Patrick
- Thursday, January 12, 2012
Price when discontinued:
$499.95
"We consider MartinLogan’s ElectroMotion ESL surround system to be an overachiever of the first rank. It offers very serious high-end sound quality for only a little more money than some mid-fi systems cost. For many listeners, then, the quest for upper-tier sound will begin and end right here"—Chris Martens, Hi Fi Plus
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"MartinLogan ElectroMotion loudspeakers are not only an incredible value but an incredible loudspeaker system. I've encountered no speaker at or even a few ticks above the ElectroMotion's asking price that possess the same transparency, articulation, speed and natural tone. When adequately powered, the breadth in which the ElectroMotions render a soundstage is stunning and their dynamic capabilities all but crush previous, affordable MartinLogan designs."—Andrew Robinson, Home theater Review
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"The MartinLogan ElectroMotion’s usual approach to speaker design pays dividends with a movie performance that’s simply out of this world. Insightful detail reproduction, authoritative speech, a seamlessly immersive soundstage, rock-solid bass, tight integration… you name it, this system excels at it. "—Danny Phillips, Trusted Reviews
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"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)."—Brent Butterworth, Sound and Vision
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Frequency Response |
70–25,000 Hz ± 3 dB |
Dispersion |
80° x 80° |
Recommended Amplifier Power |
20–200 watts |
Sensitivity |
90 dB @ 2.83 volts/ meter |
Impedance |
4 Ohms. Compatible with 4, 6 or 8 Ohm rated |
High Frequency Driver |
1” x 1.4” (2.6cm x 3.6cm) Folded Motion |
Crossover Frequency |
2,600 Hz |
Low Frequency Driver |
Two 4” (10.2cm) paper cone with stamped steel |
Cabinet |
Ported |
Components |
Custom air core coil and low DCR steel laminate |
Binding Post Inputs |
Push style with banana jacks |
Weight |
9.5 lbs. (4.4 kg) |
Dimensions (H x W x D) |
6” x 24” x 4.4” (15.2cm x 61cm x 11.3cm) |
Superb speakers for both music and home theater
We recently purchased a home theater system comprised of four Motion LX16's, one Motion C center, and Dynamo 700 wireless sub. They are connected to a high-end Denon AVR and Oppo disk player, which we use to play SACD's and movies. Our primary speaker purchase criterion was musical accuracy, as all members of our family are instrumentalists, including on double bass and tenor sax - so accuracy in the lower midrange and bass was particularly important. However, our space is constrained - very large towers were not an option. I had auditioned numerous towers and bookshelf speakers, including B&W's, Definitives, and JBL's. When I finally auditioned the LX16's at a local HiFi store, I knew my search for musical accuracy, in a relatively small size, had ended. The LX16 clarity and accuracy across the entire musical range, especially at high volumes and down to 60Hz, is stunning for a bookshelf speaker. Vocalists, rock, funk, and jazz are all reproduced with a seamless integration of treble, mid, and bass accuracy, at both low and high volumes. When we listen to full orchestra music, the separation of the instruments, and creation of a clear soundstage, is particularly good. We can now hear the the full warmth of the double bass strings, but also enjoy the treble texture as the bow attacks each string. Our Dynamo 700 seamlessly fills in the lowest frequencies, including LFE on action films, with similar accuracy and tightness. For TV, films, and multichannel music, our Motion C is a great match for the other ML speakers, providing clear dialogue and with the front-firing ports helping provide sonic depth. This combination of speakers is so versatile, great for all types of music as well as immersive home theater. Well done Martin Logan.