THIEL
Model
PowerPlane™
Coherent
®
Source
in-wall
loudspeaker
system
OWNER INFORMATION
Vertical speaker mounting to the frame
studs may require using two adjustable
mounting adapters (shown at left), available
in 16" and 24" lengths. These adapters can
be ordered from THIEL.
VERTICAL MOUNTING
(Step one through four views
shown from rear of wall)
Step Four
Step One
Step Two
Step Three
After the wall opening is cut
using the template, place the
adapter so that the metal side
is flush with the bottom of the
wall opening. Slide the
Further secure the adapter by
running a screw through the
end of the adapter’s metal
flange into the wall stud.
Repeat on the other side.
Once the adapter is mounted,
and adjusted, run one screw
through the top of the metal
piece into the wood below to
secure the two adapter pieces
together.
Repeat the previous
instructions for securing
the upper adapter, with
the metal side of the
adapter flush with the
top wall opening. Install
the speaker as shown in
Step Three of the
adjustable metal section so
that its metal flange is against
the studs. Hammer both sides
of the adapter’s metal tongs
into the studs.
horizontal mounting.
CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS
The PowerPlane uses 5-way binding posts which accept several types of speaker cable termination. Make sure that all
connections are tight. For proper performance, speakers in a multi-speaker system must be wired in the same polarity. The
speaker’s input terminals are color coded to facilitate this. The wire connected to the red ringed input terminal of each speaker
should connect to the respective positive (+) output terminal of the amplifier; the wire connected to the black ringed input
terminal should be connected to the respective negative (–) output terminal of the amplifier. The speakers should be connected
to the amplifier with high quality cable to ensure minimal loss of power and proper control by the amplifier.
Due to European CE regulations that do not permit banana plug type loudspeaker connections, we ship THIEL speakers with
removable plugs installed in the ends of the binding posts. If you wish to use banana plug type connections, you may remove the
black plastic plug inserted into the end of each metal binding post cap. To remove the plug, use your fingernail to pry along the
bottom edge of the plastic insert and lift out.
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
The PowerPlane is a very high quality sound reproducer and will benefit from use with high quality associated equipment.
Since it is extremely accurate, it will reveal sources of distortion generated elsewhere in the system. For example, distortion
resulting from poor recordings or inferior electronics will be reproduced accurately.
BREAK-IN
The PowerPoint, like most speakers, requires a period of playing before they perform optimally. The time depends on how
loudly the speakers are played; more time is required if played softly, less if played loudly. At least 50 hours at moderately
loud levels are required before the speaker is performing near optimum.
POWER REQUIREMENTS
It is important to have enough power to play at the level you desire without distortion. If high sound levels are desired, the
PowerPoint’s are designed to be used with amplifiers rated up to 200 watts per channel (into 8 ohms). If you play the
speakers more loudly than the volume the amplifier can cleanly produce, the amplifier will produce overload (clipping)
distortion. The sound will become compressed, strained, and in extreme cases, obviously distorted. This distortion is actually
non-musical additional energy and since it is concentrated in the high frequency region where the speaker is least able to
handle it, tweeters can be damaged in extreme cases.
Keep in mind that sound quality is usually much more important than sound quantity. There can be large differences in the
sonic performance of two amplifiers of equal power, and this is more important than large differences in power. Most
everyone will be happier with a 100 watt amplifier of high sonic quality than a 200 watt amplifier of mediocre sonic quality.
For this reason, we feel there is no substitute for listening in making your amplifier decision.
The question “how much power do I need?” does not have the simple answer most people expect because it is not
determined only by the loudspeaker’s efficiency, but also by the volume desired and the size of the room. If all three factors
are average, about 100 watts per channel is required. Each factor can raise or lower this amount by about three times.
1) Usually, people who “don’t like music loud” can decrease their power to about one-half. Also, people who like music
loud should increase their power by 2 times or more. Most people fall within a normal range.
2) A speaker with a low efficiency of 84 dB/W-m will require twice the power of an average 87 dB/W-m speaker and one
with a high rating of 90 dB/W-m will require only half the power of an average speaker. The PowerPlane is of above average
efficiency (89 dB) and therefore requires less than an average amount of power for average volume levels.
3) A small room will need less power for a given loudness level than a large room. A very small room of 1000 cu ft (11' x
11' with an 8' ceiling) will require about half the power of an average size room. A large room of 6000 cu ft (20' x 30' with a
10' ceiling) will require twice the average power. If the listening room is connected to another room by a large open area, the
required power will increase, but not by the amount of the combined room volume. If the room has a “dropped” ceiling with
light panels, the ceiling will be almost transparent acoustically and the space above the ceiling should be added. If the panels
are heavy they will act as a more normal ceiling.
In conclusion, a person who doesn’t like to play music very loudly and has a small room can get quality sound with the
PowerPlane with as little as 30 watts whereas a person who sometimes likes to play loudly and has a large room may need
200 watts or more.
GRILLE
The PowerPoint’s grille is magnetically attached to the cabinet and can be removed by gently prying the grille forward. The
PowerPlane grille can be made more opaque for visual reasons, but with a small amount of sonic degradation, by adding the
included “scrim” to the back of the grille. To install the scrim, first remove the metal grille and apply a coating of spray
adhesive to the rear of the grille. After the adhesive becomes tacky, press the scrim to the grille starting at the center and
working outward making sure the scrim adheres to the grille everywhere it makes contact.
PAINTING THE FRONT PANEL
The PowerPlane is shipped with an off-white finish, but can be painted any desired
color. To paint the speaker, first remove the grille and then the driver trim ring by
removing the six mounting screws. Place the mask over the driver, then place the
trim ring on top of the mask. Painting should be done prior to installing the scrim, as
mentioned above.
Painting mask placement
SERVICE
If your speaker system requires service, contact your authorized THIEL dealer. If you need to contact THIEL, service
information and technical support is available at (606) 254-9427, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or via
e-mail at [email protected].
REPLACING THE COAXIAL TWEETER MODULE
In the unlikely event that your PowerPlane loudspeaker requires service, the entire
coaxial driver can be removed from the front of the cabinet, or the tweeter module
can be replaced separately without removing the woofer.
To replace just the tweeter module, bend the end of small paper clip and hook it under
the module’s protective screen. While applying pressure against the screen with two
fingers, slowly pull the module out. When installing the new tweeter, position it so that
both module pins are placed in the two socket holes of the magnet system. Make sure
that the pin marked with a red dot is inserted into the red marked hole. After the new
module is inserted, push hard on the screen with some lateral force in all directions to
insure that the tweeter is firmly seated and sealed.
POWERPLANE CABINET DIMENSIONS
in millimeters and inches
475 18-11/16"
Input
Grille covers
shaded area
Mounting
holes
NOTE:INPUT CAN
BE INSTALLED IN
THE DOWN POSITION
406
16"
FRONT VIEW
SIDE VIEW
475
18-11/16"
Depth required behind wall surface: 3 7⁄8"
Required wall opening: 9 1⁄2" x 14" min.
10 1⁄2" x 15" max.
356
406
14"
16"
TOP/BOTTOM VIEW
THIEL POWERPLANE SPECIFICATIONS
Amplitude Response
75 Hz-20 kHz ±3 dB
Minimum ±10°
Phase Response
Sensitivity
89 [email protected] V-1m
Impedance
Recommended Power
Size
4 ohms (3 ohms minimum)
30-200 watts
11.5 " H x 4" D x 19" L (horizontal)
11 pounds
Weight
LIMITED 10 YEAR WARRANTY
THIEL warrants every THIEL PowerPlane system against defects in materials and workmanship to the original owner for
a period of ten years from the date of purchase. THIEL will, at no charge, replace any defective part and make any repairs
necessary to ensure its proper performance when the defective unit is returned to us postpaid.
This warranty does not cover damage due to accident or abuse and is void if the unit has been tampered with.
This warranty is automatic and no registration is required. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also
have other rights which are particular to your state.
The following information is for your records.
Serial Numbers______________________________
Purchase Date_______________________________
Purchased From_____________________________
CONTRIBUTOR
HARDWOOD
FORESTRY FUND
THIEL
1026 Nandino Boulevard
Lexington, Kentucky 40511-1207
06/00
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