Clap your hands. Can you hear an instant echo respond back? You have near-field reflections. Stomp your foot. Can you hear a “boom”? You have standing waves or large panel resonances such as a poorly supported wall. Put your head in a small cavity area and talk loudly. Hear a booming? You’ve just experienced a cavity resonance.

Rules of Thumb

Hard vs. Soft Surfaces

If the front or back wall of your listening room is soft, it might benefit you to have a hard or reflective wall in opposition. The ceiling and floor should follow the same basic guideline as well. However, the side walls should be roughly the same in order to deliver a focused image.

This rule suggests that a little reflection is good. As a matter of fact, some rooms can be so “over damped” with carpet- ing, drapes and sound absorbers that the music system can sound dull and lifeless. On the other hand, rooms can be so hard that the system can sound like a gymnasium with too much reflection and brightness. The point is that bal- ance is the optimum environment.

Breakup Objects

Objects with complex shapes, such as bookshelves, cabinetry and multiple shaped walls can help break up those sonic gremlins and diffuse any dominant frequencies.

Dipolar Speakers and Your Room

MartinLogan electrostatic loudspeakers are known as dipo- lar radiators. This means that they produce sound from both their fronts and their backs. Consequently, musical information is reflected by the wall behind them and may arrive, either in or out of step, with the information pro- duced by the front of the speaker.

The low frequencies can either be enhanced or nulled by the position from the front wall. Your Source’s have been designed to be placed two to three feet from the front wall (the wall in front of the listening position) to obtain the best results; however, your room may see things differently. So lis- tening to the difference of the bass response as a result of the changes in distance from the front wall can allow you to get the best combination of depth of bass and tonal balance.

Now that you know about reflective surfaces and resonant objects, you can see how the midrange and high frequen- cies can be affected. The timing of the initial wave as it radiates to your ears, and then the reflected information as it arrives at your ears later in time, can result in confusion of

the precious timing information that carries the clues to imag- ing. Consequently the result is blurred imaging and excessive brightness. Soft walls, curtains, wall hangings, or sound dampeners (your dealer can give you good information here) can be effective if these negative conditions occur.

Solid Footing

After living and experimenting with your Source speakers, you may want to use ETC (energy transfer coupler) Spikes (see figure 6), which are available from your local MartinLogan dealer or from the Xtatic shop at www.martinlogan.com. With the use of these spikes, the Source will become more firmly planted on the floor and, consequently, bass will tight- en and imaging will become more coherent and detailed. It is best not to implement the spikes, however, until you are secure in the positioning, as the spikes can damage the floor if the speaker is moved. MartinLogan ETC spikes will fit any common 1/4” x 20 thread insert that may be found on your other audio equipment (racks, etc.)

Spike Installation Instructions:

1 Carefully place your speaker on its side.

2Remove existing feet. Thread new spikes into holes and screw them in all of the way. If the speaker does not sit level loosen one spike until level is achieved.

3Tighten the jam nut snugly by hand. Do not over tighten.

4 Right the speaker.

Caution: Make sure your hands and any cabling are clear of the spikes. Do not slide speaker as spikes are sharp and can damage your floor or carpet.

5Adjust to level by rotating spikes. Tighten the jam nut securely when satisfied that speaker is level. Caution: Walking the speaker may result in a broken spike.

Figure 6. The ETC Spike.

Placement & Room Acoustics 11

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MartinLogan Source Speakers user manual Rules of Thumb, Dipolar Speakers and Your Room, Solid Footing
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Source Speakers specifications

The MartinLogan Source Speakers are a testament to the brand's dedication to high-fidelity sound and innovative design. Renowned for their stunning performance and elegant aesthetics, these speakers cater to audiophiles and casual listeners alike, seamlessly blending into any home audio setup.

At the heart of the Source Speakers is their unique hybrid electrostatic technology. This innovative approach combines the purity of an electrostatic panel with the dynamic bass response of a traditional woofer. The electrostatic panel, known for its ability to recreate sound with exceptional clarity and precision, is complemented by a high-output dynamic woofer. This synergy allows the Source Speakers to deliver a full range of frequencies, from the detailed highs to the robust lows, ensuring an immersive listening experience.

One of their standout features is the Folded Motion tweeter, which utilizes a unique diaphragm that moves in a pleated fashion. This design enables the tweeter to produce greater output and higher efficiency while minimizing distortion. As a result, the Source Speakers are capable of delivering crisp, clear highs that can fill even the largest rooms.

Additionally, the Source Speakers boast a stylish and contemporary design. The elegant cabinetry is crafted from high-quality materials and finished in a range of attractive veneers, allowing them to blend harmoniously with any home decor. The speakers are also relatively compact, making them suitable for a variety of spaces, from dedicated listening rooms to casual home theater setups.

Connectivity is another strong suit of the Source Speakers, with options that include high-quality binding posts for straightforward integration with various amplifiers and audio systems. This versatility ensures that users can easily incorporate these speakers into their existing setups without hassle.

In terms of performance, the Source Speakers excel in creating a soundstage that is both wide and deep. Their ability to produce accurate spatial imaging allows listeners to feel as if they are in the center of the performance. This makes them ideal not only for music lovers but also for movie enthusiasts who crave that cinematic audio experience.

Overall, the MartinLogan Source Speakers represent a perfect amalgamation of cutting-edge technology, stylish design, and outstanding audio performance. Whether for music playback or home theater use, they offer an unparalleled listening experience that will satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles.
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