MartinLogan | Subwoofer Frequently Asked Questions
Subwoofer Frequently Asked Questions
How do they work? What makes them sound so good?
3 woofers in a BalancedForce configuration
How does BalancedForce™ design work?
How does TriLinear™ design work?
My Martin Logan Subwoofer makes a humming sound and the lights do not switch off. What is going on?
What is the warranty period on a MartinLogan speaker system?
Is it safe to set things on my subwoofer?
Will my electric bill go 'sky high' by leaving my subwoofer plugged in all the time?
Should I unplug my subwoofer during a thunderstorm?
Troubleshooting
Please refer to your product's manual. Manuals can also be viewed online by visiting the literature archive.
Q. How do they work? What makes them sound so good?
A. MartinLogan subwoofers employ a variety of technologies to achieve superb sub bass reproduction. For specific details regarding the unique combination of technologies found in each subwoofer please refer to the product pages.
Q. How does BalancedForce™ design work?
A. Please refer to the BalancedForce™ technology brief for a full explanation.
Q. How does TriLinear™ design work?
A. Please refer to the TriLinear technology brief for a full explanation.
Q. My Martin Logan Subwoofer makes a humming sound and the lights do not switch off. What is going on?
A. There may be some minor 60hz hum from somewhere outside of your subwoofer that is causing the sensor to stay turned on. Disconnect the input jacks and see if the light goes out (this may take up to 10 minutes).
If the light goes out, then check to see if the CATV (TV cable) is connected to the processor upstream. The shield of the cable may not be well grounded and as a result it may be passing a tiny bit of voltage down the line to your subwoofer. MartinLogan subwoofers are grounded and thus stray voltages find it easy to take that path (the path of least resistance). To solve this problem ground the CATV by running it through a grounded AC power strip with CATV in/out.
If the cable is not the culprit, the next most likely cause of the hum is that the subwoofer may be on a different electrical circuit from the pre-amp/processor. If their grounds are slightly different from each other they will be equalized by flowing a slight voltage through the subwoofer input interconnect, causing a hum. Again, the voltage may be extremely slight, but could be enough to turn on the circuit as evidenced by the light. The solution will be to plug the subwoofer into the same electrical circuit as the pre-amp/processor.
Q. What is the warranty period on a MartinLogan speaker system?
A. MartinLogan speakers have a 90 day warranty which can be extended to 5 years (3 years for subwoofers) by simply returning the warranty card along with a copy of the sales receipt, within 30 days of delivery. To read the complete warranty information click here: 5-year warranty (speakers) or 3-year warranty (subwoofers).
Q. How do I clean my subwoofer?
A. Use a dust free cloth or a soft brush to clean your subwoofer. We recommend a specialty cloth (available through the Xtatic Shop) that cleans better than anything else we have tried.
Q. Is it safe to set things on my subwoofer?
A. While MartinLogan subwoofers are designed with a durable, stain-resistant surface, we advise you not to set anything on top of them-especially containers holding liquids.
Q. Is there likely to be any interaction between my subwoofer and the television in my Audio/ Video system?
A. Yes. MartinLogan subwoofers do not use shielded driver. We recommend 3 feet between a subwoofer and video components that are susceptible to magnetic fields.
Q. Will my electric bill go 'sky high' by leaving my subwoofer plugged in all the time?
A. No. MartinLogan subwoofers, when the power switch is set to 'Auto' or 'Standby', will draw about 10 watts when idle (depending on model).
Q. Should I unplug my subwoofer during a thunderstorm?
A. Yes, or before. It's a good idea to disconnect all of your audio/video components during stormy weather.
