4 Contents & Introduction
Contents & Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Installation in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Controls and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Accessing the Control Panel
Control Panel
Rear Connection Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2-Channel Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Multi-Channel Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2-Channel/Multi-Channel Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2-Channel Mode Using Speaker Level Inputs . . . . . . . . 12
2-Channel Mode With 2-Channel Output . . . . . . . . . . 13
Why the Filters Are Not Equal
Sub Out—Using Multiple Subwoofers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
AC Power Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Replacing the Fuse
Break-In
Placement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Listening Position
Installing In A Cabinet
Ask Your Dealer
Enjoy Yourself
Room Acoustics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Your Room
Terminology
Solid Footing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Home Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
MartinLogan Exclusives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
BalancedForce™ For Cleaner Bass
TriLinear™ Configuration
Servo-Controlled Dynamic Drivers
Proprietary Switching Amplifier
25Hz & 50Hz Level Control
Frequently Asked Questions & Troubleshooting . . . . 21
Dimensioned Drawings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Specifications
Warranty and Registration
Serial Number
Service
Glossary of Audio Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
CONTENTS & INTRODUCTION
Congratulations! You have invested in one of the
world's premier subwoofers.
The MartinLogan Descent i represents the culmination
of an intensive, dedicated research program directed
toward creating a world class reference subwoofer using
advanced technologies and without compromising dura-
bility, reliability, craftsmanship or aesthetics.
The Descent i subwoofer uses three custom 10-inch
high-excursion drivers in a BalancedForce™, TriLinear™
configuration, which dramatically reduces cabinet
vibrations, allowing deep, tight, well-defined bass. Servo-
control woofer technology minimizes distortion. Three
proprietary digital amplifiers drive the output stage with
precision and extremely high efficiency. Low-pass filtering
and phase control have been designed to make integrat-
ing the Descent i subwoofer with both MartinLogan and
non-MartinLogan products both seamless and simple.
The materials in your new Descent i subwoofer are of the
highest quality and will provide years of enduring enjoyment
and deepening respect. The cabinetry is constructed from the
highest quality composite material for acoustical integrity.
This User's Manual will explain in detail the operation of
your Descent i subwoofer and the philosophy applied to
its design. A clear understanding will help you obtain max-
imum performance and pleasure from this most exacting
subwoofer system.
In accordance with the European Union WEEE (Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive effective
August 13, 2005, we would like to notify you that this
product may contain regulated materials which upon
disposal, according to the WEEE directive, require spe-
cial reuse and recycling processing.
For this reason MartinLogan has arranged with our distrib-
utors in European Union member nations to collect and
recycle this product at no cost to you. To find your local
distributor please contact the dealer from whom you pur-
chased this product, email info@martinlogan.com or visit
the distributor locator at www.martinlogan.com.
Please note, only this product itself falls under the WEEE
directive. When disposing of packaging and other related
shipping materials we encourage you to recycle these
items through the normal channels.