Why Electrostats?
MartinLogan’s founders, Gayle MARTIN Sanders, and Ron LOGAN Sutherland, believed that electrostatic (ESL) technology could provide an audio experience unlike anything else. The speed, detail, accuracy, and presence that ESL provides were just too good to ignore.
Once modern advancements in materials allowed for ESL to become a reality, MartinLogan tackled the challenge of not only how to build ESL based speakers, but how to build them better. While the benefits are massive, there were also some challenges to overcome. Our patented Curvilinear Line Source (CLS) technology allows our panels to produce a much wider and usable output unlike any other ESL, while our “Hybrid Design” incorporates high performance woofer sections to provide a rich, full sound without the bulk associated with ESL only designs.
Parts of an Electrostatic Transducer
A) Diaphram, B) Spars, C) Stators
Parts of an Electrostatic Transducer
Opposite charges attract. Like charges repel. The diaphragm holds a constant positive charge.
For nearly 40 years, MartinLogan has designed more ESL panels and the woofer sections that blend with them, than anyone else in the world. No one has more experience, and we turned that experience loose on our latest ESL models, The Masterpiece Series. Featuring our most advanced panel and woofer technologies to date, the Masterpiece ESL models represent the pinnacle of ESL design and performance. From our unique AirFrame Blade mounting system to state-of-the-art active woofer sections with PoweredForceForward phase-shifting DSP technology. There is nothing else quite like them.
Take a look at why we chose to pursue ESL technology below:
Video 1: Woofer Lag
Video 2: ESL Speed
Reviews
"The Renaissance ESL 15A’s are simply the absolute best MartinLogans that I have heard. They have seismic yet superbly articulate and very even-handed bass, coherence to rival the best multi-driver dynamic speakers and incredibly transparent and super-refined, yet smooth and gloriously rich midrange with precise, fluid and airy treble. These speakers combine so many audiophile tricks and weave them together so very well that it becomes a hardship to return to other speakers."
—Christiaan Punter, hifi-advice.com
Read full review"While listening, it brought to mind what may be the best part of listening to the ESL-X speakers: They are forgiving enough to deliver the traits I’ve already mentioned, without sacrificing quality. What I mean by that is that is that some speakers sound good with classical music, others sound good with rock and pop. Throw anything at the ESL-X and I think they will deliver high levels of enjoyment that will make you forget that you are critically listening. Instead, you’ll simply want to bob your head like Angus Young or stomp your feet like Neil Young when cranking up the ESL-Xs."
—Robert Archer, CE Pro
Read full review