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Quest User's Manual
Rules of ThumbRules of Thumb
Rules of ThumbRules of Thumb
Rules of Thumb
Hard vs. Soft SurfacesHard vs. Soft Surfaces
Hard vs. Soft SurfacesHard vs. Soft Surfaces
Hard vs. Soft Surfaces. If the front or back wall of your
listening room is soft, it may benefit you to have a
hard or reflective wall in opposition. As well, the
ceiling and floor should follow the same basic
guideline. However, the side walls should be roughly
the same in order to deliver a focused image.
This rule suggests that a little reflection is good. As a
matter of fact, some rooms can be so “over
damped” with carpeting, drapes and sound absorb-
ers that the music system can sound dull and lifeless.
On the other hand, rooms can be so hard that the
system can sound like a gymnasium with too much
reflection and brightness. The point is that balance is
the optimum environment.
Break-up ObjectsBreak-up Objects
Break-up ObjectsBreak-up Objects
Break-up Objects. Objects with complex shapes, such
as bookshelves, cabinetry, and multiple shaped
walls can help break up those sonic gremlins and
diffuse any dominant frequencies.
Solid CouplingSolid Coupling
Solid CouplingSolid Coupling
Solid Coupling. Your loudspeaker system generates
frequency vibrations or waves into the room. This is
how it creates sound. Those vibrations will vary from
20 per second to 20,000 per second. If your speaker
system is not securely planted on the floor or solid
surface, it can shake as it produces sound and,
consequently, the sound can be compromised. If
your speaker is sitting on the carpet and only foot
gliders are used, the bass can be ill defined and
even boomy. The use of spikes is recommended to
insure secured footing for your speakers.
Bipolar Speakers and Your RoomBipolar Speakers and Your Room
Bipolar Speakers and Your RoomBipolar Speakers and Your Room
Bipolar Speakers and Your Room
Martin-Logan electrostatic loudspeakers are known as
bipolar radiators. This means that they produce sound
from both their fronts and their backs. Consequently,
musical information is reflected by the wall behind them
and may arrive either in or out of step with the information
produced by the front of the speaker.
The low frequencies can either be enhanced or nulled by
the position from the front wall. Your Quests have been
designed to be placed 2 to 3 feet from the front wall (the
wall in front of the listening position) to obtain the best
results, however your room may see things differently. So,
listening to the difference of the bass response as a result
of the changes in distance from the front wall can allow
you to get the best combination of depth of bass and tonal
balance.
Now that you know about
Reflective SurfacesReflective Surfaces
Reflective SurfacesReflective Surfaces
Reflective Surfaces and
Resonant ObjectsResonant Objects
Resonant ObjectsResonant Objects
Resonant Objects, you can see how the mid-range
and high frequencies can be effected. The timing of the
first wave as it is first radiated to your ears and then the
reflected information as it arrives at your ears later in time,
can result in confusion of the precious timing information
that carries the clues to imaging and, consequently result
in blurred imaging and excessive brightness. Soft walls,
curtains, wall hangings, or sound dampeners (your
dealer can give you good information here) can be
effective if these negative conditions occur.