Polk Audio MC85, MC65, MC80, MC60 User Manual

MC SERIES

MC85
MC80
MC65
MC60

OWNER’S MANUAL
MANUEL D’UTILISATION
MANUAL DEL PROPIETARIO

PLACEMENT OPTIONS

Polk Audio MC Series Loudspeakers
give you nearly endless placement options.
But remember, where you locate in-wall
speakers bears careful consideration,
as installation requires that you cut a
hole in your wall!

Fill a room with sound by installing
speakers in nearly any wall or ceiling
location (figure 1). Polk MC Series
Loudspeakers have a wide dispersion
pattern and aimable tweeters that
allow you to focus their sound.

ADJUSTING THE TWEETERS

Aiming the tweeters toward your listening
position improves imaging and detail.
When using MC Series Loudspeakers as
front/main home theater speakers (figure 2),
aim the tweeters toward your listening
position. For rear/surround speakers
installed in walls or ceilings (figure 3), aim
the tweeter toward the nearest reflecting
surface (an adjacent wall or ceiling) for a
more diffuse sound field. For a more direct
sound, aim the tweeters at your listening
position. (See figures 4 & 5 for aiming
the tweeter.)

ENGLISH

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SAFE LIMITS OF OPERATION

Polk Audio specifies the recommended amplification range
for each of its passive (non-amplified) loudspeakers. Typically
that specification will be expressed as a range of power such
as 20-200 Watts (per channel). It is important to understand
what those numbers mean when choosing a receiver
or amplifier for your Polk loudspeakers. The lower number
indicates the lowest continuous rated power that will yield
acceptable performance in a typical listening environment.
The higher number indicates the highest per channel power
that should be used with your Polk speakers. That number
should not be confused with a “Power Handling” specifi­cation and it does not imply that the speaker will safely
handle that full amount of power on a long-term basis.
We specify a wide range of power ratings because not all
electronics manufacturers use the same method for rating
power. In fact, high quality lower-rated amplifiers sound
better and play louder than low quality units with
higher power rating.

We recommend using amplifiers and receivers with rated
power above the Power Handling limits of our speakers
because having extra power available for short term peaks is
conducive to better sound quality, maximum dynamic range
and effortless high volume output. But we strongly urge
you not to use the full power of your amplifier or receiver
for daily listening.

Loudspeakers can be damaged when an amplifier, regard­less of its wattage, is made to play at higher listening levels
than its power can clearly produce. Operation at this level
can result in very high levels of audible distortion originating
in the amplifier, which can add a harsh, gritty sound to your
listening material. If you hear distortion—turn the vol-
ume down or risk damaging your speakers. You can
damage just about any speaker, regardless of power rating,
if you drive an amplifier to or beyond the point of distortion.

For a complete list of performance specifications,
including recommended amplification, go to:
www.polkaudio.com

PRODUCT DISPOSAL

Certain international, national and/or
local laws and/or regulations may apply
regarding the disposal of this product.
For further detailed information, please
contact the retailer where you purchased
this product or the Polk Audio Importer/
Distributor in your country. A listing of
Polk Audio Importer/Distributors can
be found on the Polk Audio website
www.polkaudio.com or by contacting
Polk Audio at: 5601 Metro Drive, Baltimore,
Maryland 21215, USA—Phone: [phone].

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR SERVICE

If, after following the hookup directions, you experience
difficulty, please double-check all wire connections.
Should you isolate the problem to the speaker, contact the
authorized Polk Audio dealer where you made your purchase,
or contact Polk Audio Customer Service 800-377-7655
(M-F, 9-6 EST, US & Canada only) or via email
[e-mail]. Outside the US & Canada, call
410-358-3600. More detailed information—including audio
how-to articles, FAQs, and online manuals are available on
our award-winning website www.polkaudio.com/home.

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Figure 1—MC Series audio and A/V placement
options, in wall or ceiling.

Figure 2—Recommended measurements
for home theater front stage placement.

Figure 3—Examples of in-wall and in-ceiling placement.
When used as rear/surrounds, aim tweeter toward the
nearest reflecting surface (an adjacent wall or ceiling)
for a more diffuse sound field.

Figure 4—MC65, MC85 Models: Carefully
use your index fingers to aim the tweeter.

OPTION 1
OPTION 2

in-ceiling

OPTION 3

2'

(60cm)

recommended height

5' 7"

(170cm)

2'

(60cm)

Important Note: MC Series In-Wall
Loudspeakers are not magnetically
shielded and should not be placed closer
than 1' (30cm) from a television or video
monitor. If you experience discoloration
or distortion, immediately move the
speakers away from your TV.

PAINTING YOUR MC SERIES
IN-WALL LOUDSPEAKERS

You will need:

• Paint of your choice. (To make the job
easier, we recommend spray painting
the grille.)

• A paperclip or corkscrew. (For removing
the paintable grille, corkscrew can also
be used to open the wine when you relax
with your newly painted MC speakers.)

• Masking tape.

• Paint mask. (To cover unpaintable
parts, supplied!)

PREPARING TO PAINT:

1. If the speaker is not yet installed, the
grille can be removed simply by pushing
the clamp screws forward to push the
grille off the speaker from the inside.
If the speaker is already in the wall,
carefully hook the grille with a bent
paper clip and pull it gently away from
the frame (figure 6).

2. When painting the frame of the speaker,
use the supplied paint masks to carefully
mask off the front of the speakers to
protect the drivers and baffles while
painting. You can do this while the
speaker is already installed in the wall
(if, for instance, you’re repainting the
room). If you do not have the paint masks,
carefully mask the speaker components
using paper and masking tape.

PAINTING THE FRAME:

1. Apply paint to exposed (unmasked parts).
Use two or more thin coats. Spray
painting is recommended (figure 7).

2. When the paint is completely dry,
remove the masking material.

PAINTING THE GRILLE:

1. The grille of the MC Series speaker
features an even, protective powder
coating. This powder coating is an
ideal primer.

2. Grilles must be spray painted. Do not use
a brush and paint. Thick, brushed paint
may clog the grille holes.

3. Remove the grille by carefully hooking
it with a bent paper clip and pulling it
gently away from the frame.

4. Before spray painting the grille, carefully
remove the grille’s fabric scrim by peeling
it away from the inside of the grille (figure

8). Place this on a clean, flat surface
where it will not get wrinkled.

5. Spray on two thin coats of finish color.
If you’re using a compressor and spray
gun, use the finest, most diffuse setting.
Be careful not to fill the holes in the
grille with paint (figure 9).

6. When the grille is dry, carefully press the
fabric scrim back into place on the inside
of the grille. The special fabric scrim
hides the speaker’s drivers from view,
and will not interfere with the sound.

7. First install the speaker (see next page).
Then carefully reinstall the grille by fitting
it into its recess so that it is just resting
on the frame. Starting with one corner,
go around the speaker and push the
grille into the grille notch a little bit at
a time. Be gentle; the grille may be easily
bent out of shape by rough handling.
You will feel a positive “snap” when
it is fully in place.

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Figure 5—MC60, MC80 Models: While
supporting the tweeter bridge, carefully
use your index finger to aim the tweeter.

Figure 6—Use a paperclip to remove grille.

Figure 7—Mask the drivers and baffles,

then spray paint in thin coats.

Figure 8—Peel away fabric grille scrim
before painting grille.

Figure 9—Paint the grille. Use thin coats of spray
paint. Do not block grille holes with paint.

INSTALLATION

If you intend to do the installation yourself,
we recommend that you possess some skill
in the proper use of hand and power tools.
You should have a thorough understanding
of local building and fire codes and a famil­iarity with the area behind the wall or ceiling
into which you plan to install your speakers.
Install speaker wires before installing
speakers. Wire meeting appropriate
building and fire codes must be used. Use
at least 18 gauge wire or heavier for the
utmost in sound quality. Wiring is best
performed by an experienced professional.
If you are in doubt that you possess the
necessary skills or tools, consult your Polk
Audio dealer, or a professional installer.

You Will Need:

• Pencil for marking the location
of installation.

• Keyhole saw, utility knife or material­appropriate cutting tool for drywall
or other wall material.

• Level.

• Screwdriver, preferably powered,
with Phillips head bit.

• Power drill with appropriate bit
(optional, for starting wall cut).

Follow These Easy Steps:

1. Prior to installation, hold the speaker
in your chosen location to make sure
it safely clears obstacles such as studs,
corners, beams, lighting fixtures and
door/window frames. Your cutout must
be at least 1" (25mm) from adjoining walls
or ceiling, internal studs or plumbing.

2. Using the template, trace the installation
location with a pencil. Use a level to
make certain the template is straight
and plumb. This is the exact cutout
size (figures 10a & 10b).

3. Carefully cut a hole with the appropriate
cutting tool for your wall or ceiling
material. Start the hole by drilling on
the inside of the tracing (with the drill
bit touching the line). Use this hole to
insert the saw or knife and begin cutting
(figure 11).

4. Once you have cut the hole, fish your
previously positioned wiring out of the
hole and connect the speaker. Follow
the hookup directions included with your
receiver. Strip 3/8" (9.5 mm) of insulation
from each of the two conductors of the
wire to expose the bare metal and twist
each of the conductors into a single
unfrayed strand (so you have two
unfrayed strands). Connect the wire from
the red terminal (+) of your amplifier or
receiver to the red terminal (+) on your
speaker and the wire from the black
terminal (–) of your amplifier or receiver
to the black terminal (–) on your speaker.
Most wire has some indicator (such as
color-coding, ribbing or writing) on one
of the two conductors to help you
maintain consistency (figure 12).

5. To install the speaker, first carefully
remove the grille using a straightened
paperclip or other pointed metal tool.
Insert the point into one of the grille
perforations near a corner and lift
the grille free. Never use a knife or
screwdriver to pry between the grille
and the speaker frame. This will
damage your speaker.

6. Loosen the rotating wall clamps by
unscrewing them. Make sure that the
rotating wall clamps are flipped inward
so that your speaker fits into your cutout
without nicking your wall. Then place
the speaker carefully into the cutout
(figure 13).

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Figure 10a—Round Template:
Trace within the pop-out area.

Figure 10b—Rectangular Template:
Trace around the template.

Figure 11—Cut the hole with the appropriate tool.

Figure 12—Hook up the speaker wires.

Figure 13—Place the speaker carefully

into the cutout.

LEFT RIGHT

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