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user’s manual | manuel de l’utilisateur ®
Serial Numbers: Record your serial numbers here for easy reference. You will need this information when filling out your warranty registration. Serials number are located near the bottom of the backplate and on the shipping container. Each individual unit has a unique serial number. Numéros de série : Veuillez noter vos numéros de série ici afin de pouvoir les consulter facilement. Vous aurez besoin de ce numéro lorsque vous remplirez l’inscription à la garantie.
Thank you—to you the MartinLogan owner, for loving what we do, and making it possible for us to do what we love. ________________________________________ Merci à vous, propriétaire d’un produit MartinLogan, d’aimer ce que nous faisons, et de faire en sorte que nous puissions faire ce que nous aimons.
INTR O DU C TI O N | I N T R O D UC T IO N Congratulations! You have invested in one of the world’s premier loudspeaker systems. MartinLogan electrostatic speakers represent an advanced combination of sonic technologies establishing an unprecedented direction for audiophile design.
34Hz–23kHz ± 3dB 78 lbs. (35.4 kg) 4 Ohms 90dB @ 2.83 V/M 59.8” (152cm) 9.3” (23.6cm) 15” (38cm) 10.4” (26.
7.6” (19.2cm) 0 25.1” 25.4” (63.7cm) (64.6cm) 5° 6.2” (15.8cm) 0 4.4” (11.
>8” (>20cm) x >24” (>61cm) x 2x
Classic ESL 9 50–400W @ 4 Ohms
user’s manual English ®
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C ON TR O LS A N D C O NN E C T IO N S Low-Voltage (DC) Power Connection Your speakers use external low-voltage power supplies to energize their electrostatic panels. For this reason the proper low-voltage power supplies are provided. A power supply should be firmly inserted into the ‘DC Power In’ receptacle on the rear connection panel of each speaker, then to any convenient AC wall outlet.
Bi-Wire Connection This connection method replaces the jumper clips installed under the binding posts with individual runs of speaker wire from your amplifier. This doubles the signal carrying conductors from the amplifier to the speaker, thus direct-coupling each portion of the crossover to the amplifier. To bi-wire you must first loosen the binding posts and remove the jumper clips. Connect one set of wires to the upper set of binding posts which connect to the panel.
Bi-wire connection. One channel shown. Horizontal bi-amplification connection. One channel shown. Vertical bi-amplification connection. One channel shown. English Single-wire connection. One channel shown.
PL AC EMEN T Listening Position Start with the rear of your speakers placed approximately eight inches from the front wall (the wall in front of the listening position) and the edge of the electrostatic stat panel about two feet from the side walls. Your sitting distance should be further than the distance between the speakers themselves. You are trying to attain the impression of good center imaging and stage width.
Tilting the Speakers Backwards and Forwards—As the diagrams show in the Dispersion Interactions section of this manual, the vertical dispersion is directional above and below the stator panel itself. In some instances, if you are sitting close to the floor, slight forward tilting of the speakers can enhance clarity and precision. Imaging—In their final location, your speakers can have a stage width somewhat wider than the speakers themselves.
>8” (>20cm) x >24” (>61cm) x English 2x Final placement.
English Flashlight toe-in technique.
R O O M A C O U S TI C S Your Room This is one of those areas that requires both a little background to understand and some time and experimentation to obtain the best performance from your system. Your room is actually a component and an important part of your system. This component is a very large variable and can dramatically add to, or subtract from, a great musical experience. All sound is composed of waves.
Solid Coupling Your loudspeaker system generates frequency vibrations or waves into the room. This is how it creates sound. These vibrations vary from 20 per second to 20,000 per second. If your speaker system is not securely planted on the floor or solid surface, it can shake as it produces sound and, consequently, the sound can be compromised. If your speaker is sitting on the carpet and only foot gliders are used, the bass can be ill defined and even boomy.
DISPER S I O N I N TER A C T IO N S Controlled Horizontal Dispersion Three Major Types of Dispersion Your speakers launch a 30 degree horizontal dispersion pattern. This horizontal dispersion field gives a choice of good seats for the performance while minimizing interactions with side walls. Make sure both speakers stand exactly at the same vertical angle, otherwise the image can be skewed or poorly defined. The wave launch of both speakers is extremely accurate in both the time and spectral domain.
HO ME TH EA TER It had long been the practice of stereo buffs to connect their television to a stereo system. The advantage was the use of the larger speakers and more powerful amplifier of the stereo system. Even though the sound was greatly improved, it was still mono and limited by the broadcast signal. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s two new home movie formats became widely available to the public: VCR and laser disc. By 1985, both formats had developed into very high quality audio/video sources.
ELEC TR O S TA TI C A D V AN T A GE S How can sound be reproduced by something that you are able to see through? Electrostatic energy makes this possible. Where the world of traditional loudspeaker technology deals with cones, domes, diaphragms and ribbons that are moved with magnetism, the world of electrostatic loudspeakers deals with charged electrons attracting and repelling each other. To fully understand the electrostatic concept, some background information will be helpful.
Full Range Operation Another significant advantage of MartinLogan’s exclusive transducer technology reveals itself when you look at examples of other loudspeaker products on the market today. MartinLogan electrostats uses no crossover networks in critical frequency ranges because they are not needed. The single, seamless electrostatic membrane reproduces all frequencies above the single crossover point.
MAR TIN LO G A N EX CL U S IV E S XStat Transducer XStat transducers incorporate a myriad of technology and design innovations including CLS, MicroPerf, Generation 2 Diaphragms, ClearSpars™, and Vacuum Bonding. CLS (Curvilinear Line Source) Since the beginning of audio, achieving smooth dispersion has been a problem for all designers. Large panel transducers present unique challenge because the larger the panel, the more directional the dispersion pattern becomes.
E LE C TROS TA TI C LO U D S P E AK E R H IS T O R Y In the late 1800’s, any loudspeaker was considered exotic. Today, we take the wonders of sound reproduction for granted. After a short time, Rice and Kellogg had narrowed the field of “contestants” down to the cone and the electrostat. The outcome would dictate the way that future generations would refer to loudspeakers as being either “conventional” or “exotic”. 15 English It was 1880 before Thomas Edison had invented the first phonograph.
English In 1947, Arthur Janszen, a young Naval engineer, took part in a research project for the Navy. The Navy was interested in developing a better instrument for testing microphone arrays. The test instrument needed an extremely accurate speaker, but Janszen found that the cone speakers of the period were too nonlinear in phase and amplitude response to meet his criteria.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How do I clean my speakers? Use a dust free cloth or a soft brush to remove the dust from your speakers. For the wood surfaces it is acceptable to slightly dampen the cloth. Do not spray any kind of cleaning agent on or in close proximity to the electrostatic element. Avoid the use of ammonia based products or silicone oil on the wood parts.
electrostatic membrane, and may cause discoloration of the diaphragm membrane. When not in use for extended periods, you should unplug the speakers and cover them with the plastic bags or cloth covers in which the speakers were originally packed. It is a good idea to vacuum the electrostatic portion of each speaker three or four times a year. See the vacuuming FAQ. Could my children, pets, or myself be shocked by the high-voltage present in the electrostatic panel? No.
TROUBLESHOOTING No Output • Check that all your system components are turned on. • Check the status LED. It should be green. Please see the Controls section of manual. • Check your speaker wires and connections. • Check all interconnecting cables. • Try hooking up a different set of speakers. The lack of output could point to a problem with other equipment in your system (amp, pre-amp, processor, etc.
C LASS I C ES L 9 S PEC IF IC AT IO N S * System Frequency Response: 34–23,000 Hz ± 3db Recommended Amplifier Power: 50–400 watts per channel at 4 Ohms Dispersion: Horizontal: 30 Degrees Vertical: 44” (112 cm) line source Sensitivity: 90 dB/2.83 volts/meter Woofers: 2x 8” (20.3cm) cast basket, high excursion, rigid aluminum cone with extended throw drive assembly, non-resonance asymmetrical chamber format.
G EN ER AL I N F O R MA TI ON Warranty and Registration Service Your speakers are provided with an automatic Limited 90 Day Warranty coverage. You have the option, at no additional charge, to receive a Limited 5 Year Warranty coverage. To obtain the Limited 5 Year Warranty coverage you need to complete the warranty registration within 30 days of purchase. For your convenience MartinLogan also offers online warranty registration at www.martinlogan.com.
G LO SS A R Y O F A U DIO T E R M S AC. Abbreviation for alternating current. Active crossover. Uses active devices (transistors, IC’s, tubes) and some form of power supply to operate. Amplitude. The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. Arc. The visible sparks generated by an electrical discharge. Bass. The lowest frequencies of sound. Bi-Amplification.
Inductor. A device designed primarily to introduce inductance into an electrical circuit. Sometimes called a choke or coil. Resonance. The effect produced when the natural vibration frequency of a body is greatly amplified by reinforcing vibrations at the same or nearly the same frequency from another body. Linearity. The extent to which any signal handling process is accomplished without amplitude distortion. Sensitivity. The volume of sound delivered for a given electrical input. Midrange.
WARNING! Do not use your loudspeakers outside of the country of original sale—voltage requirements vary by country. Improper voltage can cause damage that will be potentially expensive to repair. The speakers are is shipped to authorized MartinLogan distributors with the correct power supply for use in the country of intended sale. A list of authorized distributors can be accessed at www.martinlogan.com or by emailing info@martinlogan.com.
