Since the beginning of audio, achieving smooth dispersion
has been a problem for all loudspeaker designers. Large panel
transducers present even more of a challenge because the
larger the panel, the more directional the dispersion
pattern becomes.
Full range electrostats have long been one of the most
problematic transducers because they attain their full
range capabilities via a large surface area. It looked as if
they were in direct conflict to smooth dispersion and
almost every attempt to correct this resulted in either poor
dispersion or a serious compromise in sound quality.
After extensive research, MartinLogan engineers discovered
an elegantly simple solution to achieve a smooth pattern
of dispersion without degrading sound quality. By curving
the horizontal plane of the electrostatic transducer, a
controlled horizontal dispersion pattern could be achieved,
yet the purity of the almost massless electrostatic diaphragm
remained uncompromised. After creating this technology,
MartinLogan developed the production capability to bring it
out of the laboratory and into the market place.
You will find this proprietary MartinLogan technology used
in all of our products. It is one of the many reasons behind
our reputation for high quality sound with practical usability.
This is also why you see the unique “see through” cylindrical
shape of all MartinLogan products.
Transducer Integrity
All MartinLogan transducers begin with two pieces of high-
grade, cold rolled steel. These steel pieces are then custom
perforated and insulated with a unique composite coating.
This proprietary coating insulates the stator to three times
its actual needed working voltage and gives the Theater a
wide margin of safe operation. In addition to the electrical
insulation properties, this coating also provides the Theater
with a durable, attractive finish that dampens the steel to
prevent ringing. These pieces are then sandwiched with
our exclusive vapor deposited diaphragm and spacers into
a curved geometry, and bonded together with aerospace
adhesives whose strength exceeds that of welding.
The result of these advanced technologies is a transducer
that is attractive, durable, highly rigid, well dampened,
and neutral.
The diaphragm material used in all MartinLogan speakers
employs an extremely sophisticated conductive surface
that has been vapor deposited on the polymer surface at
an atomic level. A proprietary compound is vaporized then
electrostatically driven into the surface of the polymer film
in a vacuum chamber. This process allows an optically
transparent surface adding no mass to the diaphragm that
is extremely uniform in its surface resistivity characteristics.
This uniform surface resistivity controls the electrostatic
charge on the diaphragm surface and regulates its migration.
As a result, no discharging or “arcing” can occur.
Controlled Dispersion Array
Most MartinLogan speakers are designed with vertically
oriented CLS transducers providing line sources from 2 to
over 5 feet. This provides excellent detail and coverage of
the listening area without the need for additional transducers.
The Theater's horizontally oriented eight inch vertical line
source requires an additional transducer to disperse high
frequency information.
In order to provide a high frequency dispersion pattern
that matches other MartinLogan speakers, we've added a
high frequency controlled dispersion array to the Theater.
The Theater Dispersion Array consists of three proprietary
high frequency drivers and specially engineered electronics
which maintain an expanded yet exact vertical dispersion
pattern throughout the high frequency spectrum.
The Theater's Dispersion Array also eliminates lobbing. This is
a non-uniform pattern which can result from closely spaced
wide-dispersion transducers firing a signal in the same
direction. This is addressed by configuring the center driver
to play only at frequencies above 8000Hz. Above 3000Hz,
the Dispersion Array also limits the output of both the upper
and lower drivers and above 10,000Hz, the central driver
begins to narrow it's dispersion.
This is how the Theater matches the dispersion and detail
characteristics of our other CLS electrostatic speaker systems
while limiting floor and ceiling reflections. The result is a
seamless soundstage and perfect clarity throughout your
home theater.
Curvilinear Line Source (CLS
TM
)
Vapor Deposited Film
MartinLogan Exclusives 15
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