Martin Logan Spire Series High Performance Black Loudspeakers, Model SPIBLBAD
The first new MartinLogan speaker of the CLX generation, Spire marks a new
paradigm for high-performance sound. Crossover engineering derived from the
CLX loudspeaker seamlessly blends the high-resolution XStat™ and PoweredForce™
drivers. Revealing every subtle nuance of recorded sound with unflinching accuracy,
Spire's ultra rigid AirFrame and curvilinear XStat electrostatic transducer
reveal a magical performance with precision, dynamics and three-dimensional
sound staging. Housed within an ultra-rigid, extruded aluminum and composite
AirFrame™, Spire's CLS™ (Curvilinear Line Source) XStat™ transducer builds upon
the legacy of MartinLogan's 25 year heritage of providing the highest quality
- XStat™ Transducer Advanced MicroPerf stator technology gives MartinLogan's
latest-generation CLS™ electrostatic transducer almost twice as much exposed
diaphragm surface as a traditional electrostatic panel of the same size. This
dramatic increase in effective radiating area translates to higher efficiency
and an even more effortless, unlimited dynamic presentation. The XStat pulls
But there's more to it than just putting more holes in the stators, which
must maintain uniform spacing in front of and behind the diaphragm to exacting
tolerances. They cannot flex. XStat's ultra-rigid aluminum AirFrame™ firmly
anchors the transducer's working elements – stators and diaphragm – around
their periphery, while ClearSpar™ spacers stiffen the assembly further across
its width. ClearSpars enable precise, consistent tensioning of the Vacuum
Bonded diaphragm without obstructing the floating, see-through look that
is the visual hallmark of MartinLogan electrostats.
In the end, a speaker cannot outperform the signal feeding it. MartinLogan's
state-of-the-art toroidal transformer and electrical interface engineering
ensure an absolutely transparent link from amplifier to electrostatic panel.
The result is sound of unparalleled purity, precision, clarity, and openness
– the next best thing to no speaker at all.
- AirFrame™ Technology XStat™ panels are secured to speaker cabinets
using MartinLogan's AirFrame technology. AirFrames, manufactured from aerospace-grade
billet and extruded aluminum alloy, make the panels extremely rigid without
obstructing playable surface area or interfering with their dipole sound radiation.
At the same time, they provide electrical and acoustical isolation, minimizing
intermodulation distortion caused by vibration and resonance. Overall, AirFrames
enhance imaging, low-level sonic detail, accuracy, and efficiency.
- Vacuum Bonding The components of each XStat™ panel – two insulated,
high-purity carbon steel stators, plasma-deposited PET diaphragm, and ClearSpar™
spacers – are fused into a cylindrical-section geometry with an aerospace
adhesive whose hold strength exceeds that of welding. Our proprietary Vacuum
Bonding process ensures uniform diaphragm tensioning and facilitates the extremely
tight tolerances necessary for construction of such a precision transducer.
- Curvilinear Line Source Electrostatic Panel One of MartinLogan's
original breakthroughs, CLS™ technology has been an essential ingredient of
every electrostatic loudspeaker we've produced. Proprietary manufacturing
methods enable construction of electrostatic panels as cylindrical sections.
Their gentle horizontal curvature solves the problem of obtaining good high-frequency
dispersion from a large radiating surface without compromising overall sound
quality or reliability.
Bass MartinLogan PoweredForce woofers feature advanced driver and amplification
technologies that deliver astonishingly dynamic and articulate bass to as
low as 29 Hz. Integrated low-frequency equalization further enhances performance
by allowing precise tailoring to individual room acoustics.
- Low-Distortion Aluminum-Cone Woofer
By eliminating cone flexure, aluminum diaphragms help our advanced-technology
woofers achieve the very low distortion necessary for proper blending with
MartinLogan electrostatic panels.
- MicroPerf™ Stators Although stators are the elements of an electrostatic
driver that are supposed to stand still, they carry the audio signals that
do the work of propelling the diaphragm back and forth to move air and produce
sound. Because the stators sandwich the diaphragm between them, they must
be perforated to allow sound to pass through. Yet they must also be rigid
enough to remain absolutely stationary despite the strong electrostatic forces
pushing and pulling at them during operation.
MartinLogan's MicroPerf design optimizes this tradeoff by reducing the
size of the individual holes and using many more of them than in a traditional
electrostatic panel. MicroPerf almost doubles effective diaphragm radiating
area without compromising structural integrity. The resulting increase in
output capability and efficiency allows a panel to be made much smaller
without sacrificing performance – or to enjoy a substantial leap in bandwidth
and dynamics without growing larger.
- Dipole Sound Radiation The sound we hear from a loudspeaker is a
combination of direct radiation from it to our ears and reflections off of
room surfaces – walls, floor, and ceiling. How our brains integrate all this
information is far from simple. Depending on the angle of incidence to the
ears and the arrival-time difference between direct and reflected sound, reflections
can either blur detail and stereo imaging or enhance the natural impression
of depth and openness.
True dipole speakers, such as electrostatic panels, have long been noted
for their near-ideal radiation patterns. They send very little sound to
the sides, thereby minimizing side-wall reflections with short arrival times
that tend to interfere with perception of the direct sound. Their strong
rear radiation, however, produces a generous amount of ambience-enriching
later-arriving reflections off the wall behind them.
- Vojtko™ Crossover
Featuring an advanced proprietary Vojtko™ crossover topology derived from
the flagship CLX™ loudspeaker, MartinLogan electronic specialists hand-build
each Spire crossover utilizing only the finest of components and construction
techniques to assure the cleanest, most precise signal path possible. The
resulting precision crossover flawlessly preserves even the smallest subtleties
in sound while effortlessly handling the broadest range of dynamics contained
within even the most demanding sonic source, whether used in a 2-channel audio
system or dedicated home theater.
- Portless Enclosure
Although ports are a convenient and cost-effective way of increasing low-frequency
output, they rely on resonant energy in a way that impairs bass quality. A
good sealed system will exhibit less transient-blurring group delay while
maintaining smooth, consistent response regardless of output level or voice-coil
temperature. Listen carefully to the sound of a bass drum, and you'll hear
- 35-Hz Level Control
Spire's PoweredForce™ active woofer system enables fine-tuning of the speaker's
output in the frequency ranges most commonly and severely affected by room
acoustics. The result is bass that is not just deep and powerful, but also
smooth, clean, and detailed.
- Bi-wirable Toolless Binding Posts
MartinLogan's proprietary toolless binding posts make cable connection and
management easy. Two sets are supplied, one connected to the crossover section
feeding the electrostatic panel, the other to the section feeding the woofer.
When the two are linked using the supplied straps, a conventional single-cable
connection can be used. Or you can remove the straps for bi-wiring.
- Custom Feet and Energy Transfer Coupler Spikes
The Spire is supplied with sturdy, 3/8-16 ETC™ spikes, which can be used in
place of the standard feet to enhance stability on thick carpets or to create
tighter coupling between speaker and floor.
- Finish Options Available in a variety of hand-rubbed wood finishes,
MartinLogan Vantage loudspeakers can be personalized to match any décor.
- Frequency Response 29–23,000 Hz ±3dB
- Horizontal Dispersion 30°
- Vertical Dispersion 44" (112cm) line source
- High Frequency Transducer XStat™ CLS™ electrostatic transducer
- Panel Dimensions 44" × 11.3" (111.8 × 28.7cm)
- Radiating Area 497 in2 (3,209 cm2)
- Low Frequency Transducer 10" (25.4cm) cast basket, high excursion,
aluminum cone with extended throw drive assembly, non-resonance asymmetrical
- Amplifier Woofer: 200 watts/channel (4 ohms)
- Sensitivity 91 dB/2.83 volts/meter
- Impedance 4 Ohms, 0.8 at 20kHz. Compatible with 4, 6, or 8 Ohm rated
- Recommended Amplifier Power 20-500 watts per channel
- Crossover Frequency 320Hz
- Components Custom-wound audio transformer, air core coils, polypropylene
- Audio Controls ±10dB at 35 Hz
- Inputs Custom 5-way bi-wire binding posts
- Unit: 58 lbs
- Shipping: 64 lbs
- Depth: 10.7"
- Height: 57"
- Width: 16.25"
- Manufacturer Warranty (authorized online retailer): 1 Year Parts