Sonance Merlot M Series Users Manual

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MERLOT M- SERIES
IN-WALL SPEAKERS
®

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SONANCE MERLOT ® M

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing Sonance Merlot ® M-series in-wall speakers. When properly installed
your new speakers will give you years of entertainment pleasure. This manual will teach you all
about your new speakers’ many innovative features and will show you how to get the very best
performance from them. Please read it thoroughly.
Since all of the Merlot M-series speakers have identical installation requirements, the
directions in this manual apply to each model in the series. This manual covers the Merlot
423 M and Merlot 422 M

Design and Features
• Small footprint lets you install Merlot speakers in places that present installation challenges while delivering
sonic performance that will satisfy demanding listeners.

• Ideal for use in multi-channel home 2
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2

SONANCE MERLOT ® M

Home Theater Speaker Placement
Left, Center & Right Channels
• Place the left & right speakers on either
side of the video screen, anywhere from 6
feet to 10 feet apart and 38 – 42 inches
from the floor (which corresponds to the
height of your ears when you’re seated on
a couch or chair).
• If possible, locate the left and right speakers
at least 18 inches away from the side
walls.
• Locate the center speaker as close to the
same height as the left & right channel
speakers as possible. If you must place the
center speaker above or below a video
screen, we recommend placing it no more
than 2 feet above or below the center of
the left and right speakers. This will help
maintain consistent tonality between all
three front channel speakers.

Figure 2: Home Theater Placement — Left, Center & Right Speakers

• The main listening position should be between 8 and 12 feet away from the speakers. Use Figure 2 as a guide.

Surround Speakers (5.1-Channel System)
You can also use Sonance Merlot M-series speakers for surround channel applications in a home theater. Depending on
your room’s layout, you can locate the surround channel speakers in the side walls, in the rear wall or in the ceiling, If you
are not sure which location will achieve the best performance in your room, contact your Authorized Sonance Dealer for
advice.
S i d e w a l l m o u n t i n g : Locate the surround channel speakers approximately 2 – 6 feet behind the listening position, at least
5 feet from the floor. Use Figure 3 as a guide.
C e i l i n g m o u n t i n g : Locate the left and right surround speakers on the ceiling between 2 feet and 4 feet behind the
listening position. The speakers should be between 8 feet and 12 feet apart, with their woofers towards the listeners.
Use Figure 4 as a guide.

2' – 6'

5' – 7'

Figure 3: Side Wall
Surround Speaker Placement

TV

Figure 4: Ceiling
Surround Speaker Placement

continued on page 4

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SONANCE MERLOT ® M
R e a r w a l l m o u n t i n g : Locate the surround channel speakers on the rear wall, 6 – 10 feet apart, at least 5 feet from the
floor. Center the speakers on the listening location. Use Figure 5 (below) as a guide.

No t e : I f t h e l i s t e n i n g p o s i t i o n i s l e s s t h a n 2 fe e t i n f ro n t o f t h e re a r w a l l w e d o n o t re c o m m e n d
m o u n t i n g t h e s u r ro u n d s p e a k e r s i n t h e re a r w a l l . U s e c e i l i n g m o u n t i n g o r s i d e - w a l l m o u n t i n g
instead.

Surround Speakers (7.1-Channel System)
• L e f t & R i g h t S u r r o u n d S p e a k e r s : Place the left and right surround speakers directly to the sides of the listening
position, at least 5 feet from the floor.
• S u r r o u n d B a c k S p e a k e r s : Place the surround back speakers in the rear wall, between 3 feet and 6 feet apart and at
least 5 feet from the floor.
Use Figure 6 as a guide.

Right Surround
Right
Front

Right
Back
Surround

Center
Left
Back
Surround

Left
Front
Left Surround

Figure 5: Rear Wall Surround Speaker Placement

Figure 6: Speaker Placement in a 7.1-Channel System

Selecting the Proper Speaker Wire
For the best sound we recommend that you use premium
Sonance MediaLinQ ® speaker cable, which also complies
with UL fire rating codes. You may also experiment with
audiophile brands of speaker cable and interconnects, but
be sure to check local codes governing wire that may be
installed within walls or ceilings. Different brands of wire
can have different sonic characteristics, and some may be
more compatible with the sonic “signature” of your
various audio system components.

WIRE RESISTANCE
Distance in Feet

IN

OHMS

VS.

LENGTH

OF

CABLE RUN

50' 100' 150' 200' 250' 300'

20 gauge

1.04

2.07 3.11

4.14 5.18 6.22

18 gauge

.65

1.30 1.96

2.61 3.26 3.91

16 gauge

.41

.82 1.22

1.63 2.04 2.45

14 gauge

.26

.52

1.03 1.29 1.55

.77

For the best sound you should never use thin-gauge speaker
12 gauge
.16 .32 .49 .65 .81 .97
wire – it will constrict the sound and diminish bass
10 gauge
.10 .20 .31 .41 .51 .61
response. Extra resistance in the speaker wire can make a
speaker sound less dynamic and reduce definition of the
Figure 7: Speaker Wire Resistance Table
bass frequencies. In extreme cases, it can even attenuate
high frequencies. Also, amplifier power is wasted in thin
wire with extra resistance, reducing your system’s maximum output level. To prevent degrading sound quality, the total wire
resistance should be less than 10% of the speaker’s impedance. This means that for an 8-ohm speaker, the total resistance
of the wire should be less than 0.8 ohms. Refer to the chart in Figure 7 when selecting the proper wire gauge for your
system.

4

SONANCE MERLOT ® M

Preparing the Installation Location
Building a Back Box into the Wall Stud Bay
Sonance Merlot M-series speakers are designed to provide exceptionally musical performance in a wide variety of enclosure
volumes. You can get the very best performance from your speakers by partitioning a section of the stud bay to form a
sealed back box with a specific internal volume. Building such an enclosure will create a dramatic improvement in your
speakers’ bass performance and power handling. The ideal back box volume for the Merlot 423 M and 422 M is 0.25 ft 3.

Optional Merlot M-Series Speaker Enclosures
For installations where it isn’t possible to partition the stud bay into a back box, installing optional Merlot M Acoustic
Enclosures (part #92444) will noticeably improve your speakers’ bass performance and power handling and will
significantly reduce sound transmission into adjacent rooms and spaces. These enclosures are made from ½”-thick MDF
and are designed to be installed in new construction only.
To reduce sound transmission into adjacent rooms
in installations where it isn’t possible to install a
Merlot M Acoustic Enclosure (such as when you’re
retrofitting the speakers into an existing wall), you
can fit the speakers with optional Merlot M-Series
Retrofit Enclosures (part #92442). This enclosure
is designed specifically to be used with Merlot Mseries speakers, and will noticeably reduce sound
“spillover” from the rears of the speakers into
adjacent rooms and spaces.

Insulating the Wall Cavity
You can also reduce sound transmission to adjacent
rooms and improve speaker performance by
inserting a sheet of unfaced fiberglass insulation
over the back of the speaker. To reduce mechanical
noise produced by unsupported drywall, install
fiberglass insulation in the stud bays adjacent to
the speaker location.

Optional Accessories
M e r l o t M F l e x B r a c k e t ( p a r t # 9 1 9 7 0 ) : Plastic template to reserve a
mounting hole for Merlot M-series speakers in new construction. Designed
for use with the RotoLock ® mounting system.
M e r l o t M M a s o n r y B r a c k e t ( p a r t # 9 2 0 6 7 ) : Thin plastic bracket for
walls constructed of brick and finished with plaster. Provides surface in
brick walls that can accommodate RotoLock ® mounting system.
M e r l o t M A c o u s t i c E n c l o s u r e ( p a r t # 9 2 4 4 4 ) : ½” MDF enclosure that
provides ideal acoustic performance and maximum reduction of sound
transmission into adjacent spaces. Designed for use only in new
construction.
M e r l o t M R e t r o f i t E n c l o s u r e ( p a r t # 9 2 4 4 2 ) : Molded enclosure that
reduces sound transmission into adjacent rooms and spaces. Can be used
in both new construction and retrofit installations.
S o n a f i l l ® I n - W a l l S y s t e m ( p a r t # 9 1 6 9 8 ) : Retrofittable acoustical treatment consisting of two pillows and four tiles that virtually eliminates noises produced by resonating drywall. Dramatically improves midbass sound
quality and reduces sound transmission into adjacent rooms.

Sonafill ®
Sonafill (part #91698) is a retrofittable acoustical treatment system consisting of two pillows and four tiles that virtually
eliminates noises produced by resonating drywall. The tiles have pressure-sensitive adhesive and are installed on the back
of the drywall on either side of the speaker between the wall studs; the pillows are then stuffed in place behind the tiles.
The system dramatically improves midbass sound quality and reduces sound transmission into adjacent rooms.

Installing the Speakers
Before Installation: New Construction
For installations in new construction, Sonance recommends using a Merlot M FlexBracket (part #92336) to reserve a
location for the speaker. The FlexBracket has perforated wings that can be positioned anywhere around the bracket, and
is nailed or screwed to the studs. This serves as a guide for the drywaller so that the speaker hole will be in the desired
location once the drywall is installed.

Before Installation: Retrofit
1. Determine the location for the speaker (see Speaker Placement on pages 2 – 4).
2. Perform an obstruction survey to be certain that there are no studs, conduit, pipes, heating ducts, pocket doors or air
returns in the wall cavity that will interfere with the speaker.
3. The cutout for all Merlot M speakers is 8 1/16 ” x 4 5/8 ” (205mm x 117mm). There also must be at least 3” (76mm) depth
within the wall cavity for the speaker.

5

SONANCE MERLOT ® M
4. Position the included cutout template where the speaker is to be located and pencil an outline on the wall.
• If you are unsure about obstructions, drill a small hole in the center of the outline and insert a coat hanger wire into
the hole to feel-around for possible obstructions.
5. Cut the mounting hole using a keyhole or drywall saw, and run the speaker wires from the mounting hole to the
amplifier location.
• Consult local building codes before running speaker wires through walls.

Before Installation: IR Plug
All Sonance Merlot M-series speakers have a plug for
installing an IR receiver into the speaker’s front baffle (see
Figure 8 ). In systems where the electronics are placed in an
inconvenient location this allows remote controls to be
aimed at the front of the room instead of at the electronics.
The IR plug is in the form of a bolt and retaining nut. To
remove the plug, unscrew the nut (located behind the baffle,
see Figure 9 ) and remove the bolt. The hole is designed to
receive a Sonance OptiLinQ ® SMR1 or SMR1P SurfaceMount IR receiver. Insert the IR receiver through the front of
the speaker baffle and use the nut included with the receiver
to secure it to the baffle.

Figure 8:
IR Plug

Figure 9:
IR Plug Retaining Nut

No t e : T h e s p e a k e r ’ s g r i l l e m ay re d u c e t h e e f fe c t i v e n e s s o f t h e I R re c e i v e r. I f t h i s o c c u r s , s l i g h t ly
e n l a r ge t h e h o l e s i n t h e g r i l l e t h a t a re d i re c t ly i n f ro n t o f t h e I R re c e i v e r.

Installation
Sonance Merlot M speakers feature exclusive FastMount ® tabs and an integral RotoLock ® mounting system for quick mounting
directly into walls.

CAUTION : THE EDGES OF THE FASTMOUNT TABS ARE VERY SHARP. USE CAUTION WHEN HAN DLING THE SPEAKER.
1. Remove the paint plug from the speaker.
2. Run speaker wire from each speaker to the amplifier location.

FastMount® Tab

3. Strip ¼” – ½” of insulation from each speaker lead. Twist the strands or tin
the exposed wire with solder to ensure that there are no stray strands. (Stray
strands that touch each other can cause a short-circuit that can damage
your amplifier.)
4. The speaker’s connector posts are spring-loaded. Push the top of each
connector post down to open the connector and insert the exposed wires
into the holes in the posts.
• The speaker’s positive post is labeled with a red dot; the negative post is
labeled with a black dot. Double-check that you connected amplifier “+”
to speaker “+” and amplifier “–” to speaker “–”.
5. Make sure all the RotoLock clamps are in the full clockwise position so that
they are tucked within the mounting hole’s border. Insert the speaker into
the hole in the wall ( Figure 10 ). The RotoLock system can accommodate a
maximum wall material thickness of 1¼”.

continued on page 7

6

RotoLock® Clamp
(retracted)

Figure 10: Inserting the Speaker
Into the Mounting Hole

SONANCE MERLOT ® M
• The FastMount tabs will
prevent the speaker from
falling out of the mounting
hole, allowing the installer to
let go of the speaker to pickup tools or other items
(see Figure 11 ).

No t e : T h e Fa s t M o u n t t a b s
a re d e s i g n e d fo r o n e - t i m e
u s e o n ly. I f t h e s p e a k e r i s
re m o v e d f ro m t h e m o u n t i n g h o l e t h e Fa s t M o u n t
tabs will disconnect and
re m a i n i n s i d e t h e w a l l .
6. Tighten the four screws on the
front of the speaker baffle. The
RotoLock clamps will automatically rotate into position and
begin clamping the speaker
(see Figure 12 ).

RotoLock
Clamps
(extended)

Figure 11:
FastMount Tabs

Figure 12:
Tightening the RotoLock Clamps

• When you notice resistance on the screws the speaker has been clamped successfully.

I m p o r t a n t : A l w a y s u s e l o w -tt o r q u e s e t t i n g s ; N E V E R o v e r -tt i g h t e n .
No t e : T h e s p e a k e r f l a n ge i s d e s i g n e d t o f l e x a n d c o n fo r m t o a ny s m a l l i m p e r fe c t i o n s i n t h e w a l l
s u r fa c e . D o n o t t i g h t e n t h e s c re w s s o m u ch s o t h a t t h e f l a n ge b o w s - o u t .
7. Attach the grille after the speaker has been installed. Insert about half of the grille into the groove at the edge of the
speaker. Gently fit the remaining half of the grille by working around the speaker, fitting the grille into the groove as
you go.

No t e : Yo u c a n a d j u s t t h e t o rq u e a p p l i e d t o t h e R o t o L o c k s c re w s t o a ch i e v e a p ro p e r g r i l l e f i t .

Painting The Speakers and Grilles
You can paint the speakers and grilles before installing them, which will eliminate the “paint scar” that can be left on the
wall if the speaker ever needs to be removed for service. You can also paint the speakers after installation, but before the
grilles are attached. All Sonance Merlot speakers come from the factory fitted with a plastic ‘paint plug’ that protects the
speaker drivers while the mounting flange is being painted.
Sonance always suggests painting the grille separately from the speaker. Before painting, carefully remove the
under-grille cloth. It is held in place with a light tacking glue that makes it easy to remove.
Spray the grilles with thinned paint (5 parts thinner to 1 part paint), being careful not to plug the holes. Too heavy a coat
of paint on the grille will adversely affect the sound of the speaker.
Once the grilles and flange are painted and dry, replace the under-grille cloth, remove the paint plug from the mounting
flange and install the grille.

7

SONANCE MERLOT ® M

Speaker Adjustments
Pivoting Tweeter
All Merlot M-series speakers have a pivoting tweeter that allows you to direct
sound towards or away from the listening area, depending on how the speakers are being used:
• If you’re using the speakers in stereo or as the front left/center/right speakers in a home theater, pivot the tweeter directly towards the listening area.
This will help the sound from the speakers blend into a solid soundstage
even if the speakers are widely separated.
• If you’re using the speakers as surround channel speakers in a home theater, you can create a more diffuse, spacious surround effect by pivoting
the tweeters towards a wall or window, away from the listeners.
To Pivot the Tweeter:

Figure 13: Pivoting the Tweeter

Apply light pressure to the plastic ring around the outside edge of the tweeter
dome, as shown in Figure 13 . Take care not to touch or apply pressure to the
tweeter dome itself.

Tweeter Level Control

Tweeter Level
Control Switch

The Merlot 423 M has a tweeter level control switch (see Figure 14 ) that boosts
or cuts the tweeter’s level by 3dB. This allows you to adjust the speaker’s
brightness to better match your listening room or personal taste.
Once you have installed the speakers, listen to a variety of music that you are
familiar with. If the music all tends to sound too bright or dull, use the Tweeter
Level Control to compensate. If some recordings sound dull and some sound
bright the speaker is accurately reproducing differences in the recordings,
and you should leave the control in the middle (0dB) position.

Figure 14:
Tweeter Level Control Switch

Specifications
Sonance Merlot 423 M

Sonance Merlot 422 M

Tweeter:

1" (25mm) Silk dome, pivoting

Tweeter:

¾" (19mm) Silk dome, pivoting

Woofer:

4½" (114mm) Carbon fiber
cone with a rubber surround

Woofer:

4½" (114mm) Polypropylene
cone with a rubber surround

Frequency Response

55Hz – 20kHz ±3dB

Frequency Response

60Hz – 20kHz ±3dB

Impedance

8 ohms nominal;
6 ohms minimum

Impedance

8 ohms nominal;
6 ohms minimum

Power Handling

5 watts minimum;
80 watts maximum

Power Handling

5 watts minimum;
60 watts maximum

Sensitivity:

90dB SPL (2.83V/1 meter)

Sensitivity:

90dB SPL (2.83V/1 meter)

Grille Material:

Perforated Aluminum

Grille Material:

Perforated Aluminum

Adjustments:

±3dB Tweeter Level

Adjustments:

None

Dimensions (W x H x D):

5 7/16 " x 8 7/8 " x 3"
(138mm x 225mm x 76mm)

Dimensions (W x H x D):

7

7

5 /16 " x 8 /8 " x 3"
(138mm x 225mm x 76mm)

Cutout Dimensions (W x H): 4 5/8 " x 8 1/16 "
(117mm x 205mm)

Cutout Dimensions (W x H): 4 5/8 " x 8 1/16 "
(117mm x 205mm)

Shipping Weight:

Shipping Weight:

8

6 lbs (2.8kg) per pair

6 lbs (2.8kg) per pair

SONANCE MERLOT ® M

Technical Assistance and Service
If you have any questions about the operation or installation of this product, please call our Technical
A s s i s t a n c e D e p a r t m e n t o n a n y b u s i n e s s d a y a t ( 8 0 0 ) 5 8 2 -0
0 7 7 2 o r ( 9 4 9 ) 4 9 2 -7
7777; from 7 a.m. to
5 p.m., Pacific Time.
If your speakers should need repair or service, contact your Sonance Authorized Dealer for help, or use the following
procedure:
1. Prior to calling, note the product’s model number, serial number, purchase date, and the name and address of the dealer
where you purchased the product.
2. Contact our Technical Assistance Department at the above number(s) and describe the problem the unit is experiencing.
If applicable, they will issue a Return Authorization Number.

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST HAVE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TO RETURN YOUR SPEAKER TO
SONANCE!
3. If you’re directed to return the unit to Sonance for repair, pack the unit in its original shipping carton. If needed, you
can obtain replacement packaging from us for a small charge. Note: it is best if you place the box into an additional
outer “overcarton” before shipment to minimize a chance of theft in shipment. Please include a copy of the original bill
of sale inside the package.
4. Contact a package delivery company such as United Parcel Service or Federal Express to arrange prepaid (not collect)
shipping. Do not use the U.S. Postal Service.

IMPORTANT: Freight collect shipments will be refused.
5. Write the Return Authorization Number on the outside of the shipping carton.
6. Ship the packaged unit to:
Quality Assurance Department
Sonance
212 Avenida Fabricante
San Clemente, CA 92672-7531

9

SONANCE MERLOT ® M

Limited Lifetime Warranty Coverage (U.S. Only)
S o n a n c e w a r ra n t s t o t h e o r i g i n a l re t a i l p u rch a s e r o n ly t h a t t h i s S o n a n c e p ro d u c t w i l l b e f re e f ro m
d e fe c t s i n m a t e r i a l s a n d w o rk m a n s h i p , p ro v i d e d t h e p ro d u c t w a s p u rch a s e d f ro m a S o n a n c e
Au t h o r i z e d D e a l e r.
Defective products must be shipped, together with proof of purchase, prepaid insured to the Authorized Sonance Dealer
from whom they were purchased, or to the Sonance factory at the address listed in this instruction manual. Freight collect
shipments will be refused. It is preferable to ship this product in the original shipping container to lessen the chance of
transit damage. In any case, the risk or loss or damage in transit is to be borne by the purchaser. If upon examination at
the factory or Authorized Sonance Dealer it is determined that the unit was defective in materials or workmanship at any
time during this warranty period, Sonance or the Authorized Sonance Dealer will, at its option, repair or replace this
product at no additional charge, except as set forth below. If this model is no longer available and can not be repaired
effectively, Sonance, at is sole option, may replace the unit with a current model of equal or grater value. In some cases
where a new model is substituted, a modification to the mounting surface may be required. If mounting surface
modification is required, Sonance assumes no responsibility or liability for such modification. All replaced parts and
product become the property of Sonance. Products replaced or repaired under this warranty will be returned to the
original retail purchaser, within a reasonable time, freight prepaid.
This Warranty does not include service or parts to repair damage caused by accident, disaster, misuse, abuse, negligence,
inadequate packing or shipping procedures, commercial use, voltage inputs in excess of the rated maximum of the unit,
or service, repair or modification of the product which has not been authorized or approved by Sonance. This Warranty
also excludes normal cosmetic deterioration caused by environmental conditions. This Warranty will be void if the Serial
Number on the product has been removed, tampered-with or defaced. This Warranty is in lieu of all other expressed
warranties. If the product is defective in materials or workmanship as warranted above, the purchaser’s sole remedy shall
be repair or replacement as provided above. In no event will Sonance be liable for any incidental or consequential
damages arising out of the use or inability to use the product, even if Sonance or an Authorized Sonance Dealer has been
advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may
not apply. All implied warranties on the product are limited to the duration of this expressed Warranty. Some states do not
allow limitation on the length of an implied warranty. If the original retail purchaser resides in such a state, this limitation
does not apply.

Exclusions and Limitations
The warranty set forth above is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, of merchantability, fitness for a
particular purpose, or otherwise. The warranty is limited to Sonance products registered herein and specifically excludes
any damage to loudspeakers and other allied or associated equipment which may result for any reason from use with this
product. Sonance shall, in no event, be liable for incidental or consequential damages arising from any breach of this
warranty or otherwise. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state
to state.

10

SONANCE MERLOT ® M

Notes:

11

©2007 Sonance. All rights reserved. Sonance, Sonance Merlot, RotoLock, OptiLinQ, MediaLinQ, Sonafill and FastMount
are registered trademarks of Dana Innovations.
Due to continuous product improvement, all features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
For the latest Sonance product specification information visit our website: www.sonance.com
SONANCE • 212 Avenida Fabricante • San Clemente, CA 92672-7531 USA
(800) 582-7777 or (949) 492-7777 • FAX: (949) 361-5151 • Technical Support: (800) 582-0772

www.sonance.com
33-4475

02/07



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