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MC300IW In-Wall LCR Loudspeaker

Installation and User Manual

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INTRODUCTION

Thanks for choosing a Newton Series loudspeaker.

The MC300IW features the finest drivers and a precision crossover network in a space-saving in-wall format.

The Product Development Team at Cambridge

SoundWorks believes there is no better combination of audiophile-level attention to detail and reasonable cost.

After Unpacking

Store the shipping carton and packing material for future use and transport should you ever need to return the speaker for service.

Inspecting For Damage

Examine each part carefully for shipping damage. If there is any, do not install or use the system. Return the speaker to the store or merchant where you made the purchase or call Cambridge SoundWorks at 1-800

FOR-HIFI (1-800-367-4434) for assistance.

About This Manual

Care in speaker placement and installation pays dividends in optimum enjoyment. This manual provides tips and instructions to help you get the most from your loudspeakers. Please read through it carefully before proceeding with the installation.

Installing the MC300IW is straightforward and may be performed by an experienced do-it-yourself homeowner. However, some familiarity with typical home construction is necessary.

This manual assumes the installer possesses skill in the proper use of hand and power tools, a knowledge of local fire and building codes, and a familiarity with the area behind the surfaces where the speakers are to be installed.

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If you do not posess the necessary skills or are otherwise not comfortable with performing a speaker system installation, we strongly recommend you rely on a qualified home entertainment system installer. Contact your dealer, or Cambridge SoundWorks for assistance in selecting a suitable installer.

Note:

Cambridge SoundWorks will not assume any responsibility for the intrgrity of the attachment of the speaker and itís mounting brackets to a wall or ceiling.

The quality of the installation is solely the responsibility of the installer.

Cambridge SoundWorks is not responsible for any damage resulting from the installation or installation process, or due to wiring or materials used in the installation.

Tools Required

1. Stud Finder

2. Pencil

3. Drill with 1/4" bit

4. Utility knife, jigsaw, drywall router, or other means of cutting a hole in the mounting surface

5. Wire cutter and/or stripper for preparing speaker wires

6. #1 Phillips screwdriver

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USE AND PLACEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

The MC300IW is designed as an LCR loudspeaker.

This means that it is both ideal as a main Left and

Right channel loudspeaker, and equally suitable as a horizontal center channel loudspeaker in a home theater system. The compact MTM (Mid-Tweeter-Mid) array, and crossover topology used in the MC300IW allow it to be used both vertically and horizontally with even dispersion. The MC300IW uses shielded magnet assemblies, so that it may safely be built in to a cabinet or wall adjacent to a CRT based video monitor.

Because the MC300IW has very wide and uniform dispersion there is a great deal of flexibility in placement.

The ideal location should provide an unobstructed path from the speakers to the listeners.

For the best effect used as a stereo pair for music separate the speakers by at least four to eight feet.

The ideal separation is roughly equal to the distance of the speakers to the listener. Try to place the left and right speakers at a similar distance from the primary listening position.

Similar rules apply when used as part of a home theater installation. For the best home theater effect, the speakers should be placed symmetrically around the video monitor. The Center channel should be placed as close to the monitor as possible, centered directly above or below it.

To reduce the detrimental effects of side wall reflections on imaging, it is best to keep the speakers at least 18" away from room corners or wall/ceiling borders.

The MC300IW has adequate bass range to be used as a full range speaker in small rooms at moderate levels. In home theater applications, or in larger rooms, use of a subwoofer is strongly recommended.

See your Cambridge SoundWorks retailer or installation professional for help in selecting a suitable subwoofer.

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WIRING

The most difficult part of installing in-wall loudspeakers is running the wire. Pre-wiring new construction is strongly recommended, but this is not always possible.

Access to a basement, attic, or crawl space can simplify the task of getting wires to the appropriate locations. If you are a do-it-yourself homeowner, you may wish to hire a professional for the purpose of running the wires, even if you are planning on mounting the speakers yourself.

The terminals used on the MC300IW loudspeakers will accept up to AWG #12 speaker cable. We recommend using the largest wire that is practical to run in your installation. A minimum of AWG #16 should be used for runs up to 50 feet, with AWG#14 for runs from 50-

100 feet. Runs longer than 100feet should use AWG #12.

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Speaker

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1

6

Screwdriver

8

Grille

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INSTALLATION

1. Decide where you want the MC300IW speakers to be placed. Using a stud-finder (or other means), locate the nearest wall stud adjacent to this location. Adjust your loudspeaker placement so that the necessary wall cutout will not intersect the stud.

The resulting wall cutout should be at least 1/2" away from any stud. When you are using the

MC300IW horizontally as a center channel there is very little room for error.

2. Use the supplied template to scribe the area to be cut out. It is recommended that a level or other device be used to square the template to other reference points within the room. While there is some degree of freedom to adjust the speaker in the hole, it is best to have a level mounting hole to begin with.

3. Remove the cutout area using your preferred tool.

If you are cutting into a wall or ceiling with a plaster skim-coat, drill a small hole at each corner first to reduce the chance of a spreading crack.

Note:

When cutting into a wall or ceiling, be careful not to cut into items such as wiring, conduit, or plumbing. It is often difficult to know exactly what lies behind a cutout area. If you are not certain, first make a smaller (3/4" – 1") inspection hole in the center of the cutout using a drill. Using a flashlight and a probe, inspect the area behind the wall before making your final cut.

4. If your cut is on an outside wall, the wall will most likely contain some form of insulation. Fiberglass batting type insulation should be left in place, as it is sonically desirable and will hold its own shape.

Blown-in cellulose or loose glass fibers must be removed from the area behind the speaker, as they will get agitated by the speakers’ vibration. If your wall contains this type of loose insulation, remove it from the area immediately behind the speaker and replace it with a pad of fiberglass batting which is at least 50% larger than the cutout in each direction. Also, if you are locating the speaker on an inside wall, installing fiberglass batting in the space between the studs is recommended, as it will provide an improvement in sound quality.

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5. If you have not already done so, run the speaker wires to the source, or local room volume control.

6. Locate the speaker wires and strip 3/8" of insulation from the ends. The stripped ends can be directly inserted into the spring-loaded terminals on the speakers once the terminal tabs are depressed.

Note:

It is important to maintain the polarity of the speaker wiring between all of the speakers in the system. Speaker cable usually has some means of identifying the two conductors, either by color, a molded in stripe, or markings on the jacket.

Familiarize yourself with the method used for your cable, and be consistent with all the connections within the system. On the MC300IW loudspeakers, the Red terminal is used for “+”, and the Black terminal is used for “-”.

7. Locate the speaker in the cutout. Using a

#1 Phillips screwdriver, or #1 Philips bit in an electric screw gun, tighten the six Phillips screws that are along each edge of the speaker. The x-swing arms will extend and grip the rear of the mounting surface. Be careful to not over-tighten, only moderate force is necessary to secure the MC300IW inwall speaker to the mounting surface.

Note:

A smooth, flat surface is desired for the most secure installation and best air seal. If you are mounting the MC300IW in-wall to a rough, uneven surface such as stucco or brick laminate, use a strip of foam gasket tape, or a strip of bead caulk, along the back surface of the speaker’s mounting flange. This will provide a good air seal and prevent a loss of bass response. No gasket is needed on smooth surfaces.

8. Finally, install the speaker grille. If desired, the grille and frame may be painted to match the room d'ecor. Use the piece you removed from the center of the template as a painting mask to protect the drivers and black baffle surface.

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ABOUT AMPLIFIER POWER

The amount of amplifier power needed to drive the

MC300IW in-wall loudspeakers varies significantly with such factors as the size of the listening room, its acoustics, the type of music you listen to, and most importantly, how loud you like to play it.

The MC300IW in-wall loudspeakers can safely be used with the most powerful amplifiers and receivers designed for home listening, as long as these components are used within reasonable limits. However, the distortion caused by overdriving either the speaker or associated equipment can cause damage, even if the amplifier or receiver’s power is technically within the capabilities of the speaker.

If, at a given volume level the sound becomes “grainy” or “gritty”, you may be overdriving the amplifier or receiver. This type of distortion is potentially damaging to tweeters, even from a low powered amplifier. Back off on the volume control until these symptoms disappear. If this is not sufficiently loud for your needs, you may require a more powerful amplifier. Contact the retailer where you purchased your loudspeakers, or a

Cambridge SoundWorks audio expert for advice on how to best satisfy your needs.

Also, keep the volume turned down when connecting or disconnecting components in order to prevent damage from strong, non-musical transients. This will help protect your ears as well as the speakers.

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IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY

If you suspect that there is a problem with your speakers, contact the retailer where they were purchased, or

Cambridge SoundWorks, who will help you track down the problem. If together you agree that there is something wrong with your MC300IW in-wall loudspeakers, they should be returned to the retailer where you bought them. Mail-order and Internet retailers will generally require a Return Authorization Number. Products purchased from a Cambridge SoundWorks store may be returned directly to the store where they were purchased, or if you are no longer near a Cambridge

SoundWorks store you may call us at 1-800-FOR-HIFI for a factory Return Authorization. Do not return the

MC300IW in wall loudspeakers, or any parts without first obtaining a Return Authorization.

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SPECIFICATIONS

MC300IW

Speaker Type: 2-way, infinite baffle

Woofer: 2" x 4"

Tweeter: 25mm silk dome

Frequency range: 65-20,000Hz

Recommended Amplifier

Power Range: 25W – 150W RMS

Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1meter): 89dB

Nominal Impedance: 8-Ohms

Overall dimensions (HxWxD): 14" x 6 1/2" x 3"

Mounting Hole dimensions (HxW): 12 3/4" x 5 3/4"

Mounting depth: 2 5/8"

6 1/2"

2 5/8"

5 3/4"

(Cut out)

12 3/4"

(Cut out)

14"

CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS, INC.

26 Dartmouth Street, Westwood MA, 02090

Telephone: 1-800-367-4434

Fax: 1-617-527-3194

A Company

P81-1940