Do I really need to upgrade my centre channel with a ESL C18

[Robert D]

I meant relative to the C34 - C18 seems like 60% of the cost, but everything on the C34 is double up and more (4 woofers, 2 folded motions, 2x ESP area, built-in amp with ARC and a much larger and elaborate cabinet).

I just noted that you can actually see the ESL through the cosmetic micro perf covering the entire front if you look at the C18 on ML's site. And il looks like there is about 4" of unused room on each side of the woofers. Does anyone have an X-ray photo of it (like the one on ML's site for the EM ELS C?

Well it's about 51% of the cost, so the C18 is roughly 1/2 the cost. Seems about right to me. The amp in the Illusion is only 250 watts at 4 ohms it says, so 125 watts at 8 ohms best case scenario. I'm wondering, is that amp the only thing driving the woofers, or does it just help out the external amp connected to it?

 

[ttocs]

And il looks like there is about 4" of unused room on each side of the woofers. Does anyone have an X-ray photo of it (like the one on ML's site for the EM ELS C?

On the C18 there is about 1" between the stat panel and the edge of each woofer. And like you say, there's a few inches of space at the outboard edge of each woofer. I am thinking this is for air volume inside for each woofer. I can't find any drawings to show how the box is put together. It must be some kind of magic or sumthin'.

 

[Nuri58]

You're right it's closer to 50% than 60% - my mistake. But I would think the cost is not linear (due to complexity/development cost/# sold units). Anyway, these are the prices. For the 4" I was referring to the edge of the speaker not to the stat panel. Some magic surely - that's why I'd like to see a drawing or x-ray picture how it's built up inside if anyone has one) or took one apart.