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  1. Home
  2. MartinLogan Speakers
  3. Powered Center Channel Speakers
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A Review
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A - Front View

Main Features

  • AMT Tweeter
  • 4 x 6.5" Aluminium Woofer
  • 45-23k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • 250-watt RMS Integrated Amplifier
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Power Range: 20-600watts
  • Weight:90.17 lbs / 40.90 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 23-3/4"x32-3/8"x23-1/16" / 603.0 x 822.0 x 586.0mm
MSRP: $9,500 (list price)
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MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A Review
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A MartinLogan Illusion...
See at AMAZON

MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A is a 2-way Powered Bass Reflex Center Channel speaker by MartinLogan. It was released in 2021. Center channel speaker is an important component of a home theater system set-up as it delivers the listener significant part of the on-screen dialogue from your television. Illusion ESL C34A's built-in amplifier provides 250-watt RMS. The built-in power amplifier saves space & eliminates the need to connect MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A to a stereo receiver or external power amp. It features a AMT Tweeter and 4 x 6.5" Aluminium Woofer.

A centre with 2 x Folded Motion tweeters and 4 x 6.5 inch woofers. 90 dB sensitive, 6 ohms, 20-600 W recommended, 45 Hz to 23 kHz, with 250 W of built-in Class D amplification on the bass. The electrostatic panel here handles the midrange, with Folded Motion tweeters above it. Masterpiece is MartinLogan's electrostatic flagship line: a curved XStat CLS panel for everything above the crossover, and powered, DSP-corrected cone woofers below it.

The speaker has a frequency range of 45-23k Hz and a sensitivity of 90 dB. MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A has an MSRP of 9500$.

MartinLogan's Masterpiece Series of Loudspeakers

Illusion ESL C34A is a member of MartinLogan's Masterpiece series of Powered speakers. The Masterpiece range are MartinLogan's flagship electrostatic speakers, with large curved electrostatic panels. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

MartinLogan Masterpiece Series Speakers
Model Frequency Watts RMSMax Depth / Sample Rate Woofer
MartinLogan Expression ESL 13A
Compare
24-23k Hz 300-watt/Ω 2 x 10"
MartinLogan Renaissance ESL 15A
Compare
22-21k Hz 500-watt/Ω 2 x 12"
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
45-23k Hz 250-watt/Ω 4 x 6.5"


**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.

Frequency Response of the MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A Speaker

MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A has a Frequency response range of 45-23k Hz at ±3dB and Power Range of 20-600 watts. With a minimum frequency of 45 Hz, Illusion ESL C34A delivers moderate bass depth so depending on your use case, you might want to consider adding a subwoofer to your system.

Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available subwoofer options.

Here we have a comparison of how Illusion ESL C34A's Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
Min
Average
Max

As you can see from the chart, MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A with its 45 Hz features the lowest Low Frequency level among the Center Channel speakers in our database, promising a very good bass range.

On the treble side, with its upper limit of 23 kHz, MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A has the highest frequency level among the Center Channel speakers in our database.


Crossover frequency of the MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A?

The Crossover frequency of the Illusion ESL C34A is set to 500, 2000 Hz. This is the threshold frequency where the higher frequency signals over this level are sent to the tweeter and the lower-frequency signals are sent to the woofer by the crossover component.

Inputs and Outputs

  • USB Port:
  • Subwoofer Output
  • Digital Input:
  • HDMI Input:
  • Headphone Jack:
  • Ethernet Port

MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A External Dimensions and Weight

MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 23-3/4 x 32-3/8 x 23-1/16inch (603.0 x 822.0 x 586.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A is approximately 4816.9cm2 / 746.6inch2.

Weight

The MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A weighs 40.90kg / 90lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Illusion ESL C34A's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
Min
Average
Max
Weight
Center Channel Speakers under $10000
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet type and Materials

MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type loudspeakers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.

Does the MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A come with a Grille?

Illusion ESL C34A comes with grilles. The purpose of the grille is to protect the delicate driver elements from external impacts while still allowing the sound to pass as clearly as possible.

Recommended Accessories

Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A.

  • Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators are our favorite isolators but you may find more affordable options too.
  • Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.

Official Product Page

Official manufacturer's product page for the MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A speaker can be found below:
Official Product Page for MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A

MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A Alternatives in Powered Center Channel Speakers
Model Type Watts RMS Bluetooth Frequency
MartinLogan Expression ESL 13A
Compare
2-way 300w 24-23k Hz
Frequently Asked Questions about MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
What is the External Dimensions of MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
What is the Speaker Sensitivity of MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
is the MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A an easy to drive speaker?

MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A Detailed Specifications

General
BrandMartinLogan
Full Model NameMartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
Speaker Type2-way Center Channel
Power Range20-600 watts
Sensitivity90 dB
Impedance6 ohms
Frequency Response45-23k Hz
Release Date2021
Amplifier Specs
Watts RMS250 watts
TypeClass D
DAC Specs
DRIVERS
Woofer Size6.5-inch
Woofer CompositionAluminium
Tweeter TypeAMT
Crossover freq500, 2000 Hz
DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
Amplifier Output250

CONNECTIONS
Connector TypeBinding post
Biamp InputsNo
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height603.0mm ( 23-3/4-inch)
Width822.0mm ( 32-3/8-inch)
Depth586.0mm ( 23-1/16-inch)
Height603.0mm ( 23-3/4-inch)
Weight40.90kg ( 90.17 lbs)
EnclosureBass Reflex
GrilleYes
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts Warranty
Labor Warranty
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Latest Powered Center Channel Speakers
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
MartinLogan Illusion ESL C34A
2-way Center Channel | 90 dB | 6 ohms


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