James SA68 Small Aperture Speaker: Install Guide

The James by Sonance SA68 is a two-part small-aperture in-ceiling speaker built for new-build framing and retrofit work alike. The enclosure goes in behind the surface; the speaker module drops in afterwards, leaving only a discreet 3" or 4" round or square grille on show. This guide walks through bracket assembly, enclosure mounting, opening prep for the three trim families, and final module fitting.

What's in the box

The SA68-ENC enclosure (60597) ships with a quickstart guide, two SA mounting brackets, the fixings (four 8-32 x 1/2" pan-head machine screws, four #8 lock washers, four #8 flat washers, four 6-32 coarse-head screws) and an SA Space Saver accessory kit (60610) containing 3" and 4" round and square space savers.

You'll need to order separately: the SA68-MOD speaker module (60598), one SA trim kit (Retro Fit, Sheetrock, or Solid Surface — pick the size and shape from the chart below), and any spacer rings needed to match surface depth (SA3-SP-0.125 1/8" or SA3-SP-0.375 3/8").

Assembling the brackets

The supplied brackets suit 16" on-centre framing and span 7.9" to 16.75" between joists. Fix them to the SA68-ENC with the supplied 8-32 screws, lock washers and flat washers (Figure 1) before you lift the enclosure into place.

Mounting the enclosure

1. Make a pair of temporary holders by cutting two 2x4s or 1x2s a few inches wider than the joist spacing, then screw them to the joists with plasterboard screws (not supplied). These hold the speaker steady and set it flush to the future plasterboard line (Figure 2).

2. Sit the enclosure on top of the temporary holders.

3. Expand each bracket fully between the joists and fix to the joists, keeping each bracket flush (Figure 3). plasterboard screws not supplied.

4. Slide the bracket to set side-to-side position, then snug the screws — tight enough to hold but loose enough to fine-tune during install.

5. Tighten the bracket-to-enclosure screws fully without stripping the threads (Figure 4).

6. Back off and remove the temporary holders.

7. Check the speaker face is plumb with the joists and adjust if needed by easing the bracket and shifting the speaker up, down, or as required (Figure 5).

8. Strip the speaker cable and land it in the enclosure terminals. Use 18-gauge minimum, heavier for long runs (Figure 6).

Test before you board over it. Connect the module to the enclosure and confirm it plays before plasterboard goes up. Once proven, pull the module and set it aside for later.

> Note: The SA68 is a behind-surface speaker — it fits during pre-construction framing or as a renovation/remodel. Either way the install needs plasterboard patching, mudding, or other final finishing. For solid-surface ceilings (e.g. timber), start on the Solid Surface steps below, then return here to finish mounting the enclosure.

Preparing the opening

Pick the section that matches your surface and trim choice. All trims suit up to 0.5" (12.7mm) surface thickness; beyond that, stack SA3 spacers (1/8" / 3.2mm and 3/8" / 9.5mm) between trim and enclosure. Spacers can be custom-made for up to 6" (152mm) of depth (Figure 9).

Plasterboard / gypsum board with 3" or 4" Sheetrock trim

For a trimless grille flush with plasterboard, use the SA3/SA4 Sheetrock trim kit (round or square — SR suffix), which lets you mud right up to the grille (Figure 7).

1. Fit the matching Space Saver (3" or 4", round or square) over the opening with four screws. Use its crosshairs plus a laser line to align with lighting and architectural sight lines (Figure 8).

2. Board the ceiling over the speaker and around the space saver.

3. Once boarded, remove the space saver and fit the Sheetrock trim kit with four supplied 6-32 coarse-head screws.

4. If the surface exceeds 0.5", add spacers (Figure 9).

5. Insert the foam dust guard into the trim kit.

6. Tape, mud and paint up to the trim — the foam guard protects the opening.

7. Once the paint is fully dry, remove and bin the space saver and foam guard.

8. Continue to Fitting the speaker module below.

Solid surface with 3" or 4" Solid Surface trim

Fit and test the enclosure and module first, then mark and cut the ceiling material. The SA3 router template (60370) or SA4 router template (60371) is recommended.

Mounting the plexiglass template: either clamp it (centre the etched crosshairs on the target and clamp) or, where clamps won't fit, use double-sided carpet tape.

Cutting a square opening:

1. With the template in place, drill a starter hole in any corner using a 3/8" bit.

2. With a 1/8" spiral router bit and 5/16" bushing, trace the square template to score the cut line.

3. Keep clear of the template edge.

4. Drill the other three corners, staying inside the scored groove.

5. Rough-cut with a jigsaw, staying at least 1/4" inside the template edge.

6. Finish the cut precisely with a 1/4" spiral down-cutting bit and 7/16" bushing.

7. Check the opening is accurate before releasing clamps/tape and template.

8. Test-fit the grille; dress corners with a corner chisel and edges with a file if needed.

9. Remove the template and check the grille sits flush.

Cutting a round opening:

1. Drill a single centre hole through the template.

2. Trace the circle with a 1/8" spiral router bit and 5/16" bushing.

3. Rough-cut with a jigsaw, 1/4" inside the line.

4. Finish with a 1/4" spiral down-cutting bit and 7/16" bushing.

5. Adjust as needed for a precise fit.

6. Remove the template and test-fit the grille flush.

Then continue to Fitting the speaker module.

Plasterboard or solid surface with 3" or 4" Retro Fit trim

The Retro Fit trim's bezel grille sits proud of the surface, so it suits any surface and gives extra coverage for drop-ceiling work or openings with gaps or imperfections.

1. Fit the matching Space Saver over the opening with four screws, aligning via crosshairs and a laser line.

2. Board (or cut the solid surface — see the Solid Surface section for precise cutouts in materials like tongue-and-groove timber) over the speaker and around the space saver.

3. Once finished, remove the space saver and fit the Retro Fit trim kit with four supplied 6-32 coarse-head screws.

4. Add spacers if the surface exceeds 0.5" (Figure 10).

Then continue to Fitting the speaker module.

Fitting the SA68-MOD module

1. Remove the foam guard or space saver to expose the opening.

2. Join the 2-pin connector from the enclosure to the 2-pin connector on the back of the module, watching connector orientation.

3. Push the module into the opening and fix to the enclosure with four screws.

4. Test with an audio source — confirm clean output across the frequency range.

5. Stick the supplied adhesive foam strips at four equidistant points on the grille flange.

6. Press-fit the grille that matches your chosen trim.

> Important — clear the port. After fitting the module, check the port for cable obstructions; a bunched cable kills airflow and performance. Shine a torch into the port openings around the module and inspect the full 360° length of the port. If you spot bunched cable, push it clear with a long thin tool such as a flat-blade screwdriver — work every opening around the port until it's 100% clear, then re-check with the torch.

Trim kit options

Technical specifications (SA68)

Warranty (UK trade note)

James by Sonance warrants the SA68 to the original end-user when bought from an authorised dealer/distributor and installed to manufacturer guidance. Small Aperture speakers carry a limited lifetime warranty indoors, dropping to a limited five-year warranty outdoors or in moisture-heavy spaces (spas, showers, saunas); grilles are covered for five years in either case. The warranty excludes misuse, accidents, unauthorised modification, and improper installation. To start a claim, contact your authorised dealer or Sonance technical support with the fault description, serial number and date of purchase, obtain an RMA, and return the unit in its original carton.

This article was adapted from James Loudspeaker's original guidance — Source PDF Habitech-edited for UK trade installer context. Original © James Loudspeaker / Sonance.