The bene
fi
ts 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
fi
nal steps in checking phase and center channel bass response is to con
fi
rm
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.)
First, using a standard test DVD, con
fi
rm that the CC5 is in-phase with the front
left/right speakers. When in-phase, the audio test signal image will appear
between the CC5 and either of the front left/right speakers. Then, using the
Magnepan DVD test disc, check the phase between the CC5 and the center
channel bass/midbass provided by the full-range left/right speakers. Intentionally
reverse the phase on the CC5. In some cases, especially if the CC5 is not equal-
distance to the front left/right speakers, the frequencies between approximately
100-200 Hz may increase with the phase reversed and it will be necessary to
operate the CC5 in an electrically out-of-phase condition.
Further bass and midbass adjustments can be made to give the illusion of a large
Magneplanar in the middle by
fi
ne-tuning the crossover point of the CC5 and by
level adjustments relative to the level of the left/right Maggies.
The Magnepan Test DVD (which is included with your speaker) provides wide-
band center channel pink noise, but without the use of a real-time analyzer, most
consumers may wonder if the pink noise has the proper balance from bass to mids
to highs. However, by playing pink noise through one of the large left/right
Maggies, a listener can hear what pink noise should sound like and then use that
sound to compare to the pink noise from the CC5 to judge if the balance is
correct. An instant A-B test can be conducted by switching the processor from "no
center" channel speaker to "small center" channel. In the "no center" mode, you
will hear the pink noise through your "large" left/right Maggies and this can be
compared to the pink noise from the CC5. When the CC5 is playing the pink noise,
put your ear next to both the left/right speakers to con
fi
rm that the "large"
speakers are producing the bass for the center channel pink noise. To make an
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