Martin Logan Ascent i

By Augie Bettencourt

Introduction
Electrostatic speakers have improved tremendously over the years. At one time, electrostatic speaker builders faced many design challenges like dynamic limitations, fluctuating impedances, and limited low frequencies. Even with these limitations, the benefits derived from electrostatic speakers like resolution, midrange clarity, and lack of distortion, were too appealing to disregard. Fast-forward to today, and Martin Logan has risen to become the most popular electrostatic speaker manufacture, and earned the reputation for building some of the best speakers in the world. One of those speakers is the Ascent i, which functions as either a main or surround speaker. The Ascent i has a frequency response of 35–22,000 Hz, a sensitivity rating of 90 dB, and a 4-ohm impedance rating. The Ascent i stands 64 inches high, 22 inches deep, 13 wide, and weigh 75 lbs. each. Martin Logan offers 15 different trim options, some included as standard, and some as upgrades for an additional cost. In the standard black finish, the speakers retail for $4595.00 per pair.

Setup
Ideally, as with most dipole speakers, the Ascent i should be pulled away from the front wall two or three feet, and at least one or two feet from the side walls for optimum performance. Your sitting position should also be farther than the distance between the speakers if possible. A slight amount of toe-in towards the listening area will also change the tonal balance slightly, and will effect the speaker’s imaging, so placement fine tuning will be required for optimum results. Generally, the ideal listening position is with the speakers slightly toed-in so that you’re listening to the inner third of the panel. Both spikes and flat metal feet are included, which could effect bass response, and can be used to help tune any coupling issues that may arise with differences between hardwood, carpeted or slab floors. As with many Martin Logan speakers, the Ascent i uses an internal power supply to energize their electrostatic cells with high-voltage DC, so they must be connected to an AC power source, and are provided with IEC standard power cords.

Features
A run-of-the-mill dynamic speaker uses cone drivers with a voice coil that only moves at the apex of the cone, but this design offers great dynamic energy and excellent bass authority. An eletrorostatic speaker consists of a thin, transparent, polyetholeen membrane that is pulled tight between two, curved, perforated metal panels called “stators.” The electrostatic panels generate sound by moving back and forth between the stators, producing as much sound behind them as they do in front of them, while the entire panel moves. Some of the benefits of this design are extreme, sonic resolution, midrange purity, and soundstage size. The Ascent i is a hybrid design and offers benefits of both. The electrostatic panel offers what Martin Logan calls, Curvlinear Line Source (CLS), allowing the Ascent i to achieve a smooth dispersion pattern, which is a problem for all loudspeakers, but particularly for large panel transducers. The top section of the speaker is attached to a woofer enclosure that houses a 10-inch, high excursion woofer, which handles lower frequency response. The Ascent i can be bi-wired or bi-amped. The owner’s manual is very comprehensive, as it includes numerous tips including hook-up, bi-wiring, bi-amping, “extra tweeks”, and even an electrostatic history section.

Music Sound
I started my listening session with Annie Lennox, “A Thousand Beautiful Things” from her Bare CD (J Records). Immediately, I noticed that music seemed to float in front of the speakers, creating a broad, layered soundstage. It had a natural, organic sound. Lennox’s voice was as melodic as ever I’ve heard it, and strings had excellent tonal quality.
Next up was John Lee Hooker’s Chill Out, and the song was “Annie Mae” (Pointblank Records). I was immediately struck by the ability of the Ascent i to produce a huge soundstage, with depth, clarity, and detail that’s seldom heard from a speaker in this price range. I’ve always been amazed by an electrostat’s ability to reproduce an acoustic string instrument or vocal music with such life-like quality, and the Ascent i was no different. Next I listened to “Serves Me Right”, from the same CD. On this track, Van Morrison accompanies John Lee Hooker. Again, the Ascent i produced a deep, detailed soundstage that created an excellent ambient experience with midrange, and timberal clarity that’s to die for. Bass response was tight, and accurate, if just shy of the ultimate in bass extension. 
The next CD I listened to was Dave Matthews Band’s Busted Stuff, and the song was “Digging a Ditch” (RCA Records). The sound of Dave Matthew’s voice had a very natural, open sounding quality, and the speakers imaged so well, I had to double check to make sure my center speaker wasn’t working. Dave’s vocals came alive, and the speakers created a wide, seamless soundstage. Next I listened to “Bartender”, from the same Dave Matthews CD, and was again impressed by the natural timberal quality of Dave’s guitar strumming, and the ability of Ascent i to reveal the complexity of this musical number. 

Movie Sound
The first movie I watched was “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (New Line Home Entertainment). With its robust frequency response, this film offers an epic experience, with deep, rumbling lows to open, spacious mid-range and pristine high frequency response. The soundtrack is first-rate, balanced accurately against all the effects and the Ascent i speakers performed admirably.
I then watched Gladiator (Dreamworks Pictures). This epic starring Russell Crowe sounded incredible through the Ascent I speakers. From the gentle pluck of guitar strings, to the dramatic Battle of Carthage in chapter 15, they had the ability to reproduce unrivaled detail and believable dynamics. I had the sense of being right there in the middle of the battlefield with the sound of bows, and arrows being shot, with arrows wissing by overhead. 
The last movie I watched was “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” (Paramount Studios). Sky Captain had a very active and enveloping sound mix right from the beginning, and the dynamic range was well rendered with excellent spatial detail. The front soundstage is very nicely spread out, and the soundtrack and surrounds are almost constantly engaged, down to the subtlest ambient detail. Bass response was spectacular, and the soundtrack was faithfully duplicated by the Ascent i speakers.


Conclusion
Electrostatic speakers have come along way from years past, and have overcome virtually all design challenges, with Martin Logan leading technological innovation in electrostatic design. Now, Martin Logan has a reputation for building the world’s most popular electrostatic speakers, and I can see why. The Ascent i is an excellent product, and I found its unique appearance, and quality fit and finish very appealing. Whether I listened to my favorite music or watched the latest epic, the open soundstage, and detailed, life-like midrange of the Ascent i was intoxicating. I enthusiastically recommend the Martin Logan Ascent i, and would not purchase a pair of speakers in this price range without first auditioning these incredible speakers.

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