AudioSource AE4SW - Manual

Congratulations on your purchase of the AudioSource

AE4SW Speaker Selector. This product is designed

to distribute stereo music to four independent

listening zones via connection with your existing

audio system.
Please read this Installation Manual to ensure the

proper installation and performance of your AE4SW

Speaker Selector.

AE4SW

4 Zone Stereo Speaker Selector

Function of the AE4SW

The AE4SW is a low-profile speaker-level audio distribution

system with individual On/Off selectors controlling signal

distribution to four listening zones. Pass-through amplifier

input terminals allow easy connection of additional AE-SW

selectors. User-selectable protection circuitry ensures that

the combined speaker load impedance presented to the

amplifier never falls below 6 ohms per channel.

The AE-SW selector is designed to be used independently

or in conjunction with AE100VC Impedance Matching

Volume Controls. These provide independent volume

control for each zone and provide impedance matching

in place of the AE-SW selector.

When using impedance matching volume controls, the

AE-SW protection circuit should be in the off position.

Follow instructions in the AE100VC manual for correct

impedance matching settings.

Installation and Connection Precautions

Polarity (+/-) for the input and output speaker terminals

is clearly marked on the AE4SW rear panel. Speaker

wire is coded to identify each conductor as either

positive (+) or negative (-). Maintain (+) to (+) and (-) to (-)

connections between all components in your installation.

1. Route the speaker cables from each speaker zone

and the amplifier to the terminals on the AE-SW. These

terminals will accept up to 10 gauge speaker cable.*

The amplifier cables connect to the terminals marked

“INPUT” on the back of the AE-SW unit. The speaker

cables connect to the numbered Zone output terminals

on the AE-SW selector.

Note:

UL rated CL3 speaker wire is recommended when

running wire inside your walls. In many areas it may be

required by code. To avoid picking up hum and interference

do not install the speaker wire parallel to any 120V power lines.

If the speaker wire needs to cross a 120V power line at a

right angle this will not create a problem. If you are uncomfortable

with running the speaker wire yourself, it is recommended

that you retain a qualified custom home installation specialist

or electrician.

2. Strip 3/8” of insulation from the end of the cable and

twist the exposed end to avoid fraying.
3. Press the spring-loaded lever on the speaker terminal

and insert the speaker cable, carefully observing the

polarity.

4. Release the spring loaded lever to clamp the cable

in place. Gently pull on the cable to ensure it’s securely

connected.
5. The system is now ready for testing. Turn on the

sound system and set the amplifier’s volume control

to a moderate level.
6. Sound should be heard from each zone when its

button is depressed. Check each zone for proper left

and right connections by activating each zone with the

balance adjusted to full left and then to full right.
7. Attach the custom die-cut labels provided to the

buttons of the AE4SW, referencing each button to its

zone within the installation.

Recommended Speaker Wire Gauges

Excess resistance caused by using an undersized

speaker wire can result in loss of power, loss of bass

definition and loss of overall dynamic range. Over

extremely long wire runs you may even experience a

loss of high frequency content in the audio signal.
To prevent sonic degradation in your speaker installation,

total speaker wire resistance should be kept below

0.5 ohms. The following table lists recommended speaker

wire gauge versus wire run length.

50’ or less - 16 Gauge 2-Cond. CL3 Rated

50’ - 150’ - 12 Gauge 2-Cond. CL3 Rated

150’ - 200’ - 10 Gauge 2-Cond. CL3 Rated

Installation and Connection Procedures

* Use of speaker cable smaller than 16 gauge is not

recommended.