Electrostatic Speakers

Features and General Questions for Electrostatic Speakers:

• What size (power) of an amplifier should I use?

  The power amplifier is one of the most important elements in any A/V system, as too little power will not allow your system to live up to its full potential. In general, we recommend an amplifier with 100 to 200 watts per channel for most applications. Probably less would be adequate...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• How do I vacuum my MartinLogan electrostatic speakers?

  Vacuuming will be most effective if the speakers have been unplugged for six to twelve hours (i.e. overnight). You need not worry about the vacuum pressure damaging the "delicate" membrane. It is extraordinarily durable. Dirt and dust may be vacuumed off with a brush attachment connected...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Will amplifiers rated at 6 or 8 ohms work with MartinLogan speakers?

  All MartinLogan speakers are compatible with receivers rated at 4, 6 or 8 ohms. We have tested several mainstream, high quality receivers and have found all are more than capable of driving 4 ohm speakers. The limitations of an amplifier rated at 6 or 8 ohms only becomes obvious at...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• How do I clean my speakers?

  Use a dust free cloth or a soft brush to clean your speakers and subwoofers. If your speaker (CLX or CLX Art only) features EcoSound, please refer to the following FAQ. To clean the electrostatic panel, you can vacuum them as explained here.

  Created: Jan 01 2013 | Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Will exposure to sunlight affect the life or performance of my speakers?

  We recommend that you not place any loudspeaker in direct sunlight. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause deterioration of grill cloth, speaker cones, etc. Small exposures to UV will not cause a problem. In general, the filtering of UV rays through glass will greatly reduce...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Can you suggest a list of speaker cables that will be ideal for MartinLogan speakers?

  Many people are surprised to hear that speaker cables and component interconnects can have a significant impact on the quality of sound. Just as with the amplifiers, there are many types and designs of cables to choose from and we haven't had the opportunity to extensively test them...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Could you suggest a list of power amplifiers and components that will be ideal for MartinLogan speakers?

  With numerous excellent amplifiers available and the list growing practically each day, we can't recommend one amp over another simply because we haven't had the opportunity to audition them all. This is also true of each component in your A/V system. There are many great components...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• My receiver has a room correction system. Should I still use the subwoofer or speaker's built-in room correction?

  The ARC (Anthem Room Correction) or PBK (Perfect Bass Kit) room correciton system in your MartinLogan subwoofers and electrostatic speakers is not a replacement for room correction systems designed to optimize multi-channel audio systems across the entire frequency range. When beginning...

  Created: Jul 17 2018 | Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Electrostatic Loudspeaker (ESL) Technology

  

  An electrostatic transducer has three basic components - stators, diaphragm, and spars (spacers) - assembled as a sandwich. We explain how each of these components work to create the magical MartinLogan sound for which our electrostatic speakers are known.

  Created: Aug 24 2018 | Updated: Aug 24 2018

• I think my MartinLogan speakers have developed a problem. The right speaker is hissing even when the amplifier is disconnected.

  Your speakers are dusty. See the vacuuming FAQ. The electrostatic charge on the element has attracted airborne dust or pollen. Since 1993, all of our speakers have been built with a charging circuit board that only charges the electrostatic element when music plays. At other times...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• If the diaphragm was punctured with a pencil, stick, or similar item, how extensive would the damage to the speaker be?

  Our research department has literally punctured hundreds of holes in a diaphragm, neither affecting the quality of the sound nor causing the diaphragm to rip. However, you will be able to see the actual puncture and it can be a physical nuisance. If this is the case, replacing the...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Do MartinLogan speakers require big or expensive amplifiers?

  Absolutely not. MartinLogan speakers are quite efficient and are typically capable of providing from 89-91 dB output from only 2.83 volts of input (please refer to specific product specifications). This makes them suitable for use with a wide range of discrete and integrated amps,...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Could you suggest a list of suitable electronics and cables ideal for MartinLogan speakers?

  We have no favorites and use electronics and cables quite interchangeably. We would suggest listening to a number of brands—and above all else—trust your ears. Dealers are always the best source for information when purchasing additional audio equipment. With regards to routers,...

  Created: Dec 04 2015 | Updated: Aug 24 2018

• I have been advised that electrostatics do not fare well in the long term in the humidity of our tropical climate. Is this true?

  We should tell you that MartinLogan indeed has a very substantial number of customers in tropical regions of the world. Our speakers have been serving them nicely for many years. This concern may have come from our earlier design of speakers, which were charged continuously. Since...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Why do the power cords have two prongs instead of three?

  To help prevent ground loops, which occur when there is more than one ground path. Often misunderstood, the ground conductor prevents the chassis from becoming live if the AC line touches it. We use double insulation instead, something that may sound unfamiliar, but you've seen it...

  Created: Jul 16 2018 | Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Should I unplug my speakers and subwoofers during a thunderstorm?

  Yes. Or before if possible. As with any high quality audio component it is always a good practice during stormy weather.

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• I've heard that MartinLogan speakers are hybrid speakers. What is a hybrid speaker?

  That is correct. Nearly every MartinLogan speaker is a hybrid design. This means that they use both thin film and dynamic transducers to achieve maximum detail, imaging, and dynamic range. MartinLogan hybrid loudspeakers seamlessly fuse curvilinear line source electrostatic transducers...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Will my electric bill go 'sky high' by leaving my electrostatic speakers plugged in all the time?

  No. The electrostatic portion of MartinLogan speakers will only draw a few watts (please refer to the specs for your model). There is circuitry to turn off the static charge when not in use; however, actual consumption will remain close to the same. The primary purpose of the sensing...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Is there likely to be any interaction between my speakers and the television in my audio/video system?

  With modern flat-panel televisions this is not an issue. If using an older CRT television we recommend 3 feet between a speaker and video components that are susceptible to magnetic fields.

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• How does the electrostatic design work?

  The MartinLogan ESL transducer consists of a conductive diaphragm which is sandwiched between two curved conductive panels called Stators. The diaphragm is connected to a high voltage power supply which provides 2,500-3,500 volts of electricity at the diaphragm's surface. The Stators...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• How do I clean my EcoSound material on my CLX speakers?

  We encourage you to occasionally apply finishing oil to maintain the EcoSound's rich dark color and keep your CLX loudspeakers looking their very best. Using a soft, lint-free cloth, simply hand rub furniture grade finishing oil onto the EcoSound surface. We recommend natural orange...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Could myself, my children, or my pets, be shocked by the high-voltage present in the electrostatic panel?

  No. High voltage with low current is not dangerous. As a matter of fact, the voltage in our speakers is 10 times less than the static electricity that builds up on the surface of your television screen.

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• How do they work? What makes them sound so good?

  The curved transparent panel that all MartinLogan ESL speakers use is called an electrostatic transducer. The transducer converts energy from one state into another. The electrical energy from your amplifier is converted into mechanical energy via the motion of the ESL's diaphragm....

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Will excessive smoke or dust cause any problems with your electrostatic speakers?

  Exposure to excessive contaminants such as smoke or dust may potentially affect the performance of the electrostatic membrane, and may cause discoloration of the diaphragm membrane. When not in use for extended periods, you should unplug the speakers and cover them with the plastic...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• What are some advantages of MartinLogan electrostatic speakers?

  [1] Because the electrostatic diaphragm is essentially massless, it is capable of responding to each individual sonic event with extraordinary speed—from the most subtle background passages to the most explosive transients. There is no lag time which can distort the music. Instead...

  Updated: Aug 24 2018

• Will your electrostatic speakers harm my bridged or balanced amplifier?

  No — all MartinLogan speakers are compatible with bridged or balanced amplifiers and will not damage the amplifier in any way. Electrostatics speaker binding posts are not Earth grounded.

  Updated: Sep 08 2021

• WOW! Are these speakers? I can see right through them!

  Yes, MartinLogan's unique electrostatic sound reproduction technology makes it possible for them to be transparent AND sound incredible.

  Created: Aug 24 2018 | Updated: Aug 24 2018