Martin Logan Cinema Owners manual
C INEMA
TM
user’s manual
c l s e l e c t r o s t a t i c
M ARTIN L OGAN
2 Contents
CONTENTS
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installation in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
AC Power Connection
Signal Connection
Break-In
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Installation Options
Cinema Pad Installation
Dispersion Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Controlled Horizontal Dispersion
Controlled Vertical Dispersion
Three Major Types of Dispersion
Home Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Electrostatic Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
MartinLogan Exclusives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Curvilinear Line Source
Vapor Deposited Film
Transducer Integrity
Electrostatic Loudspeaker History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Specifications
Warranty and Registration
Service
Glossary of Audio Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Installation in Brief 3
INSTALLATION IN BRIEF
We know you are eager to hear your new Cinema center
channel, so this section is provided to allow fast and easy
set up. Once you have it operational, please take the time to
read, in depth, the rest of the information in this manual. It
will give you perspective on how to attain the greatest
possible performance from this most exacting transducer.
If you should experience any difficulties in the setup or
operation of your Cinema speaker, please refer to the
Operation or Installation sections of this manual.
Should you encounter a persistent problem that cannot be
resolved, please contact your authorized MartinLogan
dealer. They will provide you with the appropriate technical
analysis to alleviate the situation.
WARNING!
•Hazardous voltages exist inside—do not
remove cover
•Refer servicing to a qualified technician
•To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
expose this module to moisture
•Turn amplifier off and unplug speaker
should any abnormal conditions occur
•Do not operate if there is any visual
damage to the electrostatic panel element
•Do not over drive speaker beyond its rated power
Step 1: Unpacking
Remove your new Cinema speaker from the packing.
Step 2: Placement
Place the Cinema directly between your front left and
right speakers. This is a good place to start. Please see the
Installation section (page 6) of this manual for more details.
Step 3: Power Connection (AC) (see warning)
MartinLogan speakers require AC power to energize their
electrostatic cells. Using the AC power cords provided,
plug the Cinema in
first to the AC power receptacle on the
rear panel of the speaker
, making sure that you have made
a firm
connection, and then to the wall outlet. Please see the
Operations section (pages 5) of this manual for more details.
Step 4: Signal Connection
Use the best speaker cables you can. Higher quality cables,
available from your specialty dealer, are recommended
and will give you superior performance. Spade connectors
are suggested for optimum contact and ease of installation.
Attach your speaker cables to the Signal Input section on
the rear panel. Be consistent when connecting speaker
leads to the terminals on the back of the Cinema: take great
care to assign the same color to the (+) terminal on both
the speaker and the amplifier. Please see the Operations
section (pages 5) of this manual for more details.
Step 5: Listen and Enjoy
Now, you may turn on your system and enjoy!
The lightning bolt flash with arrowhead symbol, within
an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to
the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the
product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude
to constitute a risk of electric shock.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in
the literature accompanying the appliance.
4 Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations! You have invested in a new world of
home cinema!
The MartinLogan Cinema 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 advantages of MartinLogan hybrid technology will
present themselves to you from the moment the movie
begins. The box effect (a phenomenon similar to cupping
your hand around your mouth when speaking) produced
by dynamic midrange drivers is absent and the natural
openness of the human voice comes through. Never before
in home theatre has the midrange been so clear. Sounds float
around the screen clearly defining the area from where
they were created, not the area of the speaker that created
them. This superior performance is made possible through
the use of our proprietary curved electrostatic transducer.
This is the same design technology that is used in the
state-of-the-art MartinLogan Loudspeaker Systems.
The materials in your new Cinema speaker 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 and
is finished with our attractive custom matte finish.
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 then coated
with a special polymer that is applied via a proprietary electrostatic
deposition process. This panel assembly houses a membrane
just 0.0005 of an inch thick. Ruggedly constructed and
insulated, as much as 150 watts of continuous power has
driven the Cinema’s energized diaphragm into massive
excursions with no deleterious effects.
The other sections of your User’s Manual will explain in
detail the operation of your Cinema speaker 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 constructed to give you years of trouble-free
listening enjoyment.
Because your MartinLogan Cinema uses an internal power
supply to energize its electrostatic cells with high-voltage
DC, it must be connected to an AC power source. For this
reason it is provided with the proper IEC standard
power cord. This cords should be firmly inserted into the
AC power receptacles on the rear connection panel of the
speaker, then to any convenient AC wall outlet. The Cinema
integrates a signal sensing power supply which will switch
off after a few minutes of no music signal, and requires
less than two seconds to recharge the panels when a
music signal is present.
Your Cinema speaker is wired for the power service supplied
in the country of original consumer sale. The AC power
rating applicable to a particular unit is specified both on the
packing carton and on the serial number plate attached to
the speaker.
If you remove your Cinema speaker from the country of
original sale, be certain that AC power supplied in any
subsequent location is suitable before connecting and
operating the speakers. Substantially impaired performance
or severe damage may occur to the Cinema speaker if operation is attempted from an incorrect AC power source.
WARNING! The power cord should not be installed,
removed, or left detached from the speaker while
the other end is connected to an AC power source.
Signal Connection
Use the best speaker cables you can. The length and type of
speaker cable used in your system will have an audible
effect. Under no circumstance should a wire of gauge higher
(thinner) than #16 be used. In general, the longer the length
used, the greater the necessity of a lower gauge, and the
lower the gauge, the better the sound, with diminishing
returns setting in around #8 to #12.
A variety of speaker cables are now available whose
manufacturers claim better performance over standard
heavy gauge wire. We have verified this in many cases, and
the improvements available are often more noticeable
than the differences between wires of different gauge. The
effects of cables may be masked if the equipment is not of
the highest quality.
We also recommend, if possible, that short runs of speaker
cable connect the power amplifier and speaker and that
high quality long interconnect cables be used to connect
the preamplifier and power amplifier. This results in the
power amplifiers being close to the speakers, which may
be practically or cosmetically difficult, but if the length of
the speaker cables can be reduced to a few meters, sonic
advantages may be obtained.
Connections are done at the Signal Input section on the
rear electronics panel of the Cinema (see figure 1). Use spade
connectors for optimum contact. Make certain that all of
your connections are tight.
Be consistent when connecting speaker leads to the terminals
on the back of the Cinema: take great care to assign the
same color to the (+) terminal on both the speaker and
the amplifier.
WARNING! Turn your amplifier off before making
or breaking any signal connections!
Break-In
When you first begin to play your Cinema speaker, it will
sound a bit bass shy. This is due to the high-quality, long-life
components used in our woofer. Our custom made, butyl
surround woofer requires at least 30 hours of break-in at
90 dB (moderate listening levels) before any critical listening.
The break-in requirements of the crossover components
(and, to a lesser degree, the electrostatic transducer) are equal.
OPERATION
Operation 5
AC Power Connection
Figure 1. Speaker cable connection on rear panel of the Cinema.
Amplifier
speaker output
C INEMA
TM
Center Channel
Speaker
Input
6 Installation
On the Television
If your television provides a wide, level and stable platform, the shielded Cinema
can be placed directly on it (see figure 3). The Cinema is equipped with nonskid
material underneath to prevent vibration and to keep it from scratching the top of
your television. Please see the “Cinema Pad Installation” section below for more details.
On the Wall
An optional adjustable mount is available allowing you to mount the Cinema on the
wall or ceiling without locating a stud (see figure 4). Contact your dealer for details.
On the Floor
Placing the Cinema on the floor may position it too low to blend with the front
speakers. The use of a stand that positions the Cinema at the bottom of the screen
may be a good solution (see figure 5). However, if placing the Cinema on the
floor is the best arrangement for your system, the optional adjustable mount will
allow for tilting towards the listening position. Contact your dealer for details
Cinema Pad Installation
If not using the optional Cinema adjustable mount, we have provided protective pads
to protect the surface the Cinema will be placed on. Follow the instructions below
to properly adhere the pads to the bottom of the Cinema (see figure 2). To prevent
slipping it is important that the Cinema be used on a level surface. If the Cinema is
being used on a tilted surface we recommend use of the optional adjustable mount.
Cinema Pad Installation Instructions:
1. Turn the Cinema upside down and set it on a soft towel.
2. Place the protective pads on the Cinema to determine their placement.
3. Remove white backing being careful not to peel the adhesive layer off.
4. Line up the holes in the pads with the holes in the bottom of the Cinema and
carefully apply.
Installation Options
Figure 3. On the television
Figure 4. On the wall
Figure 5. On the floor
Figure 2. Installing the Cinema pads.
INSTALLATION
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