Two new ESL's at CES?

[JonFo]

Looks like we might have something new to go audition and discuss.

From today's Twitter feed:

MartinLogan in Mirage @ CES launching new Motion Series and unveiling 2 new ESLs (under $10,000 US)

Wonder if it's v2 of existing products, or really something new.

Let the speculation (and real news, when available) begin

 

[amey01]

Looks like we might have something new to go audition and discuss.

From today's Twitter feed:



Wonder if it's v2 of existing products, or really something new.

Let the speculation (and real news, when available) begin

Where did you hear that? At under $10,000 USD I'd say it'd be an updated Vista X and Vantage X - but who knows?

 

[JonFo]

Where did you hear that? At under $10,000 USD I'd say it'd be an updated Vista X and Vantage X - but who knows?

From ML's own twitter feed

And yes, I expect v2's of those models, or something between the Vista and Spire.

 

[twich54]

or something between the Vista and Spire.

That would be 'Vantage'.......or were you thinking maybe of something between Spire and Summitt ??

 

[JonFo]

That would be 'Vantage'.......or were you thinking maybe of something between Spire and Summitt ??

Of course, Vantage. Sorry, was speed typing before diner and didn't re-read.

There is a $2k gap there that could be filled.

 

[JonFo]

But they could also be doing something that used the new DualForce bass panel in a sub $10K speaker.

It seems a waste to have gone to all that R&D effort and only deploy it on the CLX.

So I expect to see at least one of them be more than just a refresh or a line-filler. Something actually 'revolutionary' at its price point.

So I think they will do a 'mini-CLX' by taking an existing 44" xStat panel from a Spire, add scaled down DualForce bass panels, and produce a package that is about 60" tall by about 20" wide.

Designed to be matted with a sub, it would have all the great tonal characteristics of the CLX, but would only go down to 70 or 80hz before crossover to sub.

Would you buy a $9K speaker that looked and performed like a mini CLX?

I would.

 

[Rich]

Sorry, was speed typing before diner and didn't re-read.

If you guys knew how good of a cook Jonathan's wife is, you would understand why he was in such a hurry.

But they could also be doing something that used the new DualForce bass panel in a sub $10K speaker.

It seems a waste to have gone to all that R&D effort and only deploy it on the CLX.

Agreed.

Would you buy a $9K speaker that looked and performed like a mini CLX?

I would.

It would have to outperform my Summits by a looooong shot before I would spend the time, effort, and money to upgrade. The Summits are just that good. And if I was seriously considering it, I would probably be more inclined to find a used pair of CLX for slightly more cash.

It would be interesting to know ML's sales numbers of the CLX vs. original projections. That could have a lot to do with their decisions in this regard. A lot of hoopla has been made about the looks of the CLX, and I am not sure there would be enough interest in such a product to justify its existence. I think that technologically, this is the way to go. I just don't know if ML's marketing guys would buy into it as having a wide enough acceptance factor to be successful.

I do think that these two new products will provide us with a strong indication of ML's marketing and product development strategy for the next five to ten years or so. Will they forge into innovative products utilizing the technologies created for the CLX? Or will they continue their strategy of reducing manufacturing costs and producing hybrid speakers with smaller and smaller form factors that appeal to a wider range of the less "high-end" market segment? These two new speakers should give us a hint.

 

[Gordon]

A "mini-CLX" would be appealing to me. I frankly do not have the room for full size. I'd hate to hear them and try to force them into my room. A scaled down version paired with the subs I own could be quite the ticket!

Gordon

 

[Double D]

Personally, I'd love to see a return to a passive woofer option on some of the upper tier products, or at least the ability to bypass the powered option and run it direct.
For those of us with amplifiers that are up to the job, this would be a great option.

 

[Jungle Jack]

Hello,
It would seem it would almost have to be Vantage X and Vista X given they are under 10K and ESL. Obviously, that could be wrong and they might launch two new models, but if there were betting lines on this, I would wager on it.
Cheers,
ML

 

[robertawillisjr]

Would this mini CLX be comparable to the old CLS?

 

[roberto]

Would this mini CLX be comparable to the old CLS?

Hola Robert...I think that there is no mini CLX...only upgrade to some current models...I just hope that I could be wrong on this one, happy listening,
Roberto.

 

[robertawillisjr]

Hola Robert...I think that there is no mini CLX...only upgrade to some current models...I just hope that I could be wrong on this one, happy listening,
Roberto.

It would be nice.

 

[longhorn]

But they could also be doing something that used the new DualForce bass panel in a sub $10K speaker.

It seems a waste to have gone to all that R&D effort and only deploy it on the CLX.

So I expect to see at least one of them be more than just a refresh or a line-filler. Something actually 'revolutionary' at its price point.

So I think they will do a 'mini-CLX' by taking an existing 44" xStat panel from a Spire, add scaled down DualForce bass panels, and produce a package that is about 60" tall by about 20" wide.

Designed to be matted with a sub, it would have all the great tonal characteristics of the CLX, but would only go down to 70 or 80hz before crossover to sub.

Would you buy a $9K speaker that looked and performed like a mini CLX?

I would.

Or why not take the 44 inch xstat panel and double it. One behind the other,just like the bass panels on the CLX. Then one would have a speaker with the extra bass from two panels with the width of a single xstat panel.

Place it on a nice base and voila, a mini CLX that more wife friendly.

 

[Feltran]

Martin Logan's new website separated the "ESL Series" from the "Reserve ESL Series." They put the Stage in the ESL Series, so I have my fingers crossed for a Reserve ESL center channel speaker.

Has anyone heard anything about these new ESLs?

 

[JMAUSGP]

You mean the new CLX center speaker and the new CLX rear and wall speakers for multichannel applications........No never heard of it, but I hope to have them on order soon.

 

[JRace]

Martin Logan's new website separated the "ESL Series" from the "Reserve ESL Series." They put the Stage in the ESL Series, so I have my fingers crossed for a Reserve ESL center channel speaker.

Has anyone heard anything about these new ESLs?

I agree. I find the stage to be a great watch with the Vistas, put them in-between the Summit-x's and there is just not the right balance. Using multi-channel music such as David Gilmours Blu-ray I can notice the tonal mis-match. For movies it hasn't bothered me. The stage is one of the better centers I have had in my system, yet the Summit x's are a step (or 2) up.

 

[Jungle Jack]

Martin Logan's new website separated the "ESL Series" from the "Reserve ESL Series." They put the Stage in the ESL Series, so I have my fingers crossed for a Reserve ESL center channel speaker.

Has anyone heard anything about these new ESLs?

Hello,
That would be awesome. I do think the differentiation was done to both allow Magnolia, Audio Advisor and Fry's to sell Stage's, Vantage's and Vista's while still giving some protection to their traditional retail outlets.

When the in Best Buy Magnolia's started selling ML, they only sold the Design Series. While I am sure traditional Hifi Specialists are not thrilled that more big box stores are now selling ESL Series ML's, they still have exclusivity on the Spire, Summit X, and CLX.

I do think the Reserve ESL Series was done to appease the original outlets as the Vista, Vantage, Stage, Depth, and I think Descent has been available from AA, Magnolia, and Fry's for some time.
Cheers,
ML