2 Contents and Introduction
CONTENTS AND INTRODUCTION
Contents and Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installation in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Low-Voltage (DC) Power Connection
Signal Connection
Turning the NAC On/Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Using Only One Power Supply
Break-In
Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Listening Position
The Wall Behind the Listener
The Wall Behind the Speakers
The Side Walls
Experimentation
Final Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
The Extra “Tweak”
Enjoy Yourself
Room Acoustics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Your Room
Terminology
Rules of Thumb
Dipolar Speakers and Your Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Solid Footing
Dispersion Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Controlled Horizontal Dispersion
Controlled Vertical Dispersion
NAC Dispersion
Three Major Types of Dispersion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Home Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Electrostatic Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Full Range Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
MartinLogan Exclusives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Curvilinear Line Source
MicroPerf Stator
Plasma Bonded Diaphragm
Transducer Integrity
Low Voltage DC
NAC
Electrostatic Loudspeaker History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Specifications
Warranty and Registration
Service
Serial Numbers
Glossary of Audio Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Congratulations! You have invested in one of the world’s
premier loudspeaker systems.
The MartinLogan Clarity represents the culmination of an
intensive, dedicated group research program directed
toward establishing a world class reference monitor
utilizing leading-edge technology, without compromising
durability, reliability, craftsmanship or aesthetic design.
The result of cumulative technology gleaned from previous
research and development projects, the Clarity represents
the latest developments in electrostatic and hybrid loud-
speaker technology.
Combining our proprietary curvilinear electrostatic trans-
ducer with a compact, powerful woofer, we have designed
a product, in one package, that reproduces music with
uncompromised electrostatic clarity and extended bass,
yet takes up little more than one square foot of floor space.
Materials in your Clarity speakers are of the highest
quality
and will provide years of enduring enjoyment and
deep-
ening respect. The cabinetry is constructed from the highest
quality sonically welded substrate for acoustical integrity.
Through rigorous testing, the curvilinear electrostatic panel
has proven itself to be one of the most durable and reliable
transducers available today. Fabricated from a custom tool
punched high-grade steel, the patented panel is coated with
a special polymer that is applied via a proprietary plasma
bonding process. This panel assembly houses a diaphragm
just 0.0005 of an inch thick. Ruggedly constructed and
insulated, as much as 200 watts of continuous power has
driven the Clarity’s energized diaphragm into massive
excursions with no deleterious effects.
This user’s manual will explain in detail the operation of
your Clarity speakers and the philosophy applied to their
design. A clear understanding of your speakers will insure
that you obtain maximum performance and pleasure from
this most exacting transducer. It has been designed and con-
structed to give you years of trouble-free listening enjoyment.