TMA B Y S STM
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1. MARTIN LOGAN the loudspeaker technology company CONTENTS Contents 0 cc ccc enteu aiea etek oaa 2 Installation in Brief 0c eee ee ee eee 3 Introduction 2 cc cece eee eee ee eens 4 About the Controls 00 eee wees 5 Connections and Control Settings 6 Before Connecting the Abyss 2 Channel Mode Multi Channel Mode 0 0 0 0 cece eee 7 2 Channel Multi Channel Mode 8 2 Channel Using Speaker Level Inputs 9 2 Channel Mode With 2 Channel Output 10 Sub Out uUsing Multiple Abysss 11 AC Power Connection oooga tee a e k a eh 12 Replacing the Fuse Break In Placement 65 5 0 sie eee ieie ee awe ee eee we ee Be 13 2 Listening Position Ask Your Dealer Enjoy Yourself Installing Abyss in a Cabinet 0 14 Contents Room Acoustics 02 e cece ee ee ees 15 Your Room Terminology Solid FOGHNG reesi irii i ae RAA een es 16 Home Theater ccc cece eee eees 17 Frequently Asked Questions amp Troubleshooting 18 General Information 00000eeee 19 Specifications Warranty and Registration Service Glossary of Audio Terms sssssenesnso 20 NOTES oare acae evn a a Ere elder A A 22 In accordance with the European Union WEEE Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive effective August 13 2005 we would like to notify you that this product may contain regul2. Abyss detects no audio signal and has automatically switched into energy saving mode Setting the power switch to Standby will force the Abyss into this mode This also indicates if the Abyss s temperature has exceeded nominal operating range The Abyss will resume normal play mode when the temperature sensor reports a safe operating temperature Green Play mode If the power switch is set to Auto this indicates the Abyss detects an audio signal and has automat ically switched into play mode Setting the power switch to On will force the Abyss into this mode Level 4 gt 6 3 7 2 8 1 9 Min Max Low Pass Filter Hz 65 35 o 30 80 Phase 90 180 0 Power Standby Auto On Status Figure 1 Abyss controls About the Controls 5 CONNECTIONS AND CONTROL SETTINGS Before Connecting the Abyss MartinLogan s engineering and design team developed the Abyss for easy setup and system integration Before beginning to connect your Abyss please review the controls discussed in the last section An understanding of these will help speed you along as you connect and integrate your Abyss with your system All signal connections are done at the signal input section on the rear connections panel of the Abyss Make certain that all of your connections are tight WARNING Turn your Abyss subwoofer to standby before making or breaking any signal connections 2 Cha
3. Should a MartinLogan product require servicing in a country other than the one in which it was originally purchased the end user may seek to have repairs per formed by the nearest MartinLogan distributor subject to that distributor s local servicing policies but all cost of repairs parts labor transportation must be born by the owner of the MartinLogan product 3 If after owning your subwoofer for six months you relocate to a country other than the one in which you purchased your subwoofer your warranty may be transferable Contact MartinLogan for details General Information 19 GLOSSARY OF AuDIO TERMS AC Abbreviation for alternating current Active crossover Uses active devices transistors ICs tubes and some form of power supply to operate Amplitude The extreme range of a signal Usually mea sured from the average to the extreme Arc The visible sparks generated by an electrical discharge ATF The abbreviation for advanced thin film Bass The lowest frequencies of sound Bi Amplification Uses an electronic crossover or line level passive crossover and separate power amplifiers for the high and low frequency loudspeaker drivers Capacitance That property of a capacitor which deter mines how much charge can be stored in it for a given potential difference between its terminals measured in farads by the ratio of the charge stored to the potential ditference Capacitor A device consisting of two
4. The range between the quietest and the loudest sounds a device can handle often quoted in dB Efficiency The acoustic power delivered for a given electrical input Often expressed as decibels watt meter dB w m ESL The abbreviation for electrostatic loudspeaker Headroom The difference in decibels between the peak and RMS levels in program material Hybrid A product created by the marriage of two different technologies Meant here as the combination of a dynam ic woofer with an electrostatic or ATF transducer Hz Hertz Unit of frequency equivalent to the number of cycles per second Imaging To make a representation or imitation of the origi nal sonic event Impedance The total opposition offered by an electric circuit to the flow of an alternating current of a single fre quency It is a combination of resistance and reactance and is measured in ohms Remember that a speaker s imped ance changes with frequency it is not a constant value 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 induc tance 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
5. a dedicated home theater or multi channel system When a signal is connected to the Abyss s LFE input Abyss s inter nal low pass filter is not active By following this setup you will allow your processor to handle most of the bass management Signal Connection see figure 4 1 Connect the LFE 0 1 subwoofer output of the processor to the LFE input of the Abyss using a quality RCA interconnect WARNING Based on the performance of most processors it is recommended that MartinLogan center and effects type speakers i e Cinema i Theater i and Script i not be run in large wide or full range mode Doing so may potentially damage the speaker if the processor attempts to drive the speaker beyond its rated frequency range This warning also applies to products from other manufacturers It is recommended to run center and effects type speakers in limited or narrow mode Some processors have an option to route the 0 1 channel to your main and or surround speakers We recommend that you do not use this option Recommended Control Settings see figure 5 1 Use the bass management section of your processor s speaker level setup option to set the subwoofer level at an appropriate level Follow the instructions in your pro cessor manual to fine tune the subwoofer level 2 Ifyour processor offers the option to setup crossovers for a subwoofer we recommend that you start with the following settings Crossover 70Hz High Pas
6. audio equipment racks speakers etc Spike Installation Instructions 1 Carefully lay the Abyss on its side to gain access to the bottom 2 Remove existing feet or spikes Thread new spikes into holes and screw them in all of the way 3 Tighten jam nut snugly by hand Do not over tighten the nut 4 Right the subwoofer Caution Make sure your hands and any cabling are clear of the spikes Do not slide the subwoofer 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 the subwoofer is level Caution Walking the Abyss may result in a broken spike 16 Room Acoustics 1 4 x 20 Thread Figure 19 The Mini ETC Spike It had long been the practice of stereo buffs to connect their television to the 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 80 s wo new home movie formats became widely available to the public VCR and laser disc At the same time video screen sizes began increasing By 1985 both formats had developed into very high qual ity audio video sources In fact the sonic performance of some video formats exceeded audio only formats Now with theater quality sound available at home the only ele ment missin
7. bad fuse with a matching T 3 15A L 250V fuse T 1 6A L 250V if you are in a region using 220v 230v current e Ifthe problem persists contact your dealer Muddy Bass e Check placement Try moving the subwoofer closer to the front and side walls e Check the type of feet that are being used Try installing the Mini ETC spikes e Decrease the level e Check your processor setup e Ifthe problem persists contact your dealer Hums or Unusual Sounds e Turn the Abyss off unplug all signal inputs turn the Abyss back on and turn up the level If the problem disappears the hum is originating elsewhere in your system e Connect the Abyss s AC connection to the same AC circuit as the pre amp e Ifthe problem persists contact your dealer The high resolution Abyss subwoofer system consists of a single woofer for high SPL output with minimal distortion The equalization used is specifically designed to counter act the response of the woofers sealed box response This equalization leads to minimal group delay and proper transient response System Frequency Response 23 120 Hz 3 dB Anechoic through the LFE effects input Low Pass Filter Frequencies 30Hz 80Hz High Pass Filter Frequency 70Hz Phase 0 90 180 Components 12 30 5cm high excursion aluminum cone with extended throw driver assembly Amplifier 300 watts RMS Impedance L amp R RCA 20 000 Ohms LFE RCA 34 000 Ohms Inputs Left Right R
8. is recommended that the subwoofer be converted to a front firing configuration Please note when the Abyss is in a front firing configuration 90 RCA adaptors may be required to make signal connections Two 90 RCA adaptors are included with the Abyss subwoofer Converting Abyss to Front Firing Configuration 1 Prepare a flat surface with a blanket to protect the Abyss finish Unplug signal and power connections Turn the Abyss upside down Gently lift and remove the Abyss base see figure 16 2 Rotate the cabinet 90 positioning the backplate on top see figure 17 3 Place the Abyss base over the backplate and gently push it into place Install the grill cover onto the front of the Abyss see figure 18 Please note when the Abyss is used in a down firing configuration 90 RCA adaptors may be required to make signal connections Two 90 RCA adaptors are included with the Abyss subwoofer Cabinet Front 3 inches ricres Cabinet Back Figure 15 Placing the Abyss in a cabinet requires a minimum of three inches of open space on the front and back 14 Placement Figure 16 Step 1 Converting the Abyss to a front firing configuration Figure 18 Step 3 Converting the Abyss to a front firing configuration Your Room This is an area that requires both a little background to understand and some time and experimentation to attain the best performance f
9. low pass filter to 30Hz Remember this is a general rule We advise that once you try the recommended setting using the formula above you should try the surrounding settings to see which sounds best Phase Control Switch The phase control is entirely dependent on the size and configuration of your listening environment the placement of the unit and your seating arrangement Due to the way bass sound waves develop in different rooms there is no rule of thumb for setting phase For instance if your room has a peak at the subwoofer crossover area you may wish to set the phase so the actual acoustic outputs of the subwoofer and main speakers are out of phase Experiment try dif ferent settings and be patient Auto On Standby Power Switch The Auto On Standby switch controls Abyss s energy saving feature When set to Auto the Abyss will turn on when a music signal is detected and off when there is none The On setting prevents the Abyss from entering energy sav ing mode The Standby setting forces the Abyss into energy saving mode While set to Standby the Abyss will not per form Status Light The Abyss is equipped with a multi color LED to indicate the subwoofers current status The following list explains the meaning of the different colors No color No power The Abyss is not plugged in ABOUT THE CONTROLS Red Energy saving mode and safety mode If the power switch is set to Auto this indicates the
10. CA Line Level RCA LFE Speaker Level Output Left Right RCA Line Level RCA Sub Out Weight 40 Ibs each 18 1 kg Size 13 5 inches W x 15 2 inches D x 15 8 inches H 34 4cm W x 38 6cm D x 40 1cm H GENERAL INFORMATION Warranty and Registration Your Abyss subwoofer is provided with an automatic Limited 90 Day Warranty coverage You have the option at no additional charge to receive Limited 3 Year Warranty coverage To obtain the Limited 3 Year Warranty coverage you need to complete and return the Certificate of Registration included with your subwoofer and provide a copy of your dealer receipt to MartinLogan within 30 days of purchase For your convenience MartinLogan also offers online warranty registration at www martinlogan com MartinLogan may not honor warranty service claims unless we have a completed Warranty Registration card on file If you did not receive a Certificate of Registration with your new Abyss subwoofer you cannot be assured of having received a new unit If this is the case please contact your authorized MartinLogan dealer Service Should you be using your MartinLogan product in a country other than the one in which it was originally purchased we ask that you note the following 1 The appointed MartinLogan distributor for any given country is responsible for warranty servicing only on units distributed by or through it in that country in accor dance with its applicable warranty 2
11. Signal connection for 2 channel multi channel mode Low Pass Filter Hz 45 55 65 35 30 80 P Phase 90 180 0 Figure 7 Control Settings for 2 channel multi channel mode 2 Channel Mode Using Speaker Level Inputs This setup is recommended if your Abyss will be used in a 2 channel only system with full range front loudspeakers When a signal is connected to the Abyss s Left Right Inputs the Abyss s internal low pass filter is active Signal Connection see figure 8 1 Connect the left and right outputs of your amplifier to the left and right speaker level high level inputs of the Abyss using quality speaker cable If your amplifier only has one set of outputs you may connect your amplifier to your speakers as normal and run an additional set of cables from your speakers to the Abyss s left and right speaker level high level inputs It is also possible to connect the left and right outputs of your amplifier to the left and right speaker level high level inputs of the Abyss and run an additional set of cables from your Abyss to the speakers Recommended Control Settings see figure 9 1 Set the low pass filter switch to the closest option equal to 70 of your loudspeakers lowest frequency response 2 While playing music with bass content turn the level con trol up until the music has deep extended bass being careful to avoid levels that become overwhelming 3 Try the phase contr
12. al Abyss subwoofers must run as either dedicated 2 channel stereo or multi channel LFE subwoofers but not both Signal Connection 1 Connect the first Abyss to your system using one of the tive modes previously described 2 Connect the Sub Out of the previous Abyss to either the LFE or the Right or Left input of the next Abyss using a quality RCA interconnect Connecting to the LFE input allows additional subwoofers to perform as dedicated LFE channels see figure 11 Connecting to the Right or Left input allows additional subwoofers to perform as dedicated 2 channel subwoofers see figure 12 3 Repeat step 2 for each additional Abyss subwoofer in the chain using the same input for every connection Recommended Control Settings 1 Adjust the control settings of the first subwoofer using the recommended control settings from the connection method used to connect the master Abyss with your audio system 2 Adjust the control settings of each additional subwoofer using the recommended control settings from the con nection method used to connect the master Abyss with your audio system Note While the settings of each subwoofer should be similar you will probably find that each sub will need to be tweaked for optimal performance because of its unique room placement Regardless of how you use your subwoofer experimenta tion can often result in better sound Don t be afraid to try different settings You can always ret
13. ated materials which upon 13AUG2005 disposal according to the WEEE directive require spe cial reuse and recycling processing For this reason MartinLogan has arranged with our dis tributors in European Union member nations to collect and recycle this product at no cost to you To find your local distributor please contact the dealer from whom you purchased this product email info martinlogan com or visit the distributor locator at www martinlogan com Please note only this product itself falls under the WEEE directive When disposing of packaging and other relat ed shipping materials we encourage you to recycle these items through the normal channels We know that you are eager to hear your new Abyss sub woofer 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 woofer system If you experience any difficulties in setup or operation of the Abyss please refer to the Placement Room Acoustics and Connections and Control Settings sections 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 e Hazardous voltages exist inside do not remov
14. ator The fixed part forming the reference for the moving diaphragm in a planar speaker THD The abbreviation for total harmonic distortion See Distortion TIM The abbreviation for transient intermodulation distortion Transducer Any of various devices that transmit energy from one system to another sometimes one that converts the energy in form Loudspeaker transducers convert elec trical energy into mechanical motion Transient Applies to that which lasts or stays but a short time A change from one steady state condition to anoth er Tweeter A small drive unit designed to reproduce only high frequencies Wavelength The distance measured in the direction of progression of a wave from any given point characterized by the same phase White noise A random noise used in measurements as it has the same amount of energy at each frequency Woofer A drive unit operating in the bass frequencies only Drive units in two way systems are not true woofers but are more accurately described as being mid bass drivers Glossary of Audio Terms 21 NOTES 22 Noles Notes 23 MARTIN LOGAN the loudspeaker technology company Lawrence Kansas USA tel 785 749 0133 fax 785 749 5320 www martinlogan com 2005 MartinLogan All rights reserved Rev 112405
15. e cover e Refer servicing to a qualified technician e To prevent fire or shock hazard do not expose this module to moisture e Unplug subwoofer should any abnormal conditions occur e Use only with a grounded outlet 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 INSTALLATION IN BRIEF Step 1 Unpacking Remove your new Abyss subwoofer from its packing Step 2 Placement Ideally place the Abyss in a corner near the front of the room This is a good place to start Please see the Placement section page 13 of this manual for more details Step 3 Signal Connection Use the best cables you can High quality cables available from your specialty dealer are recommended and will give you superior performance Attach your preamplitier processor outputs through cables to the signal input area located on the Abyss s rear panel Please see the Connections and Control Settings section pages 6 12 of this manual for more details If you plan to connect your Abyss using speaker level high level in
16. er with MartinLogan and non MartinLogan products both seamless and simple 4 Introduction The materials in your new Abyss subwoofer are of the highest quality and will provide years of enduring enjoy ment and deepening respect The cabinetry is constructed from the finest composite material for acoustical integrity and is finished with an attractive custom coating This User s Manual will explain in detail the operation of your Abyss subwoofer and the philosophy applied to its design A clear understanding will insure that you obtain maximum performance and pleasure from this most exact ing subwoofer Level Knob Setting the level too high will cause the bass to seem bloat ed 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 Low Pass Filter Knob When the Abyss is connected in multi channel mode via its LFE input the low pass filter is not active and your pro cessor handles the bass management When connected in 2 channel mode via its speaker or line level left right input the low pass filter is active As a general rule the low pass filter should be set at the option approximately equal to 70 of your speaker s lowest frequency response Example The MartinLogan Aeon i s lowest frequency response is 43Hz 70 of 43Hz equals 30 1 so you should set the Abyss s
17. g the Abyss in a corner Listening position determines which standing waves you will experience For instance if you sit in a corner you will hear most of the standing waves This can be an overpowering experi ence Sitting next to a wall can also intensity the levels of the standing waves that are experienced Resonant Surfaces and Objects All of the surfaces and objects in your room are subject to the frequencies generated by your system Much like an instrument they will vibrate and carry on in syncopation with the music and may contribute in a negative way to the sound Ringing boominess and even brightness can occur simply because surfaces and objects are singing along with your speakers 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 Room Acoustics 15 Atter living and experimenting with your Abyss you may want to use Mini ETC Energy Transfer Coupler Spikes see figure 19 available from the Xtatic shop at www martiniogan com With the use of these spikes the Abyss will become more firmly planted on the floor and conse quently bass will tighten It is best not to implement the spikes however until you are secure in the positioning as the spikes can damage the floor if the subwoofer is moved MartinLogan Mini ETC spikes will fit any common 1 4 inch thread insert that may be found on your other
18. g was the surround sound presentation found in movie houses Fortunately Dolby and DTS encoded material which include almost all movies have the same surround sound information encoded on home releases as the theater films All that is required to retrieve this information is a decoder additional speakers subwoofer s and amps to reproduce it Home theater is a complex purchase and we recommend that you consult your local MartinLogan dealer who is well versed in this subject Each piece of a surround system can be purchased sepa rately Take your time and buy quality No one has ever complained that the movie was too real The following list and descriptions will only give you a brief outline of the responsibilities and demands placed on each speaker Front Left and Front Right If these speakers will also be the same two used for your stereo playback then they should be of very high quality and able to play loud over 102 dB and reproduce bass below 80 Hz Center Channel Many experts believe this to be the most important speak er in a home theater system as almost all of the dialogue and a large portion of the front speaker information is reproduced by the center channel It is important that the same manufacturer of the front speakers design the center speaker and that it is recommended for use as a center speaker This is not the place to cut corners Home THEATER Surround Speakers We recommend that the surround s
19. kely smooth out the response Repeat the tuning techniques with the woofer controls after you move it see figure 14 Ask Your Dealer Your MartinLogan dealer can suggest many options for optimal subwoofer placement They also have many tools at their disposal such as experience familiarity with the associated equipment and even sound analysis equipment which may make the task of determining optimal subwoofer placement easier Enjoy Yourself The Abyss is a very refined subwoofer and will benefit from care in setup With the above placement tips in mind you will find over months of listening that small changes can result in measurable differences As you live with your subwoofer do not be afraid to experiment with positioning until you find the optimal relationship between your room settings and subwoofer that gives you the best results Your efforts will be rewarded PLACEMENT D Q Figure 14 Abyss Subwoofers as the LFE effects channels MartinLogan Clarity speakers as front and surround effects channels MartinLogan Fresco as the center channel Note the corner placement of the Abyss at the front of the listening room Placement 13 Installing Abyss in a Cabinet When placing the Abyss inside of a cabinet it is recom mended that there be a minimum of three inches of open space between the cabinet and the front and back sides see figure 15 When installing the Abyss in a cabinet it
20. nect the LFE O 1 output of the processor to the LFE input of the subwoofer using quality RCA interconnects Recommended Control Settings see figure 7 1 Set your front speakers for wide large or full mode in your processor Set the center and effects type speakers in limited or narrow mode see the warning on page 7 2 Set the low pass filter switch to the closest option equal to 70 of your loudspeakers lowest frequency response 3 While playing music with bass content turn the level control up until the music has deep bass that is not overwhelming 4 Try the phase control in different settings until the best blending is obtained If you are augmenting MartinLogan loudspeakers we suggest you start with the phase set at 90 5 Use the bass management section of your processor s speaker level setup option to set the subwoofer level at an appropriate level Follow the instructions in your processor s manual to fine tune the subwoofer level 6 If your processor offers the option to setup crossovers for a subwoofer we recommend that you start with the following settings Crossover 70Hz High Pass 12dB and Low Pass 24dB The optimal setting for these options may vary depending on your room and listening preferences 8 Connections and Control Settings PROCESSOR PREAMP RECEIVER LFE 0 1 Out Line Level 0 1 LFE I Right In ut Left Out Sub Out ABYSS Figure 6
21. nnel Mode This setup is recommended if your Abyss will be used in a 2 channel system with main speakers playing full range When a signal is connected to the Abyss s left right inputs the Abyss s internal low pass filter is active Signal Connection see figure 2 1 Connect the left and right outputs of your preamplifier to the left and right inputs of the Abyss using quality RCA interconnects If your preamplifier only has one set of outputs you may need to obtain Y adapters from your dealer Recommended Control Settings see figure 3 1 Set the low pass filter switch to the closest option equal to 70 of your loudspeakers lowest frequency response 2 While playing music with bass content turn the level con trol up until the music has deep extended bass being careful to avoid levels that become overwhelming 3 Try the phase control in different settings until the best blending is obtained If you are using the Abyss to aug ment other MartinLogan products we suggest you start with the phase set at 90 6 Connections and Control Settings PREAMPLIFIER RECEIVER Right Out 0 1 LFE In Right In Right Out Left Out Sub Out ABYSS Figure 2 Signal connection for 2 channel mode Low Pass Filter Hz 45 55 65 35 Phase Figure 3 Control settings for 2 channel mode Multi Channel Mode This setup is recommended if your Abyss will be used in
22. ofer from the country of original sale be certain that AC power supplied in any sub sequent location is suitable before connecting and operating the subwoofer Substantially impaired performance or severe damage may occur to the Abyss subwoofer if operation is attempted from an incorrect AC power source 3 15A 120V 60Hz Fuse T 3 15A L 250V 1 6A 220 230V 50 60Hz Fuse T 1 6A L 250V Figure 13 IEC power cord AC receptacle and fuse 12 Connections and Control Settings If the fuse in your Abyss should require changing turn off and unplug your Abyss before removing the fuse Replace the bad fuse with a matching T 3 15A L 250V T 1 6A L 250V if you are in a region using 220v 230v current Break In Our custom made woofers require approximately 50 hours of break in at moderate listening levels before their optimal pertormance occurs This will factor in on any critical listening and judgment 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 rec ommend starting by placing the Abyss in a corner If after the full range of tuning techniques have been employed the subwoofer sounds like it has too much upper bass ener gy try pulling it away from the wall toward the listening position This will lessen the reinforcement of these prob lematic frequencies from the wall and li
23. ol in different settings until the best blending is obtained If you are using the Abyss to augment other MartinLogan products we suggest you start with the SPEAKER OR AMPLIFIER SPEAKER OR AMPLIFIER ABYSS Figure 8 Signal connection for 2 channel mode using speaker level inputs phase set at 90 Low Pass Filter Hz 45 55 65 35 30 80 q gt Phase Figure 9 Control settings for 2 channel mode using speaker level inputs Connections and Control Settings 9 2 Channel Mode With 2 Channel Output This setup is recommended if your Abyss will be used in a 2 channel only system Signal Connection see figure 10 1 Connect the left and right outputs of your preamplifier to the left and right inputs of the Abyss using quality RCA interconnects 2 Connect the left and right outputs of your Abyss to the left and right inputs of your amplifier using quality RCA interconnects Recommended Control Settings see figure 3 1 Set the controls as recommended on page 6 10 Connections and Control Settings PREAMP AMPLIFIER Right Out Right In Left Out Line Level Left In Right Ou ABYSS Figure 10 Signal connection for 2 channel mode with 2 channel output Sub Out Using Multiple Abyss Using Sub Out offers an easy way to implement multiple Abyss in your audio video system Note All addition
24. or more conducting plates separated from one another by an insulating material and used for storing an electrical charge Sometimes called a condenser Clipping Distortion of a signal by its being chopped off An overload problem caused by pushing an amplifier beyond its capabilities The flat topped signal has high levels of harmonic distortion which creates heat in a loudspeaker and is the major cause of loudspeaker component failure CLS The abbreviation for curvilinear linesource Crossover An electrical circuit that divides a full bandwidth signal into the desired frequency bands for the loudspeaker components dB decibel A numerical expression of the relative loudness of a sound The difference in decibels between two sounds is ten times the Base 10 logarithm of the ratio of their power levels 20 Glossary of Audio Terms DC Abbreviation for direct current 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 Diaphragm A thin flexible membrane or cone that vibrates in response to electrical signals to produce sound waves Distortion Usually referred to in terms of total harmonic distortion THD which is the percentage of unwanted har monics of the drive signal present with the wanted signal Generally used to mean any unwanted change introduced by the device under question Driver See transducer Dynamic Range
25. peakers play down to 70hz The surround or effect speakers contain critical infor mation In films sound effects are vital to the director in delivering a complete experience and the rapid technical increase in the discreet capacity of these effects channels has made their quality vital This is equally true in music play back because of the emerging high definition multi channel music only formats Full range instruments voices and ambient queues are being routed to the effects chan nel In the past some may have suggested that this was the place to save money by purchasing small inexpensive speakers If you choose to do so be prepared to upgrade in the future Subwoofer With any good surround system you will need one or more high quality subwoofers the 1 in a 5 1 channel surround system Most movie soundtracks contain large amounts of bass information as part of the special effects Good subwoofers will provide a foundation for the rest of the sys D Q Figure 20 Abyss Subwoofers as the LFE effects channels MartinLogan Clarity speakers as front and surround effects channels MartinLogan Fresco as the center channel Home Theater 1Z FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS amp TROUBLESHOOTING Frequently Asked Questions How do 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 mar
26. puts please refer to the 2 Channel Mode Using Speaker Level Inputs section page 9 of this manual for more details Please note when Abyss is set up in a down firing configu ration the grill cover can be used to cover the connections and controls The grill cover features a channel on its bottom side through which cables can pass Step 4 Power Connection AC see warning Make sure the level knob is set at O Plug the Abyss subwoofer into a wall outlet Review the AC Power Connection section page 12 of this manual for more details Step 5 Setting the Controls Set the level knob to a medium volume position 12 o clock Set the power switch to Auto Step 6 Listen and Enjoy Now you may adjust your system and enjoy Installation in Brief 3 INTRODUCTION Congratulations You have invested in one of the world s premier subwoofers The MartinLogan Abyss represents the extension of an inten sive 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 Abyss subwoofer uses a 10 inch high excursion aluminum element driver to achieve deep tight well defined bass A proprietary amplifier is used to drive the output stage with precision and extremely high efficiency Low pass filtering and phase control have been designed to make integrating the Abyss subwoof
27. rom 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 Each frequency has its own wave size with the lower or bass frequencies literally encompassing from 10 feet to as much as 40 feet Your room participates in this wave experience like a swimming pool with waves reflecting and becoming enhanced depend ing on the size and shape of the room and the types of surfaces in the room Remember that your audio system can actually generate all of the information required to recreate a sonic event in time space and tonal balance Acoustically the role of an ideal room would be to neither delete nor contribute to that information However nearly every room does to some degree Room Acoustics Terminology Standing Waves Sound coming from a speaker bounces around in a room until a pattern emerges this is called a standing wave Typically this is only a problem with frequencies below 100Hz When this happens different parts of your room experience either an excess or a lack of bass Some people believe that having a room without parallel walls will eliminate this effect The truth is that non parallel walls only generate different standing wave patterns than those that occur in rectangular rooms Usually you can excite most of the standing waves in a room by puttin
28. s 12dB and Low Pass 24dB The optimal setting for these options may vary depending on your room and listening preferences 3 Adjust the phase control until ideal blending is obtained If you hear no discernible difference leave the phase at 0 4 Follow the instructions in your processor manual to fine tune the subwoofer level PROCESSOR LFE O 1 Out Line Level 0 1 LFE I Right In Left In Right Out Left Out Sub Out ABYSS Figure 4 Signal connection for multi channel mode Low Pass Filter Hz 65 35 30 80 gt Phase G o ry 90 180 Figure 5 Control settings for multi channel mode Connections and Control Settings 7 2 Channel Mullti Channel Mode Using an A V processor and the Abyss s low pass filters This setup is recommended if your Abyss will be used in both 2 channel mode and as a LFE 0 1 channel in a multi channel mode By following this setup you will allow your processor to handle most of the bass manage ment while running in multi channel mode and relinquish control of the low pass filter to the Abyss when running in a 2 channel mode Signal Connection see figure 6 1 Connect the left and right outputs of your preamplifier to the left and right inputs of the Abyss using quality RCA interconnects If your preamplitier only has one set of outputs you need to obtain Y adapters from your dealer 2 Con
29. tiniogan com that cleans better than anything else we have tried Is it safe to set things on my subwoofer While your Abyss is designed with a durable stain resistant surface we advise you not to set anything on your Abyss especially containers holding liquids Is there likely to be any interaction between my subwoofer and the television in my Audio Video system Yes The Abyss subwoofer doesn t use a shielded driver We recommend 3 feet between the Abyss subwoofer and video components that are susceptible to magnetic fields Will my electric bill go sky high by leaving my subwoofer plugged in all the time No The Abyss when the power switch is set to Auto or Standby will draw about 13 watts when idle Should unplug my subwoofer during a thunder storm Yes or before It s a good idea to disconnect all of your audio video components during stormy weather 18 Frequently Asked Questions amp Troubleshooting Troubleshooting No Output e Check that all your system components are turned on e Check that the master power switch adjacent to the AC receptacle is set to On e Check that the power switch on the Abyss is set to either Auto or On e Check your wires and connections e Check all interconnecting cables e Make sure the level control is not turned down e Turn off and unplug the Abyss and check the fuse near the AC power cord receptacle on the back If the fuse has blown replace the
30. urn the controls to their previous locations Line Level 0 1 LFE In Right In Left In Right Out Left Out Sub Out ABYSS Line Level 0 1 LFE In Right In Left In Right Out Left Out Sub Out ABYSS Line Level 0 1 LFE i Left In Right Out Left Out Sub Out ABYSS Figure 11 Signal connection for using multiple Abysss for LFE Line Level O 1 LFEIn Right Left In Right Out Left Out Sub Out ABYSS Figure 12 Signal connection for using multiple Abysss for stereo Connections and Control Settings 11 AC Power Connection WARNING The power cord should not be A N installed removed or left detached from the subwoofer while the other end is connected to an AC power source The IEC power cord should be firmly inserted into the AC power receptacle on the rear connection panel of the Abyss then to any convenient AC wall outlet The Abyss also integrates a signal sensing power supply that automatically switches off after sensing no music signal for several minutes this will occur when the power switch is set to Auto Your Abyss subwoofer is wired for the power service supplied in the country of original consumer sale The AC power rat ing applicable to a particular unit is specified both on the packing carton and on the serial number plate attached to the subwoofer If you remove your Abyss subwo
31. where the ear is the most sensitive NAC The abbreviation for natural ambience compensation Passive crossover Uses no active components transis tors ICs tubes and needs no power supply AC DC battery to operate The crossover in a typical loudspeak er is of the passive variety Passive crossovers consist of capacitors inductors and resistors Phase The amount by which one sine wave leads or lags a second wave of the same frequency The difference is described by the term phase angle Sine waves in phase reinforce each other those out of phase cancel Pink noise A random noise used in measurements as it has the same amount of energy in each octave Polarity The condition of being positive or negative with respect to some reference point or object RMS Abbreviation for root mean square The effective value of a given waveform is its RMS value Acoustic power is proportional to the square of the RMS sound pressure Resistance That property of a conductor by which it opposes the flow of electric current resulting in the generation of heat in the conducting material usually expressed in ohms Resistor A device used in a circuit to provide resistance Resonance The effect produced when the natural vibra tion frequency of a body is greatly amplitied by reinforcing vibrations at the same or nearly the same frequency from another body Sensitivity The volume of sound delivered for a given electrical input St
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