Martin Audio EM Series User manual

MARTIN AUDIO
LONDON
The Martin Experience
ENGLISH
EM Series EM15/EM150
User’s Guide
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

Martin Audio – EM SERIES
CONTENTS (ENGLISH) Page No
1 INTRODUCTION 2
2 UNPACKING 2
3 EM15 IMPEDANCE 3
4 SAFETY FIRST 4
4.1 Rigging and suspension 4
5 AMPLIFICATION 4
6 CONNECTING TO AN AMPLIFIER 5
7 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS 5
8 WARRANTY 7
9 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 8
MARTIN AUDIO
LONDON
The Martin Experience
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

1 INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing a Martin Audio EM Series loudspeaker system.
The EM15 is a miniature trapezoid full-range loudspeaker featuring twin
5"(125mm) drivers in a unique two-way configuration utilising patented
ICT™ (Inductively Coupled Transducer) technology. The EM150 is a twin
10"(250mm) driver sub-bass system designed to be used to extend the low
frequency performance of the EM15. It can also be used with larger EM
Series enclosures such as the EM26.
Ideally suited to background and foreground music reproduction, the EM15
and EM150 are compact and easily installed. An external crossover is not
necessary, but an EMX1A controller will increase the versatility of the
complete system, adding relative level control and driver protection.
2 UNPACKING
Each 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 be held
responsible for damage to any returned product through the use of
non-approved packaging.
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This equipment conforms to the requirements of the
EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, amended by 92/31/EEC
and 93/68/EEC and the requirements of the Low
Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC.
Standards Applied EMC Emission EN55103-1:1996
Immunity EN55103-2:1996
Electrical Safety EN60065:1993
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

3 EM15 IMPEDANCE
The EM15 can be configured as either a 4 ohm or 16 ohm loudspeaker.
The 16 ohm configuration allows up to 4 x EM15’s to be run in parallel from
a single amplifier channel. The EM15 is normally supplied from the factory
in the 4 ohm configuration. To convert it to 16 ohms, follow the procedure
below.
Fig 1 FRONT BACK
1. Remove terminal panel from rear of cabinet (4 pozi screws)
2. Remove red and black wires from the twin terminal, connect to each end
of the insulated terminal block.
3. Replace terminal panel.
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3
INPUT
Terminal panel
Twin Terminal
Insulated terminal
block
4 ohm
16 ohm
RED
BROWN
BLACK
BLUE
RED
BROWN BLUE
BLACK
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

4 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 EM 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.
4.1 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.
5 AMPLIFICATION
The EM15 and EM150 are designed to be used with professional power
amplifiers capable of producing the following power outputs into 4 ohms:
EM15 4 ohm 50-100W
EM15 16 ohm 200-400W
EM150 400-500W
Care should be taken to avoid amplifier clipping. It is important to
understand that a low power amplifier driven into clipping is more likely to
damage a loudspeaker than a higher power amplifier used within its ratings.
This is because music signals have a high peak-to-average "crest" factor.
When an amplifier is severely overdriven, its output waveform is clipped
(its peaks are squared off) – reducing the crest factor. In extreme cases,
the waveform can approach that of a square wave. An amplifier is normally
capable of producing far more power under these conditions than its
undistorted rated power output.
The use of very high power amplifiers with outputs greater than those
recommended is discouraged.
Care should be taken to avoid switch-on surges, which can result in
momentary power peaks in excess of specified ratings. When powering up
a sound system it is important to switch on the amplifiers after the mixer
and control electronics have stabilised. When powering down the system,
reverse the sequence and switch off the amplifiers first.
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All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

6 CONNECTING TO AN AMPLIFIER
Connections are made via stripped wires to avoid the need for soldered
connectors. The EM15 is provided with two spring-loaded terminals on the
rear of the enclosure and the EM150 is provided with two pairs of 4mm
screw terminals – a pair for each 10"(250mm) driver.
For mono EM150 operation these should be connected together externally
in parallel: left Red (+) to right Red (+), left Black (-) to right Black (-). The
paralleled mono impedance is 4 ohms. For stereo operation, separate
connections should be made to the EM150’s left and right terminals. The
impedance in this case is 8 ohms left and 8 ohms right.
Note: It is important to maintain consistent polarity throughout i.e. Red to
Red, Black to Black.
7 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS
The basic system configuration for one EM150 and up to six EM15’s is
shown in Fig 2. Up to three EM15’s (each in 16 ohm configuration) are
wired in parallel with the respective left and right inputs of the EM150, and
driven from the left and right channels of the power amplifier. This
arrangement presents a 3 ohm load to each amplifier channel. Alternatively,
one EM150 may be used with a pair of EM26’s, presenting a 4 ohm load to
the amplifier.
Fig 2
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FROM PRE-AMP AMP
LEFT CHANNEL RIGHT CHANNEL
16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
8 ohm 8 ohm
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

To allow for the addition of further EM15’s and balance control between the
EM15’s and the EM150, a further power amplifier may be added to the
system as shown in Fig 3. The same signal is fed into both amplifiers, one
driving the EM15’s, the other driving the EM150.
Fig 3
An EMX1A controller may be used to further increase the flexibility of the
system (see Fig 4). With an EMX1A controller the relative levels can be
balanced in the controller. The EMX1A also provides signal limiting for
driver protection and has a 120Hz electronic crossover, removing signals
below this point from the EM15’s.
Fig 4
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RIGHT CHANNELLEFT CHANNEL
16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
8 ohm 8 ohm
FROM PRE-AMP FROM PRE-AMP
AMP
AMP
16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
8 ohm 8 ohm RIGHT CHANNEL
LEFT CHANNEL
INPUTS
AMP
AMP
EMX1
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

For larger systems, the EM150 drivers can be wired externally to give a 4
ohm mono sub. Two EM150’s can now be used with an increased number of
EM15’s (see Fig 5).
Fig 5
Note: Care must be taken, when connecting EM15’s in parallel, to ensure that
the total load impedance presented to the power amplifier will not exceed the
minimum specified by the amplifier manufacturer.
8 WARRANTY
Martin Audio EM 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 it's 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.
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INPUTS
AMP AMP
16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
16 ohm 16 ohm 16 ohm
4 ohm 4 ohm RIGHT CHANNEL
LEFT CHANNEL
EMX1
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

9 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
EM15
TYPE Ultra compact, two-way ICT™
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 120Hz-20kHz ±3dB
RATED POWER 75W AES, 300W peak
SENSITIVITY 91dB
MAXIMUM SPL 108dB continuous, 114dB peak
RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER 50-100W (into 4 ohms)
DISPERSION 80 degs horizontal x 80 degs vertical
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 4 ohms (16 ohms optional/user
configurable)
BASS 5” (125mm)
HIGH FREQUENCY 5” (125mm) ICT™
ENCLOSURE 5 litres, rear vented
CONNECTOR Spring-loaded
FITTINGS M4 inserts for Omnimount 50
DIMENSIONS (W) 172mm x (H) 282mm x (D) 172mm
(W) 6.8ins x (H) 11ins x (D) 6.8ins
WEIGHT 5kg (11lbs)
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS (W) 390mm x (H) 370mm x (D) 200mm
(Packed in pairs) (W) 15.4ins x (H) 14.5ins x (D) 7.9ins
SHIPPING WEIGHT 9kg (19.8lbs)
(Packed in pairs)
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All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.

EM150
TYPE Ultra compact sub-bass system
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 45Hz-200Hz ± 3db
RATED POWER 400W AES, 1600W peak
(2 x 200W AES, 800W peak per driver)
SENSITIVITY 98dB
MAXIMUM SPL 123dB continuous, 129dB peak
RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER 400-500W (into 4 ohms)
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 2 x 8 ohms nominal stereo,
4 ohms nominal mono
BASS 2 x 250mm (10") extended throw
ENCLOSURE 91 litres, vented
CONNECTOR 2 x spring-loaded
DIMENSIONS (W) 790mm x (H) 360mm x (D) 410mm
(W) 31.1ins x (H) 14.2ins x (D) 16.1ins
WEIGHT 31kg (68lbs)
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS (W) 950mm x (H) 390mm x (D) 450mm
(W) 37.4ins x (H) 15.4ins x (D) 17.7ins
SHIPPING WEIGHT 34kg (75lbs)
NOTES (EM Series)
Sensitivity measured in half-space conditions at 1 metre with 1 watt input,
using band limited pink noise. SPL measured at 1 metre using band limited
pink noise.
Finish: Textured grey green paint.
Protective grilles: Perforated steel grey with 48% free air flow.
Due to our policy of continuous improvement all specifications are subject
to change without notice.
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All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.