User Manual

4. Placement and Installation
Before a permanent installation is begun, we highly recommend purchasing the $30 pair Disposable Speaker
Stand Kit to determine if the selected location gives the desired audio performance for the MMC 2s before the first
holes are drilled. These mobile wall stands allow the speakers to be easily moved around the room until a
permanent position is located. A set of mounting brackets are included with the MMC 2 speaker panels for
placement of the speaker panels on the Disposable Speaker Stands.
Because the MMC 2 can used for any channel in a home theater or music system (including as a center channel),
and because room conditions vary greatly, specific and detailed instructions are not practical. However, there are
general guidelines to follow.
Avoid corners. Choose a placement that will position the MMC 2s as far from a corner as possible - preferably
more than 3 or 4 feet and the further, the better. We want you to be a satisfied customer and this is a critical issue
for good sound. This is especially important for the front channels. Rear channels play a lesser role and more
liberties can be taken with the rear channels.
Choose a placement that will allow the bottom of the MMC 2 to be approximately 26 inches from the floor for proper
high frequency dispersion when you are sitting or standing.
To help determine the front of the MMC 2, the quasi ribbon foil can be seen through the fabric on the front of the
speaker. The speakers should be mounted so that the front of the speakers are on axis with the listener.
The specific instructions for installing the MMC 2 on the wall are in the MMC 2 Installation Instructions.
5. Phasing
Correct phasing between a "small" speaker, like the MMC 2, and the Bass Panel is much more difficult to detect
than an out-of-phase condition between left and right speakers. The ear/brain is less sensitive to phase shift
problems at lower frequencies and therefore, making it more difficult to detect. However, an out-of-phase condition
between the MMC 2s and the Bass Panel will result in a perceived frequency imbalance. A "suckout" in the
midbass due to an out-of-phase condition will subjectively make the MMC 2s seem "bright" with excessive high
frequencies.
The manufacturer of a full-range speaker gives considerable attention to achieving correct phasing between the
midrange and bass drivers. To get the full benefit of your high performance MMC 2s, we suggest that you get the
help of your dealer or a technician to ensure that the phasing between the MMC 2s and your woofer is correct.
A Magnepan "Shaped" Pink Noise CD Test Disk is included with your MMC 2s to assist in the proper phasing
between the MMC 2s and your Bass Panel. The pink noise CD is "shaped" with a 9 db peak at 80-100 Hz. This
aids in the detection of an out-of-phase condition. This peak in the midbass focuses the attention of the listener on
this area of the frequency response. When the MMC 2s are out of phase with the Bass Panel, this peak will be
reduced in level. Place the Magneplanar Bass Panel (or subwoofer) next to the MMC 2s (It is much easier to detect
an out-of-phase condition when the "small" speaker is physically next to the Bass Panel.)
A technique which can aid in determining if the phase is correct is by leaning over and positioning your head equi-
distance between the Magneplanar Bass Panel and the "small" Magneplanar as shown in Bass Panel manual. The
left and right ears are equi-distance to the respective speakers. High frequencies will appear to be up and low
frequencies will appear to be down. The 90-100 Hz peak, if in phase, will appear to be in the middle (and louder).
Since the Magneplanar Bass Panel is a dipole, the rear wave is out of phase with the front wave. To reverse the
phase for a phase test, simple turn the Maggie Bass Panel around.
However, depending on where the Bass Panel is placed, it is possible for the MMC 2s and the Bass Panel to be
90 degrees out of phase with the Bass Panel. This will result in little or no difference in loudness of the peak as the
phase is changed. Usually, this means that the woofer is not placed at the correct distance relative to the MMC 2s.
Many powered woofers have continuous phase shift adjustments to correct this problem without moving the woofer,
although changing the location of the woofer is the preferred solution.