MartinLogan Portable Speaker PASSAGE TM User Manual

P A S S A G E  
u s e r ’ s m a n u a l  
MA R T I N L O G A N®  
the loudspeaker technology company  
 
INSTALLATION  
Placement  
To achieve maximum performance, it is recommended that  
the Passage not be installed near a room corner or directly  
behind furniture. When used as a front left/right channel, it  
is recommended that the listening position be no closer to  
the wall then the distance between the speakers.  
Horizontal Installation  
Although most users will mount the Passage in a vertical  
orientation, it can also be mounted in a horizontal ori-  
entation (for use as a center channel). If you plan to use  
the Passage in a horizontal orientation, it will cross drywall  
studs and the wall will require modification. A bonded  
contractor should be contacted to mount the Passage in a  
horizontal orientation.  
Installing the Passage  
NOTE: These instructions must be carefully followed to  
assure that your Passage is safely installed. Study them  
thoroughly before installing your Passage'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 Passage to another  
type of material, you should consult a bonded contractor.  
Warning! Before installing check  
for obstructions behind the drywall  
(electrical, plumbing and other  
fixtures). To do this make a small  
hole, cutting at a 45° angle (this  
will make the hole easier to patch  
if obstructions are found). Only  
cut the mounting hole after  
you have verified there are no  
obstructions behind the wall.  
Figure 1. The Passage is designed for both vertical and horizontal installation.  
Installation  
3
 
Required tools (included):  
4mm Allen bit  
(2) Push pins  
Required tools (not included):  
Stud finder  
Sharp pencil or pen  
Level  
Dry wall knife/saw  
Wire strippers  
Electric drill (with clutch)  
Tape measure  
Depth required behind wall surface:  
3 3/16" (8.1cm)  
Required wall opening (includes tolerance):  
7 1/2" x 22 15/16" (19.1cm x 58.3cm)  
Figure 3. Side view.  
Figure 4. Top view.  
Figure 2. The Passage is designed to mount anywhere between studs.  
4
Installation  
 
Figure 5. Installation steps 1–3.  
Figure 6. Installation step 4.  
1
Using a stud finder, locate the final speaker position  
between studs.  
4
Use a dry wall knife/saw to cut out the opening.  
WARNING! Absolutely no part of the template  
should overlap a stud.  
2
3
Insert top push pin (provided). Level template. Insert  
bottom pushpin (provided). Recheck level.  
Mark cutout through slots in template. Remove Template.  
Installation  
5
 
Figure 7. Installation step 5.  
Figure 8. Installation step 6.  
5
If the tweeter is above or below ear level, position the  
marked woofer closest to ear level (see sticker on the  
back of speaker).  
6
Connect speaker cable. Be consistent when connect-  
ing speaker leads to the terminals on the back of the  
Passage. 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!  
6
Installation  
 
Figure 9. Installation step 7.  
Figure 10. Installation step 8.  
7
Place speaker in hole.  
8
Use a 4mm Allen bit (provided) and an electric drill to  
lock all 8 mounting locks in place. Use a low clutch  
setting on the drill.  
Installation  
7
 
Figure 11. Installation step 9.  
Figure 12. Installation step 10.  
9
Aim the tweeter toward the primary listening position by  
gently pushing the edge of the tweeter globe (which is  
capable of 20° tilt in all directions).  
10 Gently bend the grill cover into place.  
The Passage tweeter should always be orientated so that  
the long dimension of the tweeter is vertical (see tweeter  
position in figure 1). To accommodate both horizontal and  
vertical orientations, the tweeter globe can rotate 90°.  
WARNING! Do not turn the tweeter more  
than 90° in either direction. Turning the tweeter  
globe too much may cause wires to disconnect.  
8
Installation  
 
INSTALLING AN IR REPEATER  
WARNING! These instructions are written  
based on commonly available IR repeaters that  
mount in a 1/2" diameter hole. Before beginning  
this installation, please refer to the instructions  
that came with your IR repeater to verify this  
hole size. If your IR repeater requires a hole size  
1
other than /2" diameter, adjust these instruc-  
tions accordingly. Before drilling the mounting  
hole, a 1/8" pilot hole should always be drilled  
from the back regardless of the final mounting  
hole diameter.  
Required tools (not included):  
Electric drill  
1
/8" drill bit  
1
/2" drill bit  
1
2
Prepare a flat surface with a cushion and/or blanket to  
protect the Passage. Place the Passage driver side down.  
WARNING! Be careful to put no weight on  
the tweeter globe.  
From the rear of the speaker and at the location shown  
in figure 13, use a 1/8" drill bit to drill a pilot hole.  
3
4
Turn the Passage over so that it is driver side up.  
1
From the front of the speaker, use a /2" drill bit to  
widen the hole for the IR repeater.  
5
Follow the instructions that come with the IR repeater to  
finish installation.  
Figure 13. Installing an IR repeater—location to drill hole.  
Installing an IR Repeater  
9
 
REMOVING THE END CAPS FOR PAINTING  
Figure 14. Removing the end caps step 2.  
Figure 15. Removing the end caps step 3.  
Required tools (not included):  
Philips head scrwedriver  
1
Prepare a flat surface with a cushion and/or blanket to  
protect the Passage. Place the Passage driver side down.  
WARNING! Be careful to put no weight on  
the tweeter globe.  
2
3
4
Using a Phillips head screwdriver remove 2 screws from  
the back/bottom of the Passage (see figure 14).  
Using a Phillips head screwdriver remove three screws  
from the bottom edge of the Passage (see figure 15).  
The end cap may now be safely removed (see figure 16).  
Repeat steps 2–4 to remove other end cap.  
Figure 16. Removing the end caps step 4.  
10  
Removing the End Caps for Painting  
 
ATF (ADVANCED THIN FILM)  
ATF Operation  
Push-Pull Operation = Ideal Linearity  
The MartinLogan ATF transducer (based on RADIA planar  
technology) consists of a micro-thin, low-mass Kaladex  
diaphragm with an ultra-light, etched conductive alumi-  
num surface suspended between two high field strength  
neodymium super magnet arrays (see figure 17). When an  
electrical current (music signal) passes through the etched  
aluminum on the diaphragm's surface it is simultaneously  
pulled towards one of the neodymium arrays and pushed  
away from the opposing array. When the direction of current  
is reversed the diaphragm is simultaneously pushed and  
pulled in the opposite direction, thus producing sound.  
Linearity is another factor contributing to a loudspeaker's  
ability to achieve ultimate clarity, detail and resolution. By  
positioning neodymium magnet arrays in a push-pull con-  
figuration, MartinLogan ATF transducer technology maintains  
uniform diaphragm control, regardless of position as it  
traverses the entire audio signal. The push-pull concept is  
a major contributor to the linearity and sonic superiority of  
ATF transducers.  
Direct Full-Surface Drive  
Provides Outstanding Clarity  
Unlike traditional voice coil driven systems, ATF diaphragms  
are directly and uniformly driven throughout their entire  
surface. This full-surface drive system results in ultra-fast  
transient response with no cone break up and the ability  
to accurately reproduce sound with great delicacy, nuance  
and clarity.  
Extremely Low-Mass Diaphragm  
—Blazing Speed and Inner Detail  
Low-mass diaphragms are crucial to a loudspeaker's ability  
to accurately reproduce sound. As the mass of a transducer's  
diaphragm decreases, its ability to resolve detail increases.  
With extremely low-mass characteristics, the ATF transducer  
tracks the audio signal with almost perfect accuracy.  
MartinLogan ATF diaphragms are constructed of extremely low  
mass Dupont Kaladex® PEN (polyethylene naphthalate)—a  
material chemically similar to the low-mass PET (polyethylene  
terathylate) film used in MartinLogan's generation 2 electro-  
static transducers, yet capable of handling the high thermal  
requirements required for stable magnetic thin film operation.  
High Field Strength  
—Superb Control and Efficiency  
With a field strength almost 2000% more powerful than  
traditional systems, Neodymium iron boron (NIB) rare-earth  
super magnets are one of the world's strongest commer-  
cially available magnetic materials. This incredible field  
strength proves ideal for maintaining perfect control over  
the low-mass Kaladex diaphragm. Super-low distortion  
levels, high-resolution, and crystal-clear transparency are  
just a few of the benefits resulting from this superb combi-  
nation of low-mass diaphragm and high field strength.  
Figure 17. Cut away view of an ATF transducer. Note the simplicity due  
to minimal part usage.  
ATF (Advanced Thin Film)  
11  
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND TROUBLESHOOTING  
Frequently Asked Questions  
Troubleshooting  
How do I clean my speakers?  
Output  
Just use a dust free cloth or a soft brush to remove the  
dust from your speakers. We recommend a specialty  
com) that cleans your speakers better than anything  
else we have tried. Do not spray any kind of clean-  
ing agent on or in close proximity to the ATF  
element.  
• Check that all your system components are turned on.  
• Check your speaker wires and connections.  
• Check all interconnecting cables.  
What size amplifier should I use?  
We recommend an amplifier with 100 watts per channel  
for most applications. Probably less would be ade-  
quate when used in home theater where a subwoofer  
is employed. Our hybrid designs will perform well with  
either a tube or transistorized amplifier, and will reveal  
the sonic character of either type. However, it is impor-  
tant that the amplifier be stable operating into varying  
impedance loads: a stable amplifier will be able to  
deliver twice its rated wattage into 4 Ohms and should  
again double into 2 Ohms.  
Could you suggest a list of suitable electronics and  
cables that would be ideal for MartinLogan speakers?  
The area of electronics and cable choice is probably  
the most common type of question that we receive. It is  
also the most subjective. We have repeatedly found that  
brands that work well in one setup will drive someone  
else nuts in another. We use many brands with great  
success. Again, we have no favorites; we use electronics  
and cables quite interchangeably. We would suggest  
listening to a number of brands—and above all else—  
trust your ears. Dealers are always the best source for  
information when purchasing additional audio equipment  
or cables and will be well versed in the subject of special  
safety requirements for in-wall cable.  
Will exposure to sunlight affect the life or perfor-  
mance of my speakers?  
We recommend that you not place any loudspeaker  
in direct sunlight. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun  
can cause deterioration of grill cloth, speaker cones, etc.  
Small exposures to UV will not cause a problem. In  
general, the filtering of UV rays through glass will greatly  
reduce the negative effects.  
12  
Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting  
 
GENERAL INFORMATION  
Specifications  
Warranty and Registration  
System Frequency Response  
45–20,000 Hz ± 3 dB  
Your Passage speaker is provided with an automatic Limited  
90 Day Warranty coverage.  
Sensitivity  
90 dB/2.83 volts/meter (mounted on wall)  
You have the option, at no additional charge, to receive a  
Limited 5 Year Warranty coverage. To obtain the Limited  
5 Year Warranty coverage you need to complete and return  
the Certificate of Registration, included with your speakers,  
and provide a copy of your dealer receipt to MartinLogan  
within 30 days of purchase.  
Impedance  
6 ohms  
Crossover Frequency  
2200 Hz  
For your convenience MartinLogan also offers online warranty  
Components  
Air core coils, metal film and low dissipation electrolytic  
capacitors  
MartinLogan may not honor warranty service claims unless  
we have a completed Warranty Registration on file!  
Woofer Type  
If you did not receive a Certificate of Registration with your  
new Passage speaker, you cannot be assured of having  
received new units. If this is the case, please contact your  
authorized MartinLogan dealer.  
Two 6.5” (16.5cm) magnetically shielded high rigidity alu-  
minum cones with extended throw drive assembly  
ATF High Frequency Driver  
1.5" x 2.25" (3.8cm x 5.7cm) ATF Transducer  
Service  
ATF High Frequency Driver Range of Motion  
20° tilt in all directions. 90° rotation.  
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:  
Power Handling  
150 watts  
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  
accordance with its applicable warranty.  
Weight  
16 lbs. each (7.3 kg)  
Overall Size  
8.9375” inches W × 4.93755” inches D × 24.5” inches H  
(22.7cm W × 12.5cm D × 62.2cm H)  
2 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.  
Required wall opening (including tolerance)  
7.5" x 22.9375" (19.1cm x 58.3cm)  
Projection from wall surface  
1.75" (4.4cm)  
3 If, after owning your speakers for six months, you  
relocate to a country other than the one in which  
you purchased your speakers, your warranty may be  
transferable. Contact MartinLogan for details.  
Depth required behind wall surface  
3.1875" (8.1cm)  
General Information  
13  
 
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 mea-  
sured from the average to the extreme.  
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 dis-  
charge.  
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.  
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.  
Driver. See transducer.  
Dynamic Range. The range between the quietest and the  
loudest sounds a device can handle (often quoted in dB).  
Capacitance. That property of a capacitor which determines  
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 difference.  
Efficiency. The acoustic power delivered for a given elec-  
trical input. Often expressed as decibels/watt/meter  
(dB/w/m).  
Capacitor. A device consisting of two or more conducting  
plates separated from one another by an insulating mate-  
rial and used for storing an electrical charge. Sometimes  
called a condenser.  
ESL. The abbreviation for electrostatic loudspeaker.  
Headroom. The difference, in decibels, between the peak  
and RMS levels in program material.  
Clipping. Distortion of a signal by its being chopped  
off. An overload problem caused by pushing an ampli-  
fier 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 com-  
ponent failure.  
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.  
CLS. The abbreviation for curvilinear linesource.  
Imaging. To make a representation or imitation of the  
original sonic event.  
Crossover. An electrical circuit that divides a full band-  
width signal into the desired frequency bands for the  
loudspeaker components.  
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.  
dB (decibel). A numerical expression of the relative loud-  
ness of a sound. The difference in decibels between two  
sounds is ten times the Base 10 logarithm of the ratio of  
their power levels.  
14  
Glossary of Audio Terms  
 
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.  
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 amplified by reinforcing  
vibrations at the same or nearly the same frequency from  
another body.  
Inductor. A device designed primarily to introduce induc-  
tance into an electrical circuit. Sometimes called a choke  
or coil.  
Sensitivity. The volume of sound delivered for a given  
electrical input.  
Linearity. The extent to which any signal handling process  
is accomplished without amplitude distortion.  
Stator. The fixed part forming the reference for the moving  
diaphragm in a planar speaker.  
Midrange. The middle frequencies where the ear is the  
most sensitive.  
THD. The abbreviation for total harmonic distortion. (See  
Distortion)  
NAC. The abbreviation for natural ambience compensation.  
TIM. The abbreviation for transient intermodulation distortion.  
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.  
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.  
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.  
Transient. Applies to that which lasts or stays but a short  
time. A change from one steady-state condition to another.  
Tweeter. A small drive unit designed to reproduce only  
high frequencies.  
Pink noise. A random noise used in measurements, as it  
has the same amount of energy in each octave.  
Wavelength. The distance measured in the direction of  
progression of a wave, from any given point characterized  
by the same phase.  
Polarity. The condition of being positive or negative with  
respect to some reference point or object.  
White noise. A random noise used in measurements, as it  
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.  
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.  
Resistance. That property of a conductor by which it  
opposes the flow of electric current, resulting in the gener-  
ation of heat in the conducting material, usually expressed  
in ohms.  
Glossary of Audio Terms  
15  
 
MA R T I N L O G A N ®  
the loudspeaker technology company  
2101 Delaware Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66046, USA tel 785.749.0133 fax 785.749.5320 www.martinlogan.com  
Rev. #080604  
©2004 MartinLogan. All rights reserved.  
 

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