Micca M-8C Ceiling Round Speaker User Manual

: June 13, 2024
: MIcca

Table of Contents

Micca M-8C Ceiling Round Speaker
Micca M-8C/M-6C
Installation Tools
Mounting Location
Mounting Preparation
Specifications
FAQs
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Micca M-8C Ceiling Round Speaker

Micca-M-8C-Ceiling-Round-Speaker-product

Micca M-8C/M-6C

8” and 6.5” 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers

Thank you for purchasing the Micca M-8C/M- 6C In-Ceiling Speaker! This product has been designed for optimal audio reproduction performance in a variety of home entertainment configurations, with accuracy, clarity, and impact that discerning audiophiles listen for. Please take the time to become familiar with the M-8C/M-6C and the proper installation procedures as detailed in this manual.

Installation Tools

A proper installation ensures optimal performance from the M-8C/M-6C. The following installation tools will be needed:

Drywall saw
Screwdriver, Phillips head
Masking tape – 1.8 to 2.0 inch
Pencil
Bubble or laser level
Tape measure
Stud finder

Mounting Location

When choosing where to mount for the M-8C/M- 6C speakers, be sure that there are no electrical wires, ducts, plumbing, gas pipes, or any other services running through the location. The M- 8C/M-6C can be mounted in any orientation in order to provide proper coverage at the listener’s position. While it is most often mounted in ceiling, it can also be mounted in walls. Keep the following in mind while deciding where to mount the M-8C/M-6C:

Separation – Distance between a pair of M- 8C/M-6C should be shorter than the distance from the speakers to the listener.

Height – Front speaker position should be mounted in-wall with the center of the M-8C/M- 6C at ear level of the listener when seated. Center speaker position should be in-wall above or below the TV/Display, whichever is closer to seated ear level. Surround locations can be inwall just above seated ear level, or behind and to the side of listening area for in-ceiling.

Tweeter Aiming – The tweeter should be aimed towards the listener for all mounting locations.

Mounting Preparation

The M-8C/M-6C requires a cutout size as listed in the specifications section. An additional ¾” is required in all directions behind the ceiling for attachment. Modern home construction typically utilize wall studs or joists spaced on 16” centers, providing approximately 14 ⅜” between studs. Use a stud finder to locate studs or joists in the ceiling, including horizontal braces that may interfere with the mounting location. Use the supplied template and a pencil to mark the position where the cutout will be made. If mounting on a vertical wall, use a bubble or laser level to help ensure that the template is straight. Cut a small square hole in the marked location to double-check that there are no obstructions behind the ceiling.

Using a drywall saw, make the mounting cutout according to the template outline. Be sure to cut through the drywall at a 90 degree angle. Trim any jagged or loose pieces of drywall. Cover the cut edges of the drywall with strips of masking tape, folding over the edges on both the front and back sides of the drywall (See Figure 1). This will prevent the gypsum in the drywall from being knocked loose from speaker vibration. Do not allow the edge of the masking tape to protrude more than ¼” beyond the cutout on the outside ceiling surface. Masking tape within ¼” of the cutout will be hidden by the speaker frame. If the ceiling contains insulation, remove the insulation at the cutout and approximately 1 foot around it. This ensures adequate air volume for the M-8C/M-6C to operate. Secure any loose insulation that may fall on the speaker. If the ceiling is not insulated, it is recommended that the cavity is stuffed with approximately 2 feet of fiberglass insulation around the cutout, starting at about 1 foot around the cutout. The insulation will provide damping to the speaker and isolate vibrations.

Micca-M-8C-Ceiling-Round-Speaker-fig-1

Speaker Wire
In ceiling speakers should be connected to the amplifier with UL rated CL2/CL3 speaker wire – this is required by building code for most consumers. Avoid installing speaker wire in parallel with household AC wiring to avoid potential hum. It is okay for speaker wire to cross AC wiring at a right angle, however. It is recommended that a professional or licensed electrician perform the speaker wire installation if you are uncomfortable with the task. The gauge or thickness of the speaker wire can affect the performance of the M-8C/M-6C. Always choose a CL2/CL3 rated in-wall speaker wire of the appropriate gauge to prevent excessive speaker wire resistance. Using undersized speaker wire can result in lose of volume, detail, and dynamic range. Please select speaker wire for the M-8C/M-6C based on the following minimum recommendations:

50′ or less – 16 Gauge 2 Conductor CL2/CL3
50′ – 80′ – 14 Gauge 2 Conductor CL2/CL3
80′-120′ – 12 Gauge 2 Conductor CL2/CL3
120′-200′ – 10 Gauge 2 Conductor CL2/CL3

Amplifier speaker output terminals are typically color coded with black for negative (-) and red for positive (+). Similarly, the M-8C/M-6C has speaker wire terminals with a black and red color coding. When connecting speaker wire, ensure that the positive terminal on the amplifier is connected to the positive terminal on the M- 8C/M-6C. And similarly, the negative terminal on the amplifier should be connected to the negative terminal on the M-8C/M-6C. Speaker

wires typically use at least one of several possible methods to help maintain correct polarity, including color coded insulation or conductor strands, or printing of text and symbols along one side of the wire insulation.

Removing the Grill
The M-8C/M-6C has 4 mounting tabs on the back that rotate. While looking at the back of the speaker, rotate the tabs fully counter clockwise so that they stick out away from the speaker frame. Slide each tab towards the front of the speaker and when the tab screw comes in contact with the grill, push gently so that the grill comes away from the speaker. The grill is held in place by contact pressure. Take care when removing and reinstalling the grill to not distort it due to excessive force.

Mounting the Speaker
While looking at the back of the M-8C/M-6C, rotate the tabs fully clockwise so that they are inside the speaker frame (See Figure 2). If a tab does not stay rotated, tighten its screw until it stays rotated – do not over tighten.

Micca-M-8C-Ceiling-Round-Speaker-fig-2

Place the speaker into the ceiling cutout. One at a time, loosen each of the four screws until the tabs can turn freely. Next tighten each screw clockwise until the tabs press firmly against the inner surface. The speaker need only be properly aligned and held securely to the ceiling – do not over tighten to break the tabs or damage the drywall.

Painting the Frame and Grill
The supplied template can be used as a paint shield when trimmed. Carefully trim along the inner line and place the paint shield inside the speaker frame with the grill removed. The frame can now be painted to match the ceiling surface. Use an appropriate primer for painting over plastic. Only the front of the grill should be painted, paint on the sides will make the grill difficult to install onto the speaker frame. Be careful not to clog any of the grill perforations as it may affect speaker performance by restricting airflow.

Tweeter Aiming
Speaker performance is optimal when aimed at the listener. Because it is impractical to install inceiling speakers at an angle, it is sufficient to aim just the tweeter as it reproduces the most directionally sensitive audio frequencies. For this reason, the M-8C/M-6C is built with a tweeter that can be aimed towards the listening area. To aim the tweeter, gently press on its circular outer edge. Avoid touching the dome diaphragm. It helps to listen to a familiar piece of music with strong central image such as vocals while aiming the tweeter. When the tweeters are properly aimed, the center image should be coherent and stable from the listening position.

Installing the Grill
The speaker grill is held in place in the mounting grove by friction. Start by pressing the speaker grill into the groove in one spot, and then go around the speaker pressing more of the grill edge into place until the grill is fully seated. In most installations, the natural friction between the grill and mounting grove is enough to hold the grill securely. If additional friction is needed, use the segments of black gummy material that is supplied with the speaker. Unwrap the gummy material from its protective paper and press it into the mounting grove on the speaker. Position the gummy material evenly around the speaker. Finish by press in the grill as described above

Speaker Removal
The M-8C/M-6C can be easily removed should it ever become necessary. Remove the grill using a small hook tool available from hardware and auto parts stores. Loosen the four screws until the tabs release from the ceiling and tuck back into the speaker frame. Pull the M-8C/M-6C out of the ceiling and disconnect the speaker wire. The speaker can now be easily replaced or serviced.