. However, in the unlikely
event it breaks and it’s our fault, we’ll fix it for free. Speakers are
warranted for 5 years; electronics are warranted for 2 years.
We have designed your speaker to have its parts easily replaced by the user,
requiring only a Phillips screwdriver and minimal technical knowledge. We may
offer this solution to you to save you the expense and hassle of sending your
speaker to us.
Here are the terms (sorry, our lawyer made us do this):
RSL warranties your speakers for a period of 5 years from the date of
purchase. We warranty our electronics for a period of 2 years from the date of
purchase. Our products are warranted to be free of defects in original
materials and workmanship. Our warranties apply to the original purchaser. To
obtain warranty service, we ask you to help us with the following:
- Be able to furnish a copy of your sales invoice. However, if you can’t find it, we’ll do our best to fire up the computer and look it up for you.
- The serial numbers must be intact and match those on your sales invoice.
- Return authorization must first be obtained by contacting us before sending your speaker to us. It must be properly packed.
Our speakers are designed for residential stereo or home theater use and must
be used in this manner. They were not specifically designed for public
address, musical instrument amplification, or other commercial or high
intensity applications such as county fairs or NASCAR races. Such use is not
covered under warranty.
Speakers returned under the terms of the warranty will be repaired or replaced
at our option. We will pay for shipping the repaired product back to you if
you live in the continental U.S. You are responsible for prepaying the
shipping to us. Speakers that have been abused, operated improperly,
improperly packed, tampered with, insulted or opened (without our prior
permission) will not be repaired under warranty. This warranty does not cover
damage caused by the use of faulty or improper audio/video components.
This is the total warranty. There are no other warranties, expressed or
implied. No responsibility is assumed for any incidental or consequential
damages. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other
rights which vary from state to state.
If you require service, please contact us through our website or by phone (we
promise to be nice about it even if you did something dumb).
A division of Rogersound Labs, LLC
26500 W. Agoura Road Suite 571
Calabasas, CA 91302 (800)905-5485
www.rslspeakers.com