HELP!! Martin Logan's clicking when off?


My Martin Logan Aerius', manufactured in 1992, have started to make a wierd sound. Background info: Biwired (two sets of speaker inputs per speaker), each speaker has its own built in amplifier, and I have just purchased a good (for Harmon Kardon) amplifier/receiver a month earlier, and since there is only one set of speaker out connections, I joined both wires together and connected them to the Harmon Kardon. The problem is that the speakers, for no obvious reason, and with no obvious sound or sets of sounds to set them off, make a medium pitched clicking sound, at a rate of one click per second. I have tried a different CD player, etc to no avail, and I have also switched the left and right channels with no effect, so it has to be coming from the speakers, or built in speaker amplifier. When I unplug the power connection to the speakers, the clicking sound still stays, and even continues to click when I turn off my receiver!, and furthermore, the clicking sound continues even when there is no power to either the speaker or the receiver??? What is going on? I fear the worst, and see a large outlay of money to replace the electrostatic panel, however, if the panel is "broken", would it still produce any sound. The speakers still sound okay, except for the clicking sound. Help, Terence Dittman terry@prymed.com
terry7e35
Hi Terry, This clicking is most likely the result of an insect or dust particle trapped on the ESL element. If you unplug the AC cord from the speaker the noise might take 10 or more minutes to fade to silence, but it should gradually stop. One way to possibly isolate the foreign particle is to inspect the panel in a darkened room to see if you can see the spot that is sparking. If you see such a spot, you can cautiously and carefully use a vacuum cleaner (preferably one with a slotted plastic pick-up attachment)to try to gently suck the particle off the diaphram. If you can't see a spark, try listening to the panel to see where the ticking is loudest and run the vacuum over that area, from both sides. If that fails you can try tilting the speaker on its side and rapping on the frame -- then retry the vacuuming. Vacuuming around the panel's perimeter is also a good strategy. Good Luck to You!
Call ML (see manufacturers section). I had a problem with my MLs once (does not sound like I had the identical problem you do) and one of their engineers in the service department was very helpful. I was afraid I would have to send the whole speaker (quest) to them, but by talking to their head of service (sorry, I forget his name) I was able to send the power supply and transformer only to them and within a week had it back and in new shape for about twenty bucks. Hope this helps.