For Martin Audio's managing director, Dominic Harter, the acquisition will not distract the British company from its current winning strategy. "That is why Focusrite PLC bought us in the first place," stated Harter during a busy ISE 2020 press conference in Amsterdam. "The stability of Martin Audio under Focusrite will mean that we can devote more time to investing and delivering on our promises and we will be a more effective partner as a result. In the longer term we also have some opportunities to collaborate on technology and R&D."
And this might be the most surprising achievement for Martin Audio, which besides two ownership transitions in less than two years (In 2018, Martin Audio was purchased from Loud Technologies in a management buyout), was still able to launch over fifty products in just four years. And most surprising, the focus for Martin Audio has been purely in sound reinforcement speakers using traditional analog connectivity, and simply focusing on the way all systems complement each other, from ceiling speakers to line arrays. Likewise, the expanded ADORN installation range is able to maintain the same sonic signature in every space or venue, using ceiling, wall-mounted or pendant speakers.
And Dom Harter promises to continue the product expansion pace. "This year will probably be the company’s most prolific release schedule in our history and that is down to increased investment and resource into R&D that has been undertaken in the last twelve months. I’m delighted that we are targeting such a range of technology solutions across different applications. These will serve our existing customer base as well as extending our footprint further."
Recognizing growth opportunities in the traditional commercial installation segment, Martin Audio expanded its ADORN series of on-wall loudspeakers, first introduced in 2019. The series has now been expanded by three in-ceiling loudspeakers and the company’s first ever pendant speaker, available in white or black as standard.
The new on-wall and ceiling loudspeakers combine class-leading performance, reliability and value, targeting specifically retail outlets, bars and restaurants or even corporate offices. "With Martin Audio’s signature sound characteristics, the ADORN series is the perfect choice for background and foreground systems which require superior sound quality from visually discreet, ultra-compact enclosures. They also provide a seamless sonic transition within a multi-zone complex using larger Martin Audio systems such as CDD or BlacklineX," the company stated.
All the new ceiling models have a nominal impedance of 16 ohms, enabling four or more speakers to be driven in parallel by one amplifier channel, thereby maximizing efficiency and minimizing cost. The new ceiling additions are also fitted with an internal high-quality 70V/100V multi-tap line transformer with a switch to select the output level. For full-bandwidth protection, the low and high frequency sections are individually protected against overload in all models.
Comprising a 4” (100mm) LF driver and a 0.75” (19mm) silk-dome tweeter, the ACS-40TS in-ceiling speaker produces 108dB peak output at 1 meter and its ported design delivers strong bass that extends down to 73Hz. The very wide 180° conical coverage of the ACS-40TS makes it particularly suitable for low ceilings and reduces the number of speakers required for even coverage — leading to a reduction in installation cost. It features a shallow backcan for installation in ceilings with a minimum cavity depth.
Featuring a 5.25” (100mm) LF driver and a 0.75” (19mm) silk-dome tweeter, the ACS-55TS in-ceiling speaker produces 113dB peak output at 1 meter and its ported design delivers strong bass that extends down to 79Hz. The wide 150° conical coverage of the ACS-55TS makes it particularly suitable for low ceilings and it features a shallow backcan for installation in ceilings with a minimum cavity depth.
The in-ceiling ACS-55T comprises a 5.25” (100mm) LF driver and a 0.75” (19mm) silk-dome tweeter, produces 113dB peak output at 1 meter and its ported bass reflex design and backcan with generous internal volume maximizes low frequency output and delivers strong bass that extends down to 62Hz. It also features a wide 150° conical coverage.
Finally, the ACP-55T pendant speaker features a 5.25” (100mm) LF driver and a 0.75” (19mm) silk-dome tweeter, produces 109dB peak output at 1 meter and delivers superb sound quality for both music and speech reproduction. Its stylish pendant enclosure is equipped with a single-point mounting system plus provision for attaching a safety cable. Available in black or white, it also features a wide 150° conical coverage.
With 2020 marking the final outing for ISE in Amsterdam, and the show strongly affected by both a storm and coronavirus concerns, it was still a very strong moment for Martin Audio. The company's demonstration room was busier than ever. Visitors flocked to hear the new systems, such as the new X218 double 18” subwoofer and the five new members of the ADORN family, alongside a wide range of the Martin Audio portfolio.
“ISE 2020 will certainly go down as a memorable end to the show’s time in Amsterdam,” adds Dom Harter. “While it wasn’t the event that people were expecting, it was ultimately successful despite the challenges that were thrown at the organizer. In the end, we saw people from all over the world and were able to have conversations about real business. Our popular demo room was full for every session and the Best of Show Award was a wonderful way to end our time here. We’re looking forward to see what Barcelona brings in 2021.”
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