Will excessive smoke or dust cause any problems with my electrostatic speakers?
Exposure to excessive contaminants such as smoke or dust may potentially affect the performance of the 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 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.
A problem has recently developed with my MartinLogan speakers. The right speaker seems to be hissing even when the amplifier and such are not connected. I was wondering if this sounds like any problem you have encountered previously and have a simple solution for or might it be something which will need to be looked into more carefully.
Your speakers are dusty. See the vacuuming FAQ. The electrostatic charge on the element has attracted airborne dust or pollen. Since 1993, all of our speakers have been built with a charging circuit board that only charges the electrostatic element when music plays. At other times they are not charged and cannot collect dust. You can get the same benefit by simply unplugging them when- ever they are not in use. A power strip is an easy way to do that.
Could my children, pets, or myself be shocked by the
No. High voltage with low current is not dangerous. As a matter of fact, the voltage in our speakers is 10 times less than the static electricity that builds up on the surface of your television screen.
How do MartinLogan speakers hold up over a long term in the humidity of tropical climates?
We should tell you that MartinLogan indeed has a very substantial number of customers in tropical regions of the world. Our speakers have been serving them nicely for many years. This concern may have come from our earlier design of speakers, which were charged continu- ously. Since 1993, all of our speakers have been designed so that they only charge the panel while music is being played. This improvement has made a tremendous dif- ference in the consistent performance of our product. There may be a little more maintenance involved in humid regions when not in an air conditioned envi- ronment. Simply enough, the concern is to keep the electrostatic panels dust free. Humidity will combine with any dust on the panel to make it slightly conduc- tive. This will result in a slight pathway for the charge to leave the membrane of the speakers. The solution is simple. They only require occasional vacuuming with a strong vacuum hose.
How do I vacuum my MartinLogan speakers? Vacuuming will be most effective if the speakers have been unplugged for six hours to twelve hours (or over- night). You need not worry about the vacuum pressure damaging the "delicate" membrane. It is extraordi- narily durable. Dirt and dust may be vacuumed off with a brush attachment connected to your vacuum cleaner, or you may blow them off with compressed air. When vacuuming or blowing off your panels do so to both sides, but focus the majority of your attention on the front of the panels.
Should I unplug my speakers during a thunderstorm? Yes, or before. It’s a good idea to disconnect all of your audio/video components during stormy weather.