McIntosh CS350 User manual

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 139 3-2699 Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Owners
Manual
CS350
CS350 Loudspeaker System

2
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS!
PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.
WARNING - TO REDUCE RISK OF
FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
General:
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Warning: To reduce risk of fire or electrical shock,
do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.
This unit is capable of producing high sound pres-
sure levels. ontinued exposure to high sound pres-
sure levels can cause permanent hearing impair-
ment or loss. User caution is advised and ear pro-
tection is recommended when playing at high vol-
umes.
6. Only use attachments/accessories speci ied by the
manu acturer.
Installation:
7. Install in accordance with the manu acturers instruc-
tions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators,
heat registers, stoves, or other equipment (including
ampli iers) that produce heat.
9. Do not use this equipment near water.
10. Do not expose this equipment to dripping or splashing
and ensure that no objects illed with liquids, such as
vases, are placed on the equipment.
11. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table speci ied by the manu ac-
turer, or sold with the equipment. When a
cart is used, use caution when moving the
cart/equipment combination to avoid in-
jury rom tip-over.
are of Equipment:
12. Clean only with a dry cloth.
13. Do not permit objects or liquids o any kind to be
pushed, spilled and/or all into the equipment through
enclosure openings.
Repair of Equipment:
14. Re er all servicing to quali ied service personnel. Ser-
vicing is required when the equipment has been dam-
aged in any way, liquid has been spilled or objects have
allen into the equipment, the equipment has been ex-
posed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or
has been dropped.
15. Do not attempt to service beyond that described in the
operating instructions. All other service should be re-
erred to quali ied service personnel.
16. When replacement parts are required, be sure the ser-
vice technician has used replacement parts speci ied by
McIntosh or have the same characteristics as the origi-
nal part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in ire,
electric shock, or other hazards.
17. Upon completion o any service or repairs to this prod-
uct, ask the service technician to per orm sa ety checks
to determine that the product is in proper operating con-
dition.

3
Customer Service
Technical Assistance
Please Take A Moment
Thank You
Copyright 2001 ã by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
The serial number, purchase date and McIntosh dealer
name are important to you or possible insurance claim or
uture service. The spaces below have been provided or
you to record that in ormation:
Your decision to own this McIntosh CS350 Loudspeaker
System ranks you at the very top among discriminating
music listeners. You now have The Best. The McIntosh
dedication to Quality, is assurance that you will receive
many years o musical enjoyment rom this unit.
Please take a short time to read the in ormation in this
manual. We want you to be as amiliar as possible with all
the eatures and unctions o your new McIntosh.
Serial Number:
Purchase Date:
Dealer Name:
I it is determined that your McIntosh product is in need o
repair, you can return it to your dealer. You can also return
it to the McIntosh Laboratory Service Department. For as-
sistance on actory repair return procedure, contact the
McIntosh Service Department at:
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
I at any time you have questions about your McIntosh
product, contact your McIntosh dealer who is amiliar with
your McIntosh equipment and any other brands that may
be part o your system. I you or your dealer wish addi-
tional help concerning a suspected problem, you can re-
ceive technical assistance or all McIntosh products at:
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Sa ety Instructions ............................................................. 2
Thank You and Please Take a Moment ............................. 3
Technical Assistance and Customer Service ..................... 3
Table o Contents and General Notes ................................ 3
Introduction ....................................................................... 4
Per ormance Features ........................................................ 4
Dimensions ......................................................................... 5
Installation .......................................................................... 7
How to Connect ................................................................. 8
Front and Rear Views ........................................................ 9
Speci ications ................................................................... 10
Packing Instruction ...........................................................11
Table of Contents
eneral Notes
1. It is very important that loudspeaker cables of adequate size
be used in your music system, to ensure that there will be no
power loss or heating. Cable size is specified in Gauge
numbers or WG ( merican Wire Gauge). The smaller the
Gauge number, the larger the wire size:
If your loudspeaker cables are 25 feet (7.62m) or less,
use at least 18 Gauge ( WG) wire size or larger.
If your loudspeaker cables are 50 feet (38.1m) or less,
use at least 16 Gauge ( WG) wire size or larger.
If your loudspeaker cables are 100 feet (76.2m) or less,
use at least 14 Gauge ( WG) wire size or larger.
The Loudspeaker Connection Terminals can accept up
to 12 Gauge ( WG) wire.
2. For additional connection information, refer to the owners
manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the CS350
Loudspeaker.
3. The CS350 has built-in speaker protection in the form of three
automatic resetting solid-state devices as part of the
crossover network. One protects the tweeters, one the
midrange and the other the woofers. The characteristics of
this protection are that a certain amount of overdrive is
allowed but extended periods of overdrive will trigger
protection. If an obvious lack of high or low frequencies is
noticed, the Loudspeaker Protection Device may have
activated. Sound output from the Loudspeaker Element
affected will be reduced when the protection is triggered. The
protection devices will automatically reset when the volume
control is reduced significantly and kept low until the output
of the affected Loudspeaker Element returns to normal.

4
Introduction and Performance Features
Performance Features
1LD/HP Pat. No. 5,151,943
 Gold Plated Input onnectors
The CS350 input connectors are gold plated or superior
corrosion resistance and high electrical conductivity.
 Five Tweeter Bessel Function Array
The CS350 utilizes ive tweeters wired to produce a Bessel
Function Array. The individual tweeter amplitudes and
phase relationships are adjusted so the array acts as a high
requency point source. One advantage o such an arrange-
ment is a very smooth and even acoustic polar response.
This allows the listener to move o axis without su ering a
change in high requency output. The use o multiple tweet-
ers, combined with a mechanical heat sink, also provides
greatly increased power handling at high requencies.
 Patented LD/HP Technology
The McIntosh Low Frequency and Midrange Loudspeaker
Elements eature the patented LD/HP motor structure. This
design, when compared to conventional Loudspeaker Ele-
ments, reduces distortion signi icantly. It also increases
power handling and e iciency.
 Shielded Magnetic Field
The CS350 may be used in Home Theater Installations
near a television receiver or monitor without causing the
television image to degrade. McIntosh has designed special
shielding around the magnetic structure o the CS350 Loud-
speaker Elements to prevent inter erence.
 High Power Handling
The Loudspeaker Elements and crossover components o
the CS350 are all chosen or use with power ul ampli iers
up to 350 watts.
 High Efficiency
The Loudspeaker Elements used in the CS350 Loud-
speaker System have also been designed or high e i-
ciency. As a result any McIntosh Power Ampli ier, even
our smallest, will provide satis ying room illing sound.
 Automatic Overload Protection
The CS350 has built-in Loudspeaker Element Protection in
the orm o three automatic resetting solid-state devices as
a part o the crossover network.
 Adjustable Stabilizer Bar
The CS350 Loudspeaker System is equipped with an ad-
justable stablizer bar, attached to the back o the cabinet, to
prevent the speaker rom rocking. Its adjustability allows
the CS350 to be angled down when the speaker is placed
above a video display.
The McIntosh CS350 Loudspeaker System is designed or
Home Theater and Music Reproduction. It is a three-way
system with two 6-1/2 inch LD/HP1 woo ers, one 4 inch
LD/HP midrange and ive 1 inch dome tweeters. The
CS350 comes with a stabilizer bar that attaches to the back
o the cabinet. This bar prevents the speaker rom rocking
when it is placed on its side. It is adjustable so that the
CS350 can be angled down when the speaker is placed
above the video display. The CS350 is designed to work pri-
marily as a Center Channel Loudspeaker in a Home The-
ater System, but will unction equally well as a Le t or
Right (Main), or Surround Loudspeaker. The McIntosh logo
can clip anywhere on the grille rame. This is use ul in the
event CS350s are stood on end and used as Le t and Right
speakers.
The CS350 Loudspeaker per ormance is equivalent to
the quality o McIntoshs legendary line o Ampli iers,
Preampli iers, Signal Processors and Signal Sources, with-
out imparting distortion or coloration o its own. It also
complements the capabilities and the remarkably low distor-
tion o McIntosh Power Ampli iers.
Many o todays loudspeakers are designed only or
Home Theater applications. Not so with the CS350. It is
also designed or the accurate reproduction o music. Mo-
tion picture sound e ects, explosions, screams, and vehicle
crashes require a wide dynamic range and high sound lev-
els. These sounds are such that a speaker system having
moderate distortion would reproduce them with little audible
di erence. This is not true with the reproduction o music.
Music is by nature and de inition harmonious. To reproduce
it accurately, all orms o distortion, both harmonic and
intermodulation, must be kept to a minimum. This has been
the result o the design o the new McIntosh CS350 Loud-
speaker System. Each loudspeaker element and crossover
component has been care ully designed or durability, e i-
ciency, and above all, low distortion. The McIntosh CS350
Loudspeaker System will reproduce music accurately and
unction as an excellent Home Theater Loudspeaker.
Introduction

5
The ollowing dimensions can assist in determining the
best location or your CS350 Loudspeaker System. There
is additional in ormation on the next page pertaining to in-
stalling the CS350 into cabinets.
CS350 Dimensions
Dimensions
Front View of CS350 with Grille Removed
Rear View of CS350

6
Dimensions
Side View of CS350 with Grille
Side View of CS350 with Grille Removed

7
Installation
Installation
Figure 1 Figure 2
Locating your Loudspeakers
The CS350 is designed to work primarily as a Center Chan-
nel Loudspeaker in a Home Theater System, but will unc-
tion as a Le t or Right (Main), or Surround Loudspeaker.
Loudspeaker placement in a room can greatly a ect per-
ormance. The optimal method or selecting speaker loca-
tions includes the use o a real time spectrum analyzer op-
erated by an experienced system installer. An uncompro-
mising installation would take into consideration the loor,
wall and ceiling coverings, the type and placement o urni-
ture and can even include the architectural design o the
room and its construction materials.
Locating Loudspeakers for use in Home Theater
When used as a Center Channel Loudspeaker the CS350
will most o ten be placed on top o a television monitor. The
supplied adjustable cabinet stabilizer bar attaches to the
back o the cabinet to prevent the speaker rom rocking
and is adjustable so the CS350 can be angled down toward
the listener.
In a Home Theater application, the placement o Le t
and Right Front Loudspeakers can be limited by such con-
siderations as the size and location o the video monitor, but
the locating suggestions in the  or use in stereo section
below can still be help ul. Side Surround Loudspeakers
work best located to either side o and above the listening
position, the same distance rom the monitor. Back Sur-
round Loudspeakers work best on the back wall. Re er to
igure 1.
Locating Loudspeakers for use in a Music System
When used as Le t and Right Speakers the distance be-
tween the two loudspeakers should not exceed the distance
between the listener and either loudspeaker. I the speakers
are too ar apart relative to the listener, some imaging can
be lost. Re er to igure 2. To assure the sound rom the
Le t and Right Speakers arrive at the same time, the dis-
tance rom each loudspeaker to the listener should be as
close to the same as possible. Placement near a wall, cor-
ner, loor, ceiling or any intersecting sur aces will rein orce
some bass requencies. Which bass requencies are
boosted by placement in a particular location is dependant
on the dimensions o your room. Smaller speakers like the
CS350 can sometimes bene it rom this boost, i it occurs at
the desired requencies.
Test the various loudspeaker locations by playing music
with continuous bass, setting up the speakers and listening
to them rom your main listening spot. Move the loudspeak-
ers to an alternate location and repeat your listening, paying
attention to how the bass qualities and response levels
change. Do not assume the loudest bass is best; rather lis-
ten or booming or a lack o articulation, as well as a bal-
ance over the whole spectrum, to assure the bass will not
drown out the other parts o the music spectrum. Experi-
ment with various loudspeaker positions until the locations
that sound best are ound.
Logo Placement
The clip on McIntosh logo provided with the CS350 Loud-
speaker can be located and oriented on the grille by the
user, based on whether horizontal or vertical placement is to
be used. Operation o the CS350 without its grille is not
recommended, as sound quality would be a ected.

8
How to Connect
How to Connect
Left Front Loudspeaker
The McIntosh CS350 Loudspeaker System utilizes binding
posts or speaker wire connections. Re er to igure 3.
1. Connect a loudspeaker cable rom the black (negative
- ) loudspeaker binding post to the negative or common
Center Channel Output Terminal o the ampli ier.
2. Connect a loudspeaker cable rom the red (positive +)
loudspeaker binding post to the positive or 4 ohm output
terminal o the same channel o the ampli ier.
3. Tighten all o the loudspeaker and ampli ier binding
posts.
Speaker Connections
To Amplifier Terminals
Figure 3
-+
Right Front LoudspeakerMonitor/TV
McIntosh Six Channel Power Amplifier

9
Front and Rear Views
6-1/2 inch
LD/HP Woofer
Five 1 inch
Tweeter Array
onnecting Terminals
+
-
4 inch LD/HP
Midrange
6-1/2 inch
LD/HP Woofer
Stabilizer Bar

1
Specifications
Specifications
Driver omplement
Two 6-1/2 inch Woo ers
4 inch Midrange
Five 1 inch Dome Tweeters
Impedance
4 ohms Nominal
Frequency Response
80Hz - 20kHz + 2dB (Anechoic Response)
Sensitivity
86dB (2.8V/1m)
rossover Frequencies
1.5kHz
250Hz
Power Handling
350 Watts Maximum
Dimensions
9 inches (22.5cm) Height, 25-1/2 inches (56.25cm) Width,
8-1/2 inches (21.5cm) Depth (including Grille)
Standard Finish
Black Ash, Natural Cherry, Red Cherry
Premium Finish
Rosewood Gloss, Piano Black
Weight (each)
45 pounds (20.4kg) net, 50 pounds (22.7kg) in shipping
carton

11
Packing Instructions
In the event it is necessary to repack the equipment or
shipment, the equipment must be packed exactly as re-
ceived. Failure to do this will result in shipping damage.
Use the original shipping carton and interior parts only
i they are all in good serviceable condition. I a shipping
carton or any o the interior part(s) are needed, please call
or write Customer Service Department o McIntosh Labo-
ratory.
Packing Instructions

McIntosh Part No. 040756
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, NY 13903