MartinLogan Goes Wireless with Debut of Bluetooth® and AirPlay Capable Crescendo™ Speaker System
A powerful and precise luxury speaker system with wireless and wired connectivity, 100-watt DSP based amplifier, and optional subwoofer output.
Las Vegas, NV – CES 2014 – January 7-10 – Venetian Suite #29-140 – MartinLogan, the world’s leader in electrostatic speaker technology, proudly announces their first wireless Bluetooth and AirPlay compatible speaker system, the Crescendo™. This powerful and precise luxury wireless speaker features dual audiophile quality Folded Motion™ tweeters and a 5×7-inch mid/bass woofer for a deep, extended bass response. The Crescendo is capable of reproducing sound with unflinching accuracy, resolution, and detail—the inspiration behind every MartinLogan design.
UNMATCHED PERFORMANCE
MartinLogan’s dedicated in-house design and engineering team created the ultimate table-top speaker system in a sleek, compact design without compromising sound quality. Taking a “no-compromise” approach, the Crescendo features premium construction and design elements not typically found in similar speakers.
At the core of the Crescendo is an advanced 24-bit 48kHz DSP (digital signal processing) based preamplifier in conjunction with a powerful class-D closed-loop 100-watt (140-watt peak) amplifier. Crescendo’s digital amplifier creates powerfully detailed sound from a custom designed front-firing 5×7-inch matte black polypropylene cone woofer with extended throw drive assembly in a non-resonant asymmetrical chamber format. Low frequencies are seamlessly blended with two of MartinLogan’s high-performance Folded Motion™ tweeters for an astonishing, room filling experience.
The signature Folded Motion tweeters utilize extremely low mass diaphragms that „squeeze” air, and require significantly less excursion than the typical 1-inch dome tweeter, which drastically minimizes distortion while providing a lightning fast response time. The increased surface area also provides a wide, yet controlled sound dispersion to create a realistic and carefully etched sound stage.
Crescendo is crafted with a solid MDF enclosure that strengthens and intensifies low-frequency bass performance while minimizing vibrations.
To further enhance bass performance, Crescendo features an optional subwoofer output via an analog RCA connection. This option, not typical of tabletop speaker systems, customizes the crossover between the Crescendo and subwoofer to give true audiophiles the ability to supplement the low-frequency performance of their system.
INSPIRED DESIGN
MartinLogan has always blended Science with Art, and the Crescendo is no exception. Designed to fit a modern décor, MartinLogan utilizes high-quality materials and finishes to give Crescendo a furniture and artwork like appearance. The result is striking.
The dense cabinet enclosure, wrapped in either high-gloss piano black paint or real-wood walnut veneer, floats atop a sturdy aluminum stand and looks comfortably at home in any décor where aesthetics are as important as sound quality. A cleanly integrated, front mounted control panel allows quick access to power, input and volume controls.
For across the room control, Crescendo includes a custom remote control built from black anodized extruded aluminum.
ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY
The Crescendo features six input methods allow for connection of virtually any device:
Wi-Fi – connect AirPlay capable devices wirelessly (iPhone, iPad, iPod, or a computer with iTunes) to stream audio.
Bluetooth – connect Bluetooth capable devices wirelessly to stream audio. Bluetooth V4.0 supports SBC, MP3, AAC, and apt-X®.
Wired Ethernet – audio information can be sent over a LAN to the Crescendo using various protocols (such as AirPlay or DLNA)
USB – connect compatible Apple devices and use the Crescendo as an audio dock and charger. The USB connection was designed to rapidly charge a variety of devices.
3.5mm analog – any device that has an analog audio output can connect to the auxiliary analog input via a 3.5mm headphone style jack.
3.5mm optical digital – any device that has a digital optical output can connect to the auxiliary digital input with the included mini-Toslink optical adapter (analog and digital connections share the same input).
FINISH OPTIONS & AVAILABILITY
The Crescendo will ship Q1 of 2014 and will be available in either high-gloss black or real-wood walnut veneer, priced at $899.95 each (US MSRP).
