How hearing the Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X made me fall in love with the surpreme detail and clarity in electrostatic speakers

One of the nicest things about checking out the best speakers at a big trade show, (in this case, Audio Advice Live in Raleigh, North Carolina) is that sometimes you have family nearby.

So, when I was doing my second round of some of the vendors that really stood out to me, I was able to bring my cousin along — and if you’re within driving distance next year, $30 will get you in the door.

On that short list was one of the three Martin Logan rooms equipped with a pair of the Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X.

These speakers, the flagship model of the company’s entry-level electrostatic line called the ElectroMotion Series, greeted us from the far corners of the room backed just by a big, wide window and some drapes.

Not much for sound dampening.

Following my cousin’s request, Bon Iver’s Holocene would be the focus of this listening session.

The experience I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but what I heard surprised me.

The level of detail was unparalleled.

If you want to sit there and listen to the pristine decay of a cymbal hit, you do it on these speakers.

When listening to Holocene , Bon Iver’s voice has this delicate nature that’s not all that noticeable on lesser speakers.

And the guitar sparkles similarly.

Since electrostatic speakers reproduce audio in a different way, the low end had this tight but balanced presentation that made the whole song come across as clearer with better resolution than I had ever heard before.

Plus, it felt more open — I could hear the extra dynamic impact of the snare roll on the right side of the song (a more traditional kit plays on the left), pulling forward and back as it varied in volume.

Put on a pair of (non-electrostatic) headphones and you’ll probably hear what I typically hear — a fairly even drum roll throughout the song.