In this review, we will be comparing Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A and Synchrony T600, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from MartinLogan and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A and PSB Synchrony T600 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A | PSB Synchrony T600 |
|---|
| Brand | MartinLogan
United States · founded 1982 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 11 x 44" E-ST | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 8" | 3 x 6.5" Carbon fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 29-23k Hz | 24-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 20-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 40.82kg / 89.8lbs | 34.90kg / 76.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 60-3/4" x 11-15/16" x 27-7/16"
1543.1 x 303.2 x 696.9mm | 41-1/4" x 9" x 13-1/2"
1048.0 x 228.0 x 343.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A is a 2-way design whereas the Synchrony T600 is a 3-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.
MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11APSB Synchrony T600
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A |
PSB Synchrony T600 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
11 x 44-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 8-inch
|
3 x 6.5-inch
|
Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A features a 11 x 44" E-ST Tweeter and 2 x 8" Woofer. On the other hand, the Synchrony T600 features a 1" titanium with ferrofluid cooling and neodymium magnet Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 3 x 6.5" Carbon fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A has a frequency range of 29-23k Hz whereas Synchrony T600 has a frequency range of 24-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Synchrony T600 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A's min frequency of 29Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A and Synchrony T600 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Synchrony T600's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A a more sensitive speaker compared to PSB Synchrony T600, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A and the Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Synchrony T600 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB Synchrony T600's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A's and PSB Synchrony T600's external dimensions. MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A has external dimensions of 1543.1 x 303.2 x 696.9mm () whereas PSB Synchrony T600 has external dimensions of 1048.0 x 228.0 x 343.0mm (41-1/4 x 9 x 13-1/2inch).
MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 75.2mm wider, 495.1mm taller and 353.9mm deeper than PSB Synchrony T600.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A needs about 170% more floor or shelf area. MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A is 354mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A is 495mm taller.
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 Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A is approximately 2113.0cm2 / 327.5inch2 and base area of the PSB Synchrony T600 is approximately 782.0cm2 / 121.2inch2. The Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A requires 170% more surface area than the Synchrony T600 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A weighs 40.82kg / 89.8lbs and the PSB Synchrony T600 weighs 34.90kg / 76.8lbs. This makes the Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A 17% heavier than the Synchrony T600.
Here is a comparison of how Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A and Synchrony T600's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A
What's in the Box of PSB Synchrony T600?
Here are the items that come with the Synchrony T600:
- Floorstanding loudspeakr
- Grille
- 2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Isolation feet
- 2 Port plugs
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
|
Number of Woofers |
3
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
29 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1048mm
vs
1543mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
782cm2
vs
2113cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
8000USD
vs
12000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A |
PSB Synchrony T600 |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
29-23k Hz |
24-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
3 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Carbon fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
11 x 44" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
E-ST |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
450Hz and 1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1543.1mm (60.8") |
1048.0mm (41.3") |
| Width |
303.2mm (11.9") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
696.9mm (27.4") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Weight |
40.82kg (89.8lbs) |
34.90kg (76.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Composite |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Gloss Black, Satin Walnut |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: PSB Synchrony T600 is the newer design, against a 2017 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | PSB Synchrony T600 digs deeper - 24Hz against 29Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A is more sensitive (91dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | PSB Synchrony T600 is easier to place; MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | depends | PSB Synchrony T600: bi-amping. MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | PSB Synchrony T600 is cheaper - $8,000 against $12,000, about 33% less. |
A MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A B PSB Synchrony T600
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 29Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, MartinLogan Masterpiece Impression ESL 11A has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, PSB Synchrony T600 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.