MartinLogan Electrostatic Advances

Why do all MartinLogan speaker systems reproduce each sound so accurately?

At the heart of every ultimate MartinLogan speaker lies an ultra-thin transparent electrostatic diaphragm. Driven by charged electrons and weighing less than the air it moves, the diaphragm is so responsive it reproduces sound at levels only associated with the finest audio electronics. With indistinguishably low distortion, the electrostatic diaphragm precisely tracks the input signal, engages the air, and transmits the audio signal to your ear-flawlessly.

For over 20 years MartinLogan engineers have continuously sought to further improve sonically superior electrostatic technology. Today, the new XStat™ transducer represents the ultimate manifestation of the sum of MartinLogan's electrostatic engineering expertise.

XStat™ Transducer

Advanced MicroPerf stator technology gives MartinLogan's latest-generation CLS™ electrostatic transducer almost twice as much exposed diaphragm surface as a traditional electrostatic panel of the same size. This dramatic increase in effective radiating area translates to higher efficiency and an even more effortless, unlimited dynamic presentation. The XStat pulls no punches!

But there's more to it than just putting more holes in the stators, which must maintain uniform spacing in front of and behind the diaphragm to exacting tolerances. They cannot flex. XStat's ultra-rigid aluminum AirFrame™ firmly anchors the transducer's working elements - stators and diaphragm - around their periphery, while ClearSpar™ spacers stiffen the assembly further across its width. ClearSpars enable precise, consistent tensioning of the Vacuum Bonded diaphragm without obstructing the floating, see-through look that is the visual hallmark of MartinLogan electrostats.

In the end, a speaker cannot outperform the signal feeding it. MartinLogan's state-of-the-art toroidal transformer and electrical interface engineering ensure an absolutely transparent link from amplifier to electrostatic panel. The result is sound of unparalleled purity, precision, clarity, and openness - the next best thing to no speaker at all.

Generation 2 Electrostatic Panel

Innovative manufacturing techniques enabled MartinLogan to produce the original Curvilinear Line Source panels, the first wide-range electrostatic drivers to deliver good horizontal sound dispersion without sacrificing overall sound quality or reliability. CLS Generation 2 builds on that success with advanced diaphragm and stator technologies that significantly enhance speaker efficiency and dynamics.

Our new thin-film plasma-deposition process applies an improved conductive coating to the ultra-low-mass PET (polyethylene terathylate) diaphragm for superior adhesion and abrasion resistance, as well as a better impedance characteristic. MicroPerf™ stators expose more of the diaphragm surface, dramatically expanding effective radiating area without increasing panel size, while ClearSpar™ spacers help maintain their stiffness without impairing the signature transparent look of MartinLogan electrostats.

CLS™ (Curvilinear Line Source)

One of MartinLogan's original breakthroughs, CLS™ technology has been an essential ingredient of every electrostatic loudspeaker we've produced. 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.

AirFrame™ Technology

XStat™ panels are secured to speaker cabinets using MartinLogan's AirFrame technology. AirFrames, manufactured from aerospace-grade billet and extruded aluminum alloy, make the panels extremely rigid while maximizing playable surface area and dipole sound radiation. At the same time, they provide electrical and acoustical isolation, minimizing intermodulation distortion caused by vibration and resonance. Overall, AirFrames enhance imaging, low-level sonic detail, accuracy, and efficiency.

MicroPerf Stators

Although stators are the elements of an electrostatic driver that are supposed to stand still, they carry the audio signals that do the work of propelling the diaphragm back and forth to move air and produce sound. Because the stators sandwich the diaphragm between them, they must be perforated to allow sound to pass through. Yet they must also be rigid enough to remain absolutely stationary despite the strong electrostatic forces pushing and pulling at them during operation.

MartinLogan's MicroPerf design optimizes this tradeoff by reducing the size of the individual holes and using many more of them than in a traditional electrostatic panel. MicroPerf almost doubles effective diaphragm radiating area without compromising structural integrity. The resulting increase in output capability and efficiency allows a panel to be made much smaller without sacrificing performance - or to enjoy a substantial leap in bandwidth and dynamics without growing larger.

(Hybrid Dynamic) HD-XStat™ Technology

Vacuum Bonding

The components of each XStat™ panel - two insulated, high-purity carbon steel stators, plasma-deposited PET diaphragm, and ClearSpar™ spacers - are fused into a cylindrical-section geometry with an aerospace adhesive whose hold strength exceeds that of welding. Our proprietary Vacuum Bonding process ensures uniform diaphragm tensioning and facilitates the extremely tight tolerances necessary for construction of such a precision transducer.

ClearSpar™ Technology

Originally developed for the cost-no-object Statement e2, ClearSpar™ technology enhances the transparent look of electrostatic transducers and increases both efficiency and dynamics.