800-820-6460
800-820-6460
Truth in Sound, Embodied
For those who appreciate accuracy and realism in their audio, the electrostatic transducer is the grail. For those who understand this truth in sound, we created a flagship loudspeaker: Neolith. Made-to-order, hand-delivered and professionally installed; in a world of same, Neolith proclaims different. In a world of artifice, Neolith delivers truth in sound.
Electrostatic Truth
MartinLogan didn't invent electrostatic transducer technology. But by eliminating the perceived deficiencies of electrostatic technology, such as poor power handling, lack of bass response and narrow soundstage (beaming), MartinLogan has reinforced the benefit of electrostatic technology: uncanny audio accuracy.
An electrostatic transducer has three components—stators, a diaphragm, and spars (non-conductive spacers that keep the tall assembly stationary)—assembled as a sandwich. The diaphragm is an ultra-light film impregnated with an electrically conductive material and stretched taut between two stators, which are perforated steel sheets coated with an insulator.
When the speaker is operating, the diaphragm is charged with an electrostatic field of fixed positive voltage. The two stators, between which the diaphragm is stretched, are charged with voltages of equal strength but opposite polarity. These charges occur in instantaneously alternating pulses according the signal received from your audio equipment. When the charge on one stator is positive, the charge on the other is negative. Because like charges repel and opposite charges attract, the diaphragm's constantly positive charge will force it to move forward or backward depending on the stator charges. With this movement, an electrostatic transducer translates an electrical audio signal into the diaphragm motion that produces sound waves in your room.
MartinLogan's groundbreaking Curvilinear Line Source (CLS) electrostatic panel design is an elegant solution to the impression of sound "beaming" from an electrostatic panel. MartinLogan CLS electrostatic panels feature a gentle horizontal curve. This ingeniously simple innovation radically changes the speaker's dispersion pattern, radiating a wide, enveloping soundstage, packed with detail; truly unlike any other loudspeaker experience.
Another key attribute of an electrostatic speaker is its dipolar radiation pattern. A true dipole transducer radiates with equal intensity from the front and back of its diaphragm, with the outputs in opposite phase. As a result, sound waves rippling out toward the sides meet at the speaker's edge and cancel, minimizing side-wall reflections with short relative arrival times. This reduction in side-output minimizes interfering side-wall reflections, which can muddy the image. It frees the dipole radiation pattern to produce a generous amount of ambience-enriching late-arriving reflections off the wall behind your loudspeakers. At the same time, electrostatic panels maintain relatively limited vertical dispersion, which minimizes undesirable floor and ceiling reflections.
Neolith is the apogee of electrostatic performance, combining these innovations in a new design. By delivering an undiluted soundstage with excellent separation, Neolith brings your music and movie soundtracks to startlingly accurate, 3-dimensional life.
System Frequency Response: 23–22,000 Hz ± 3db
Recommended Amplifier Power: 50–1,300 watts per channel at 4 Ohms
Dispersion: Horizontal: 30 Degrees Vertical: 48” (122 cm) line source
Sensitivity: 90 dB/2.83 volts/meter
Impedance: Nominal: 4 ohms, 0.43 ohms @ 20 kHz.
Crossover Frequency: 60, 250–400 Hz
High/Mid Frequency Driver: 48” x 22” (122 x 56 cm) CLS XStat electrostatic (1,056 in2/6,813 cm2)
Woofers: 15” (38.1cm) cast basket, high excursion, rigid aluminum
cone with extended throw drive assembly. Extensively
vented triple shorting ring motor and 4-layer coil to
eliminate compression and distortion.
12” (30.5cm) round cast aluminum alloy frame,
high excursion, rigid carbon fiber sandwich cone
with long throw design, 3-inch (7.5cm) diameter
copper-clad aluminum flat wire voice coil, and
vented pole piece and under-spider opening to
reduce power compression.
Enclosure: Phenolic Resin Polymer: Dense substrate with superb
mechanical strength minimizes cabinet vibrations caused
by woofer cone motion counter forces to provide an ideal
baffle for the electrostatic panel and woofers.
Components: High-Pass Crossover: 1% resistors mounted to heat sinks,
polypropylene capacitors, air core inductors, dual toroidal
audio transformers to drive electrostatic element
Low-Pass Crossover: 1% resistors mounted to heat sinks,
toroidal inductors, supports user options to modify sound
output via jumpers
Bass Control: 0dB, -4dB, -8dB
Distance Control: 3 meters (or less), 4 meters, 5 meters (or greater)
Light Control: On, Dim, Off
Signal Inputs: WBT-0705Ag nextgen™ 5-way bi-wire binding posts feature
a filigree signal conductor made from fine silver for high
conductivity. Fully insulated for CE and IEC conformity
providing shock hazard protection. Free from eddy current
effects. Max constant current 30 A, admissible peak current
200 A. Outer metal cap with palladium plated finish.
Mains Power Draw: Standby: 1W each
Max: 10W each
Weight: 385 lbs. each (175 kg)
Size (H x W x D): 74.8” × 30.3” × 34.2” (189.9 × 76.9 × 87 cm)
Weight (Crated): 600 lbs. each (273 kg)
Crate Size (H x W x D): 39.7” × 39” × 82.6” (100.8 × 99 × 210 cm)
