Martin Audio – WAVEFRONT TOURING SERIES
CONTENTS (ENGLISH) Page No
1 INTRODUCTION 2
2 UNPACKING 2
3 OVERVIEW 2
3.1 W8 2
3.2 W8S 3
4 SAFETY FIRST 3
4.1 Stacking 3
4.2 Flying 3
5 AMPLIFICATION 4
6 CONNECTIONS 5
7 CABLE LENGTHS 5
8 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS 6
9 WARRANTY 7
10 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 8
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1 INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing a Martin Audio Wavefront Touring system.
The W8 and W8S are highly efficient touring products suitable for a wide
variety of medium and large scale live sound applications.
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 accept any
responsibility for damage to any returned product through the use of
non-approved packaging.
3 OVERVIEW
This guide covers the W8, a 3-way touring system capable of use down to
80Hz and the W8S Hybrid
TM
sub-bass.
3.1 W8
The W8 is a highly efficient 3-way touring sound enclosure which achieves
full-frequency performance down to 80Hz. Its 55 degree horizontal
dispersion pattern and trapezoid footprint allow it to be arrayed to suit a
variety of touring venues. Each W8 houses twin 12" (305mm) drivers on a
vertically splayed dual-driver low-mid horn which covers the frequency band
from 80Hz to750Hz. Frequencies above 750Hz are produced by a unique
combination of 6.5" (165mm) high-mid horn and 1" (25mm) exit high
frequency device. The sophisticated high-mid horn reproduces the 750Hz-
3.3kHz band and has been specifically developed to overcome the power
and distortion limitations of traditionally used large format compression
drivers. The result is a remarkably clean, transparent sound which can
produce extremely high levels without distress. The high-mid and high
frequency sections of the W8 can be driven actively from separate amplifier
channels, or passively using a single amplifier channel. Active or passive
operation is selected by a switch on the rear panel.
Martin Audio – WAVEFRONT TOURING SERIES
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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
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3.2 W8S
The W8S is a matching sub-bass system designed for use with the W8 in
situations where low frequency enhancement is required. Its unique
Hybrid™ horn/reflex design combines the efficiency and fast transient
performance characteristics of a folded horn with the low frequency
extension of a bass reflex enclosure. The horn and reflex sections are
entirely separate – the horn being powered by a 15" (385mm) driver and
the reflex section by a powerful 18" (450mm) device. This combination of
horn and reflex technology within a single enclosure results in a dynamic
sub-bass with an efficiency of 104dB.
4 SAFETY FIRST
It is important that loudspeaker systems are used in a safe manner.
Please take some time to review the following points concerning safe use
of Wavefront Touring Series loudspeakers.
Professional loudspeakers are capable of producing extremely high sound
levels and should be used with care. Hearing loss is cumulative and can
result from levels above 90dB if people are exposed for a long period.
Never stand close to loudspeakers driven at high level.
4.1 Stacking
Ensure that the floor or stage is level and solid.
Do not stack speakers too high outdoors where winds could topple the
stack.
Be aware that speakers producing very high power levels can move or
creep. To avoid this, place friction material between the floor and speaker
and between each speaker.
4.2 Flying
Flying Systems should only be assembled from safety approved loadrated flying bars and fittings by trained and experienced crew, working
in association with professional riggers. All arrays must be flown
from secure and appropriately load rated rigging points. Seek help
from architects, structural engineers or other specialists if in any doubt.
Wavefront Touring enclosures are fitted with MAN load certified flying points
and are designed to be flown using either the MAN Transformer flying
system or the MAN Installer/Tourer (IT) flying system. Both comply with the
12:1 safety factor as specified by the German VGB70 standard. Please
refer to the Transformer or IT user guide for complete information on using
these systems. It is essential that every MAN flying system user has the
opportunity to read the user guide and we would strongly recommend that
every user be properly trained in the safe use of the flying system before
constructing and deploying the system in a working situation.
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5 AMPLIFICATION
Wavefront Touring loudspeakers are designed to be used with professional
power amplifiers capable of producing the following power outputs into 4
ohms:
W8 450-650W
W8S 550-1000W
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.
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6 CONNECTIONS
The rear panels of the W8 and W8S are fitted with two Neutrik Speakon
NL8 connectors and two EP8 female connectors. All connectors are wired
in parallel.
EP8
NL8 W8 Active W8 Passive
1 -1 Low Mid - Low Mid 2 +1 Low Mid + Low Mid +
3 -2 High Mid - High Mid/High 4 +2 High Mid + High Mid/High +
5 -3 High - N/C
6 +3 High + N/C
7 -4 N/C N/C
8+4N/C N/C
EP8
NL8 W8S
1 & 3 -1 & -2 18" sub -ve
2 & 4 +1 & +2 18" sub +ve
5 & 7 -3 & -4 15" low -ve
6 & 8 +3 & +4 15" low +ve
7 CABLE LENGTHS
When connecting loudspeaker systems to an amplifier, it is recommended
that the return resistance of the cable used is less than one tenth of the
nominal impedance of the system or systems in parallel. The table below
gives an indication of the maximum permissible cable runs for various
conductor cross-sectional areas.
Conductor CSA Maximum Cable Run
4 ohms 8 ohms 16 ohms
1.0mm
2
11m 22m 44m
1.5mm
2
17m 34m 68m
2.0mm
2
22m 44m 88m
2.5mm
2
29m 58m 116m
4.0mm
2
44m 88m 176m
6.0mm
2
66m 132m 264m
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8 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS
Wavefront Touring enclosures can be used with dedicated analogue
controllers such as the Martin Audio MX5 which performs system specific
equalisation, crossover and limiter functions. More complex set-ups will
benefit from the use of a digital controller such as the Martin Audio DX1.
Wavefront Touring systems can also be used with BSS and XTA digital
controllers.
Whichever controller is used, it is important that it has fast attack limiters to
prevent amplifiers from clipping. This requires that the controller’s limiter
thresholds be set to match the sensitivity of the amplifier. A system
operated in this way with amplifiers having a power rating as recommended
and used by experienced professional sound engineers should be
sufficiently protected from overdriving. It is suggested that you refer to the
controller’s user guide for further information on how to set limiter
thresholds.
The nominal horizontal coverage pattern of the W8 is 55 degrees. This has
been found to be the optimum figure to meet the requirements of both small
scale and larger scale use. The optimum horizontal inter-cabinet angle
between enclosures is 35 degrees between cabinet centre-lines. With the
rear edges touching, this is equivalent to a 10" (250mm) gap between
cabinet fronts.
Butting up the cabinet sides is not recommended. It will reduce the
horizontal splay angle to 15 degrees which, though giving increased level
on-axis, will result in greater interference between adjacent enclosures.
Widening the splay angle to 45 degrees will increase the overall dispersion
but results in some loss of level on-axis.
The normal crossover point between the W8 and W8S is 120Hz. For
simplicity, the separate horn and reflex sections can be driven with the
same signal and amplifier channel. This will result in effective summation
of the separate sections up to the crossover point of 120Hz. However, if
the W8S is run with signal delay on the 18" and separate amplifier
channels, a further 3dB or so of output will be available in the 120-180Hz
region because of improved summation.
Wavefront Touring systems combined with the appropriately configured
controller exhibit an essentially flat on-axis frequency response.
Equalisation to compensate for a particular acoustic environment may be
performed where required. Where loudspeakers are arrayed, they may
benefit from a degree of equalisation to reduce the effect of the low/mid
build up and tilting of the response inherent in the use of multiple arrayed
enclosures.
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9 WARRANTY
Martin Audio Wavefront Touring Series products 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.
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10 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
W8
TYPE 3-way full-range trapezoid,
switchable active/passive HF
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 120Hz-18kHz ± 3dB
LOW FREQUENCY LIMIT -10dB @ 80Hz
DRIVERS 2 x 12” (305mm) low-mid horn
1 x 6.5” (165mm) high-mid horn
1 x 1” (25mm) exit HF compression driver
RATED POWER Low-mid: 400W AES, 1600W peak
High-mid (/HF): 150W AES, 600W peak
HF: 60W AES, 240W peak
RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER 450-650W into 4 ohms
SENSITIVITY Low-mid: 106dB
High-mid (/HF): 108dB
HF: 107dB
MAXIMUM SPL 129dB continuous, 135dB peak
IMPEDANCE Low-mid: 8 ohms nominal
High-mid (/HF): 16 ohms nominal
HF: 16 ohms nominal
DISPERSION 55 degs horizontal x 30 degs vertical (-6dB)
CROSSOVER 750Hz, 3.5kHz
CONNECTORS 2 x Neutrik NL8, 2 x EP8
DIMENSIONS (inc wheels) (W) 562mm x (H) 1066mm x (D) 925mm
(W) 22.0ins x (H) 42.0ins x (D) 36.5ins
WEIGHT 90kg (198lbs)
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS (W) 580mm x (H) 1070mm x (D) 930mm
(inc wheels) (W) 22.8ins x (H) 42.1ins x (D) 36.6ins
SHIPPING WEIGHT 95kg (209.4lbs)
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W8S
TYPE Hybrid™ sub-bass/horn trapezoid
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 40Hz-150Hz ± 3dB
LOW FREQUENCY LIMIT -10dB @ 30Hz
DRIVERS 1 x 15” (380mm) horn loaded
1 x 18” (460mm) reflex loaded
RATED POWER 800W AES, 3200W peak
RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER 550-1000W into 4 ohms
SENSITIVITY 104dB
MAXIMUM SPL 131dB continuous, 137dB peak
IMPEDANCE 8 ohms nominal per driver
CROSSOVER 150Hz or below
CONNECTORS 2 x Neutrik NL8, 2 x EP8
DIMENSIONS (inc. wheels) (W) 562mm x (H) 1066mm x (D) 925mm
(inc. wheels) (W) 22.0ins x (H) 42.0ins x (D) 36.5ins
WEIGHT 90kg (198lbs)
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS (W) 580mm x (H) 1070mm x (D) 930mm
(inc wheels) (W) 22.8ins x (H) 42.1ins x (D) 36.6ins
SHIPPING WEIGHT 93kg (205lbs)
NOTES (Wavefront 8 Series)
Sensitivity measured in half-space conditions at 1 metre with 1 watt input, using band
limited pink noise. SPL measured at 1 metre using band limited pink noise.
Finish: Slate textured paint. Protective grilles: Perforated steel grey with 48% free air
flow. Cabinet construction: Birch ply.
Due to our policy of continuous improvement all specifications are subject to
change without notice.
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Wavefront Touring Series W8/W8S
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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The Martin Experience
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Wavefront Touring Series W8/W8S
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