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Monolith III User's Manual
IntroductionIntroduction
IntroductionIntroduction
Introduction
The MONOLITH IIIx system utilizes the
electronic IIIx CROSSOVER which
incorporates technology developed for
our STATEMENT SYSTEM CROSSOVER.
Use of the MONOLITH IIIx CROSSOVER
will result in substantial improvements
in all aspects of your system's perform-
ance. Bass will be more extended with
more impact and control. Special bass
contour controls allow you to tailor the
bass response to suit your particular
room environment or listening tastes.
The crossover region between the
woofer and electrostatic panel is
optimized, thus making the system
blend much more homogeneous.
Highs are much more extended,
detailed and effortless. The system
becomes much more dynamic with
less strain. To understand why this
occurs, we need to look at the differ-
ences between a single amplified
system versus a properly interfaced bi-
amplified system.
In a single amplified system, the left
and right full-bandwidth signals pass
from the preamplifier to a stereo power
amplifier (or two mono amplifiers) and
then to the loudspeaker's crossover,
unchanged (we hope) except for
amplitude. Once these signals reach
IIIx Connection
the crossover of the speaker they are
divided into high and low frequency
signals. The lower frequency signals
are then directed to the woofers, while
the high frequencies are routed to the
electrostatic panels. This is known as a
high-level passive crossover. This
means that the frequency division of the
signal is done after the power amplifier
at high power (several volts) by means
of passive components (capacitors,
resistors, inductors and transformers).
When bi-amplifying with the MONOLITH
IIIx CROSSOVER, the right and left full-
bandwidth signals are divided into
separate high and low frequency
signals after the pre-amplifier by means
of an active electronic crossover. These
signals are then fed to dedicated high
and low frequency amplifiers. This is
referred to as a low-level active cross-
over, because all frequency division of
the signal is done at line level at very
low power (millivolts) with active
components (transistors).
This configuration has several advan-
tages. With the frequency division of the
signal done prior to amplification, each
amplifier has only to contend with
frequencies of a narrow bandwidth,
thus it cannot combine high and low
frequency signals and produce sum
and difference by-products (intermodu-
lation distortion or IM). For example, to
reproduce deep bass such as an organ
tone or kick drum, very high power
(current) is needed. Since the low
frequencies have their own dedicated
amplifier, this demand for low frequency
power will not affect the ability of the
high frequency amplifier to perform its
function normally, whereas if all
frequencies were reproduced by the
same amplifier, its power supply might
temporarily be depleted by the deep
bass passage, causing dynamic
compression or clipping of the high
frequency material.
Another added benefit of bandwidth
limiting an amplifier, particularly the
high frequency amplifier, is the slight
increase in dynamic power output that
occurs. The amplifier does not have to
work as hard due to the reduction in the
bandwidth amplification requirements.
Therefore the amplifier can apply more
power into the smaller frequency region.
WarningsWarnings
WarningsWarnings
Warnings
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
expose the MONOLITH IIIx CROSSOVER
to rain or moisture.
Hazardous voltage potentials exist in
this crossover. Do not operate with the
cover removed. There are no user
serviceable components inside. Refer
servicing to your authorized Martin-
Logan dealer only.
PackagingPackaging
PackagingPackaging
Packaging
Please save all packaging and store in
a dry place away from potential fire
hazard. Your MONOLITH IIIx CROSSOVER
is a precision electronic instrument and
should be packaged properly in its
original carton any time shipment is
necessary. We hope that you will never
have occasion to return your unit to our
factory for service, but in the event that
servicing should prove necessary, or
other occasion requiring shipment
occurs, the original packaging will
protect your unit from unnecessary
damage or delay.