Final Placement, Extra Tweak, Enjoy Yourself

Imaging

In their final location, your Odysseys 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 greatly enhances the quality of your imaging.

Bass Response

Your bass response should neither be one note nor should it be too heavy. It should extend to even the deepest organ passages, 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.

In order to reduce these effects and allow for more flexibility in positioning, the Odyssey implements a bass control system derived from the revolutionary Prodigy ForceForwardTM control system. This innovative technology controls the first reflective bass energy from the front wall—minimizing the typical 50Hz suck-out for smooth, powerful bass at the listening position.

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 12–13). 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”

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 in 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 Odyssey 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.

Placement 9

Odyssey specifications

The MartinLogan Odyssey is a distinguished loudspeaker that showcases the brand's commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and exceptional audio performance. This electrostatic speaker is designed for audiophiles who desire an immersive listening experience, blending advanced technology with luxurious aesthetics.

At the heart of the Odyssey is MartinLogan's renowned electrostatic technology, which utilizes a thin, electrically charged diaphragm suspended between two perforated metal stators. This design allows for extremely low distortion and a wide frequency response. The result is clear, detailed sound reproduction that captures the nuances of both music and film audio, making it a perfect choice for critical listening environments.

One of the standout features of the Odyssey is its unique design that incorporates the company's latest advancements in transducer technology. The speaker boasts a large, full-range electrostatic panel, which provides an expansive soundstage and extraordinary imaging. This panel is complemented by a high-performance, low-frequency driver that seamlessly integrates with the electrostatic element, ensuring a well-rounded and balanced sound across the auditory spectrum.

The cabinet design of the Odyssey is also noteworthy. Crafted from high-quality materials, the enclosure is engineered to minimize resonance while providing a visually appealing appearance. The sleek, contemporary design fits elegantly into a variety of interior settings, making the speakers a stylish addition to any audio setup.

Another significant feature of the MartinLogan Odyssey is its precise, adjustable crossover network. This network manages the transition between the electrostatic panel and the woofer, ensuring smooth integration and coherence across all frequencies. Such precision in engineering allows discerning listeners to enjoy their favorite recordings with impeccable clarity and detail.

Additionally, the Odyssey is designed for versatility in placement. The speaker is equipped with various adjustment options for height and tilt, allowing users to optimize sound dispersion and field. This adaptability makes it suitable for both dedicated listening rooms and home theaters.

In summary, the MartinLogan Odyssey exemplifies what can be achieved with state-of-the-art electrostatic technology combined with thoughtful design. With its focus on audio fidelity, impressive build quality, and aesthetic elegance, the Odyssey stands as a titan among high-end loudspeakers, appealing to both audiophiles and casual listeners alike.