Electrostatic loudspeaker manufacturer MartinLogan (acquired in 2005 by Shoreview Industries, the same company that owns Paradigm) has been perfecting its unique CLS (Curvilinear Line Source) transducer for decades. The launch of the CLX flagship was the ultimate expression of MartinLogan's transducer design with only one minor flaw - if you have to ask, you can't afford them.
While not inexpensive, the brand new Ethos ($6,495 per pair) offers those lucky enough to afford a pair of them a very real taste of MartinLogan's statement product. The 44" x 9.2" XStat CLS transducer is coupled to a 8-inch PoweredForce woofer which itself is driven by a built-in 200-watt amplifier. Each Ethos also sports an 8-inch passive radiator for maximum low-end extension and tight clean bass reproduction.
A unique XStat transducer was developed to exclusively address the specific mechanical requirements of the Ethos. Vertically identical in size and dispersion to the flagship Summit X (and taller than the Vantage), Ethos' 9.2-inch (23cm) horizontal panel dimension required a tighter curve to achieve MartinLogan's distinct 30-degree dispersion pattern.
The initial shipments of the Ethos will be available in 3 hand-rubbed real-wood finishes; flamed teak (which looks superb), black ash, and dark cherry. The Ethos has a quoted frequency response of 34-23,000 Hz +/- 3dB. At 92dB efficiency (4 Ohms nominal impedance), the Ethos isn't exactly inefficient, but like other MartinLogan models, it benefits from the proper application of power. 100 watts per channel at a minimum to open up the sound is a solid bet for anyone considering these.
The 59" x 10" x 18" transducers need some space from the wall behind them to sound their best, but unlike older generations of ESLs, they are a little less finicky about their final placement.
More Information:
Where to Buy MartinLogan speakers online:
