McIntosh XLS320, XLS340, XLS360, XCS350 User Manual

Loudspeaker Systems

XLS360

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yXLS340

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yXLS320

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yXCS350

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Owner’s Manual

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

WARNING - TO REDUCE RISK OF

FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO

NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO

RAIN OR MOISTURE.

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS!

PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE

OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS

INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO

QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

To prevent the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover or

back. No user serviceable parts inside.

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

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

8. This apparatus 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.

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

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

11. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or
table specified by the manufacturer,
or sold with the apparatus. When a
cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/apparatus
combination to avoid injury from
tip-over.

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

13. 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.

2

Thank Y ou

Table of Contents

Your decision to own a McIntosh Loudspeaker System
ranks you at the very top among discriminating music lis­teners. You now have “The Best.” The McIntosh dedication
to “Quality,” is assurance that you will receive many years
of musical enjoyment from this unit.

Please take a short time to read the information in this
manual. We want you to be as familiar as possible with all
the features and functions of your new McIntosh.

Please Take A Moment

The serial number, purchase date and McIntosh Dealer
name are important to you for possible insurance claim or
future service. The spaces below have been provided for
you to record that information:

Serial Number:
Purchase Date:
Dealer Name:

T echnical Assistance

If at any time you have questions about your McIntosh
product, contact your McIntosh Dealer who is familiar with
your McIntosh equipment and any other brands that may
be part of your system. If you or your Dealer wish addi­tional help concerning a suspected problem, you can re­ceive technical assistance for all McIntosh products at:

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

Customer Service

If it is determined that your McIntosh product is in need of
repair, you can return it to your Dealer. You can also return
it to the McIntosh Laboratory Service Department. For as­sistance on factory repair return procedure, contact the
McIntosh Service Department at:

Safety Instructions ............................................................ 2

Thank You and Please Take a Moment............................. 3

Technical Assistance and Customer Service .................... 3

Table of Contents.............................................................. 3

Important Information ...................................................... 4

Introduction ...................................................................... 4

Performance Features ....................................................... 5

Dimensions:

XLS320........................................................................... 6

XLS340........................................................................... 7

XLS360........................................................................... 8

XCS350 .......................................................................... 9

Installation:

Installation Overview ................................................... 10

Unpacking the XLS320 ................................................ 10

Unpacking the XLS340 ................................................ 10

Unpacking the XLS360 ................................................ 11

Unpacking the XCS350 ................................................ 12

Wall Mounting the XLS320.......................................... 13

Wall Mounting the XLS340.......................................... 14

Wall Mounting the XCS350 ......................................... 16

Locating the Loudspeaker ............................................ 18

Tweeter Array Optimization ......................................... 19

Connections:

Connecting the XLS320 (default setting)..................... 20

Connecting the XLS320 (optional setting)................... 21

Connecting the XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350

(with one amplifier) .................................................... 22

Connecting the XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350

(with two amplifiers) .................................................. 23

Specifications:

XLS320......................................................................... 24

XLS340......................................................................... 24

XLS360......................................................................... 25

XCS350 ........................................................................ 25

Packing Instructions:

XLS320......................................................................... 26

XLS340......................................................................... 26

XLS360......................................................................... 27

XCS350 ........................................................................ 27

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

Copyright 2005 © by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

3

Caution: The XLS360 Loudspeaker weight is 107 pounds

(48.5kg) net. It requires two or more persons to handle
safely.

1. Loudspeaker Cables of adequate size are important to ensure

that there will be no significant power loss or heating. Cable
size is specified in Gauge numbers or AWG (American Wire
Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the larger the wire
size:

If the Loudspeaker Cables are 25 feet (7.62m) or less, use at
least 16 Gauge (AWG) wire size or larger.
If the Loudspeaker Cables are 50 feet (15.24m) or less, use at
least 14 Gauge (AWG) wire size or larger.
If the Loudspeaker Cables are 100 feet (30.48m) or less, use
at least 12 Gauge (AWG) wire size or larger.
The Loudspeaker Connection Terminals can accept up to 12
Gauge (AWG) wire.

2. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s

manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the XLS320,
XLS340, XLS360 or XCS350 Loudspeaker.

3. The XLS and XCS Loudspeaker Systems have built-in

automatic resetting solid-state devices in the crossover
networks for protection. The protection allows a certain
amount of overdrive, however extended periods of overdrive
will trigger protection. If an obvious lack of high, mid or low
frequencies is noticed, the Protection Device may have
activated. These devices will automatically reset when the
volume level is reduced significantly and kept low until the
output of the affected Loudspeaker Element returns to normal.

4. When the XLS340, XLS360 or XCS350 Loudspeaker Systems

are driven by more than one amplifier, the output levels of the
different amplifiers connected to the Loudspeaker System
must be adjusted to achieve a proper balance between the
low, midrange/high frequencies reproduced. This adjustment
is best achieved through the use of audio test equipment
operated by a qualified installer.

IntroductionImportant Information

The McIntosh XLS320, XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350
Loudspeaker Systems are designed for Home Theater and
Music Reproduction. Many of today’s Loudspeakers are
designed only for Home Theater applications, not so with
these Loudspeaker Systems. They are also designed for the
accurate reproduction of music.

Motion picture sound effects, explosions, screams, and
vehicle crashes require a wide dynamic range and high
sound levels. These sounds are such that a speaker system
having moderate distortion would reproduce them with
little audible difference. This is not true with the reproduc­tion of music. Music is by nature and definition harmoni­ous. To reproduce it accurately, all forms of distortion, both
harmonic and intermodulation, must be kept to a minimum.
This has been the result of the design of the new McIntosh
XLS320, XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350 Loudspeaker
Systems. Each loudspeaker element and crossover compo­nent has been carefully designed for low distortion, dura­bility and efficiency. The McIntosh XLS320, XLS340,
XLS360 and XCS350 Loudspeaker System will reproduce
music accurately and function as an excellent Home The­ater Loudspeaker.

The XLS320 is a two-way system with a 6-1/2 inch LD/

1

woofer/midrange driver and five 1 inch dome tweeters

HP
in a Bessel Function Array. The XLS340 is a three-way
system consisting of two 8 inch LD/HP woofers, one 6-1/2
inch LD/HP midrange driver and five 1 inch dome tweeters
in a Bessel Function Array. The XLS360 is also a three­way system with two 10 inch LD/HP woofers, one 6-1/2
inch LD/HP midrange driver and five 1 inch dome tweeters
in a Bessel Function Array. The XCS350 Center Channel
Loudspeaker utilizes two 8 inch LD/HP woofers, one 6-1/2
inch LD/HP midrange driver and five 1 inch dome tweeters
in a Bessel Function Array.

The XLS320, XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350 Loud­speaker performance is designed to complement the capa­bilities of McIntosh’s legendary line of Preamplifiers/Con­trol Centers, Signal Sources Devices and Power Amplifi­ers, without imparting distortion or coloration.

1

LD/HP Pat. No. 5,151,943

4

Important Information, Connector Information, Introduction and Performance Features

Performance Features

Patented LD/HP Technology

•

The McIntosh Low Frequency and Midrange Loudspeaker
Elements feature the patented LD/HP motor structure. This
design, when compared to conventional Loudspeaker
Elements, reduces distortion significantly. It also increases
power handling and efficiency.

Five Tweeter Bessel Function Array

•

The XLS320, XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350 utilizes five
tweeters connected to produce a Bessel Function Array.
The individual tweeter amplitudes and phase relationships
are adjusted so the array acts as a high frequency point
source. One advantage of such an arrangement is a very
smooth and even acoustic polar response. This allows the
listener to move off axis without suffering a change in high
frequency output. The use of multiple tweeters, combined
with a mechanical heat sink, also provides greatly
increased power handling at high frequencies.

Mirror Image Phasing High Frequency Array

•

The five tweeter Bessel Function Array utilizes a unique
circuit design permitting the optimization of high
frequency dispersion for Mirror Imaging. This allows for
Loudspeaker placement in a room as the Left Channel,
Center Channel or Right Channel for use in a multi­channel system.

Shielded Magnetic Field

•

The XLS320, XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350 may be used
in Home Theater Installations near a television receiver or
monitor without causing the television image to degrade.
McIntosh has designed special shielding around the
magnetic structure of the XLS320, XLS340, XLS360 and
XCS350 Loudspeaker Elements to prevent interference.

High Power Handling

•

The Loudspeaker Elements and crossover components of
the XLS320, XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350 are all chosen
for use with powerful amplifiers up to 600 watts.

High Efficiency

•

The Loudspeaker Elements used in the XLS320, XLS340,
XLS360 and XCS350 Loudspeaker Systems have also
been designed for high efficiency. As a result any McIntosh
Power Amplifier, even our smallest, will provide satisfying
room filling sound.

Automatic Overload Protection

•

The XLS320, XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350 have built-in
Loudspeaker Element Protection in the form of automatic
resetting solid-state devices as a part of the crossover net­work.

Gold Plated Input Connectors

•

The XLS320, XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350 input
connectors are gold plated for superior corrosion resistance
and high electrical conductivity.

Rigid Column Structure

•

The enclosures are an important part of the XLS320,
XLS340, XLS360 and XCS350 Loudspeaker Systems. The
Systems utilize a dampened rigid enclosure made from ex­truded aluminum and houses the Loudspeaker Drivers and
Crossover. The XLS340 and XLS360 Columns, due to
their height, have additional front to back internal bracing
to form a dampened rigid Column Structure. The Column’s
small footprint allows for a variety of different placements
in a room.

Special Crossover Network

•

The Crossover Networks used in the XLS320, XLS340,
XLS360 and XCS350 Loudspeaker Systems are designed
to ensure an even frequency response over the entire au­dible range. The Network utilizes First, Second and Third
Order design for optimal response.

5

Dimensions

The following dimensions can assist in determining the
best location for the XLS320 or XLS340 Loudspeaker Sys­tem. There is additional information on page 18 pertaining
to installing the Loudspeaker.

Front View of XLS320
with Grille Removed

Rear View of XLS320

10

27.0cm

6

-11/16"

17.0cm

-5/8"

5

14.8cm

10

-5/8"

27.0cm

-13/16"

5

-5/16"

13.5cm

15

-5/16"

38.9cm

8

-9/16"

21.7cm

12

-5/8"

32.0cm

Side View of XLS320

6

7

-5/16"

18.6cm

5

-1/4"

13.3cm

4

-1/2

11.4cm

"

Dimensions

Front View of
XLS340 with
Grille Removed

39

-3/8

100.0cm

"

34

-9/16

87.8cm

"

15

-3/16

38.6cm

"

5

-13/16

5.8cm

Rear View of
XLS340

10

-5/8

"

27.0cm

44

-1/16

"

"

2

-1/16

5.2cm

4

-1/16

"

10.3cm

24

-11/16

62.7cm

"

"

18"

45.7cm

4

-1/16

10.3cm

35

-9/32

89.6cm

"

111.9cm

"

7

-3/8

"

18.7cm

Note: The XLS340 is supplied

with optional adjustable
feet, four Tiptoes and
four Glides. If they are
used with the XLS340
please allow for the
added height.

Side View of
XLS340

12"

30.5cm

5

-1/4

13.3cm

4

-1/2

11.4cm

14

-3/4

"

"

37.5cm

"

7

Dimensions, con’t

The following dimensions can assist in determining the
best location for the XLS360 or XCS350 Loudspeaker Sys­tem. There is additional information on page 18 pertaining
to installing the Loudspeaker.

13

-1/8

33.3cm

"

Front View of
XLS360 with
Grille Removed

46

-9/16

118.3cm

41

106.0cm

"

-3/4

8

22.5cm

"

19

-3/16

48.7cm

-7/8

"

"

7

-3/16

18.3cm

Rear View of
XLS360

4

-1/16

"

10.3cm

51

-3/8

"

130.5cm

37

-3/4

"

95.9cm

33

-15/16

"

27

69.2cm

-1/4

"

2

-1/16

5.2cm

86.2cm

"

"

17

-3/4

"

9

-1/4

23.5cm

"

8

-5/16

"

21.1cm

45.1cm

3

-13/16

"

Note: The XLS360 is supplied

with optional adjustable

9.7cm

Side View of
XLS360

feet, four Tiptoes and four
Glides. If they are used
with the XLS360 please
allow for the added
height.

13"

33.0cm

8

Note: The XCS350 is supplied with an adjustable Stabilizer

Bar. Please allow for various height/angle.

Front View of
XCS350 with
Grille Removed

6

-9/16

"

16.7cm

17

-1/32

"

43.3cm

27

-1/2

"

69.9cm

4

-3/16

10.6cm

Dimensions, con’t

"

5

-5/16

"

13.5cm

9"

22.9cm

Rear View of
XCS350 with the
stabilizer bar
removed

9

-9/16

24.3cm

10

27.0cm

"

-5/8

5

13.3cm

34

-1/16

"

86.5cm

25

-9/16

"

64.9cm

20

-1/8

"

6

-11/16

4

-1/2

11.4cm

"

"

51.1cm

"

24

-3/16

"

61.4cm

-1/4

"

17.0cm

Top View of
XCS350

3/4

"

1.9cm

9