List Price: $1,259.
Don't look. Whatever you do, don't look under the steel mesh grille of a Martin Audio CDD loudspeaker. Behind the scrim cloth, tucked into the composite enclosure, is the most unusual looking diaphragm that, quite frankly, creates an amazing sound. Didn't expect that? Neither did I when I first saw it.
The Compact Coaxial Differential Dispersion System (CDD-series), designed for installations requiring high output levels, solves the problem of getting enough volume output to the rear of a room when also having a wide horizontal coverage that requires even volume and frequency representation throughout the dispersion range. The result is consistent coverage in the listening area.
Martin has taken these full-range speakers to another level via the rotatable coaxial driver, so the speakers can be mounted in either horizontal or vertical orientation. All it takes is popping off the grille, unscrewing a handful of hex screws, and rotating the driver. Even the speaker's brand badge can be rotated on the grille to match the speaker orientation.
I like the ability to rotate the drivers along with the wide dispersion because I see so many sanctuaries and secondary venues, like youth rooms, where the room is very wide from side-to-side but quite shallow. On top of that, I'm seeing more small churches operating in low-ceiling (normal ceiling) space where a minimal visual footprint helps. According to Martin, “This increased coverage area can reduce the speaker count in larger installations by up to 25%.”
My particular church sanctuary doesn't fit as the ideal installation for the CDD series because of size and shape. However, I do have a secondary venue that would be perfect for a set—with drivers rotated for a slimmer profile.
Configurations
The CDD series' two-way passive speakers are available in a variety of configurations, from a small 5-inch model up to a 15-inch model. The 5-inch and 6.5-models are also available with 70/100V line transformers (TX models) for selecting the power rating. Audio inputs are in the form of positive-negative pin connectors with the ability to daisy-chain speakers.
Speakers are available in white or black textured paint, or colored to order, with several mounting methods from yolk-design to single-bar mount to pivot mount to fly points, with the method based largely on the size of the speaker and the need. The mounting options for the smaller speaker models are ideal because they provide a solid mounting method while keeping the hardware out of sight. Mounts can be used on a ceiling or wall.
“I heard instruments that I’d never noticed before.”
Chris Huff
Reviewer.
Two CDD12 passive speakers were provided for testing. These 8-ohm speakers have a 62Hz-20kHz (+/- 3dB) frequency response, are rated at 300W AES/1,200W peak, with a maximum SPL of 122dB continuous (128dB peak).
The CDD12 (12-inch speaker) includes two drivers; a high-frequency 1.7-inch voice coil polyimide dome compression driver and a 12-inch (2.5-inch voice coil), long excursion, shared ferrite motor system with a crossover point of 1.9 kHz between the two. The dispersion coverage angel is (-6dB) 110 degrees to 60 degrees horizontal, 60-degree vertical as with the user-rotatable driver.
Testing
Speaker testing began with a handful of contemporary Christian worship songs—both studio and live recordings. The music was well replicated and sounded good with the noticeable clarity of the high and midrange frequencies throughout the dispersion range.
Next came an orchestral piece that had the same clarity as the other music but showcased the richness of the speakers. With eyes closed, I'd have thought the musicians were in the room. It was time to really put these to the test.
Bond, James Bond. This franchise has produced a wide variety of music over the decades and thanks to the suggestion of my production director, Erik Tittle, we used one of those to test the capability of the CDD12s.
"Live and Let Die,” written by Sir Paul McCartney and performed by his band Wings, is the theme song of the 1973 Bond movie with the same title. And, it's filled with a variety of instruments with plenty of low-end energy, but when listening to it in an average car or sub-par stereo, much of its nuances are lost.
The CDD12 can handle low frequencies down to around 60 Hz, and while a subwoofer is normally part of a good system, it's not always the case—and therefore I wanted to see how it could handle a wonderfully produced song and that song's frequency extremes.
I heard instruments in that song I'd never noticed before. In addition, the low end was solid and didn't interfere with the reproduction of the mids and highs in the song. Honestly, I never cared for the song until I heard it on these speakers.
There are song passages that are very busy, the big test for me, and when they came on, Erik and I looked at each other and both said, “Wow, that sounds good.”
The final test was the spoken word. Using a variety of voices provided by a talk-radio format podcast, the true range of church audio production needs was put to the test. I was impressed. The Martin speakers were amazingly clear—something demanded from speakers that spend most of their time being used for such.
Overall, for speakers with a low-end frequency reproduction range of around 60 Hz, the bass from the CDD12 was quite clear; it also allowed for equal clarity of the mid-range and highs. Throughout the dispersion area, all frequencies were well represented.
Subwoofers
Single- and dual-design subwoofers are also available as the CSX series, designed for use with the CDD series loudspeakers, and can be flown or floor-mounted. The enclosures contain internal bracing to reduce energy transmission from the high-efficiency voice coil long-throw bass drivers. These compact subs, like the CSX212 dual subwoofer with a low end frequency range of approximately 40 Hz to 150 Hz, only take up a small bit of space with the dual-design CSX212 being around 34 inches wide by 15 inches high by 17 inches deep.
Most loudspeaker usage in the church environment is indoors, but an outdoor event isn't totally out of the question. And the CDD and CSX models are also available in weatherproof models that can handle everything from a high-moisture environment to outright rainfall.
Martin claims that its CDD series may be used without a loudspeaker management system, but the use of one, such as the DX series, would “maximize its capabilities.” I'll fully support that by saying that when spending a significant about of money on a set of speakers, leaving out a DSP controller means limiting the audio quality the speakers can produce.
Martin Audio has a great set of loudspeakers with its CDD series, ones that sound good for music and the spoken word for wide venues with a medium throw distance. The CDD12s, with their sleek curved bottom and ability to handle high volume, make a great addition for the right sized sanctuary or most any youth venue. Add in one of Martin's CSX subwoofers for added low-end energy and you've got a great sounding audio system.
