MTX AAL Series - User Manual

AAL SERIES
OWNER’S GUIDE
AAL Specifications
MTX Warranty Statement
MTX loudspeakers are guaranteed against defects in parts and workmanship for a period of ten (10)
years from the date of purchase by the original end user. Speakers found defective during that period
will be repaired by MTX without charge for parts.
This warranty is void if it is determined that unauthorized parties have attempted repairs or alterations
of any nature. This warranty does not extend to cabinets or to grilles. Before assuming that a defect is
present in the speakers, be certain that all associated equipment is operating properly.
Your MTX ten year warranty is factory direct. If a defect is present, you are responsible for providing
transportation to the factory. Your MTX dealer can recommend the safest method of transportation.
Proof of purchase is required when requesting service, so please retain your sales slip. Specifications
subject to change without notice.
All correspondence should be directed to MTX, 4545 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040, attention:
Warranty Department, or call (602)438-4545.
4545 E. Baseline Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85044
(602)438-4545
21A3455
© MTX 1999
Model AAL8 AAL10 AAL12 AAL15 AAL212
System Type 8” 2-Way 10” 3-Way 12” 3-Way 15” 3-Way 12” 3-Way
Woofer 8” Fiber 10” Fiber 12” Fiber 15” Fiber Dual 12” Fiber
Foam Surround Foam Surround Foam Surround Foam Surround Foam Surround
1”Voice Coil 1-1/2”Voice Coil 1-1/2”Voice Coil 2” Voice Coil 2”Voice Coil
Midrange N/A 5” Mid-bass 5” Mid-bass 5” Mid-bass 5” Mid-bass
Tweeter 2”x6” Horn- 2”x6” Horn- 2”x6” Horn- 2”x6” Horn- 2”x6” Horn-
Loaded Quartz Loaded Quartz Loaded Quartz Loaded Quartz Loaded Quartz
Freq. Response 75Hz-22kHz 55Hz-22kHz 50Hz-22kHz 40Hz-22kHz 38Hz-22kHz
Sensitivity 91dB 92dB 92dB 92dB 93dB
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm 8 Ohm 8 Ohm 8 Ohm 8 Ohm
Power Handling 50Watts RMS/ 75Watts RMS/ 100Watts RMS/ 125Watts RMS/ 300Watts RMS/
100Watts Total 150Watts Total 200Watts Total 250Watts Total 600Watts Total
Height 17-3/4” 23-1/4” 26-1/4” 28-1/4” 38-7/8”
Width 10-1/2” 14-1/4” 14-3/4” 17-3/4” 15-3/16”
Depth 8-7/8” 10-3/8” 11-1/8” 15-3/8” 15-5/8”

Summary

MTX Audio AAL Series Features

Bass Reflex Enclosures

Utilizes a vented/bass reflex enclosure design for optimum low frequency response and maximum efficiency.

Tweeter Technology

Features a 2" x 6" beveled edge, horn loaded Quartz tweeter for improved top end response and dispersion.

Mid-bass Driver

5" mid-bass features a treated fiber cone and cloth surround, mounted in an internally damped enclosure for reduced distortion.

Low Frequency Drivers

Utilizes Finite Element Analysis (FEA) designed motor structures with high temp aluminum voice coil formers for maximum energy transfer.

Manufacturing Quality

MTX utilizes a vertically integrated approach to manufacturing, controlling every aspect for exceptional product quality.

Product Value Proposition

Built in America with high quality components and backed by a ten year warranty, offering the best valued loudspeaker.

Speaker Placement Guidelines

Connecting Your Speakers

Care and Maintenance

AAL Series Specifications

MTX Warranty Information

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features
5. Quality and Value
6. Warranty Information

The MTX AAL Series Home Loudspeakers are a range of audio systems designed to provide high-quality sound reproduction for home listening environments. These loudspeakers are proudly built in America, utilizing advanced technology, high-quality electronics, and components to ensure exceptional performance and value. The series includes several models: AAL8, AAL10, AAL12, AAL15, and AAL212, each offering different configurations and specifications to suit various needs.

Function Description

The primary function of the MTX AAL Series Loudspeakers is to reproduce audio with deep, powerful bass, crisp, and natural high-frequency performance. They are engineered to deliver an immersive listening experience in a wide variety of installations. The design incorporates several key features to achieve optimal sound quality:

• Bass Reflex Enclosures: All models in the AAL Series feature a vented/bass reflex enclosure design. This design is crucial for achieving efficient, low bass response and maximizing overall efficiency, allowing the speakers to reproduce lower frequencies with greater impact.
• Tweeter: Each AAL system is equipped with a 2" x 6" beveled edge, horn-loaded Quartz tweeter. This specific tweeter design is responsible for improving top-end response and dispersion, ensuring clear and detailed high-frequency sound across a wider listening area.
• Mid-bass: The mid-bass drivers, present in models AAL10, AAL12, AAL15, and AAL212, feature a 5" treated fiber cone with a cloth surround. These drivers are mounted in an internally damped enclosure, which acoustically isolates the mid-bass from the woofer. This isolation significantly reduces transient inter-modulation distortion, leading to cleaner and more accurate mid-range reproduction. The design also allows the mid-bass to reproduce lower frequencies, ensuring a seamless blend with the woofer.
• Low Frequency Drivers (Woofers): The woofers across all AAL systems utilize Finite Element Analysis (FEA) designed motor structures. These structures incorporate high-temperature aluminum voice coil formers and massive strontium ferrite magnet assemblies. This combination ensures maximum energy transfer and excellent cone control, which are vital for accurate and powerful bass. A composite pulp cone and foam surround complete the woofer design, contributing to optimum low-frequency response and maximum efficiency.

Important Technical Specifications

The AAL Series offers a range of models with varying specifications:

• AAL8:

  • System Type: 8" 2-Way
  • Woofer: 8" Fiber, Foam Surround, 1" Voice Coil
  • Midrange: N/A
  • Tweeter: 2"x6" Horn-Loaded Quartz
  • Freq. Response: 75Hz-22kHz
  • Sensitivity: 91dB
  • Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
  • Power Handling: 50 Watts RMS / 100 Watts Total
  • Dimensions: 17-3/4" (Height) x 10-1/2" (Width) x 8-7/8" (Depth)

• AAL10:

  • System Type: 10" 3-Way
  • Woofer: 10" Fiber, Foam Surround, 1-1/2" Voice Coil
  • Midrange: 5" Mid-bass
  • Tweeter: 2"x6" Horn-Loaded Quartz
  • Freq. Response: 55Hz-22kHz
  • Sensitivity: 92dB
  • Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
  • Power Handling: 75 Watts RMS / 150 Watts Total
  • Dimensions: 23-1/4" (Height) x 14-1/4" (Width) x 10-3/8" (Depth)

• AAL12:

  • System Type: 12" 3-Way
  • Woofer: 12" Fiber, Foam Surround, 1-1/2" Voice Coil
  • Midrange: 5" Mid-bass
  • Tweeter: 2"x6" Horn-Loaded Quartz
  • Freq. Response: 50Hz-22kHz
  • Sensitivity: 92dB
  • Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
  • Power Handling: 100 Watts RMS / 200 Watts Total
  • Dimensions: 26-1/4" (Height) x 14-3/4" (Width) x 11-1/8" (Depth)

• AAL15:

  • System Type: 15" 3-Way
  • Woofer: 15" Fiber, Foam Surround, 2" Voice Coil
  • Midrange: 5" Mid-bass
  • Tweeter: 2"x6" Horn-Loaded Quartz
  • Freq. Response: 40Hz-22kHz
  • Sensitivity: 92dB
  • Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
  • Power Handling: 125 Watts RMS / 250 Watts Total
  • Dimensions: 28-1/4" (Height) x 17-3/4" (Width) x 15-3/8" (Depth)

• AAL212:

  • System Type: 12" 3-Way (Dual Woofers)
  • Woofer: Dual 12" Fiber, Foam Surround, 2" Voice Coil
  • Midrange: 5" Mid-bass
  • Tweeter: 2"x6" Horn-Loaded Quartz
  • Freq. Response: 38Hz-22kHz
  • Sensitivity: 93dB
  • Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
  • Power Handling: 300 Watts RMS / 600 Watts Total
  • Dimensions: 38-7/8" (Height) x 15-3/16" (Width) x 15-5/8" (Depth)

Usage Features

Effective placement and proper wiring are key to maximizing the performance of MTX AAL loudspeakers:

• Speaker Placement:

  • Room Configuration: While there are no exact rules due to varying room acoustics, avoiding placement at opposite ends of the room is recommended to prevent a "hole in the middle" effect. Keeping speakers on the same wall enhances the stereo effect or "image."
  • Equilateral Triangle: Ideally, speakers should form an equilateral triangle with the main seating position.
  • Toe-in: Aim or "toe-in" the speakers so that the tweeters face the listener, similar to a camera lens, for optimal high-frequency dispersion.
  • Bass Enhancement: Placing speakers near walls or in corners can increase bass output. Experimentation is encouraged to find the preferred low-frequency performance.
  • Elevated Placement: If speakers are placed near the ceiling, on top of a bookcase, or an entertainment unit, aim them downwards into the listening area. Ensure stability to prevent falls.
  • Horizontal Placement: If speakers must be laid on their sides, keep the tweeters at opposite ends to maintain balanced sound.
  • Personal Preference: The ultimate judge of optimal placement is the listener, who should experiment to determine where the speakers provide the best frequency balance and stereo effect.

• Connecting the Speakers:

  • Speaker Wire: MTX recommends using 18 gauge or heavier wire for connections to an amplifier or receiver.
  • Wire Preparation: Leave extra wire length (2-3 feet) for flexibility. Strip about half an inch of insulation from both ends of the wire and twist the exposed strands.
  • Safety: Always unplug the amplifier or receiver before making connections.
  • Phasing: It is crucial to connect speakers "in phase." This means connecting the positive (+) terminals on the receiver to the red terminals on the speakers, and the negative (-) terminals on the receiver (which may also be marked "common" or "ground" (GND)) to the black terminals on the speakers.
  • Preventing Shorts: Ensure no stray strands of wire cross between terminals on either the speaker or receiver, as this can cause a damaging short.
  • Phase Test: If unsure about phasing, place speakers close together, facing each other. Play music with bass content and rotate the balance control on the receiver from extreme left, through center, to extreme right. The highest bass output should occur when the control is in the center position. If not, reverse the wiring connections to one speaker and repeat the test.

Maintenance Features

Proper care and maintenance will ensure the longevity and performance of your MTX AAL Home Loudspeakers:

• Keep Dry: If the speakers get wet, wipe them dry immediately.
• Keep Clean: Protect the speakers from dust and dirt.
• Cleaning Caution: Do not use a vacuum cleaner to clean the grill or speaker elements, as this can cause permanent damage. Instead, use a feather duster or a soft cloth for cleaning.

Quality and Value

MTX boasts a strong manufacturing heritage, utilizing a vertically integrated approach that allows them to control every aspect of the manufacturing process, from design to production. This commitment ensures exceptional product quality. The AAL Series loudspeakers are built in America with high-quality components and are backed by a ten-year warranty, offering excellent value.

Warranty Information

MTX loudspeakers come with a ten-year warranty against defects in parts and workmanship from the date of purchase by the original end user. Defective speakers will be repaired by MTX without charge for parts. The warranty is void if unauthorized repairs or alterations have been attempted. It does not cover cabinets or grilles. Before assuming a defect, ensure all associated equipment is operating correctly. The warranty is factory direct, and the owner is responsible for transportation to the factory. Proof of purchase (sales slip) is required for service. Specifications are subject to change without notice. All warranty correspondence should be directed to MTX, 4545 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040, attention: Warranty Department, or by calling (602)438-4545.

MTX AAL Series Specifications

General

Brand	MTX
Model	AAL Series
Category	Stereo System
Language	English