MartinLogan, an American speaker company, announces the Ethos; a combination of design and sonic technologies establishing a new direction for audiophile design. Descended from MartinLogan's CLX loudspeaker, the Ethos features XStat electrostatic technology, proprietary digital signal processing, and Vojtko crossover topology.
A 9.2-inch wide by 44-inch tall XStat electrostatic transducer was developed to address specific mechanical engineering requirements necessary to achieve MartinLogan's distinct 30-degree controlled dispersion pattern. To accomplish this MartinLogan engineers reduced the gauge thickness of Ethos's steel stators, which not only achieves the desired arc, but also drastically increases the visual transparency of the panel.
Housed within an aluminum AirFrame, the Ethos' XStat transducer utilizes radical Vacuum Bonding and MicroPerf technology to increase the efficiency and precision available from such a compact electrostatic panel. Like all MartinLogan's electrostats, the Ethos's dipole transducer radiates sound with equal intensity from the front and back to minimize acoustically destructive sonic reflections and produce detail and clarity while maintaining depth of sound.
To generate bass down to 34Hz, the Ethos boasts an 8-inch PoweredForce woofer and 8-inch passive radiator, a new 24-bit Vojtko DSP (digital signal processing) engine, and a 200-watt Class-D amplifier. The proprietary Vojtko network used to cross over to the electrostatic panel is hand-built using high quality components.
The Ethos's features include:
- CLS XStat electrostatic transducer
- AirFrame
- 200-watt PoweredForce 8-inch aluminum cone woofer
- 8-inch poly cone passive radiator
- 24-Bit DSP based pre-amp (for woofer)
- Vojtko crossover network
- 34-100Hz bass control
- Custom ETC spikes
In the US, the Ethos will be available exclusively at MartinLogan's group of Reserve dealers. Initially the speaker will be offered in 3 hand-rubbed real-wood finishes including black ash, dark cherry, and new for 2010, flamed teak. Additional finishes will be made available at a later date.
US retail price is $6,495 per pair.
For more information, please visit www.martinlogan.com.
