Martin Logan Script i Owners manual
S CRIPT
TM
i
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 & Introduction
CONTENTS &INTRODUCTION
Contents & Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Contents
Introduction
Installation in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Low Voltage Power Connection
Signal Connection
Using Only One Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Break-In
Mounting the Script i On A Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Changing the Direction of Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Room Acoustics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Your Room
Terminology
Rules of Thumb
Dipolar Speakers and Your Room
Dispersion Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Controlled Horizontal Dispersion
Controlled Vertical Dispersion
Three Major Types of Dispersion
Home Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Electrostatic Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Full Range Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
MartinLogan Exclusives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Curvilinear Line Source
MicroPerf Stator
Plasma Deposited Diaphragm
Transducer Integrity
Low Voltage Power
Electrostatic Loudspeaker History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Specifications
Warranty and Registration
Service
Serial Numbers
Glossary of Audio Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Congratulations! You have invested in one of the world’s
premier loudspeaker systems.
The MartinLogan Script i 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 result of cumulative technology gleaned from previous
research and development projects, the Script i represents
the latest developments in electrostatic and hybrid loudspeaker technology.
Combining our proprietary curvilinear electrostatic transducer with a compact, but powerful woofer, we have designed
a product, in one package, that reproduces music with
uncomprimised electrostatic clarity.
The materials in your new Script i speakers 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 plasma
bonding 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 Script i’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 Script i’s 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.
Installation in Brief 3
INSTALLATION IN BRIEF
We know you are eager to hear your Script i loudspeakers,
so this section is provided to allow fast and easy set up.
Once you have them 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 Script i’s, please refer to the Installation
or Operation 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 Script i speakers from their packing.
Step 2: Mounting
Mount each Script i at its desired location on your front,
side, or back wall(s). Please see the Mounting the Script i
section (pages 6–10) of this manual for details on installation
and determining the proper mounting height.
Step 3: Power Connection (see warning)
The Script i requires power to energize its electrostatic
panel. Plug the provided power supply first into the Power
In power receptacle on the rear panel of the speaker
,
making sure that you have made a firm
connection, and
then to a convenient wall outlet. Please see the Operations
section (pages 4–5) 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 Script i: take
great care to assign the same color to the (+) terminal on
both the left and right channels. If bass is nonexistent and
you cannot discern a tight, coherent image, you may need
to reverse the (+) and (-) leads on one side to bring the
system into proper polarity.
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.
Your Script i’s use external low-voltage power supplies to
energize their electrostatic panels. For this reason the proper
low-voltage power supplies are provided. A power supply
should be firmly inserted into the ‘Power In’ receptacle on
the rear connection panel of each speaker, then to any
convenient AC wall outlet. Your Script i’s integrate a signal
sensing circuit which will switch the Script i 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 Script i speakers are provided with a power supply
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 power supply.
If you remove your Script i speakers from the country
of original sale, be certain that AC power supplied in any
subsequent location is suitable before connecting the lowvoltage power supply. Substantially impaired performance
or severe damage may occur to a Script i speaker if operation is attempted from an incorrect AC power source.
WARNING! The power supply should not be
installed, removed, or left detached from the speaker while 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 Script i (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 Script i: 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!
Low-Voltage Power Connection
4 Operation
OPERATION
Figure 1. Single-wire and power connection. One Channel shown.
You may have noticed a connection on the back of your
Script i’s labeled ‘Power Out’. The use of this connection will
allow you to daisy-chain up to seven 16-volt MartinLogan
products and eliminate the need for multiple low-voltage
power supplies.
A variety of low voltage interconnect cables may be purchased at your local MartinLogan dealer. Please ask them
about options to fit your specific needs.
To use this connection option choose a primary speaker
(whichever speaker is most conveinent) and connect it as
instructed in the ‘Low-Voltage Power Connection’ section
on the previous page. To attach additional speakers, run a
low-voltage interconnect cable from the ‘Power Out’ to
the next speakers ‘Power In’ (see figure 2).
When you first begin to play your Script i 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 5
Using Only One Power Supply Break-In
Figure 2. Connecting power to multiple speakers using one power supply.
WARNING! Installing the Script i on a wall
requires only 1 person, but an assistant will
be helpful.
The stand shipped with the MartinLogan Script i
loudspeaker is designed for use only with the
Script i. Use with other appliances may result in
instability causing possible injury.
To prevent injury, this apparatus must be securely attached to the wall in accordance with the
installation instructions.
NOTE: These instructions describe how to mount the Script i
to a wall. MartinLogan recommends using 5 wall anchors
to secure each Script i to the wall. If any of the screws hit a
stud, it is recommended to screw directly into the stud.
NOTE: To assure that your Script is are safely wall mounted,
these instructions must be carefully followed. Study them
thoroughly before beginning to install your Script i’s.
NOTE: The following instructions assume the mounting
surface is of standard wood frame and standard sheet rock
construction. If you wish to mount the Script i to another
type of material, you should consult a bonded contractor.
Required hardware (included):
(10) wall anchors
(10) 1" Phillips head wood screws
6mm Allen tool
Required tools (not supplied):
A level
An electric drill and 1/4" and 1/8" drill bits
Phillips screwdriver
1 Your Script i loudspeakers ship from the factory with the
wall mounting brackets installed. You will notice that the
brackets are installed on opposite sides of each speaker.
This allows 1 speaker to pivot clockwise and the other
to pivot counterclockwise. Before beginning your installation, place a Script i near the desired installation location
and assure that the direction of rotation will allow you to
pivot the Script i towards your listening location. If the
direction of rotation causes your Script i to pivot away
from the listening location, try the other speaker. Leave
each Script i near it's desired installation location before
proceeding and only install one speaker at a time—this
will eliminate the chance of confusing the nearly identical
wall brackets as you install your new speakers.
2 Starting with one speaker, prepare a flat surface with
padding and sheets to protect the speaker as you work
on it. Carefully place the Script i face down on the work
surface, using books or pieces of cardboard to keep the
speaker from rocking. Using a 6mm Allen tool remove
the 2 cap nuts and washers located on top of the cylindrical hinges and place them aside (do not reinstall the cap
nuts). Carefully remove the wall bracket from the cabinet
by sliding it towards the bottom of the speaker. Please note
that the 2 long narrow cabinet brackets DO NOT need
to be removed from the Script i cabinet (see figure 3).
Figure 3. Removing the Script i wall bracket from the cabinet.
6 Mounting the Script i On A Wall
MOUNTING THE SCRIPT i On A Wall
Mounting the Script i On A Wall 7
3 At the desired installation location, mark a point on your
wall 27.5 inches above the floor (see figure 4).
4 Using a level, square the wall bracket and hold it flush
against the wall with the wall bracket’s center hole over
the center point you just marked. The cylindrical hinges
on the wall bracket should point away from the wall
and the hinge pins should point upwards towards the
ceiling. Mark 4 points (2 each at the top and bottom of
the bracket) inside of the wall bracket’s arc shaped cut
outs (see figure 5).
Figure 4. Step 3 Figure 5. Step 4
8 Mounting the Script i On A Wall
5 Set the wall bracket aside. Using a
1
/8" bit, drill a pilot
hole at all five points. If any of the pilot holes hit a stud
during this step, DO NOT widen the pilot hole and
install a wall anchor at that location. If a pilot hole does
not hit a stud, use a 1/4" bit to widen the pilot hole and
using a Phillips screwdriver install the wall anchors so
they are flush with the wall (see figure 6).
6 Mount the wall bracket to the center wall anchor (or
pilot hole) using a 1" Phillips head screw driven through
the wall brackets center point. Do not fully tighten the
screw—the bracket must be vertically leveled before
installing the remaining screws. The cylindrical hinges
on the wall bracket should point away from the wall
and the hinge pins should point upwards towards the
ceiling (see figure 7).
7 Using a level, square the bracket and drive the four
remaining 1" Phillips head screws into the upper and
lower wall anchors (or pilot holes). Do not fully tighten
the screws (see figure 7).
8 Using a level, make sure the bracket is level and tighten
all five screws (see figure 7).
Figure 6. Step 5 Figure 7. Steps 6–8
Mounting the Script i On A Wall 9
9 Place the Script i onto the wall bracket aligning the
cylindrical parts of the cabinet bracket hinges with the
upward pointing pins on the wall bracket. Carefully
lower the Script i into place (see figure 8).
10 Using a 6mm Allen tool, attach a cap nut and washer on
top of each pin, but do not fully tighten the cap nuts
(see figure 8).
11 Make signal connections from the amplifier and the AC
power connection (see Operations section, pages 4-5).
12 Rotate the Script i to point at the listening position and
tighten the cap nuts.
13 To install the other Script i, repeat steps 2-12.
Figure 8. Steps 9–10 Figure 9. Step 12
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