Episode ES-300 - User Manual

To Next Page

OWNER’S MANUAL >> IN-CEILING SPEAKERS

ES-300 ES-500 ES-700

Thank you for purchasing a great product from one of the best sounding

speaker lines available today, Episode™. We appreciate your purchase

and are committed to providing the highest quality products possible.

The Episode in-ceiling models are a superb choice for almost every type

of home theater or home audio installation. They have been designed with

advanced technological components that allow for high performance and

a lifetime of enjoyment.

PAINTING

It is highly recommended that the speakers be painted prior to installation. If it is necessary to paint

them while installed, the provided paint mask should be used in place of the grille to protect the

speaker. The grille may be painted as well with great care taken not to clog the ne holes with

paint. Only paint grilles when they have been removed from the speakers.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Episode speakers are designed to function trouble-free. Most problems that occur are due to simple

issues. If you have trouble, please check the list of simple xes below. If the problem persists,

contact Episode Customer Service at 1.866.838.5052.

NO SOUND

• Verify that there is audio coming from the source selected. Select another

source if necessary.

• Ensure that any power ampliers are turned on and connected properly.

• Check any connections at other devices, such as a volume control. Temporarily

bypass the control if needed.

• Check wire connections at each speaker not producing sound for good contact

to bare wire, not wire insulation.

WARRANTY

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Episode in-wall, in-ceiling and bookshelf Speakers have a Lifetime Limited Warranty. This warranty

includes parts and labor repairs on all components found to be defective in material or workmanship

under normal conditions of use. This warranty shall not apply to products which have been abused,

modied or disassembled. Products to be repaired under this warranty must be returned to SnapAV

or a designated service center with prior notication and an assigned return authorization number (RA).

Life time

TONE CONTROLS (500 AND 700 MODELS ONLY)

• After the speaker is installed, please test the speaker using music or content you are familiar with.

• The 500 and 700 series speakers allow you to control the amount of treble. The factory setting is

in the plus “+” position and gives a full and clear sound in a typical furnished room with absorption

from soft materials like carpets, furniture and people. If the room is very reverberant you decrease

the tweeter response and high frequency clarity by moving the switch to the minus “-” position

• The 700 series speakers allow you to also control the woofer crossover response. The factory setting

is also in the plus “+” position for a full and clear sound in a typical furnished room. Depending on

the room acoustics you might need to subtract some of the mid-bass to obtain better clarity by

moving the woofer switch to the minus “-” position. This is convenient in installation areas that have

a large amount of reective surfaces, such as glass, hardwood oors, concrete, etc.

• Please adjust the control(s) until the sound is optimized for the environment

• Carefully insert the grille into the speaker.

TWEETER

WOOFER

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Episode ES-300 and is the answer not in the manual?

Summary

Tone Controls for 500 and 700 Series Speakers

Speaker Painting Instructions

Recommended to paint speakers before installation using a paint mask for protection.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Addresses common issues like no sound; verify source, amplifier, and wire connections.

Speaker Warranty Information

Limited Lifetime Warranty Details

Covers Episode in-wall, in-ceiling, and bookshelf speakers for defects in material or workmanship.

Important Instructions and Considerations

General Speaker Placement Guidelines

Keep speakers away from corners. For rooms <300 sq ft, use two speakers; for >300 sq ft, use three or more.

Speaker Installation Procedures

Covers new construction using brackets and existing construction wire runs and cutouts.

Optional Speaker Features

Pivoting Tweeter Assembly Function

Allows directing the tweeter to focus sound or reflect it off hard surfaces for diffused sound.

Summary

Tone Controls for 500 and 700 Series Speakers

Speaker Painting Instructions

Recommended to paint speakers before installation using a paint mask for protection.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Addresses common issues like no sound; verify source, amplifier, and wire connections.

Speaker Warranty Information

Limited Lifetime Warranty Details

Covers Episode in-wall, in-ceiling, and bookshelf speakers for defects in material or workmanship.

Important Instructions and Considerations

General Speaker Placement Guidelines

Keep speakers away from corners. For rooms <300 sq ft, use two speakers; for >300 sq ft, use three or more.

Speaker Installation Procedures

Covers new construction using brackets and existing construction wire runs and cutouts.

Optional Speaker Features

Pivoting Tweeter Assembly Function

Allows directing the tweeter to focus sound or reflect it off hard surfaces for diffused sound.

This document describes the Episode ES-300, ES-500, and ES-700 series in-ceiling speakers, providing installation, usage, and maintenance guidelines. These speakers are engineered by SnapAV and are designed for home theater or home audio installations, offering high performance and durability.

Function Description

The Episode in-ceiling speakers are designed to reproduce audio within a room, integrating seamlessly into the ceiling for a clean aesthetic. They are suitable for various audio setups, from basic stereo systems to complex home theater environments. The ES-500 and ES-700 models include tone controls for adjusting treble and woofer crossover response, allowing users to fine-tune the sound to their specific room acoustics. The ES-500-ICDVC-6 model, specifically, is a dual voice coil (stereo) in-ceiling speaker, making it a good choice for situations where an odd number of speakers is desired or for smaller spaces where a single speaker can provide stereo sound.

Important Technical Specifications

While specific numerical technical specifications like frequency response or power handling are not detailed in this manual, several functional specifications are highlighted:

Tone Controls (ES-500 and ES-700 Models Only):
- Treble Control: Allows adjustment of high-frequency response. The factory setting is in the "+" position for a full and clear sound in typical furnished rooms. Users can decrease tweeter response by moving the switch to the "-" position in reverberant rooms.
- Woofer Crossover Response Control (ES-700 Models Only): Allows adjustment of mid-bass response. The factory setting is in the "+" position. Users can subtract mid-bass by moving the switch to the "-" position to achieve better clarity in rooms with reflective surfaces (e.g., glass, hardwood floors, concrete).
Pivoting Tweeter Assembly: The tweeter can be directed to focus sound where desired. Common options include pointing it directly at the listening area for a more pointed sound source or reflecting it off hard surfaces for a more diffused sound field.
Construction: Designed for in-ceiling installation, requiring a cutout in the ceiling. The speakers are secured using four screws that clamp the speaker against the ceiling.
Wiring: Requires stripping approximately 1/4" of insulation from each conductor and inserting it into the speaker terminals. Proper polarity (+ to + and - to -) must be observed for each speaker and at the amplifier.

Usage Features

The Episode in-ceiling speakers offer several features that enhance their usability and sound customization:

Sound Customization: The tone controls on the ES-500 and ES-700 models allow users to optimize the sound for their specific room environment and personal preference. This is particularly useful in rooms with varying acoustic properties, such as those with many soft furnishings (carpets, furniture) or hard, reflective surfaces (glass, concrete).
Flexible Sound Dispersion: The pivoting tweeter assembly provides control over sound direction, enabling users to create either a focused soundstage or a more ambient, diffused sound field, depending on their listening preferences and room layout.
Installation Flexibility:
- New Construction: Compatible with Episode new construction brackets (sold separately), which simplify placement and installation prior to drywall.
- Existing Construction: Requires careful planning to avoid obstructions like joists, HVAC ductwork, electrical wiring, or plumbing. A supplied template guides the cutout process.
Room Sizing Guidelines:
- For rooms less than 300 square feet, two speakers are generally sufficient, spaced 8-10 feet apart.
- For rooms larger than 300 square feet, three or more speakers are recommended for good sound dispersion. The ES-500-ICDVC-6 dual voice coil speaker is suggested for odd-numbered speaker setups.
Placement Recommendations: Speakers should be kept approximately 2 feet away from corners and other surfaces that might interfere with or reflect sound, such as tall furniture, to prevent sound interference.

Maintenance Features

The manual outlines several maintenance and troubleshooting aspects to ensure the longevity and optimal performance of the speakers:

Painting: It is highly recommended to paint the speakers prior to installation. If painting after installation, a provided paint mask should be used to protect the speaker. The grille can also be painted, but extreme care must be taken to avoid clogging the fine holes with paint. Grilles should only be painted when removed from the speakers.
Troubleshooting: The speakers are designed for trouble-free operation. In case of issues, a simple troubleshooting guide is provided:
- No Sound:
  - Verify the audio source is selected and functioning.
  - Ensure power amplifiers are on and connected correctly.
  - Check connections at other devices (e.g., volume control) and temporarily bypass them if needed.
  - Inspect wire connections at each speaker for good contact, ensuring no bare wire is touching or insulation is preventing contact.
- If problems persist, contact Episode Customer Service.
Cleaning: While not explicitly detailed, the painting instructions imply that the grilles can be removed, suggesting they can be cleaned if necessary.
Warranty: Episode in-wall, in-ceiling, and bookshelf speakers come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. This warranty covers parts and labor for defects in material or workmanship under normal use conditions. It does not cover products that have been abused, modified, or disassembled. For warranty repairs, products must be returned to SnapAV or a designated service center with prior notification and an assigned Return Authorization (RA) number.

Overall, the Episode in-ceiling speakers are presented as a high-quality, customizable audio solution with user-friendly installation and robust support, designed for long-term enjoyment in various home audio environments.