MBL Radialstrahler 116F 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
fulfill 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
1

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Scope of Delivery
mbl 116F Radialstrahler
2x cover plate
2x cover grille
4x copper jumpers
8x spikes, spike nuts and brass washers
final production protocol
operating instructions
warranty card
gloves
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. Speaker Setup
4 1.1 Checking up your listening room
4 1.2 General setup tips
4 1.3 Speaker positioning
5 1.4 Listener‘s position
5 1.5 Setup and fine-tuning
6 1.6 Example for speaker setup
7 2. Sound Optimization
7 2.1 Spikes
7 2.2 Mounting the spikes
8 3. Connections
8 3.1 Single wiring
8 3.2 Bi-wiring
9 4. Connecting speaker to power amplifier
9 4.1 Stereo amplifier, single wiring
10 4.2 Stereo amplifier, bi-wiring
11 4.3 Mono amplifier, bi-wiring (2 power amplifiers)
12 4.4 Mono amplifier, single wiring (2 power amplifiers)
13 4.5 Mono amplifier, bi-wiring (2 power amplifiers)
14 4.6 Mono amplifier, bi-amping (4 power amplifiers)
16 5. Maintenance
16 5.1 Removing the cover of the tweeter/midrange section
16 5.2 Cleaning the system
17 6. mbl 116F Views
17 6.1 mbl 116F Radialstrahler front view and detail
18 6.2 mbl 116F Radialstrahler rear view and side view
19 7. Specifications

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1. Speaker setup
1.1 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
reflected. If they are either extremely loud or extremely long (flutter 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.
1.2 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 “).
1.3 Speaker positioning
Transfer your room dimensions (longer and shorter side of the room) on a handmade drawing (note the example
given on page 6).
Set the speakers on the drawing.
To find out the optimal position proceed as follows:
Stereo base (a)
At first define 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 (b) and side wall (d) distance
The distance between the back wall and the speakers (b) and the distance between the side wall and the speak-
ers (d) should both be at least 0,8 meter (32’’).
However these two distances should not be the same. A ratio of 1:1,3 is recommanded, the speakers always be-
ing closer to the longest wall.

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1.4 Listener´s position
Eventually find out about the optimal listener’s position.
The distance between the listener’s postion and each speaker should be the same as the distance between the
two speakers (a), i.e. the listener sits at the top of an equilateral triangle.
The distance from the rear wall to the listener ‘s position (c) should be at least 0,8 meter (32’’).
1.5 Setup and fine-tuning
After you figured out the speaker´s position, install your hi-fi system and set up the speakers.
For a fine-tuning slightly move the speakers symmetrically around the initial position and/or play with the toe-in
angle.
If you have chosen the optimal configuration, you can screw the spikes in the speaker´s feet (depending on what
type of floor you have).
If you have normal carpeting or solid flooring, you won’t have to use the spikes (see 2.2 Spikes in Sound Optimiza-
tion).
Run the speakers for at least 100 hours and do another fine-tuning, if necessary.

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

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2. Sound Optimization
2.1 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
floor it is recommended to use the enclosed brass washers.
In case that the floor is covered with a thick carpet, the speaker does not
stand firmly. Due to this reason the bass may sound uncontrolled without
definition. Use the spikes to avoid this.
2.2 Mounting the spikes
At first screw the spike nuts on the upper part of each spike.
After you have placed the speakers, screw the spikes into the speaker’s
feet and secure them with the spike nuts.
screw nuts
spikes brass washers

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3. Connections
The mbl 116F speakers can be connected to any high-quality full-range or output amplifier. However, in order to
obtain the best possible sound reproduction, we recommend using an amplifier with a sinus value of 200 W or
more at 4 Ω. The amplifiers from the MBL product line, such as the mbl 9007, are ideal choices.
3.2 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 amplifier, bi-wiring is recommended.
3.1 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 amplifier.
tweeter/midrange
section [+]
woofer section [+]
tweeter/midrange
section [-]
woofer section [-]
copper jumpers
mbl 116F cable terminals

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4. Connecting speaker to power amplifier
4.1 Stereo amplifier, single wiring
Note the imprint STEREO on the back of the power amplifier.
If you want to connect your mbl 116F Radialstrahler to one power amplifier in single wiring mode, use the STEREO
connectors on the back of the power amplifier. 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 amplifier and each plus terminal to the respective plus connector
(STEREO).
power amplifier
stereo
right speakerleft speaker

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4.2 Stereo amplifier, bi-wiring
Note the imprint STEREO on the back of the power amplifier.
If you want to connect your mbl 116F Radialstrahler to one power amplifier in bi-wiring mode, use the STEREO
connectors on the back of the power amplifier. 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 amplifier. Connect the plus terminals to the respective plus
connectors (STEREO).
left speaker right speaker
power amplifier
stereo

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4.3 Mono amplifier, bi-wiring (2 power amplifiers)
Note the imprint STEREO on the back of the power amplifier.
If you want to connect your mbl 116F Radialstrahler to two stereo power amplifiers in bi-amping mode, use the
STEREO connectors on the back of the power amplifiers. 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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4.4 Mono amplifier, single wiring (2 power amplifiers)
Note the imprint MONO on the back of the power amplifier.
If you want to connect your mbl 116F Radialstrahler to two mono power amplifiers in single wiring mode, use the
MONO connectors on the back of the power amplifiers. Connect the plus terminal of each speaker to the respec-
tive plus connector of the power amplifier 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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4.5 Mono amplifier, bi-wiring (2 power amplifiers)
Note the imprint MONO on the back of the power amplifier.
If you want to connect your mbl 116F Radialstrahler to two mono power amplifiers in bi-wiring mode, use the
MONO connectors on the back of the power amplifiers. 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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4.6 Mono amplifier, bi-amping (4 power amplifiers)
Note the imprint MONO on the back of the power amplifier.
If you want to connect your mbl 116F Radialstrahler to four power amplifiers, connect MT/HT and TT seperatly to
each power amplifier. Use the MONO connectors on the back of the power amplifiers. 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

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5. Maintenance
5.1 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.
5.2 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 finish cabinet as well as the cover plate with a gentle suds, then dry with a soft cloth.
Clean the satin finish 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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6. Views
6.1 mbl 116F Radialstrahler front view and detail
cover
cover plate
tweeter HT 37
magnet housing
midrange driver MT 50
speaker feet

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6.2 mbl 116F Radialstrahler rear view and side view
cable terminals
gold /chrome plate
protective covering
protective covering