Contents 1 Unpacking & handling 2 Electrical safety 3 Rear connector panels 4 Acoustical safety 5 Introduction 6 Specifications & dimensions 7 System set-up with MA Control Manager 8 System placement 9 System time/phase alignment 10 Warranties All material © 2009. Martin Audio Ltd.
! READ THIS FIRST ! ASX ultra high performance active subwoofer Important Safety Instructions 1. Read these instructions 2. Keep these instructions 3. Heed all warnings 4. Follow all instructions 5. Do not use this apparatus near water 6. Clean only with dry cloth 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9.
ASX ultra high performance active subwoofer Preliminary User Guide This manual contains important information on installing and operating your ASX subwoofer correctly and safely. Please read it carefully before installing or operating the system. If in doubt, contact Martin Audio Limited. Tel: +44 (0)1494 535312. Email info@martin-audio.com 1 Unpacking & handling Thank you Thank you for purchasing a Martin Audio ASX ultra high power active subwoofer system.
2 Electrical safety CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ! Read these instructions Follow all instructions Heed all warnings Keep these instructions for future reference Approvals This equipment has been tested by a Notified Body (Directive 89/336/EEC-EMC), pursuant to the product family standard for audio professional use, and found to comply with EN55103-1, EN55103-2 (with limits for E4 and E5 electromagnetic environment) plus EN61000–3–2 and EN 61000–3-3. This is a Class A product.
Location Install the ASX powered subwoofer in a well ventilated place, where it will not be directly exposed to high temperature or humidity. Do not install the system in a location that is exposed to direct rays of the sun, or near to hot appliances or radiators. Excessive heat can adversely affect the operation and internal components.
3 Rear connector panels Mains inlet The ASX mains inlet at the rear is a 20A Neutrik Powercon® chassis socket. A matching 20A Neutrik Powercon® NAC3FCA 3-pole cable plug is provided with the ASX subwoofer for connection to the mains supply by a suitably qualified person. This apparatus must be earthed. Mains inlet panel See section 4 for electrical safety details.
Recommended DB9-to-RJ45 data cable wiring Indicator functions PROTECT The system is self-protecting against external faults (e.g. mains over voltage) and internal faults (e.g. driver malfunction) LIMIT A user set limit or internal fixed limit has been exceeded SIGNAL An input signal has been detected E-SAVE The system is in power-saving mode – no input detected for approx.
4 Acoustical safety Minimum audience/staff distance Please be aware that the ASX ultra high performance active subwoofer has been designed for use in large scale installations. The ASX is capable of producing a sound pressure level of 152dB at 1m from its grille when driven to full power. Sound pressure in excess of 140dB spl – however short the exposure time - may cause permanent hearing damage. A minimum listener distance of 4m for audience or staff is strongly recommended.
5 Introduction The Martin Audio ASX subwoofer is a revolution in ultra-efficient, low frequency sound reproduction – achieving the highest ever SPL from a single low frequency enclosure housing a single drive unit. At the heart of the ASX is a unique, patented* 21" (530mm) transducer/Class D amplifier/DSP combination which provide double the output capability of a conventionally driven loudspeaker driver of the same size.
A transducer that would minimise the voice coil resistance, maximise the Bl “force factor”, or that would present a more reactive load, would enable a significant increase in the conversion efficiency. In the practical embodiment of the IPAL principle in the ASX, DSP controlled, active feedback topology “emulates” an ideal virtual “target” transducer to maximise efficiency and maintain linearity at maximum excursion. Distortion is reduced by up to 20dB and power compression virtually eliminated.
The switch mode power supply, with Power Factor Correction for worldwide operation, has very high voltage rails which can also provide high levels of current into the very low impedance of the 21" (530mm) drive unit. The DSP system is programmed with a number of parameters which represent the model of the ideal “target” loudspeaker. The actual audio input signal is then processed, so that the real loudspeaker emulates this ideal target at all power levels.
6 Specifications & dimensions Acoustical TYPE FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) MAXIMUM PEAK SPL (2) RECOMMENDED CROSSOVER Hybrid® horn/reflex active subwoofer 30-150Hz ± 3dB 152dB 60-120Hz Driver TYPE PEAK DISPLACEMENT MECHANICAL DAMAGE LIMIT RATED POWER 21" (530mm) diameter/ 6" (150mm) voice coil ± 1.2" (30 mm) ± 1.
Dimensions All material © 2009. Martin Audio Ltd.
7 System set-up with MA Control Manager MA Control Manager software (v2.2.22 or later) is available from your Martin Audio User Guides CD or from the Downloads section of www.martin-audio.com. Please refer to the MA Control Manager/RS485 users’ guide (January 2009) to familiarise yourself with MA Control Manager. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Ensure that you have set the ASX rear panel address switches (section 3) to a suitable 2-digit address – i.e.
9) Double-click on the appropriate ASX title (either in the Network or in the Status column) – highlighted in blue in the above illustration – to open a detailed control window for the selected ASX 10) Click on the Load button in the PRESET area and browse to select the appropriate preset for your ASX/main system combination. A variety of ASX presets are available from your Martin Audio User Guides CD or from the Downloads section of www.martin-audio.com.
Don’t be alarmed by the ‘system EQ’! The ASX uses a servo assisted current drive system that results in an almost flat current response but a varying voltage response. The ‘system EQ’ makes the voltage response and resulting acoustical response flat. The ‘system EQ’ does not, therefore, limit voltage head room. Now that the system has been made flat, any additional filters will give the correct output. In the case below this is an exact 120Hz 24dB\Oct Linkwitz Riley Low pass.
8 System placement Horizontal orientation ASX horns flare from the badge end to allow ASXs to be paired to create one large bass horn. Horn flares this way > Basic stereo placement The horn flare asymmetry is usually insignificant when ASXs are used as single units well away from boundaries. However, purists may wish to place stereo subs in mirror image to ensure L-R symmetry.
Planar arrays for mega clubs etc. Gap <> Gap <> Gap <> Horizontal planar arrays of ASX pairs give very smooth coverage, especially where ASX-toASX gaps can be minimised. For the ultimate high power coverage consistency, ensure that the gaps are no larger than shown below for various ASX operating bandwidths. Gap 0.6m 1.2m 2.4m 4.
ASX sub-woofers may be time aligned without special test gear as follows: 1) Start ASX loaded with the standard presets for the system combination in use (see www.martin-audio.com web site for the latest ASX presets. 2) Use a laser tape measure to measure the distance to the main system grille and the ASX sub-woofer grille. 3) If the ASX sub-woofers are closer than the main “top” system, increase the ASX output delay via the RS485 port using the Control Manager software. Increase by 2.