Electrostatics

There are two different types of floor standing speakers: conventional driver speakers and electrostatics. Electrostatics are much more dynamic than conventional loudspeakers, and are capable of incredibly realistic performance.

Want to hear Martin Logan electrostatics for yourself? Stop by our showroom.

What Makes An Electrostatic Speaker

An electrostatic loudspeaker uses a thin plastic diaphragm residing between two perforated metal sheets. The audio signal is applied to the grids out of phase.

While one grid causes the diaphragm to push, the other causes it to pull, thus moving air and creating sound. Due to the short traveling distance of the diaphragm compared to the common dynamic speaker, electrostatic speakers have considerably less distortion. They are also very thin, but their bass response is typically not as great.

Martin Logan was able to harness the power of electrostatic technology and improve it for some of the most superior sound available on the market.

Why Choose Electrostatics?

Electrostatic speakers are uniquely capable of an extraordinary and compellingly realistic performance with unmatched clarity and three-dimensional sonic imaging (often referred to as 'sound staging' by audiophiles).

MartinLogan electrostatic panels have two basic elements: a thin, conductively coated diaphragm with a large surface area and two charged, perforated metal stators. The diaphragm is suspended between the stators. An amplifier's signal, when applied to the stators, creates a strong electrostatic field that moves the diaphragm back and forth, exciting the air and transmitting sound.

While in theory all of this might sound relatively simple, in truth, there is an art and science to making this work practically, effortlessly, and reliably. This has been MartinLogan's great contribution—our quest for audio perfection.

"Truth in Sound is the guiding philosophy of MartinLogan. Their mission is to use this unique and astonishing technology to render the most complex musical passages as faithfully to the original source as possible. If breathtaking, lifelike audio accuracy is important to you, you owe it to yourself to hear MartinLogan."

What Makes A Martin Logan Speaker so Special?

Leader in Electrostatics

While MartinLogan didn't invent electrostatic transducer technology, they have completely reinforced the benefit of the technology, producing uncanny audio accuracy.

This is done by eliminating the perceived deficiencies of electrostatic technology, such as poor power handling, lack of bass response and narrow soundstage (beaming),

Ultra Thin, Lighter Than Air Technology

At the heart of every MartinLogan electrostatic panel is their gossamer thin, ultra-low-mass, transparent diaphragm. The mass of much heavier tweeters and mid-range drivers (found in cone and dome based speakers) prevents even the finest traditional loudspeakers from reaching the levels of accuracy inherent in MartinLogan electrostats.

Driven by charged electrons and weighing less than the air it moves, their diaphragm is so responsive and free from distortive effects that its movement is identical to the signal coming form the amplifier. With vanishingly low distortion, the MartinLogan electrostatic diaphragm precisely tracks the input signal, engages the air, and flawlessly transmits the audio signal to your ear.

Curve Appeal

Martin Logan was impressively able to overcome a classic limitation of previous electrostatic designs, enabling them to offer horizontal sound dispersion, ideal in a home environment. Combining inspiration and innovative manufacturing techniques, MartinLogan created the original Curvilinear Line Source (CLS™) electrostatic panels.

The unique dispersion of CLS is a major contributor to MartinLogan’s realistic sound, most often described as “sitting in a room with the musician.” Their latest generation MicroPerf stators, which we have continuously refined over the last 35 years, further maximize output and efficiency while diminishing panel size for an even cleaner aesthetic.

Electrostatic panels are secured to speaker cabinets using proprietary AirFrame™ technology. Manufactured from aerospace-grade billet and extruded aluminum alloy, AirFrames maximize panel rigidity and playable surface area while aiding in the optimization of crucial sound radiation patterns. The latest evolution of ClearSpar spacer technology enhances the transparent look of the electrostatic panels.

Benefitting from decades of innovation and continued improvement, MartinLogan products represent the pinnacle of high-end performance.

Hybrid Design: Best of Both Worlds

Though electrostatic panels are perfect for reproducing sounds above 200 Hz., both the size and the power requirements of deep bass frequencies are best served by traditional cone woofers. Because of this, every MartinLogan electrostatic speaker is a hybrid design. Ideal crossover frequencies, phase and amplitude optimized Vojtko™ crossover networks, and critically damped woofers ensure a seamless transition between the two sound reproduction philosophies. The resulting speakers offer the best of both worlds.

"Uncompromising performance. Unflinching accuracy. Unwavering reliability. Harnessing the myriad technical advantages of electrostatic principles to recreate sound in its truest form—this is what MartinLogan is all about."

Some of our Favorite Martin Logan Products

Masterpiece Series

The masterpiece Series is the pinnacle of today's electrostatic loudspeaker design. This is three decades of audio design and engineering innovation, distilled into a startling fresh loudspeaker ideal.

Electromotion Series

The ElectroMotion Series establishes today's benchmark for loudspeaker price versus performance, while offering the world's most advanced thin film transducer technologies

Motion Series

The Motion Series is inspired by the performance of our ultra-high-end electrostatic loudspeakers and is perfect for music or home cinema lovers. Offering floor-standing speakers, and compact bookshelf models, with timbre-matched centers, all featuring MartinLogan’s cutting edge Folded Motion tweeter and backed by exceptional components and hand-built crossovers. They reveal a richly detailed audio experience at an unrivalled price.