MARTIN LOGAN M C 4 In-Ceiling Speaker User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: MARTIN LOGAN

Table of Contents

Content Check List
Safety Warnings and WEEE Recycling
Protect Your Investment
Break-In
General Speaker Placement
Placement Options (All Models)
Placement Options (Aimable MC6-HT Speaker)
Connection
Installation
Painting the Speaker Grille
Frequently Asked Questions
Troubleshooting
Warranty
Service
Specifications* ………………………….MC4
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

MC4 | MC6 | MC6-HT MC8 | MW6 | MW4-LCR
user’s manual

Register your warranty online at www.MartinLogan.com. See your local MartinLogan dealer for new construction pre-install brackets (sold separately).

Content Check List

You will find the following items enclosed for your new MartinLogan loudspeaker. Should you require assistance please call our service department at 785-749-0133.

Install Template
Grille Cover

Safety Warnings and WEEE Recycling

The lightning bolt flash with an arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock.
** The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
The fire within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the potential of creating a fire hazard if they do not follow the instructions.
The dollar sign within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user that they run the risk of causing damage that could be potentially expensive to repair if they don’t follow the instructions.
WARNING! · · · ·**

Refer servicing to a qualified technician.
To prevent fire or shock hazards, do not expose this module to moisture.
Turn the amplifier off should any abnormal conditions occur.
Do not drive the speaker beyond its rated power.

In accordance with the European Union WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive effective August 13, 2005, we would like to notify you that this product may contain regulated materials which upon disposal, according to the WEEE directive, require special reuse and recycling processing. For this reason, MartinLogan has arranged with our distributors in European Union member nations to collect and recycle this product at no cost to you. To find your local distributor please contact the dealer from whom you purchased this product, email info@martinlogan.com or visit the distributor locator at www.martinlogan.com. Please note, only this product itself falls under the WEEE directive. When disposing of packaging and other related shipping materials we encourage you to recycle these items through the normal channels.
Square Grilles, Pre-Installation Brackets, & Backboxes
Square grilles, pre-installation brackets, and retrofit backboxes are available for certain MartinLogan Motion Series architectural speakers. Contact your dealer for availability.

MC6-HT: Direct radiating surround and rear channels in a 7.1-channel system.
MC6-HT + MC4/6/8: Direct radiating front, left center, surrounds, and rear channels in a 7.1.4-channel system with Atmos height speakers.

Protect Your Investment

Use an amp that approximately matches the speaker’s specified power handling.
To avoid damage, turn down the volume if the speaker sounds like it is distorting, sounds harsh, or the bass begins to break up.
Tone controls and equalizers may increase the likelihood of distortion, especially at high volumes. Use these settings sparingly.

Break-In

When you first begin to play your speakers, they will sound a bit bass shy. This is due to the high-quality, long-life components used in the drivers. Allow approximately 72 hours of break-in at 90dB (moderate listening levels) before any critical listening.

General Speaker Placement

Choosing a Mounting
Location Install the speakers between wall studs or ceiling joists being careful to avoid electrical wires behind the wall’s surface. Please note, MC6-HT should only be used in-ceiling.
Wall Rigidity Results in Better Sound
Increasing the rigidity of your walls may improve sonic performance. To do this consider adding cross bracing inside of the wall approximately 12-inch (30cm) above and below the speaker.
Achieving Superior
Imaging this MartinLogan in-wall and in-ceiling speakers offer superb imaging and flexible placement in nearly any location. However, for best performance and imaging place speakers equidistant from the primary listening position and avoid physical obstructions between the speaker and the primary listening position.
Balancing Hard vs. Soft Surfaces Improves High- and Mid-Frequency Performance
Rooms that are “overdamped” with carpeting, drapes, and other sound absorbers can cause your system to sound dull and lifeless. On the other hand, rooms can have so many hard surfaces that the system sounds like a gymnasium. Experiment by adding or removing soft surfaces until you find a mix that sounds good to you.
Balancing Bass Output
The corner placement of these speakers will reinforce their bass output. If you require balanced output across the entire audio spectrum avoid mounting these speakers in a corner.
When choosing placement follow these simple recommendations. Keep in mind these are just recommendations and your unique installation requirements may dictate otherwise:

Place a minimum of 12-inches (30cm) from any wall corner.
Place fronts/centers equidistant between 1014 feet (34.3m) from the listening position.
MC4, MC6, MC6-HT, and MC8: Install in-ceiling only.

Placement Options (All Models)

The Motion series architectural speakers feature MartinLogan’s Folded Motion Tweeter or FMT. This unique thin-film tweeter features a controlled dispersion pattern of 80° by 80°. This controlled “cone of sound” can be extremely useful in avoiding sound reflections in the room which would otherwise result in diminished sound quality. For optimal results, attention should be paid to the mounting location to help ensure that the primary listening area is within the dispersion pattern of the tweeter. Keep in mind, the farther away the listener is from the speaker, the wider the coverage area of the tweeter becomes. Because of the uniform dispersion of the FMT, the dispersion of Motion In-wall speakers remains the same whether the speaker is mounted horizontally or vertically. Controlled Dispersion is a tool to help deliver better sound quality where it actually matters, your ears! The dispersion of the FMT can be used to help eliminate unwanted sound reflections or help reduce unwanted “sound leakage” into other areas of the home, especially in open floor plans.
Stereo and Home Theater Applications (no illustration)
MartinLogan Motion series in-wall and in-ceiling speakers are ideal for 2-channel stereo and multi-channel home theater installations. The guidelines from the previous section apply to both in-wall and in-ceiling speakers.
Multiple Speakers, Distributed Audio (Fig. 1a)
In larger areas (offices, etc.) multiple speakers may be used to eliminate the sound imbalances that occur with separate stereo speakers as people move around the room, or are seated closer to one speaker than the other. Position speakers to achieve the broadest sound coverage in the main listening area. The angled MC6-HT can be useful to help aim and focus sound towards an area you are trying to cover.

Placement Options (Aimable MC6-HT Speaker)

MC6-HT speakers are optimized for use in rooms with ceiling heights ranging from 89 feet (2.4 to 2.74m). Point the tweeter toward the primary listening position. For overall clarity and balanced bass performance, these speakers should be mounted on the ceiling 12 inches (30 cm) or more from the wall, as shown in Figs. 2a to 4a.
Front Channel Placement (Fig. 2a & 2b)
Follow the general guidelines for speaker placement provided at the beginning of the main section keeping in mind the distance from the front speakers to your primary listening area should be 1014 feet (34.3m), as shown. Point the drivers toward the primary listening position.
Non-Direct Radiating Surround/Rear Placement (Fig. 3a-3c)
These speakers are also ideal for use as surround or surround back channels. Aiming the speaker so sound bounces off the walls creates an enveloping, reverberant sound field. Keep in mind that speakers should be mounted 12 inches (30 cm) or more from the wall.

5.1-Channel Surround Placement (Fig. 3a): Position one speaker on either side of the listening area, with drivers, pointed toward the side walls.
6.1-Channel Rear Placement (Fig. 3b): Begin with `5.1-Channel Surround Placement’ (above). Center one speaker behind the listening area with drivers pointed toward the back wall.
7.1-Channel Rear Placement (Fig. 3c): Begin with `5.1-Channel Surround Placement’ (above). Position another pair of MC6-HT speakers behind the listening area, one slightly to the right, the other slightly to the left, with drivers pointed to the back of the room as shown.

Direct Radiating Surround/Rear Center Placement (Fig. 3d & 4a)
The MC6-HT may be used as direct-radiating speakers, positioned with drivers pointed toward the listening area. Use Fig.3d or 4a as a guide to positioning as you experiment to achieve optimal surround sound in your room.
Motion LCR Model Placement (no illustration)
The MW4-LCR is a true Left, Center, Right (“LCR”) model that can be used for any in-wall position in a stereo or home theater setup. This model is designed to mount either vertically or horizontally as desired or otherwise dictated by your unique installation.

Connection

Connect the red (+) amplifier terminal to the red (+) speaker terminal. Connect the black (-) amplifier terminal to the black (-) speaker terminal.

Installation

NOTE: These instructions assume the mounting surface is of standard wood frame and standard sheetrock construction. If you wish to mount the speakers to another type of material, you should contact a bonded contractor.
NOTE: See your local dealer for new construction pre-install brackets, square grilles (in-ceiling models only), and back boxes (in-ceiling models only) (accessories sold separately).
NOTE: While it is possible to use a manual screwdriver for installation, we strongly suggest using a power drill. To avoid damaging or breaking the clamps, set your drill to a HIGH SPEED but LOW TORQUE setting. A high power setting is NOT necessary and may cause clamps to crack or break from the added force. Such damage is not covered under warranty.
WARNING! Before installing check local building codes to verify compliance with local regulations.
WARNING! Before installing check for obstructions behind drywall. To do this make a small hole, cutting at a 45° angle (this will make the hole easier to patch if obstructions are found). Only cut out the mounting hole after you have verified there are no obstructions behind the drywall.
WARNING! Use only speaker cable that is rated for in-wall use. The UL standard is CL2, CL3, and CM. The CSA standard is FT4.
WARNING! Turn your amplifier off before making or breaking any signal connections.

Recommended tools:

Stud finder
Sharp pencil or pen
Drywall knife/saw
Wire strippers
Power drill
Tape measure
Low-tack tape

NOTE: Retrofit Back Boxes are available for all in-ceiling Motion series speakers. These back boxes reduce sound from “leaking” into the area above where the speaker is installed. For example, if building a home theater downstairs and there are living spaces directly above where the speakers are installed it may be desirable to use these back boxes to help contain the sound so it does not cause any disturbance to those above the speakers.

Speaker Installation and Connection (pictorial)
NOTE: If the clamps are not set to the right position, use a screwdriver to turn the screws counter-clockwise until the clamps are in the correct position.

If the template has a removable center, remove it at this time.
Using a stud finder, position the template completely between wall studs or ceiling joists. MC4, MC6, MC6-HT, and MC8: Install in-ceiling only.
Hold or tape the template in place and mark the cutout with a pencil. For rectangular speakers, level the template before marking (Figs. 5a, 6a, & 6b).
Remove the template and cut out the opening with a drywall knife (Figs. 5b & 6c).
In-wall: If desired, place fiberglass insulation above and below the cut-out hole. Place a half-thick piece of fiberglass insulation behind the speaker. In-ceiling: If desired, place fiberglass insulation 12″ (30cm) or thicker between the joists directly above the speaker.
Connect speaker cables. Be consistent when connecting the speaker leads to the terminals. Take great care to assign the same color to the (+) terminal on both the speaker and the amplifier.
Set your power drill to the high-speed but low torque setting.
Ensure the clamps on the lip of the speaker are positioned exactly as shown in the Warning Diagrams.
Gently push the assembly into the ceiling or wall hole (Figs. 5c & 6d).
Supporting the assembly with one hand, tighten each screw using the electric drill and Torx T20 bit. Stop tightening when you sense resistance (Figs. 5d & 6e). MC6-HT: Before tightening screws orient the speaker so the drivers are positioned towards the desired position.
Gently press the grille into place (Figs. 5e & 6f).

Painting the Speaker Grille

IMPORTANT! Before painting remove the grille from the speakers. Do not paint the surface of the speaker behind the grille. Do not use a paint roller.

Remove the grille from the speaker.
Paint the grill, being careful not to plug the holes. For best results use a spray rather than a brush. Allow the paint to completely dry before proceeding. Do not paint the surface behind the grille.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean my speakers?
Use a dust-free cloth or a soft brush to remove the dust from your speakers. Do not spray any kind of cleaning agent on or in close proximity to the drivers.
What size amplifier should I use?
We recommend an amplifier rated within the suitable amplifier range of your speaker.
Could you suggest a list of suitable electronics and cables that would be ideal for MartinLogan speakers?
The area of electronics and cable choice is probably the most common type of question that we receive. It is also the most subjective. We have repeatedly found that brands that work well in one setup will drive someone else nuts in another. We use many brands with great success. Again, we have no favorites; we use electronics and cables quite interchangeably. We would suggest listening to a number of brands–and above all else–trust your ears. Dealers are always the best source for information when purchasing additional audio equipment or cables and will be well versed in the subject of special safety requirements for in-wall cable.
Will exposure to sunlight affect the life or performance of my speakers?
We recommend that you not place any loudspeaker in direct sunlight. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause deterioration of grille cloth, speaker cones, etc. Small exposures to UV will not cause a problem. In general, the filtering of UV rays through glass will greatly reduce the negative effects.

Troubleshooting

No Output

Check that all your system components are turned on, not muted and that your balance control (if applicable) is set correctly.
Check to make sure your power outlet at the wall is working.
Check your power cords, speaker wires, and interconnecting cables.
Check to make sure no headphones are plugged in.
Swap speaker wires at your amplifier with those of a speaker that is functioning correctly. If the lack of output moves to a different speaker the problem could be with other equipment in your system (i.e. amp, pre-amp, processor, etc.)
Try hooking up a different set of speakers. The lack of output could point to a problem with other equipment in your system (i.e. amp, pre-amp, processor, etc.)

Lack of Bass or Poor Imaging

Check your speaker wires. Is the polarity correct — (+) to (+) and () to ()?
The use of optional back boxes will reduce the bass output of the speaker as these enclosures reduce the air space the woofer is able to utilize. This is the tradeoff of reducing the unwanted sound that is able to travel to other areas of the home.

Warranty

MartinLogan offers online warranty registration at www.martinlogan.com.
Your speaker is provided with an automatic Limited 90 Day Warranty coverage. You have the option, at no additional charge, to receive a Limited 5 Year Warranty coverage. To obtain the Limited 5 Year Warranty coverage register your speakers at www.martinlogan.com. Save a copy of your dealer receipt as it may be requested if service is required. MartinLogan may not honor warranty service claims unless we have a completed Warranty Registration on file at www.MartinLogan.com!

Service

Should you be using your MartinLogan product in a country other than the one in which it was originally purchased, we ask that you note the following:

The appointed MartinLogan distributor for any given country is responsible for warranty servicing only on units distributed by or through it in that country in accordance with its applicable warranty.
Should a MartinLogan product require service in a country other than the one in which it was originally purchased, the end-user may seek to have repairs performed by the nearest MartinLogan distributor, subject to that distributor’s local servicing policies, but all cost of repairs (parts, labor, transportation) must be borne by the owner of the MartinLogan product.
If, after owning your speakers for six months, you relocate to a country other than the one in which you purchased your speakers, your warranty may be transferable. Contact MartinLogan for details.

Specifications* ………………………….MC4

System Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 – 25,000 Hz ±3dB
Aiming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N/A
Sensitivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90dB @2.83V/ 1 meter
Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compatible with 8 ohms
Crossover Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,230 Hz
High-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FMT Transducer 1″ x 1.4″ (2.6cm x 3.6cm) Opening 5.25″ x 1.75″ (13.3cm x 4.4cm) Diaphragm
Low-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4″ (10.16cm) black fiberglass cone
Binding Post Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Push style accommodates wire up to 12AWG
Suitable Amplifier Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50120 Watts
Maximum Power Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Watts
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.02 lbs. each (0.9 kg)
Overall Size (dia. x depth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.63″ x 5.65″ (14.3cm x 14.3cm)
Required opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.89″ (12.41cm) diameter
Projection from wall surface . . . . . . . . . . . .  0.26″ (0.65cm)
Depth required behind wall surface. . . . . . . 5.50″ (13.9cm)
*Specifications are subject to change without notice. System Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 – 25,000 Hz ±3dB
Aiming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N/A
Sensitivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90dB @2.83V/ 1 meter
Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compatible with 8 ohms
Crossover Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,570 Hz
High-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FMT Transducer 1″ x 1.4″ (2.6cm x 3.6cm) Opening 5.25″ x 1.75″ (13.3cm x 4.4cm) Diaphragm
Low-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.5″ (16.51cm) black fiberglass cone
Binding Post Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Push style accommodates wire up to 12AWG
Suitable Amplifier Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50-150 Watts
Maximum Power Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Watts
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1 lbs. each (2.31 kg)
Overall Size (dia. x depth) . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8.64″ x 4.57″ (21.94cm x 11.61cm)
Required opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7.65″ (19.43cm) diameter
Projection from wall surface . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.31″ (0.77cm)
Depth required behind wall surface. . . . . . . 4.43″ (11.26cm)
*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

*Specifications …………………MC6-HT**

System Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 – 25,000 Hz ±3dB
Aiming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N/A
Sensitivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90dB @2.83V/ 1 meter
Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compatible with 8 ohms
Crossover Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,230 Hz
High-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FMT Transducer 1″ x 1.4″ (2.6cm x 3.6cm) Opening 5.25″ x 1.75″ (13.3cm x 4.4cm) Diaphragm
Low-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4″ (10.16 cm) black fiberglass cone
Binding Post Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Push style accommodates wire up to 12AWG
Suitable Amplifier Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-120 Watts
Maximum Power Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Watts
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.08 lbs. each (2.75 kg)
Overall Size (dia. x depth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.30″ x 6.88″ (28.7cm x 17.48cm)
Required opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.23″ (25.9cm) diameter
Projection from wall surface . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.35″ (0.89cm)
Depth required behind wall surface. . . . . . . 6.77″ (17.18cm)
*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

System Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 – 25,000 Hz ±3dB
Aiming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N/A
Sensitivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  91dB @2.83V/ 1 meter
Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Compatible with 8 ohms
Crossover Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2,220 Hz
High-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FMT Transducer 1″ x 1.4″ (2.6cm x 3.6cm) Opening 5.25″ x 1.75″ (13.3cm x 4.4cm) Diaphragm
Low-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8″ (20.32cm) black fiberglass cone
Binding Post Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Push style accommodates wire up to 12AWG
Suitable Amplifier Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50-200 Watts
Maximum Power Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . .  100 Watts
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 lbs. each (2.72 kg)
Overall Size (dia. x depth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.35″ x 4.95″ (26.28cm x 12.57cm)
Required opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.25″ (23.5cm) diameter
Projection from wall surface . . . . . . . . . . . .  0.33″ (0.83cm)
Depth required behind wall surface. . . . . . . 4.81″ (12.22cm)
*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

*Specifications ……………………. MW6**

System Frequency Response . . . . . . . 62 – 25,000 Hz ±3dB
Aiming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N/A
Sensitivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90dB @2.83V/ 1 meter
Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compatible with 8 ohms
Crossover Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,920 Hz
High-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . FMT Transducer 1″ x 1.4″ (2.6cm x 3.6cm) Opening 5.25″ x 1.75″ (13.3cm x 4.4cm) Diaphragm
Low-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . .  6.5″ (16.51cm) black fiberglass cone
Binding Post Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Push style accommodates wire up to 12AWG
Suitable Amplifier Range . . . . . . . . .  50-120 Watts
Maximum Power Handling . . . . . . . . 60 Watts
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6 lbs. each (2.72 kg)
Overall Size (l x w x depth). . . . . . . . 8.04″ x 11.07″ x 4.16″ (20.43cm x 28.13cm x 10.55cm)
Required opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.97″ x 11.07″ (17.70cm x 28.13cm)
Projection from wall surface . . . . . . . 0.31″ (0.79cm)
Depth required behind wall surface……………….. 4.04″ (10.25cm)\
*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

8.04″ (20.43cm)

*Specifications………………………… MW4-LCR**

System Frequency Response . . . . . . . 78 – 25,000 Hz ±3dB
Aiming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N/A
Sensitivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93dB @2.83V/ 1 meter
Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compatible with 8 ohms
Crossover Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,800 Hz
High-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . FMT Transducer 1″ x 1.4″ (2.6cm x 3.6cm) Opening 5.25″ x 1.75″ (13.3cm x 4.4cm) Diaphragm
Low-Frequency Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . 4″ (10.16 cm) black fiberglass cone
Binding Post Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Push style accommodates wire up to 12AWG
Suitable Amplifier Range . . . . . . . . . 50200 Watts
Maximum Power Handling . . . . . . . . 100 Watts
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.02 lbs. each (2.73 kg)
Overall Size (l x w x depth). . . . . . . . 12.74″ x 6.13″ x 2.69″ (32.36cm x 15.56cm x 6.82cm)
Required opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.87″ x 5.25″ (30.14cm x 13.34cm)
Projection from wall surface . . . . . . . 0.28″ (0.7cm)
Depth required behind wall surface. . 2.57″ (6.52cm)
*Specifications are subject to change without notice. ****