MartinLogan Xstat Summit X - Manual (Page 19)

XStat™ Transducer
XStat™ transducers incorporate a myriad of technological and
design innovations including CLS™, MicroPerf, Generation 2
Diaphragms, ClearSpars™, and Vacuum Bonding.
AirFrame™ Technology
Ultra-rigid extruded aerospace grade aluminum alloy
AirFrame™ technology rigidifies and secures the XStat™
electrostatic panel to the woofer cabinet while at the
same time providing sonic and electrical isolation.
Advanced AirFrame™ technology maximizes the electro-
static panels playable surface area and dipole dispersion
pattern while minimizing potentially acoustically destructive
intermodulated distortion caused by spurious vibrations and
resonance. The result? Ultimate imaging capability, low-level
detail resolution, improved efficiency and overall accuracy.
MicroPerf Stator
Sleek. Compact. MicroPerf stator technology, featured in
all XStat™ transducers, reveals more open playable area
in each panel, offering increased performance from even
more compact stat panels. It is significant to note that the
XStat™ transducer in the radical new Summit X loud-
speaker supports the bandwidth and dynamics associated
with traditional electrostatic panels nearly twice its size.
CLS™ (Curvilinear Line Source)
Since the beginning of audio, achieving smooth dispersion
has been a problem for all designers. Large panel transduc-
ers present unique challenge because the larger the panel,
the more directional the dispersion pattern becomes.
Wide 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 discov-
ered an elegantly simple solution to achieve a smooth
pattern of dispersion without degrading sound quality.
By curving the horizontal plane of the electrostatic trans-
ducer, 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 capa-
bility to bring it out of the laboratory and into the market
place. You will find this proprietary MartinLogan technol-
ogy used in all of our electrostatic 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 MartinLogan products.
Generation 2 Diaphragm
Summit X’s diaphragm employs an extremely sophisticated
conductive coating applied to the polymer surface at an
atomic level using a plasma bonding process. A proprietary
compound is driven into the surface of the poly-
mer film in an oxygen free argon chamber. This
process allows extremely uniform surface resistivity character-
istics, an optically transparent surface, and a nearly massless
diaphragm. This uniform surface resistivity controls the elec-
trostatic charge on the diaphragm surface and regulates
its migration. As a result, no discharging or “arcing” can occur.
Vacuum Bonding
To achieve the power, precision, and strength of the XStat™
transducer, two insulated high-purity carbon steel stators along
with a proprietary plasma bonded diaphragm and ClearSpar™
spacers are fused into a curved geometry with an aerospace
adhesive whose strength exceeds that of welding. Our propri-
etary Vacuum Bonding process guarantees uniform diaphragm
tensioning and extremely precise construction tolerances, result-
ing in unequivocal precision, linearity and efficiency.
Controlled Dispersion PoweredForce™
MartinLogan PoweredForce woofers feature advanced
driver and amplification technologies that deliver astonish-
ingly dynamic and articulate bass to as low as 24 Hz from an
enclosure only about the size of a case of wine. Controlled
Dispersion PoweredForce woofers provide a low-frequency
dispersion pattern at the crossover point mimicking that of
our Controlled Dispersion XStat transducers. This break-
through design provides dynamic, room filling bass at the
lowest frequencies. By subtly shifting woofer phasing as it
approaches the crossover frequency we minimize side-wall
reflections and reduce problematic room interactions, while
achieving seamless integration between the woofer and
electrostatic transducer. Low-frequency equalization further
enhances performance by allowing precise tailoring to indi-
vidual room acoustics.
MartinLogan Exclusives 19
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