Dipolar Speakers And Your Room; Solid Footing - MartinLogan classic ESL 9 User Manual

Solid Coupling
Your loudspeaker system generates frequency vibrations or
waves into the room. This is how it creates sound. These vibra-
tions 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. The use of spikes is recommended
to insure secured footing for your speakers. (See 'Solid Footing'
for spike information and installation instructions).

Dipolar Speakers and Your Room

MartinLogan electrostatic loudspeakers are known as dipolar
radiators. This means that they produce sound from both their
fronts and their backs. Consequently, musical information is
reflected by the wall behind them and may arrive, either in
or out of step, with the information produced by the front of
the speaker.
The low frequencies can either be enhanced or nulled by the
position from the front wall. Your speakers have been designed
to be placed two to three feet from the front wall (the wall in
front of the listening position) to obtain the best results; how-
ever, your room may see things differently. So listening to the
difference of the bass response as a result of the changes in
distance from the front wall can allow you to get the best com-
bination of depth of bass and tonal balance.
Now that you know about reflective surfaces and resonant
objects, you can see how the midrange and high frequencies
can be affected. The timing of the initial wave as it radiates
to your ears, and then the reflected information as it arrives
at your ears later in time, can result in confusion of the pre-
cious timing information that carries the clues to imaging.
Consequently the result is blurred imaging and excessive
brightness. Soft walls, curtains, wall hangings, or sound damp-
eners (your dealer can give you good information here) can be
effective if these negative conditions occur.

Solid Footing

After living and experimenting with your speaker's placement
you will want to use the ETC (energy transfer coupler) spikes sup-
plied with the speaker. With the use of these spikes, the speaker
will become more firmly planted on the floor and, consequently,
bass will tighten and imaging will become more coherent and
detailed. It is best not to implement the spikes, however, until you
are secure in the positioning, as the spikes can damage the floor
if the speaker is moved. The feet that attach to the bottom of the
speaker use a common 3/8 - 16 thread.
The ETC™ Spike.
Spike Installation Instructions:
1 Carefully tilt the speaker or lay it on its side to gain access
to the bottom. This may require 2 people.
2 Remove existing feet. Thread new spikes into holes and
screw them in all of the way. If the speaker does not sit
level loosen one spike until level is achieved.
3 Tighten the jam nut snugly by hand. Do not over tighten
the nut.
4 Right the speaker. Caution: Make sure your hands and
any cabling are clear of the spikes. Do not slide speaker as
spikes are sharp and can damage your floor or carpet.
5 Adjust to level by rotating spikes. Tighten the jam nut
securely when satisfied that speaker is level. Caution:
Walking the speaker may result in a broken spike.
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