Magnepan CC5 - Manual (Page 3)

8. Bass Management and Processor Settings
The CC5 is called a "small" speaker due to the limited midbass response. Getting the midbass/bass for the
CC5 adjusted correctly is the single most important part of getting the most out of your CC5's
performance. As an owner of a higher quality 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 at 200-250 Hz for optimal frequency response or as low as 150 Hz if your processor does not
provide up to 200-250 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
CC5. If the correct procedures are followed, your CC5 will give the illusion of a large Magneplanar in the center. If
your processor does not have flexible crossover settings, the Magneplanar DW 1, DWM Woofers or CC Speaker
Stand 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 CC5. 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.
In case you missed it-- Set your processor for "no subwoofer" and
leave your subwoofer turned off until you have completed a
successful test with the Magnepan test disk.
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 CC5. 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 150-250 Hz, the discontinuity between the CC5'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, install a Y-adapter on both the left and right preamp outputs of the
processor. The subwoofer and the power amp will be driven by the same left or right full-range signal. Use the
electronic crossover in the subwoofer to set the low pass frequency. 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 absolutely 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.)
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 "full-range"
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 CC5 and that the center channel bass/midbass is in-phase with the CC5. (Again, this can get
a little confusing.)