PRE-70V: How To Set Up w/ 70 Volt Speakers

Introduction

Setting up 70-volt speakers with the Rockville PRE-70V preamp allows for a multi-zone audio system with independent volume control. This guide will walk you through proper wiring, speaker tap settings, and zone configuration to ensure a successful setup.

Step 1: Understanding Zones and Channels

The PRE-70V preamp has eight audio zones, which are divided as follows:

• Zones 1-4 → Left Channel
• Zones 5-8 → Right Channel

Each zone allows you to control different speaker groups independently, making it ideal for multi-room or commercial audio setups.

Amplifier Power Considerations

• Ensure that the total wattage of all connected speakers does not exceed the power output of your amplifier.
• Example: If your amplifier provides 1,000 watts, the combined wattage of your connected speakers must stay within this limit.

Step 2: Determining Speaker Tap Settings

Each 70V speaker has multiple tap settings, which determine how much power each speaker draws.

• Example: The Rockville CC80 speaker has tap settings from 2.5W to 20W.
• If you plan to connect 200 speakers, each speaker should be tapped at 5W to stay within the 1,000-watt limit.

Step 3: Connecting a Speaker to the PRE-70V Preamp

Wiring a Single Speaker to Zone 1

1. Loosen the terminals for Zone 1 on the preamp.
2. Connect the speaker wire:
   • Red wire → Positive (+) terminal of Zone 1
   • Black wire → Negative (-) terminal of Zone 1
3. Take the other ends of the speaker wire and connect them to the positive and negative terminals of the speaker.

Step 4: Connecting Multiple Speakers (Parallel Wiring)

For multiple speakers, use parallel wiring:

1. Take an additional speaker wire and connect it to the positive and negative terminals of the first speaker.
2. Connect the other ends of that wire to the positive and negative terminals of the second speaker.
3. Repeat this process for all additional speakers.

💡 Tip: If you need help with parallel wiring, Rockville has a video tutorial explaining the process in detail.

Step 5: Setting Speaker Wattage (Tap Adjustment)

1. Adjust each speaker’s tap setting to the desired wattage.
   • Example: If using 200 speakers, set each speaker to 5W.
2. Ensure that the total wattage across all connected speakers does not exceed your amplifier’s power capacity.

Step 6: Assigning Zones for Independent Volume Control

The benefit of multiple zones is the ability to control volume separately in different areas.

• Example Setup:
  • Zone 1 → Kitchen
  • Zone 2 → Living Room
  • Zone 3 → Backyard
  • Zone 4 → Office

Each zone can play different music sources or be set to different volume levels based on your needs.

Conclusion

Setting up 70-volt speakers with the Rockville PRE-70V preamp is simple and scalable, making it perfect for multi-room, commercial, and home installations. By parallel wiring, properly tapping speakers, and distributing zones, you can achieve a customized and efficient audio system.