MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL X Electrostatic Floorstanding Speaker - Gloss Black - Each

A Larger Panel and Twin Woofers for MartinLogan's ElectroMotion Line

The MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL X pairs a 40-inch XStat electrostatic panel, with 344 square inches of radiating surface, with two 8-inch passive woofers in a bass-reflex, ported cabinet built for real scale.

MartinLogan rates sensitivity at 91 dB into a nominal 6 ohms, dipping as low as 1.6 ohms at 20 kHz, and recommends 20 to 400 watts of amplifier power — amplifier stability into a varying load matters more than raw wattage.

The panel is finished in Satin Black or Gloss Black and sold each, so a stereo pair is two. A low-voltage power supply, included, plugs into a nearby outlet to charge the panel.

Where the Larger Panel Earns Its Keep

A Bigger Line Source, Twin Woofers Below It

The 40-inch XStat panel is a genuinely large line source, crossing over at 400 Hz to two 8-inch passive woofers in a bass-reflex cabinet — enough woofer area for real scale, for more output without an onboard bass amplifier.

The panel needs open space to radiate front and back — MartinLogan recommends at least 2 to 3 feet of clearance from the wall behind it, more than a typical dynamic tower needs.

The Numbers, and What They Ask of Your Amplifier

MartinLogan quotes a frequency range of 41 Hz to 22 kHz within 3 dB. Sensitivity is 91 dB, nominal impedance is 6 ohms, dipping to 1.6 ohms at 20 kHz — an amplifier stable into a varying load matters more here than its wattage rating alone.

A pair of 5-way, tool-less bi-wire binding posts — unusual for an electrostatic speaker at this price — accepts banana plugs, spades, or bare wire. The included low-voltage power supply draws about 8 watts, idle, for a pair.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Al Griffin, Sound & Vision, wrote that "the affordable (by MartinLogan standards) electrostatic towers delivered the detailed, lifelike sound I know and love," paired with a subwoofer for added dynamic reach.

Jim Clements, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, agreed, praising a speaker where "like most electrostatic speakers, they have great clarity of sound with a vivid mid range."

Who Is This Floorstanding Speaker Best For?

• You want MartinLogan's larger electrostatic panel — a 40-inch panel and two woofers instead of one, for a bigger sound in a bigger room
• Bi-wiring matters to you — the ESL X steps up to 5-way, tool-less bi-wire binding posts
• You have room to give the panel space — it wants 2 to 3 feet of clearance from the wall behind it to radiate properly
• You want one speaker per cabinet, priced and shipped that way — the ESL X is sold each, so order two for a stereo pair
• You want deep bass without stepping up to a larger electrostatic model — the twin passive woofers reach to 41 Hz within 3 dB on their own. For the deepest home-theater effects, add one of our subwoofers and let the towers do what they do best

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Give each panel 2 to 3 feet of clearance from the wall behind it and about 2 feet from side walls, so the electrostatic panel has room to radiate in both directions. Plug the included low-voltage power supply into a nearby outlet — an automatic sensor only charges the panel while music plays.

Keep the panel out of direct sunlight and away from dust or smoke, and never spray cleaner near it; a dry, soft cloth is all it needs.

Two cables, two power supplies, two speakers, and you are listening.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around a pair of ElectroMotion ESL X towers:

• Stereo amplifiers — a stable amplifier that handles the panel's varying impedance is more important than raw watts
• Integrated amplifiers — a quality integrated amplifier in the 20 to 400 watt range MartinLogan recommends
• Speaker cables — the ESL X is bi-wire capable, so a bi-wire run is an option here
• Power conditioners — each panel's low-voltage power supply draws its own AC power

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the price for one speaker or a pair?

One. The ESL X is sold each, so order two for a stereo pair, or one to match an existing speaker.

Do these need to be plugged into a wall outlet?

Yes. Each panel needs its included low-voltage power supply plugged in to charge the electrostatic element; a pair draws about 8 watts at idle, far below any household circuit's limit.

What amplifier do I need?

MartinLogan recommends 20 to 400 watts of amplifier power. Because the panel's impedance varies with frequency, an amplifier that stays stable into a varying load matters more than its peak wattage rating.

Can I bi-wire the ESL X?

Yes. A pair of 5-way, tool-less binding posts is bi-wire capable.

How is this different from the Classic ESL 9?

The Classic ESL 9 steps up to a larger 44-inch panel and an opposing pair of aluminum-cone woofers — one forward-firing, one rear-firing — that let it sit as close as 8 inches from the front wall, at a higher price.

How do I care for the electrostatic panel?

The same basics as any MartinLogan panel: no direct sunlight, no spray cleaners, and only an occasional dusting with a dry, soft cloth.

See It in Action

Shane Lee reviews the ElectroMotion ESL X:

Z Reviews takes a look at the ElectroMotion ESL X:

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Learn More

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