Troubleshooting Wireless Products

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Play-Fi Speakers: How to do a firmware update.

Created: Dec 07 2015 | Updated: Jul 17 2018

Running firmware updates will resolve bugs and/or unlock new features as they become available.

There are two unique pieces of firmware installed on your wireless audio device.

• Play-Fi firmware: Requires occasional updates which are handled automatically by the Play-Fi app. If the Play-Fi app prompts you to apply an update, please follow the on-screen instructions to install the new firmware. This firmware controls the Play-fi portion of the electronics for the following products:
  • Bravado
  • Cadence
  • Crescendo X
  • Forte
  • Motion Vision X
  • Unison
• MartinLogan firmware: Seldom requires updates. This firmware controls all other functions of the following products:
  • Bravado
  • Cadence
  • Crescendo
  • Crescendo X
  • Forte
  • Motion Vision X
  • Unison
  • Verse

Play-Fi firmware update (automatic update)

• When you first open the Play-Fi app (iOS/Android/PC), the app will automatically check to see if your Play-Fi compatible wireless audio device requires a firmware update. Critical updates will require that you install them before proceeding. Non-critical updates will let you skip the update if you desire.
• You may need to turn on update notifications in the Play-Fi app. This is found under the settings (gear icon) menu > More Settings > Advanced Settings > MCU Update Notification.

Play-Fi firmware update (manual update)

• A manual update is a way of delivering updated software directly to your speaker using the USB port, rather than wirelessly via the Play-Fi app. The need to do a manual firmware update is rare. Instructions are included here should one be required.
• Files for manual Play-Fi firmware updates are not available for download and will only be provided by MartinLogan should a manual update be required for some unforeseen reason. 
• This is what you’ll need to update:
• A USB flash drive with at least 128 MB of available space. Please note, not all Flash drives are created equal! We have found that some inexpensive (and sometimes expensive) flash drives do not work reliably for firmware updates. We have had consistent success with Lexar and SanDisk Cruzer flash drives.
• An Internet connection
• A Windows PC or Mac
• About 3 minutes of time per speaker
• Remove all other content from the USB flash drive.
• If the file is in a .zip archive, extract the contents before copying them to the flash drive.
• The files will be in a folder called “phorus”. Copy the “phorus” folder onto the flash drive.
• Remove the flash drive from your computer.
• For this step each product has a unique requirement
• Power down your wireless audio device and unplug the power cord. 
• Connect the flash drive to your computer and copy the file provided by MartinLogan on the USB flash drive.

Bravado

• Insert the flash drive into the USB input on the rear of the Bravado.
• Plug power in for the Bravado. If the Bravado doesn’t turn on automatically, press the power button.
• The Wi-Fi status light on the Bravado will begin flashing rapidly. Your Bravado might restart once or several times during this update. The Wi-fi status light may change it’s flashing pattern momentarily and may make a chime. The update is complete once the light begins flashing rapidly for an extended period of time and remains flashing and the Bravado plays an affirmative chime, which will repeat every few seconds.
• Unplug power from the wireless audio device for 30 seconds, remove the USB flash drive, and plug power for the wireless audio device back in.
• During this update process your network configuration might be cleared and you will may need to reconnect the wireless audio device to your network. This will not always be the case.

Cadence

• Please contact MartinLogan customer service for instructions on how to manually update the Cadence DTS Play-Fi firmware.

Crescendo X

• Plug power in for the Crescendo X. If the Crescendo X doesn’t turn on automatically, press the power button.
• Wait until the Wi-fi Status light turns solid or pulses slowly. If the light continues to blink rapidly after a minute, proceed.
• Insert the flash drive into the USB input on the rear of the Crescendo X.
• For six seconds, simultaneously press the Power and Source buttons on the front of the Crescendo X. The front LED light will start blinking red.
• The Wi-Fi status light on the Crescendo X will begin flashing rapidly. Your Crescendo Xmight restart once or several times during this update. The Wi-fi status light may change it’s flashing pattern momentarily and may make a chime. The update is complete once the light begins flashing rapidly for an extended period of time and remains flashing and the Crescendo X plays an affirmative chime, which will repeat every few seconds.
• Unplug power from the wireless audio device for 30 seconds, remove the USB flash drive, and plug power for the wireless audio device back in.
• During this update process your network configuration might be cleared and you will may need to reconnect the wireless audio device to your network. This will not always be the case.

Forte

• Refer to Bravado instructions above. Bravado and Forte are updated the same way.

Motion Vision X

• Plug in the power cord and turn on the Vision X.
• Wait until the display reads “ML” or goes blank and the Wi-fi Status button light turns solid or pulses slowly.
• Insert the USB flash drive into the back of the Vision X.
• Press the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for 6 seconds until the display reads “UPGRADE”.
• After 1 minute the Wi-Fi status button will turn off. Than will turn on and flash.
• Wait (up to 2 minnutes) until the Vision X reboots and turns back on and this display reads “ML” or goes blank.
• Unplug power from the wireless audio device for 30 seconds, remove the USB flash drive, and plug power for the wireless audio device back in.
• During this update process your network configuration might be cleared and you will may need to reconnect the wireless audio device to your network. This will not always be the case.

Unison

• Refer to Bravado instructions above. Bravado and Unison are updated the same way.

 

MartinLogan firmware update (manual update)

• MartinLogan firmware updates will occur much less often than Play-Fi firmware updates. Barring some unforeseen issue, your wireless audio device may never require a firmware update.
• The procedure for update MartinLogan firmware varies from product to product.

Bravado

• Make sure your Bravado is powered on and connected to your network. Make sure your network has an active internet connection.
• Download and install “ARC for Play-Fi” software from http://www.anthemav.com/support/latest-software.php
• Launch “Anthem Room Correction 2 > ARC2 – Manual Mode”
• Go to “Tools > Firmware Update”
• Select the Bravado from the “Select a device” window.
• When asked “Would you like to manually select the update file?”, choose “No”
• Firmware will now be downloaded and installed. The window will close when the update is complete. 

Cadence

• Please contact MartinLogan customer service for instructions on updating the Cadence firmware.

Crescendo

• Please contact MartinLogan customer service for instructions on updating the Crescendo firmware.

Crescendo X

• It is not possible to update Crescendo X firmware at home. The unit will should be sent to MartinLogan for a firmware update.

Forte

• Refer to Bravado instructions above. Bravado and Forte are updated the same way.

Motion Vision X (firmware update does not successfully work with Macintosh computers)

PLEASE NOTE: Use a Windows computer. A Macintosh computer will cause this update to fail. REQUIRED CABLE: USB-A to USB-A cable available here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VTZ07U or by contacting MartinLogan’s Service department.

• Unplug power from the Motion Vision X.
• Download the firmware file to your computer (PC). If the file is a compressed .zip file, extract the contents (the file will be named “firmware.bin”).
• Connect the Vision X to your computer using the USB cable.
• Hold down the power button on the top control panel of the Vision X and plug in the power. You will need to continue holding down the power button throughout the firmware update process.
• After powering up, your computer will recognize the Vision X as a USB drive (it will look as if you have loaded a flash drive on your computer).
• Open a files system window and view the files on the Vision X.
• Delete the file "firmware.bin" from the Vision X.
• Copy the new "firmware.bin" file from your computer to the Vision X.
• Let go of the power button.
• Unplug power from the Motion Vision X.
• Unplug the USB cable.
• Plug power back into the Motion Vision X.
• Power on the Motion Vision X.
• Press the “MENU” button on the remote.
• Navigate to “SERVCE > FRMWRE >".
• Installed firmware version will display. Verify proper firmware version is installed.

Unison

• Refer to Bravado instructions above. Bravado and Unison are updated the same way.

Verse

• Please contact MartinLogan customer service for instructions on updating the Verse firmware.