I purchased my Electromotion speakers a few weeks ago. I probably should wait a bit before reviewing, but I do want to share my opinions so far. These speakers replace my Infinity Composition Prelude speakers, of 1995 vintage, that had built-in amps for the 12 inch subwoofers. The infinities were outstanding speakers for all types of music, but it was time for an upgrade. The Electromotions are considerably more transparent than the Infinities (both physically and aurally) even though the ESLs are not yet broken in.

There is a palpable realism and quickness in the ESL sound that includes a sense of "air" around the performers (golden-ear audiospeak - I am no longer a golden ear in that I prefer, nowadays, to listen to music and not just sound).

The imaging is very good, although it seems a little laid back at this early time after purchasing - the orchestra or performer is considerably behind the speakers. It doesn't have the imaging that extends wider than the speakers that I hear in some fine mini-monitors that act more as a point source. However, that statement has to be qualified. When I go to a classical concert or unamplified jazz club, the real-life image doesn't really spread out very far. So, the "wider than the speakers" image may very well be a sonic artifact of the small speakers.

With its 8-inch woofers-midrange, the ESLs extend surprisingly down in the nether reaches of the mid-bass, but don't reach down into the abyssal 20-35 hz zone. I played some old Telarc concert band CD's that have whumping bass drums and was happy with the ESL reproduction even without the visceral vibrations that go with really deep bass. The bass drum slap really gets my attention.

My next step is to get a subwoofer that complements the ESLs. The bass is good enough from the ESLs that I will cross over at about 60-70 hz to keep the 8" woofers from working too hard, but permitting the ESLs to reproduce the bulk of the frequency band. I do need some advice in choosing a mid-price woofer that will blend well with the ESLs.

Yes, folks, these are some fine speakers. I am VERY pleased with the purchase and suspect that the ESLs will even get better over time as they break in.

Thank you, Martin-Logan.

Ron

I purchased the Electromotion ESLs a fortnight ago and while a little premature to review (still breaking in), frankly I'm shocked by the quality of these speakers. They really are incredibly transparent and having never owned electrostatics before I am a convert, particular on their seamless midrange.

However, what I am most surprised about is that they are running off my 300B single ended triode mono blocks. Okay, my amps are running BlackArt transformers (teflon, silver etc) tapped to 4ohms which handle the 1.6ohms @ 20khz, but really, this shouldn't be working....but it does - go figure! It a room that measures 6m by 12m they run loud enough , not AC/DC concert loud, but the full 8 watts of triode power delivers a very healthy level of DBs and only once have I had them at full volume.

I'm sure many people audiophiles, including myself, would have thought that an SET amp and electrostatics were a match made in hell. Like me, you may have expected performance similar to a 1920s gramophone. But if you would hear what I'm listening to now it's truly a match made in heaven, the combination of the incredible transparency and detail of the speakers and the smooth, natural and liquid nature of the 300Bs is extraordinary.

Well done Martin Logan, great product, amazing price and I've enjoyed challenging a paradigm (and I'm not referring to the speaker brand!).

Amazing Sound, Great Design, Sound Transparency, High Quality Finish = Pure Perfection.
From Heredia - Costa Rica, Central America 11/04/11
Luis Eduardo Rodríguez D.

So, I listen a lot to reviews when I purchase a product. Especially something as new as the EM-R's. But their was one big problem. These speakers are so new, no one's carrying them! I've looked on Youtube... Nothing. So I thought I would write the first review on these.

Firs of all, my wife said I can have a nice system as long as she doesn't see it. Well, that kind of narrowed it down so I went with the ceiling speakers.

The main use for this system is movie and TV watching in the living room. We will turn on Pandora through the Panasonic DVD player but that's about it. I just wanted true sound.


1) My knowledge:
Novice. I understand a lot but not half as much as some of you. I know I want nice voice for movies and no humming.
2) My TV- Panasonic VT65 30. Definitely the best plasma on the market. Better than any of my LED's or LCDs.
3) My system:
a. elite 32X Reciever-had to have it professionally set up b/c I have no idea what all those buttons, knobs and things go to. I also don't give a damn and I don't want to learn it.
b. 14/2 wires going to the 5 EMR's in the room.
c. 700 sub with the wireless reciever. I really had no idea where I wanted to put it.
d. 5 EMR's. I even have one as the center speaker and it rocks!
e. Harmony 900 controller. Don't think this matters but just thought I tell ya.
f. 6 theater seats surrounding the room.


I've only had the speakers for 1 week so I'm sure I'll update you as time goes by.

As of 1/26/12- I had the system professionally installed and callibrated. As far as bass- It's sick. You truly get a deep bass from these speakers but the tweets are extremely clear. I watch movies all the time and I can understand everything they're saying perfectly. I feel like they're walking around me when they move on the screen! Don't have much more to say about them just yet.

Pros- Bar none. They really are what they say they are. There seemed to be a lot of hype but they definitely back it up.

Cons- Other than price??? I would have to say the bass seems a little to much. I'm sure I'm suppose to change something on the reciever but I'm still learning. You probably wouldn't want to hook these up yourself. You've got to move the tweet around just right for your listening experience. Pay the extra $300 and let someone else do it.


Overall: I'm very pleased. My wallet is a little thinner but you just can't beat the sound quality. I was racking my brain paying this much but I'm glad I did. I would do it again now that I know you usually get what you pay for with speakers. Good luck!