Description
REVIEWS FROM CUSTOMERS AND PROS BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE DescriptionELECTROMOTION ESL The ElectroMotion ESL represents a bold new direction for electrostatic loudspeaker design. Featuring a full-sized 34-inch tall curvilinear XStat™ electrostatic transducer and a superbly integrated high-performance woofer, the new EM-ESL performs more like a mini-flagship than an entry level audiophile speaker. Designed for both 2-channel music enthusiasts and those seeking the worlds most articulate and dynamic multi-channel home theater systems, the EM-ESL is the most compelling affordable audiophile-grade speaker ever brought to market. $2,799.98 / Each Retail ElectroMotion ESL The ElectroMotion ESL (EM-ESL) represents a brave new direction for electrostatic loudspeaker design. Featuring a full-sized 34-inch tall curvilinear XStat™ electrostatic transducer the new ESL performs more like a mini-flagship than an entry level audiophile speaker. Long time MartinLogan enthusiasts are sure to describe ElectroMotion ESL as the second-coming of the Brave New Direction in Electrostatic Design MartinLogans ElectroMotion EM-ESL represents a brave new direction for electrostatic loudspeaker design. Featuring a full-sized 34 tall curvilinear XStat electrostatic transducer, the ESL performs more like a mini-flagship than an entry-level audiophile speaker. This bold loudspeaker establishes a new benchmark for price versus performance. Pushing thin film transducer technology to its limit, the ElectroMotion ESL features the most affordable full-size XStat electrostatic transducer ever designed. I think the EM-ESL is one of the best bargains going in an audiophile music speaker, raves Brent Butterworth in the October 20, 2011 issue of Sound+Vision magazine. It gives audiophiles all the things most of us seem to want (huge soundstaging and a dramatic presentation) and all the things we should want but sometimes neglect (like neutral tonal balance and natural sound). Is There a More Exciting Speaker at This Price? If theres a more exciting loudspeaker out there at this price, I certainly havent heard it, marvels Jeff Dorgay in the May 2011 issue of ToneAudio magazine. While the year isnt yet half over, the EM-ESLs are on our short list for a Product of the Year award. The ElectroMotion ELS system is the least expensive way to join an exclusive (and very ecstatic) club, reports Darryl Wilkinson in HomeTheater.com for October 31, 2011. MicroPerf and AirFrame Technology ElectroMotion ESLs XStat electrostatic MicroPerf panel is housed within a radical aluminum and composite AirFrame similar to those found on MartinLogans flagship products. AirFrame technology rigidifies the electrostatic panel without obstructing playable surface area or interfering with ambience enriching dipole sound radiation. At the same time, an AirFrame provides electrical and acoustical isolation, minimizing intermodulated distortion caused by vibration and resonance while enhancing imaging, low-level sonic detail, accuracy, and efficiency. MicroPerf design optimizes the individual holes of The EM-ESLs electrostatic panel. MicroPerf design substantially increases diaphragm radiating area, compared to early generations, without compromising structural integrity. The resulting increase in output capability and efficiency allows The EM-ESLs panel to enjoy a substantial leap in bandwidth and dynamics without growing larger. For example, The EM-ESLs XStat electrostatic panel features 129 square inches of sound radiating surface on both the front and back and a sensitivity of 91dB into 6 Ohms. CLS XStat Transducer One of MartinLogans original breakthroughs, CLS (Curvilinear Line Source) technology, has been an essential ingredient of every electrostatic loudspeaker the company has ever produced, and the ElectroMotion ESL is no exception. Proprietary manufacturing methods enable construction of electrostatic panels as cylindrical sections. Their gentle horizontal curvature solves the problem of obtaining good high-frequency dispersion from a large radiating surface without compromising overall sound quality or reliability. A unique XStat transducer was developed for the ElectroMotion ESL to reduce the gauge thickness of the electrostatic panels steel stators. The reduced gauge does not alter the performance characteristics of the panel. However, as a natural byproduct of tighter build tolerances, it does increase the visual transparency of the panel. The EM-ESLs new XStat panel is so visually transparent it nearly vanishes when youre sitting and listening. Controlled Dispersion Sound Radiation Another key attribute of the ElectroMotion ESL is its naturally dipolar radiation pattern. A true dipole, The EM-ESL radiates sound with equal intensity from the front and back of its diaphragm, but the outputs are in opposite phase. As a result, sound waves rippling out toward the sides meet at the speakers edge and cancel. That and the relatively large size of the ElectroMotion ESLs electrostatic panel cause output at the sides to be very low relative to that of a conventional loudspeaker, which in turn minimizes side-wall reflections that tend to muddle sonic detail and stereo imaging. While the reduction in output to the sides contributes to the astonishing clarity for which electrostats are revered, the energy reflected off the wall behind the speaker opens up and deepens the sound. Superb Bass Integration To seamlessly blend audio output from the high- and mid-frequency electrostatic panel to the low-frequency woofer, the ElectroMotion ESL features a proprietary Vojtko topology filter utilizing custom air core coil and low DCR steel laminate inductors, polyester film capacitors in series, and low DF electrolytic capacitors in parallel. A precise 8 high-excursion, perfectly balanced, audiophile grade, doped fiber cone woofer was custom designed exclusively for The EM-ESL by MartinLogans in-house engineering team. This woofer precisely optimizes cone suspension and magnetic flux field to produce high levels of bass output and simultaneous precise midrange. The custom woofers rigid light-weight diaphragm eliminates cone flexure and maximizes response time to achieve remarkably low-distortion approaching that of MartinLogans award-winning electrostatic panel design. Easy Connections, Solid Adjustable Footing Convenient push-style speaker terminals and curved inserts help guide speaker wire effortlessly into place. The rubber end caps on the terminal are also removable for the use of banana plugs instead of bare wire. The EM-ESL is supplied with sturdy, 1/4-20 ETC™ spikes, which can be used to fine tune vertical wave launch, enhance stability on thick carpets, and create tighter coupling between speaker and floor to provide a tighter and detailed bass performance. Each spike is conveniently covered by removable rubber end caps if you prefer not to use spikes. The Second Coming of the Aerius? Longtime MartinLogan enthusiasts are sure to describe ElectroMotion ESL as the second-coming of the legendary Aerius electrostatic speaker which debuted in 1992 and went on to sell in record numbers. The new ESL boasts 40 percent more radiating surface, a superbly integrated and authoritative bass performance, and a sensitivity rated at 91 dB. In addition, the ESL is capable of being effortlessly powered by both receivers and high-end amplifiers alike. Switching between the Aerius is and EM-ESLs repeatedly revealed the latters tremendous refinement, reports Jeff Dorgay in ToneAudio magazine. Regardless of musical choice, the current model possessed an increased level of resolution that its predecessor couldnt touch. CUSTOMER PRO & CUSTOMER REVIEWS. 4.9 NEW LOWER SELLING PRICE PLEASE BE FAIR WITH OFFERS!! Rating 4.9 out of 5 stars with 118 reviews(118 customer reviews)Rating Filter5 star rating. 108 reviews 5108 TOTAL 4 star rating. 7 reviews 47 TOTAL 3 star rating. 3 reviews33 (0) 2 star rating. 0 reviews20 (0) 1 star rating. 0 reviews10 (0) Rating by featureValue4.7Rating 4.7 out of 5 starsQuality4.9Rating 4.9 out of 5 starsEase of Use4.7Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars96%would recommend to a friend $(csi.instances.user-generated-content.ratings-and-reviews.v1.id) data-track=Verified Purchase checkbox>$(csi.instances.user-generated-content.ratings-and-reviews.v1.id)>Show only Verified Purchases (100)The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.Sort by Rated 5 out of 5 starsGreat deal |Posted 3 months ago. Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Martin Logan ESL does not disappoint. I have always wanted a pair, and was fortunate to buy them at opened box price. Delivery team did a fabulous job. Martin Logan also honors the 5-year warranty. Dont get better that this! I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsPurchased July 2023|Posted 7 months ago. Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.These Martin Logan speakers are an outstanding addition to our new home theatre room. They provide incredibly clear audio for our movies and are well worth the price tag! They are aesthetically pleasing and we look forward to years of enjoyment! I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsNice soundstage and clarity|Posted 4 months ago. Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Once you nail the center image and seat about 5 feet more from the distance between each speaker they come alive. I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsPerfection exemplified|Posted 1 year ago. Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.The Sony TV speaker is fine, but theres too much side-wall interference. These MartinLogan speakers fill the room much better and without any need for a surround sound setup. In fact, with the Marantz driving them, it’s powerful to deliver music (or dialog) throughout the house without any noise interference or muffled sounds. I almost went with horn-style towers, but the high-to-low separation these radiate convinced me it was worth the few extra $$. I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsML esl|Posted 1 year ago. Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.These sound pretty sweet IF set up properly. They are not for everyones taste because some music sounds better on more traditional high end speakers I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsHappy Purchase|Posted 4 years ago. Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I really cannot say enough about the Electrostatics. They have the most beautiful sound. You will definitely hear things youve never heard in both music and movies. I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsGreat all-purpose speaker for a large roomPosted 9 years ago. This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.These speakers are easy to drive, have a fantastic sound and great imaging. They are easy to drive and once positioned correctly, are easy to listen to. One thing to watch out for in placement is that they produce sound from both the front and the rear of the film, so ideally you would want similar surfaces behind both of them. I didnt so getting them placed properly took a bit more time due to time effects from one speaker getting the reflection from the wall behind it while the other speaker had no wall behind it. It took some toe-in and some experimentation with distance to the wall to get around this. Once they are set up though, they sound fantastic. They sound especially great with well-recorded orchestral music - especially brass. They also sound fantastic with vocals and piano. And then they sound great with contemporary as well. Theres really no music Ive found that these dont reproduce well. Some reviewers have stated these to be a bit bright -- I would say it depends a lot on your amplifier. For example, at first I had them powered by a Bryston B60 (60WPC). This amplifier had plenty of power to drive them, but I found output in the mid to high range was a bit harsh, but the lower end was extremely tight and present. The harshness at the high end went away to some extent with time, but never fully relaxed. I then tried them with my Classe CAP-150 (150WPC). The result was a much smoother sound through the mids and high, but the lows were a bit too relaxed. Finally, I hooked them up to my Classe CAP-2100 and thats how its remained. The highs are smooth, clear, and crisp -- without being fatiguing on the ears -- and the lows are punchy, precise, and accurate. Most people probably dont have those amps sitting in their closets (luckily my wife hasnt sold them on me yet), so I would suggest auditioning in person and making a decision on an amp and speaker combination together. I would definitely recommend a sizeable subwoofer for this in a large room. Since these speakers are very efficient, they put out a lot of sound with even modest amplification (even at 60W). The lows drop off at around 50Hz in my room, so the sub really helps take the sound to full range. The only real downside I see with these speakers -- and its minor -- is that the terminals dont allow for tight attachment of spade connectors. I plan to contact the manufacturer to see if they offer a binding post upgrade. I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsA Natural and Spacious Experience!Posted 8 years ago. This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I came from a pair of Polk Towers and I am blown away. The amount of detail is unbelievable. In the store I was leaning towards a pair of B&Ws and a Marantz PM8005 amp in another room. The associate was kind enough to hook up the MLs next to the Bowers I was surprised how clear and natural the MLs were not to mention the imaging was amazing! The Bass is something lots of people are unsure about but when you put a little power into these guys they really come alive. I know its possible to power the stats off of anything but they really shine with some clean power. Another area of concern is placement. I sit 12 feet away and have these guys 7 feet apart. They are pulled out about 2 feet from the wall and have at least 1.5- 2 feet to each wall. They did take some time to set up and dial in but even right up against the wall they were great, I found they just kept improving the more I played with them. These fore sure have to be on everyones list to listen to! I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsAbsolutely amazing|Posted 2 months ago. Owned for 3 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I bought a banged up set of these for $1000 open box at my local outlet store. I was able to make them look like I bought them new for about $50 in parts from Martin Logan. The imaging on these is insane, they are probably the best cheap music speakers Ive ever heard. Dont forget to plug them into AC power or the panels dont play at all I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsBetter than expected|Posted 10 years ago. This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I was condiering the larger ones, Theos, I think? Anyway, I ended up getting the little ones and the better (800.00) center channel to match. I ran these off my Denon 4310 for the first couple weeks. As Japanese Amps go, its pretty good. Not overly thin. They sound good, a little crisp, but OK for music. They seemed to really perform well on video, the front stage came alive quite well. My Denon is fairly power rich, I had played with placement and eq settings and many other things and finally decided they needed better power. Yesterday, I put my McIntosh 4x100 amp on the (3ch) on the front stage. Music changed dramatically. Needless to say my hardware on the head end makes a huge difference, but I think the Logans like the high torque power. I can really hear the fingers on the strings, the breaths, and the off stage conversations like never before and the bottom end woke up. They sound like they can play without a subwoofer now and didnt before. They sound like the big brother version for twice the price. Video however...this is where it gets it. I would say this is bar none the finest sounding front stage I have ever heard in a house, including systems where more dollars are spent. Power up these logans, try an American amp, or something with tubes and let them go. They will amaze you. I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsOUTSTANDING speakers|Posted 11 years ago. This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I waited a couple of months to review these speakers. I had first purchased a Pioneer SC-63 receiver and wanted to upgrade my speakers. My original choice was Bose 901s but found out they were not compatible with the Pioneer receiver. WOW am I glad I waited. I went to Best Buy with my own music and had them set up the SC-63 with the ML-ESL Speakers. I had about 6 CDs but the music that really showcased the system was Chemical Brothers Exit Planet Dust. I listen to Jazz, Classical and the blues but needed something that would show the true potential of these speakers. They not only blew me away but totally surprised the sales rep with the sound they produced. They were clear, distinct and surpassed anything I had previously listened to. I had decided to purchased these speakers right from the beginning of the demo. At home they truly wonderful with both music and movies. If you are considering new speakers you must listen to these. Just give them a try. They are worth the extra $$. I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsAudiophile Speakers|Posted 4 months ago. Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.One of the best audiophile speakers I’ve owned. The lossless music sounds perfect and live, be it Jazz or metal. Would highly recommend if you want audiophile music without breaking the bank. I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsMartin Logans|Posted 2 months ago. Owned for 10 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I have been waiting a very long time to get these speakers. Excellent speakers. Perfect for my space. I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsLike being there|Posted 10 years ago. This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Beyond their obvious good looks, they are very easy to set up (the first step is done with a flashlight). The sound quality is amazing. It really is difficult to tell that the sound is coming from a speaker and not a live band. We listen to a lot of show tunes and classical and these speakers are wonderful for that. The high end is very bright and having each speaker include a sub-woofer gives excellent low notes. There seems to be a little loss around the cross-over, but you have to listen very close to notice that. I have not heard any other speakers with as good of a sound reproduction (unless you count the more expensive versions of the same speaker from the same company). I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsExcellent!|Posted 10 years ago. This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Ive had many speakers through the years. Anywhere from the college dorm Cerwin Vega w/ 15 woofers to M&K S150s that were used to mix the Star Wars movies. I purchased the ESLs after moving to NYC. I have a small apartment in a huge complex, so knew I wanted speakers that were crystal clear even at low volumes. I must say, I am impressed! The ESLs brought out details Ive never heard before in music, and theyre excellent for movies as well. Excellent purchase all the way around! I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsMartin logan|Posted 5 months ago. Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review. I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 starsAwesome Speakers!!|Posted 4 months ago. Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Just one word…Awesome!!! These speakers are just awesome!!! I would recommend this to a friend PRO-REVIEWS BELOW: I think the EM-ESL is one of the best bargains going in an audiophile music speaker. It gives audiophiles all the things most of us seem to want (huge soundstaging and a dramatic presentation) and all the things we should want but sometimes neglect (like neutral tonal balance and natural sound). If stereo music listening is your priority, I highly recommend these. And you can add the EM-C2, the EM-FX2, and the subwoofer of your choice for those occasional nights when you want to relax with a movie instead of digging deep into your music collection. - Brent Butterworth, Sound+Vision magazine, October 2, On Tab Benoits Medicine disc, the music hangs in the air like the calls of crickets and owls during a humid night on the bayou. There are few speakers at this price that can so clearly define each instrument and place Benoits leathery voice in space in such a way that you feel almost as if you were sitting in front of the band while they played a live set. When I listened to Gregory Alan Isakovs Light Year (This Empty Northern Hemisphere), I perceived an especially wide soundstage that extended beyond the speakers with pinpoint placement of drums to the far left, Isakovs voice slightly to the left, one guitar almost in the center, and another guitar to the right. Its almost eerie the way the guitars and vocals never seemed to touch the ground. Likewise with Clare Torrys wailing voice on Pink Floyds classic, Great Gig in the Sky from Dark Side of the Moon. The ElectroMotion ELS system is the least expensive way to join an exclusive (and very ecstatic) club. - Darryl Wilkinson, HomeTheater.com, October 31, Considering what an amazing value the Aerius offered back in 1992… the fact that MartinLogan has hit the same price with its ElectroMotion is nothing less than a major miracle in 211. Switching between the Aerius is and EM-ESLs repeatedly revealed the latters tremendous refinement. Regardless of musical choice, the current model possessed an increased level of resolution that its predecessor couldnt touch. If theres a more exciting loudspeaker out there at this price, I certainly havent heard it. While the year isnt yet half over, the EM-ESLs are on our short list for a Product of the Year award. - Jeff Dorgay, ToneAudio magazine, Issue 37, May Electro Motion ESL Floor standing Front Speaker Most relevant reviewsSee all 8 reviews5 out of 5 starsby AMiyQriTRMar 15, 2018Fantastic bargain. Ive had so many great speakers from Klipsch LaScala to Sunfire NHT to Def Technology these Martin Logans far exceed them all. Thesound is open and airy super crisp and clear with a great soundstage. They can bang or let you hear the most quiet gentle in age. Depth is good. Setup is easy. Associated equipment are Vincent tube amp, Sunfire TG3 preamp, CD transport with Peachtree DAC, and Martin Logans center and surrounds. They blend in seamlessly with Parasound amps driving them. Use good cable. I use Monster Z3 speaker wire. Cant say enough great things. Well done ML.Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Refurbished5 out of 5 starsby searob-ptcazrmqFeb 17, 2018In your Wildest Dreams - Martin Logan ELS takes Music to a new level.The experience went way beyond any expectation I had or video I had seen on Youtube.This is everything you expect when you hear the name, Martin Logan. Sound is as if the performers were in my living room - Ensure all of your components are in the same league with these speakers and you will experience music at a new level -Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned5 out of 5 starsby u591876Jul 03, 2017Love the soundYou definitely want to have a good amplifier for these speakers. The sound is very good.Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned5 out of 5 starsby tourbillon2Jan 22, 2020Great sound! Good value for this speakersVerified purchase: Yes | Condition: Refurbished5 out of 5 starsby opie890Jan 05, 2016speakersfantastic sound cant get enoughVerified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
| 
Live search