MartinLogan CLX - Manual (Page 13)

Your CLX’s launch a 30 degree horizontal dispersion pat-
tern. This horizontal dispersion field gives a choice of good
seats for the performance while minimizing interactions
with side walls (see figure 11). Make sure both speakers
stand exactly at the same vertical angle, otherwise the
image can be skewed or poorly defined. The wave launch
of both speakers is extremely accurate in both the time
and spectral domain. Consequently, small refined adjust-
ments can result in noticeable sonic improvements.
Controlled Vertical Dispersion
As you can see from the illustrations, your CLX speakers
project a controlled dispersion pattern (see figure 12). Each
CLX is a 57 inch line source beginning 9 inches above the
base. This vertical dispersion profile minimizes interac-
tions with the floor and the ceiling.
It is a known fact that as the sound wave becomes pro-
gressively smaller than the transducer producing it,
the dispersion of that wave becomes more and more
narrow, or directional. This fact occurs as long as the
transducer is a flat surface. Large flat panel speakers
exhibit venetian blind effects due to this phenomenon.
This is one reason why many manufacturers opt for small
drivers (i.e. tweeters and midrange) to approximate
what is known as a point source wave launch.
Historically, most attempts to achieve smooth dispersion
from large flat panel transducers resulted in trade-offs.
After exhaustive testing of many different methods, we
conceived an elegantly simple, yet intensely hand craft-
ed process. By curving the radiating surface, we create
the effect of a horizontal arc. This allows the engineers at
MartinLogan to control the high frequency dispersion pat-
tern of our transducers.
Three Major Types of Dispersion
Figure .7–8 . .As can be seen here, point source
concepts invite a great deal of room interaction.
While delivering good frequency response to a
large listening audience, imaging is consequently
confused and blurred.
Figure .9–10 . .Even though they suffer from
“venetian blind” effect, angled multiple panel
speakers can deliver good imaging, but only
to specific spots in the listening area.
Figure .11–12 . .A controlled 30 degree cylindri-
cal wave-front, a MartinLogan exclusive, offers
optimal sound distribution with minimal room
interaction. The result is solid imaging with a
wide listening area.
Controlled Horizontal Dispersion
Dispersion Interactions 13
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IspersIon
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