Easily one of the best Center's out there. The only humbling influence it has is it's older and more-expensive sibling, the Logos.
The Cinema actually doesn't mate badly with the SL3, since the cone speakers are only active outside the range of most dialog (300hz and 3500hz), so you don't hardly notice the transition. It doesn't work well if you run it full-range, so I have "Center = Small" on my decoder and the sub picks up the slack. I don't know if the Logos is better at full range, the cutoff point is only 5Hz lower, judging from the spec. The Logos creates a "bigger and fuller" sound, with more of the ESL "snap" that we Martin-Logan owners love so much.

Give the Cinema a try, I think you'll be glad you did. If you compare it to the Logos it sounds mediocre; but outside that frame of reference (i.e., on it's own in my system) it sounds very good, much better than any of the box speakers that proceeded it in the hallowed position above the TV. :-)

4 stars if next to a Logos for comparison, otherwise 5.

Detailed sound and beautiful design.

Stator panel comes off when angled downward!!!

I have used Cinema speaker since three months ago. My TV is placed fairly high because of the stand's height. I purchased matching Cinema stand to properly angle the speaker downward toward the listener. The problem was that the stator panel started to come off from the frame! I received a new replacement from my authorized dealer. Two weeks later the new one did the same thing! I called Martin Logan and spoke to one of the designers. He said that they never experimented with Cinema speaker angled downward. After his experiment he did have the same problem as I did. They are currently correcting this problem. Soundwise this speaker is spectacular! Very detailed dialogue is produced as if actors are speaking right behind the grille. Excellent speaker in terms of sound & build material quality. I give overall rating of 4 stars because of the problem listed above otherwise 5 stars.

Detailed sound and beautiful design.

Stator panel comes off when angled downward!!!

I have used Cinema speaker since three months ago. My TV is placed fairly high because of the stand's height. I purchased matching Cinema stand to properly angle the speaker downward toward the listener. The problem was that the stator panel started to come off from the frame! I received a new replacement from my authorized dealer. Two weeks later the new one did the same thing! I called Martin Logan and spoke to one of the designers. He said that they never experimented with Cinema speaker angled downward. After his experiment he did have the same problem as I did. They are currently correcting this problem. Soundwise this speaker is spectacular! Very detailed dialogue is produced as if actors are speaking right behind the grille. Excellent speaker in terms of sound & build material quality. I give overall rating of 4 stars because of the problem listed above otherwise 5 stars.

All the touted virtues of an ESL

Size, aesthetics

Just as Big G from Wisconsin way I inserted my Cinema between the Aerius i mains. Had been using a good quality dynamic speaker (Klipsch) and wasn't aware of what was missing until I made the change. As said elsewhere it achieves a seamless blend of the soundfield and gives that x-ray character I happen to like about ESLs. But in my arrangement placement was not difficult because the large RPTV provides more than ample surface. The dialogue and music presented through the Cinemas is incredibly clean: upon replaying some DVDs and tapes I know well, I heard parts of dialogue I'd never before been enable to understand. Amazing.

Electrostatics aren't everyone's cup of tea; those who are drawn to one or another part of the frequency spectrum (e.g., bass freaks, high end lovers, midrange fanatics) might do better with conventional dynamics that cater to that particular range. I'm thinking of Snells, for example, whose bass was particularly good (CIIIs). You could similarly fill in the blank with this one or that one which has a known penchant for some part of the audible spectrum. To me, being a purist, they all represent distortions and thus are not of interest to me. (Probably why I am so high on the Bryston line - utter neutrality.) Since I am one who prizes analytical, clear presentations of what has been recorded, ESLs have always been the ticket for me. I can augment the Aerius i bass by crossing over through the subwoofer. BTW, have owned plenty of box speakers and Maggies. The Maggies were great within their limitations, but the WAF (wife-acceptance factor) eventually persuaded me to move them out.

The appearance of the unit may not float your boat, but no problme in my HT arrangement. FWIW. A note of caution no doubt mentioned in the other posts: it is not easy finding the right spot for an ESL; it takes some work and experimentation. But when you do you'll know. The sound pops right into focus.

Cheers

Very Open Sounding. Sound radiate from the whole width of the speaker.

As with other electrostats you must have it plugged in. Power Hungry.

This is the BEST sounding center channel speaker I have heard to date. I continually look for the best sounding speaker I can find. This is it. I still have my Aerial CC3 but the Cinema sound more open. Due to its' design - sound imenates from the whole width of the speaker. The build quality is excellent. The speaker works well with other speakers as well - cone or electrostatic. I do note that the sound is not quite as dynamic as a cone speaker, but I do hear more detail out of this speaker. I had so many dealers recommend this speaker over any other so I had to see for myself. And they were right. This speaker is EXCELLENT. I'm giving it 5 start for overall and 4 stars for value (since it is expensive.)

Similar Products Used:

Aerial, Energy, Klipsch, M&K, Bose(YUK), JBL.