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MartinLogan Cuts the Cord with Bluetooth/AirPlay-Capable Crescendo Wireless Speaker

By Rachel Cericola

Back in January, MartinLogan announced a new product. No, it wasn't another one of the company's electrostatic speakers. (Although, that would be appreciated.) Instead, MartinLogan was planning to go wireless, with the Crescendo Speaker System.

The Crescendo isn't just the company's first tabletop speaker. It's also MartinLogan's first to get Bluetooth and AirPlay support. Having that perk means that this speaker can nestle next to the bed, on a shelf, in the kitchen, or wherever else you want it -- and accept all sorts of music via wireless streaming. In other words, it can snag audio from your iOS devices or iTunes using AirPlay, stream from Android portables by connecting with Bluetooth, and much more.

Of course, it wouldn't be a MartinLogan speaker without the Folded Motion tweeters, which are designed to "squeeze" air, minimize distortion and create a wide sound dispersion. This tabletop unit includes those 1-inchers, as well as a 5-by-7-inch mid/bass woofer, a 24-bit 48kHz DSP (digital signal processing) based preamplifier, a class-D closed-loop 100-watt (140-watt peak) amplifier, and an optional subwoofer output via an analog RCA connection.

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MartinLogan is now shipping the Crescendo in piano black paint, with a real-wood walnut veneer version to follow next month.

Besides all of the aforementioned wireless goodness, the Crescendo doesn't mind being tethered. It has Ethernet capability, as well as options to hook in devices via USB, a 3.5mm headphone jack, or a digital optical output. It also has a mini-Toslink optical adapter.

Featuring a solid MDF enclosure, which boasts low-frequency bass performance and the ability to minimize vibrations, the Crescendo is available now in piano black paint. A real-wood walnut veneer version will then follow sometime next month. Both come packing a custom remote control and an $899.95 MSRP.

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The Crescendo is slim enough to slip into any space, but slick enough to stand out as a nice speaker.

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