MartinLogan Icon 3XW In-Wall Speaker Pair

From extreme home theater to transcendent 2-channel listening, Masterpiece CI is the pinnacle of discrete in-wall and in-ceiling speaker design—truth in sound, state-of-the-art. Featuring ultra-fast, low-distortion Folded Motion XT Obsidian tweeters, class-leading Vojtko crossover networks, and unidirectional multi-section carbon fiber cone drivers with Nomex® backing, the Masterpiece CI Series delivers the biggest, boldest, most lifelike performance possible—a tribute to the acoustic achievements of MartinLogan's iconic masterpiece, our flagship floorstander.

Folded Motion® XT Obsidian Tweeter

MartinLogan's signature Folded Motion tweeter utilizes an extremely low-mass diaphragm that “squeezes” air, thus requiring significantly less excursion than the typical 1-inch dome tweeter. Its folded design allows for a much larger surface area (compared to a standard 1-inch dome tweeter), controlled dispersion characteristics, and virtually zero distortion. It’s a feat of audio engineering that delivers much of the high-frequency detail and speed of a large dynamic electrostatic panel in a small space. Folded Motion XT tweeters take thin-film transducer technology a step further, with a 40% larger radiating surface area and controlled 80x30-degree dispersion. This change increases audible bandwidth without sacrificing detail, and minimizes distortion to an unprecedented degree while increasing the tweeter’s efficiency and already rapid response time. The result: superior realism and alarming specificity that is astonishingly astonishing, and only from MartinLogan. Masterpiece Obsidian XT Folded Motion X Series tweeters feature a black diaphragm.

Powerful midrange and bass drivers with unidirectional carbon fiber cones with Nomex® backing

Custom-tuned, low-distortion drivers pair high-powered magnet structures with unidirectional multi-section carbon fiber cone diaphragms with a Nomex® backing to deliver massive excursion and audio output, preserve bass detail, and maximize power handling capability—all without a hint of distortion. The use of unidirectional carbon fiber results in a cone that is twice as strong as steel with one-sixth the density, providing exceptional rigidity without adding excessive weight. The multi-section design of Masterpiece CI drivers serves to reduce resonant modes within the driver, allowing for a smoother response. Nomex backers improve the driver's overall performance by damping the cone to prevent deleterious ringing and reduce breakup modes, a key requirement for extremely rigid cone materials. These exceptional woofers ensure the smooth, non-resonant response necessary for seamless blending with the extreme precision of high-resolution folded-motion tweeters.

The Monument 7XW features passive radiators constructed from the same high-strength, low-mass material as the woofers: unidirectional, multi-section carbon fiber cone diaphragms with a Nomex® backing. These passive radiators deliver incredibly powerful, dynamic, and distortion-free bass from a small, discreet, sealed enclosure.

Detailed Drive Engineering

To ensure accuracy in the critical midrange, the mid-frequency drivers feature a specially designed "stiff" suspension. Stiffening the suspension (the spider and surround) raises the driver's resonant frequency and optimizes its performance to achieve a natural roll-off and inherently operate in an ideal range for mid-frequency reproduction (as opposed to a comparably sized woofer).

Each cone includes a concave dust cap that adds additional strength and rigidity while further reducing breakup modes. An inverted surround design maximizes space behind the grille cover to improve the driver's excursion, clarity and linearity.

Phenolic Baffle and Sealed Enclosure

The Statement 40XW, Monument 7XW, Tribute 5XW and Icon 3XW use baffles constructed from incredibly dense and durable phenolic resin polymer, an exceptional, acoustically superior substrate. Phenolic resin polymer, the same material used in the Neolith cabinet, provides an extraordinary material consistency that naturally minimizes acoustically deleterious resonances and vibrations. This sealed design helps prevent sound from leaking through the wall into unintended areas of the home, while providing predictable airspace for the woofers to perform at their best.

The most significant benefit of a sealed, acoustically inert, built-in back box is predictable volume and a construction methodology that removes the variables of wall cavity size and build quality from the acoustic equation, ensuring consistent, accurate performance no matter the installation. By maintaining complete control over driver performance, crossover design, and cabinet construction, Masterpiece CI in-wall and in-ceiling speakers can deliver an emotionally immersive experience on par with the rarefied performance of the world's most exceptional floorstanding speakers.

Die-cast Aluminum Mounting Lock System

A simple yet robust die-cast aluminum mounting lock system maximizes strength while allowing for quick, hassle-free installation. Pocket screw holes help keep your drill steady, making installation a breeze. When not in use, the mounting blocks are secured inside a freestanding housing. When moved into position, they firmly couple the frame to the ceiling or wall, adding rigidity to the surfaces. If ever removed, the blocks retract and lock into their respective housings. Each speaker includes a full-size installation template with quick-reference instructions and die-cut guides for marking the cutout hole.

Spring-Loaded Binding Posts

Spring-loaded posts feature a large 4.5mm wire access hole and connect via banana plug, pin, or bare 10 AWG wire.

Proprietary Vojtko™ Crossover Networks

Looking carefully hand-built using only the finest polypropylene and polyester capacitors, custom-wound, large-diameter steel-laminate low-DCR inductors, and double-thickness PCBs, Masterpiece CI Series crossovers utilize MartinLogan's proprietary Vojtko topology for remarkably low distortion and seamless driver integration. This precisely tuned network preserves even the most microscopic sonic nuances while handling the full dynamics of any source.

Vojtko crossovers are named after MartinLogan's chief audio technologist, Joe Vojtko. His unique approach to crossover design is as big a part of the "MartinLogan Sound" as electrostatic and Folded Motion thin-film driver technologies. A Vojtko crossover is less a set of design requirements than a philosophy.

Hand-Selected Components

Vojtko crossovers are designed so that all drivers are kept within their optimal frequency range and balanced with each other. The drivers themselves are as much a part of a Vojtko crossover as capacitors and resistors. Before the design of any crossover begins, the drivers are carefully selected or designed to operate within a very intentional frequency range and with precise, predictable performance parameters. Vojtko crossovers are always made with high-quality parts and care is taken to avoid overly complex topologies, an easy goal thanks to the careful selection of woofers and tweeters. The final (and most critical) aspect of a Vojtko Crossover is that the final voice is conducted in a space that is indicative of a real-world environment. This pragmatic approach allows MartinLogan loudspeakers to sound their best in real-world rooms.

Pre-installation brackets not included must be purchased separately (available in our store)

Pre-installation brackets are available for all Masterpiece CI Series models except the 40XW, which requires unique installation considerations.

SPECIFICATIONS

2 2-way rectangular in-wall speakers.

2 133mm multi-section carbon fiber cone woofer/midrange drivers, 32x61mm Folded Motion™ XT rotatable ribbon tweeter.

Phenolic resin front and sealed integrated back box.

20-250W power.

Efficiency 94dB.

Impedance 4 ohm.

Vojtko™ crossover with thermal/current protection for tweeter.

Fixing with Quick aluminum retention.

White magnetic grille, low thickness, paintable.

Pressure terminals that also accept banana connectors.