Frequently Asked Questions 19
Will excessive smoke or dust cause any problems with
my electrostatic speakers?
Exposure to excessive contaminants such as smoke
or dust may potentially affect the performance of the
electrostatic membrane, and may cause discoloration
of the diaphragm membrane. When not in use for
extended periods, you should unplug the speakers and
cover them with the plastic bags in which the speakers
were originally packed.
It is a good idea to vacuum the electrostatic portion of
each speaker once or twice a year. This will be most
effective if the speaker has been unplugged for six
hours or overnight. You need not worry about the vacuum
pressure damaging the "delicate" membrane. It is
extraordinarily durable.
A problem has recently developed with my MartinLogan
speakers. The center speaker seems to be hissing even
when the amplifier and such are not connected. I was
wondering if this sounds like any problem you have
encountered previously and have a simple solution for
or might it be something which will need to be looked
into more carefully.
Your speakers are dusty. The electrostatic charge on
the element has attracted some airborne dust or pollen.
First unplug the speakers for six hours or overnight.
This will allow the charge to dissipate. Now vacuum
the front of the panel with a very strong vacuum.
Don’t worry about damaging the membrane. You won’t.
This should take care of your problem
By the way, since 1993, all of our speakers have been
built with a charging circuit board that only charges the
electrostatic element when music plays. At other times
they are not charged, and cannot collect dust. You can get
the same benefit by simply unplugging them whenever
they are not in use. An easy way to do that is with a
power strip that has a switch.
Could my children, pets, or myself be shocked by the
high-voltage present in the electrostatic panel?
No. High voltage with low current is not dangerous. As a
matter of fact, the voltage in our speakers is 10 times
less than the static electricity that builds up on the surface
of your television screen.
How do MartinLogan speakers hold up over a long term
in the humidity of tropical climates?
We should tell you that MartinLogan indeed has a very
substantial number of customers in tropical regions of
the world. Our speakers have been serving them nicely for
many years. This concern may have come from our earlier
design of speakers, which were charged continuously.
Since 1993, all of our speakers have been designed so that
they only charge the panel while music is being played.
This improvement has made a tremendous difference
in the consistent performance of our product. There may
be a little more maintenance involved in humid regions
when not in an air conditioned environment. Simply
enough, the concern is to keep the electrostatic panels
dust free. Humidity will combine with any dust on the
panel to make it slightly conductive. This will result in a
slight pathway for the charge to leave the membrane of
the speaker. The solution is simple. They only require
occasional vacuuming with a strong vacuum hose. You
will have best results when the speakers have been
unplugged for six hours or overnight. We are confident
that they will serve you very well.
Should I unplug my speakers during a thunderstorm?
Yes, or before. It’s a good idea to disconnect all of your
audio/video components during stormy weather.