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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.
Bass Control System
One of the principal challenges faced by loudspeaker
designers are the room interactions produced by bass fre-
quencies. These colorations—which often distort the musical
character—are a natural occurrence of sound wave reflec-
tion and motion through any listening room.
Bass frequencies radiate in all directions, including behind
the speaker. The low frequencies reflected from the front
wall and back to the listening position subtract from the
original audio material. Typically, this produces a dimin-
ished signal—called a notch—at about 50Hz. This is one
reason why the same recording produces a distinctly dif-
ferent character when played in different listening rooms
and what makes some notes sound unnaturally boomy
while others seem thin.
The Odyssey solves this problem using its unique bass
control system that consists of two opposing bass drivers
supported by reference electronics. An 8-inch front-firing
driver provides essential bass detail while the rear-firing
10-inch driver conditions bass response at 50 Hz. The
result is uniform powerful bass response throughout the
listening room.
Vapor Deposited Film
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.
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 Odyssey a
wide margin of safe operation. In addition to the electrical
insulation properties, this coating also provides the Odyssey
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.
Curvilinear Line Source (CLS
TM
)
MartinLogan Exclusives 17
MARTINLOGAN EXCLUSIVES