December 11, 2014

• MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL, Part 1

  Some History

  I have owned a pair of Quad ESL-989 speakers since November, 2003.  As far as I am able to determine, these are some of the original speakers of this model produced (serial #41 and #42) and were most likely still manufactured in the UK.

  They succeeded in time a pair of MartinLogan original model, single wire Aerius speakers purchased c.1995 that I treasured for both their sound and aesthetic appeal.   The Aerius speakers suffered an untimely demise due to the dread disease named UPSitis.  Having moved from New Jersey to sunny Southern California I prevailed upon my dutiful daughter to ship the speakers to my new abode.  I’d left the speakers for my ex-wife to use but upon learning that the Aerius’ were lying dormant and unused, my daughter suggested sending them to me and she used UPS to do so.

  Unfortunately, only one of the speakers survived the cross-country trek while its partner was either MIA or KIA.  The analogy to my marriage is almost too obvious and pertinent to mention.  I’d been using a pair of Magnepan MMG speakers and continued on with them until purchasing the pair of used ESL-989s mentioned above.

  Recently, however, one of the pair (detecting a trend here yet?) fell victim to another dread disease, baconitis/radioitis.  While listening to some music I heard a muffled pop and the left channel speaker began making a rather loud series of noises that cycled between the hissing/sizzling sound of frying bacon and the warbling tones heard from a badly tuned shortwave radio.

  I was now faced with the choice of having the speaker professionally crated, shipped, and then repaired, or, replacing the Quads.  The uncertainty as to how much it would cost, whether this was a prelude to additional panels in that speaker going south and therefore having them all replaced at once, or sending in both speakers at twice the cost for diagnosis and possible additional panel transplants on the second speaker lead to my decision to replace the speakers altogether.

  This was not an easy decision as the 989s had been a source of joy for years and I’d been planning on being buried next to them when the time came.  Insert another uxorial analogy here.

   

  Enter the ElectroMotion

  Once the decision was made to abandon the Quads, it left the further one of what speakers to purchase?  Having read a few quite positive reviews regarding the ElectroMotion ESL (EM-ESL), its position in the MartinLogan (ML) product line as the modern day reincarnation of the Aerius, and its price-point, the decision was actually straightforward.

  After reviewing a number of online vendors carrying the ML EM-ESL, I chose Audio Advisor.  They advertised a pair of “factory refreshed” EM-ESLs for $799 each including shipping.  I’ve dealt with Audio Advisor for many years and have found them to be reputable so I gave them a call and spoke to a sales rep.  He said that “factory refreshed” meant that the speakers had been most likely returned by a customer who decided post-purchase that s/he did not want them for whatever reason and that ML had agreed to take them back.  At that point, ML tests the speakers and performs whatever maintenance, if any, that needs to be done and then puts them back onto the market at a reduced price but with the full manufacturer’s warranty.

  This sounded good to me, so I bought them then and there on the call.  Three days later, they arrived via FedEx.

  If you are interested in all of the technical details, I recommend you visit the ML web site and read to your heart’s content.  Here are some points of difference between the EM-ESL and its ancestral Aerius:

  1. The EM-ESL has about 40% more stator radiating area but a smaller footprint
  2. It has a downward firing bass port while the Aerius was a sealed box design
  3. Although rated at 91dB efficiency, the EM-ESL is actually about 87dB but that is still greater than the Aerius’ 85dB
  4. The EM-ESL at 35 lbs. is 20 lbs. lighter than the Aerius
  5. When first introduced, the EM-ESL had a list price of $2,195 and now costs $2,500.  The Plain Jane (single wire and no wooden trim) Aerius cost $1,995 back in 1995.  Adjusted for inflation, that’d be $3,100 in 2014 and so the newer model actually costs less.

  So, What Does it look Like?

  Packing box for a single speaker. Although a little awkward, one person can extricate the speaker without damage to himself or the EM-ESL.
  

   

  The EM-ESL comes with an outer clear plastic covering.
  

  

  Plastic Protective Wrapper

   
  MartinLogan recommends wrapping the EM-ESL in its dustcover when there will be an extended period of inactivity.
  

  

  Dust Cover

   
  Rear connection plate showing the negative terminal with its Eurozone rubber covering. The positive terminal has its red covering removed. This opening is where a banana connector would go. The speaker terminals themselves are spring-loaded and will accept bare wire up to 4mm. The grip on the bare wire would be firm although the terminals themselves are one of the places where you can tell that ML scrimped in order to come in at the speaker's price point. Above the terminals is a soft blue light which is lit when the speaker is active. It automatically powers-up within two seconds of detecting a signal.
  

  

  Rear View

   
  The hallmark ML microperf stator seen from the rear.
  

  

  Rear Stator Panel

   
  The EM-ESL comes with four rubber spike protectors. They recommend leaving them in place until a final speaker position is determined. And to protect hard surfaces from being scratched when moving the speakers. The speakers should be walked and not dragged both to protect the spikes from breaking and from damaging both carpeted and non-carpeted surfaces. I would recommend gripping the speakers firmly from the bottom of the stator panel in order to not undly stress the panel.
  

  

  Rubber Spike Protectors

   
  The supplied power supply obviates the need and expense of aftermarket power cords. But where's the fun in that? The power supply should be attached to the speaker first and then plug the opposite end to your outlet or power conditioner.
  

  

  Electrical Connector and B-Stock Disclaimer

   
  

  

  Wall Side Electrical Connector

   
  Acoustic Revive SPC-PA speaker cables with their RBN-1 banana plugs firmly ensconced into the EM-ESL.
  

  

  Banana Connections

   
  Just like all of ML's ESL and ESL-hybrids, you really can see through them. This makes their presence in the listening area less obtrusive than similarly sized box or planar speakers.
  

  

  Rear View

   

  I placed the speakers on some spare Sanus MDF shelves and that seems to have tightened up and extended the bass response. I've been told that using a harder surface platform such as stone or steel would be even more beneficial. I have not tried that as yet. Behind the speakers are Acoustic Revive's RWL-3 diffusor panels. They do help with bass control, imaging and low level details are less likely to be smeared due to back wave reflections. Although the system as a whole is far from aesthetically pleasing, one of the few advantages of my living alone is that if i don't care, then that's all that matters.
  

  

  Current System Configuration

   
   

   
  The next installment will cover some additional details and, hopefully, my listening impressions.

  • 8:29 am
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