An electrostatic loudspeaker is a speaker in which sound is generated by the force exerted on a membrane suspended in an electrostatic field.  Some of the advantages of this design include significantly lower levels of distortion than conventional cone drivers and exemplary frequency response, since the operational mechanics are almost free from resonances and other sonic irregularities.  Musical transparency is also enhanced over conventional speakers because the radiating surface has much less mass that must be moved.

Disadvantages include sensitivity to ambient humidity levels and a lack of bass response, due to phase cancellation from a lack of enclosure.  While bass can be scant, it is generally more accurate, devoid of the ‘booming’ that can plague cone driven speakers.  Desired bass frequency performance can be augmented by the use of large, curved primary panels, the addition of electrostatic subwoofer panels, or by simply deploying a conventional subwoofer in the system.

Gayle Martin Sanders and Ron Logan Sutherland met in the late '70s at a high-end audio store Sanders managed in Lawrence, Kansas. Despite very different backgrounds, they shared a passion for music and electrostatic loudspeakers. For those seeking the ultimate in sonic purity, electrostatic speakers hold enormous appeal. Unfortunately, designing and building one that will also produce the sound levels and bass performance that most expect from a loudspeaker is a formidable challenge, even today.  Sanders and Sutherland were sure they could build an electrostatic speaker that would produce adequate bass, output, and sound dispersion without any of the issues that were troublesome in most previous iterations of the technology.  

From the first prototype in 1980 to the 2000-pound Statement e2 loudspeaker in the late 90s, MartinLogan has established itself as a major player in the home audio and home theater markets. In January of 2005 MartinLogan once again raised the bar for high-performance audio with the release of the Summit electrostat. A major departure from all the company had done before, Summit combined dual independently powered woofers with MartinLogan's most advanced electrostatic transducer of its day - the XStat.

Today, MartinLogan has grown into an internationally recognized brand, with a tremendous palette of loudspeaker technologies including the non-electrostatic BalancedForce subwoofers, in-wall loudspeakers, and a complete line of speakers ranging from the affordable Motion Series to their flagship Neolith, which pushes the boundaries of the possible. Cool Home Technology in Minneapolis is proud to offer MartinLogan products to our clients.  Everyone wants great sound, but for those that want the very best, a visit to our store is in order!