MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL X Hybrid Floorstanding Speaker Gloss Black

The ElectroMotion ESL X uses the new, larger XStat™ electrostatic transducer, with a larger radiating area than the EM-ESL. It features 8-inch high-excursion woofers housed in an asymmetrical chamber and loaded in a non-resonant bass reflex, in a surprisingly compact enclosure. The woofers have custom-designed, high-excursion, high-rigidity pulp cones.

The ElectroMotion ESL X (EM-ESL X) X features a larger electrostatic transducer and not one but two woofers. This allows for increased power handling and stunning performance for the price.

The ElectroMotion ESL X features a new, larger XStat™ electrostatic transducer, with a 35cm2 larger radiating area than the EM-ESL. The 8-inch high-excursion woofers are housed in a non-resonant asymmetrical bass reflex enclosure, all in a surprisingly compact cabinet. The woofers have custom-designed, long-excursion, high-rigidity pulp cones. The component elements inside the EM-ESL X utilize the design and performance of components used on many of MartinLogan’s most expensive loudspeakers, such as custom-wound transformers, air-core coils, large steel-laminate inductors, polyester electrolytic capacitors, and low DF. Custom 5-way binding posts allow for secure connections. System frequency response is 41-22,000 Hz ± 3db. Recommended amplifier power is 20-400 watts per channel. Impedance is 6 ohms (1.6 ohms at 20 kHz), and the EM-ESL X is compatible with 4, 6, or 8 ohm amplifiers.

A custom XStat™ transducer was developed for the ElectroMotion Series to reduce the thickness of the electrostatic panel's steel stators with no loss of panel performance. A nice side effect of this is the increased visual clarity of the panel, which is now so transparent it almost vanishes when you sit back and listen.

CLS™ XStat Transducer

One of MartinLogan's original innovations, CLS™ (Curvilinear Line Source) technology, has been an essential ingredient of every electrostatic loudspeaker we've produced, and the ElectroMotion ESL X is no exception. Proprietary manufacturing methods allow the electrostatic panels to be constructed as cylindrical sections. Their gentle horizontal curvature solves the problem of getting good high-frequency dispersion from a large radiating surface without compromising overall sound quality or reliability.

Another key attribute of the ElectroMotion ESL X is its naturally dipolar radiation pattern.

A true dipole, the EM-ESL X emits sound with equal intensity from the front and back of the diaphragm, but the outputs are in opposite phase. As a result, sound waves traveling to the sides meet at the edge of the speaker and cancel each other out. That and the relatively large size of the ElectroMotion ESL X's electrostatic panel mean that output to the sides is very low compared to a conventional speaker, which in turn minimizes side-wall reflections that tend to blur sonic detail and stereo imaging. While the reduction in output to the sides contributes to the astonishing clarity for which electrostats are revered, energy reflected from the wall behind the speaker opens up and deepens the sound.

Superb Bass Integration

To harmoniously blend the audio output from the high- and mid-frequency electrostatic panel to the dual low-frequency woofer system, the ElectroMotion ESL X features a patented Vojtko™ filter topology that utilizes custom air-core coils and low-DCR steel-laminate inductors, series polyester film capacitors, and parallel low-DF electrolytic capacitors.

The EM-ESL X features dual 8-inch audiophile-grade doped-fiber cone woofers, custom-designed by MartinLogan's in-house design and engineering team. This efficient woofer design optimizes the cone suspension and magnetic flux field to produce big bass with incredibly low distortion. Rigid and lightweight, the custom woofer diaphragm eliminates cone flexure and minimizes response time, achieving performance levels approaching those of MartinLogan's largest and most expensive electrostatic speakers.

Premium Connections, Solid Adjustable Foot

Custom 5-way bi-wire binding posts allow for secure connections. The EM-ESL X is supplied with heavy-duty 3/8-16 ETC™ spikes, which can be used to adjust vertical wave throw, improve stability on thick carpets, and create tighter coupling between speaker and floor to provide tighter, more detailed bass performance. Each spike is conveniently covered with removable rubber caps if you prefer not to use spikes.

SPECIFICATIONS

Finish: Gloss Black

Frequency Response: 41-22,000 Hz ± 3dB

Recommended Amplifier Power: 20-400 watts per channel

Horizontal Dispersion: 30°

Vertical Dispersion: 40 inches line source

Sensitivity: 91 dB / 2.83 volts/meter

Impedance: 6 Ohms, 1.6 @ 20kHz Compatible with 4, 6, or 8 Ohm amplifiers

Crossover Frequency: 400Hz

High Frequency Transducer: XStat Electrostatic Transducer ™ CLS ™. Panel Dimensions: 102x22 cm. Radiating Area: 2244 cm²

Low Frequency Transducer: Two 20.3 cm high-excursion cones, high-rigidity paper with extended-throw driver assembly, non-resonant asymmetrical chamber format, bass reflex

Components: Custom-wound audio transformer, air-core coils, large steel laminate inductors, polyester capacitors and low-iron density electrolytic capacitors

Inputs: Custom 5-way bifilar binding posts

Weight: 23.6 kg

Dimensions: 150.3 x 23.8 x 52.6 cm