![]() In many ways, solo images have some of the same freely suspended openness and sparkling character that I typically associate with Maggies and Quads, although on a more restricted basis with the 35XT. The result of ML’s efforts are treble octaves that possess an expansive yet precise sound that delivers images with air and substance-a realistic effect that isn’t normally captured by a typical dome tweeter, but clearly is by MartinLogan’s Folded Motion design. Transients, low-level resolution, and micro-dynamics are likewise also very good-I always listen for the soft tapping of the keys of the oboe midway through this ballet. There is a relaxed quality to the 35XT that takes a natural acoustic recording like Stravinsky’s Pulcinella and delivers wind sections and upper strings with sweetness and openness. But it’s not an edgy cold signature, which is often the case. It has a smooth, neutral to neutral/light character not untypical of compacts that tout a single, smallish, mid/bass transducer and restricted internal volume. And like any contemporary small monitor worth its salt, the 35XT manages to vanish within the soundspace with ease. The sonic character of the 35XT is first and foremost, refined. Other features include ML’s signature perforated steel grille, which attaches magnetically, and dual custom-angled, 5-way, tool-less binding posts for connection versatility. The Motion 35XT is nicely detailed and richly finished in deep gloss-a clear step up from the typical bookshelf. The enclosure is a stout construction of ¾-inch MDF its top panel is raked gently front-to-back presenting a non-parallel surface meant to reduce resonances and internal standing waves. The tweeter receives thermal/current protection, as well. The handoff between mid/bass and tweeter occurs at 2.2kHz via a crossover network that features a custom air-core coil, low DCR steel-laminate inductors, polypropylene film capacitors, and high-quality electrolytic capacitors. Both drivers are bolted securely in place between the underlying baffle and a black-anodized brushed-aluminum outer baffle. It uses a rigid, structured dust cap to reduce cone break-up modes. The three XT models (35XT, 50XT, and 60XT) feature this new, larger-diaphragm tweeter the other four Motion models use the standard Folded Motion driver.īeneath the aforementioned Folded Motion Tweeter rests a 6″ black aluminum cone mid/woofer in a cast-polymer basket. ![]() MartinLogan has used this design on previous models, but this new generation boasts a 40% larger diaphragm area. Its virtues are its extremely low mass, tiny excursions, and large radiating surface. The diaphragm squeezes the air along the pleats or “folds” and, voila, music. In many ways the Folded Motion driver is derivative of the classic Heil Air Motion Transformer wherein an ultra-low-mass diaphragm (4.5″ x 2.75″) is pleated, accordion-style, embossed with a conductor, and suspended in a magnetic field. The one common thread this broad lineup shares is ML’s Folded Motion Tweeter-a fairly esoteric transducer in this modest price range but a not entirely surprising feature given that MartinLogan built its reputation on exotic electrostatic designs that harken back to the original full-range CLS from 1986. It’s one of two stand-mount speaker options in ML’s Motion Series, a “mix and match” collection that also includes three XT floorstanders, a pair of center channels, plus designer FX models, ultra-slim XL models, and even a sound bar, for goodness sake. The Motion 35XT is a two-way design in a bass-reflex enclosure with a rear-firing port. So much so that I just had to see how things would shake out in my own listening room, for as every veteran audiophile can attest, sometimes first impressions stick and sometimes they don’t. Even under the less than ideal show conditions, these stand-mounted compacts were engaging, rock-solid performers. I first encountered the MartinLogan Motion 35XT at the California Audio Show in San Francisco last September, and my ears perked up immediately.
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