Martin Logan Classic ESL 9

Back in 2010, I upgraded my Klipsch RF-7 III to MartinLogan Purity Speakers. The transparency, depth of sound stage and purity of the music with the ML upgrade was startling. I further enhanced the sound by adding ARC Genesis room correction to the mix. My wife and I enjoyed the sound and look of the electrostatic speakers for 13 years. I was ready for an upgrade and read all of the reviews. At the time, I thought the ESL 9 was our of my price range. All of the reviews pointed to try the Revel F226BE which was on sale for an $1800 discount. I purchased and had a 60 day audition period with Crutchfield. Wow! The old Purity ESL still sounded better than the Revel. Revel is a good speaker but not in the league with an electrostatic. I returned the Revel and went for it (my wife wanted to send the Revel's back and get the ML) with the Classic ESL 9 and still used the ARC Genesis room correction. I am glad I did. The ESL 9 gives you goosebumps. Dynamic: These speakers hit you with a wall of sound! Deep Bass (verified flat to 35 Hz on ARC calibration), kick drums, guitar riffs, .......... They knock you out! The speakers do it with so much clarity (zero distortion) that you hear new details in the dynamic sound. Clarity: It is like a live performance (Metallica, Van Halen, Andrea Bocelli, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, .......). You name it. These ML's deliver. You get all of the nuances the sound engineers and performers want you to hear. Sound stage, low level dynamics, efficiency, ........ I can go on and on. The larger ESL panel line array is another big benefit. If you have a bigger room, the ESL 9 will play much louder and more efficient. I have a big open room and the ESL 9 effortlessly fill it with beautiful music (normal dome speakers lose 6 db of sound every doubling of distance, line arrays loose 3 db of sound every doubling). At our normal listening distance of 14 feet, the ESL 9 are incredible. The is an End Game speaker for me. Thank you MartinLogan.

I previously worked at a hifi store in Hamilton NZ and first heard Martin Logans back in 1998. I was so impressed with them that I promised myself I'd own a pair one day. Well, just recently the stars aligned, and I purchased a pair of Classic ESL 9's and my memory has not failed me...these sound amazing! I don't have a flashy front end, I'm using AudioLAB CDQ8300 preamp with AudioLAB MB8200 250w monobloc power amps with a Music Hall 2.2 turntable, with a Bluesound Node 2i for streaming. I have a very standard 4.8m x 5.5m lounge with a high stud and as usual this room has limitations on placement for speakers this size. Currently these speakers are sitting about 300mm from the front wall and at normal listening levels it is completely fine. My previous speakers are 30 year old Mordaunt Short Performance 860's and to be honest they have served me extremely well and I was very happy with the sound, until I heard these...WOW, the sound stage is enormous, base weight is admirable, mid-range and high frequencies are superb, making the entire listening experience an absolute delight. I had doubts about my amplifiers ability to drive these speakers (being just 4ohm) but I needn't have been worried, they appear to be driving them effortlessly. There is no gaps or shortfalls in the sound, it's rich, round, and full bodied just like a really good cup of coffee! For those sitting on the fence and considering replacing speakers, Martin Logan's are an absolute MUST in any speaker lineup you may be judging. These ESL 9's stack up next to speakers well over twice the price! Thank you Martin Logan for producing products of this calibre and continuing the heritage that I remember so well. Andrew Scott, New Zealand

I must agree with Jose! The Classic 9 is my first time owning an electrostatic, and after owning Klipschorns and vintage tube gear to power that system, I have moved on. Coupling the ESL 9's with a Parasound A-21 amp and P6 2.1 preamp was the pairing setup by my dealer (Safe and Sound - Chicopee, MA.) and I could not be happier! With that much power, these speakers match the Klipschorns in dynamic range right down to the DB-A response ! (I took notes, and the benchmark was set with the Klipschorns before I sold them). Incredible sound and image in my 18x24x8' dedicated listening space! Thank YOU Martin Logan for continuing to perfecting this 'exotic' speaker technology. ........Gary

All I can say is that wow these speakers had blown my mind away, they are very fast, articulate, very true to the system that is feeding them, they can play all kind of music with no problem, highly recommend.