Amid the first round of product news coming out of the annual CEDIA Expo in Atlanta, comes word that renowned American speaker maker MartinLogan is bringing its thin film transducer technologies into the realm of "affordable" loudspeakers (well affordable compared to most of MartinLogan's previous offerings, that is). Starting under $2,000/pair, the EM-ESL is a full-range, floorstanding loudspeaker and the first member of MartinLogan's new ElectroMotion Series, which incorporates the latest iterations of MartinLogan's electrostatic and compact Folded MotionTM technologies.
Featuring a 34-inch tall curvilinear XStatTM electrostatic transducer, the imposing EM-ESL aims to deliver significantly higher sonic performance than your typical entry level audiophile speaker. Sensitivity is rated at 91dB with a nominal impedance of 6 Ohms, making the EM-ESL well suited to work with both A/V receivers and standalone amplifiers.
To help break into this more affordable price bracket, MartinLogan developed a new XStat transducer for the EM-ESL, reducing the gauge thickness of the panel's steel stator panels. The thin stator design contributes to the panel being virtually transparent when seated, while still delivering what company describes as "levels of performance approaching that of MartinLogan's award-winning electrostatic panel design."
The EM-ESL will go on sale worldwide in March of next year with an initial price tag of $1,995/pair. Matching center and surround channel models, which will feature MartinLogan's Folded Motion ribbon driver, are expected shortly thereafter.
You can learn more about MartinLogan's unique electrostatic speaker design at MartinLogan.com.
Where to Buy:
More 2010 CEDIA EXPO Coverage Live from Atlanta:
