Martin Audio BlacklineX SERIES User manual

User Guide
BlacklineX

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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 1
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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 2
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Content
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................................................6
Unpacking.........................................................................................................................................................................................6
BlacklineXSeriesoverview...............................................................................................................................................................7
2‐wayfull‐rangesystems:.............................................................................................................................................................7
Directradiatingportedsub‐basssystems....................................................................................................................................7
2‐waypassivefull‐rangesystems.....................................................................................................................................................8
X8..................................................................................................................................................................................................8
X10................................................................................................................................................................................................9
X12..............................................................................................................................................................................................10
X15..............................................................................................................................................................................................11
Sub‐basssystems............................................................................................................................................................................12
X115............................................................................................................................................................................................12
X118............................................................................................................................................................................................13
X210............................................................................................................................................................................................14
Accessories.....................................................................................................................................................................................15
WallBrackets..............................................................................................................................................................................15
EyeBolts.....................................................................................................................................................................................16
PoleMount.................................................................................................................................................................................17
Safetyfirst.......................................................................................................................................................................................18
Poleorstandmounting..............................................................................................................................................................18
Stacking.......................................................................................................................................................................................18
Riggingandsuspension..............................................................................................................................................................18
Amplification..................................................................................................................................................................................19
Choosingapoweramplifier........................................................................................................................................................19
GainSettings...............................................................................................................................................................................19
RecommendedAmplifiers..........................................................................................................................................................19
Connections....................................................................................................................................................................................20
Sub‐WooferConnections............................................................................................................................................................20
WiringDiagrams.............................................................................................................................................................................23
SystemA‐basicset‐up................................................................................................................................................................23
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................23
SystemB‐IntroducingaProcessor.............................................................................................................................................24
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................24
SystemC‐AddingaMonoSub....................................................................................................................................................25
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................25
SystemD‐AddingSubwooferswithasecondamplifier.............................................................................................................26
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................26
SystemE‐StereoSubwoofers.....................................................................................................................................................27
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................27

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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 3
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SystemF–StereoSubwoofersusingthebi‐ampwiringfacility.................................................................................................28
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................28
DX0.5..............................................................................................................................................................................................29
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................29
Features......................................................................................................................................................................................29
RearPanel...................................................................................................................................................................................29
1.Power..................................................................................................................................................................................29
2.PowerLeadSocketandFuse..............................................................................................................................................29
3.Main:Lift/Gnd...................................................................................................................................................................30
4.XLROutputs........................................................................................................................................................................30
5.XLRInputs...........................................................................................................................................................................30
FrontPanel.................................................................................................................................................................................30
6.LCDDisplay.........................................................................................................................................................................30
7.Nav/Edit1Control...............................................................................................................................................................30
8.Edit2Control.......................................................................................................................................................................30
9.Edit3Control.......................................................................................................................................................................30
10.EnterButton.....................................................................................................................................................................31
11.ESCButton........................................................................................................................................................................31
12.UtilityButton....................................................................................................................................................................31
13.Mute/EditButtons..........................................................................................................................................................31
14.EditLEDs...........................................................................................................................................................................31
15.MuteLEDs.........................................................................................................................................................................31
16.Meters..............................................................................................................................................................................31
17.USB...................................................................................................................................................................................32
FactoryReset..........................................................................................................................................................................32
Utilities........................................................................................................................................................................................32
SystemUtilities...........................................................................................................................................................................32
SystemSetup..........................................................................................................................................................................33
DelayUnits..............................................................................................................................................................................33
Rampsonchanges..................................................................................................................................................................33
SoftwareVersion....................................................................................................................................................................33
PresetUtilities............................................................................................................................................................................34
RecallaPreset........................................................................................................................................................................34
SaveaPreset...........................................................................................................................................................................34
DeleteaPreset.......................................................................................................................................................................34
SecurityUtilities..........................................................................................................................................................................35
ShowParameter.....................................................................................................................................................................35
LockUnit.................................................................................................................................................................................35
UserPassword........................................................................................................................................................................35
EnablePassword.....................................................................................................................................................................35

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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 4
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Editing.........................................................................................................................................................................................36
InputsA/B:............................................................................................................................................................................36
Gain.........................................................................................................................................................................................36
Delay.......................................................................................................................................................................................36
EQBypass...............................................................................................................................................................................37
5‐BandEQ...............................................................................................................................................................................37
Outputs1‐6:................................................................................................................................................................................38
Name......................................................................................................................................................................................38
Source.....................................................................................................................................................................................38
Polarity....................................................................................................................................................................................38
Gain.........................................................................................................................................................................................38
EQBypass...............................................................................................................................................................................39
7‐BandEQ...............................................................................................................................................................................39
Delay.......................................................................................................................................................................................39
HighPassFilter.......................................................................................................................................................................40
LowPassFilter........................................................................................................................................................................40
Limiter.....................................................................................................................................................................................40
VUMeter................................................................................................................................................................................41
LinkingInputsorOutputs...........................................................................................................................................................41
ControlApplication.....................................................................................................................................................................41
GrilleRemovalandhornRotation..................................................................................................................................................42
GrilleRemoval............................................................................................................................................................................42
Rotatingthehighfrequencyhorn..............................................................................................................................................44
BadgeRotation...........................................................................................................................................................................44
WallMounting................................................................................................................................................................................47
EyeBoltMounting..........................................................................................................................................................................53
Specifications..................................................................................................................................................................................54
X8................................................................................................................................................................................................54
X10..............................................................................................................................................................................................54
X12..............................................................................................................................................................................................55
X15..............................................................................................................................................................................................55
X115............................................................................................................................................................................................56
X118............................................................................................................................................................................................56
X210............................................................................................................................................................................................57
Notes......................................................................................................................................................................................57
TechnicalDrawings.........................................................................................................................................................................58
X8................................................................................................................................................................................................58
X10..............................................................................................................................................................................................58
X12..............................................................................................................................................................................................59
X15..............................................................................................................................................................................................59

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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 5
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X115............................................................................................................................................................................................60
X118............................................................................................................................................................................................60
X210............................................................................................................................................................................................61
Warranty.........................................................................................................................................................................................62
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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 6
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Introduction
ThankyouforpurchasingaMartinAudioBlacklineXSeriessystem.Now,withBlacklineX,MartinAudio’sR&Dteamhas
engineeredaclassicsuiteofpassiveloudspeakersforthemodernera.Deliveringthesignaturesoundofwarmth,nuanceand
claritybutwithimprovedoverallperformanceatapricepointnotpreviouslypossible,BlacklineXisaclean,smartdesignwith
nocompromisebetweentheneedsofinstallationandportability.Applicationsrangefromportablesoundreinforcementand
stagemonitoringforlivebands,DJ’sandcorporateevents,toinstallationsinnightclubs,bars,commercialspacesandHoW.
Comprisingfourtwo‐waysystems—fromtheultra‐compactX8tothepowerfulX15—andthreesubwoofers,includingan
unobtrusivelow‐profilemodel,themulti‐purposeBlacklineXSeriesraisestheperformanceofloudspeakersystemsinitsclassto
anewlevel.Eachsymmetrical,multi‐anglefull‐rangeenclosurefeaturesauserrotatablehornforhorizontalorvertical
orientation,andhasascrew‐free,cloth‐backedsteelgrille.Comprehensivemountingoptionsincludewallbracket,eyebolt
suspensionandpole‐mounting.Ergonomichandlesattherearofeachfull‐rangeenclosuremakeforeasyhandlingwhile
maintainingcleanlinesforinstalledsystemswherehandlesonthecabinet'ssidearelikelytolookobtrusive.
AllBlacklineXSeriesenclosuresareconstructedfrombirch/poplarplywoodandfinishedwithadurableblacktexturedpaint,with
whiteandcustomRALcolouroptionsavailabletoorder.
Professionalandaffordable,BlacklineXputsMartinAudiosignaturesoundwithineasyreachofmusicians,DJ’sandsystems
integrators—theBlacklineheritagere‐imaginedforthemodernera.
BecausetheX8,X10,X12andX15arepassivesystemsembodyingcorrectacousticdesignprinciples,theycanbeusedwithouta
controllerprovidedtheirAESandpeakpowerratingsarenotexceededandcareistakentoavoidamplifierclipping.Formaximum
performance,however,werecommendthatBlacklineXSeriessystemsareusedwiththeMartinAudioDX0.5whichisahighly
versatile2input6outputdigitalloudspeakerprocessor,economicallypricedtomakeitanexcellentmatchfortheBlacklineX
range.AProjectfilewithparametersfortherangecanbedownloadedfromtheMartinAudiowebsiteandcanquicklyandeasily
beuploadedtoaDX0.5usingtheDX0.5softwareapplicationwhichisalsoavailableasafreedownloadedfromtheSoftware
sectionontheMartinAudiowebsite.TheMartinaudioDX1.5orDX2systemcontrollerscanalsobeusedandaspreadsheetwith
parametersfortheBlacklineXrangeisalsoavailablefromtheLoudspeakersettingpageintheSupportsectionofthewebsite.
Unpacking
EachMartinAudioBlacklineXSeries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ordistributor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.
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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 7
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BlacklineXSeriesoverview
TheBlacklineXSeriesismadeupof…
2‐wayfull‐rangesystems:
X8(8”+1”)
X10(10”+1”)
X12(12”+1”)
X15(15”+1”)
Directradiatingportedsub‐basssystems
X115(single15”,ported)user‐selectable120Hzlow‐passfilter
X118(single18”,ported)user‐selectable120Hzlow‐passfilter
X210(2x10”,ported)user‐selectable120Hzlow‐passfilter
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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 8
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2‐waypassivefull‐rangesystems
X8
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TheX8isanultra‐compactpassivetwo‐waysystemfeaturingan8”(200mm)/2”(50mm)voicecoilLFdriveranda1”(25mm)HF
drivermountedona90°x50°hornwhichcanbeeasilyrotatedforhorizontalorverticalorientation.It'sverysmallsizegivesno
indicationofitshighoutputcapability.
Asastand‐aloneloudspeaker,ithasamultitudeofprofessionalapplications—fromdistributedsoundreinforcement,HoWand
AVeventstofront‐fill/infillanduseasamicrostagemonitor.ComplementedbyaBlacklineXsubwoofer,itistheideal,simple‐
to‐usesystemforportableapplicationsandinstallationswhichcallforanunobtrusivesystemthatcandeliverpristinesound
overshortandmediumthrowdistances.
TheX8isconstructedfrombirch/poplarplywoodandfittedwithascrew‐freesteelgrille,M8insertsforawallbracketand
eyeboltsuspension,plusapole‐mountsocket.TheX8maybeusedwithorwithoutasystemcontroller.Fordemanding
applications,MartinAudiorecommendsaDX0.5systemcontrollerconfiguredtoperformEQandlimiterfunctions.TheDX0.5
mayalsobeusedtoconfiguresystemsforadditionalsub‐basscabinets–e.g.X8+X115orX210

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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 9
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X10
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TheX10isahighperformanceyetverycompacttwo‐waypassiveloudspeakersystemwhichutilisesa10”(250mm)/2.5”(63mm)
voicecoilLFdriveranda1”(25mm)exitHFcompressiondriverwitha1.4”(35mm)polyimidediaphragm.Therotatable90°x
50°HFhornhasequalhorizontalandverticalmouthdimensionsfordirectivitycontrolinbothplanes.
WithamaximumSPLof124dB@1m,itisuniquelyplacedtomeettheforegroundrequirementsofmusicbarsandclubsthat
requireupfrontsoundlevelsfromaverycompactenclosure.UsewithaBlacklineXSeriessubwooferwillenabletheX10to
operateassmalldancefloororsoundreinforcementsystemthatisremarkablypowerfulforitssize,aswellasbeingextremely
portable.
TheX10isconstructedfrombirch/poplarplywoodandfittedwithascrew‐freesteelgrille,M8insertsforawallbracketand
eyeboltsuspension,plusapole‐mountsocket.
TheX10maybeusedwithorwithoutasystemcontroller.Fordemandingapplications,MartinAudiorecommendsaDX0.5system
controllerconfiguredtoperformEQandlimiterfunctions.TheDX0.5mayalsobeusedtoconfiguresystemsforadditionalsub‐
basscabinets–e.g.X10+X115orX118


 
 

BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 10

…………
X12

TheX12fulfilstherequirementforacompactsystemthatcandeliverhighsoundlevels—eitherasastand‐alonesystemor
supplementedbyaBlacklineXsubwoofer.Featuringa12”(300mm)LFdriverunitanda1”(25mm)exitcompressiondriverona
rotatablehorn,its80°x50°dispersionpatternisidealformediumthrowapplications.TheLFdriverhasa2.5”(65mm)voicecoil
andahighBLmotor,whiletheHFcompressiondriverutilisesa1.75”(44mm)polyimidediaphragmforextendedhighfrequency
response.
TheX12’senclosureisconstructedfrombirch/poplarplywoodandcoatedinblacktexturedpaint.Foreasyremoval,itssteel
grilleisaspring‐fitintothesidesoftheenclosure.ItisfittedwithM8insertsforawallbracketandeyeboltsuspension,plusa
pole‐mountsocketwitharemovablebungthatmaintainscleanlineswhentheX12isusedininstallapplications.
TheX12maybeusedwithorwithoutasystemcontroller.Fordemandingapplications,MartinAudiorecommendsaDX0.5system
controllerconfiguredtoperformEQandlimiterfunctions.TheDX0.5mayalsobeusedtoconfiguresystemsforadditionalsub‐
basscabinets–e.g.X12+X115orX118


 
 

BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 11

…………
X15

TheX15isaveryhigh‐power,passivetwo‐waysystemdesignedforprofessionalportableapplicationsandinstallationsthat
demandtheultimateinsonicperformancefromasingleenclosure.Withanaccurately‐defined80°x50°coveragepattern,it
combinesveryhighoutputcapabilitywithexceptionalsonicperformanceandimpact.
Itfeaturesapowerful15”(380mm)/3”(75mm)voicecoilLFdriveunit,anda1”(25mm)exitHFcompressiondriverwitha1.75”
(44mm)polyimidediaphragmforextendedhighfrequencyresponse.
Itsprotectivesteelgrilleisaspring‐fitintothesidesoftheenclosureforeasyaccesstorotatetheHFhorn.Thesymmetrical,
multi‐angleenclosureismanufacturedfrombirch/poplarplyandcoatedintexturedblackpaint.ItisfittedwithM8insertsfora
wallbracketandeyeboltsuspension,plusapole‐mountsocket.
TheX15maybeusedwithorwithoutasystemcontroller.Fordemandingapplications,MartinAudiorecommendsaDX0.5system
controllerconfiguredtoperformEQandlimiterfunctions.TheDX0.5mayalsobeusedtoconfiguresystemsforadditionalsub‐
basscabinets–e.g.X15+X118




 
 

BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 12

…………
Sub‐basssystems
X115

TheX115isaverycompactsubwooferdesignedtoaugmentthelowfrequencyperformanceofBlacklineXSeriesfull‐range
systems.Itcomprisesalongexcursion15”(380mm)/3”(75mm)voicecoildriverinabassreflexenclosureandcanbeusedsingly,
stackedorflownviaintegralM10inserts.Fourlargeportscontributetoareductioninairnoiseathighoutputlevels.
Theenclosureisconstructedfrombirch/poplarplywithatexturedpaintfinishandthedriverisprotectedbyanimpact‐resistant
perforatedsteelgrillewhichispre‐curvedtoresistdamage.TheX115hasa35mmpole‐mountfittinginthetopsurfacethatcan
beusedtopolemountanX8,X10,orX12abovetheenclosure,andtwosidehandlesforeasyhandling.
TheS115isdesignedforuseinatwowayactivebi‐ampsystem.ADX0.5systemcontrolleristheideasystemcontrollertoprovide
theactivecrossoverfunctionandenhancedcontrolfacilities.



 
 

BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 13

…………
X118

TheX118isacompact,highperformancesubwooferforusewithBlacklineXSeriesfull‐rangeloudspeakers.Itextendsthelow
frequencyoperatingrangeofthecombinedsystemto42Hzandprovidesexceptionallowfrequencyimpact.Itcanbeusedsingly,
stackedorflownviaintegralM10insetsandfeaturesalong‐excursion18”(460mm)/3”(75mm)voicecoildriverinacompact
reflexenclosure.Itsfourreflexportshavealargefrontalareatoreduceturbulentairnoiseatveryhighlevels.
TheX118enclosureisconstructedfrombirch/poplarplyandfinishedintexturedblackpaint.Aperforatedsteelgrilleprotects
thedriver,andtheenclosurehasa35mmpole‐mountfittinginthetopsurfaceandtwosidehandles.
TheS118isdesignedforuseinatwowayactivebi‐ampsystem.ADX0.5systemcontrolleristheideasystemcontrollertoprovide
theactivecrossoverfunctionandenhancedcontrolfacilities.


 
 

BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 14

…………
X210

TheX210isaslimlinedual‐driversubwooferdesignedforsituationsthatcallforavisuallyunobtrusiveenclosure.Itcanbeused
singly,stackedorflownviaintegralM10insertsanditsultra‐compactsizemakesitidealforapplicationswherespaceislimited.
Itfeaturesdual10”(250mm)/2”(50mm)voicecoildriversandgenerouslysizedlowfrequencyportsforreducedairnoise.The
enclosureisconstructedfrombirch/poplarplywithatexturedpaintfinishandthedriversareprotectedbyanimpact‐resistant
perforatedsteelgrille.Ithastwinergonomichandlesattherearoftheenclosureforeasyhandling.
TheS210isdesignedforuseinatwowayactivebi‐ampsystem.ADX0.5systemcontrolleristheideasystemcontrollertoprovide
theactivecrossoverfunctionandenhancedcontrolfacilities.


 
 

BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 15

…………
Accessories
AcomprehensiverangeofaccessoriesisavailablefortheBlacklineXrangeforbothportableandinstallationuse.
WallBrackets

TheBlacklineXrangesharesthemountingconfigurationoftheCDDinstallationrangesothesamewallbracketscanbeemployed.
Theseareatwopartbracketenablingthewallsectiontobefittedatfirstfixstagewhencablesarerun.Thecabinethalfcanbe
fittedtothespeakerinadvanceofarrivingatsitesothatfinalinstallationisjustacaseofjoiningthetwohalvesofthebracket
andadjustingthepositionforthecoveragerequired,andconnectingthecable.
Thebracketsforeachmodelareasfollows;‐
BlacklineX8WB6/8B
BlacklineX10WB10/12B
BlacklineX12WB10/12B
BlacklineX15WB10/12B

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 
 

BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 16

…………
EyeBolts

AllBlacklineXSeriesspeakershavethreadedinsertsavailableforflownapplicationsinfixedinstallations.Allfullrangecabinets
haveM8inserts,allsubwoofershaveM10inserts.Theinsertscanbeusedforfittingbespokeflyinghardwareorforflyingusing
EyeBolts.Thesemustbeforgedsteelshoulderedtypescertifiedwithasafeworkingloadinexcessofthecabinetweight.Do
NOTbetemptedtousecheapformedsteeltypescommonlyavailablefromDIYstoresastheyareunsafeforflyingheavyspeaker
cabinets.CorrectlyratedshoulderedeyeboltsareavailablefromMartinAudioasanoptionalaccessory,partnumbersareas
follows;‐
M8(BlacklineX8,10,12,15)HTK00003
M10(BlacklineX210,115,118)HTK00004



 
 

BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 17

…………
PoleMount

BlacklineXSeriesspeakershaveintegralpolemount"tophat"fittings.Thesearefittedtothebaseofallfullrangespeakers;X8,
10,12and15,andonthetopoftheBlacklineX115and118.Thefittingsallusethestandard35mmdiametersotheycanbeused
withanyregularspeakerstandoraccessory.Thefittinginthesubsallowsuseofamountingpoletoelevateoneofthefullrange
cabinetsontopofthesubwithouttheneedforabullyandunsightlytripodstands.Distancepolesarealsowidelyavailablebut
MartinAudiomakeapolespecificallyforusewiththeBlacklinerange.ThepartnumberisanHTKCT04.Thiswillsupportanyof
thefullrangecabinetsattheoptimumheightaboveeitheranX115orX118.









 
 

BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 18

…………
Safetyfirst
Itisimportantthatloudspeakersystemsareusedinasafemanner.Pleasetakesometimetoreviewthefollowingpoints
concerningsafeuseofBlacklineSeriesloudspeakers.
Professionalloudspeakersarecapableofproducingextremelyhighsoundlevelsandshouldbeusedwithcare.Hearinglossis
cumulativeandcanresultfromlevelsabove90dBifpeopleareexposedforalongperiod.Neverstandclosetoloudspeakers
drivenathighlevel.
Poleorstandmounting
BlacklineXfull‐rangeloudspeakersincorporatepolemounting(“tophat”)socketssothattheymaybepoleorstandmounted.
Whenusingpolesorstands,thefollowingprecautionsareadvised:
Ensurethatthestandwillsupporttheweightofthespeakerbycheckingthestandmanufacturersrating.(Seethe
Section10–TechnicalSpecifications‐forindividualBlacklineXweightsanddimensions)
Makesurethatthestandisplacedonalevelsurfaceandthatitslegsarefullyextended
Donotplacemorethanonespeakeroneachstand
Runcablessothattheydonotpresentatriphazardwhichcouldpullthespeakerover
Whenusedoutdoorsinthewind,itmaybenecessarytoaddsomeweighttothebaseofthestand
Whenusingapolemountwithasub‐basssystem,observesimilarprecautions.
Stacking
Ensurethatthefloororstageislevelandsolid
Donotstackspeakerstoohighoutdoorswherewindscouldtopplethestack
Beawarethatspeakersproducingveryhighpowerlevelscanmoveorcreep.Toavoidthis,placefrictionmaterial
betweenthefloorandspeakerandbetweeneachspeakerorusestrappingtosecurethestack.
Riggingandsuspension
WARNING:Suspendingthesystemshouldonlybedonebyqualifiedpersonnelfollowingsaferiggingpractices.Securefixingsto
thebuildingstructurearevital.Seekhelpfromarchitects,structuralengineersorotherspecialistsifinanydoubt.
BlacklineXSeriesenclosuresaredesignedforportableapplications,butcanbesuspendedsinglybymeansofthethreadedinserts
provided.Enclosuresarefittedinternallywithsteelcornerreinforcementbrackets,wherenecessary,toensurethateachcabinet
isstrongenoughtobehungfromitstop.
Neversuspendoneenclosurefromanothertoformanarrayorclusterusingthesefittings
Thecommonpracticeofusingcommerciallyavailableeyeboltsforsuspensionshouldonlybeundertakenwithgreat
caution.Onlyforgedshouldereyeboltsshouldbeconsideredanditisimportantthatthethreadlengthisatleast30mm
Formedeyeboltsi.e.thosewhichareformedfromasteelrodbentintoaneyearenotrecommended
Eyeboltsarestrongestalongthethreadaxis.Anglingtheenclosurewillresultinananglepullanditisimportanttouse
eyeboltsthataresafeinthesecircumstances.
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BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 19
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Amplification
Choosingapoweramplifier
MartinAudioloudspeakersarecapableofrecreatingmusicaldynamicsaccuratelyandwithincredibleimpactifpowered
correctly.MartinAudioloudspeakerpowerratingsarequotedforAESpower‐along‐termaveragepowerratingwithamuch
closerrelationtoamusicsignalthanothermeasurementstandardssuchasRMS,andPeakpower–ashort‐termburstcapability.
MovingcoilloudspeakerscanberunuptotheirAESpowerratingcontinuouslyanduptothehigherPeakpowerratingfor
transientmusicalpeaks.AllBlacklineXSeriesspeakershaveapeakpowerratingfourtimesthelong‐termAESrating.Ideallyyou
shoulduseanamplifierthatcandeliverthefullpeakratingwithoutriskofclipping.Thishowevermaybebeyondthebudgetfor
manysoagoodcompromiseistoaimforanamplifierthatcandeliveratleasttwicetheAESrating.
ThisisparticularlythecasefortheamplifierdrivinganX8,10,12or15whentheyareusedinconjunctionwithanX210,115or
118asthesubcabinetwillbedeliveringthemajorityoftheenergyintheprogrammaterial.Donothoweverscrimponthe
amplifierdrivingthesubwoofer.
Thisshouldbeacceptableformanyapplicationsbutbeawareofthelimitationsparticularlyifthesystemisusedwith
uncompressedlivemusic.Inparticularitisvitaltoavoidamplifierclipping,thisispossiblythebiggestsinglecauseofdamageto
speakerdrivers.Theclippedwaveformhasacolossalharmonicoutputatultra‐highfrequenciesallbeingdeliveredatthefull
powercapabilityoftheamplifiersospeakerdamageisextremelylikely.
Theamplifierselectiontablebelowwillassistinchoosinganamplifiertosuityourapplicationatanacceptablepricepoint.
GainSettings
Thevastmajorityofprofessionalandevenbudgetamplifiersonthemarketthesedayshaveastandardfronttobackgain
regardlessoftheiroutputpowercapability.Theindustrystandardgainfigureis32dBwhichisagainofX40.Thisfigureisagood
balancebetweenenoughgaintorunthatmajorityofsystemswithouthavingtodrivemixersandanyotherprocessingequipment
atalevelsohighthatthereisariskofclipping,andnottoomuchgainwhichwouldraisethenoisefloorofthesystem.When
usingaDX0.5orothersystemprocessorwhichhasalimiterfunctionyoushouldalwaysusethelimitersettingsshowninthe
parameterchart(seethechapterontheDX0.5SpeakerProcessor).Thelimiterthresholdiscalculatedtoallowthemaximum
levelfromyoursystemwithoutdamageandisbasedonaknownamplifiergainsetting‐32dBbydefault.Forthatreasonitisvital
thatiftheamplifierhasfrontpanelgaincontrolstheyMUSTbesetFULLUP.Loweringthemdoesnotoffermoreprotectionfor
yoursystem,itjustchangesthegainsettingoftheamplifiersoagreaterinputlevelisrequiredtoobtainthemaximumpower
fromtheamp.Thiswillmakethelimiterinthesystemcontrolleruselessasthegainisnolongeratthesettingforwhichthe
thresholdhasbeencalculated.Foroptimumperformancealwaysobservethefollowing;‐
UseaDX0.5orhighqualitysystemprocessor
UsethepublishedParametersfortheBlacklineXrange
Useanamplifierwithagainof32dB(X40)
Alwaysrunfrontpanelgaincontrolsfullup
Avoidamplifiersthatonlyquoteasensitivityrating;"xxdBformaximumoutput"(i.e.nopublishedgainsetting)
RecommendedAmplifiers
Model AES Power
Rating
Peak Power
Rating
Ideal amplifier rating Minimum rating Martin Audio amplifiers
4Ω8Ω4Ω8Ω
X8200W800W1,600W 800W800W400WMA3.0,MA2.8Q
X10250W1,000W2,000W1,000W1,000W500WMA3.0,MA2.0
X12300W1,200W2,400W1,200W1,200W600WMA5.2K,MA5.0Q
X15400W1,600W3,200W1,600W1,600W800WMA9.6K,MA3.0
X115500W2,000W4,000W2,000W2,000W1,000WMA12K,MA5.2K
X118500W2,000W4,000W2,000W2,000W1,000WMA12K,MA5.2K
X210500W2,000W2,000W1,000W1,000W500WMA3.0,MA2.0