MBL 111F Radialstahler Hybrid User manual

Dear customer,
we are glad that you decided to become an owner of one of the
world´s best loudspeaker: the Radialstrahler.
This speaker is a handcrafted product made in Germany. Like
all handmade products every speaker has something special
that makes it unique. During the handcrafting procedure of this
speaker we took care of even the smallest detail to become per-
fect.
Each system is measured and recorded in all technical details to
fulfi ll the highest demands on sound quality.
The Radialstrahler is a State-of-the-Art advanced technology
product, which is outstanding in sound quality and appearance.
This multi-directional speaker is a breakthrough to a new world
of music enjoyment: you will get a 3-dimensional experience.
We are sure you will explore a new dimension of listening plea-
sure.
Your MBL Team
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Important Information!
Attention: Keep the speakers away from high humidity, vibration, excessive
dust and direct sunlight. Excessive heat or cold will a ect the speaker´s func-
tionality. The permitted operating temperature is 10°C up to 50°C (50°F up to
122°F). Avoid extreme variations in temperature.
Do not touch the diaphragms of the speaker!
KETI, CE-Marking
This product conforms to the requirements of the EMC directive and low-volt-
age directive. Your MBL component complies with the household power and
safety requirements in your area.
Warranty
Please pay attention to the details given in the warranty card which accompa-
nies the unit. Warranty is only issued, if you send back the warranty card.

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Page
4 1. Scope of Delivery
4 2. Unpacking
5 3. Mounting and Sound Optimization
5 3.1 Mounting the Radialstrahler
5 3.2 Spikes
5 3.3 Connecting cable
6 3.4 Diagrams
7 4. Speaker Setup
7 4.1 Checking up your listening room
7 4.2 General setup tips
7 4.3 Speaker positioning
8 4.4 Listener‘s position
8 4.5 Setup and fi ne-tuning
9 4.6 Example for speaker setup
10 5. Connections
10 5.1 Single wiring
10 5.2 Bi-wiring
11 6. Connecting speaker to power amplifi er
11 a) Stereo amplifi er, single wiring
12 b) Stereo amplifi er, bi-wiring
13 c) Stereo amplifi er, bi-amping
14 d) Mono amplifi er, single wiring (2 power amplifi ers)
15 e) Mono amplifi er, bi-wiring (2 power amplifi ers)
16 f) Mono amplifi er, bi-amping (4 power amplifi ers)
18 7. Maintenance
18 7.1 Removing the cover of the tweeter/midrange section
18 7.2 Cleaning the system
19 8. mbl 111F Views
19 8.1 mbl 111F Radialstrahler front and rear view
20 8.2 mbl 111F Radialstrahler side view and detail
21 9. Specifi cations

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1. Scope of Delivery
The mbl 111F Radialstrahler Hybrid is delivered in three shipping boxes. In the two smaller ones you will fi nd:
2 x woofer units
4 x copper jumpers
2 x cover plate
In the other box (solid case) you will fi nd:
2 x tweeter-midrange sections complete with cover grille
operating instructions
fi nal production protocol
Allen wrench
8 x special spikes and spike nuts
8 x spikes, spike nuts and brass washers
warranty card
2. Unpacking
Set all the boxes on the fl oor with the arrows on the edge of the box pointing up. (Fig. 1)
First, you should take the woofer units out of their packaging (the smaller boxes). This works best, if you open the
top of the box and then carefully turn it upside down and pull o the box upwards. Remove the foam plastic and
put it back into the box, open the cotton bag at the bottom and turn the woofer units back over, so they are in an
upright position. Place the woofer units approximately where you want to set the speakers.
Open the solid case on the front (Fig.1). Remove the board lying on the top and the tube-shaped cardboard.
The mbl 111F tweeter/midrange section is screwed to the board you can see at the bottom. Lift the section and the
wooden board out of the box and lay it carefully on its back so that the wooden board can hang freely (Fig.2). Use
the enclosed Allen wrench to unscrew all four Allen screws.
Fig. 1: Opening the wooden case Fig. 2: Lifting the HT/MT section and the wooden board

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special spikes
screw nuts
screw nuts
spikes
brass washers
3. Mounting and Sound Optimization
3.1 Mounting the Radialstrahler (Special Spikes)
Screw the special spikes in the inserts located on the bottom plate of the
tweeter/midrange section. When you place the tweeter/midrange sec-
tion on the woofer section note the spike mounts on the woofer section.
The front of the tweeter/midrange section must point to the same direc-
tion as the front of the woofer section.
3.2 Spikes
To adjust the bass response to your room you can use the enclosed
spikes.
If you prefer a strong bass, place the systems directly on a solid ground
without using spikes.
To achieve a tighter bass with more impact screw the spikes in the
speaker´s feet, so that the speaker stands on the spikes. To protect your
fl oor it is recommended to use the enclosed brass washers.
In case that the fl oor is covered with a thick carpet, the speaker does not
stand fi rmly. Due to this reason the bass may sound uncontrolled without
defi nition. Use the spikes to avoid this.
3.3 Connecting cable
Make sure that the connecting cable is connected to the tweeter/mid-
range terminals, so you can use the speaker cable terminals for the tweet-
er/midrange section (HT/MT) at the subwoofer cabinet. This is especially
necessary, if you want to operate the speakers in single wiring mode.
connecting cable

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3.4 Diagrams: Mounting the mbl 111F Radialstrahler Hybrid
Screw the special spikes
in the bottom plate of
the tweeter/midrange
section.
tweeter/midrange
section
connecting cable
woofer section
Screw the spikes in the
speaker‘s feet.
The front of the tweeter/midrange
section must point to the same di-
rection as the front of the woofer
section.
!

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4. Speaker setup
4.1 Checking up your listening room
A simple ”clapping test” will give you important information on the acoustic conditions in your room. Walk up and
down in the area where you want to set up the speakers and clap your hands loudly. Pay attention to the echoes
refl ected. If they are either extremely loud or extremely long (fl utter e ect), the room´s reverberation is high and
it is recommended to work with dampers.
To damp the room use sound absorbing elements like carpets and curtains. Di usors like plants or bookshelves
between the corner of the room and the speakers help to improve the acoustic pattern.
4.2 General setup tips
For best performance the speakers should be set up in front of a hard part of the room (e.g. a solid wall or in front
of no vibrating windows).
If possible, set up the speakers on the longer wall.
Shelves or hi-fi racks located between the speakers (also at the wall) should not be higher than the midrange
driver of the speaker, approx. 1 meter (40 “).
4.3 Speaker positioning
Transfer your room dimensions (longer and shorter side of the room) on a handmade drawing (note the example
given on page 9).
Set the speakers on the drawing.
To fi nd out the optimal position proceed as follows:
Stereo base (a)
At fi rst defi ne the stereo base, that is the distance between the speakers (a). The stereo base should be at least 2
meter (80“) up to 3.5 meter (140“).
Back wall distance (b)
The distance between the back wall and the speakers (b) should be at least 0,8 meter (32”).
Side wall distance (d)
Now evaluate the distance between each speaker and the respective side wall (d).
If you set up the speakers on the longer side of the room (recommended), use the following formula:
d = Side wall distance
b = Back wall distance
d = b x 1,32*

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If you prefer a setting of the speakers on the shorter side of the room:
d = Side wall distance
b = Back wall distance
b divided by d (b/d) = 1,32*
*Note: 1,32 variable up to 1,63.
4.4 Listener´s position
Eventually fi nd out the optimal listener´s position.
The distance between the listener´s position and the speakers (e) should be at least 1 meter (40”).
The distance from the rear wall to the listener´s position (c) should be at least 0,8 meter (32”).
If the calculated data do not fi t to your room, change the distance (b).
4.5 Setup and fi ne-tuning
After you fi gured out the speaker´s position, install your hi-fi system and set up the speakers.
For a fi ne-tuning move the speakers.
If you have chosen the optimal confi guration, you can screw the spikes in the speaker´s feet (depending on what
type of fl oor you have).
If you have normal carpeting or solid fl ooring, you won’t have to use the spikes.
Run the speakers for at least 100 hours and do another fi ne-tuning, if necessary.

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4.6 Example for speaker setup
a
b
c
d
c (c > b)
a: 2,5 - 3,5 m
d: > 1,5 m
(d > b)
b: > 0,8 m
Di usor Di usor
Listener‘s
Position
Loudspeaker Loudspeaker
d
d: > 1,5 m
(d > b)
e

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5. Connections
The mbl 111F speakers can be connected to any high-quality full-range or output amplifi er. However, in order
to obtain the best possible sound reproduction, we recommend using an amplifi er with a sinus value of 200 W
or more at 4 Ω. The amplifi ers from the MBL product line, such as the mbl 8011AM or the mbl 9008A, are ideal
choices.
5.2 Bi-wiring
To operate the speakers in bi-wiring mode connect the tweeter/midrange section (HT/MT) and the woofer section
(TT) of each speaker separately.
Note: Especially if you use more than one power amplifi er, bi-wiring is recommended.
5.1 Single wiring
To operate the speakers in single wiring mode use the included copper jumpers to con-
nect tweeter/midrange driver (HT/MT) and woofer (TT). Now you can use single wiring to
connect speakers and power amplifi er.
tweeter/midrange
section [+]
woofer section [+]
tweeter/midrange
section [-]
woofer section [-]
copper jumpers
mbl 111F cable terminals

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6. Connecting speaker to power amplifi er
a) Stereo amplifi er, single wiring
Note the imprint STEREO on the back of the power amplifi er.
If you want to connect your mbl 111F Radialstrahler to one power amplifi er in single wiring mode, use the STEREO
connectors on the back of the power amplifi er. Connect the right speaker to the terminal area marked with R
and the left speaker to the terminal area marked with L. Connect the minus terminal of the each speaker to the
respective ground connector ( ) of the power amplifi er and each plus terminal to the respective plus connector
(STEREO).
power amplifi er
stereo
right speakerleft speaker

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b) Stereo amplifi er, bi-wiring
Note the imprint STEREO on the back of the power amplifi er.
If you want to connect your mbl 111F Radialstrahler to one power amplifi er in bi-wiring mode, use the STEREO con-
nectors on the back of the power amplifi er. Connect the right speaker to the terminal area marked with R and the
left speaker to the terminal area marked with L. Connect both minus terminals (MT/HT and TT) of each speaker
to the respective ground connector ( ) of the power amplifi er. Connect the plus terminals to the respective plus
connectors (STEREO).
left speaker right speaker
power amplifi er
stereo

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c) Stereo amplifi er, bi-amping (2 power amplifi ers)
Note the imprint STEREO on the back of the power amplifi er.
If you want to connect your mbl 111F Radialstrahler to two stereo power amplifi ers in bi-amping mode, use the
STEREO connectors on the back of the power amplifi ers. Connect the plus terminals (MT/HT and TT) to the respec-
tive plus connectors and the minus terminals to the ground connectors ( ).
right speakerleft speaker
power amp right
stereo
power amp left
stereo

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d) Mono amplifi er, single wiring (2 power amplifi ers)
Note the imprint MONO on the back of the power amplifi er.
If you want to connect your mbl 111F Radialstrahler to two mono power amplifi ers in single wiring mode, use the
MONO connectors on the back of the power amplifi ers. Connect the plus terminal of each speaker to the respec-
tive plus connector of the power amplifi er and the minus terminal to the respective minus connector.
left speaker right speaker
power amp left
mono
power amp right
mono

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e) Mono amplifi er, bi-wiring (2 power amplifi ers)
Note the imprint MONO on the back of the power amplifi er.
If you want to connect your mbl 111F Radialstrahler to two mono power amplifi ers in bi-wiring mode, use the
MONO connectors on the back of the power amplifi ers. Connect the plus terminals (MT/HT and TT) to the respec-
tive plus connectors and the minus terminals to the respective minus connectors.
right speakerleft speaker
power amp right
mono
power amp left
mono

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f) Mono amplifi er, bi-amping (4 power amplifi ers)
Note the imprint MONO on the back of the power amplifi er.
If you want to connect your mbl 111F Radialstrahler to four power amplifi ers, connect MT/HT and TT seperatly to
each power amplifi er. Use the MONO connectors on the back of the power amplifi ers. Connect each minus termi-
nal to the respective minus connector and each plus terminal to the respective plus connector.
power amp 1 left
MT/HT
power amp 2 left
TT
left speaker

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power amp 1 right
MT/HT
power amp 2 right
TT
right speaker

7. Maintenance
7.1 Removing the cover of the tweeter/midrange section
1. Cautiously pull the cover a little forward to unsnap it from the cabinet.
2. Then release the snap-in on the back of the cover by pulling it upwards.
3. Now the cover is removed from the tweeter/midrange section.
7.2 Cleaning the system
How to clean the speaker:
Tweeter and Midrange
To clean the magnet housing of the tweeter and the midrange driver use a soft cloth or shaving brush.
Cabinet and Cover plate
Clean the piano fi nish cabinet as well as the cover plate with a gentle suds, then dry with a soft cloth.
Clean the satin fi nish cabinet with a cloth moistened with lukewarm water, then dry with a soft, lint free cloth.
Cover
Clean the speaker cover with a soft shaving brush.
Gold/Chrome plates
To clean the gold/chrome plates use a special cleaning cloth for gold and silver (available in jeweler’s shops). Do
not rub intensively.
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