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Niles VCS100R

Stereo volume control with impedance magnification

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Item# 190VCS1HRW offer details

Item# 190VCS1HRW

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Niles Audio

Our take on the Niles VCS100R

With these impedance-magnifying stereo volume controls from Niles, you can safely connect as many as 8 pairs of speakers to a typical receiver or amplifier without installing a speaker selector or any other type of protection device.

If your amp's minimum impedance is 8 ohms, you can connect up to 8 pairs of 8-ohm speakers using these volume controls. If your amp's minimum impedance is 4 ohms, you can connect up to 16 pairs of 8 ohms speakers, or 8 pairs of 4 ohm speakers!

Details:

  • connect up to 8 pairs of 8-ohm speakers to a single stereo amplifier (requires 1 volume control per speaker pair)
  • adjustable impedance magnification (2x, 4x, and 8x)
  • power handling: 100 watts per channel
  • 12 step control, 54dB maximum attenuation
  • pop-free switching between all steps
  • accommodates 14-16 gauge wire
  • removable knob and Decora-style insert for quick and easy color changes
  • fits most 18-cubic-inch single-gang junction boxes at least 2-3/4" deep
  • dimensions: 2-3/4"W x 4-1/2"H (includes faceplate); depth behind plate: 2-9/16"
  • warranty: 10 years
 

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Product Research

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What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • VCS 100 volume control with attached circuit board
  • 1 White standard Decora wallplate
  • 1 White blank Decora wallplate
  • 2 Device screws
  • 2 Faceplate screws
  • Installation & Operation Guide

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features
Installation Considerations
Specifications
Dimensions

Features

Overview: The VCS 100 is a high power stereo speaker volume control that connects between the speaker-level output of an amplifier, speaker selector, or a Niles VCS HUB8 distribution hub and a pair of speakers. Premium-quality parts and construction ensure high-fidelity sound with flat frequency response (+/-1.2 dB) and 100 watts continuous power handling.

Universal Impedance Magnifying Circuit: A universal impedance magnifying circuit enables the VCS 100 to act as stereo and an impedance magnifying volume control. You can magnify the speakers' impedance by a factor of two, four, or eight, allowing you to connect up to eight pair of speakers to a single amplifier or receiver. Note: Each pair of speakers must have its own volume control and each volume control must be set to the same impedance magnification.

12-Position Control: The make-before-break switch design delivers 12-step, pop-free control for a wide range of listening volumes.

Autoformers: Precision autoformers provide superior sonic performance, exceeding the audio quality of non-impedance magnifying volume controls.

Removable Screwless Speaker Connectors: Two piece, screwless speaker connectors make installation quick and secure. Each connector can accept up to 14-gauge wire.

Isolated Grounds: Isolated left and right-channel grounds ensure safety with any amplifier.

Mounting: The VCS 100 fits into most 18 cubic inch single-gang junction boxes.

Impedance Compatibility: The VCS 100 can be used with 4-, 6-, or 8-ohm speaker systems.

Removable Insert and Knob: The Decora-style insert and knob on the VCS 100 are removable, allowing you to substitute a different color insert and knob.

Installation Considerations

Junction Boxes: The mounting depth of the VCS 100 is 2-9/16". When installed, the unit extends 2-1/16" behind the sheetrock (assuming 1/2" sheetrock). For installation, you must use a standard 18 cubic inch or larger junction box.

Speaker Wire: The VCS 100 will accept stranded copper wire up to 14-gauge. Larger (lower gauge) wire is not recommended, as it will not fit into the connectors. Solid-core, aluminum, or "Romex" wire is not recommended. Most states require in-wall speaker wire to have a specific "CL" fire rating.

Mounting Location: You can install the VCS 100 in just about any location where in-wall space exists, though it should not be installed into a junction box with 110 volt devices, such as light switches or dimmers. Speaker wire can act as an antenna for electrical noise, and locating speaker wire too close to a light switch or dimmer may cause the speakers to emit a popping or buzzing sound.

Required Tools: To install the VCS 100 you will need a 1/8" standard slotted screwdriver, a 1/4" standard slotted screwdriver, and a wire stripper. Other tools may be required to prepare the wall and junction box to accept the volume control.

Specifications

Audio Power Handling: 100 watts/channel RMS; 200 watts/channel peak music power

Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 Hz (+/-2 dB)

Impedance: compatible with 4-, 6-, and 8-ohm speaker systems

Dimensions

Volume Control:

  • Width: 1.522"
  • Height: 4.069"
  • Depth: 3.656"

Cover Plate:

  • Width: 2.762"
  • Height: 4.515"
 

Product Reviews

Review Summary

Average Customer Review:

6 people say:
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1-6 of 6 items Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness
 
5 out of 5

Niles VCS100R

Written By Matthew, Okc, OK on Saturday, April 03, 2010
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
Works great and was easy to install. Put a TV in the kitchen that is a slave to the one in the living room with Speakers in the kitchen cieling. Volume control in the kitchen is great for not having to run into living room to turn sound up or down. Product looks great and works great.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Niles VCS100R

Written By Dave, Mechanicsville, MD on Wednesday, September 09, 2009
 
I have these switches in every room of my home to control ceiling speakers. They work great and allow flexibility for impedences given particular numbers of speakers being driven. I would recommend these switches to anyone wanting control of seperate room speakers.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

I'm satisified

Written By Richard, USA on Thursday, August 18, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
We have purchased 3 of these units over a couple of years to repalce 15 year old ones that have failed. They're easy to install (take careful notes of wire colors on each side before unhooking the old ones) . They are well made and packaged. A little more costly than Radio Shack, which we bought and threw away. Crutchfield as usual was as usual a relable resource.

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5 out of 5

very well made

Written By Judd, Glens Falls,NY on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
Right out of the box the control feels solid and well made. The connectors on the control disconnect from control to make connecting the wires very simple and assuring they are done right. Great Product.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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4 out of 5

top quality,great appearance

Written By JOHN W., ROCKFORD IL. on Sunday, October 02, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
I've been using niles products for over 20 years in commercial applications, (night clubs) and this is the first time i had a reason to use the wall mounted volume control for myself. I wired my bathroom,kitchen and bedroom for sound and i was impressed with how the volume control can be set to adjust for the amount of speakers being used to divide the power load to the amp. it was a little difficult opening up the speaker wire opening thinking I was going to break the plastic legs , but it worked out alright ,hard on the finger nails. after the first one , the next two were a breeze..also bought a speaker selector from niles.
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1 out of 5

Keith

Written By Keith, Spokane, WA on Friday, December 10, 2010
 
Installed these switches in all rooms of the house in new build. Have replaced two already.
On/Off switch sticks...now two additional rooms do not work. Not a good product at all!
4 out of 4 people found this helpful
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1-6 of 6 items

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Accessories

Things you'll need

In-Wall Speaker Wire
Use speaker wire that is designed to match building codes and provide rugged shielding.
AudioQuest FLX-16/2 16-Gauge 2-Conductor In-Wall Speaker Cable
$89.99
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AudioQuest FLX-14/2 14-Gauge 2-Conductor In-Wall Speaker Cable
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AudioQuest FLX-16/4 16-Gauge 4-Conductor In-Wall Speaker Cable
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For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Niles VCS100R, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/ISEO-rccbcspd/p_190VCS1HRW/Niles-VCS100R-White.html ).

Sorry, the Niles VCS100R is discontinued.

Niles VCS100R