MartinLogan CLS IIz user manual Final Placement, Extra Tweak, Enjoy Yourself

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Imaging

In their final location, your CLS IIz’s should have a stage width somewhat wider than the speakers themselves. On well- recorded music, the instruments should extend beyond the edges of each speaker to the left and to the right, yet a vocalist should appear directly in the middle. The size of the instruments should be neither too large nor too small. Additionally, you should find good clues as to stage depth. Make sure that the vertical alignment, distance from the front wall, and toe-in, is exactly the same from one speaker to the other. This will greatly enhance the quality of your imaging.

Bass Response

Your bass response should neither be one note nor too heavy. It should extend to even the deepest organ pas- sages, yet it should be tight and well defined. Kick-drums should be tight and percussive—string bass notes should be uniform and consistent throughout the entirety of the run without any booming or thudding.

Tonal Balance

Voices should be natural and full, cymbals should be detailed and articulate yet not bright and piercing, pianos should have a nice transient characteristic and deep tonal registers as well. If you cannot attain these virtues, read the section on Room Acoustics (pages 10–11). This will give you clues on how to get closer to those ideal virtues.

Final Placement

After obtaining good wall treatments and attaining proper angle, begin to experiment with the distance from the wall behind the speakers. Move your speaker slightly forward into the room. What happened to the bass response? What happened to the imaging? If the imaging is more open and spacious and the bass response is tightened, that is a superior position. Move the speakers back six inches from the initial setup position and again listen to the imaging and bass response. There will be a position where you will have pinpoint imaging and good bass response. That position is the point of the optimal placement from the front wall.

Now experiment with placing the speakers farther apart. As the speakers are positioned farther apart, listen again, not so much for bass response but for stage width and good pinpoint focusing.

Your ideal listening position and speaker position will be determined by:

•Tightness and extension of bass response •Width of the stage

•Pinpoint focusing of imaging

Once you have determined the best of all three of these considerations, you will have your best speaker location.

The Extra “Tweak”

A major cable company developed the following procedure for speaker placement. As a final test of exact placement, use these measurements for your speakers placement, and see what can happen to the ultimate enhancement of your system’s performance. These two basic formulas will determine optimum placement of your speakers to minimize standing waves.

1.Distance from the front wall (the wall in front of the listening position) to the center of the curvilinear transducer. To determine distance from the front wall, measure the height of your ceiling (inches) and multiply the figure by 0.618 (i.e., ceiling height in inches x 0.618 = the distance from the front wall to the center of the curvilinear transducer).

2.Distance from the side-walls to the center of the curvilinear transducer. To determine distance from the side walls, measure the width of your room (inches) and divide by 18. Next, multiply the quotient by 5 (i.e., room width in inches/18 x 5 = the distance from the side-walls to the center of the curvilinear transducer).

Enjoy Yourself

The CLS IIz is a very refined speaker and benefits from care in setup. With these tips in mind you will find, over your months of listening, that small changes can result in measurable differences. As you live with your speakers, do not be afraid to experiment with their positioning until you find the optimal relationship between your room and speaker system that gives to you the best results. Your efforts will be rewarded.

You are now armed with the fundamental knowledge of room acoustics and the specific fundamentals of the CLS IIz loudspeaker. Happy listening!

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Contents STM IIz Contents Installation in Brief Introduction AC Power ConnectionSignal Connection Introduction & OperationOperation High-Frequency Softening SwitchOperation Break-InPlacement Extra Tweak Final PlacementEnjoy Yourself Rules of Thumb Room AcousticsYour Room TerminologySolid Footing Dipolar Speakers and Your RoomThree Major Types of Dispersion Dispersion InteractionsControlled Horizontal Dispersion Controlled Vertical DispersionDispersion Interactions Electrostatic Advantages Electrostatic AdvantagesElectrostatic Advantages Full Range Operation Transducer Integrity Martinlogan ExclusivesCurvilinear Line Source Clstm Vapor Deposited FilmElectrostatic Loudspeaker History Electrostatic Loudspeaker HistoryElectrostatic Loudspeaker History What size amplifier should I use? Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I clean my speakers? What is the advantage of ESL? Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions Troubleshooting General Information SpecificationsWarranty and Registration ServiceGlossary of Audio Terms Glossary of Audio TermsGlossary of Audio Terms MartinLogan, All rights reserved Rev. #052902

CLS IIz specifications

The MartinLogan CLS IIz is a sophisticated hybrid electrostatic loudspeaker that exemplifies the brand's commitment to innovation and exceptional audio performance. This model is a continuation of the legendary CLS design, which has garnered a loyal following among audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike.

One of the standout features of the CLS IIz is its electrostatic transducer design. Unlike conventional dynamic speakers that rely on moving coils and cones, electrostatic speakers use a thin, electrically charged diaphragm sandwiched between two stators. This design allows the CLS IIz to produce sound with extraordinary clarity, speed, and precision, making it particularly well-suited for accurately reproducing the nuances of vocal performances and acoustic instrumentation.

The CLS IIz also integrates a new, more advanced version of the brand's Curvilinear Line Source technology. This innovation provides a wider and more consistent sound dispersion pattern, resulting in an expansive soundstage that immerses listeners in their favorite recordings. The speaker’s tall, slender design further enhances this effect, allowing for an impressive imaging capability that places sounds precisely within the listening environment.

Another key characteristic of the CLS IIz is its frequency response. The speaker is capable of reproducing frequencies from an astonishingly low 38 Hz to a remarkable 25 kHz. This wide frequency range ensures that music and audio content are delivered with great depth and richness, fully capturing the lower bass notes while maintaining the sparkling clarity of high-frequency sounds.

In terms of build quality, the CLS IIz features a sturdy yet elegant cabinet that minimizes resonance and vibration, allowing for pure audio reproduction. The speaker's sleek aesthetic is complemented by high-quality finishes, ensuring that it looks as good as it sounds, making it an attractive addition to any audio setup.

Additionally, the CLS IIz boasts versatility in its setup, allowing for positioning flexibility that accommodates various room sizes and acoustic conditions. This ensures that enthusiasts can achieve optimal sound quality regardless of their environment.

In summary, the MartinLogan CLS IIz is a marvel of modern audio engineering that combines cutting-edge technologies with a commitment to high fidelity sound. With its electrostatic design, advanced dispersion capabilities, wide frequency response, and elegant build, the CLS IIz stands as a testament to MartinLogan's dedication to providing an unparalleled listening experience.
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