Martin Logan Renaissance ESL 15A
Hybrid floorstanding speaker combining a large-area XStat electrostatic panel with DSP-driven amplified woofers, for high-end installations seeking precision and active bass management.
Description
The MartinLogan Renaissance ESL 15A is a hybrid floorstanding speaker that combines a large-dimension XStat CLS electrostatic transducer with an active bass section. This design combines an electrostatic panel and integrated amplified woofers, making it self-contained in terms of bass amplification.
The electrostatic panel relies on Advanced MicroPerf stator technology, which doubles the exposed diaphragm surface compared with a conventional electrostatic panel of the same size. The diaphragm is vacuum-bonded and held by rigid ClearSpar spacers, ensuring uniform tension across its entire surface. The radiating area of the transducer reaches 4,446 cm², with a horizontal dispersion of 30°.
The low-frequency section relies on PoweredForce Forward technology, which combines two low-distortion, laser-cut aluminium cone woofers, housed in compact, independently isolated enclosures. This architecture limits bass reflections off the rear wall through phase management, for a more even frequency response within the listening room. The Class D woofer amplification delivers 2 x 500 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms, with peaks of 2 x 1,000 watts, all controlled by a 24-bit Vojtko DSP engine.
New for an electrostatic speaker in this range, the Renaissance ESL 15A incorporates Anthem Room Correction (ARC) technology, which adjusts the low-frequency curve according to the ESL panel's output and the room's characteristics. An ARC 180 acoustic correction kit is offered as an option for this function.
This speaker is aimed at high-end installations, where the user seeks the reproduction precision inherent to electrostatic technology while benefiting from active, integrated bass management. The recommended upstream power, from 20 to 700 watts per channel, allows considerable latitude in choosing the associated amplifier for the panel section.
Technical specifications
| Frequency response | 22–21,000 Hz ± 3 dB |
| Recommended power | 20 to 700 watts per channel |
| Horizontal dispersion | 30° |
| Vertical dispersion | 116.9 cm |
| Crossover frequency | 300 Hz |
| High frequency transducer | Electrostatic XStat CLS, 117 x 38 cm |
| Radiating area | 4,446 cm² |
| Woofer amplifier RMS | 2 x 500 watts / channel (4 ohms) |
| Woofer amplifier peak | 2 x 1,000 watts |
| Bass | ± 10 dB below 75 Hz |
| Midbass | –2 dB, 0 dB, +2 dB |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 177.3 x 40 x 63.3 cm |
| Weight | 63.5 kg |
What to check before buying used
The XStat CLS electrostatic panel deserves careful examination: check for any arcing or crackling at high volume, signs of a fatigued diaphragm or a stator clogged with dust. Check that the integrated Class D woofer amplification is working properly, along with the condition of the power cables and the high-voltage interface linking the two stages. Testing under power before transport is essential, as these speakers are bulky and fragile at the panel level. Finally, inspect the ClearSpar spacers and the bass cabinet joinery for any play or warping.
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