Summit X tm u s e r ’ s m a n u a l
Summit X Serial Numbers: ________________ / ________________ Record your serial numbers here for easy reference. You will need this information when filling out your warranty registration. Summit X’s serial number is located near the bottom of the backplate and on the shipping container. Each individual unit has a unique serial number.
Thank you—the MartinLogan owner, for loving what we do, and making it possible for us to do what we love.
Contents Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Installation in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Controls and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 AC Power Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation We know you are eager to hear your Summit X speakers, 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.
Introduction Congratulations! You have invested in one of the world’s premier loudspeaker systems. The MartinLogan Summit X™ represents an advanced combination of sonic technologies establishing an unprecedented direction for audiophile design.
Controls 25Hz Level Knobs The 25Hz Level knob significantly adjusts the level between 20 and 30Hz by ±10dB. This is an area where peaks and dips of different amplitudes often manifest in real environments. This setting is dependent on room size and construction, system configuration and personal preference Connections Light Knob The light control allows the Summit X’s three lights to be turned on and off. 50Hz Level Knobs The 50Hz Level knob significantly adjusts the level between 40 and 60Hz by ±10dB.
AC Power Connection Your Summit X speakers use an internal power supply to energize their electrostatic cells and the amplified PoweredForce™ woofer system, and must be connected to an AC power source. For this reason they are provided with the proper IEC standard power cords. These cords should be firmly inserted into the AC power receptacles on the rear connection panel of the speakers, then to any convenient AC wall outlet.
drum or a pipe organ). When adjusting the 25Hz and 50Hz levels we recommend doing so with two or three people—one located at the listening position and one or two people at the controls. experiment with speaker placement or the location of the listening position—sometimes even the subtlest adjustments will make huge changes! 1 Start with the 25Hz and 50Hz level knobs set to 0dB. The person at the listening position needs to become familiar with the sound at this setting.
Placement and Room Acoustics Listening Position By now your speakers should be placed approximately two to three feet from the front wall (the wall in front of the listening position) and at least two feet from the side walls. Your sitting distance should be further than the distance between the speakers themselves. You are trying to attain the impression of good center imaging and stage width. The correct distance between the speakers and listener is related to the size and shape of your room.
Experimentation Toe-in—Now you can begin to experiment. First begin by toeing your speakers in towards the listening area and then facing them straight into the room. You will notice the tonal balance and imaging changing. You will notice that as the speakers are toed-in, the system becomes slightly brighter than when toed-out. This design gives you the flexibility to compensate for a soft or bright room.
good pinpoint focusing. Your ideal listening position and speaker position will be determined by: •Tightness and extension of bass response •Width of the stage •Pinpoint focusing of imaging Once you have determined the best of all three of these considerations, you will have your best speaker location. The Extra “Tweak” This extra “tweak” may be useful when your speakers are placed in a dedicated listening room.
the frequencies generated by your system. Much like an instrument, they will vibrate and “carry on” in syncopation with the music, and contribute in a negative way to the music. Ringing, boominess, and even brightness can occur simply because they are “singing along” with your music. Resonant Cavities Small alcoves or closet type areas in your room can be chambers that create their own “standing waves” and can drum their own “one note” sounds. Clap your hands.
The Summi X’s feet can be configured to adjust the rake of the speaker from –1° to 11° allowing precise control of the speaker’s vertical dispersion (figure 4). 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. Spike Installation Instructions: 1 Carefully lay your speaker on its side. 2 Remove existing feet.
Dispersion Interactions Controlled Horizontal Dispersion Your Summit X’s launch a 30 degree horizontal dispersion pattern. This horizontal dispersion field gives a choice of good seats for the performance while minimizing interactions with side walls (see figure 9). Make sure both speakers stand exactly at the same vertical angle, otherwise the image can be skewed or poorly defined. The wave launch of both speakers is extremely accurate in both the time and spectral domain.
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.
Electrostatic Advantages How can sound be reproduced by something that you are able to see through? Electrostatic energy makes this possible. Where the world of traditional loudspeaker technology deals with cones, domes, diaphragms and ribbons that are moved with magnetism, the world of electrostatic loudspeakers deals with charged electrons attracting and repelling each other. To fully understand the electrostatic concept, some background information will be helpful.
Full Range Operation Another significant advantage of MartinLogan’s exclusive transducer technology reveals itself when you look at examples of other loudspeaker products on the market today. The Summit X uses no crossover networks above 270 Hz because they are not needed. The Summit X consists of a single, seamless electrostatic membrane reproducing all frequencies above 270 Hz simultaneously.
MartinLogan Exclusives XStat™ Transducer XStat™ transducers incorporate a myriad of technological and design innovations including CLS™, MicroPerf, Generation 2 Diaphragms, ClearSpars™, and Vacuum Bonding. AirFrame™ Technology Ultra-rigid extruded aerospace grade aluminum alloy AirFrame™ technology rigidifies and secures the XStat™ electrostatic panel to the woofer cabinet while at the same time providing sonic and electrical isolation.
Electrostatic history In the late 1800’s, any loudspeaker was considered exotic. Today, most of us take the wonders of sound reproduction for granted. After a short time, Rice and Kellogg had narrowed the field of “contestants” down to the cone and the electrostat. The outcome would dictate the way that future generations would refer to loudspeakers as being either “conventional” or “exotic”. It was 1880 before Thomas Edison had invented the first phonograph.
In 1947, Arthur Janszen, a young Naval engineer, took part in a research project for the Navy. The Navy was interested in developing a better instrument for testing microphone arrays. The test instrument needed an extremely accurate speaker, but Janszen found that the cone speakers of the period were too nonlinear in phase and amplitude response to meet his criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions How do I clean my speakers? Use a dust free cloth or a soft brush to remove the dust from your speakers. We also recommend a specialty cloth (available at the Xtatic shop at www.martinlogan. com) that cleans your speakers better than anything else we have tried. For the wood surfaces it is acceptable to slightly dampen the cloth. Do not spray any kind of cleaning agent on or in close proximity to the electrostatic element.
Will excessive smoke or dust cause any problems with my electrostatic speakers? Exposure to excessive contaminants such as smoke or dust may potentially affect the performance of the electrostatic membrane, and may cause discoloration of the diaphragm membrane. When not in use for extended periods, you should unplug the speakers and cover them with the plastic bags in which the speakers were originally packed. It is a good idea to vacuum the electrostatic portion of each speaker three or four times a year.
Troubleshooting No Output • Check that all your system components are turned on. • Check your speaker wires and connections. • Check all interconnecting cables. • Try hooking up a different set of speakers. The lack of output could point to a problem with other equipment in your system (amp, pre-amp, processor, etc.) Weak or no Output from Electrostatic Panel, Loss of Highs • Check the power cord.
General Information Specifications* System Frequency Response: 24–23,000 Hz ± 3db Dispersion Horizontal: 30 Degrees Vertical: 44” (112 cm) line source Sensitivity 91 dB/2.83 volts/meter Impedance Nominal: 4 ohms Minimum: 0.8 ohms @ 20 kHz Crossover Frequency 270 Hz Warranty and Registration Your Summit X speakers are provided with an automatic Limited 90 Day Warranty coverage. You have the option, at no additional charge, to receive a Limited 5 Year Warranty coverage.
12.7“ (32.2cm) Dimensional Drawings 21.3” (54cm) 10.9” (27.6cm) 6.4” (16.2cm) 19.2” (48.7cm) 4.1” (10.4cm) 15.3” (38.9cm) 56.9” (144.4cm) 60.9” (154.8cm) 12.7“ (32.
General Information AC. Abbreviation for alternating current. Active crossover. Uses active devices (transistors, IC’s, tubes) and some form of power supply to operate. Diaphragm. A thin flexible membrane or cone that vibrates in response to electrical signals to produce sound waves. Arc. The visible sparks generated by an electrical discharge. Distortion.
WARNING! Do not use your Summit X 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 Summit X 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. Linearity.
