The ElectroMotion ESL floorstanding electrostatic hybrid in its special finish, sold as a pair: gloss black lacquer on the bass cabinet, satin black on the XStat panel. Engineering and measurements match the standard model, with an 86 cm curved panel and a 20.3 cm woofer.
ElectroMotion ESL: the lacquered version up close
This version of the ElectroMotion ESL differs only in looks: the section housing the woofer is lacquered in gloss black, while the electrostatic panel keeps its satin black. Inside it is the same loudspeaker. The 86 x 22 cm XStat panel reproduces everything above 500 Hz, the reflex-loaded 20.3 cm long-throw woofer with its stiff paper cone reaches down to 42 Hz, and the system extends to 22 kHz within ±3 dB. Its 91 dB sensitivity and nominal 6 ohms suit AV receivers and power amplifiers alike, remembering that at 20 kHz impedance touches 1.6 ohms.
The panel's horizontal curve, the hallmark of Curvilinear Line Source technology, yields 30° of treble dispersion despite the generous radiating surface. The aluminium and composite AirFrame keeps the panel rigid and separates it from vibration without taking away any area; MicroPerf perforation and slim stators make it nearly transparent to the eye. Radiation is dipolar: the rear plays in opposite phase to the front, so sound cancels at the sides and the room contributes fewer lateral reflections, while the back wall feeds the sense of depth.
Panel and woofer are blended by a Vojtko-topology filter with air-core coils, inductors on steel laminations, capacitors in polyester and a purpose-made audio transformer. Hook-up is by push terminals, which accept banana plugs once the rubber caps come off, and the speaker rests on ETC spikes supplied as standard, useful on thick carpet or for correcting tilt; the spikes have rubber covers for those who would rather keep them hidden.
Specifications
- Type: floorstanding electrostatic hybrid, bass-reflex loading
- Finish: gloss black lacquered bass cabinet, satin black panel
- Supplied: sold as a pair
- Frequency range: 42 Hz to 22 kHz (±3 dB)
- Sensitivity: 91 dB (2.83 V at 1 m)
- Impedance: 6 ohms nominal, 1.6 ohms at 20 kHz
- Suggested amplification: 20 to 300 W a channel
- Crossover point: 500 Hz
- Electrostatic panel: XStat CLS, 86 x 22 cm, 1,892 cm² radiating area
- Woofer: 20.3 cm, stiff paper cone, long-throw motor
- Inputs: push terminals that also take banana plugs
- Size (height, width, depth): 132.3 x 22.9 x 41.4 cm
- Weight: 16.1 kg each
