Specifications

8 Placement & Room Acoustics
Hard vs. Soft Surfaces
If the front or back wall of your listening room is soft, it
might benefit you to have a hard or reflective wall in
opposition. The ceiling and floor should follow the same
basic guideline as well. However, the side walls should be
roughly the same in order to deliver a focused image.
This rule suggests that a little reflection is good. As a mat-
ter of fact, some rooms can be so “over damped” with
carpeting, drapes and sound absorbers that the music sys-
tem can sound dull and lifeless. On the other hand, rooms
can be so hard that the system can sound like a gymna-
sium with too much reflection and brightness. The point is
that balance is the optimum environment.
Breakup Objects
Objects with complex shapes, such as bookshelves,
cabinetry and multiple shaped walls can help break up
those sonic gremlins and diffuse any dominant frequencies.
Solid Footing
After living and experimenting with your Preface speakers,
you may want to use ETC (energy transfer coupler) Spikes
(see figure 2). With the use of these spikes, the Preface will
become more firmly planted on the floor and, consequently,
bass will tighten and imaging will become more coherent
and detailed. It is best not to implement the spikes, howev-
er, until you are secure in the positioning, as the spikes can
damage the floor if the speaker is moved. MartinLogan ETC
spikes will fit any common 1/4” x 20 thread insert that may
be found on your other audio equipment (racks, etc.)
1 Carefully place your speaker on its side.
2 Remove existing feet. Thread new spikes into holes
and screw them in all of the way. If the speaker does
not sit level loosen one spike until level is achieved.
3 Tighten the jam nut snugly by hand. Do not over tighten.
4 Right the speaker. Caution: Make sure your hands
and any cabling are clear of the spikes. Do not slide
speaker as spikes are sharp and can damage your
floor or carpet.
5 Adjust to level by rotating spikes. Tighten the jam nut
securely when satisfied that speaker is level. Caution:
Walking the speaker may result in a broken spike.
Figure 2. The ETC Spike.
Rules of Thumb