Micca MB42-C Center Channel Speaker Owner’s Guide
- June 4, 2024
- Micca
Table of Contents
Micca MB42-C Center Channel Speaker
Thank you for purchasing the Micca MB42-C Center Channel Speaker! This product has been designed for optimal audio reproduction performance in a variety of home entertainment configurations, with accuracy, clarity, and impacts that discerning audiophile’s listen for. Please take the time to become familiar with the MB42-C and the placement options as detailed in this manual.
General Recommendations
Height – For normal listening from a fixed listening area, the MB42-C should ideally be placed at the ear-level of the listener, with the listener comfortably situated in the listening location. If it is not possible to achieve ear-level height, use foam wedges to tilt the speaker up or down to point it to the listener. Orientation – The MB42-C is designed to work very well whether placed horizontally or vertically. The vertical placement provides better dispersion characteristics, but the horizontal placement is suitable when it is impractical to use the speaker vertically.
Usage-Specific Recommendations
Center Channel Speaker
When used as a center channel speaker, makes sure the two front speakers are well matched in timber to the MB42-C. This can be achieved by using a pair of the MB42 bookshelf speakers, or two additional MB42-C speakers as the left and right speakers. Try to place all three left, right, and center speakers close to the same height. Speaker height should be selected so that it is as close to ear level as possible while considering whether listeners will be seated or standing in the listening area
Stereo Speakers on Stands
When a pair of MB42-C is used vertically with speaker stands, it is important to select speaker stands that place the speakers to the ear level of the listener. Do this by measuring the height of the listener’s ear when seated in the listening area, and subtracting 8 inches. For example, if the listener’s ear is measured at 36 inches from the floor when seated, select speaker stands that are approximately 28 inches high.
Speaker Wire
The MB42-C should be connected to the amplifier with good quality oxygen-free copper speaker wire for best performance. The gauge or thickness of the speaker wire can affect the performance of the MB42-C. Always choose a speaker wire of the appropriate gauge to prevent excessive speaker wire resistance. Using undersized speaker wire can result in loss of volume, detail, and dynamic range. Please select a speaker wire for the MB42-C based on the following minimum recommendations:
- 50′ or less – 16 Gauge 2 Conductor
- 50′ – 80′ – 14 Gauge 2 Conductor
- 80′-120′ – 12 Gauge 2 Conductor
- 120′-200′ – 10 Gauge 2 Conductor
Amplifier Connection
Amplifier speaker output terminals are typically color coded with black for negative (-) and red for positive (+). Similarly, the MB42-C 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 MB42-C. And similarly, the negative terminal on the amplifier should be connected to the negative terminal on the MB42-C. 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.
Amplifier Considerations
The MB42-C’s impedance varies between 4 to 8 Ohms. Care must be taken to ensure that the amplifier is capable of handling a 4-Ohm load. Some amplifiers have a switch that must be set to select a 4-Ohm compatible operation mode. Improper amplifier selection or setup may result in permanent damage to the amplifier or speaker.
The MB42-C can be used with amplifiers between 15 to 100 watts per channel as long as reasonable care is exercised. If there is audible distortion, turn down the volume until the distortion goes away. Never allow the speaker and amplifier to play for more than a few seconds when there is audible distortion.
Removing the Grill
The MB42-C has a removable grill that is held in place by four friction pegs. To remove the grill, carefully pry the grill off from edge until the friction pegs are fully disengaged. To avoid damaging the speaker drivers, do not touch them either with or without the grill in place. The MB42-C can be used without the grills installed as long as care is taken to prevent the drivers from damage such as by hard/sharp objects, liquids, pets, or hands. Store the grills in a safe dry place when not in use.
MB42-C Specifications
- Woofer: Dual 4” Carbon Fiber Cone with Rubber Surround
- Tweeter: 75” Silk Dome
- Enclosure: Ported Cabinet
- Frequency Response: 60Hz-20kHz (Typical In-Room)
- Impedance: 4-8 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 86dB 1W/1M
- Power Handling: 100 Watts (Each)
- Dimensions: 3” (H) x 15” (W) x 7.1” (D)
Information in this manual is believed to be accurate and reliable but Micca Ltd assumes no responsibility for its use or for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from the use of this manual or the product. Micca reserves the right to change product specifications at any time without notice. Micca, MB42, MB42-C, and the Micca logo are trademarks of Micca Ltd. Other trademarks referenced in this manual are the properties of their respective owners. © 2012-2013 Micca Ltd. All rights reserved.
FAQ’s
What does the center channel speaker do?****
The most crucial speaker in a surround sound arrangement is the centre channel speaker because it handles the bulk of the work. The center channel is the one that reproduces most of the dialogue and action in a movie because it is front and centre on your screen.
Where do you put the center channel speaker?****
The center speaker should often be placed immediately beneath the TV. This will most accurately replicate sound emanating from the TV and should be at or near ear level. Directly above the TV is the next-best position if you can’t place it there. The key is to keep it within close proximity of the TV.
Can you play music through a center channel speaker?****
In a home theatre setting, the centre channel is excellent for conversation but not for music.
Can you utilize a centre channel speaker by it?****
The centre channel speaker actually works great on its alone and will still produce excellent sound.
Can left and right speakers be used in the centre channel?****
Yes, you can utilize three speakers that are advertised as “Centre” speakers in place of the three front speakers. The good news is that having three front speakers that are exactly alike is a terrific idea. Dolby Laboratories and I both utilize this setup.
What qualities need to a centre speaker have?****
Always look for a Centre channel speaker with a “three-way design” and a tweeter and midrange that are vertically aligned. This enables it to perform more closely to a full range speaker, to produce a wider soundstage, and to properly track the acoustic image over the front stage.
Which size setting for the middle channel should be used?****
Setting all of the speakers to “small” will ensure that the subwoofer receives the low frequencies for the greatest sound reproduction. The lowest frequencies simply cannot be reproduced adequately by “full range” speakers unless they have drivers 10″ or greater in diameter.
Is the centre channel loud enough?****
No, the middle shouldn’t be louder than the fronts when tuned properly. The centre is not louder because of the numbers in the arrangement. These modifications are available to help you accommodate for variations in loudness among speaker models.
Can the centre speaker be placed above the TV?****
Center speakers can be put easily on a shelf either above or below the TV or on top of an entertainment cabinet. For optimal performance, simply ensure that the speaker is tilted up or down toward the listener.
Is a standard speaker acceptable for the center channel?****
For your centre channel, you can use any speaker, but preferably, you should choose one with a horizontal rather than vertical or square pattern, cabinet design, like the illustration from Aperion Audio below.
The centre channel may I use two speakers for?****
Generally speaking, using two bookshelf speakers as the centre channel is a bad choice because audio cancellation can happen due to nulls. A line array of three similar speakers can create a more realistic effect when the music pans from side to side, therefore choosing one speaker as the centre channel is acceptable.
How can I connect my centre channel speaker to my receiver?****
Utilize a speaker cable to connect the TV and AV receiver. Connect the AV receiver to the TV’s CENTER SPEAKER IN connector using a speaker cable (not included). Be sure to twist the speaker cable ends before inserting them into the TV and AV receiver’s connection ports.
Can I use surround sound on my TV speakers?****
Making use of the centre channel on the TV speakers By connecting an AV receiver to the TV’s central speaker IN terminal, you can use the TV speakers as a centre channel when the speakers are connected to an audio system. An optical cable or HDMI cable is required for connecting the TV to the AV.
Why there are two woofers in the centre channel speakers?****
Because the centre speakers have two woofers, the tweeter can be placed in the middle instead of to one side, which would again interfere with the left-right soundstage.