MK Sound MX-700 User manual

Miller & Kreisel Sound Corporation
10391 Jefferson Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232 USA
[phone] FAX [phone]
http:\\www.mksound.com
© 1998 Miller & Kreisel Sound Corp.
operation
manual
MX-700, MX-200,
MX-125 Mk II,
MX-105 Mk II, MX-70B
VX-100,V-125,
V-75 Mk II,VX-7 Mk II
powered subwoofers

page 2powered subwoofers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS..............................................................................3
2. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................4
3. WHERE TO LOCATE YOUR SUBWOOFER.................................................4
4. SUBWOOFER HOOK-UP..............................................................................5
WIRING WITH THE RCA JACK INPUTS........................................................................6
USING SPEAKER WIRE CONNECTIONS.............................................................7
SATELLITE SPEAKER WIRING OPTIONS ...........................................................9
USING THE M&K HP-80 OR VF-80 ELECTRONIC HIGH-PASS FILTERS...................9
PLUGGING IN THE SUBWOOFER........................................................................9
5. SATELLITE/SUBWOOFER PHASING TEST................................................10
6. USE OFTHE "LOW PASS FILTER" CONTROL.............................................11
7. USE OF THE "BYPASS" SWITCH..........................................................11
8. USING MULTIPLE SUBWOOFERS...................................................11
9. HOMETHEATREUSAGE...............................................................................12
CONNECTINGTOASURROUNDSOUNDRECEIVERORPROCESSOR......................12
10. SPECIAL INSTALLATION NOTES.................................................................12
11. TROUBLESHOOTING..............................................................................13
REPLACEMENT FUSE VALUES........................................................................15
12. IFYOU NEED SERVICE................................................................................16
13. M&K 5.1CHANNEL&PRO-LOGICSYSTEM SETUPGUIDE.......................17
FIGURE 1 CONNECTINGTOASURROUNDPROCESSOR................................6
FIGURE 2 CONNECTINGTO A STEREO AMP OR PREAMP..............................7
FIGURE 3 TOANAMPORRECEIVERUSINGSPEAKERWIRES......................8
FIGURE 4 SATELLITE SPEAKER WIRING (OPTIONAL)...................................8
WIRING DIAGRAMS

page 3powered subwoofers
1. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. READ INSTRUCTIONS - All safety and operating instructions should be read before this product is operated.
2. RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS - The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
3. HEED WARNINGS - All warnings on this product and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.
4. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS - All operating and use instructions should be followed.
5. ATTACHMENTS - Do not use attachments not recommended by the product manufacturer as they may cause hazards.
6. WATER AND MOISTURE - Do not use this product near water - for example, near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or
laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool; and the like.
7. ACCESSORIES - Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The product may fall, causing
serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Use only with accessories recommended by the
manufacturer, or sold with the product. Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer's instructions and should
use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer.
8. POWER SOURCE - This product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If
you are unsure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company.
9. OVERLOADING - Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
10. LIQUID ENTRY - Never spill any liquid of any kind on the product.
11. SERVICING - Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening or removing covers, including those over bottom or
side speaker drivers, may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all service to qualified service personnel.
12. DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE - Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified personnel under
the following conditions:
a. When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.
b. If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into this product.
c. If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only controls that are covered
by the operating instructions as an improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require
extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to its normal operation.
d. If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.
e. When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance - this indicates a need for service.
13. REPLACEMENT PARTS - When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts
specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result
in risk of fire, electric shock, or other hazard.
14. SAFETY CHECK - Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety
checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.
15. HEAT - This product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products
(including amplifiers) that produce heat.
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR
BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The exclamation point within an equi-
lateral triangle is intended to alert the
user of the presence of important oper-
ating and maintenance (servicing) in-
structions in the literature accompany-
ing the appliance.
The lightning flash with arrowhead,
withinanequilateraltriangle,isintended
to alert the user of the presence of
uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within
the product's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk
of electric shock to persons.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

page 4powered subwoofers
2. INTRODUCTION
Congratulations! You have just made perhaps the most exciting and dramatic addition that you
could make to your audio or multichannel audio/video system. The new dimension of deep and
powerful bass provided by your M&K Deep Bass Powered Subwoofer will thrill and excite you.
We encourage you to read this owner's manual, as there is a great deal of information provided
here to help you get the best possible performance. This manual gives you basic hook-up instructions
first, followed by more detailed technical, installation, and service information.
If you have any questions about your Subwoofer, please contact your M&K dealer, or call us
directly at [phone], from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time. We will be more than happy to help
you with any question, no matter how simple or complex it may be. You can also access our web site
at: http:\\www.mksound.com and our faxback system at 1 800 414-7744.
3.WHERETO LOCATEYOUR SUBWOOFER
M&K Subwoofers perform well in most room locations. Unless your ear is a foot or two away from
the Subwoofer, you will hear the deep bass coming exclusively from your Satellite (or main) speakers.
There is no need to place your Subwoofer in-between the Satellite speakers.
For the best performance, we recommend that your subwoofer be placed against a wall,
preferably in a corner. The MX-700 and VX-100 are specially designed to facilitate placement
as close to the wall as possible, and will usually sound best in a corner.
The ideal place for the subwoofer is the corner with the best structural strength. If the corners are
roughly equal in construction, use the corner nearest the listening position. If the listening position is
inthe fronthalf oftheroom, placethe subwooferina frontcorner. If thelisteningposition isin theback
of the room, place the subwoofer in a back corner.
Feel free to experiment with the orientation of the subwoofer cabinet. Sometimes the best sound
results from aiming the subwoofer's front driver directly into the wall (1" to 2" from the wall itself).
If possible, avoid corners near doorways or openings.
Anotheroption to find the bestlocation for the subwooferis to place the subwooferat the listening
position and walk around the room. Stand in and near each corner. The location where you hear the
tightest bass with the most impact is probably the best location in the room for the subwoofer.
If you are using multiple subwoofers, place them in the same location. Stacking is best, but you
can also put them side by side.
Alternately, you can put multiple subwoofers in different locations. This is appropriate when you
have limited choices in locating the subwoofer and none of the available locations work well. Try to
place multiple subwoofers at equal distances from the listening position to avoid phase cancellation.
Ultimately, the amount and quality of bass you get in your room are dependent on the room itself.
Low frequency bass sounds are affected most by the size of the room and the method of construction
usedtobuildit. Allroomsare differentwhenitcomestoreproducingbass, andinanygivenroom,bass
quantity and quality changes when the Subwoofer is moved from one location to another.
A simple rule to remember is that you get more bass when you move the Subwoofer towards any

page 5powered subwoofers
wall or corner. Moving it away from a wall or corner gives you less bass. Remember that the floor also
loads the Subwoofer, and that maximum bass is found with the woofer on the floor in a corner.
In some rooms, a corner location may excite resonance modes, resulting in a muddy or boomy
sound. In these rooms, a more central location along a wall, away from the corner, may give better
results. If you experiment, try to find a spot where no bass notes seem to overpower others and the
overallsoundispowerfulandclean. Thegoalistoachieveasmoothsoundquality,withtheentirebass
spectrum equally prominent. In most rooms, this is directly in the corner, not the center of the room.
Because the Subwoofer generates a great deal of energy, its output may vibrate objects close to
it. If you hear such vibration, you may need to damp the vibration of nearby objects.
One Subwoofer is sufficient in a stereo system because of the nature of human hearing. The ear-
brain hearing system is unable to locate the direction of bass sounds below approximately 100 - 150
Hz. Thedirectionoflowfrequencysounds(drums,basses,etc.)isdeterminedbythehigherfrequency
overtones and harmonics that are reproduced by the Satellite speakers.
AllM&KPowered Subwoofershaveexceptionally sharp(36dB/octave) low-passfiltersto remove
the midbass and midrange frequencies unwanted in a Subwoofer. This makes your M&K Subwoofer
truly non-directional.
Except for the MX-700, VX-100, and V-125, M&K Subwoofers are not magnetically shielded.
Leave 2 - 3 feet of clearance around any television set. Shielding avoids magnetization of the shadow
mask of the television's picture tube, which will distort the television's picture. If this ever happens to
your set, turn it off and on a few times to use the set's built-in degaussing circuitry. If the problem
persists, contact a TV technician and ask him or her to use an external degaussing coil.
No matter where you put the Subwoofer, you must allow room for ventilation of its heatsink and
backplate. The Subwoofer's power amplifier is mounted on the backplate, and it generates heat.
1. Leave clearance around the Subwoofer's heatsink. Do not cover it with drapes.
2. Do not place the Subwoofer near baseboard heaters or forced air heating outlets.
3. Do not use the Subwoofer outdoors or in a humid environment.
Do not plug the Subwoofer into an AC outlet until all system wiring is complete.
4. SUBWOOFER HOOK-UP
There are two different ways to connect the Subwoofer to your system. One uses speaker wire,
and the other uses interconnect cable with RCA-type jacks. You must use RCA-type jacks to connect
the MX-700, MX-200, MX-125 Mk II, and VX-100.
If your receiver or processor has a SUBWOOFER OUTPUT RCA-type jack, use it. This is
the preferred connection for your M&K subwoofer. If your component does not, skip to "USING
SPEAKER WIRE CONNECTIONS" below).
You cannot use "TAPE OUT" jacks to connect your subwoofer, because these jacks have
a fixed output level that does not change when you adjust the system volume control.

page 6powered subwoofers
WIRING WITH THE RCA JACK INPUTS
The "INPUT" RCA jacks on the back panel of your Subwoofer allow you to directly connect the
Subwoofertopreamp-levelcomponentssuchassurroundsoundprocessors,preamplifiers,integrated
amps and receivers with preamp outputs, Electronic High-Pass filters, crossovers, etc.
Thiswillgiveyoubetter bassqualitythanusingthespeaker inputs,becauseitbypassesyour amp
or receiver's amplifier stage. If you don't have a Subwoofer Output available, check to see if you have
preamp outputs on your preamp, amp, or processor to be able to use these inputs. If you have only
one set of preamp outputs, use a Y-connector to feed both the amplifier and the Subwoofer.
ToconnecttheSubwooferinthisway,simplyrunoneorapairofshieldedRCA-RCAinterconnect
cables from the output jacks on your component to the "INPUT" jacks on the Subwoofer's backplate.
See Figure 1. It is not necessary to use both input jacks on the subwoofer.
Figure1belowshowstheconnectionmethodforasurroundprocessororreceiver. Figure2shows
connections for a stereo amp or preamp.
If you are using two subwoofers, use a Y-connector at the back of the amplifier or processor to
split the signal to feed both subwoofers.
FIGURE 1 - CONNECTING TO A SURROUND PROCESSOR
100
PHASE
10391 Jefferson Blvd,C ulverC ity,C A 90232 310/204-2854
M ILLER & KREISEL SO U N D CO RPO RATIO N
RIGHT
RIGHT
INPUT
BASS LEVEL LOW PASS FILTER
(Hz)
FROM AMPLIFIER
MAX
50
75
60
125
Made in U.S.A.
T 4 AMP
120 VAC 50/60 Hz
TO SPEAKERS
LEFT RIGHT LEFT
MIN
LEFT/MONO
SLOW-BLOW
ATTENTION:
DEBRANCHER AVANT DE
REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE.
UTILIZER UN FUSIBLE
DE RECHANGE DE MEME TYPE.
CAUTION:
DISCONNECT SUPPLY CORD
BEFORE CHANGING FUSE.
REPLACE FUSE ONLY
WITH SAME TYPE.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR.
+

SURROUND
PROCESSOR
OR RECEIVER
SUBWOOFER OUT

page 7powered subwoofers
FIGURE 2 - CONNECTINGTO A STEREO AMP OR PREAMP
USING SPEAKER WIRE CONNECTIONS
(MX-70B,V-125,V-75 Mk II, VX-7 Mk II only)
Some M&K subwoofer owners hook up their Subwoofer by connecting it to their receiver or
amplifier using speaker wires. To do so, you make the same kind of connections that you would use
for your Satellite (or main) speakers, except that both the left and right channels go to the Subwoofer.
(If you are using two Subwoofers, connect one channel only to each Subwoofer).
NOTE: You cannot connect the MX-700, MX-200, MX-125 Mk II, or MX-105 Mk II using
speaker wires. If you are connecting one of these to an amplifier or receiver without RCA outputs,
please contact your dealer or the M&K factory. We offer an optional RM-2 High Level to Low Level
convertor with Remote Volume Control, which will allow you to drive these subwoofers with speaker-
level amplifier outputs.
1. Run speaker wire between the Amplifier's Left channel output terminals and the
Subwoofer's Left channel "FROM AMPLIFIER" terminals.
a. Connect the Amplifier's Left channel Positive (+) terminal and the Subwoofer's
Left RED (+) "FROM AMPLIFIER" terminal.
b. Connect the Amplifier's Left channel Negative ( — ) terminal and the Subwoofer's
Left BLACK ( — ) "FROM AMPLIFIER" terminal.
2. Make matching connections for the Right channel. See Figure 3 on page 8.
If you have one Preamp Output, connect both the Subwoofer and the Amplifier to it.
100
PHASE
10391 Jefferson Blvd,CulverC ity,CA 90232 310/204-2854
M ILLER & KREISEL SO U N D C O RPO RATIO N
RIGHT
RIGHT
FROM PREAMP
BASS LEVEL LOW PASS FILTER
(Hz)
FROM AMPLIFIER
MAX
50
75
60
125
Made in U.S.A.
T 4 AMP
120 VAC 50/60 Hz
TO SPEAKERS
LEFT RIGHT LEFT
MIN
LEFT/MONO
SLOW-BLOW
ATTENTION:
DEBRANCHER AVANT DE
REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE.
UTILIZER UN FUSIBLE
DE RECHANGE DE MEME TYPE.
CAUTION:
DISCONNECT SUPPLY CORD
BEFORE CHANGING FUSE.
REPLACE FUSE ONLY
WITH SAME TYPE.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR.
+

RIGHT
LEFT
PREAMP
MADE IN USA
INPUT
4 ohms
MIDRANGE CONTOUR
MID
EFFICIENCY
NORMAL
SATELLITE SPEAKER
TREBLE CONTOUR
MID
TWEETER
NORMAL
LOW
TWEETER
LOW
EFFICIENCY
M ILLER & KREISEL
SO UND CORPORATIO N
10391 Jefferso n Boulevard.,C ulverCity,CA 90232
Voice [phone] Fax[phone]
INPUT
4 ohms
MIDRANGE CONTOUR
MID
EFFICIENCY
NORMAL
SATELLITE SPEAKER
TREBLE CONTOUR
MID
TWEETER
NORMAL
LOW
TWEETER
LOW
EFFICIENCY
M ILLER & KREISEL
SO UND CORPORATIO N
10391 Jefferso n Boulevard.,C ulverCity,CA 90232
Voice [phone] Fax[phone]
MADE IN USA
AMPLIFIER
OR RECEIVER
L
R
LEFT RIGHT
RIGHT
LEFT
MAIN INPUT
RIGHT
LEFT
MAIN OUT 1 MAIN OUT 2

page 8powered subwoofers
FIGURE 3 - TO AN AMP OR RECEIVER USING SPEAKER WIRES
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR DOLBY SURROUND SYSTEMS:
When the Subwoofer is connected to the Left and Right amplifier outputs, the Center channel
WIDE/NORMAL switch MUST be set to the NORMAL mode. If the switch is set to the WIDE mode,
the bass content of the Center channel will not be fed to the Subwoofer, and a significant amount of
bass in the program material will not be reproduced.
FIGURE 4 - SATELLITE SPEAKER WIRING (OPTIONAL)
100
PHASE
10391 Jefferson Blvd,C ulverC ity,C A 90232 310/204-2854
M ILLER & KREISEL SO U N D CO RPO RATIO N
RIGHT
FROM PREAMP
BASS LEVEL LOW PASS FILTER
(Hz)
FROM AMPLIFIER
MAX
50
75
60
125
Made in U.S.A.
T 4 AMP
120 VAC 50/60 Hz
RIGHT LEFT
MIN
LEFT/MONO
SLOW-BLOW
ATTENTION:
DEBRANCHER AVANT DE
REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE.
UTILIZER UN FUSIBLE
DE RECHANGE DE MEME TYPE.
CAUTION:
DISCONNECT SUPPLY CORD
BEFORE CHANGING FUSE.
REPLACE FUSE ONLY
WITH SAME TYPE.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR.
+

AMPLIFIER OR RECEIVER
L
R
This option is not
available with the
MX-700, MX-200,
MX-125 II, VX-100,
and MX-105 II
100
PHASE
10391 Jefferson B lvd,C ulverC ity,C A 90232 310/204-2854
M ILLER & KREISELSO U N D CO RPO RATIO N
RIGHT
INPUT
BASS LEVEL LOW PASS FILTER
(Hz)
FROM AMPLIFIER
MAX
50
75
60
125
Made in U.S.A.
T 4 AMP
120 VAC 50/60 Hz
RIGHT LEFT
MIN
LEFT/MONO
SLOW-BLOW
ATTENTION:
DEBRANCHER AVANT DE
REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE.
UTILIZER UN FUSIBLE
DE RECHANGE DE MEME TYPE.
CAUTION:
DISCONNECT SUPPLY CORD
BEFORE CHANGING FUSE.
REPLACE FUSE ONLY
WITH SAME TYPE.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR.
+

MADE IN USA
INPUT
4 ohms
MIDRANGE CONTOUR
MID
EFFICIENCY
NORMAL
SATELLITE SPEAKER
TREBLE CONTOUR
MID
TWEETER
NORMAL
LOW
TWEETER
LOW
EFFICIENCY
M ILLER & KREISEL
SOUND CORPORATION
10391 Jefferso n Boulevard.,C ulverC ity,C A 90232
Vo ice [phone] Fax [phone]
INPUT
4 ohms
MIDRANGE CONTOUR
MID
EFFICIENCY
NORMAL
SATELLITE SPEAKER
TREBLE CONTOUR
MID
TWEETER
NORMAL
LOW
TWEETER
LOW
EFFICIENCY
M ILLER & KREISEL
SOUND CORPORATION
10391 Jefferso n Boulevard.,C ulverC ity,C A 90232
Vo ice [phone] Fax [phone]
MADE IN USA
AMPLIFIER
OR RECEIVER
L
R
LEFT RIGHT
If your receiver or amp has two sets of speaker outputs, you may connect the
Satellite speakers to one set of outputs and the Subwoofer to the other set.
This option is not
available with the
MX-700, MX-200,
MX-125 Mk II &
MX-105 Mk II

page 9powered subwoofers
SATELLITE SPEAKER WIRING OPTIONS
Ifyouusespeakerwirestoconnectthesubwoofer,youhavetwooptionsfortheSatellitespeakers.
1. ConnectboththeSatellitespeakersandthesubwooferdirecttoyouramporreceiver,withone
set of wires running to the Satellites and another set to the Subwoofer. See Figure 4.
2. For convenience, you can also connect the Satellite speakers to the Subwoofer. Both sets of
wireswill beconnected tothe sameterminals onthe Subwoofer. Connectboth theAmplifier's
LeftchannelPositive(+)terminalandtheLeftSatellite'sPositive(+)terminaltotheSubwoofer
Left RED (+) "FROM AMPLIFIER" terminal. Also connect both the Amplifier's Left channel
Negative ( — ) terminal and the Left Satellite's Negative ( — )terminal to the Subwoofer's Left
BLACK(—)"FROMAMPLIFIER"terminal.MakematchingconnectionsfortheRightchannel.
If your Amplifier has two sets of speaker outputs (e.g., A and B), you can connect the Satellites
to one set and the Subwoofer to the other. But if you get weak or no output when you connect your
speaker this way, connect both sets of speaker wires to the same output terminals.
USING THE HP-80 OR VF-80 ELECTRONIC HIGH-PASS FILTERS
The M&K HP-80 and VF-80 Electronic High-Pass Filters can improve the performance of any
system that allows for separation of its preamp and power amp stages by filtering the bass signal fed
to the main amplifier and Satellite speakers.
Tousethesefilterswithanintegratedamporreceiver,theamporreceiverMUSThavebackpanel
RCA jacks labelled Preamp/Main Output AND Power Amp/Main Input. There may be a switch or
jumper connections between them.
Ifyouhaveamultichannelsurroundsoundsystem,weofferboth2and3channelversionsofeach
filter. Remember that to use these filters, your component must have both a preamp-type output and
a power amp input. The 3 channel VF-80 and HP-80 can only be used if your component has a
dedicated subwoofer output jack.
If your component has its own high or low-pass filters, they should be turned off when using the
VF-80 or HP-80. Do not run your system with multiple filters. If your receiver or controller is THX-
certified,youdo notneedthese filters. AllTHXcontrollers andreceivershave theproperhigh andlow-
pass filters built in.
These filters will give you greater dynamic range, lower distortion, and an increased maximum
output level. If you have any questions about using them, please contact your dealer or M&K.
PLUGGING IN THE SUBWOOFER
Once all the speaker wires or preamp interconnect cables are in place, you are ready to plug in
the Subwoofer. Set the "BASS LEVEL" control to "MIN". Then plug the AC cord in. You should hear
a thump from the Subwoofer. This is the normal sound of its power supply charging and discharging
when it is plugged in and unplugged.
Onceyoursystemwiringiscompleteandthe Subwooferispluggedintothewall,leave itplugged
in, even when the system is turned off. The normal mode of operation for the Subwoofer is to remain
plugged in 24 hours a day. Among other things, this means that you don't have to walk over to the
Subwoofer to turn it on every time you want to use the system.

page 10powered subwoofers
Ifyou decide toplug the Subwooferinto a switchedoutlet on anothercomponent, that outletmust
have the following minimum power ratings:
Minimum of 200 watts: V-100, V-75 Mk II, VX-7 Mk II
Minimum of 300 watts: MX-105 Mk II, MX-125 Mk II, MX-70B, V-125
Do not use a switched outlet with the MX-700 and MX-200.
Now, play some music through your system to make sure that the Satellite speakers are working
properly. If they are, carefully advance the "BASS LEVEL" control. The Subwoofer should begin to
play. Set the "BASS LEVEL" control where the Subwoofer sounds in balance with the Satellite
speakers. If the system is not working properly, unplug the Subwoofer and check all of your
connections. Call your dealer or the factory if you cannot solve any problem.
The best way to set the level of the Subwoofer is to do it by ear, listening over several hours or
days to familiar recordings. Make adjustments to the level in small increments, depending on whether
the bass level sounds too high or too low. Of course, you can always deliberately set the level higher
or lower than flat if you need a higher bass level (especially for cinema or television sources) or if you
don't want to disturb your neighbors.
5. SATELLITE/SUBWOOFER PHASING TEST
You are now almost finished with the basic set-up. But before you can sit down to enjoy your new
Subwoofer, you need to perform one simple Phasing Test. This test insures optimum sound in the
critical bass frequencies where your Subwoofer and Satellite speakers overlap.
Play a familiar CD, LP, or tape with steady, consistent bass. Listen carefully to the mid-bass
(70 - 100 Hz) region — the part of the spectrum where electric or string basses and drums are found.
Then, move the "PHASE" switch on the SUBWOOFER's back panel from either up (+) or down (—) to
the opposite position.
Now listen to the same musical passage, concentrating on the mid-bass region. If you hear less
bass, the original connections were correct. If you hear more bass, the new connections are correct.
Ifyou have twoSubwoofers, perform onetest for eachSubwoofer. When you performeach test, make
sure the other Subwoofer is not operating by either unplugging its input cable or its power cord.
Another method of setting phase uses a pink noise source and a spectrum analyzer. If you have
these,placethe microphoneat themainlistening positionand lookat itsdisplayin themid-bass region
of70-100Hz. Thewiring/switchpositionshowingthemostoutputinthatregionhasthecorrectphase.
You need to perform this test because when Satellite speakers are located separate from a
Subwoofer, each speaker is at a different distance from your ear. In some cases, the difference will
be just enough so that the output from the Subwoofer arrives out of phase with the output of the
Satellites. When this happens, that critical mid-bass is actually cancelled. You should re-do this test
any time you move your speakers.
Ifyouwanttoexperimentfurther,youcanmovetheSatellitespeakerseithertowardsorawayfrom
your listening position, making changes in small increments. This will focus the system's sound to its
optimum. When you hear the best balance between stereo image localization and maximum impact
and output in the mid-bass, you have the ideal location.

page 11powered subwoofers
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE VX-7 Mk II:
The VX-7 Mk II does not have a back panel "PHASE" switch. Therefore, to check phase, follow
theseinstructions: Insteadofmovingtheswitch'sposition,youmustreversethePositiveandNegative
speaker inputs on the back of BOTH Satellite speakers. Move the lead on the Positive (+) terminal to
the Negative (—) terminal, and vice versa. You can also do this at the subwoofer's "TO SPEAKERS"
terminals, but never switch the inputs at both the backs of the Satellite speakers and the Subwoofer.
6. USE OFTHE "LOW PASS FILTER" CONTROL
The back panel control "LOW PASS FILTER" sets the upper rolloff point of the Subwoofer,
eliminating mid-bass and midrange that are being reproduced by your Satellite speakers. The control
isameansoffine-tuningthetransitionbetweenyourSubwooferandSatellitespeakers,anditprovides
arolloffof12dB/octaveupto125Hz,wherethefiltershiftsto36dB/octave. Inmostsystems,including
M&K Satellites, 85 Hz gives the best blend. If you don't want to experiment, set the control at 85 Hz.
The goal is to get a balanced
acoustic output in your room. This is not necessarily the same as
flat electrical output. Rooms typically reinforce bass frequencies around 100 Hz, so by leaving an
electrical gap, you may actually get a smooth acoustical response where it matters, in the room.
Thinkofthiscontrolasamid-bassfinetuningadjustmentthatyousettoachievethebesttransition
between the Satellite speakers and the Subwoofer. When you hear a smooth sound overall, well
balanced between the deep bass and the rest of the audible spectrum, the control is set properly.
7. USE OFTHE "BYPASS" SWITCH
(MX-700, MX-200, MX-125 Mk II, MX-105 Mk II,VX-100,V-125)
If you have a THX, Dolby Digital, or DTS component with a built-in Low-Pass filter as part of its
subwooferoutput,orifyouareusingaseparateElectronicCrossover,setthe“VARIABLE”/“BYPASS”
switch on the back of the subwoofer to “BYPASS” position. This bypasses the internal low-pass filter
so that there is no interaction between the subwoofer’s filter and your component’s filter. If you have
any questions regarding the filters, please contact your M&K dealer or the M&K factory.
8. USING MULTIPLE SUBWOOFERS
Usingtwo(ormore)subwoofersinyoursystem givesyoutheultimateinbassperformance. You'll
hear improved impact and definition, as well as greater output and dynamic range. See Section 4 on
page 5 for more information.
If multiple subwoofers are used, place them in the same location. Stacking is best, but you can
also put them side by side. Alternately, you can put multiple subwoofers in different locations. This
is appropriate when you have limited choices in locating the subwoofer and none of the available
locations work well. Try to place multiple subwoofers at equal distances from the listening position to
avoid phase cancellation.
With two Subwoofers, simply run one speaker wire or interconnect to each Subwoofer. Because
the left and right channel input signals are combined in the Subwoofer's input stage, the only thing this
changes is amplifier gain. To compensate, just set the "BASS LEVEL" control slightly higher.

page 12powered subwoofers
9. HOME THEATRE USAGE
IfyouareusingyourSubwooferinamultichannelHomeTheatresystem,makesureyouareusing
the Subwoofer Output jack to connect your subwoofer. Check "Use of the Bypass Switch" above, as
well as M&K's System Setup Guide on page 17.
Compared to music sources, in some cases, you may prefer the subwoofer set to a higher
playbacklevelfor videosources. Thismay occurwhen videosources(especially olderfilmsand some
television) have very little deep bass present. You may also want to exaggerate the effect to make
spectacular video sources even more impressive!
When your subwoofer is going to be located close to a television set, remember to leave 2 - 3 feet
of clearance between the television and subwoofer, unless the subwoofer is magnetically shielded
(MX-700 and V-125 only).
CONNECTING THE SUBWOOFER TO A SURROUND
SOUND RECEIVER OR PROCESSOR:
The preferred connection from a surround sound amp or controller is from a SUBWOOFER
OUTPUT (orMONO) RCAjack. This connectioninsures that afull basssignal isfed tothe subwoofer.
If your component doesn't have a subwoofer output jack, connect the Subwoofer to the front Left and
Right channel speaker outputs (do not use the Center channel speaker output).
VERY IMPORTANT: When the Subwoofer is connected to the Left and Right amplifier outputs
usingspeaker wires, theCenterchannelWIDE/NORMALswitchMUSTbesettotheNORMALmode.
If the switch is set to the WIDE mode, the bass content of the Center channel will not be fed to the
Subwoofer, and a significant amount of the bass in the material you are listening to will be lost.
10. SPECIAL INSTALLATION NOTES
MX-700, MX-200, MX-125 Mk II, MX-105 Mk II, VX-100:
An enclosed hardware kit contains four black metal spikes, threaded at one end and tapering to
a sharp point at the other. Depending on their orientation, they can be used either as spikes or rubber
feet. Do not use the spiked feet on hardwood or tile floors. They can damage the floor surface.
By mounting these spikes into the threaded inserts mounted in the bottom of the Subwoofer, you
can elevate the Subwoofer, and on carpet, couple it more tightly to that floor. On hardwood, tile, or
concrete,thespikesshouldbeinverted,withthepointmountedfacingintothecabinet. Oneoftheblack
rubber feet provided should then be pressed over the exposed flat end of the foot.
The threaded inserts are found in the four corners of the cabinet's bottom. The inserts are 1/4 -
20, that is, 1/4 inch in diameter and 20 threads per inch. This is compatible with the most spikes,
"cones," "tip-toes," etc. offered by manufacturers of specialized speaker feet.
To properly secure the feet to the cabinet, you must use the provided washer and jamb nut on the
threaded portion of the foot. The washer goes first, with the nut over it, holding the washer securely
in place. This prevents damage to the spike and the threaded insert in case something moves the
cabinet sideways.

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MX-700, MX-200, MX-125 Mk II, MX-105 Mk II, MX-70B, VX-100:
Because your M&K MX-series Subwoofer uses an inverted driver that fires down into the floor, it
loadsdifferentlytotheroomthanaconventionalspeakerorforward-firingSubwoofer. Thismeansthat
you may want to experiment a bit more with its placement and setup to get optimum sound quality.
1. While your Subwoofer is designed to sit directly on the floor, the distortion cancellation
of its push-pull design and its frequency response are improved when the Subwoofer is slightly
elevated. You may want to try using the enclosed feet to raise the subwoofer off the floor.
2. ReadSection 6 (page 11),Use of the LOWPASS FILTER Control, carefully. Thesetting of this
control is more critical with your MX model Subwoofer. With these models it is more likely that
you will find the optimum setting to be slightly below the 85 Hz recommended for other models.
MX-70B:
The MX-70B gives a very high level of performance in a compact cabinet. Therefore, it is likely
to be installed in both vertical and horizontal locations. To avoid having its inverted driver exposed in
installations where the cabinet is horizontal, the MX-70B has two speaker grills.
If your MX-70B has a solid grille over the inverted driver, leave this grille in place. The
MX-70B is designed so that the sound emanating from this driver comes from the opening in the front
baffle. The solid grille cover insures that this is the case.
MX-700 & VX-100:
The MX-700 and VX-100's pressure-loaded design allows for maximum coupling to a room
because it places its drivers directly adjacent to room surfaces, whether the cabinet is horizontally or
vertically oriented. Feel free to orient the cabinet either way. When vertical, its tall thin look is very
attractive, and gives excellent performance when the subwoofer is in a corner.
The cabinet's 17" width allows the MX-700 to be rack mounted for professional applications or
installations where space is at a premium. If you want to do this, contact M&K for a rack-mounting kit.
11.TROUBLESHOOTING
Your M&K Subwoofer amplifier circuit provides high reliability, and, if necessary, easy modular
replacement of parts. This guide will help you to solve or diagnose most problems that can occur with
your Subwoofer. In the event that a fuse blows, you must replace it with a fuse of the correct value
to avoid a fire hazard and to maintain your warranty protection.
1. If your Subwoofer has no output:
a. Make sure that the Subwoofer is plugged into an AC outlet.
b. Check the "BASS LEVEL" control and make sure that it is set above the
"MIN" position. Rotate it clockwise if it is set to the "MIN" position.
c. Check the red LED on the Subwoofer's back panel. If the LED is not lit,
check the AC fuse next to the LED. Unplug the Subwoofer before
changing the fuse. See instructions on Page 15. If the element inside the
fuse is broken, replace the fuse. If it blows again, contact your dealer or M&K.

page 14powered subwoofers
.
d. If the red LED is lit, try this test: Turn the "BASS LEVEL" control to
"MIN". Plug a standard RCA cable into the "FROM PREAMP" jacks.
Lightly touch the plug at the free end of the cable, while slowly turning the
"BASS LEVEL" control clockwise. If you hear noise from the Subwoofer when
you touch the cable, the Subwoofer is functioning. Look elsewhere in your
system for the problem. If you hear no noise, contact your dealer or M&K.
e. Make sure that the input cables are OK. Double check your connections. If
necessary, replace any defective cables or speaker wires.
2. If, after operating the woofer at high volume levels for a long time, the woofer
cuts out or becomes intermittent:
Your Subwoofer has a protection circuit that protects it from overheating. After
hours of continuous operation at extremely high volume levels, this circuit may
kill the power to the Subwoofer. When it activates, the sound may switch in and
out rapidly, with a fluttering sound. If this happens, unplug the unit and let it sit for
at least half an hour. After that time, plug it back in. It should operate normally.
If you find this happens frequently, contact the factory for advice.
3. If you are using the "FROM AMPLIFIER" terminals, and the Subwoofer has very
little output:
Make sure that the input cables are in phase. Reverse the (+) and the ( — )
connections for ONE CHANNEL ONLY at the "FROM AMPLIFIER" terminals. If the
problem remains, put the cables back as they were. Then perform the test in Step 4.
4. If the midbass range (the area of transition between Subwoofer and Satellite
speakers) sounds weak:
Refer to Section 5, Phasing Test, on page 10. Reverse the (+) and ( — ) connections
at the back of BOTH Satellite speakers, OR switch the "PHASE" switch from (+) to ( — ) or vice
versa. The wiring configuration that gives the most bass is correct.
5. If you are using the "FROM PREAMP" input terminals, and you hear
a thump through the Subwoofer every time you turn the system on:
Either the preamp, receiver, or surround sound processor is generating the thump,
and the Subwoofer is reproducing it. To eliminate this problem, switch to the speaker
wire "FROM AMPLIFIER" input terminals.
6. If you hear a persistent hum or buzz through the Subwoofer:
Because the Subwoofer reproduces the 60 Hz hum frequency, it is often blamed for
causing hum that originates elsewhere in the system. Always avoid running all
speaker wires and RCA interconnect cables near to AC cords and component power
supplies. Wires and cables running close to AC lines are a common source of hum.
If necessary, reroute your cables.
To identify the source of hum, remove all input cables to the Subwoofer, but leave it
plugged into the AC outlet. Carefully turn the "BASS LEVEL" control up towards the
"MAX" position. If you hear hum coming from the Subwoofer's speaker driver, the

page 15powered subwoofers
Subwoofer is the source of the hum. If you hear no hum or less hum, the problem is
probably coming from another component.
Hum can also be caused by AC ground loops. If the Subwoofer is plugged into a
separate AC outlet, try plugging it into the same outlet used for your amplifier or
receiver, or reverse the polarity of its AC plug. If these suggestions do not solve
your problems, contact your dealer or M&K.
7. If there is an unusual sound coming from the Subwoofer with no music playing:
TryremovingtheinputcablesasdescribedinStep5above. Ifthenoisedisappears,itiscoming
from another component. If it does not go away, contact your M&K dealer or the factory.
IF YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE EXTERNAL FUSE:
Disconnect supply cord before changing fuse. Replace fuse only with same type.
Remove the fuse cap. If the fuse cap has an arrow printed on it, push the cap in and turn it
counterclockwise. Ifthefusecaphasaslotinit,useaflatheadscrewdrivertoturnitcounterclockwise.
Look carefully at the fuse. If the wire filament inside the glass is broken, replace the fuse ONLY with
one of the identical size and value. Using a fuse of a larger value will void your warranty AND MAY
CREATE A FIRE HAZARD. Plug the Subwoofer back in. If it does not work, unplug it immediately,
and contact your dealer or M&K for service.
REPLACEMENT FUSE VALUES (units with U.S. standard fuses)
Replace only with same type 3AG-250 VAC SLO-BLO 1 1/4" x 1/4" fuse.
MODEL 110 v 220 v MODEL 110 v 220 v
MX-2000 6 amp 3 amp MX-300 6 amp 3 amp
MX-200 4 amp 2 amp MX-700 5 amp 2.5 amp
MX-145 2.5 amp 1.25 amp MX-125 Mk II 4 amp 2 amp
MX-100 4 amp 2 amp MX-105 / Mk II 2.5 amp 1.25 amp
MX-90 2 amp 1 amp MX-80 1.25 amp .75 amp
MX-70/MX-70B 2 amp 1 amp V-100 4 amp 2 amp
V-125 2 amp 1 amp V-90 1.25 amp .75 amp
V-75/V-75 Mk II 1.25 amp .75 amp V-3B 1.25 amp .75 amp
VX-4 1 amp .75 amp VX-7B/VX-7 Mk II 1 amp .75 amp
VX-100 2 amp 1 amp
REPLACEMENT FUSE VALUES (units with IEC 127-2/III standard fuses)
Replace only with same type IEC 127-2/III 5 X 20 mm timelag "T" fuse.
MODEL 220 v MODEL 220 v MODEL 220 v
MX-2000 2.5 A MX-300 2.5 A MX-200 1.6 A
MX-145 1 A MX-125 1.6 A MX-100 1.6 A
MX-105 / Mk II 1 A MX-90 800 ma MX-80 630 ma
MX-70/70B 800 ma V-100 1.6 A V-125 800 ma
V-90 630 ma V-75/V-75 Mk II 630 ma V-3B 630 ma
VX-4 630 ma VX-7/7B/Mk II 630 ma VX-100 800ma

page 16powered subwoofers
12. IFYOU NEED SERVICE
Contactyour dealer or M&K. Please have theunit's model and serial numbers(found on the back
of the cabinet), date of purchase, the name of your dealer, and a complete description of the problem.
You can call M&K between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, at (310) 204-
2854. If you call outside these hours, leave a message, and we will return your call.
DO NOT RETURN YOUR SPEAKERS TO THE FACTORY FOR
SERVICE WITHOUT OBTAINING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.
All M&K powered subwoofers carry a three year limited parts and labor warranty. This warranty
is transferable to subsequent owners up to three years from the date of original purchase, and it
includes subwoofer amplifiers. It does not cover abuse, misuse, repairs by unauthorized service
stations, speakers without serial numbers, and speakers damaged in shipping or by accident. If you
have any questions about the warranty, please contact M&K.

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13. M&K 5.1 MULTICHANNEL & PRO-LOGIC SYSTEM SETUP GUIDE
The 5 Most Important Items In System Setup:
Find the best location for the subwoofer
for maximum output and flattest response
(usually the corner closest to the listening position)
Aim the front speakers (and the surrounds, if possible)
vertically for the flattest response and best imaging
Set all speakers to the Small setting
for proper High-Pass and Low-Pass Filter operation
to get the lowest distortion and maximum dynamic range
Calibrate all speakers and the subwoofer to the identical level
for proper imaging and balance
Make sure all speakers are in phase
for proper imaging and impact
Theseinstructionswill helpyoumake surethatyou coverallsteps insettingup a5.1multichannel
or Pro-Logic surround sound system. In addition to following this list, make certain that you study and
understand the owner’s manual for each and every component used in the system, especially the
processor/receiver’s manual. Have fun and good luck!
A useful tool for system setup is the Laserdisc or DVD called
Video Essentials . If you don’t have
one, you can order it by calling 1-800-USA-DISC (872-3472).
Here are the instructions for speaker setup.
1. Locatethe frontspeakers. The left,right, and centerspeakers shouldbe equidistant fromthe
main listening position. Try to set up the speakers so that they are reasonably symmetrical to room
surfaces. A tape measure may be very helpful.
2. Locate the subwoofer.
A. The best place for the subwoofer is the corner with the best structural strength. If the
corners are roughly equal in construction, use the corner nearest the listening position.
If the listening position is in the front half of the room, place the subwoofer in a front
corner. If it is in the back of the room, place the subwoofer in a back corner.
If possible, avoid corners near doorways or openings.
B. If you are willing to experiment, another option is to place the subwoofer at the listening
position and walk around the room. Stand in and near each corner. The location where
you hear the tightest bass with the most impact is probably the best location in the room
for the subwoofer.
C. If multiple subwoofers are used, place them in the same location. Stacking is best, but
you can also put them side by side.

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Another option for multiple subwoofers is to place them in different locations. This is appropriate
whenyou have limitedchoices in locating thesubwoofer and noneof the availablelocations work well.
Try to place multiple subwoofers at equal distances from the listening position to avoid phase
cancellation.
2. Locatethesurrounds. Determinethe bestpositionintheroom. Itwillprobablybetheposition
used for THX speaker, directly to the right and left of the main listening position on the side walls (so
thatalistenerinthecenterseatisdirectlybetweenthespeakers). Ifthatdoesn’tworkorisnotpractical
because of the room, try these locations: on the ceiling; on the back wall, or in the back corners (using
an M&K ST Corner bracket).
3. Install all wiring and interconnects.
4. Connect the subwoofer. Always use the processor/receiver’s subwoofer output.
5. Aim the front speakers (this is a must for THX front speakers). Use a laser level to align each
speaker. Place the level on the flat surface between the midranges and tweeters that is roughly in the
center of the front baffle. The red dot of the laser should be aligned to the center of the listener’s
forehead at ear height. Make sure that the volunteer who sits in the main listening position keeps their
eyes closed!
Make sure that you aim the left and right speakers in both the horizontal and vertical planes.
Horizontal toe-in is important for the best possible imaging.
6. If you have a Dolby Digital AC-3 5.1 channel processor/receiver, follow these instruc-
tions. If you have a Pro-Logic processor/receiver, go to item 7 below.
SPECIAL NOTE: Always check the processor/receiver’s owner’s manual. Different manufactur-
ers use different descriptions for the same function, and sometimes the same description for different
functions!. Your component may use terminology different from that used below.
A. High-PassFilters:AllDolbyDigitalprocessor/receivershavebuilt-inhigh-passfiltersfor
the Left,Center,Right, LeftSurround, andRight Surroundchannels. Always turnthese
filters ON by using the SMALL setting. If you have a THX component, use the THX
setting. See the owner’s manual of the processor/receiver for instructions.
B. Bass Management: If the processor/receiver has a setting to turn the Subwoofer off or
on, make sure that it is set to SUBWOOFER YES or ON.
C. Dialog Normalization: If your component has this function, turn it off to avoid any
possible effect on sound quality.
D. THX Dolby Digital units have an adjustable limiter for the subwoofer feed, called “Bass
Peak Level Management”. Turn it off, or set it for the highest possible level. M&K
subwoofers do not need this limiter.
7. If you have a Pro-Logic only processor/receiver, follow these instructions.
SPECIAL NOTE: Always check the processor/receiver/receiver’s owner’s manual. Different
manufacturers use different descriptions for the same function, and sometimes the same description
for different functions! Your component may use terminology different from that used below.
A. If the component has high-pass filters for the Left, Center, and Right channels (usually

page 19powered subwoofers
notes
rev 17.0898
only THX components have these filters), they should be turned on or set to THX (if you
haveachoice,usethefrequencyclosestto80Hz. The
surround channelsinaPro-Logic
only system do not have switchable filters.
B. Set the center channel to Normal, unless you have a THX controller. With a THX
controller, set the center channel to the THX setting.
C. Turn off all limiters and compressors, auto azimuth controls, auto balance controls, etc.
D. If the processor/receiver/receiver has an input level control, calibrate it per the
manufacturer’s instructions.
E. Ifthecomponent hasadigitalinput, andyouare usingasourcecomponent withadigital
output, always use the digital input, not the analog input.
8. Setlevelsforeachchannel. Youcantakeameasurementatthelisteningpositiontoestablish
thereferencelevel,butitis usuallymoreaccuratetotakelevelsat aboutonemeterfromeachspeaker.
Set all channels to exactly the same level.
Use a Sound Level Meter. Point it directly at the speaker being measured. Set all channels to
the same level, using the processor/receiver/receiver’s internal test signal. Set the meter to “C”
weighting and “Slow” response. Set the levels to 75 dB if you have a THX processor/receiver/receiver
or are using the Video Essentials disc as a source for setting levels.
NOTE:If you using identical speakers anywherein your system (e.g., S-150THXspeakers for the
left, center, and right channels), all of those channels should be set to the same level. If your meter
measures a different level, it is probably a limitation of this type of meter measurement method and
not an actual audible level difference. Set the channels using identical speakers to the same level,
unless you actually hear a difference later when you are doing listening to verify the system setup.
9. Check phase. Make sure that all five main channel speakers are wired in phase. The Video
Essentials disc has tests for main speaker phase.
10. Make sure that the subwoofer and main speakers are in phase at the 80 Hz crossover point.
Listen to something with a consistent bass line around 80 Hz while a partner switches the “Phase”
control on the subwoofer from “+” to “-”. The switch position that results in the greatest bass at the
listening position is the correct setting.
11. Play something that is familiar to you through the system to verify the system’s overall
performance. Ifsomething does nosound right, recheck yourconnections and settings. Re-measure,
re-check, re-align.
12. Switch the processor/receiver to each input that you will use. Check your settings for each
input and each mode. Some processor/receivers require that you enter settings separately for each
mode and/or input.
13. Before playingthe system,check levels andspeaker alignment onelast time. Makesure that
you write down all processor settings for future reference.