In-Wall Speaker Pair
Installation Manual
Model #50-6374
MCM Electronics
650 Congress Park Drive
Centerville, Ohio 45459
www.electronics.com
© 2007 MCM Electronics
Introduction
This series of MCM Custom Audio In-Wall
Speakers is the culmination of:
•
Years of experience in the
commercial and residential sound
industry
•
Communication with the nations
top installation specialists
•
MCM’s long history with some of
the
very
best
speaker
manufacturers in the world
balance of cost, features, performance
and appearance.
The most outstanding feature of this
speaker system is the selectable mid and
high frequency emphasis. This allows the
user to choose between +3, +0 and –3db
settings in both ranges to compensate
for differing room treatments such as,
carpet, curtains and furniture in the living
room, and tile, countertops and
appliances in the kitchen.
The result is a premium quality speaker
system, which provides the perfect
The correct setting of this selector will
ultimately depend upon the specific
room, the sound system, and personal
taste.
General Features
Specifications
•
•
•
•
•
8" polypropylene cone woofer
with rubber surround
Coaxially mounted 1" titanium
dome pivotal tweeter
2½" mylar dome midrange
+3/+0/-3dB HF and Midrange
compensation selectors
12dB/octave crossover
•
•
•
•
Power Capacity: 75W/150W
RMS/peak
Frequency Response:
34Hz~23KHz
Nominal Impedance: 8Ω
SPL: 90dB W/M
Installation
Speaker Placement
Careful consideration should be made when determining the desired location of the
speaker pair. As this Model #50-6374 is referred to as an in-wall speaker, this is the
intended mounting location. However, there is no electronic or physical reason these
cannot be mounted in ceilings or other locations.
In an “ideal” environment, the left and right speakers should be placed on the same wall,
6’ to 8’ apart, at the same distance from opposite corners. The mounting height should be
that which places the tweeters at eye level to the listeners. It should be noted that often
times, the listeners may be seated. Since many rooms do not offer the “ideal”
environment, slight variations to this may be made. As proximity to corners has a
significant effect on low frequency response, priority should be given to locating speakers
the same distance to corners. As these speakers are rectangular in shape, they may be
mounted either vertically or horizontally. In situations were they are horizontal, the
tweeters position should be mirror images of each other (either both in, or both out).
Pivotal Tweeters
Since decorating schemes may not allow positioning at eye level, these in-wall speakers
are equipped with pivoting tweeter assemblies. After installation is completed, prior to
installing the grill, the tweeter may be angled towards the primary listening area. This is
especially helpful in situations where speakers must be mounted higher than desirable.
It is important to note that more speakers in a given listening area do not necessarily
equate to higher sound levels. With more speakers, the desired listening level for a given
area is attained with lower output from each speaker. This creates a much more pleasant
listening environment as the sound source can be uniformly heard through the entire
room, regardless of location and with less interference with sounds such as conversation.
Speaker Wire
It is important that good quality wire is used in the installation. Installed speakers
generally have much longer wire runs than normal home theater speakers, hence heavier
gauge wire is recommended. Note: There are numerous manufactures in the market
offering “high-end” esoteric speaker wire, with claims of exotic materials and superior
performance. Truthfully, this type of product has been found to provide little or no benefit
to installations of this type. Good quality 14AWG CL3 rated in-wall wire, such as MCM
#24-3060 (two-conductor), #24-3075 (four-conductor) or similar, provide outstanding
performance in this application.
When running this cable, a few simple guidelines must be followed
• All speakers should be home-run. That is, wire should be run directly from each
speaker, back to the sound source
• Speaker wire should be kept away from AC wiring to prevent noise. If AC wiring
and speaker wire must cross paths, it is best to have them cross at a 90º angle,
minimizing the common surface area between the two
• Speaker wire and AC lines should NEVER pass through the same hole in studs or
joists
Part 1
New Construction Installation
1. This initial step should be completed after all structure framing is completed, and
prior to drywall installation. In this instance, a Pre-Construction Bracket Kit, such
as MCM #50-6682A (sold separately) must be utilized. These brackets mount to
wall studs, and in conjunction with drywall, provide a solid mounting base for the
speaker. Compatible with wood or metal studs spaced at standard 16” centers, the
kit also includes extension rails for studs mounted on 24” centers.
2. When positioning the pre-construction bracket between the studs, added care
should be taken to ensure that the bracket is level. A standard bubble level, such
as MCM #22-7572 or similar, model is essential to achieving this.
3. Centering the speaker opening between the studs, mount the Pre-Construction
Bracket to the studs.
4. If installing the speakers high on the wall, be sure to leave sufficient wire length at
the speaker end to reach to almost the floor. This greatly adds safety, as the
speaker may then be connected to the wire while standing on the floor instead on
top of a ladder. Coil the speaker wire and staple to the side of the stud above the
bracket. Take care to ensure that it does not interfere with drywall installation.
5. Once the drywall has been installed, a 12-3/4" x 8-1/2" opening should be cut to
match the hole in the pre-construction bracket. In most cases, the drywall installer
will do this at the same time that openings are cut for light switches, outlets and
ceiling fixtures.
1. Skip directly to Part 2
Installation in Completed Structures
1. For this type is installation, a stud finder such as MCM #22-9350 is highly
recommended. This device will not only accurately located both edges of the stud,
but will provide a warning of nearby electrical wiring.
2. When deciding on a final location to install in-wall speakers, extreme care should
be taken to ensure that obstructions do not exist, such as air ducts, plumbing and
electrical wiring.
3. Locate the wall studs between which the speaker will be mounted. Using a pencil,
mark a spot directly in the center of the two studs
4. Locate the rectangular cardboard mounting template, included with the speaker.
This template should measure 12-3/4" x 8-1/2". Using a tape measure, determine its
exact center point.
5. Poke a small hole in the template, and place the template on the wall, lining up the
hole with the spot marked on the wall. At this stage, it is helpful to use masking or
similar tape to temporally attach the template to the wall. Using a standard bubble
level, such as MCM #22-7572 or similar, make sure the template is in proper
position on the wall, and lightly trace its outer edge with a pencil.
6. Remove the template, and using a wallboard saw similar to MCM #22-7597, cut
along the pencil mark. This type of saw is especially useful, as its rigid design and
sharp point allow it to “plunge” into the wall with no need to drill a pilot hole.
When you have cut the length of each edge, remove the saw, and start a new line,
opposite the last cut edge. This will ensure much cleaner cuts at the corners.
Part 2
1. Locate the 12 long black machine screws included with each speaker pair. Six
screws will be used with each speaker.
2. Remove the perforated metal grill from the front of each speaker to be installed.
This is most easily accomplished by using one of the machine screws to poke
through the mounting hole on the back of the speaker plate. You may need to
poke through multiple of the mounting holes to force the speaker grill out of the
mounting frame. Take care not to press too hard against the back of the grill with
the screw, as it may bend the grill.
3. Insert the machine screws into the mounting holes in the front of each speaker (six
each), in a manner that each screw protrudes from the back of the speaker baffle.
4. Locate the rectangular mounting frame provided for each speaker. Carefully laying
the speaker on its face, place the rectangular frame on the back of the speaker in a
manner that lines up the holes in the frame with each of the machine screws
protruding from the back of the speaker baffle. Screw each machine screw
approximately 1/4” into the metal mounting frame.
5. Attach the speaker wire to the ( – ) and ( + ) connections on the rear of the
enclosure. Take care to observe correct polarity.
6. Fully insert the speaker into the wall in a manner that positions the speaker baffle
in front of the wallboard, with the metal mounting frame behind the wallboard.
7. In a circular pattern, begin to tighten the six mounting screws. Care should be
taken when tightening these screws. Make sure the screwdriver is secure in the
head of the screw and does not slip out and damage the speaker cone.
8. As screws are tightened, the metal frame will draw up against the rear of the
drywall. If using a drill to tighten screws, tighten all six until the speaker frame just
makes contact with the wall. From there, it is best to use a hand screwdriver to
fully tighten. This will prevent potential breakage of the plastic speaker frame.
9. In an alternating cross pattern, (center left, center right, top left, bottom right, top
right, bottom left) tighten all six screws, by hand, until the speaker frame is snug
against the wall. Take care not to over-tighten as this may damage the mounting
clips or the mounting frame.
10. Once all screws are tightened, the grill may be reinstalled on the front of the
speaker.
11. The other end of the speaker wire is now ready for connection to the sound source
Warranty
MCM Custom Audio products are warranted against manufacturer defects for a period of
12 months from the original date of purchase. This warranty is limited to manufacturer
defects, in either materials or workmanship. MCM Electronics, or any other worldwide
divisions of Premier Farnell PLC, are not responsible for any consequential or
inconsequential damage to any other component, structure or the cost of installation or
removal of said items.
This warranty will not cover damage due to improper use such as (an not limited to)
damaged cones, mounting frames, voice coils or items damaged by whether damaged
items.
For questions or specific information regarding warranty replacement or repair, contact:
MCM Electronics
www.mcmelectronics.com
800-543-4330