McIntosh WS500 Installation Manual

WS500

In-Wall Loudspeaker System

Installation Guide

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]

Important Safety Instrucons

WARNING - TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
PERSONNEL.

IMPORTANT SAFETY

Please read these Safety Instrucons as well

as the “Important Additional Operation

Information Guide” that is enclosed.

INSTRUCTIONS!

PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.

General:

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Warning: To reduce risk of fire or electrical shock, do not
expose this equipment to rain or moisture. This unit is
capable of producing high sound pressure levels. Continued
exposure to high sound pressure levels can cause permanent
hearing impairment or loss. User caution is advised and ear
protection is recommended when playing at high volumes.

6. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.

Installation:

7. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8.When mounting the Ceiling Loudspeaker System to a
building structure it is important to follow all of the local
building/construction codes. Make sure the ceiling structural
members can support a total weight of five times the weight
of the Ceiling Loudspeaker System.

9. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other equipment (including amplifiers)
that produce heat.

10. Do not use this equipment near water.

11. Do not expose this equipment to dripping or splashing and
ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, are
placed on the equipment.

Care of Equipment:

12. Clean only with a dry cloth.

13. Do not permit objects or liquids of any kind to be pushed,
spilled and/or fall into the equipment through enclosure
openings.

Repair of Equipment:

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing
is required when the equipment has been damaged in any
way, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into
the equipment, the equipment has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

15. Do not attempt to service beyond that described in the
operating instructions. All other service should be referred
to qualified service personnel.

16. When replacement parts are required, be sure the service
technician has used replacement parts specified by
McIntosh or have the same characteristics as the original
part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric
shock, or other hazards.

17. Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product,
ask the service technician to perform safety checks to
determine that the product is in proper operating condition.

Thank you from all of us at McIntosh

You have invested in a precision instrument that will
provide you with many years of enjoyment. Please take a
few moments to familiarize yourself with the features and
instructions to get the maximum performance from your
equipment.

If you need further technical assistance, please contact
your McIntosh Dealer who may be more familiar with
your particular setup including other brands. You can also
contact us at McIntosh with additional questions or in the
unlikely event of needing service.

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Technical Assistance Phone: [phone]
Customer Service (for repairs)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
Website: mcintoshlabs.com

Make a Note

For future reference, you can write your serial number and
purchase information here. We can identify your purchase
from this information if the occasion should arise.

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

Dealer Name:

2

Table of Contents

Important Safety Instructions ��������������������������������������� 2
Thank you from all of us at McIntosh ��������������������������� 2
Make a Note ������������������������������������������������������������������ 2
Tools Needed ����������������������������������������������������������������� 3
Parts Included ��������������������������������������������������������������� 3
Ready To Perform ��������������������������������������������������������� 3
Making a Hole ��������������������������������������������������������������� 3
Installing the Frame ������������������������������������������������������ 3
Connecting to Speaker Wire ���������������������������������������� 3
Putting it in the Wall ���������������������������������������������������� 4
Warranty ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
Specifications ���������������������������������������������������������������� 6

Tools Needed

• #2 Phillips Screwdriver

• Drywall Knife or Saw

• Pencil

• Tape Measure

• Stud nder

• Bubble Level

Parts Included

• Loudspeaker Bafe

• Bafe Box

• Frame

employed in many applications. The use of audio design
specialists is recommended for complex installations to
achieve the highest level of performance. Your McIntosh
Dealer is experienced in all aspects of audio/visual setup.

The Low Prole Micro-Flange Grille is magnetically

held in place. These grilles are ready to be painted if you
wish.

Making a Hole

For new construction, the RK500 rough-in bracket
is recommended. The RK500 is available from your
McIntosh Dealer. If you have installed the RK500 skip
ahead to “Installing the Frame”.

Choose the proper position for the WS500 keeping in
mind acoustical properties, the positions of studs and
the ability to run speaker wire to the WS500. When the
proper location is found:

1. Hold the supplied cutout template against the
wall and align it using a bubble level and tape the
template to the wall.

2. Trace the opening.

3. For dry wall installation, use a drywall knife or
saw to cut a hole. The hole should be 13 1/4 inches
(33.66cm) wide by 22 7/16 inches (56.99cm) in
height.

Installing the Frame

• Frame Gaskets (2)

• Grille

• Cutout Template

• Clamping Pieces (2)

• Fiberglass Packing

• Airtight Electrical Connector

• Frame Screws #10-24 x 3 inch (6)

• Bafe Washers #8 (6)

• Bafe Screws #10-24 x 1-1/2 inch (6)

Ready To Perform

The WS500 In-Wall Loudspeaker System is designed
to provide exceptional performance. This 3-way
loudspeaker features McIntosh’s acclaimed MTM
speaker array and shallow woofer design contained in
a fully enclosed back chamber. The design allows for
expansive sound performance with a shallow footprint
perfect for in-wall mounting.

The WS500 is a versatile loudspeaker and can be

The Frame Assembly has two Clamping Pieces
connected to the Frame by Six 3-inch screws (3 each).
The bolt at the end of each screw is there to make sure it
stays connected and need not be moved.

Install the “L” shaped self-adhesive Frame Gaskets to the
rear of the Frame so that the Gaskets will sit between the
Frame and the wall when installed.

With the Clamping Pieces loose, manipulate the frame
into the opening in the wall. The Clamping Pieces can be

moved to allow the frame to t. Once in place, position

the Clamping Pieces against the back of the wallboard on
each side.

When satised that the Frame is level (using a bubble

level), tighten all six screws until the Frame is securely
attached to the wall. Avoid over tightening to prevent
damaging the drywall.

Connecng to Speaker Wire

Prepare Speaker Wires for connection to the WS500.
Remove ½ inch (12.7mm) of insulation from the wire
end and twist the strands together. For runs under 25 feet

3

(7.62m) use at least 16AWG wire. For runs under 50 feet
(15.24m) use at least 14AWG, and for longer runs up to
100 feet (30.48m) use 12AWG. 12AWG, being the larger
wire, can be used in all the above cases if desired.

1. Pull enough speaker wire through the opening in the
Frame to connect to the WS500.

2. Run the speaker wire through the Airtight Connector

on the Box that will t on the rear of the Bafe. The

Airtight Connector can be positioned as the top or the
bottom of the Box.

3. Loosen the Loudspeaker Binding Posts on the rear of

the Bafe to reveal a hole for the speaker wire.

4. Insert the wire making sure no loose strands are
exposed. Connect the positive speaker wire to the red
terminal and the negative to the black terminal.

5. Tighten the Binding Posts.

Pung it in the Wall

1. The Bafe will sit inside the Box.

2. Place Fiberglass Packing between the Bafe and the

Box and then place the Bafe in the Box.

3. Place the Box and the Bafe inside the Frame.

4. Use the 6 supplied #10-24 x 1-1/2 inch Screws to

secure the Bafe and Box to the Frame. Place a #8
Bafe Washer on each screw before fastening. Use
care to hold the Bafe in place until there are at least

two screws installed.

5. Place the Grille in front of the Bafe. It is held on by
magnets.

4

LOUDSPEAKER PRODUCTS

FIVE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

elcome to the family of McIntosh owners�
This is the Warranty for your new McIntosh

W

Loudspeaker Product (the “Speaker”)� Your
Speaker has been designed to give many years of
trouble-free performance� Nonetheless, failures
do sometimes occur even with equipment as well­built as McIntosh’s� Therefore, please read this
Warranty carefully, because it contains rights, as
well as limitations, exclusions, and obligations,
which in the event of such a failure may be very
important to you� If after reading it thoroughly, you
have any questions about the Warranty, please do

Scope and Duration of Warranty

Subjec t to the terms and conditi ons state d below, McIntosh Laboratory, Inc �
(“McIntosh”) warrants to the original owner that this Speaker shall be f ree from de fects
in workmanship or materials for a term of five (5) years from the date when it was
purchased from an Authorized McIntosh Dealer�

Limitations on Persons and Speakers Covered by this Warran ty

This Warranty and all rights provided here under are li mited to the original owner� In
the event that the original owner transfers ownership of the Speaker prior to expiration
of the five-(5) year term, this Warranty shall terminate in it s entiret y upon the date
of such transfer� In addition, McIntosh does not warrant in any way Speaker s which
are purchased from anyone who is not an Authorized McIntosh Dealer, or which
have had their Serial Numbers altered or defaced� Therefore this Warranty is void
and inapplicable if this Speaker has been purchased from someone other than an
Authorized McIntosh Dealer, or has had its original Serial Numbers altered or defaced�

Geographical Limitations

This Warranty has been included with a McIntosh Speaker that is designed, intended to
be sold and used only within the Uni ted States and Canada� Accordin gly, this Warranty
only applies to Speakers which ar e purchased in the United States or Canada, and
only applies while su ch Speaker s are used in the United States or Canada� Speaker s
purchas ed outside the United States or Canada, and failures occurring outside the
United States or Canada, are not covered by this Warranty�

What McI ntosh will do under the Warranty

In the event of any defect covered by this Warrant y, McIntosh shall without charge
provide all parts, material s, and labor necessary to restore the Speaker to its ori ginal
specif icatio ns� After repair, McIntosh shall return the Speaker to its owner at the
owner’s expense� In the alternative, McIntosh may at its sole option either replace the
Speaker wi thout charge, or if replacement is not commercially practicable or repair
or replacement cannot be accomplished within a reasonable time, McIntosh may
refund the purchase price of the S peaker, subjec t where appropriate to r easonable
depreciation for actual use in accordance with applicable laws, in full s atisfac tion of
its warranty obligations� McIntosh or its Authorized Ser vice Agency will undertake to
complete the repair and return of the Speaker as soon as circumstances permit, unless
prevented by causes beyond their reasonable control�

Limitations on McIntosh’s Obligations under the Warrant y

McIntosh’s sole Obligation under this Warranty shall be to repair or replace the
Speaker, or at it s option refund the pur chase price, as provided for hereinabove�
McIntosh does not warrant against, nor shall it be liabl e for, any of the following:
removal o r installation char ges; shippin g expenses either to or f rom McIntosh or
its Authorized Ser vice Agency; loss of use; propert y damage of any kind; or other
incidental or cons equential damages or losses of any kind�

Note: Some states do not allow exclusion or limitation of co nsequential damages, so

the foregoing exclusio ns may not apply to you.

not hesitate to write or telephone McIntosh at the
address or phone number shown on the back of this
warranty� Please note that this is the only Warranty
which McIntosh provides for your Speaker, and that
no one, including your dealer, has any authority
to either modify or expand upon this Warranty� If
your dealer has offered or made any warranties
or representations concerning the Speaker which
differ from those contained in this Warranty, they
are strictly between you and the dealer, and will
neither be binding upon McIntosh nor change any
of the provisions in this Warranty�

Parts a nd Occurrences th at are not Covered by the Warranty

This Warranty does not cover any of the following: (a) glass panels, cabine try, trim, or
other app earance items (except where they are defective at the time of original sale
and the Speaker is delivered for repair within the first thirty (30) days thereafter); (b)
batter ies, or dama ge to the Speaker caused by f ailure of batteries; (c) failures arising
from acc ident, catastrophe, misuse, neglect, or f ailure to properly connect and operate
the Speaker in accordance with the accompanying instructions; (d) failures ar ising
from improper installation or removal of the Speaker; or (e) failures arising from any
tampering, alteration, or attempted servic ing of the Speaker by anyone other than
McIntosh or an Authorized McIntosh Service Agenc y; and McIntosh shall have no
liability or obligation of any kind with respect to any of the foregoing types of failures�

What the O wner must do to obtain servic e under thi s Warranty

To obtain ser vice under this Warranty, the owner must at the owner’s expense arrange
for any necessary de-installation of the Speaker, and deliver or ship the Speaker to
McIntosh at the address below, or to an Au thorized McIntosh Se rvice A gency, properly
packaged, prepaid, and insured at the owner ’s expense� In addition, the owner must
provide evidence that the Speaker is at the time of deliver y within the scope of his
Warrant y, by either having completed and submi tted to McIntosh on a tim ely basis th e
accompanying Warranty Registration Card, or by including the original sales receipt
(photocopies are not acceptable) with the Speaker when it is delivered for repair�

What the O wner must Pay For

As noted above, the owner must pay any expense of removing the Speaker fro m its
installation, and must pay any expenses for deliver y of the Speaker to McIntosh or
the Authorized McIntosh Service Agency� Upon return of the Speaker to the owner
following repair, it shall be the owner ’s responsib ility to pay for the shipping charges
incurred in return of the Speaker, as well as to arrange and pay for any re -installation
which may be required� In additio n, it shall be the owner’s obligation to pay for any
repairs made to any Speaker for which the owner has neither completed and submitted
the Warranty Registration Card at the time of purchase nor includ ed the original sales
receipt w ith the Speaker when delivered for service, at McIntosh’s or its Authorized
Service Agency’s then-current repair rates�

How to lear n where the nearest Au thorize d McIntosh Service Agenc y is, or obtain
answers to other questions concerning this Warranty

In order to l earn the name and address of the neares t Authorized McIntosh Service
Agenc y, obtain instructio ns for shipm ent of a covered Speaker to McIntosh, or obtain
the answers to any other questions you may have concerning this Warrant y, you
may teleph one McIntosh’s Customer Service Department bet ween the hours of 9:00
a�m� and 4:30 p�m� Eastern Time, Monday through Fr iday, at 888-979-3737 (607-723-

3512) or write to McIntosh at 2 Chambers Street, Binghamton, New York 13903-2699,
Attention: Customer Service Department�

Note: This Warranty gives you sp ecific legal rights, a nd you may also have other

rights which vary from state to state.

5

Specicaons

Drivers

Two 6-1/2 inch Woofers
Two 50mm Inverted Dome Midranges
One 20mm Titanium Dome Tweeter

Impedance

4 Ohm Nominal

Frequency Response

80Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (Anechoic Response)

Sensivity

86dB (2.8V/1m equivalent)

Crossover Frequencies

350Hz
2,500Hz

Power Handling

250 Watts Maximum

Operang Temperature

41o-95oF
5o-35oC

Operang Humidity

30-85%

Overall Dimensions

Height is 23.5 inches (59.7cm)
Width is 14 inches (35.5cm)
Depth is 3.65 inches (9.3cm)

Shipping Carton Dimensions

Width 27-1/4 inches (69.22cm)
Height 18-3/8 inches (46.67cm)
Depth 8-3/4 inches (22.23cm)

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

2 Chambers Street

Binghamton, NY 13903

The continuous improvement of its
products is the policy of McIntosh
Laboratory, Inc. who reserves the right
to improve design without notice.
Printed in the U.S.A.

Weight

24 pounds (10.9kg) net,
29 pounds (14.1kg) in shipping carton

Oponal Rough-in Kit

RK500

6

McIntosh Part No. 04192200

Copyright 2018 ©McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.