PRELIMINARY INFORMATION Blackline + User’s Guide F8+, F10+, F12+, F15+, F215+, H3+, H3H+, H3T+, S12+, S15+, S18+, S218+ includes M3+ controller configuration notes The Martin Experience All material © 2008. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
1 Introduction 2 Unpacking 3 Blackline+ Series overview 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 4 2-way passive full-range systems 2-way dual-lf, full-range system 3-way horn-loaded, full range systems Sub-bass systems Grille removal Safety first 4.1 4.2 4.3 Pole or stand mounting Stacking Rigging and suspension 5 Amplification 6 Connections 7 Cable lengths 8 Recommended controllers 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.
1 Introduction Thank you for purchasing a Martin Audio Blackline+ Series system. The Blackline+ Series is a range of portable loudspeaker enclosures designed for a variety of portable sound reinforcement and club applications. Blackline+ products covered in this user’s guide include the F8+, F10+, F12+, F15+ and F215+ full-range systems, the H3+ horn-loaded system and the S12+, S15+, S18+ and S218+ sub-bass enclosures.
3.1 2-way passive full-range systems F8+ The Blackline F8+ is a versatile, two-way passive system designed for applications where high output is required from an ultra-compact enclosure. It features a long-excursion, 8” (200mm) low frequency driver and a 1” (25mm) HF compression driver mounted on a constant directivity 90° x 50° horn. The horn is user rotatable to allow the F8+’s multi-angle enclosure to be used in either its vertical or horizontal orientation, depending on the application.
recommends an M3+, DX1, DX2 or Engineer system controller configured to perform EQ and limiter functions. The M3+, DX1, DX2 or Engineer system controller may also be used to configure systems for additional sub-bass cabinets – e.g. F10+ + S12+, S15+, S18+ or S218+ combinations. F12+ The Blackline F12+ is a high power, compact two-way system with a new, vented-chassis, 12” (300mm) LF driver and a new 1” (25mm) exit compression driver mounted on a rotatable 80° x 50° constant directivity HF horn.
The high power Blackline F15+ is a high performance, wide-bandwidth system in a compact and efficient package. Extended frequency response is provided by a new 15” (380mm) LF driver and a new 1.4” (35mm) exit compression driver mounted on a rotatable 80° x 50° constant directivity HF horn. The new LF driver features a tough, water resistant cone and a lightweight, high BL, neodymium motor system with inside/outside coil windings for improved heat transfer.
The F215+ may be used with or without a system controller. For demanding applications, Martin Audio recommends an M3+, DX1, DX2 or Engineer system controller configured to perform EQ and limiter functions. The M3+, DX1, DX2 or Engineer system controller may also be used to configure systems for additional sub-bass cabinets – e.g. F215+ + S218+ combinations. 3.
H3H+ The Blackline H3H+ is a very high performance, all-horn, three-way system in a single, wide-bandwidth package. The H3H+ offers all the attributes of the standard H3+ but is horizontally formatted making it suitable for venues with restricted ceilings height. The H3H+ is bi-amplified and must be used with a system controller. Martin Audio M3+, DX1, DX2 or Engineer system controllers may be configured to provide the recommended 2-way crossover and limiter functions.
S15+ The compact Blackline S15+ sub-bass system has been designed to be used with Blackline F12+ or F15+ full-range systems to extend and increase the total low frequency output power. The S15+ provides good bass punch from a new, long-excursion, 15” (380mm)/4” (100mm) voice coil driver with a water resistant cone and triple roll surround. The S15+ has an integral, user-selectable 120Hz passive crossover.
The S18+ has an integral, user-selectable 120Hz passive crossover. When switched to Passive mode, the S18+ may be parallel-connected to F8+, F10+, F12+ or F15+ systems to provide low frequency extension without the need for an additional amplifier. An M3+, DX1, DX2 or Engineer system controller may also be used to provide an active crossover with enhanced control facilities. The S18+ is provided with a top hat fitting that can be used to pole mount an F8+, F10+, F12+ or F15+ above the enclosure.
When using poles or stands, the following precautions are advised: Ensure that the stand will support the weight of the speaker by checking the stand manufacturers rating.
power rating for transient musical peaks. 1) Choose amplifiers capable of delivering the loudspeaker’s Peak power rating – see below 2) For good spectral balance, set your amplifiers to the same voltage gain throughout the system. A common industry standard voltage gain is 32dB (x40). Crown have a 26dB (x20) standard. Always check the amplifier gain settings – these are usually on the rear panel.
H3+, H3H+ NL4 bi-amplified connection H3T+ NL8 tri-amplified connection S218+ NL4 connection Note: +1 is connected to +2 and -1 is connected to -2 inside the S218+ to allow 4-core cable users to double the copper area, and, therefore, reduce power losses. 7 Cable lengths When connecting Blackline+ systems to an amplifier, it is recommended that the return resistance of the cable used is less than one tenth of the nominal impedance of the system or systems in parallel.
8 Recommended controllers Because the F8+, F10+, F12+, F15+, F215+, S12+, S15+ and S18+ are passive systems embodying correct acoustic design principles, they can be used without a controller as long as their AES and peak power ratings are not exceeded and care is taken to avoid amplifier clipping. For maximum performance, however, we recommend that Blackline+ Series systems are used with Martin Audio M3+, DX1, DX2 or Engineer system controllers.
presets are available as binary files from www.martin-audio.com for loading via a pc. Please refer to the DX2 user’s guide for further information. 8.4 Engineer Installed system digital management processor The Martin Audio Engineer 4in/8out and 8in/8out digital management processors provide comprehensive control and management of installed loudspeaker systems.
F8+, F10+, F12+ or F15+ plus S12+, S15+ or S18+ passive system set-up (F12+ & F15+ shown) (Typical main-to-sub ratio 1:1) The M3+ front panel and internal Combo card must be set for Full-range operation and the subwoofer rear switch set to Passive for this configuration to work correctly. See M3+ configuration notes later. 9.
+ + + + + + + Typical F8 , F10 , F12 or F15 plus S218 active system set-up (F12 & S218 shown) (Typical main-to-sub ratio 2:1) The F215+ may also be used like this – but with an M3+ F215+ card in place of the Combo card The M3+ front panel and internal Combo card must be set for With Sub operation for this active configuration. See M3+ configuration notes later.
9.3 Tri-amplified systems H3+, H3H+ or H3T+ bi-amplified system set-up with S218 (H3+ shown) The first (lower) M3+ front panel must be set to With Sub to provide an H3+/H3H+/H3T+-to-S218+ crossover and the second (upper) M3+ front panel must be set to Full-range operation for a biamplified H3+/H3H+/H3T+ crossover. See M3+ configuration notes later.
10 M3+ Configuration 10.1 Front panel With Sub mode To keep things simple, select With Sub mode when using subwoofers, Full Range mode when running F8+, F10+, F12+ or F15+ loudspeakers without subwoofers and set the Combo Card jumpers to the relevant quick-start illustrations shown later in these notes. 10.2 Choosing a power amplifier Martin Audio loudspeakers are capable of recreating musical dynamics accurately and with incredible impact if powered correctly.
Limiter settings Important: Set the motherboard output limiter jumpers Ch1-J11, Ch2-J12, Ch3-J13, Ch4-J14 to suit the recommended limiter thresholds (vs power amplifier gain) shown below: Output channel limiter jumpers All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
Output limiter thresholds vs power amplifier gain (see next page if you know the amp’s sensitivity but you do not know its gain) All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
Estimated power amplifier gain vs output specification & sensitivity All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
10.4 Combo top card For use with Blackline F8+, F10+, F12+, F15+, S12+, S15+, S18+ and S218+ Jumper settings Important: Combo Card jumpers must be set to suit the Blackline+ loudspeaker system to be used. Note again. These jumpers should be set by experienced electronics technicians only. Remove the M3+ lid and locate the jumpers on the Combo Card.
F8+ with S218+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) + + Flown F8 with S218 (Front panel in With Sub mode) All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
F10+ only (Front panel in Full Range mode) F10+ with S12+, S15+, or S18+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
F10+ with S218+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) Flown F10+ with S218+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
F12+ only (Front panel in Full Range mode) F12+ with S12+, S15+, or S18+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
F12+ with S218+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) Flown F12+ with S218+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
F15+ only (Front panel in Full Range mode) F15+ with S12+, S15+, or S18+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
F15+ with S218+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) Flown F15+ with S218+ (Front panel in With Sub mode) All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
Combo Card jumper summary and notes Combo Card “Full Range” jumper configurations S218+ Flat This setting provides a tradition main-to-S218+ crossover when F8+, F10+, F12+ or F15+ loudspeakers are placed on (or pole-mounted just above) the subwoofers. S218+ Overlap This setting optimizes the main-to-S218+ crossover when F8+, F10+, F12+ or F15+ loudspeakers are flown in an open space – well away from room surfaces (e.g. from a truss).
