Sonance M Series User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SONANCE MERLOT

®

M-S

ERIES

IN-WALL SPEAKERS

3

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing Sonance Merlot®M-series in-wall speakers. When properly installed
your new speakers will give you years of entertainment pleasure. This manual will teach you all
about your new speakers’ many innovative features and will show you how to get the very best
performance from them. Please read it thoroughly.

Since all of the Merlot M-series speakers have identical installation requirements, the
directions in this manual apply to each model in the series. This manual covers the Merlot
423

M and Merlot 422M

Design and Features

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Box Contents

Your Sonance Merlot speaker box should contain the following items:
(2) Merlot speakers (2) Plastic paint plugs (installed on fronts of speakers)
(2) Paintable grilles (1) Mounting cutout template (in packaging)

Figure 1:

Sonance Merlot

®

423M Speaker

SONANCE MERLOT®M

SAFETY WARNING:

These speakers have FastMount®tabs that prevent the speaker from falling
out of the mounting hole during the installation process.

TTHHEE EEDDGGEESS OOFF TTHHEE FFAASSTTMMOOUU NNTT TTAA BBSS AARREE VVEERR YY SSHHAARRPP..

UUSSEE CCAAUUTTIIOONN WWHHEENN HHAANNDDLLIINNGG T

THHEE SSPPEEAAKKEERR..

See

Installation

(page 9) for complete information about the FastMount tabs.

4

SONANCE MERLOT®M

Speaker Placement

When selecting mounting locations for your speakers you should consider such things as your primary listening location,
the primary use for the speakers (2-channel stereo or home theater) and aesthetic values. Your local authorized Sonance
dealer is an expert in audio/video system planning and installation. We strongly recommend that you work with your
dealer to ensure that your system is properly planned, assembled and installed.

Stereo Speaker Placement

• Place the left and right speakers anywhere from 6 feet to 10 feet apart, with the main listening position as close to
midway between the speakers as possible.

• The speakers should be 38 – 42 inches from the floor and at least 18 inches away from the side walls.

• The main listening position should be between 4 and 10 feet away from the speakers.

• In most cases pivoting the tweeter of each speaker directly towards the main listening position will help maximize the
stereo soundstage.

Use the left and right speaker placement in

Figure 1

as a guide.

Home Theater Speaker Placement

Left, Center & Right Channels

• Place the left & right speakers on either
side of the video screen, anywhere from 6
feet to 10 feet apart and 38 – 42 inches
from the floor (which corresponds to the
height of your ears when you’re seated on
a couch or chair).

• If possible, locate the left and right speakers
at least 18 inches away from the side
walls.

• Locate the center speaker as close to the
same height as the left & right channel
speakers as possible. If you must place the
center speaker above or below a video
screen, we recommend placing it no more
than 2 feet above or below the center of
the left and right speakers. This will
help maintain consistent tonality between
all three front channel speakers.

• The main listening position should be between 8 and 12 feet away from the speakers.

Use

Figure 1

as a guide.

2'

(max.)

18" (min.)
From Side

Wall

6' – 10'

Apart

18" (min.)
From Side

Wall

Figure 1: Home Theater Placement — Left, Center & Right Speakers

5

SONANCE MERLOT®M

Surround Speakers (5.1-Channel System)

You can also use Sonance Merlot M-series speakers for surround channel
applications in a home theater. Depending on your room’s layout, you can
locate the surround channel speakers in the side walls, in the rear wall or in the
ceiling, If you are not sure which location will achieve the best performance in
your room, contact your Authorized Sonance Dealer for advice.

SS iiddee ww aa ll ll mmoouu nnttiinngg::

Locate the surround channel speakers approximately
2 – 6 feet behind the listening position, at least 5 feet from the floor.
Use

Figure 2

as a guide.

CC ee iilliinn gg mm oo uunn tt iinn gg ::

Locate the left and right surround speakers on the ceiling
between 2 feet and 4 feet behind the listening position. The speakers should be
between 8 feet and 12 feet apart, with their woofers towards the listeners.
Use

Figure 3

as a guide.

RR eeaarr wwaall ll mmoouu nnttii nngg::

Locate the surround channel speakers on the rear wall,
6 – 10 feet apart, at least 5 feet from the floor. Center the speakers on the
listening location. Use

Figure 4

as a guide.

Note: If the listening position is less than 2 feet in front of the rear wall we do not recommend
mounting the surround speakers in the rear wall. Use ceiling mounting or side-wall mounting
instead.

5' – 7'

2' – 6'

Figure 2: Side Wall

Surround Speaker Placement

5' – 7'

6' – 10'

Figure 4: Rear Wall

Surround Speaker Placement

TV

8' – 12'

Apart

2' – 4'

Left & Right

Surround Speakers

Figure 3: Ceiling

Surround Speaker Placement