McGary Audio

Friday, May 30, 2014

Audiophile Speaker Preview!
MartinLogan Announces New Flagship:
The Neolith Electrostatic Speaker

MartinLogan Neolith
(©Everything Audio Network)




by John Gatski
  MartinLogan has introduced a new flagship electrostatic loudspeaker. Announced at the recent Munich High-End audio show, the Neolith is ML’s new high-end design to showcase the company’s latest electrostatic advances. According to the ML press release, “While Monolith was our inspiration, Neolith’s technical execution and unrestrained performance evokes MartinLogan’s legendary Statement evolution 2 loudspeaker.”
  The company states that the Neolith features a 22-inch x 48-inch electrostatic transducer with a radiating surface 35% larger than that of the Statement e2. As MartinLogan’s largest electrostatic radiating surface to date, Neolith’s use of the company’s well-regarded, proprietary curvilinear electrostatic transducer will enable**an accurate, three-dimensional soundstage in very large listening rooms.

Based on recent reviews of ML electrostatics, I am sure the Neolith will be an incredible speaker for audiophile hi-res music playback. I am such a fan of this design that I purchased a pair of the mid-price Montis last year.

  To match the electrostatic's exquisite projection, ML has equipped Neolith with massive, bass power; a 15-inch, rear-firing, ported woofer and a 12-inch, front-firing, sealed mid-bass woofer deliver deep, clean bass down to an impressive spec of 23 Hz. Unlike models, such as Montis, which is designed with an onboard powered subwoofer, the Neolith subwoofer’s passive design allows audiophiles to single-wire or bi-amp the speaker with their choice of high-performance, audiophile grade, solid state or tube amplifiers. To enable clean bass and uncolored sound from the electrostatic panel, Neolith is built with an extremely dense composite material, creating an “ideal” baffle — with a high-mass design — that reduces vibrations that result from reactive forces of the powerful woofers.

Options
  Details are limited on price, availability and specs of Neolith, but the company said the high-end speaker will be available in a variety of custom, luxury paint finishes. The ML Neolith web page is www.martinlogan.com/neolith.
**Based on recent reviews of ML electrostatics, I am sure the Neolith will be an incredible speaker for audiophile hi-res music playback. I am such a fan of this design that I purchased a pair of the mid-price Montis (see review) last year. The speaker delivers exceptional detail and ample bass from its single 10-inch subwoofer in my medium-sized room. I can only imagine the low end from the 12-inch and 15-inch drivers from Neolith, And, of course, the extra spread of sound from the much larger electrostatic panel. Stay tuned.

 John Gatski is publisher/owner of the Everything Audio NetworkArticles on this site are the copyright of the ©Everything Audio NetworkAny unauthorized use, via print or Internet, without written permission is prohibited.

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