
Martin Audio – EM SERIES: EM120
CONTENTS (ENGLISH) Page No
1 INTRODUCTION 2
2 UNPACKING 2
3 AMPLIFICATION 3
4 CONNECTING TO AN AMPLIFIER 3
5 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS 3
6 WARRANTY 5
7 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 6
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
MARTIN AUDIO
LONDON

1 INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing a Martin Audio EM120 loudspeaker system. The
EM120 is a sub-bass system designed to be used in conjunction with
compact full-range loudspeakers such as the EM15 and EM26 in situations
where extended low frequency output is required.
Ideally suited to background and foreground music reproduction, the
EM120 is ultra-compact and easily installed. An external crossover is not
necessary, but an EMX1A controller will increase the versatility of the
complete system, adding relative level control and driver protection.
The EM120 features a single, long excursion 10" (250mm) bass driver with
a 2.5" (65mm) voice coil.
2 UNPACKING
Each Martin Audio loudspeaker is built to the highest standard and
thoroughly inspected before it leaves the factory. After unpacking the
system, examine it carefully for any signs of transit damage and inform your
dealer if any such damage is found. It is suggested that you retain the
original packaging so that the system can be repacked at a future date if
necessary. Please note that Martin Audio and its distributors cannot be held
responsible for damage to any returned product through the use of nonapproved packaging.
Martin Audio – EM SERIES: EM120
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This equipment conforms to the requirements of the
EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, amended by 92/31/EEC
and 93/68/EEC and the requirements of the Low
Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC.
Standards Applied EMC Emission EN55103-1:1996
Immunity EN55103-2:1996
Electrical Safety EN60065:1993
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

3 AMPLIFICATION
The EM120 is designed to be used with a professional power amplifier
capable of producing 400-500W into 4 ohms:
Care should be taken to avoid amplifier clipping. It is important to
understand that a low power amplifier driven into clipping is more likely to
damage a loudspeaker than a higher power amplifier used within its ratings.
This is because music signals have a high peak-to-average "crest" factor.
When an amplifier is severely overdriven, its output waveform is clipped (its
peaks are squared off) – reducing the crest factor. In extreme cases, the
waveform can approach that of a square wave. An amplifier is normally
capable of producing far more power under these conditions than its
undistorted rated power output.
The use of very high power amplifiers with outputs greater than those
recommended is discouraged.
Care should be taken to avoid switch-on surges, which can result in
momentary power peaks in excess of specified ratings. When powering up
a sound system it is important to switch on the amplifiers after the mixer
and control electronics have stabilised. When powering down the system,
reverse the sequence and switch off the amplifiers first.
4 CONNECTING TO AN AMPLIFIER
Connections are made via stripped wires to avoid the need for soldered
connectors. The EM120 enclosure is provided with a pair of 4mm screw
terminals.
The impedance of the EM120 is 8 ohms.
Note: It is important to maintain consistent polarity throughout i.e. Red to
Red, Black to Black.
5 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS
The basic system configuration for one EM120 and up to three EM15’s is
shown in Fig 1. Up to three EM15’s (each in 16 ohm configuration) are
wired in parallel with the input of the EM120, and driven from one channel
of the power amplifier. This arrangement presents a 3 ohm load to the
amplifier. Alternatively, one EM120 may be used with a single EM26,
presenting a 4 ohm load to the amplifier.
Martin Audio – EM SERIES: EM120
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All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

(Fig 1)
To allow for the addition of further EM15’s and balance control between the
EM15’s and the EM120, a further power amplifier channel may be added to
the system as shown in Fig 2. The same signal is fed into both amplifiers,
one driving the EM15’s, the other driving the EM120.
(Fig 2)
Martin Audio – EM SERIES: EM120
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FROM PRE-AMP
AMP
LEFT CHANNEL
RIGHT CHANNEL
16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
16 ohm
16 ohm
8 ohm 8 ohm
RIGHT CHANNELLEFT CHANNEL
16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
16 ohm
16 ohm
16 ohm
8 ohm 8 ohm
FROM PRE-AMP
FROM PRE-AMP
AMP
AMP
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

An EMX1A controller may be used to further increase the flexibility of the
system (see Fig 3). With an EMX1A controller the relative levels can be
balanced in the controller. The EMX1A also provides signal limiting for
driver protection and has a 120Hz electronic crossover, removing signals
below this point from the EM15’s.
(Fig 3)
Note: Care must be taken, when connecting EM15’s in parallel, to ensure
that the total load impedance presented to the power amplifier will not
exceed the minimum specified by the amplifier manufacturer.
6 WARRANTY
Martin Audio EM120 loudspeakers are warranted against manufacturing
defects in materials or craftsmanship over a period of 5 years from the date
of original purchase. During the warranty period Martin Audio will, at it’s
discretion, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective
provided that the product is returned in its original packaging, shipping
prepaid, to an authorised Martin Audio service agent or distributor.
Martin Audio Ltd. cannot be held responsible for defects caused by
unauthorised modifications, improper use, negligence, exposure to
inclement weather conditions, act of God or accident, or any use of this
product that is not in accordance with the instructions provided by Martin
Audio. Martin Audio is not liable for consequential damages.
This warranty is exclusive and no other warranty is expressed or implied.
This warranty does not affect your statutory rights.
Martin Audio – EM SERIES: EM120
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16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
16 ohm
16 ohm
16 ohm
8 ohm 8 ohm
RIGHT CHANNELLEFT CHANNEL
INPUTS
AMP
AMP
EMX1
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

7 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
EM120
TYPE Ultra compact sub-bass system
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) 50Hz-180Hz ± 3db
RATED POWER (2) 200W AES, 800W peak
SENSITIVITY (3) 95dB 1Watt/1 metre
MAXIMUM SPL (4) 120dB continuous, 126dB peak
RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER 400-500W (into 4 ohms)
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 ohms
BASS 1 x (10") 250mm extended throw
ENCLOSURE 50 litres (1.56 cu foot), vented
CONNECTOR 1 x pair of binding posts
DIMENSIONS (W) 450mm x (H) 360mm x (D) 410mm
(W) 17.7ins x (H) 14.2ins x (D) 16.1ins
WEIGHT 17.5kg (38 lbs)
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS (W) 480mm x (H) 390mm x (D) 450mm
(W) 18.9ins x (H) 15.4ins x (D) 17.7ins
SHIPPING WEIGHT 19kg (41 lbs)
Notes
1. Measured on-axis in half space at 2 metres, then referred to 1 metre.
2. AES Standard ANSI S4.26-1984.
3. Measured in half space conditions at 2 metres with 1 watt input, using band limited pink noise,
then referred to 1 metre.
4. Measured in half space conditions at 2 metres using band limited pink noise, then
referred to 1 metre.
Due to our policy of continuous improvement all specifications are subject
to change without notice.
Martin Audio – EM SERIES: EM120
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All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

EM Series EM120
Century Point, Halifax Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3SL, England.
Telephone: +44 (0)1494 535312 Facsimile: +44 (0)1494 438669
Web: www.martin-audio.com E-mail: info@martin-audio.com
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All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
MARTIN AUDIO
LONDON

The Martin Experience
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EM Series EM120
User’s Guide
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
MARTIN AUDIO
LONDON