Martin Audio AQ Series User manual

The Martin Experience
AQ Series
User’s Guide
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.
CONTENTS

AQ Series User Guide
Contents
1. Unpacking
2. Warranty
3. Introduction
4. Main features
5. Mounting brackets options
6. Installing with AQ Series brackets
7. Vertical aiming
8. Horizontal aiming
9. Distributed AQ Series systems
10. AQ Series arrays
11. Choosing a power amplifier
12. AQX System Controller
13. DX1 Speaker Management System
14. Using alternative controllers
15. AQ Series system wiring
16. Loudspeaker dimensions and specifications
17. Links to loudspeaker polar responses
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

1. Unpacking
Thank you for purchasing a Martin Audio AQ Series system. Every Martin Audio loudspeaker is
built to the highest standard and thoroughly inspected before it leaves the factory. After unpacking
the system, examine it carefully for any signs of transit damage and inform your dealer if any such
damage is found. It is suggested that you retain the original packaging so that the system can be
repacked at a future date if necessary. Please note that Martin Audio and its distributors cannot
accept any responsibility for damage to any returned product through the use of non-approved
packaging.
2. Warranty
Martin Audio AQ Series products are warranted against manufacturing defects in materials or
craftsmanship over a period of 5 years from the date of original purchase.
During the warranty period Martin Audio will, at its discretion, either repair or replace products
which prove to be defective provided that the product is returned in its original packaging, shipping
prepaid, to an authorised Martin Audio service agent or distributor. Martin Audio Ltd. cannot be
held responsible for defects caused by unauthorised modifications, improper use, negligence,
exposure to inclement weather conditions, act of God or accident, or any use of this product that is
not in accordance with the instructions provided by Martin Audio. Martin Audio is not liable for
consequential damages.
This warranty is exclusive and no other warranty is expressed or implied. This warranty does not
affect your statutory rights.
3. Introduction
The Martin Audio AQ Series has been designed to fulfil the need for high performance sound in
pubs, bars, restaurants, retail premises, nightclubs, conference facilities, post production suites,
theatres, educational institutions, places of worship, museums, exhibition centres and cruise ships,
in an ultra-compact package.
The series has been conservatively styled to be architecturally unobtrusive. The smaller AQ Series
loudspeakers have thick-walled structural ABS foam enclosures with flush, acoustically transparent
steel grilles. Larger AQ Series loudspeakers have heavily braced MDF enclosures with tough,
acoustically transparent steel grilles. The series comes as standard in RAL7030, textured light grey
finish, with other RAL colours available to order.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

Six full range enclosures are available to suit a wide range of applications. Ranging from the ultra-
compact dual 5.25” (130mm) ICT™ AQ5 to the very high power AQ15 with its 400W AES (1600W
peak) 15” (380mm) direct radiator and high efficiency HF compression driver, AQ Series products
may be used individually, in multiples or in distributed systems to cover an incredible variety of
applications.
AQ Series loudspeakers are equipped with high current, low profile input and link connectors and
supplied with easy-to-fit mating plugs for ease of installation. Specially designed wall, ceiling and
barrel clamp brackets are available for AQ5, AQ6, AQ8, AQ10 and AQ12 loudspeakers to cater for
construction industry standard 1st and 2nd fix installation methods. This allows installers to pull
cables and prefix wall or ceiling mounts during building construction without having to bring the
loudspeakers to site until the more secure pre-opening phase of a project.
In true Martin Audio fashion, AQ Series loudspeakers are designed to be acoustically correct. All
AQ Series loudspeakers are powerful, efficient and easy to drive.
Horn loaded AQ Series loudspeakers feature generously sized high frequency horns and high
order crossovers for superior pattern control down into the low midrange and smooth off-axis
characteristics. Passive crossovers feature air-cored inductors and high quality capacitors for
exceptional precision and low distortion. The precise acoustical performance of these loudspeakers
makes them equally at home as signal quality control monitors in sound studios and post
production suites.
AQ Series low frequency sections feature efficient, wide bandwidth, high excursion drivers with
generously proportioned voice coils for high power handling. The smaller AQ Series loudspeakers
feature acoustically stiff industrial foam enclosures whilst the larger enclosures in the series are
well damped for accurate, non-resonant operation.
The six full range AQ Series loudspeakers are complemented by four dedicated, high power sub-
bass enclosures ranging from the ultra-compact, 400W AES (1600W peak) single 12” (300mm)
AQ112 to the very high power, 1000W AES (4000W peak) dual 15” (380mm) AQ215.
A high performance AQX controller has been specially designed to manage AQ Series
loudspeakers. The controller is housed in a single rack unit and provides user-selectable active
crossover, limiter and trim functions for all AQ system combinations.
4. Main features
AQ5 (standard)
AQ5TX30 (100V or 70V line version)
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

Main features
Very wide 120°x 60°dispersion
120Hz – 20kHz
75W AES (300W peak)
4 ohms or 16 ohms (low profile switch on rear)
Dual 5.25” (130mm) ICT™
The ultra-compact Martin Audio AQ5 is equipped with two 5.25” (130mm) ICT™ - Inductively
Coupled Transducer - drivers optimally splayed for smooth, very wide coverage. The AQ5’s HF
diaphragms are driven via inductive coupling, avoiding the tweeter burn-out commonly associated
with miniature loudspeakers. ICT™ technology also obviates the need for a crossover as the
inductive coupling provides a complementary transfer function for the tweeter.
AQ6 (standard)
AQ6 (16 ohm version)
AQ6TX30 (100V or 70V line version)
Main features
Wide 90°conical dispersion
80Hz – 20kHz
100W AES (400W peak)
Two-way 8 ohm passive (16 ohm to special order)
6.5” (165mm) direct radiating LF cone + 1” (25mm) horn-loaded dome tweeter
The Martin Audio AQ6 is a two-way passive loudspeaker designed to fulfil the requirement for
dynamic performance from a very small, architecturally friendly, vented enclosure. It features a 6.5”
direct radiating, long-throw bass unit and a 1” doped fabric dome driver coupled to a constant
directivity square coverage HF horn.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

AQ8 (standard)
AQ8TX30 (100V or 70V line versions)
Main features
Wide 90°x 50°dispersion
Rotatable HF horn
75Hz – 20kHz
150W AES (600W peak)
Two-way 8 ohm passive
8” (200mm) direct radiating LF cone + 1” (25mm) horn-loaded HF compression driver
The Martin Audio AQ8 is a two-way passive loudspeaker designed to give excellent sonic
performance from a compact and architecturally neutral, vented enclosure. It features an 8”
(200mm) long-throw, direct radiating bass unit with a 2” (50mm) voice coil and a 1” (25mm)
diaphragm, 1” (25mm) exit compression driver coupled to a constant directivity HF horn.
AQ10 (standard)
AQ10TX150 (100V or 70V line version)
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

Main features
Wide 90°x 50°dispersion
Rotatable HF horn
65Hz – 20kHz
300W AES (1200W peak)
Two-way 8 ohm passive
10” (250mm) direct radiating LF cone + 1” (25mm) exit horn-loaded HF compression driver
The Martin Audio AQ10 is a two-way passive loudspeaker designed to provide high sound
pressure levels from a compact, architecturally friendly, heavily braced, vented enclosure. It
features a 10” (250mm) long-throw, direct radiating bass driver with a 2.5” (63mm) voice coil and a
1.4” (35mm) diaphragm, 1” (25mm) exit compression driver coupled to a true constant directivity
HF horn.
AQ12 (standard)
AQ12TX150 (100V or 70V line version)
Main features
Wide 80°x 50°dispersion
Rotatable HF horn
62Hz – 18kHz
300W AES (1200W peak)
Two-way 8 ohm passive
12” (300mm) direct radiating LF cone + 1” (25mm) exit horn-loaded HF compression driver
The Martin Audio AQ12 is a two-way passive loudspeaker designed to provide high sound
pressure levels from an architecturally friendly, heavily braced, vented enclosure. It features a 12”
(300mm) long-throw, direct radiating bass driver with a 2.5” (63mm) voice coil and a 1.7” (43mm)
diaphragm, 1” (25mm) exit compression driver coupled to a true constant directivity HF horn.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

AQ15 (standard)
AQ15TX150 (100V or 70V line option)
Main features
Wide 80°x 50°dispersion
Rotatable HF horn
55Hz – 18kHz
400W AES (1600W peak)
Two-way 8 ohm passive
15” (380mm) direct radiating LF cone + 1.4” (35mm) exit horn-loaded HF compression driver
The Martin Audio AQ15 is a two-way passive loudspeaker designed to provide very high sound
pressure levels from an architecturally friendly, heavily braced, vented enclosure. It features a 15”
(380mm) long-throw, direct radiating bass driver with a 3” (75mm) voice coil and a 2.5” (63mm)
diaphragm, 1.4” (35mm) exit compression driver coupled to a true constant directivity HF horn.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

AQ112
Main features
48Hz – 150Hz
400W AES (1600W peak)
Easy 8 ohm load
12” (300mm) direct radiating LF cone with 3” (75mm) voice coil
The Martin Audio AQ112 is a direct radiating subwoofer in an ultra-compact heavily braced, vented
enclosure. It features a very efficient 12” (300mm) long-throw bass driver with a high power 3”
(75mm) voice coil and generously sized low frequency ports for low noise, high power operation.
AQ210
Main features
50Hz – 150Hz
600W AES (2400W peak)
4 ohm
Dual 10” (250mm) direct radiating LF cones with 3” (75mm) voice coils
The Martin Audio AQ210 is a dual driver, direct radiating subwoofer in an ultra-compact heavily
braced, vented enclosure. It features two very efficient 10” (250mm) long-throw bass drivers with
high power 3” (75mm) voice coils and generously sized low frequency ports for low noise, high
power operation.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

AQ212
Main features
48Hz – 150Hz
800W AES (3200W peak)
4 ohm
Dual 12” (300mm) direct radiating LF cones with 3” (75mm) voice coils
The Martin Audio AQ212 is a dual driver, direct radiating subwoofer in a heavily braced, vented
enclosure. It features two very efficient 12” (300mm) long-throw bass drivers with high power 3”
(75mm) voice coils and generously sized low frequency ports for low noise, high power operation.
AQ215
Main features
40Hz – 120Hz
1000W AES (400W peak)
4 ohm
Dual 15” (380mm) direct radiating LF cones with 4” (100mm) voice coils
The Martin Audio AQ215 is a dual driver, direct radiating subwoofer in a heavily braced, vented
enclosure. It features two very efficient 15” (380mm) long-throw bass drivers with high power 4”
(100mm) voice coils and generously sized low frequency ports for low noise, high power operation.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

5. Mounting bracket options
AQWB6
Wall bracket for AQ5, AQ6
AQWB8
Wall bracket for AQ8, AQ10, AQ12
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

AQCB6
Ceiling Bracket for AQ5, AQ6
AQCS AQCL
Ceiling Brackets – AQCS (short) for AQ8, AQ10, AQCL (long) for AQ8, AQ10, AQ12
Note that the short bracket may also be used with a horizontally mounted AQ12
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

AQFB
Flying Bracket – allows AQ8, AQ10, AQ12 to be flown at a choice of vertical angles depending on
which pair of pick-up holes are used
6. Installing with AQ Series brackets
Consult a qualified structural engineer with a full knowledge of the building, its load ratings
and your intended loudspeaker installation plans before commencing any installation.
All AQ Series wall and ceiling brackets are mounted and adjusted in a similar manner. The
brackets are designed for 1st & 2nd fit installation.
1st fit: Wall bracket or ceiling bracket
2nd fit: Speaker bracket if the system is to be wall mounted or ceiling mounted on an AQCB6
–or-
Speaker bracket/tube assembly if the system is to be ceiling mounted using AQCS or
AQCL.
Important note:
To avoid excessive leverage, ceiling brackets should never be used for wall mounting!
1st Fit the fixed wall or ceiling bracket before loudspeakers are brought to site. Cables
(not shown) may be pulled and terminated at this stage. Loudspeaker/bracket/tube
assemblies may be fitted later.
Wall bracket Ceiling bracket
2nd Fit the loudspeaker brackets to the loudspeakers (not shown).
If the loudspeakers are to be ceiling mounted, attach the tube to the
loudspeaker/bracket assembly. Vertical loudspeaker angles may be preset at this
stage if required.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

Once the site is secure, attach the speaker/bracket assembly – or speaker/bracket/tube
Loudspeaker brackets are attached to ceiling or wall brackets as required
(cables and loudspeakers not shown for clarity)
1) Adjust as follows …
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

The complete installation should be checked and approved by a qualified structural
engineer and a qualified electrical safety consultant before being signed off.
7. Vertical aiming
AQ Series loudspeakers should be mounted above head height – high enough to clear peoples’
heads for clean coverage but low enough to avoid over-exciting room resonances.
Tilt angles should be set so that the loudspeaker’s maximum output (usually on-axis of the
loudspeaker centre) is aimed at the furthest listener across the room.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

8. Horizontal aiming
Horizontal angles should be set so that the loudspeaker’s main horizontal coverage is directed
towards the main listening area. Avoid excessive reflections from nearby side walls.
The following example shows AQ Series loudspeakers with 80 - 90° horizontal dispersion (all
except AQ5) toed in 40 - 45° from the side walls
AQ6, AQ8, AQ10, AQ12, AQ15 aiming
AQ5 placement
For the cleanest coverage, AQ5 dual-driver loudspeakers are best kept away from tight corners
that open to less than 100°.
The AQ5 is not recommended for use in tight corners
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

9. Distributed AQ Series systems
AQ Series loudspeakers are ideal for distributed sound systems in places like sports stadium
concourses, exhibition centre walkways etc…
Distributed systems can provide superb sonic results as long as the following simple steps are
taken in the system design process:
1) Choose the AQ Series loudspeaker to suit the maximum distance to be covered. The
chart below indicates the maximum distance covered by AQ Series loudspeaker pairs:
AQ Series loudspeaker Open space projection (throw)
vs peak spl for a
loudspeaker pair
97dB 103dB 109dB
AQ5 11.2m 5.6m 2.8m
AQ6 10m 5m 2.5m
AQ8 18m 9m 4.5m
AQ10 36m 18m 9m
AQ12 40m 20m 10m
AQ15 56m 28m 14m
Open space projection (throw) vs peak sound pressure level
for a loudspeaker pair
2) Choose the loudspeaker-to-loudspeaker spacing for smooth coverage. This spacing will
depend on the distance to the nearest listener. Loudspeakers spaced too far apart may
leave coverage gaps.
The following chart will help you to work out loudspeaker-to-loudspeaker spacing for very
smooth coverage as a function of the minimum listener distance.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

Example 1: Horizontally distributed AQ5 loudspeakers are required to cover smoothly
from a minimum listener distance of 3m. The spacing required is 1.73 x 3m = 5.19m
for very smooth coverage.
Example 2: Horizontally distributed AQ12 loudspeakers are required to cover smoothly
from a minimum listener distance of 6m. The spacing required is 0.84 x 6m = 5.04m
for very smooth coverage.
The above calculations will provide very smooth coverage with approximately 3dB mid-
band sound pressure level summation. Wider spacing (up to 2 x the above figures) may
be acceptable where budgets are tight… but with slight tonal inconsistencies and less
useable summation.
10. AQ Series arrays
AQ Series loudspeakers may be arrayed to increase coverage or sound pressure level.
When arraying AQ8, AQ10 or AQ12 loudspeakers from ceiling brackets, allow approximately
100mm behind each loudspeaker for loudspeaker bracket clearance.
2 x AQ10 array viewed from above
Recommended maximum and minimum AQ Series loudspeaker centre-to-centre splay angles are
shown in the following table. Maximum splay angles will provide maximum coverage. Minimum
splay angles provide an element of summation – typically 3dB between loudspeaker centres.
Loudspeaker Horizontal splay angle
(Loudspeaker centre-to-centre)
Vertical splay angle
(Loudspeaker centre-to-centre)
Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
AQ5 *100° 120° 50° 60°
AQ6 45° 90° 45° 90°
AQ8 45° 90° 25° 50°
AQ10 45° 90° 25° 50°
AQ12 40° 80° 25° 50°
AQ15 40° 80° 25° 50°
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

(*Note that the AQ5 is a wide coverage, dual driver system. Each AQ5 has two full-range ICT™
devices horizontally arrayed at 50°. A 100° horizontal splay angle between AQ5 cabinet
centres continues the array and provides very smooth coverage)
Useful high frequency coverage for pairs of AQ Series loudspeakers
Horizontally arrayed pair
(minimum – maximum centre-to-centre splay)
Total horizontal coverage
2 x AQ5 (100 - 120°) 220 - 240°
2 x AQ6 (45 - 90°) 135 - 180°
2 x AQ8 (45 - 90°) 135 - 180°
2 x AQ10 (45 - 90°) 135 - 180°
2 x AQ12 (45 - 80°) 125 - 160°
2 x AQ15 (45 - 80°) 125 - 160°
Vertically arrayed pair
(minimum – maximum centre-to-centre splay)
Total vertical coverage
2 x AQ5 (50 - 60°) 110 - 120°
2 x AQ6 (45 - 90°) 135 - 180°
2 x AQ8 (25 - 50°) 75 - 100°
2 x AQ10 (25 - 50°) 75 - 100°
2 x AQ12 (25 - 50°) 75 - 100°
2 x AQ15 (25 - 50°) 75 - 100°
11. Choosing a power amplifier
The high efficiency and impressive power handling of AQ series loudspeakers combine to produce
a system capable of very high sound pressure levels and impact.
To realise full AQ Series performance use a power amplifier capable of delivering Peak Power*
without excessive clipping. Power amplifier clipping should be avoided. A heavily clipped amplifier
will deliver twice its rated power to the loudspeaker. Much of this excess power will be dissipated in
the HF section causing premature ageing and, possibly, driver failure.
AES Power
This is the long-term power capacity of the loudspeaker taking into account the loudspeaker’s bandwidth and minimum
impedance. It is measured to Audio Engineering Society standards using band-limited pink noise as the test source
and is regarded as a reliable indication of the loudspeaker’s long-term power handling before thermal damage is
caused.
*Peak Power
This is the short-term power capacity of the loudspeaker and is typically 4x (6dB) higher than the quoted AES power.
Martin Audio loudspeakers are designed to handle this short-term peak power. This allows speech and percussion
transients to be produced without hindrance whilst a correctly configured AQX controller protects the loudspeaker from
accidental long-term overload (e.g. howl-round).
AQX limiter time constants are optimized to permit the faithful production of short-term transients at
peak power whilst protecting the system from long-term thermal damage.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

AQ Loudspeaker Rated Peak Power Suggested Martin Audio
Power Amplifier
(Note: Set rear gain switches to 32dB,
any MLS switches to 0 and any Clip
Limiters to Off – AQX controller
must be used for optimum limiter
characteristics)
AQ5 (4ohms mode) 300W MA200Q or MA900
AQ5 (16ohms mode) 300W MA2.8S (for high voltage 16ohm drive)
AQ6 standard (8ohms) 400W E1300 or MA1400
AQ6 16 ohm (16ohms) 400W MA4.2s
AQ8 (8ohms) 600W MA1400 or MA1.6s
AQ10 (8ohms) 1.2KW MA2.8s
AQ12 (8ohms) 1.2KW MA2.8s
AQ15 (8ohms) 1.6KW MA4.2s
AQ112 (8ohms) 1.6KW MA4.2s
AQ210 (4ohms) 2.4KW MA4.2s
AQ212 (4ohms) 3.6KW MA4.2s
AQ215 (4ohms) 4.0KW MA4.2s
AQ5TX30,
AQ6TX30,
AQ8TX30
- High quality 100V or 70V line
amplifier rated at 30W x
number of spkrs on the line.
AQ10TX150,
AQ12TX150,
AQ15TX150
- High quality 100V or 70V line
amplifier rated at 150W x
number of spkrs on the line
Suggested amplifiers for the AQ Series to ensure peak output without excessive clipping
(MA and E Series power amplifiers will comfortably drive parallel AQ Series loudspeakers and subwoofers.
See Section 15 for further information)
Important note! Always set the AQX limiters to suit the power amplifier gain. This will ensure that
the AQX controller protects the loudspeaker against long term overload whilst allowing full power
amplifier performance on transients.
(Martin Audio MA and E Series amplifiers are supplied set to 32dB as standard).
12. AQX System Controller
AQ Series loudspeakers have passive crossovers and are designed to be acoustically correct
without excessive equalization. We do, however, recommend that you use the Martin Audio AQX
analogue 2-input/ 4-output system controller to provide “with sub”/”full range” switching, system
limiting and fine frequency response alignment.
AQX System Controller
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.