Martinlogan Motion 30 Center Channel Speaker User Guide

MartinLogan Motion 30 Center Channel Speaker 

INTRODUCTION

Motion 30’s 5.5-inch drivers are partnered with a cutting-edge Folded Motion tweeter, and it also includes low-turbulence, rear-firing bass ports and high-excursion, black aluminum cone woofers. Each model produces accurate, crisp, and dramatic sound. Five-way premium binding posts ensure a strong connection.

WARNING!

• Refer servicing to a qualified technician.
• To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this module to moisture.
• Turn amplifier off should any abnormal conditions occur.
• Do not drive speaker beyond its rated power.

The lightning bolt flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of potentially “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of electric shock.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
In accordance with the European Union WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive effective August 13, 2005, we would like to notify you that this product may contain regulated materials which upon disposal, according to the WEEE directive, require special reuse and recycling processing. For this reason, Martin Logan has arranged with our distributors in European Union member nations to collect and recycle this product at no cost to you.
To find your local distributor please contact the dealer from whom you purchased this product, email info@ martinlogan.com or visit the distributor locator at www.martinlogan.com.

Please note, only this product itself falls under the WEEE directive. When disposing of packaging and other related shipping materials we encourage you to recycle these items through the normal channels.

CONTENTS

CONNECTION

WARNING! Turn your amplifier off before making or breaking any signal connections!

Use the best speaker cables you can. The length and type of speaker cable used in your system will have an audible effect. Under no circumstance should a wire of gauge higher (thinner) than #16 be used. In general, the longer the length used, the greater the necessity of a lower gauge, and the lower the gauge, the better the sound, with diminishing returns setting in around #8 to #12.
A variety of cables are available whose manufacturers claim better performance than standard heavy gauge wire. We have verified this in many cases, and the improvements available are often more noticeable than the differences between wires of different gauge. The effects of cables may be masked if equipment is not of the highest quality.
Connections are done at the signal input section on the rear electronics panel of the speaker. Use spade connectors for optimum contact and ease of installation. Hand tighten the binding posts, but do not overtighten—do not use a tool to tighten the binding posts.
Be consistent when connecting the speaker cables to the signal input terminals. Take care to assign the same color cable lead to the (+) terminal on both the left and right channel speakers. If bass is nonexistent and you cannot discern a tight, coherent image, you may need to reverse the (+) and (–) leads on one speaker to bring the system into proper polarity.

INSTALLATION

WARNING! Installation other than that described in the body of this document requires specific documentation from MartinLogan.

BREAK IN

Allow approximately 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB (moderate listening levels) before critical listening.

INSTALLING ON A FLAT SURFACE

If you have a surface that provides a wide, level, and stable platform, the speaker can be placed directly on top. When using the speaker in this configuration, affix the rubber pads to the bottom 4 of the speaker at the rear contact points (fig. 2)
Note: This speaker is not magnetically shielded and therefore should not be placed directly beside or atop a CRT television.

TROUBLESHOOTING

No Output

• Check that all system components are turned on and source material is playing.
• Check speaker wires and connections.
• Check all interconnecting cables.
• If you are unable to resolve your problem, please contact your dealer or MartinLogan customer service (see below).

CONTACTING CUSTOMER SERVICE

MartinLogan customer service is available Monday–Friday between the hours of 8am–5pm (central time) by calling (785) 749-0133 or by emailing [email protected].

GENERAL INFORMATION

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Your speakers are provided with an automatic Limited 90 Day Warranty coverage. 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 to MartinLogan within 30 days of purchase. For your convenience MartinLogan also offers online warranty registration at www.martinlogan.com.

MartinLogan may not honor warranty service claims unless we have a completed Warranty Registration card on file! If you did not receive a Certificate of Registration with your new speakers you cannot be assured of having received new units. If this is the case, please contact your authorized MartinLogan dealer.

SERIAL NUMBER

The serial number is located on back of the speaker, directly beneath the binding posts. The serial number may also be found on the product carton.

SERVICE

Should you use your MartinLogan product in a country other than the one in which it was originally purchased, we ask that you note the following:

1. The appointed MartinLogan distributor for any given country is responsible for warranty servicing only on units distributed by or through it in that country in accordance with its applicable warranty.
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 performed by the nearest MartinLogan distributor, subject to that distributor’s local servicing policies, but all cost of repairs (parts, labor, transportation) must be borne by the owner of the MartinLogan product.
3. If, after owning your speaker for six months, you relocate to a country other than the one in which you purchased your speaker, your warranty may be transferable. Contact MartinLogan for details.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frequency Response: 65–25,000 Hz ± 3 dB
• Dispersion: 80° x 80°
• Sensitivity: 91 dB @ 2.83 volts/ meter
• Impedance: 4 Ohms. Compatible with 4, 6 or 8 Ohm rated amplifiers.
• Crossover Frequency: 400 & 2,600 Hz
• High Frequency Driver: 1” x 1.4” (2.6cm x 3.6cm) Folded Motion Transducer with 5.25” x 1.75” (13.3cm x 4.4cm) diaphragm.
• Low Frequency Drivers: Two 5.5” (14cm) aluminum cone with cast poly-mer basket. Non-resonant asymmetrical chamber format. Rigid structured dust cap to reduce cone break-up modes.
• Cabinet: Ported
• Components: Custom air core coil and low DCR steel laminate inductors. Polyester film capacitors in series and low DF electrolytic capacitors in parallel. Tweeter thermal/current protection.
• Recommended Amplifier Power: 20–200 watts
• Binding Post Inputs: Custom 5-way toolless binding posts
• Weight: 18 lbs. (8.2 kg)
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 6.9” x 16.5” x 10.5” (17.5cm x 42cm x 26.6cm)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I clean my speakers?

Use a dust free cloth (such as a micro fiber cloth) or a soft brush to remove dust from your speakers. Do not spray any kind of cleaning agent on or in close proximity to the drivers.

Could you suggest a list of suitable electronics and cables ideal for MartinLogan speakers?

We have no favorites and 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.

Is there likely to be any interaction between my speakers and the television in my A/V system?

Yes. These speakers are not shielded and should be kept at least 2 feet away from a CRT television.

Will exposure to sunlight affect the life or performance of my speakers?

We recommend against placing any loudspeaker in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause deterioration of cabinet, speaker cones, etc. Small exposures to UV will not cause a problem. Filtering of UV rays through glass will greatly reduce the negative effects.

What is the center channel speaker for?

A home theatre system’s center channel speaker is essential since it reproduces around 70% of the dialogue from movies and television shows. You’re missing out on important details of what you’re watching without one.

Can you use any speaker for center channel?

For your center channel, you can utilize any speaker (aside from a subwoofer), but preferably, you should pick a speaker with a horizontal cabinet design rather than a vertical or square one.

Is a center channel good for music?

The center channel speaker in a home theatre surround sound system is undoubtedly the most significant and underappreciated. Almost 70% of all audio content is currently played through the center channel. The majority of the vocals and dialogue in both music and movies are also handled by it.

What is the difference between a soundbar and a center channel speaker?

There is only one mono center channel on the center speakers. This means that all of the audio is “positioned” in the center of the speaker, which is excellent for highlighting important audio, such as the conversation in a movie. In contrast, soundbars will have 2 or 3 channels and provide stereo sound.

Is center speaker for dialogue?

The majority of people are aware that movie speech is re-played by the center speaker. While this is true, a traditional 5.1 setup does not exclusively employ the center channel for this purpose.

Can I use a bookshelf speaker as center channel?

Yes, utilizing a bookshelf speaker of the same kind is fine if you don’t have a dedicated center.

How do I choose center channel speaker?

Always look for a center channel speaker with a “three-way design” and a tweeter and midrange that are vertically aligned. This enables it to perform more closely to a full range speaker, to produce a wider soundstage, and to properly track the acoustic image over the front stage.

How big should my center channel speaker be?

Your front speakers, subwoofer, or a combination of both can process your low frequency signal. For timbre matching purposes, your Center channel should typically be set to the same size as your Front L/R speakers.

Should center speaker be above or below TV?

The center speaker should often be placed immediately beneath the TV. This will most accurately replicate sound emanating from the TV and should be at or near ear level. Directly above the TV is the next-best position if you can’t place it there. The key is to keep it within close proximity of the TV.