Martin Audio Blackline X115 User Guides

Type
User Guides
User Guide
BlacklineX

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 1
…………

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 2
…………
Content
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................................................6
Unpacking.........................................................................................................................................................................................6
BlacklineXSeriesoverview...............................................................................................................................................................7
2wayfullrangesystems:.............................................................................................................................................................7
Directradiatingportedsubbasssystems....................................................................................................................................7
2waypassivefullrangesystems.....................................................................................................................................................8
X8..................................................................................................................................................................................................8
X10................................................................................................................................................................................................9
X12..............................................................................................................................................................................................10
X15..............................................................................................................................................................................................11
Subbasssystems............................................................................................................................................................................12
X115............................................................................................................................................................................................12
X118............................................................................................................................................................................................13
X210............................................................................................................................................................................................14
Accessories.....................................................................................................................................................................................15
WallBrackets..............................................................................................................................................................................15
EyeBolts.....................................................................................................................................................................................16
PoleMount.................................................................................................................................................................................17
Safetyfirst.......................................................................................................................................................................................18
Poleorstandmounting..............................................................................................................................................................18
Stacking.......................................................................................................................................................................................18
Riggingandsuspension..............................................................................................................................................................18
Amplification..................................................................................................................................................................................19
Choosingapoweramplifier........................................................................................................................................................19
GainSettings...............................................................................................................................................................................19
RecommendedAmplifiers..........................................................................................................................................................19
Connections....................................................................................................................................................................................20
SubWooferConnections............................................................................................................................................................20
WiringDiagrams.............................................................................................................................................................................23
SystemA‐basicsetup................................................................................................................................................................23
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................23
SystemB‐IntroducingaProcessor.............................................................................................................................................24
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................24
SystemC‐AddingaMonoSub....................................................................................................................................................25
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................25
SystemD‐AddingSubwooferswithasecondamplifier .............................................................................................................26
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................26
SystemE‐StereoSubwoofers.....................................................................................................................................................27
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................27

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 3
…………
SystemFStereoSubwoofersusingthebiampwiringfacility.................................................................................................28
Productsthatmaybeusedwiththiswiring;‐.........................................................................................................................28
DX0.5..............................................................................................................................................................................................29
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................29
Features......................................................................................................................................................................................29
RearPanel...................................................................................................................................................................................29
1.Power..................................................................................................................................................................................29
2.PowerLeadSocketandFuse..............................................................................................................................................29
3.Main:Lift/Gnd...................................................................................................................................................................30
4.XLROutputs........................................................................................................................................................................30
5.XLRInputs...........................................................................................................................................................................30
FrontPanel.................................................................................................................................................................................30
6.LCDDisplay.........................................................................................................................................................................30
7.Nav/Edit1Control...............................................................................................................................................................30
8.Edit2Control.......................................................................................................................................................................30
9.Edit3Control.......................................................................................................................................................................30
10.EnterButton.....................................................................................................................................................................31
11.ESCButton........................................................................................................................................................................31
12.UtilityButton....................................................................................................................................................................31
13.Mute/EditButtons..........................................................................................................................................................31
14.EditLEDs...........................................................................................................................................................................31
15.MuteLEDs.........................................................................................................................................................................31
16.Meters..............................................................................................................................................................................31
17.USB................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
FactoryReset..........................................................................................................................................................................32
Utilities........................................................................................................................................................................................32
SystemUtilities...........................................................................................................................................................................32
SystemSetup..........................................................................................................................................................................33
DelayUnits..............................................................................................................................................................................33
Rampsonchanges..................................................................................................................................................................33
SoftwareVersion....................................................................................................................................................................33
PresetUtilities............................................................................................................................................................................34
RecallaPreset........................................................................................................................................................................34
SaveaPreset........................................................................................................................................................................... 34
DeleteaPreset.......................................................................................................................................................................34
SecurityUtilities..........................................................................................................................................................................35
ShowParameter.....................................................................................................................................................................35
LockUnit.................................................................................................................................................................................35
UserPassword........................................................................................................................................................................35
EnablePassword.....................................................................................................................................................................35

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 4
…………
Editing.........................................................................................................................................................................................36
InputsA/B:............................................................................................................................................................................36
Gain.........................................................................................................................................................................................36
Delay.......................................................................................................................................................................................36
EQBypass...............................................................................................................................................................................37
5BandEQ...............................................................................................................................................................................37
Outputs16:................................................................................................................................................................................38
Name......................................................................................................................................................................................38
Source..................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Polarity.................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Gain.........................................................................................................................................................................................38
EQBypass...............................................................................................................................................................................39
7BandEQ...............................................................................................................................................................................39
Delay.......................................................................................................................................................................................39
HighPassFilter.......................................................................................................................................................................40
LowPassFilter........................................................................................................................................................................40
Limiter.....................................................................................................................................................................................40
VUMeter................................................................................................................................................................................41
LinkingInputsorOutputs...........................................................................................................................................................41
ControlApplication.....................................................................................................................................................................41
GrilleRemovalandhornRotation..................................................................................................................................................42
GrilleRemoval............................................................................................................................................................................42
Rotatingthehighfrequencyhorn..............................................................................................................................................44
BadgeRotation...........................................................................................................................................................................44
WallMounting................................................................................................................................................................................47
EyeBoltMounting..........................................................................................................................................................................53
Specifications..................................................................................................................................................................................54
X8................................................................................................................................................................................................54
X10..............................................................................................................................................................................................54
X12..............................................................................................................................................................................................55
X15..............................................................................................................................................................................................55
X115............................................................................................................................................................................................56
X118............................................................................................................................................................................................56
X210............................................................................................................................................................................................57
Notes......................................................................................................................................................................................57
TechnicalDrawings.........................................................................................................................................................................58
X8................................................................................................................................................................................................58
X10..............................................................................................................................................................................................58
X12..............................................................................................................................................................................................59
X15..............................................................................................................................................................................................59

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 5
…………
X115............................................................................................................................................................................................60
X118............................................................................................................................................................................................60
X210............................................................................................................................................................................................61
Warranty.........................................................................................................................................................................................62

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 6
…………
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Martin Audio BlacklineX Series system. Now, with BlacklineX, Martin Audio’s R&D team has
engineeredaclassicsuiteofpassiveloudspeakersforthe modernera.Deliveringthesignaturesoundofwarmth,nuanceand
claritybutwithimprovedoverallperformanceatapricepointnotpreviouslypossible,BlacklineXisaclean,smartdesignwith
noco
mpromisebetweentheneedsofinstallationand portability.Applicationsrangefromportablesoundreinforcement and
stagemonitoringforlivebands,DJ’sandcorporateevents,toinstallationsinnightclubs,bars,commercialspacesandHoW.
Comprising four twoway systems from the ultracompact X8 to the pow
erful X15 and three subwoofers, including an
unobtrusivelowprofilemodel,themultipurposeBlacklineXSeriesraisestheperformanceofloudspeakersystemsinitsclassto
a new level. Each symmetrical, multiangle fullrange enclosure features a user rotatable horn for horizontal or vertical
orientation, and has a screwfree, clothbac
ked steel grille. Comprehensive mounting options include wall bracket, eyebolt
suspension and polemounting. Ergonomic handles at the rear of each fullrange enclosure make for easy handling while
maintainingcleanlinesforinstalledsystemswherehandlesonthecabinet'ssidearelikelytolookobtrusive.
AllBlacklineXSeriesenclosuresareconstructedfrombirch/
poplarplywoodandfinishedwithadurableblacktexturedpaint,with
whiteandcustomRALcolouroptionsavailable toorder.
Professional and affordable, Bl acklineX puts Martin Audio signature sound within easy reach of musicians, DJ’s and systems
integrators—theBlacklineheritagereimaginedforthemod
ernera.
BecausetheX8,X10,X12andX15arepassivesystemsembodyingcorrectacousticdesignprinciples,theycanbeusedwithouta
controllerprovidedtheirAESandpeakpowerratings arenotexceededandcareistakentoavoidamplifierclipping.Formaximum
performance,however,werecommendthatBlacklineXSeriessystemsareusedwiththeMartinAud
ioDX0.5whichisahighly
versatile2input 6outputdigital loudspeakerprocessor,economicallypricedtomake itanexcellentmatc h fortheBlacklineX
range.AProjectfilewithparametersfortherangecanbedownloadedfromtheMartinAudiowebsiteandca
nquicklyandeasily
beuploadedtoa DX0.5using theDX0.5softwareapplicationwhich isalso availableasafreedownloadedfromthe Software
sectionontheMartinAudiowebsite.TheMartinaudioDX1.5orDX2systemcontrollerscanalsobeusedandaspreadsheetwith
parametersfortheBlacklineXran
geisalsoavailablefromtheLoudspeakersettingpageintheSupportsectionofthewebsite.
Unpacking
EachMartinAudioBlacklineXSeriesloudspeakerisbuilttothehigheststandardandthoroughlyinspectedbeforeitleavesthe
factory.Afterunpackingthesystem,examineitcarefullyforanysignsoftransitdamageandinformyourdealerordistributorif
anysuchdamageisfound.Itissuggestedthatyouretaintheori
ginalpackagingsothatthesystemcanberepackedatafuture
dateifnecessary.
PleasenotethatMartinAudioanditsdistributorscannotacceptanyresponsibilityfordamagetoanyreturnedproductthrough
theuseofnonapprovedpackaging.

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 7
…………
BlacklineXSeriesoverview
TheBlacklineXSeriesismadeupof…
2wayfullrange systems:
X8(8”+1”)
X10(10”+1”)
X12(12”+1”)
X15(15”+1”)
Directradiatingportedsubbasssystems
X115(single15”,ported)user selectable120Hzlowpassfilter
X118(single18”,ported)user selectable120Hzlowpassfilter
X210(2x10”,ported)userselectable120Hzlowpassfilter


 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 8
…………
2waypassivefullrangesystems
X8
TheX8isanultracompactpassivetwowaysystemfeaturingan8”(200mm)/2”(50mm)voicecoilLFdriveranda1”(25mm) HF
drivermountedona90°x50°hornwhichcanbeeasilyrotatedforhorizontalorverticalorientation.It'svery smallsizegivesno
indicationofitshighou
tputcapability.
Asastandaloneloudspeaker,ithasamultitudeofprofessionalapplications—fromdistributedsoundreinforcement,HoWand
AVeventstofrontfill/infillanduseasamicrostagemonitor.Complement edbyaBlacklineXsubwoofer,itistheideal,simple
tousesystem forportableapplications and installations which call fo
ran unobtrusivesystemthat candeliverpristinesound
overshortandmediumthrowdistances.
The X8 is constructed from birch/poplar plywood and fitted with a screwfree steel grille, M8 inserts for a wall bracket and
eyebolt suspension, plus a polemount socket. The X8 may be used with or with
out a system controller. For demanding
applications,MartinAudiorecommendsaDX0.5systemcontrollerconfiguredtoperformEQandlimiterfunctions. The DX0.5
mayalsobeusedtoconfiguresystemsforadditionalsubbasscabinetse.g.X8+X115orX210

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 9
…………
X10
TheX10isahighperformanceyetverycompacttwowaypassiveloudspeakersystemwhichutilisesa10”(250mm)/2.5”(63mm)
voicecoilLFdriveranda1”(25mm)exitHFcompressiondriverwitha1.4”(35mm) polyimidediaphragm.Therotatable90°x
50°HFhornhasequalhorizontalandverticalmouthd
imensionsfordirectivitycontrolinbothplanes.
WithamaximumSPLof124dB@1m,itisuniquelyplacedtomeettheforegroundrequirementsofmusicbarsandclubsthat
require upfront sound levels from a very compact enclosure. Use with a BlacklineX Series subwoofer will enable the X10 to
operateassma
lldancefloororsoundreinforcementsystemthatisremarkablypowerfulforitssize,aswellasbeingextremely
portable.
The X10is constructed from birch/poplarplywood and fitte d with a screwfree steel grille, M8 insertsfor a wall bracket and
eyeboltsuspension,plusapolemountsocket.
TheX10maybeusedwithorwi
thoutasystemcontroller.Fordemandingapplications,MartinAudiorecommendsaDX0.5system
controllerc onfiguredtoperformEQandlimiterfunctions.The DX0.5mayalsobeusedtoconfiguresystemsforadditionalsub
basscabinetse.g.X10+X115orX118

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 10
…………
X12
TheX12 fulfils the requirement fora compact systemthat can deliver high sound levels either asa standalonesystem or
supplementedbyaBlacklineXsubwoofer.Featuringa12(300mm)LFdriverunitanda1”(25mm)exit compressiondriverona
rotatablehorn,its80°x50°dispersionpatternisidealformediumthrowapplications.TheLFdriverhasa2.5”(65mm)vo
icecoil
andahighBLmotor,whiletheHFcompressiondriverutilisesa1.75”(44mm)polyimidediaphragmforextendedhighfrequency
response.
TheX12’s enclosure is constructedfrom birch/poplar plywood andcoated in blacktexturedpaint. For easyremoval, its steel
gril
leisaspringfitintothesidesoftheenclosure.ItisfittedwithM8insertsfora wallbracketandeyeboltsuspension,plusa
polemountsocketwitharemovablebungthatmaintainsclea nlineswhentheX12isusedininstallapplications.
TheX12maybeusedwithorwi
thoutasystemcontroller.Fordemandingapplications,MartinAudiorecommendsaDX0.5system
controllerc onfiguredtoperformEQandlimiterfunctions.The DX0.5mayalsobeusedtoconfiguresystemsforadditionalsub
basscabinetse.g.X12+X115orX118

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 11
…………
X15
The X15 is a very highpower, passive twoway system designed for professional portable applications and installations that
demandtheultimate insonicperformancefrom asingleenclosure.With anaccuratelydefined80° x 50°coveragepattern,it
combinesveryhighoutputcapabilitywithexceptionalsonicperformanceandimpact.
Itfeaturesapowerful15
(380mm)/3”(75mm)voicecoilLFdriveunit,anda1”(25mm)exitHFcompressiondriverwitha1.75”
(44mm)polyimidediaphragmforextendedhighfrequencyresponse.
Itsprotectivesteelgrilleisa springfitintothesides of theenclosureforeasyaccess to rotatetheHF hor
n.Thesymmetrical ,
multiangleenclosureismanuf a cturedfrombirch/poplarplyandcoatedintexturedblackpaint.ItisfittedwithM8insertsfora
wallbracketandeyeboltsuspension,plusapolemountsocket.
TheX15maybeusedwithorwithoutasystemcontroller.Fordemandingapplications,MartinAudiorecomme
ndsaDX0.5system
controllerc onfiguredtoperformEQandlimiterfunctions.The DX0.5mayalsobeusedtoconfiguresystemsforadditionalsub
basscabinetse.g.X15+X118

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 12
…………
Subbasssystems
X115
The X115 is a very compact subwoofer designed to augment the low frequency performance of BlacklineX Series fullrange
systems.Itcomprisesalongexcursion15”(380mm)/3”(75mm)voicecoildriverinabassreflexenclosureandcanbeusedsingly,
stackedorflownviainteg ralM10inserts.Fourlargeportscon
tributetoareductioninairnoiseathighoutputlevels.
Theenclosureisconstructedfrombirch/poplarplywithatexturedpaintfinishandthedriverisprotectedbyanimpactresistant
perforatedsteelgrillewhichisprecurvedtoresistdamage.TheX115hasa35mmpolemountfittinginth
etopsurfacethatcan
beusedtopolemountanX8,X10,orX12abovetheenclosure,andtwosidehandlesforeasyhandling.
TheS115isdesignedforuse inatwowayactivebiampsystem.ADX0.5systemcontrolleristheideasystemcontrollertoprovid e
theactivecross
overfunctionandenhancedcontrolfacilities.


 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 13
…………
X118
TheX118isacompact,highperformancesubwooferforusewithBlacklineXSeriesfullrangeloudspeakers.Itextendsthelow
frequencyoperatingrangeofthecombinedsystemto42Hzandprovidesexceptionallowfrequencyimpact.Itcanbeusedsingly,
stackedorflownviaintegralM10insetsandfeaturesalongex
cursion18”( 460mm)/3”(75mm)voicecoildriverinacompact
reflexenclosure.Itsfourreflexportshavealargefrontalareatoreduceturbulentairnoiseatveryhighlevels.
TheX118enclosureisconstruc tedfrombirch/poplarplyandfinishedintexturedblack paint.Aperforatedsteelgrilleprotects
thedriver,andtheenclosurehasa35mmpolemountfitt
inginthetopsurfaceandtwosidehandles.
TheS118isdesignedforuse inatwowayactivebiampsystem.ADX0.5systemcontrolleristheideasystemcontrollertoprovide
theactivecrossoverfunctionandenhancedcontrolfaci
lities.

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 14
…………
X210
TheX210isaslimlinedualdriversubwooferdesignedforsituationsthatcallforavisuallyunobtrusiveenclosure.Itcanbeused
singly,stackedorflownviaintegralM10insertsanditsultracompactsizemakesitidealforapplicationswherespaceislimited.
Itfeaturesdual10”(250mm)/2”(50mm)voicecoildriversandgenerouslysizedlowfreque
ncyportsforreducedairnoise.The
enclosureisconstructedfrombirch/poplarplywithatexturedpaintfinishandthedriversareprotectedbyanimpactresistant
perforatedsteelgrille.Ithastwinergonomichandlesattherearoftheenclosureforeasyhandling.
TheS210isdesignedforuse inatwowayactivebiampsystem.ADX0.
5systemcontrolleristheideasystemcontrollertoprovide
theactivecrossoverfunctionandenhancedcontrolfacilities.

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 15
…………
Accessories
AcomprehensiverangeofaccessoriesisavailablefortheBlacklineXrangeforbothportableandinstallationuse.
WallBrackets
TheBlacklineXrangesharesthemountingconfigurationofthe CDDinstallationrangesothesamewallbracketscanbeemployed.
Theseareatwopartbracketenablingthewallsectiontobefittedatfirstfixstagewhencablesarerun.Thecabinethalfcanbe
fittedtothespeakerinadvanc
eofarrivingatsitesothatfinalinstallationisjustacaseofjoiningthetwohalvesofthebracket
andadjustingthepositionforthecoveragere quired,andconnectingthecable.
Thebracketsforeachmodelareasfollows;‐
BlacklineX8 WB6/8B
BlacklineX10 WB10/12B
BlacklineX12 WB10/12B
BlacklineX15 WB10/12B

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 16
…………
EyeBolts
AllBlacklineXSeriesspeakershavethreadedinsertsavailableforflownapplicationsinfixedinstallations.Allfullrangecabinets
haveM8inserts,allsubwoofershaveM10inserts.Theinsertscanbeusedforfittingbespokeflyinghardwareorforflyingusing
EyeBolts.Thesemustbe forgedsteelshoulderedtypescertifiedwitha safeworkingload inexcessofthecabinet weight.Do
NOTbetempte
dtousecheapformedsteeltypescommonlyavailablefromDIYstoresastheyareunsafeforflyingheavyspeaker
cabinets.Correctly ratedshoulderedeyeboltsare availablefromMartinAudio asanoptional accessory,part numbersareas
foll
ows;‐
M8(BlacklineX8,10,12,15) HTK00003
M10(BlacklineX210,115,118) HTK00004


 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 17
…………
PoleMount
BlacklineXSeriesspeakershaveintegralpolemount"tophat"fittings.Thesearefittedtothe baseofallfullrangespeakers;X8,
10,12and15,andonthetopoftheBlacklineX115and118.Thefittingsallusethestandard35mmdiametersotheycanbeused
withanyregula
rspeakerstandoraccessory.Thefittinginthesubsallowsuseofamountingpoletoelevateoneofthefullrange
cabinetsontopofthesubwithouttheneedforabullyandunsightlytripodstands.Distancepolesarealsowidelyavailablebut
MartinAudiomakeapolespecificallyfo
rusewiththeBlacklinerange.ThepartnumberisanHTKCT04.Thiswillsupportanyof
thefullrangecabinetsatthe optimumheightaboveeitheran X115orX118.

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 18
…………
Safetyfirst
It is important that loudspeaker systems are used in a safe manner. Please take some time to review the following points
concerningsafeuseofBlacklineSeriesloudspeakers.
Professionalloudspeakersarecapableofproducingextremelyhighsoundlevelsandshouldbeusedwithcare.Hearinglossis
cumulativeandcanresult fromlevelsabove 90dBifpeop
leareexposedfor alongperiod. Neverstandclosetoloudspeakers
drivenathighlevel.
Poleorstan d m ounting
BlacklineXfullrangeloudspeakersincorporatepolemounting(“tophat”)socketssothattheymaybepoleorstandmounted.
Whenusingpolesorstands,thefollowingprecautionsareadvised:
Ensure that the stand will support the weight of the speaker by checking the stand manufacturers rating. (See the
Section10TechnicalSpecific
ations‐forindividualBlacklineXweightsanddimensions)
Makesurethatthestandisplacedonalevelsurfaceandthatitslegsarefullyextended
Donotplacemorethanonespeakeroneachstand
Runcablessothattheydonotpresentatriphazardwhich co
uldpullthespeakerover
Whenusedoutdoorsinthewind,itmaybenecessarytoaddsomeweighttothebaseofthestand
Whenusingapolemountwithasubbasssystem,observesimilarprecautions.
Stacking
Ensurethatthefloororstageislevelandsolid
Donotstackspeakerstoohighoutdoorswherewindscouldtopplethestack
Be aware that speakers producing very high power levels can move or creep. To avoid this, place friction material
betweenthefloorandspeakerandbetweeneachspeakerorusestrappingtosecurethesta
ck.
Riggingandsuspension
WARNING:Suspendingthesystemshouldonlybedonebyqualifiedpersonnelfollowingsaferiggingpractices.Secure fixingsto
thebuildingstructurearevital.Seekhelpfromarchitects,structuralengineersorotherspecialistsifinanydoubt.
BlacklineXSeriesenclosuresaredesignedforportableapplications,butcanbesuspendedsinglybymeansofth
ethreadedinserts
provided.Enclosuresarefittedinternallywithsteelcornerreinforcementbrackets,wherenecessary,toensurethateachcabinet
isstrongenoughtobehungfromitstop.
Neversuspendoneenclosurefromanothertoformanarrayorclusterusingthesefittings
Thecommonpracticeofusing commercial
lyavailableeyeboltsforsuspensionshouldonlybeundertakenwithgreat
caution.Onlyforgedshouldereyeboltsshouldbeconsideredanditisimportantthatthethreadlengthisatleast30mm
Formedeyeboltsi.e.thosewhichareformedfromasteelrodbentintoaneyearenotrecommended
Eyeboltsarestrongestalongthethreadaxis.Anglingtheenclosurewillresultinananglepullanditisimportanttouse
eyeboltsthataresafeinthesecircumstances.

 
 
BlacklineX USERGUIDE
BlacklineXUserGuideV1.0 19
…………
Amplification
Choosingapoweramplifier
Martin Audio loudspeakers are capable of recreating musical dynamics accurately and with incredible impact if powered
correctly.MartinAudioloudspeakerpowerratingsarequotedforAESpower‐alongtermaveragepowerratingwitha much
closerrelationtoamusicsignalthanothermeasurementstandardssuchasRMS,andPeakpowerashorttermburstcapability
.
Moving coil loudspeakers can be run up to their AES power rating continuously and up to the higher Peak power rating for
transientmusicalpeaks.AllBlacklineXSeriesspeakershaveapeakpowerratingfourtimesthelongtermAESrating.Ideallyyou
shoulduseanamplifierthatcandelivertheful
lpeakratingwithoutriskofclipping.Thishowevermaybebeyondthebudgetfor
manysoagoodcompr omiseistoaimforanamplifierthatcandeliveratleasttwicetheAESrating.
Thisisparticularlythecasefortheamplifierdr
ivinganX8,10,12or15whentheyareusedinconjunctionwithanX210,115or
118 as the sub cabinet will be delivering the majority of the energy in the program material. Do not howeverscrimp on the
amplifierdrivingthesubwoofer.
This should be acceptable for many applications but be aware of the limitations particularly if the system is used wit
h
uncompressedlivemusic.Inparticularitisvitaltoavoidamplifierclipping,thisispossiblythebiggestsinglecauseofdamageto
speakerdrivers.The clippedwaveformhasa colossalharmonic outputatultrahigh frequenciesallbein
gdeliveredatth e full
powercapabilityoftheamplifiersospeakerdamageisextremelylikely.
Theamplifierselectiontablebelowwillassistinchoosinganamplifiertosuityourapplicationatanacceptablepricepoint.
GainSettings
The vast majority of professional and even budget amplifiers on the market these days have a standard front to back gain
regardlessoftheiroutputpowercapability.Theindustrystandardgainfigureis32dBwhichisagainofX40.Thisfigureisagood
balancebetweenenoughgaintorunthatmajo
rityofsystemswithouthavingtodrivemixersandanyotherprocessingequipment
atalevelsohighthatthereisariskofclipping,andnottoomuchgainwhichwouldraisethenoisefloorofthesystem.When
usingaDX0.5orother systemprocessorwhichhas alimiterfunctionyo
ushouldalwaysuse the limitersettingsshown inthe
parameterchart(seethechapter ontheDX0.5SpeakerProcessor). Thelimiterthresholdiscalculated toallow themaximum
levelfromyoursystemwithoutdamageandisbasedonaknownamplifiergainsetting‐32dBbydefault.Forth
atreasonitisvital
thatiftheamplifierhasfrontpanelgaincontrolstheyMUSTbesetFULLUP.Loweringthemdoesnotoffermoreprotectionfor
yoursystem,itjustchangesthe gainsettingoftheamplifiersoagreaterinputlevelisrequiredtoobta inthemaximumpower
fromthe amp.This will makethe limiterin th
esystemcontroller uselessas thegain isno longer atthe settingfor which the
thresholdhasbeencalculated.Foroptimumperformancealwaysobservethefollowing;‐
UseaDX0.5orhighqualitysystemprocessor
UsethepublishedParametersfortheBlacklineXrange
Useanamplifierwithagainof32dB(X40)
Alwaysrunfrontpanelgaincontrolsfullup
Avoidamplifiersthatonlyquoteasensitivityrating;"xxdBformaximumoutput"(i.e.nopublishedgainsetting)
RecommendedAmplifiers
Model AES Power
Rating
Peak Power
Rating
Ideal amplifier rating Minimum rating Martin Audio amplifiers
4 8 4 8
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
  • Page 1 1
  • Page 2 2
  • Page 3 3
  • Page 4 4
  • Page 5 5
  • Page 6 6
  • Page 7 7
  • Page 8 8
  • Page 9 9
  • Page 10 10
  • Page 11 11
  • Page 12 12
  • Page 13 13
  • Page 14 14
  • Page 15 15
  • Page 16 16
  • Page 17 17
  • Page 18 18
  • Page 19 19
  • Page 20 20
  • Page 21 21
  • Page 22 22
  • Page 23 23
  • Page 24 24
  • Page 25 25
  • Page 26 26
  • Page 27 27
  • Page 28 28
  • Page 29 29
  • Page 30 30
  • Page 31 31
  • Page 32 32
  • Page 33 33
  • Page 34 34
  • Page 35 35
  • Page 36 36
  • Page 37 37
  • Page 38 38
  • Page 39 39
  • Page 40 40
  • Page 41 41
  • Page 42 42
  • Page 43 43
  • Page 44 44
  • Page 45 45
  • Page 46 46
  • Page 47 47
  • Page 48 48
  • Page 49 49
  • Page 50 50
  • Page 51 51
  • Page 52 52
  • Page 53 53
  • Page 54 54
  • Page 55 55
  • Page 56 56
  • Page 57 57
  • Page 58 58
  • Page 59 59
  • Page 60 60
  • Page 61 61
  • Page 62 62
  • Page 63 63
  • Page 64 64

Martin Audio Blackline X115 User Guides

Type
User Guides

Ask a question and I''ll find the answer in the document

Finding information in a document is now easier with AI