tm Dynamo 500 tm u s e r ’ s m a n u a l
Thank you—the MartinLogan owner, for loving what we do, and making it possible for us to do what we love. Serial Numbers: _______________ Record your serial numbers here for easy reference. You will need this information when filling out your warranty registration. Dynamo 500's serial number is located near the bottom of the backplate and on the shipping container.
Contents Dynamo 500 Tested to Comply with FCC Standards FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. WARNING! • Hazardous voltages exist inside—do not remove cover. • Refer servicing to a qualified technician.
Introduction & Installation Introduction Congratulations! You have invested in one of the world's premier subwoofers. The MartinLogan Dynamo 500 represents the extension of an intensive, dedicated team research program directed toward establishing a world class line of reference subwoofers using leading-edge technology, without compromising durability, reliability, craftsmanship or aesthetics. The Dynamo 500 subwoofer uses a 10-inch high-excursion driver to achieve deep, tight, well-defined bass.
About the Controls Figure 1. Dynamo 500 controls. Level Knob Setting the level too high will cause the bass to seem bloated and is the single most common cause of bad sounding subwoofers. A rule of thumb is that the subwoofer should not draw attention to itself, but should simply make the systems low end seem more extended and accurate.
Connections and Control Settings Before Connecting the Dynamo MartinLogan's engineering and design team developed the Dynamo 500 for easy setup and system integration. Before beginning to connect your Dynamo 500, please review the controls discussed in the last section. An understanding of these will help speed you along as you connect and integrate your Dynamo 500 with your system. All signal connections are done on the rear connections panel of the Dynamo 500.
Multi-Channel/LFE Mode This setup is recommended if your Dynamo 500 will be used in a dedicated home theater or multi-channel system. When a signal is connected to the subwoofer’s LFE input, and the crossover switch is set to 'Bypass (LFE In)' the internal low pass filter is not active. By following this setup, you will allow your processor to handle most of the bass management.
AC Power Connection The power cord should be firmly inserted into any convenient AC wall outlet. The Dynamo 500 also integrates a signal sensing power supply that automatically switches off after sensing no music signal for several minutes (this will cause the status LED to turn off). Your Dynamo 500 subwoofer is wired for the power service supplied in the country of original consumer sale.
Placement Listening Position Generally, subwoofers have the most output when placed in the corner of a room. However, this can also exaggerate the subwoofers output making blending difficult. We recommend starting by placing the Dynamo 500 in a corner. If, after the full range of tuning techniques have been employed, the subwoofer sounds like it has too much upper bass energy try pulling it away from the wall, toward the listening position.
Room Acoustics Your Room This is an area that requires both a little background to understand and some time and experimentation to attain the best performance from your system. Your room is actually a component and an important part of your system. This component is a large variable and can dramatically add to or subtract from a great sonic experience. All sound is composed of waves.
Home Theater It had long been the practice of stereo buffs to connect their television to a stereo system. The advantage was the use of the larger speakers and more powerful amplifier of the stereo system. Even though the sound was greatly improved, it was still mono and limited by the broadcast signal. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s two new home movie formats became widely available to the public: VCR and laser disc. By 1985, both formats had developed into very high quality audio/video sources.
Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions How do I clean my subwoofer? Use a dust free cloth or a soft brush to clean your subwoofer. We recommend a specialty cloth (available through the Xtatic shop at www.martinlogan.com) that cleans better than anything else we have tried. Is it safe to set things on my subwoofer? While your Dynamo 500 is designed with a durable, stainresistant surface, we advise you not to set anything on your Dynamo 500—especially containers holding liquids.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting No Output • Check that all your system components are turned on. • Check that the master power switch adjacent to the AC receptacle is set to 'Auto On'. • Check your wires and connections. • Check all interconnecting cables. • Make sure the level control is not turned down. • Turn off and unplug the Dynamo 500 and check the fuse near the AC power cord receptacle on the back. If the fuse has blown, replace the bad fuse with a matching T 1.6A L 250V fuse (T 0.
General Information Specifications The Dynamo 500 subwoofer system consists of a single woofer for high SPL output with minimal distortion. The equalization used is specifically designed to counteract the response of the woofers sealed box response. This equalization leads to minimal group delay and proper transient response. Warranty and Registration Your Dynamo 500 subwoofer is provided with an automatic Limited 90 Day Warranty coverage. System Frequency Response 29–200 Hz ± 3 dB.
Dimensional Drawings Dimensional Drawings 15
Glossary of Audio Terms AC. Abbreviation for alternating current. DC. Abbreviation for direct current. Active crossover. Uses active devices (transistors, ICs, tubes) and some form of power supply to operate. Diffraction. The breaking up of a sound wave caused by some type of mechanical interference such as a cabinet edge, grill frame or other similar object. Amplitude. The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. Arc.
Inductance. The property of an electrical circuit by which a varying current in it produces a varying magnetic field that introduces voltages in the same circuit or in a nearby circuit. It is measured in henrys. Inductor. A device designed primarily to introduce inductance into an electrical circuit. Sometimes called a choke or coil. Linearity. The extent to which any signal handling process is accomplished without amplitude distortion. Midrange. The middle frequencies where the ear is the most sensitive.
WARNING! Do not use your Dynamo 500 loudspeakers outside of the country of original sale—voltage requirements vary by country. Improper voltage can cause damage that will be potentially expensive to repair. The Dynamo 500 is shipped to authorized MartinLogan distributors with the correct power supply for use in the country of intended sale. A list of authorized distributors can be accessed at www.martinlogan.com or by emailing info@martinlogan.com. ® Lawrence, Kansas, USA tel 785.749.0133 fax 785.749.
