Boston Acoustics Horizon MCS 100 User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL / SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS / COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
HORIZON MCS 100
5.1 Surround Speaker System
A Boston P.O.P. Product Make it your own...

2
Important Safety Instructions
This symbol found on the apparatus
indicates hazards arising from danger-
ous voltages.
This symbol found on the apparatus
indicates the user should read all safety
statements found in the user manual.
This symbol found on the apparatus
indicates double insulation.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of re or electric
shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or
moisture.
This symbol found on the apparatus indi-
cates that the apparatus must be placed in a
separate collection facility for electronic
waste and not disposed of with household
waste.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radi-
ators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including ampliers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized
or gr ounding-type plug. A polarized plug has
two blades with one wider than the other.
A grounding type plug has two blades and a
third grounding prong. The wide blade or the
third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not t into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet.
10.
Protect the power cord from being walked on
or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specied by
the manufacturer.
12. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms
or when unused for long periods of time.
13. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power sup-
ply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the appara-
tus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.
14. Maintain a minimum distance of 50 mm around
the front, rear and sides of the apparatus for
sucient ventilation. The ventilation should not
be impeded by covering the ventilation open-
ings or placing on or around the apparatus
items such as newspapers, table-cloths, cur-
tains, etc.
15. No naked ame sources, such as lighted
candles, should be placed on the apparatus.
16. The apparatus shall not be exposed to drip-
ping or splashing. No objects lled with liq-
uids, such as vases, shall be placed on the
apparatus.
17. Either the power inlet connector on the rear of
the apparatus or the power plug at the wall
must remain accessible, to be able to discon-
nect power from the apparatus.
18. To completely disconnect this apparatus from
the AC Mains, disconnect the power supply
cord plug from the AC receptacle.
19. The mains plug of the power supply cord shall
remain readily operable.

3
MCS 100 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Boston Acoustics Multi-Channel Solution Speaker System. These speakers incorporate high-quality
components that produce the famous Boston sound. The system is ideally suited for use as a 5.1 channel solution in a high-
quality home theater or music system. The system is complete with everything you need for the typical speaker system
including speaker wire, satellite speakers, a center channel speaker, and a subwoofer. Please check out Bostonacoustics.
com\placement for information on placing your speakers.
The MCS 100 speaker system delivers exceptionally articulate on-screen dialog, music, eects, and room lling bass from a
small, sleek package. Compact driver placement and quality, system specic crossovers assure a wide uniform dispersion
for complete coverage of a listening room. All speakers also feature MagnaGuard® magnetic shielding which ensures the
speaker’s magnetic eld does not interfere with the televisions picture.
Unpacking the System
Carefully unpack the system. If there is any sign of damage from transit, report it immediately to your dealer and/or delivery
service. Keep the shipping carton and packing materials for future use. Open the package and verify the following contents:
(4) Satellite speakers
(1) Center Channel speaker
(1) Subwoofer
(2) 40’ (12m) speaker wires
(3) 15’ (4.6m) speaker wires
(1) 15’ (4.6m) subwoofer cable
(8) Rubber bumpers (used for wall mounting)
(1) Center Channel speaker
with 2 removable feet
Subwoofer
Specications Satellites Center Channel Subwoofer
Frequency Response: 120Hz – 20kHz 120Hz – 20kHz 40 - 180Hz
Recommended Amplier
Power Range: 10 – 100 watts 10 – 100 watts —
Sensitivity: 88dB [2.8v at 1m] 88dB [2.8v at 1m] —
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms 8 ohms —
Crossover Frequency: 3,000Hz 3,000Hz —
Amplier Output: — — 100 watts RMS
Woofer: — — 8”
Midrange: 3”with Phase Plugs 3”with Phase Plugs —
& MagnaGuard® & MagnaGuard
Tweeter: 3⁄4”(25mm) Kortec® 3⁄4”(25mm) Kortec —
Dimensions (H x W x D) 73⁄8x 43⁄8x 411⁄16” 511⁄16 x 125⁄8x 33⁄4” 123⁄4x 153⁄8x 153⁄8”
(189 x 113 x 93mm) (145 x 321 x 95mm) (324 x 390 x 390mm)
Weight 2.5 lbs 4.6 lbs 22.7 lbs
(1.14kg) (2.1kg) (10.3kg)
(4) Satellite speakers
with 1 removable foot

4
Placement Options
The MCS 100 satellites and center channel are easily placed on a tabletop or wall-mounted. The
speakers are congured for tabletop use when you rst unpack the system. The foot installed on
the rear of the speaker will keep it upright.
The MCS 100 satellites and center channel are designed to easily mount on the wall using the
keyhole slot(s) on the back of the speaker. When mounting the speakers to the wall use the supplied
rubber bumpers. You must remove the attached foot to wall-mount your speakers. Remove the
thumbscrew from the back of the foot. It is slotted for easy removal with a screwdriver or a coin.
The keyhole mounting option is similar to hanging a picture frame on a wall. Install a #8 screw (not
included) into the sheetrock, making sure to go into a stud, and hang the speaker onto the screw head.
If a stud is not available, a sheetrock anchor should be used to support the weight of the speaker. It is
advisable to connect the speaker wire prior to wall-mounting.
NOTE: Because there are so many dierent kinds of surfaces on which the speakers could be mounted. There is no one
type of fastener that we could supply that would work in all the possible situations. So taking into account the surface the
speaker is being mounted on, acquire the appropriate type of fasteners. If you’re not sure what type of fastener to use, take
the mounting bracket to a friendly hardware store, tell them about the wall you’re mounting the speaker on, and ask them
to recommend an appropriate fastener. Keep in mind the weight of the speaker.
Speaker Connections
After your speakers are properly placed, you are ready
to wire your system. First, turn o all system power.
Use the speaker wire included with the system to
make your connections. For longer distances, #16 or
#18 gauge wire available from your dealer should be
used. Please see the illustration for guidance con-
necting the wires to the MCS 100 satellites and center
channel.
For connection to your receiver please refer to its
owner’s manual.
Important!
To ensure the best performance observe polarities when making speaker con-
nections, as shown in the illustration. Connect each + terminal on the back of the
amplier or receiver to the respective + (red) terminal on each speaker. Connect the
– (black) terminals in the same way. If the connections are not made correctly it can
cause poor bass response and imaging. Also, to avoid short circuits that may damage
your equipment be careful not to let any of the bare wires touch each other.
Subwoofer Connections
Turn o all power. Use the subwoofer cable included with your
system to connect the subwoofer to your receivers Subwoofer or
LFE Output. Connect the other end to the“Line In” on the back of
the Subwoofer.
+–
+–
12V
TRIGGER OUT
+ Red – Black

5
Subwoofer Controls
Power On
Plug the subwoofer’s AC cord into a wall outlet. We do not recommend using use the
outlets on the back of the receiver. The subwoofer features auto on/standby. An LED
indicator next to the volume control indicates what mode the subwoofer is in.
RED = STANDBY (No signal detected, Amp O )
GREEN = ON (Signal detected, Amp On)
The subwoofer will automatically enter the Standby mode after several minutes when no signal is detected from your system.
The subwoofer will then power ON instantly when a signal is detected.
Volume Control
Begin by adjusting the Subwoofer Volume Control to the 11 o’clock position. Further adjust the Subwoofer Volume Control
until you hear a match in volume between the main speakers and subwoofer. Ideally, bass response should not overpower
the room but rather be adjusted so there is a natural blend across the entire musical range.
Operation
When using the MCS 100 in a Dolby® Digital or DTS™home theater system, make sure all speakers are set to“Small”. When
using the system in a Dolby Pro Logic® home theater system, make sure the receiver’s center channel mode is set to“Normal.”
Some Dolby Digital equipped receivers/processors oer dierent setup options for each source or surround mode (e.g., CD-
stereo, videotape, Dolby Digital, Pro Logic®). In each case, follow your equipment’s instructions to ensure that the subwoofer
output is turned on and that the speakers are set to“Small” in each mode.
If your receiver has adjustable crossover settings, we recommend the subwoofer crossover be set at 150Hz.
Refer to the owner’s manual for your AV receiver for any additional recommendations on system operation.
Maintenance and Service
The satellite and subwoofer enclosures may be cleaned using a soft cloth to remove ngerprints or to wipe o dust. All wiring
connections should be inspected and cleaned or remade at least once a year.
If a problem does occur, make sure that all connections are properly made, secure and clean. If a problem occurs in one loud-
speaker, rewire that speaker in a dierent location within the system. Should the problem persist in this speaker the problem
is within the speaker. If the speaker sounds ne in the new position it is a strong indication of a more in depth issue with the
electronics in the system. In the event that your MCS 100 ever needs service, contact your local Boston Acoustics dealer or
visit www.Bostona.com for a list of dealers in your area.
If your subwoofer does not play, check that all the connectors on the cables are making proper contact and that the AC plug
is connected to a“live”receptacle.
LED indicator

6
Limited Warranty
Boston Acoustics warrants to the original purchaser of our MCS 100 system that it will be free of defects in materials and
workmanship in its mechanical parts for a period of 5 years from the date of purchase. The warranty period for the electrical
components of MCS 100 is 1 year.
Your responsibilities are to install and use them according to the instructions supplied, to provide safe and secure transporta-
tion to an authorized Boston Acoustics service representative, and to present proof of purchase in the form of your sales slip
when requesting service.
Excluded from this warranty is damage that results from abuse, misuse, improper installation, accidents, shipping, or repairs/
modications by anyone other than an authorized Boston Acoustics service representative.
This warranty is limited to the Boston Acoustics product and does not cover damage to any associated equipment. This
warranty does not cover the cost of removal or reinstallation. This warranty is void if the serial number has been removed or
defaced. This warranty gives you specic legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
If Service Seems Necessary
First, contact the dealer from whom you purchased the product. If that is not possible, write to:
Boston Acoustics, Inc.
300 Jubilee Drive
Peabody, MA 01960 USA
Or contact us via e-mail at:
[email protected]
We will promptly advise you of what action to take. If it is necessary to return your MCS 100 to the factory, please ship it pre-
paid. After it has been repaired, we will return it freight prepaid in the United States and Canada.
For EU Customers Only
This symbol found on the product indicates that the product must not be disposed of with household waste.
Instead, it may be placed in a separate collection facility for electronic waste or returned to a retailer when pur-
chasing similar product. The producer paid to recycle this product. Doing this contributes to reuse and recycling,
minimizes adverse eects on the environment and human health and avoids any nes for incorrect disposal.
Boston Acoustics continually strives to update and improve its products. The specications and construction details are
subject to change without notice.

32 300 Jubilee Drive, Peabody, MA 01960 USA
www.bostonacoustics.com
Boston, Boston Acoustics, MagnaGuard, Kortec, and the Boston Acoustics logo are registered trademarks of Boston Acoustics,
Inc. Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro Logic are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. DTS is a registered trademarks of DTS,
Inc. Specications are subject to change without notice. © 2007 Boston Acoustics, Inc. 142-002699-1