Frequently .Asked .Questions - MartinLogan Speaker User Manual

f a
requently
How .do .I .clean .my .speakers?
Use a dust free cloth or a soft brush to remove the dust
from your speakers. We also recommend a specialty
cloth (available at the Xtatic shop at www.martinlogan.
com) that cleans your speakers better than anything
else we have tried. For the wood surfaces it is accept-
able 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 .
What .is .the .advantage .of .ESL? .
Since the diaphragm is uniformly driven over its entire
surface—unlike a tweeter that is only driven at its
edges— it is the only technology that can be made
large enough to play bass, yet is still light enough for
high frequencies. This unique property allows for the
elimination of high frequency crossover points and
their associated distortions.
What .size .amplifier .should .I .use? .
We recommend an amplifier with 100 to 200 watts
per channel for most applications. Probably less would
be adequate for our smaller hybrids or when used in
home theater where a subwoofer is employed. Our
hybrid designs will perform well with either a tube or
transistorized amplifier, and will reveal the sonic char-
acter of either type. However, it is important that the
amplifier be stable operating into varying impedance
loads: an ideally stable amplifier will typically be able
to deliver nearly twice its rated wattage into 4 Ohms
and should again increase into 2 Ohms.
Could .you .suggest .a .list .of .suitable .electronics .and .
cables .that .would .be .ideal .for .MartinLogan .speakers? .
The area of electronics and cable choice is probably
the most common type of question that we receive. It
is also the most subjective. We have repeatedly found
that brands that work well in one setup will drive
someone else nuts in another. We use many brands
with great success. Again, we have no favorites; we
use electronics and cables quite interchangeably. We
would suggest listening to a number of brands—and
above all else— trust your ears. Dealers are always the
best source for information when purchasing additional
audio equipment.
22 Frequently Asked Questions
q
sked uestIons
Is . t here . l ikely . t o . b e .any .interaction .between . m y . s peakers .
and .the .television .in .my .Audio/Video .system? .
Actually, there is less interaction between a television
and an electrostatic speaker than between a television
and a conventional system. However, we do recommend
that you keep your speakers at least one foot away
from the television because of the dynamic woofer they
employ. In the case of our center channel speakers,
however, they are fully shielded and can go anywhere.
Will .my .electric .bill .go .'sky .high' .by .leaving .my .speak-
ers .plugged .in .all .the .time? .
No. A pair of MartinLogan's will draw approximately
1 watt maximum (in standby mode). There is circuitry
to turn off the static charge when not in use; however,
actual consumption will remain close to the same. The
primary purpose of the sensing circuitry is to prevent
dust collection on the electrostatic element.
If .the .diaphragm .is .punctured .with .a .pencil .or .similar .
item, . h ow . e xtensive . w ould . t he . d amage . t o . t he . s peaker . b e? .
Our research department has literally punctured hundreds
of holes in a diaphragm, neither affecting the quality of
the sound nor causing the diaphragm to rip. However,
you will be able to see the actual puncture and it can
be a physical nuisance. If this is the case, replacing the
electrostatic transducer will be the only solution.
Will .exposure .to .sunlight .affect .the .life .or .performance .
of .my .speakers? .
We recommend that you not place any loudspeaker
in direct sunlight. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the
sun can cause deterioration of grill cloth, speaker cones,
etc. Small exposures to UV will not cause a problem.
In general, the filtering of UV rays through glass will
greatly reduce the negative effects on the electrostatic
membrane itself.