Focal 100 ICW8 mounting kit
Complementary product
Overview
In a new build or renovation where the ceilings are still open, the position of an in-ceiling speaker is decided before the plasterboard closes everything up. This pre-installation kit attaches to the framing and marks out the future cutout for the 100 ICW8 in advance. Once the boards are in place, all that remains is to cut the hole in the right spot, retrieve the cable and install the speaker, without having to locate the joists or rework the ceiling.
Fix the position before fitting the boards
The frame screws between the joists, or between the studs of a partition wall, while the framing is still exposed, at the exact location chosen for the speaker. The plasterboard then covers it. At the finishing stage, it serves as a guide and a stop: the 224 mm diameter opening required by the 100 ICW8 is cut inside it, at a position set on the plans rather than estimated from within the finished room.
This precision matters whenever several speakers share a ceiling, whether for room audio or home cinema height channels. The spacing and alignment planned at the outset remain the same at completion, even when the electrician, plasterboard fitter and audio installer work several weeks apart. On an already finished ceiling, however, the kit serves no purpose: the speaker fits directly into its cutout using its own mounting clamps.
A frame and two strips to trim on site
The kit includes a square positioning frame measuring approximately 29 cm on each side and two mounting strips approximately 37 cm long, which slot into the ends of the frame. The frame has attachment points on all four sides, allowing the strips to be aligned with the joists regardless of the room’s layout. Each strip has numerous holes along both edges to accommodate different centre-to-centre spacings, and scored lines allow unused sections to be snapped off. A screw secures each strip to the frame.
A cable eyelet is provided on the frame for the speaker cable. The cable run during the structural work remains attached to it throughout construction and is exactly where it needs to be when it is time to connect the speaker, rather than disappearing into the ceiling void. Screws are not supplied: the type depends on the mounting surface, with wood screws for joists and self-drilling screws for metal framing.
The speaker that fits inside the frame
The 100 ICW8 is a two-way built-in speaker from the 100 series, suitable for both ceiling and wall installation. It features a 20 cm coaxial driver with a Polyglass cone, treated for moisture resistance (known as tropicalisation), at the centre of which a 25 mm aluminium inverted-dome tweeter can be angled towards the listening area. A three-position selector adjusts the treble level to suit the room’s acoustics.
For installation, the speaker measures 248 mm in overall diameter and requires 107 mm of depth above the board. This depth should be checked when positioning the frame, as this is the best time to avoid a duct, a downlight or a poorly placed layer of insulation. The speaker is held in place by clamps that tighten against the board, and is finished with a paintable magnetic grille, round or square depending on the desired appearance.
Technical Specifications
Compatibility
- Speakers: ICW8 100
Dimensions
- Outer diameter: 248 mm
- Mounting diameter: 224 mm
- Mounting depth: 107 mm
Frequently asked questions
Is a kit needed for each speaker?
Yes. The kit is sold individually and is for a single installation location. A pair of 100 ICW8 requires two kits, while a system of four ceiling speakers requires four.
Can it be used in a partition wall rather than in the ceiling?
Yes. The 100 ICW8 can be installed in either a wall or a ceiling, and the kit attaches in the same way to the vertical studs of a plasterboard partition, before the plasterboard is fitted.
At what stage of construction should it be installed?
After the framing is installed and the cables are run, before the panels are fitted. This is also the right time to confirm that no pipes, ventilation ducts or beams obstruct the 107 mm depth required for the speaker.
Is the kit suitable for a suspended ceiling with a metal frame?
The mounting strips can be screwed onto metal rails as well as wooden joists, provided suitable self-drilling screws are used. Their length and pre-cut lines allow the installation to be adjusted to the rail spacing, which is best measured before ordering.
Does the frame accommodate both the round and square grilles?
Yes. The cutout remains circular in both cases: the shape of the grille only changes the visible appearance on the ceiling, not the opening or the position of the frame.
Does this kit also work with the other speakers in the 100 series?
No. Its template matches the cutout diameter of the 100 ICW8. Smaller models in the series, such as the 100 ICW5, have their own mounting kit.
Does the kit insulate the back of the speaker?
No. It is only a positioning support: it does not enclose the rear of the speaker and provides neither an acoustic enclosure nor fire protection. When an installation requires either, the corresponding accessory must be provided in addition to the kit.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: FOAIACACW120000
- GTIN / EAN: 818241630579
