Martin Audio WLXGS manual Sub-woofercrossover and alignment, Crossover frequencies, Time alignment

Sub-woofer crossover and alignment

Crossover frequencies

The original factory controller settings for W8L, W8LC and W8LM systems are intended for use with sub- bass systems such as the W8LS, WLX or WSX.

As a consequence LF high pass filters should be set as follows:

Loudspeaker Type	Default (with subs)	Full-range (without subs)
W8L	35Hz* 24dB/8ve L-R	25Hz 24dB/8ve L-R
	(assuming stacked WLXs)
	*Use 60Hz when used
	with W8LS direct
	radiating subs
W8LC	60Hz 24dB/8ve L-R	30Hz 24dB/8ve L-R
W8LM	70Hz 24dB/8ve L-R	30Hz 24dB/8ve L-R

Note that the W8L system’s LF response extends down into the low bass region. For maximum Heavy Metal or Dance headroom a substantial mid-bass overlap can be allowed when horn-loaded W8L main systems are used with horn-loaded sub-woofers such as WLXs.

Compact systems like the W8LC and W8LM are designed to run with minimal overlap. They are always high-passed at 60-70Hz when used with sub-woofers.

Time alignment

W8L, W8LC and W8LM inter-driver delays

Standard Martin Audio presets apply small output channel delays to DX1 or DP226 controllers to align the multiple drivers within W8L, W8LC and W8LM cabinets.

These inter-driver delays are not user adjustable. They have a strong influence on a system’s off-axis lobe structure in addition to the usual on axis performance alignment.

Very important note!

Crossover frequency and phase settings should never be adjusted to compensate for room anomalies. Controller input equalizers or external equalizers (or, in an ideal world, room treatment!) should be used for that purpose.

Controller Reference Delays

The multiple driver delays in standard Martin Audio presets are “Lock Linked” to a particular crossover reference delay channel. In the absence of any main (W8L, W8LC) delay requirement, the W8L and W8LC reference delays default to zero because they relate to the LF horn drivers whose acoustical centre is furthest from the cabinet grille – i.e. the driver that every other driver in the cabinet gets delayed to.

All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.