In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by MartinLogan. MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL C is a Center Channel speaker whereas the ESL X is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan ESL C and MartinLogan ESL X first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
MartinLogan ESL C Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1 x 1-7/16" Folded Motion Tweeter
- 2 x 5.25" high-rigidity aluminum woofers Woofer
- 66-23k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:20-300watts
- Weight:14.55kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 194.0" x 22-7/8" x 16-1/8"( 194.0 x 582.0 x 410.0mm )
MartinLogan ESL X Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 8.6 x 40" curved electrostatic transducer Tweeter
- 2 x 8" high-excursion paper cone Woofer
- 41-22k Hz Frequency Response
- 91 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:20-400watts
- Weight:23.64kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1505.0" x 9-7/16" x 20-3/4"( 1505.0 x 240.0 x 528.0mm )
ElectroMotion ESL C and ESL X are members of MartinLogan's ElectroMotion series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
MartinLogan ElectroMotion Series History
What size room are the MartinLogan ESL C and MartinLogan ESL X speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
MartinLogan ESL C |
MartinLogan ESL X |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Are you nuts? |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Good |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the MartinLogan ESL C and MartinLogan ESL X compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that ElectroMotion ESL C is a 3-way design whereas the ESL X is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
MartinLogan ESL C |
MartinLogan ESL X |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1 x 1-7/16-inch
|
8.6 x 40-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 8-inch
|
ElectroMotion ESL C features a 1 x 1-7/16" Folded Motion Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" high-rigidity aluminum woofers Woofer . On the other hand, the ESL X features a 8.6 x 40" curved electrostatic transducer Tweeter and 2 x 8" high-excursion paper cone Woofer .
Frequency Response
ElectroMotion ESL C has a frequency range of 66-23k Hz whereas ESL X has a frequency range of 41-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 41Hz, the ESL X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the ElectroMotion ESL C's min frequency of 66Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
ElectroMotion ESL C is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the ESL X which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the ElectroMotion ESL C can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. ElectroMotion ESL C sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the ESL X's is rated at 91 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the MartinLogan ESL X a more sensitive speaker compared to MartinLogan ESL C, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
ElectroMotion ESL C can handle a max power of 400 watts RMS from the amp the whereas ElectroMotion ESL C has a max power handling value of 300 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the ESL X.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
ESL X features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. ElectroMotion ESL C has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
MartinLogan ESL C's Binding post terminals
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare MartinLogan ESL C's and MartinLogan ESL X's external dimensions. MartinLogan ESL C has external dimensions of 194.0 x 582.0 x 410.0mm ( 7-5/8 x 22-7/8 x 16-1/8inch) whereas MartinLogan ESL X has external dimensions of 1505.0 x 240.0 x 528.0mm ( 59-1/4 x 9-7/16 x 20-3/4inch) .
MartinLogan ESL C is 1311mm shorter and 118mm less deeper than MartinLogan ESL X but it is also 342mm wider.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the MartinLogan ESL C is approximately 2386.2cm2 / 369.9inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan ESL X is approximately 1267.2cm2 / 196.4inch2. The ElectroMotion ESL C requires 88% more surface area than the ESL X which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of MartinLogan ESL C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ElectroMotion ESL C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrilleAC power supply (attached 10-feet DC cord)User-feets Manual (En/Fr)Product Registration Card
What's in the Box of MartinLogan ESL X?
Here are the items that come with the ESL X:
Floor-standing hybrid electrostatic loudspeakerAC power adapter (w/ attached 10-feet DC cord)Cloth grille (installed)4 Pre-installed feetUsers Manual (En/Fr)Product Registration Card
Driver Setup 
High Frequency Response 
Height 
Max Input Power 
Sensitivity 
Nominal Impedance 
Woofer Size 
Base Surface Area