Operation, AC Power Connection, Break-In

OPERATION

AC Power Connection

Because your MartinLogan Prodigys use an internal power supply to energize their electrostatic cells with high-voltage DC, they must be connected to an AC power source. For this reason they are provided with the proper IEC standard power cords. These cords should be firmly inserted into the AC power receptacles on the rear connection panel of the speakers, then to any convenient AC wall outlet. The Prodigys integrate a signal sensing power supply which will switch off after a few minutes of no music signal, and requires less than two seconds to recharge the panels when a music signal is present.

Your Prodigy speakers are wired for the power service supplied in the country of original consumer sale. The AC power rating applicable to a particular unit is specified both on the packing carton and on the serial number plate attached to the speaker.

If you remove your Prodigy speakers from the country of original sale, be certain that AC power supplied in any subsequent location is suitable before connecting and operating the speakers. Substantially impaired performance or severe damage may occur to an Prodigy speaker if oper- ation is attempted from an incorrect AC power source.

WARNING! The power cord should not be installed, removed, or left detached from the speaker while the other end is connected to an AC power source.

Signal Connection

Use the best speaker cables you can. The length and type of speaker cable used in your system will have an audible effect. Under no circumstance should a wire of gauge higher (thinner) than #16 be used. In general, the longer the length used, the greater the necessity of a lower gauge, and the lower the gauge, the better the sound, with diminishing returns setting in around #8 to #12.

A variety of speaker cables are now available whose manufacturers claim better performance over standard heavy gauge wire. We have verified this in many cases, and the improvements available are often more noticeable than the differences between wires of different gauge. The effects of cables may be masked if the equipment is not of the highest quality.

We also recommend, if possible, that short runs of speaker cable connect the power amplifier(s) and speakers and that high quality long interconnect cables be used to connect the preamplifier and power amplifier. This results in the power amplifiers being close to the speakers, which may be practically or cosmetically difficult, but if the length of the speaker cables can be reduced to a few meters, sonic advantages may be obtained.

Connections are done at the Signal Input section on the rear electronics panel of the Prodigy. Use spade connectors for optimum contact and ease of installation. Make certain that all of your connections are tight.

Be consistent when connecting the speaker cables to the Signal Input terminals. Take care to assign the same color cable lead to the (+) terminal on both the left and right channel speakers. If bass is nonexistent and you cannot discern a tight, coherent image, you may need to reverse the (+) and (-) leads on one speaker to bring the system into proper polarity.

WARNING! Turn your amplifier off before making or breaking any signal connections!

Break-In

When you first begin to play your Prodigy speakers, they may sound a bit bass shy. This is due to the high-quality, long-life components used in our woofer. Our custom made, butyl surround woofer requires 30 hours of break- in at 90 dB (moderate listening levels) before any critical listening. The break-in requirements of the crossover com- ponents (and, to a lesser degree, the stator) are equivalent.

Jumper Clips

In some countries federal law prohibits MartinLogan from supplying jumper clips. If none are found installed under your speakers binding posts, please refer to ‘Bi-Wire Connection’ for connection instructions. If jumper clips are installed please refer to ‘Single-Wire Connection’ for connection instructions.

Operation 7