DESCRIPTION :

2008
marks MartinLogan's 25th anniversary and the first expression of the
CLX, the CLX 25th Anniversary Edition, commemorates this important
milestone and will be presold as a limited edition through select
distribution.
The CLX delivers the truth – the culmination of
everything we have learned about electrostatic technology since we
brought our first product to market in 1983. Purity of sound permeates
your entire room and satisfies even the most critical ear. The new
industry benchmark for resolving detail, CLX utilizes dual
electrostatic transducers to render the most complex musical passages
as faithfully as a crystal prism disperses the full color spectrum.
This is the limitless spectrum of the CLX – the absolute truth in
musical reproduction.
The CLX is designed, engineered, and manufactured in Lawrence, Kansas, USA.


XStat electrostatic transducer

57-Inch CLS™ XStat™ Electrostatic Transducer

MartinLogan's
award winning Curvilinear Line Source™ XStat™ electrostatic (ESL)
technology allows smooth unencumbered dispersion of sound throughout
the listening area. The result? Perfectly etched imaging and focus
achieved through minimal room interaction; optimum natural reproduction
of sound with full level response from ultra-linear transducers;
reliable operation in open air; compatibility with all electronics; and
seamless dispersion of precise sound throughout your listening
environment.
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.
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.

Curvilinear Line Source Electrostatic Panel

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.

57-Inch DualForce™ Double Diaphragm, Triple Stator Low-Frequency Electrostatic Transducer With Dipole Phase Stabilization


DualForce™ Low-Frequency Electrostatic Transducer

CLX's
unique DualForce™ double diaphragm, triple stator dipole low-frequency
electrostatic transducer delivers deep, dynamic bass with twice as much
force as a standard ESL. Additionally, CLX's low-frequency dipole
stabilization technology reduces low frequency rear wave cancellation
inherent to dipole transducers. This is accomplished by increasing the
air path length behind the CLX and delaying the out-of-phase back wave.
The resulting decrease in low-frequency front-wave cancellation
increases overall output while minimizing total harmonic distortion at
low frequencies.

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.

MicroPerf™ Stators

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.

Vojtko™ Crossover


Audiophile-grade proprietary Vojtko crossover

Featuring
an advanced proprietary Vojtko™ crossover topology, MartinLogan
electronic specialists hand-build each CLX crossover utilizing only the
finest of components and construction techniques to assure the
cleanest, most precise signal path possible. The resulting precision
crossover flawlessly preserves even the smallest subtleties in sound
while effortlessly handling the broadest range of dynamics contained
within even the most demanding sonic source, whether used in a
2-channel audio system or dedicated home theater.
Within the
interface module, a regulated power supply creates stable bias voltages
even under the most extreme conditions. Dual transformer design
utilizes a toroidal audio transformer for detailed mid- and
high-frequencies, and a high-quality, high-voltage E.I. transformer for
dynamic, linear bass. All high-voltage leads are made of the purest
copper and coated with silicone. Only superlative materials, including
thick film on alumina substrate resistors and polypropylene capacitors,
are used throughout.

Dipole Sound Radiation

By
utilizing electrostatic dipole dispersion patterns for both of the
transducers CLX provides full benefits of electrostatic technology from
the highest frequency to the lowest. Dipole design minimizes side-wall
reflections with short arrival times that tend to interfere with
perception of the direct sound while producing a generous amount of
ambience-enriching later-arriving reflections off the wall behind them.
Additionally, uniform drive across the transducer surfaces,
light-weight ultra-responsive diaphragm material, and simultaneous
push-pull operation enable the diaphragms to trace even the most
delicate sonic details with absolute precision.
The sound we hear
from a loudspeaker is a combination of direct radiation from it to our
ears and reflections off of room surfaces – walls, floor, and ceiling.
How our brains integrate all this information is far from simple.
Depending on the angle of incidence to the ears and the arrival-time
difference between direct and reflected sound, reflections can either
blur detail and stereo imaging or enhance the natural impression of
depth and openness.
True dipole speakers, such as electrostatic
panels, have long been noted for their near-ideal radiation patterns.
They send very little sound to the sides, thereby minimizing side-wall
reflections with short arrival times that tend to interfere with
perception of the direct sound. Their strong rear radiation, however,
produces a generous amount of ambience-enriching later-arriving
reflections off the wall behind them.

Audiophile Grade Solutions For Every Performance Detail


Custom ETC (Energy Transfer Coupler) spikes

CLX's
optional audiophile grade power cord eliminates irregularities in power
delivery. Custom ETC™ (Energy Transfer Coupler) spikes enhance
stability on thick carpets, create tighter coupling between speaker and
floor, and provide a tighter bass response.

Environmentally Conscious Design

In
addition to total dedication for unmatched performance, environmentally
conscious considerations influenced the design and engineering of the
CLX. This includes an advanced energy management design in its
electrical circuitry and the use of rapidly renewable or highly
recyclable structural materials like EcoSound™.
EcoSound is the
proprietary advent of a MartinLogan alliance with Klip BioTechnologies,
LLC, the leading innovator and manufacturer of certified eco-conscious
materials. EcoSound is composed of an FSC certified 50/50 blend of
plantation grown, rapidly renewable bamboo fiber and post consumer
recycled paper. These materials are bound by a revolutionary co-polymer
resin system that is 100% water based and VOC free. CLX is the obvious
first application for this remarkable new audiophile grade material and
yet another giant step forward in MartinLogan's continuing commitment
to produce irresistible high value products from environmentally
intelligent materials.

Finish Options
The 25th Anniversary CLX is exclusively available in clear or black anodized aluminum with white LED lights.