SKU: OSD-SVC205
OSD SVC205 In-Wall Impedance Matching Volume Control with On/Off Switch
The OSD Audio SVC205 is a self-impedance matching in-wall volume controller with an on/off switch. Volume controls do not add gain (volume) to your speakers; they simply attenuate the volume up or down. During setup, you'll set the source volume to its optimum level, then the volume control turns the sound down to almost inaudible levels. The SVC205 is unique in that it let's you turn sound off completely.
Features
- Control volume from any room
- Low distortion and ruler flat frequency response
- All installation materials included
- Front-mounted setting switch and on/off switch
What Is Impedance Protection?
Speakers are specified by impedance, which is a measurement of resistance to alternating current, and a common value for speakers is 8 ohms. When you're connecting multiple speakers to a receiver or amplifier, you need to stay above the amp's minimum load requirements because going below the impedance rating can overheat or even damage expensive equipment. The SVC allows you to match the impedance with the number of speakers being controlled with the capabilities of your amp. A basic multi-room system will typically have an amplifier/receiver, a speaker selector, four to eight pairs of speakers, and volume controls. Impedance-matching volume controls feature three settings depending on how many speakers you are connecting. For one to two pairs of 8-ohm speakers, the setting is 1/2x; for three or four pairs of 8 ohm speakers, the setting is 4X. Keep in mind that volume controls do not add gain (volume) to your speakers but simply attenuate the volume up or down. During setup, you'll set the source volume to its optimum level, then the volume control turns the sound down to inaudible levels.
Warning: California's Proposition 65
Warning:
This product can expose you to chemicals, including vinyl chloride, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Volume Control Type: 300W Impedance Matching Knob Style w/ On/Off Switch
- Power Handling: 300W Peak; 100W RMS Per Channel
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Total Attenuation: 42 dB (Max)
- Steps: 12 (Make Before Break)
- Impedance Matching for 1/2, 4, 6, or 8 Pairs of Speakers
- *Can be Used as Non-Impedance Matching if Leaving Default on Jumper Setting at 2X
- Impedance Matching Volume Controller with On/Off Switch
- Wiring Requirement: Up to 14 Gauge Wire
- Removable Input and Output "Quick Connect" Phoenix Connectors
- Fits in a Standard Single Gang Box - See LV1 for Mounting Bracket
- Unit Dimensions: (L x H x D) 1.62" x 2.5" x 2.5"
- Warranty: 5 Years
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30 Questions asked
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Dave langenheim • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
I would like to use this unit as a volume control on my houseboat. I use car audio with 4 ohm speakers. I would use this on th roof to control 4 speakers. I will have an amp for those 4 speakers only. Do I mount the amp in front of or behind the volume switch? Also wi the volume control work with 4 ohm speakers?
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi Dave,
The amp gets wired to the volume control input, then you run from the output of the volume control to the speakers. It's an impedance matching volume control so yes, you can run 2 pairs (4 speakers).
brodie • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
I want to install 5 speaker zones running off my receiver's (Onkyo TX-SR608) zone 2, and through a 6 way speaker selector (OSD-ISS6). 95% of the time the speakers will not be run all at once, with 1 or 2 zones being the usual load. 3 of the zones are close to the receiver and can easily use the receiver's volume control. With that being said, here are my questions:
If I purchase SVC205 controllers to put on some of the zones, will I need to purchase one for each zone, or can I just use them on the zones not near the receiver?
If my speaker selector has a protection circuit, is it better to use that and a non-impedance matching volume controller, especially if at many times only one zone will be active? (My idea being that I can turn the protection circuit off, and get more power to the individual zone in use)
If the SVC205 is switched off, how does that affect both the total impedance and the power available to the other speakers? Does the switch have the same effect as cutting the zone from the system? If 4 of the 5 zones are switched off, the jumper on the last zone will still be set 8x- does that mean I will only be getting 1/8 of the total power to that zone?
Tahnk you
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi Brodie:
A good question... we usually always recommending setting up the system so it can handle the worse case scenario, in your case say running all your zones at once and at high volume levels. I also like to recommend using the Impedance Matching Volume controls to protect your amp (Onkyo Receiver) versus depending on the Protection switch on the ISS6. The way the protection works on the ISS6 is there are Internal Resistors that cuts your power handling in half from 140 to 70 watts. It is true if you use Impedance Matching Volume Controls you will need to have one on all zones connected. Note most Receiver manufacturers do not recommend using a Speaker Selector connected directly to the speaker level output for Zone 2 like you are doing. The reason being there are too many chances that the Receiver will see a load at 4 ohms or lower that may damage the Receiver. The zone 2 output is really meant to drive a pair of speakers in one additional room. Or connect to a external amp or control system (like the Breathe Audio we sell on the OSD web-site). So the first thing I would ask is are you connecting the Speaker Selector directly from the Zone 2 Speaker Level output? If not you should look at purchasing something like our OSD AMP200 and connect to the Signal level pre amp output then consider connecting the ISS6 to it and utilize Impedance matching volume controls. Note the SVC-205 works the same as our SVC300 but allows you to turn of the zone at the Volume Control before the internal transformer see a signal rather than having to go back to the speaker selector to turn the zone off. Typically people will just turn the volume down to an in audible level where the transformer is loaded up and stopping any signal to pass through but it is still affecting the overall system. With the SVC 205 you can take the volume control out of the signal path just like you are turning it off at the Speaker Selector. Maybe I can help you further if you can send us a diagram of your system listing all the rooms the of speakers and the sources you are using.
Good luck
TL/3181
Jason Baxter • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Are you saying with this Volume control with on/off switch that in the "off" position for a zone it will not draw the amps power thus providing more wattage to the other zones?
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi Jason:
That would be an over simplified way to look at it . You also have to take into account what amplifier or Receiver you are using and how many other speakers are connected, what the impedance setting is on each Volume Control and other factors. The real advantage of the SVC 205 is you have the ability to turn the zone off completely rather than turning the volume down until you can no longer hear the sound. If you have a speaker selector and you have the ability to turn the zone off that will work but most people would not take the time to do rather than just turning the volume down to the point of no sound. The problem is the Volume Control in order to turn the volume down reroutes the signal into the transformer so it continues to draw current and effect the whole system.
TL/3185
Matt • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
I bought one of these to control 2 outdoor speakers from channel B on my indoor amp. The switch works, and gets sort of loud, but I have to run the amp at 100% volume level and the speaker knob on about 80% for normal operation on the porch. It does not seem nearly as loud as when I hook the speakers straight to the amp - any idea what might be happening?
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi Matt,
Well this is an impedance matching volume control, which means its purpose, apart from controlling volume, is to modify the impedance load seen by the amp. This could be what's causing lesser power to go through, on top of the fact that the impedance feature actually uses up some extra wattage in the first place.
What you can do is remove the knob and check what the impedance switch is set to. There should be a 1/2x, 4x and an 8x setting. You can try changing them to see if any yield more power than the previous.
JB • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
I have a TX-NR636 receiver. Looking at connecting 1 set of speaker to Zone 2 & using a AMP200 connected to Zone 2 out for 2 additional sets of speakers. All speakers are 8 Ohm. Is the VC105 impedance setting 1x?
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hello,
How many VC105 are you planning on running? Typically you want to set the impedance to however many sets of speakers are running off the same amp. So if you are running an additional 2 sets off the AMP200, I would set the impedance to 2x.