CONTENTS AQ Series User’s Guide The Martin Experience All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
AQ Series User Guide Contents 1. Unpacking 2. Warranty 3. Introduction 4. Main features 5. Mounting brackets options 6. Installing with AQ Series brackets 7. Vertical aiming 8. Horizontal aiming 9. Distributed AQ Series systems 10. AQ Series arrays 11. Choosing a power amplifier 12. AQX System Controller 13. DX1 Speaker Management System 14. Using alternative controllers 15. AQ Series system wiring 16. Loudspeaker dimensions and specifications 17.
1. Unpacking Thank you for purchasing a Martin Audio AQ Series system. Every Martin Audio loudspeaker is built to the highest standard and thoroughly inspected before it leaves the factory. After unpacking the system, examine it carefully for any signs of transit damage and inform your dealer if any such damage is found. It is suggested that you retain the original packaging so that the system can be repacked at a future date if necessary.
Six full range enclosures are available to suit a wide range of applications. Ranging from the ultracompact dual 5.25” (130mm) ICT™ AQ5 to the very high power AQ15 with its 400W AES (1600W peak) 15” (380mm) direct radiator and high efficiency HF compression driver, AQ Series products may be used individually, in multiples or in distributed systems to cover an incredible variety of applications.
Main features Very wide 120° x 60° dispersion 120Hz – 20kHz 75W AES (300W peak) 4 ohms or 16 ohms (low profile switch on rear) Dual 5.25” (130mm) ICT™ The ultra-compact Martin Audio AQ5 is equipped with two 5.25” (130mm) ICT™ - Inductively Coupled Transducer - drivers optimally splayed for smooth, very wide coverage. The AQ5’s HF diaphragms are driven via inductive coupling, avoiding the tweeter burn-out commonly associated with miniature loudspeakers.
AQ8 (standard) AQ8TX30 (100V or 70V line versions) Main features Wide 90° x 50° dispersion Rotatable HF horn 75Hz – 20kHz 150W AES (600W peak) Two-way 8 ohm passive 8” (200mm) direct radiating LF cone + 1” (25mm) horn-loaded HF compression driver The Martin Audio AQ8 is a two-way passive loudspeaker designed to give excellent sonic performance from a compact and architecturally neutral, vented enclosure.
Main features Wide 90° x 50° dispersion Rotatable HF horn 65Hz – 20kHz 300W AES (1200W peak) Two-way 8 ohm passive 10” (250mm) direct radiating LF cone + 1” (25mm) exit horn-loaded HF compression driver The Martin Audio AQ10 is a two-way passive loudspeaker designed to provide high sound pressure levels from a compact, architecturally friendly, heavily braced, vented enclosure. It features a 10” (250mm) long-throw, direct radiating bass driver with a 2.5” (63mm) voice coil and a 1.
AQ15 (standard) AQ15TX150 (100V or 70V line option) Main features Wide 80° x 50° dispersion Rotatable HF horn 55Hz – 18kHz 400W AES (1600W peak) Two-way 8 ohm passive 15” (380mm) direct radiating LF cone + 1.4” (35mm) exit horn-loaded HF compression driver The Martin Audio AQ15 is a two-way passive loudspeaker designed to provide very high sound pressure levels from an architecturally friendly, heavily braced, vented enclosure.
AQ112 Main features 48Hz – 150Hz 400W AES (1600W peak) Easy 8 ohm load 12” (300mm) direct radiating LF cone with 3” (75mm) voice coil The Martin Audio AQ112 is a direct radiating subwoofer in an ultra-compact heavily braced, vented enclosure. It features a very efficient 12” (300mm) long-throw bass driver with a high power 3” (75mm) voice coil and generously sized low frequency ports for low noise, high power operation.
AQ212 Main features 48Hz – 150Hz 800W AES (3200W peak) 4 ohm Dual 12” (300mm) direct radiating LF cones with 3” (75mm) voice coils The Martin Audio AQ212 is a dual driver, direct radiating subwoofer in a heavily braced, vented enclosure. It features two very efficient 12” (300mm) long-throw bass drivers with high power 3” (75mm) voice coils and generously sized low frequency ports for low noise, high power operation.
5. Mounting bracket options AQWB6 Wall bracket for AQ5, AQ6 AQWB8 Wall bracket for AQ8, AQ10, AQ12 All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
AQCB6 Ceiling Bracket for AQ5, AQ6 AQCS AQCL Ceiling Brackets – AQCS (short) for AQ8, AQ10, AQCL (long) for AQ8, AQ10, AQ12 Note that the short bracket may also be used with a horizontally mounted AQ12 All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
AQFB Flying Bracket – allows AQ8, AQ10, AQ12 to be flown at a choice of vertical angles depending on which pair of pick-up holes are used 6. Installing with AQ Series brackets Consult a qualified structural engineer with a full knowledge of the building, its load ratings and your intended loudspeaker installation plans before commencing any installation. All AQ Series wall and ceiling brackets are mounted and adjusted in a similar manner. The brackets are designed for 1st & 2nd fit installation.
Once the site is secure, attach the speaker/bracket assembly – or speaker/bracket/tube Loudspeaker brackets are attached to ceiling or wall brackets as required (cables and loudspeakers not shown for clarity) 1) Adjust as follows … All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
The complete installation should be checked and approved by a qualified structural engineer and a qualified electrical safety consultant before being signed off. 7. Vertical aiming AQ Series loudspeakers should be mounted above head height – high enough to clear peoples’ heads for clean coverage but low enough to avoid over-exciting room resonances.
8. Horizontal aiming Horizontal angles should be set so that the loudspeaker’s main horizontal coverage is directed towards the main listening area. Avoid excessive reflections from nearby side walls.
9. Distributed AQ Series systems AQ Series loudspeakers are ideal for distributed sound systems in places like sports stadium concourses, exhibition centre walkways etc… Distributed systems can provide superb sonic results as long as the following simple steps are taken in the system design process: 1) Choose the AQ Series loudspeaker to suit the maximum distance to be covered.
Example 1: Horizontally distributed AQ5 loudspeakers are required to cover smoothly from a minimum listener distance of 3m. The spacing required is 1.73 x 3m = 5.19m for very smooth coverage. Example 2: Horizontally distributed AQ12 loudspeakers are required to cover smoothly from a minimum listener distance of 6m. The spacing required is 0.84 x 6m = 5.04m for very smooth coverage. The above calculations will provide very smooth coverage with approximately 3dB midband sound pressure level summation.
(*Note that the AQ5 is a wide coverage, dual driver system. Each AQ5 has two full-range ICT™ devices horizontally arrayed at 50°.
AQ Loudspeaker Rated Peak Power Suggested Martin Audio Power Amplifier (Note: Set rear gain switches to 32dB, any MLS switches to 0 and any Clip Limiters to Off – AQX controller must be used for optimum limiter characteristics) AQ5 (4ohms mode) 300W MA200Q or MA900 AQ5 (16ohms mode) 300W MA2.8S (for high voltage 16ohm drive) AQ6 standard (8ohms) 400W E1300 or MA1400 AQ6 16 ohm (16ohms) 400W MA4.2s AQ8 (8ohms) 600W MA1400 or MA1.6s AQ10 (8ohms) 1.2KW MA2.8s AQ12 (8ohms) 1.2KW MA2.8s AQ15 (8ohms) 1.
The Martin Audio AQX is a versatile analogue system controller, housed in a single 1.75” x 19” rack unit, which has been specifically designed to enhance the performance of AQ Series loudspeakers. It provides stereo 2-way active crossover functions for integrating AQ5, AQ6, AQ8, AQ10, AQ12 and AQ15 full range loudspeakers with AQ112, AQ210, AQ212 and AQ215 subwoofers.
Details AQX front panel detail AQX rear panel detail AQX System Controller configuration AQX controllers must be configured by qualified technicians. Switch off the AQX controller and ensure that the mains plug is removed from the power socket. The AQX controller contains internal jumpers to cater for all common AQ Series configurations. (AQX limiter settings are shown later in this section.
*“With Sub” mode There are two HPFs (High Pass Filters) in the signal path – one on the mother board and one on the top pcb. The HPF on the top pcb sets the lowest operating frequency for the AQ5, AQ6, AQ8, AQ10, AQ12 or AQ15 loudspeaker in “Full Range”mode. The motherboard HPF operates in “With Sub”mode to provide a main loudspeaker-to-subwoofer crossover function.
AQ5 with AQ112, AQ210 or AQ212 subwoofer Remember to select “With Sub”mode on the front panel AQ5 with AQ215 subwoofer Remember to select “With Sub”mode on the front panel All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
AQ6, AQ8 or AQ10 full range Remember to select “Full range”mode on the front panel AQ6, AQ8 or AQ10 with AQ112, AQ210 or AQ212 subwoofer Remember to select “With Sub”mode on the front panel All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
AQ6, AQ8 or AQ10 with AQ215 subwoofer Remember to select “With Sub”mode on the front panel AQ12 or AQ15 full range Remember to select “Full range”mode on the front panel All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
AQ12 or AQ15*** with AQ112, AQ210 or AQ212 subwoofer Remember to select “With Sub”mode on the front panel *** ( Probably best to use SQ215 subwoofer unless there are architectural restrictions – see below) AQ12 or AQ15 with AQ215 subwoofer Remember to select “With Sub”mode on the front panel All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
AQX System Controller limiter settings Reminder: AQX controllers must only be configured by fully qualified electro-acoustics technicians as mistakes could prove costly. Switch off the AQX controller and ensure that the mains plug is removed from the power socket. To set AQX limiters correctly: 1) Remove the AQX controller lid 2) Unplug and temporarily remove the AQX top pcb (printed circuit board).
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
3) Replace the top pcb making sure that it is properly latched onto all four pillars 4) Replace the AQX lid making sure all four screws are in place and properly tightened. Notes: The above table includes limiter settings for systems driven via 70V & 100V line transformers. See Section 15 for typical loudspeaker wiring schemes. 13.
Note: If you are reading this manual from the Martin Audio User Guides Supplement CD (April 2005): Click here to locate the AQpresets.zip folder on the CD Extract the contents of the AQpresets.zip folder to a suitable place on your hard drive Use the MarLoad.exe software to “Load a Preset File” and select MARR0005.
Binary preset files and a full .xbl library file will be found on the latest User Guides CD for XTA DP226 Loudspeaker Management Systems. Please see the Martin Audio User Guides CD (May 2005 or later) for further details. Please note: Output limiters will need to be fine adjusted for safe operation with your particular choice of power amplifier. See the AQX limiter chart towards the end of Section 12 and transpose the appropriate setting to your DX1 to suit your amplifier gain.
AQ5/AQ112 system using AQX controller plus MA900 & MA4.2s power amplifiers Multiple AQ5/AQ212 system using AQX controller plus MA2.8s & MA4.2s power amplifiers Note: MA2.8s amplifier is used to provide adequate amplifier voltage to the AQ5’s series-connected drivers in 16 ohm mode. All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
AQ Series powering recommendations (See later for line transformer versions) AQ Series Loudspeaker Quantity Recommended amp Nominal impedance Minimum impedance AQ5 (set for 4 ohms) 1 2 in parallel MA200Q or MA900 MA200Q or MA900 4 ohms 2 ohms 3.2 ohms 1.6 ohms AQ5 (set for 16 ohms) 1 2 in parallel 3 in parallel 4 in parallel 5 in parallel 6 in parallel 7 in parallel 8 in parallel MA2.8s MA2.8s MA2.8s MA2.8s MA2.8s MA2.8s MA2.8s MA2.8s 16 ohms 8 ohms 5.3 ohms 4 ohms 3.2 ohms 2.67 ohms 2.
Typical AQ6, AQ8, AQ10, AQ12 or AQ15 wiring schemes Simple stereo full range system (AQ10/MA2.8s shown) Identical wiring schemes are used for AQ6 (E1300 or MA1400 amplifier), AQ6 16ohm AQ8 (MA1400 or MA1.6s), AQ10 (MA2.8s), AQ12 (MA2.8s) or AQ15 (MA4.2s). Typical foreground music system with subs (AQ10/MA2.8s + AQ212/MA4.2s shown) Identical wiring schemes are used to add any AQ Series subwoofers. All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
Typical distributed system with subs (AQ10/MA2.8s + AQ112/MA4.2s shown) Subwoofers may be switched to mono operation by setting AQX jumper J17 – see section 12. All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
70V or 100V line transformer systems AQ5TX30, AQ6TX30 and AQ8TX30 loudspeakers are supplied with integral 30W line matching transformers. AQ10TX150, AQ12TX150, AQ15TX150 loudspeakers are supplied with integral 150W line matching transformers. TX30 or TX150 loudspeakers are supplied pre-wired, to customer order, for 70V or 100V operation.
Typical 100V line system Note that each channel of the line amplifier should be capable of delivering power equal to the sum of all loudspeaker transformers connected to that channel. In the above example, there are ten 100V, 30W AQ5TX30s connected to each channel so the amplifier must be capable of delivering 10 x 30W per channel = 300W per channel in 100V line operation mode.
16. Loudspeaker dimensions and specifications AQ5 Technical Specifications TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6) MAXIMUM SPL (7) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE DISPERSION (-6dB) CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Ultra-compact, Dual ICT, wide dispersion vented trapezoid 120Hz-20kHz ± 3dB 2 x 5.
AQ6 Technical Specifications TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6) MAXIMUM SPL (7) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE DISPERSION (-6dB) CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Ultra-compact, two-way passive, vented trapezoid 80Hz-20kHz ± 3dB 6.
AQ8 Technical Specifications TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6) MAXIMUM SPL (7) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE DISPERSION (-6dB) CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Ultra-compact, two-way passive, vented trapezoid 75Hz-20kHz ± 3dB 8” (200mm) bass driver 1” (25mm) exit HF compression driver 150W AES, 600W peak 150-300W into 4 ohms 93dB 113dB continuous, 119dB peak 8 ohms 90º horizontal, 50º vertical 3kHz passiv
AQ10 Technical Specifications TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6) MAXIMUM SPL (7) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE DISPERSION (-6dB) CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Compact, two-way passive, vented trapezoid 65Hz-20kHz ± 3dB 10” (250mm) bass driver 1” (25mm) exit HF compression driver 300W AES, 1200W peak 300-600W into 4 ohms 96dB 119dB continuous, 125dB peak 8 ohms 90º horizontal, 50º vertical 2.
AQ12 Technical Specification TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6) MAXIMUM SPL (7) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE DISPERSION (-6dB) CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Compact, two-way passive, vented trapezoid 62Hz-18kHz ± 3dB 12” (300mm) bass driver 1” (25mm) exit HF compression driver 300W AES, 1200W peak 300-800W into 4 ohms 97dB 120dB continuous, 126dB peak 8 ohms 80º horizontal, 50º vertical 2.
AQ15 Technical Specifications TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6) MAXIMUM SPL (7) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE DISPERSION (-6dB) CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Compact, two-way passive, vented trapezoid 55Hz-18kHz ± 3dB 15” (380mm) bass driver 1.4” (35mm) exit HF compression driver 400W AES, 1600W peak 400-1000W into 4 ohms 99dB 123dB continuous, 129dB peak 8 ohms 80º horizontal, 50º vertical 1.
AQ112 Technical Specifications TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6), (3) MAXIMUM SPL (calculated @ 1m) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Ultra-compact, vented sub-bass 48Hz-150Hz ± 3dB 12” (300mm)/3” (75mm) voice coil LF driver 400W AES, 1600W peak 400-800W into 4 ohms 96dB (open space), 102dB (half space) 120dB continuous, 126dB peak (open space) 126dB continuous, 132dB peak (ha
AQ210 Technical Specifications TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6), (3) MAXIMUM SPL (calculated @ 1m) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Ultra-compact, dual driver, low profile, vented subbass 50Hz-150Hz ± 3dB 2 x 10” (250mm)/3” (75mm) voice coil LF drivers 600W AES, 2400W peak 400-800W into 4 ohms 98dB (open space), 104dB (half space) 122dB continuous, 128dB peak (open space) 12
AQ212 Technical Specifications TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6), (3) MAXIMUM SPL (calculated @ 1m) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Compact, dual driver, low profile, vented sub-bass 48Hz-150Hz ± 3dB 2 x 12” (300mm)/3” (75mm) voice coil LF drivers 800W AES, 3200W peak 400-1200W into 4 ohms 99dB (open space), 105dB (half space) 123dB continuous, 129dB peak (open space) 129dB
AQ215 Technical Specifications TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) DRIVERS RATED POWER (2) RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER SENSITIVITY (6), (3) MAXIMUM SPL (calculated @ 1m) NOMINAL IMPEDANCE CROSSOVER ENCLOSURE FINISH PROTECTIVE GRILLE CONNECTORS FITTINGS OPTIONS DIMENSIONS WEIGHT Compact, dual driver, low profile, vented sub-bass 40Hz-120Hz ± 3dB 2 x 15” (380mm)/4” (100mm) voice coil LF drivers 1000W AES, 4000W peak 500-1600W into 4 ohms 101dB (open space), 107dB (half space) 126dB continuous, 132dB peak (open space) 132
17. Links to AQ Series polar responses Full range AQ Series loudspeaker polar plots are available in multi-page Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. To view these, click on the appropriate link: AQ5 Horizontal AQ5 Vertical AQ6 Horizontal AQ6 Vertical AQ8 Horizontal AQ8 Vertical AQ10 Horizontal AQ10 Vertical AQ12 Horizontal AQ12 Vertical AQ15 Horizontal AQ15 Vertical All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
