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Magneplanar CCR Instruction Manual
Table of Contents
1. Introduction/General Description
2. Carton Contents
3. Packaging
4. Amplification
5. Hookup
6. Installation and Placement
7. Phasing
8. Bass Management and Processor Settings
9. Tweeter Attenuation
10. Full-Range Operation (With the Magneplanar DW 1 Woofer or Magneplanar CC Speaker Stand)
11. Service and Shipping
12. Specifications
The CCR is not a "plug 'n play" center channel speaker. We are here to help if you find the instructions
confusing. The enclosed Magnepan Test Disk is a "litmus test" to confirm that the setup was done correctly.
1. Introduction/General Description
Congratulations on your purchase of the Reference Magneplanar CCR Center Channel Loudspeaker. The
Magneplanar CCR is modeled after the technology of the MG 20.1 with a 2-way, quasi ribbon midrange and true
ribbon tweeter. The performance is appropriate for use with either the MG 3.6 and MG 20.1.
2. Carton Contents
1 - CCR Center Channel Loudspeaker
1- Magnepan Wide-Band, Center Channel Pink Noise DVD Test Disc
1 - 1 Ohm Resistor
1 - 4 Amp Normal Blow Fuse
1 - Hex Wrench
1 - Speaker Logo
3 - Each Felt Pads
1- Each Adjustable Foot
1 -Owner's Manual
3. Packaging
Save all packaging. The CCR can be shipped safely only in the original packaging. Should you discard it,
packaging is available from Magnepan.
4. Amplification
The CCR is a 3 ohm speaker and should be used with high current amplifiers that are stable with low
impedances. Some receivers are capable of driving low impedances, but usually separate amplifiers are built to
higher standards and are recommended for use with the CCR.
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5. Hookup
The CCR employs a unique, high-current connector. To install speaker cable, simply strip approximately 1/4-inch
of insulation from the speaker cable end, insert the cable and tighten the set screw. Cables terminated with
banana plugs or pins may also be used. For cable terminated with spade lugs, spade lug adapters are available
from your Magneplanar dealer.
Connect the output of a high pass crossover (such as the Magneplanar XO-2) to the input of the CCR (observing
correct polarity). If the CCR is connected directly to the center channel amplifier, the processor must be set on
"small" center channel speaker. (See Bass Management and Processor Settings section below for correct
settings of the processor.)
6. Installation and Placement
The CCR can be mounted in or on a cabinet or on credenza or shelf. The CCR is a "small" speaker. (Three felt
pads are included to prevent marring of the bottom surface.) However, a Magneplanar CC Speaker Stand is
available for use with the CCR for use as a full-range, free-standing speaker. The CC Speaker Stand has a builtin Magneplanar bass driver that utilizes the same DiPlanar bass technology as the MG 20.1. If the CC Speaker
Stand is not used, some form of adjustable bass management is necessary (See Bass Management and
Processor Settings section below.)
Like all Magneplanars, the CCR is a dipole speaker. We recommend a minimum of 12 inches clearance,
measuring from the back of the CCR to the surface behind the CCR. Damping material behind the CCR will help
tame unwanted resonances.
For custom installations that require mounting the CCR, 1/4"-20 T-nuts are built into the bottom of the CCR that
can be utilized for different custom requirements. A diagram of the T-nut placement is shown below.
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7. Phasing
Correct phasing between the tweeter and midrange is accomplished when the speaker is angled relative to the
listener as shown below. The enclosed adjustable foot can be used to tilt the CCR upward. Correct phasing
between the midrange of the CCR and the bass augmentation provided by the left/right Maggies is best
accomplished as part of the Bass Management and Processor Settings.
8. Bass Management and Processor Settings
The CCR is called a "small" speaker due to the limited midbass response. Getting the midbass/bass for the
CCR adjusted correctly is the single most important part of getting the most out of your CCR's
performance. As an owner of a high-end system, most likely you own a processor with adjustable crossover
points for "small" speakers. Set your processor for "small" center channel speaker. Set the center channel
crossover point as high as 200 Hz or as low as 150 Hz if your processor does not provide up to 200 Hz. You will
be instructed to turn the subwoofer "off" on your processor. After reading all the instructions below, play the
Magnepan Wide-Band Center Channel Pink Noise DVD which is included with your CCR. If the correct procedures
are followed, your CCR will give the illusion of a large Magneplanar in the center. If your processor does not have
flexible crossover settings, the Magneplanar CC Speaker Stand or DW 1 Woofer are the best options to achieve
good center channel bass/midbass.
There is a lack of flexibility with the majority of processors on the market. In the "small" center channel mode,
most processors automatically route the center channel bass to the subwoofer. This will not give satisfactory
performance with your CCR. The solution is simple; however, this part of the setup has confused a lot of
customers. Even if you don't understand initially, go ahead and do as we instruct. And if you need some help,
please call. Even though you will probably be using a subwoofer, set your receiver or processor for "no
subwoofer." This may seem illogical, but it is necessary for the proper integration of the center channel midrange
and bass.
Here is how it works -- If you set the processor for "no subwoofer," there is no option for routing the center
channel midbass and bass. The processor must send the center channel midbass and bass to the "large"
left/right Magneplanars. That is exactly what we intend for you to get the best possible performance from your
CCR. Your full-range, left/right Magneplanars will provide the center channel midbass and bass, thereby giving
the illusion of a large Magneplanar in the middle. The definition of your left/right Magneplanar bass/midbass is
vastly superior to the bass that can be achieved if the center channel bass were routed to the subwoofer.
The usual practice of routing the bass to the subwoofer is less than satisfactory in most installations with
Magneplanar center channel speakers. Often there is a significant "hole" in the center channel midbass response
when higher crossover points are used. In addition, subwoofers are best suited for augmenting "large" speakers
below 40 Hz and are considered "muddy" or of poor quality when higher crossover points are used above 40-60
Hz. At a crossover point of 150-200 Hz, the discontinuity between the CCR's "fast" quasi ribbon midrange and the
relatively "slow" subwoofer becomes very obvious. Of course, you probably plan to use a subwoofer for home
theater.
To drive your subwoofer with this configuration, use the pre-amp output from the front left/right of your processor.
(One or two Y-adapters will be necessary.) Be sure that the left/right "large" Maggies are set for "large" with no
roll-off of the bass. Since the signal from the front left/right pre-amp outputs is "full range" (down to 20 Hz), the
subwoofer will receive all the deep bass information. When the processor is set for "no subwoofer", the bass from
the .1 (LFE) is routed to the "large" front left/right Magneplanars. The LFE bass which is sent to the left/right
"large" speakers is in mono. If your subwoofer has only one input, it is not necessary to drive the subwoofer with
both the left and right signal. (Note- The .1 or LFE bass information will NOT damage your left/right
Magneplanars.)
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The benefits of achieving the illusion of a full-range Magneplanar in the center channel with this hookup technique
will be appreciated 100% of the time. But, what about the absence of the .1 channel? All the same bass from
explosions, etc. from the .1 channel are on the "full range" or "large" front channels and will be sent to the
subwoofer with our recommended hookup.
To prevent "muddy" bass, adjust the subwoofer crossover point and level so it does not overlap with the "fullrange" front left/right Magneplanars. The goal of a Magneplanar home theater system is quality over quantity.
Excessive deep bass does not enhance realism.
The final steps in checking phase and center channel bass response is to confirm that the front left/right
speakers are in-phase with the CCR and that the center channel bass/midbass is in-phase with the CCR. (Again,
this can get a little confusing.)
First, using a standard test DVD, confirm that the CCR is in-phase with the front left/right speakers. When inphase, the audio image will appear between the CCR and either of the front left/right speakers. Then, using the
Magnepan DVD test disc, check the phase between the CCR and the center channel bass/midbass provided by
the full-range left/right speakers. Reverse the phase on the CCR. In some cases, especially if the CCR is not
equal-distance to the front left/right speakers, the frequencies between approximately 100-200 Hz may increase
and it will be necessary to operate the CCR with the phase reversed.
The final bass and midbass adjustments can be made to give the illusion of a large Magneplanar in the middle by
fine-tuning the crossover point of the CCR and by level adjustments relative to the level of the left/right Maggies.
The Magnepan Test DVD (which is included with your speaker) provides wide-band center channel pink noise, but
without the use of a real-time analyzer, most consumers may wonder if the pink noise has the proper balance
from bass to mids to highs. However, by playing pink noise through the large left/right Maggies, a listener can
hear what pink noise should sound like and then use that sound to compare to the pink noise from the CCR to
judge if the balance is correct. An instant A-B test can be conducted by switching the processor from "no center"
channel speaker to "small center" channel. In the "no center" mode, you will hear the pink noise through your
"large" left/right Maggies and this can be compared to the pink noise from the CCR. When the CCR is playing the
pink noise, put your ear next to both the left/right speakers to confirm that the "large" speakers are producing the
bass for the center channel pink noise.
If you are having trouble getting similar pink noise sound from the CCR as compared to the large left/right
Maggies, the problem might be the level setting (with respect to the left/right speakers), the crossover setting or
the phasing between the CCR and the left/right speakers. Turn the subwoofer "off" for the purposes of this test to
allow concentration on creating a "large" Maggie in the middle. Keep in mind that due to the fact that center
channel speakers are often placed in less-than-ideal acoustical environments, exactly duplicating the left/right
Maggies is not possible unless the same acoustical rules are followed as the left/right speakers.
When toggling between "no center" and "small center", keep in mind that you are comparing the illusion of ONE
"large Maggie in the middle" vs. TWO of your left/right Maggies played simultaneously. For the comparison to be
fair and equal, it would be necessary to unplug one of your left/right Maggies ONLY in the "no center" mode and
then plug it back in when in the "small center" mode.
You have control over 3 parameters to create the illusion of a large Maggie in the middle-- 1) Crossover point. 2)
Level setting with respect to the left/right speakers. 3) Phase. You will need to remember all three as you finetune your CCR.
We have had a number of reports that the automatic equalization systems built into some processors have had
less-than-desirable results with Magneplanars. We are investigating this further, but, apparently the equalization
systems are not compatible with our recommended hookup procedure. We recommend that you defeat the
automatic EQ system.
A small number of processors allow selection of crossover slopes in the "small" center mode. Do not use steep,
4th-order slopes.
9. Tweeter Attenuation
The output of the CCR tweeter can be reduced by replacing the jumper with a resistor (1 ohm, supplied with the
speaker). Other values are available from Magnepan, if desired.
10. Full-Range Operation (With the Magneplanar DW 1 Woofer or Magneplanar CC Speaker
Stand)
The CCR is a "small" speaker and if free-standing operation is desired, either the Magneplanar CC Speaker
Stand or the DW 1 Woofer can be used with the CCR to provide full-range Magneplanar center channel
performance. See the respective manuals for their use with the CCR.
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11. Service and Shipping
In the unlikely event you should need service for your CCR Loudspeaker, we recommend you return it through
your dealer. He is experienced in providing service and can assist you if the speaker must be returned to the
factory. If you determine you need to return it directly to Magnepan, call for a return authorization and ship the
speaker freight prepaid to:
Magnepan, Incorporated
1645 Ninth St.
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
1-800-474-1646
Include a note describing the nature of the problem. Please include your name, address, and a daytime telephone
number.
12. Specifications
System Description: Curved, two-way quasi ribbon midrange, with true ribbon tweeter
Midrange Radiating Area: 213 sq. inches
Frequency Response: 200 Hz-40 kHz +- 3 db
Recommended Power: See Frequently Asked Questions
Sensitivity: 88 db, 2.83v, 1 Meter, 500Hz
Impedance: 3 Ohms
Crossover Frequency: 200Hz-40 kHz
Dimensions: Width- 39.5 inches, Height- 15 inches, Depth- 5.5 inches
Warranty: Three years on speaker, one year on tweeter, to original owner
Weight: 27 lbs.
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