The Origin Acoustics Explorer Collection comprises a range of loudspeakers designed to withstand harsh marine environments, including exposure to saltwater, extreme temperature changes, and airborne humidity. These speakers are built to deliver high-quality musical fidelity and are durable enough for use on lakes or the open sea. The collection includes several models: D65EX, D83EX, D83DT/SUR EX, D83AEX, and D85EX.
Function Description:
The Explorer Collection loudspeakers are designed for audio playback in challenging outdoor and marine settings. They can be installed in various configurations, including auxiliary rooms (2-speaker placement) and home theater setups (5-speaker placement). Dual tweeter models offer versatility, allowing them to be used for either one channel (surround/dipole) or two channels (stereo/dipole). In surround mode, one channel feeds both tweeters, distributing sound throughout the area, which is useful in multi-speaker setups where one speaker serves as a dedicated left and another as a dedicated right. In stereo mode, two channels feed into the speaker, one for each tweeter, making it ideal for small rooms like walk-in closets, bathrooms, or oddly-shaped areas such as hallways, where a single speaker can handle both left and right channels. A switch on the back of the speaker allows users to select the desired mode.
Important Technical Specifications:
Model: D65EX
- Part: SCD65000EX
- Woofer: 6 ½" IMG Pivoting
- Tweeter: 1" Aluminum
- Frequency Response: 45Hz-20kHz
- Power Handling: 25-140 Watts
- Diameter: 9 ⅝" (244mm)
- Grille Diameter: 10” (254mm)
- Cutout Diameter: 8 ¾" (222mm)
- Mounting Depth: 5 ½” (140mm) - At 0° Tilt; 5 3/32" (155mm) - At Maximum Tilt
Model: D83EX
- Part: DSC83000EX
- Woofer: 8" IMG
- Tweeter: 1" Aluminum Multi-Motion Pivoting
- Frequency Response: 38Hz-20kHz
- Power Handling: 50-125 Watts
- Diameter: 9 ⅝" (244mm)
- Grille Diameter: 10" (254mm)
- Cutout Diameter: 8 ¾" (222mm)
- Mounting Depth: 4 ½” (105mm)
Model: D83DT/SUR EX
- Part: SCDT83000EX
- Woofer: 8" IMG
- Tweeter: Dual 1" Aluminum
- Frequency Response: 38Hz-20kHz
- Power Handling: 50-125 Watts
- Diameter: 9 ⅝" (244mm)
- Grille Diameter: 10" (254mm)
- Cutout Diameter: 8 ¾" (222mm)
- Mounting Depth: 4 3/32” (109mm)
Model: D83AEX
- Part: SCD08030AEX
- Woofer: 8” IMG - Fixed Angle
- Tweeter: 1” Aluminum Multi-Motion Pivoting
- Frequency Response: 38Hz-20kHz
- Power Handling: 50-125 Watts
- Diameter: 9 ⅝" (244mm)
- Grille Diameter: 10” (254mm)
- Cutout Diameter: 8 ¾" (222mm)
- Mounting Depth: 4 ½” (105mm)
Model: D85EX
- Part: SCD85000EX
- Woofer: 8" IMG
- Mid-Range: 4” IMG Multi-motion Pivoting
- Tweeter: 1" Aluminum Multi-Motion Pivoting
- Frequency Response: 36Hz-20kHz
- Power Handling: 50-150Watts
- Diameter: 9 ⅝" (244mm)
- Grille Diameter: 10" (254mm)
- Cutout Diameter: 8 ¾" (222mm)
- Mounting Depth: 5 13/32” (142mm)
Wire Recommendation: The gauge of wire impacts speaker performance. Multi-stranded wiring designed for amplifier-to-speaker connections is recommended. The appropriate gauge depends on wire length:
- 0-100' (0-30m): 16 gauge
- 50-150' (15-45m): 14 gauge
- Over 100' (30m): 12 gauge
Usage Features:
- Installation: The installation process involves cutting a hole using a provided template, installing a bayonet ring, connecting speaker wires, and then fitting the speaker into the bayonet ring. For new construction, brackets are available for easier installation.
- Wire Routing: Wires can be routed behind baseboards, through walls (avoiding obstacles like AC wiring, pipes, and ducts), through attics or crawlspaces, or under carpets using "tape wire."
- Speaker Placement:
- Auxiliary Room (2 Speakers): Speakers should be placed equidistant from the listener. For lower ceilings or standing listeners, speakers can be closer.
- Home Theater (5 Speakers): Left Rear (LR) and Right Rear (RR) speakers are installed just behind the listener. The Center Channel (CC) speaker is placed above and slightly in front of the television. Left Front (LF) and Right Front (RF) speakers are placed equidistant to either side.
- Adjustments: The midrange and tweeter can be pivoted to direct sound towards the listening area or for a more diffused surround sound experience. The D82A model has a fixed angle, requiring installation with the baffle pointing towards the desired listening location. Some models include switches to adjust treble and bass, allowing for acoustic balance based on room surfaces (hard surfaces reflect bass/treble, soft surfaces absorb them).
- Grille: The grille is held in place by magnets.
Maintenance Features:
- Grille Painting: The grille can be painted to match room aesthetics. Users should carefully remove the thin cloth from the underside, lightly spray paint from a distance, and dilute the paint with thinner to prevent holes from plugging. Compressed air can be used to clear any plugged holes. The cloth should be reattached once the paint is dry.
- Weather Resistance: For applications where moisture is a concern, it is strongly recommended to apply a liberal bead of marine-grade silicone sealant to completely seal the speaker to the bayonet ring (Inner Border 'A') and the bayonet ring to the installation surface (Outer Border 'B'). This enhances weather resistance and prevents dislodgement due to mechanical vibrations, common in watercraft.
- Troubleshooting: The manual provides a troubleshooting guide for common issues like "No Sound" and "Poor Sound Quality," suggesting checks for volume settings, source selection, cable connections, and recording quality.
- Technical Assistance: Origin Acoustics offers technical support via phone (844-674-4461, Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm Pacific Time) and email (techsupport@originacoustics.com). Users are advised to provide the model number and a description of steps taken to resolve issues.
- Warranty: The product comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original retail purchaser, covering defects in materials and workmanship, provided it was purchased from an authorized Origin Acoustics dealer. Defective products will be repaired or replaced at Origin Acoustics' discretion. The warranty does not cover accidental damage, abuse, misuse, unauthorized repairs, improper installation, normal wear, environmental issues, voltage inputs exceeding rated maximum, or damage during return shipment. Proof of purchase is required, and the warranty is void if identifying numbers are removed or altered.