stellar labs 50-10520 User manual

In-Wall
Center Channel Speaker
Installation Manual
Model #50-10520
Stellar Labs
Division of MCM Electronics
650 Congress Park Drive
Centerville, Ohio 45459
www.mcmelectronics.com
© 2009 MCM a Premier Farnell Company

General Features
•Dual polypropylene cone woofers
•Butyl rubber surrounds
•1" pivoting silk dome tweeter
•Fully shielded magnets
•Detachable screw terminal strips
Specifications
Woofer Size Dual 5¼"
Power Capacity 55W/80W RMS/peak
Frequency Response 60Hz ~ 20KHz
Nominal Impedance 8Ω
SPL 90dB W/M
Dimensions (assumes horizontal mount)
Front Outer Frame 7.5" (H) x 16.625" (W)
Required Cutout 5.5" (H) x 15.2" (W)
Mounting Depth 3.5"
Speaker Placement
Careful consideration should be made when determining the desired location of the speaker pair. As these
are referred to as in-wall speakers, this is the intended mounting location. However, there is no electronic or
physical reason these cannot be mounted in other locations, such as ceilings. Note that careful consideration
should be given to appearance in these situations. Also, dimensions and product photos typically depict
horizontal mounting in a conventional center channel speaker arrangement. It is also completely suitable to
mount this speaker vertically, for use as main or satellite speakers in a home theater environment, or as
background music speakers in a whole house sound environment.
It is important to note that more speakers in a given listening area do not necessarily equate to higher
sound levels. With more speakers, the desired listening level for a given area is attained with lower output
from each speaker. This creates a much more pleasant listening environment as the sound source can be
uniformly heard through the entire room, regardless of location and with less interference with sounds such
as conversation.
Speaker Wire
It is important that good quality wire is used in the installation. Installed speakers generally have much
longer wire runs than normal home theater speakers, hence heavier gauge wire is recommended. Note:
There are numerous manufactures in the market offering “high-end” esoteric speaker wire, with claims of
exotic materials and superior performance. Truthfully, this type of product has been found to provide little
or no benefit to installations of this type. Good quality 16AWG CL2 rated in-wall wire, such as MCM #24-
9995 (two-conductor), #24-10015 (four-conductor) or similar, provide outstanding performance in this
application.
When running this cable, a few simple guidelines must be followed
•All speakers should be home-run. That is, wire should be run directly from each speaker, back to
the sound source
•Speaker wire should be kept away from AC wiring to prevent noise. If AC wiring and speaker wire
must cross paths, it is best to have them cross at a 90º angle, minimizing the common surface
area between the two
•Speaker wire and AC lines should NEVER pass through the same hole in studs or joists

Installation
Important Note:
When horizontally installing this speaker, such as in a conventional center-channel configuration, it is
important to note that the overall mounting width required is 15.16". Typical 16" on-center studs only allow
14.5" width between studs. This will need to be considered in new work applications. In old work
installations, approximately 3/8" will need to be removed from the stud on both sides of the speaker to
allow mounting.
1. For this type is installation, a stud finder such as MCM #22-9346 is highly recommended. This
device will not only accurately located both edges of the stud, but will provide a warning of nearby
electrical wiring.
2. When deciding on a final location to install speakers, extreme care should be taken to ensure that
obstructions do not exist, such as air ducts, plumbing and electrical wiring.
3. Locate the studs in the wall between which the speaker will be mounted. Using a pencil, mark a
spot directly in the center of the two studs
4. Locate the cardboard mounting template, included with the speaker, and using a tape measure,
determine its exact center point.
5. Poke a small hole in the template, and place the template on the wall, lining up the hole with the
spot marked on the ceiling. Using a level, make sure the template is level and plumb on the wall.
6. Trace the outer perimeter of the template with a pencil.
7. Using a wallboard saw, similar to MCM #22-7597, cut around this circumference. This type of saw
is especially useful, as its rigid design and sharp point allow it to “plunge” into the wall with no
need to drill a pilot hole.
8. Remove the rectangular section of drywall from the wall.
9. Remove the front grille from the speaker to be installed. This is most easily accomplished by
rotating the plastic mounting clips outward, and pressing then towards the front speaker frame.
This will cause the screw heads, behind the grill, to push the grill out from inside. In some cases,
it may be necessary to gently pry the grill from the front. This may be done with a small knife
blade or micro size flat blade screwdriver.
10. When looking at the rear of the speaker, rotate the six mounting clips clockwise as far as they well
go, so as not to obstruct the frame. If necessary, loosen the six mounting screws, from the front
of the speaker, to allow these clips to rotate freely within their bracket.
11. Locate the green terminal strip on the rear of the speaker, connections marked ( – ) and ( + ). This
is a two-part terminal strip, with the screw terminals being detachable from the PC board. Unplug
the screw-connector portion of the strip, allowing easy access to the screws. Strip ¼" of insulation
from the end of the speaker wire, insert into the terminal strip, and tighten the screws. Take care
to observe correct polarity. Then plug the terminal strip back into the PC board on the rear of the
speaker.
12. Fully insert the speaker into the wall opening and begin to tighten the six mounting screws. Care
should be taken when tightening these screws. Make sure the screwdriver is secure in the head of
the screw and does not slip out and damage the speaker cone.
13. As screws are tightened, the plastic mounting clips will rotate clockwise and draw in against the
inside of the wallboard. If using a drill to tighten screws, tighten all six until the speaker frame just
makes contact with the ceiling. From there, it is best to use a hand screwdriver to fully tighten.
This will prevent breakage of the plastic mounting clips.
14. Once all screws are tightened, the grill may be reinstalled on the front of the speaker.

Warranty
MCM Custom Audio and Stellar Labs products are warranted, by MCM Electronics, against
manufacturer defects for a period of two years from the original date of purchase. This warranty
is limited to manufacturer defects, in either materials or workmanship. MCM Electronics, or any
other worldwide divisions of Premier Farnell PLC, are not responsible for any consequential or
inconsequential damage to any other component, structure or the cost of installation or removal
of said items.
This warranty will not cover damage due to improper use such as (and not limited to) damaged
cones, mounting frames, voice coils or items damaged by whether damaged items.
For questions or specific information regarding warranty replacement or repair, contact:
MCM Electronics
www.mcmelectronics.com
800-543-4330