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Russound ALTX-2D

Stereo volume control with impedance magnification

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  • Russound ALTX-2D

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  • Russound ALTX-2D

    Three different color wall plates included

Item# 543ALTX2D offer details

Item# 543ALTX2D

Review Summary

 
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Original price $59.00
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Russound

Our take on the Russound ALTX-2D

by Marshall Chase

The Russound ALTX-2D makes controlling the volume of your in-wall or in-ceiling speakers a simple task. Instead of running up the stairs or down the hall to your receiver or amplifier, just reach for the knob on this handy control, which you can install right in the same room as your speakers. Choose the Decora® finish of the ALTX-2D for its stylish looks or to match existing wall plates in your home.

System expansion options
You can use up to eight of these impedance-magnifying stereo volume controls to safely drive up to eight pairs of speakers with a typical receiver or amplifier. You won't even need any additional speaker selector or protection device. For connecting up to four volume controls neatly and conveniently to your receiver or amplifier, use Russound's EZB-1SC connecting block, or add the EZB-2SC modular expansion unit for systems with up to eight pairs of speakers.

Custom-tailored advice — before and after you buy
Installing this volume control usually requires you to run speaker cable in your walls, unless your home is already pre-wired. Our Audio/Video Designers can help you map out the details. Plus, our tech support specialists can help you through your installation step-by-step.

Highlights:

  • impedance-magnifying design
  • power handling: 42 watts per channel
  • adjustable impedance magnification (1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x)
    • 4 ohm-stable amp: up to 16 pairs of 8 ohm speakers or 8 pairs of 4 ohm speakers
    • 8 ohm-stable amp: up to 8 pairs of 8 ohm speakers or 4 pairs of 4 ohm speakers
  • 11-step control, 48dB maximum attenuation
  • accommodates up to 12-gauge wire
  • installs in wall with a standard single-gang electrical box (not included)
  • mounting depth: 2-1/2"
  • 1-5/8"W x 2-5/8"H x 3-5/16"D
  • warranty: 10 years
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee
Shop all Russound In-wall Volume Controls
     

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    What's in the box?

    Download owner's manual

    • ALTx-2D in-wall volume control with white Decora insert and white volume knob installed
    • White wall plate
    • Almond wall plate
    • Bone wall plate
    • Almond volume knob
    • Bone volume knob
    • Almond Decora insert
    • Bone Decora insert
    • 2 Speaker screw terminals
    • 2 Volume control installation screws (M3 x 20mm)
    • 2 White painted wall plate screws (M3 x 10mm)
    • 2 Almond painted wall plate screws (M3 x 10mm)
    • 2 Bone painted wall plate screws (M3 x 10mm)
    • Instruction Manual

    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

    Overview: The Russound ALTx-2D is an in-wall volume control that fits into a standard single-gang junction box. It comes with wall plates, Decora inserts, and volume knobs in white, almond, and bone.

    Ultra-Match Technology: The ALTx-2D's Ultra-Match technology allows you to easily match the load of multiple speakers to the amplifier impedance without the need for a speaker selector or other impedance-matching equipment. It provides impedance matching for up to 16 pairs of speakers per system.

    Performance: This in-wall volume control is designed to handle up to 42 watts RMS and 126-watts peak power. The built-in precision autoformers produce high-fidelity sound with excellent frequency response (20Hz - 20kHz, +1.0/-0.5 dB at rated power). It provides maximum power transfer from the amplifier to the speakers without heat buildup.

    Volume Knob: The ALTx-2D has a simple clean design with a simple knob, Decora insert, and standard wall plate. The knob has 11 steps of volume, plus an off position. The volume control provides a total of 48 dB attenuation.

    Connections: The volume control has two 4-pole screw terminal blocks, one for the input from the amplifier, and one for the output to a pair of speakers. The terminals allow you to connect up to 12-gauge speaker wire. The terminals can be unplugged from the volume control for easier wiring.

    Speaker Wire Recommendations: For most applications, stranded 16-gauge speaker wire is recommended. For runs of over 100 feet, 14-gauge is recommended, while 12-gauge is recommended for runs of up to 200 feet.

    Jumper Settings: Each ALTx-2D has two sets of five jumper pins (five for the left channel, and five for the right) on the back of the volume control. The jumpers can be set to 1x, 2x, 4x, or 8x, depending upon the number of speaker pairs being connected in the system. The jumper sleeves should be configured the same for all speaker pairs in the system before connecting the speakers.

    Amplifier Power Ratings: The amplifier should provide a minimum of 20 watts per channel RMS for each pair of speakers connected.

    Speaker Impedance: The ALTx-2D is designed for speakers with impedances of 4, 6, or 8 ohms.

    EZB Connecting Blocks: When connecting multiple pairs of speakers to the system, you will need a Russound EZB-1SC (item # 543EZB1SC) connecting block. The EZB-1SC can connect up to four volume controls to the amplifier's output. An EZB-2SC (543EZB2SC) is needed to expand the EZB1SC to another four volume controls.

     

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    Reviews for the Russound ALTX-2D

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    5 out of 5

    Russound ALTX-2D

    Written By Gordon, Tampa FL on Sunday, November 11, 2012
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Looks good. No complaints. Note: I was used high quality 12 gauge oxygen-free copper finely stranded speaker cable. It's too big for the connectors, so I had to trim the cable strands down by about 50% (effectively making it like 14 gauge at that point). But it was still slipping out of the clamp down connectors, so I very lightly "tinned" (i.e. soldered) the wires. This held them together enough that I could get traction in the clamp-down connector.
    Pros:
    I liked the detachable connectors for the speaker wires. It made installation easier. (It can be really tough to get the speaker cables to fit inside the electrical box. This design makes it easier.)
    Cons:
    None.
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    4 out of 5

    Great value

    Written By Ted S, Austin TX on Saturday, July 28, 2012
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Good performance at a very reasonable price point
    Pros:
    Good value and warranty
    Cons:
    Would have prefered a well-labeled switch to the jumpers used to set impedance magnification. Instructions should point out that installation requires a large single-gang electrical box (at least 18 in**3, preferably 20).
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    1-2 of 2

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    Rated 5-stars by consumers

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    Sorry, the Russound ALTX-2D is no longer available for purchase.

    • Front

      Russound ALTX-2D
    • Three different color wall plates included

      Russound ALTX-2D