Dynamic and captivating speaker system
purist ESL guarantees neutral and unaltered sound reproduction at a previously unattainable level through unique technologies, premium materials and highest quality standards.
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After 25 years of development, we are proud to introduce the ultimate transducer: the Purist ESL. Visually and sonically, this masterpiece is a true milestone in hi-fi history. Sculptural in form - graceful yet powerful - it captivates every listener from the very first note. Its full-range electrostatic panel reveals even the finest details, from the lower midrange to the ultrasonic spectrum. The deep frequencies are delivered with absolute authority by the dual bass towers, while the subwoofer lays down a rock-solid foundation in the lowest octaves. Through the integrated speaker management system, precise adjustments can be made to suit a wide variety of room acoustics. Currently, two differently sized models are available, covering listening environments from approximately 20 to 125 square meters. The result is pure music - nothing more, nothing less.
Electrostatic hybrid loudspeaker system
It brings together the strengths of two different electroacoustic transducer principles. The superior bass response and compact design of dynamic speakers are combined with the exceptional performance and transparent presence of our electrostatic panel speaker. Electrostatic loudspeakers are extremely complex to manufacture and require a high degree of craftsmanship. As a result, they are rarely found on the market, despite their legendary sonic capabilities. The seamless integration of both speaker components is ensured by perfect sound technology. As part of the loudspeaker management system, this technology goes far beyond a conventional crossover. It operates with far greater flexibility, allowing precise adjustments to the acoustics of your listening space and your personal listening preferences. This makes the purist ESL not just a speaker, but your speaker - tailored uniquely to you.
The Principle
Free from marketing constraints and budget limitations, we live our passion for authentic music reproduction. Our pursuit is perfection.
The cylindrical wave emitter + the planar radiator
With these three principles, we achieve a level of playback quality that surpasses all other systems. The cylindrical wave emitter and the planar radiator, due to their unique sound dispersion characteristics, produce minimal disruptive reflections from ceilings, floors, and adjacent walls. As a result, the sound is far less affected by the listening environment. You hear more of the original music signal. Conventional enclosure-related issues are eliminated because the electrostatic panel is framed only by a slim yet high-strength magnesium profile.
The electrostatic speaker embodies more characteristics of an ideal loudspeaker than any other electroacoustic transducer. However, while it offers substantial advantages, it presents significant technical challenges when it comes to bass reproduction. To reproduce musical dynamics—especially in the bass range - at a true hi-fi standard, electrostatic loudspeakers would need to be unacceptably large. For lower frequencies, dynamic transducers are much more suitable and compact in size.
Can the advantages of both transducer types be harnessed in a seamless, homogeneous system?
Yes - and the purist ESL unites the best of both worlds into the ultimate music machine.
The ideal, realized…
Years of expertise, proprietary manufacturing techniques, and advanced materials have allowed us to create an electrostatic loudspeaker that covers the frequency range from 150Hz to 25,000Hz - spanning from the fundamental tones of the human voice to the ultrasonic realm. The diaphragm is extremely thin yet incredibly durable. Its weight is so negligible that it plays no perceptible role in the audible range, allowing it to follow the music signal with such accuracy that it feels as though the artist is performing live in front of you.
Frequencies from 50Hz to 150Hz - bass to lower midrange - are handled by a slim, trapezoidal bass tower made from a high-damping, low-resonance polymer. A total of 16 dynamic bass drivers operate in a dipole configuration, matching the radiation pattern of the electrostatic panel - crucial for a completely homogeneous and seamless sonic image.
Design, quality, materials, craftsmanship
Following the principles that form should follow function, and that good design should be as simple as possible - but only as complex as necessary - the enclosure of the purist ESL was created. Yet the term enclosure hardly does justice to the sculpture - like presence, elegance, and emotionality of this loudspeaker. Its clear design language and glossy surfaces emphasize its perfectionist technical aspirations. The purist ESL is not only a flawless instrument for music reproduction - it is also a near-artistic object with high aesthetic appeal.
Special Materials
Realizing the exceptional concept behind the purist ESL demanded special materials - selected for their composition, form, and especially the quality of their workmanship. It took years and countless trials to develop, for instance, a coating for the perforated plates that met our exacting requirements in terms of function, safety, and visual aesthetics.
Magnesium Frame
The slim yet extremely rigid frame of the electrostatic panel is made from magnesium. This lightweight metal offers outstanding stiffness and greater internal damping than other metals. As a result, the panel sits in a minimal frame - stable and precisely guided.
Stiff but damped enclosure
The bass column casing had to be constructed from a material that is both stiff and acoustically damped. We use a special polymer composite that surpasses wood in performance and precision machinability. Varying wall thicknesses, intricate internal bracing, and mechanical pre-tensioning eliminate any tendency of the housing to resonate. Only the bass driver membranes are meant to vibrate - not the enclosure itself.
Milled from a single solid block
The base pedestal, which supports both the bass column and the electrostatic panel, is no exception to this standard. Milled from a single solid block to a thickness of 50 mm, its complex, curved, and compact form offers no surface for resonances to take hold. Only computer-controlled 5-axis CNC machines are capable of producing this precise geometry. The pedestal flows with elegant continuity along the contours of the bass tower and panel - both functionally and visually refined.
The technology
The purist ESL is a fully active hybrid electrostatic loudspeaker system.
An electrostatic speaker differs from traditional dynamic speakers in many ways. The most important differences lie in appearance, membrane design, and drive principle. The electrostatic driver consists of two parallel, fixed perforated plates - called stators - with a membrane film suspended in between. This construction is only a few millimeters thick, appearing transparent and light.
The processing and insulating coating of the stators are critical to the final result. As the only manufacturer, we perform highly complex and costly production steps that make no visible difference externally but yield significant acoustic and measurable improvements.
We use a special membrane material - a whisper-thin yet extremely tear-resistant plastic film, about 1/20 the thickness of a human hair, whose strength has been increased by around 50%. The membrane’s weight is so negligible that it has no influence in the audible range, making the electrostatic driver effectively massless.
To function, the membrane must be electrically charged. We apply a specially developed conductive coating that is transparent, lightweight, and remains stable under long-term use. We succeeded in isolating the coating from environmental effects such as humidity or smoke - a highly demanding and expensive process we are uniquely capable of executing.
The membrane is driven across its entire surface by a homogeneous electric field. This results in an almost perfect drive system, with distortion values more typical of excellent electronics and significantly lower than conventional speaker drivers. No other transducer on the market operates as broadband, distortion-free, and precise - especially at high volumes—as the Purist ESL panel.
Where traditional speaker membranes must balance stiffness and lightness, the electrostatic film does not face this trade-off. It can be light, soft, and highly dampened - closer to the ideal speaker membrane than any other.
Due to their large surface area, electrostatic speakers traditionally have a narrow sweet spot. To overcome this, our drivers are slightly curved, expanding dispersion and increasing the optimal listening area. This also improves mechanical stability and reduces resonances.
Electrostatics require much higher signal voltages than conventional amps can supply, so they use special audio transformers (coupling transformers). The quality of these components is vital to the loudspeaker’s overall performance. We use oversized, low-distortion toroidal core transformers with minimal winding ratios. While this makes the speaker harder to drive, it preserves the electrostatic speakers superior sound quality. Many manufacturers avoid this complexity by using lossy transformers and compromising performance. We do not. Instead, we use the best transformers and offer suitable amplifiers.
Thanks to their design, electrostats do not require a cabinet. This allows us to utilize the rear wave, optimize radiation pattern, and eliminate unwanted internal reflections - all contributing to cleaner sound.
While electrostatics dominate in the mid and high frequencies, dynamic drivers take over from the upper bass downward. In the Purist ESL, eight dynamic drivers per side are mounted in an open baffle, enabling dipole, cylindrical dispersion into the bass range. This seamless integration provides natural, precise, resonance-free bass, matching the electrostatic’s effortless realism. The open-baffle bass is room-friendly and immune to typical room boominess.
The bass drivers use rigid aluminum membranes and elaborate magnetic motors for long excursion and ultra-low distortion. They are housed in a specially damped polymer enclosure with mechanical bracing to suppress cabinet resonance.
For the lowest octaves, a subwoofer equipped with dual 38 cm long-excursion woofers in push-push configuration delivers crushing bass. Powered by 2 x 700 W amplifiers, it provides dynamic punch even for home cinema explosions. Its sphere-shaped concrete enclosure is immune to resonances, forming a rock-solid foundation for the upper frequency ranges.
The crossover divides the signal to the appropriate driver sections. Two options are available:
Hybrid crossover: Analog crossover for the electrostatic and bass tower; digital crossover (IIR filters) for the subwoofer - ideal for high-fidelity sound with acoustic adjustments.
Fully digital crossover: FIR filters for all sections - best suited for problematic room acoustics.
These crossover systems offer much more flexibility and precision than conventional active crossovers. Your system is individually measured and adjusted during setup. Filter settings can be changed anytime via an integrated PC interface. While we can’t replace good room acoustics with electronics alone, these tools allow us to solve many acoustic challenges with great effectiveness - putting traditional box speakers far behind.
Altogether, these technologies and design principles create a sound that redefines naturalness, precision, and realism. At purist, we believe true satisfaction comes only from flexible, personalized solutions - and we’re happy to prove it in your home.
Precision in form and sound
purist ESL is more than a loudspeaker - it’s a sonic masterpiece. With electrostatic precision, dipole bass, and sculptural elegance, it delivers breathtaking realism and transforms music into an immersive, emotional experience.
Option A: Analog 2-way crossover using Purist JFET technology for the electrostatic panel and bass. Additionally, a digital crossover with IIR filtering for the subwoofer, configurable via PC interface. Up to 7 correction filters can be programmed.
Option B: Digital crossover using FIR technology with freely configurable filters for equalization and room acoustic correction.
Signal-controlled auto power-on with standby mode using reduced panel voltage for extended panel lifespan and quicker readiness.
High-efficiency panel, 1500 x 400 mm, designed for enhanced dynamics with encapsulated membrane coating. Recommended amplifier power: approx. 50W–900W.
8 x 17 cm long-throw drivers with aluminum diaphragms in a dipole enclosure. Recommended amplifier power: approx. 50W–500W.
Highest fidelity with InTouch app
Imagine having the entire music world at your fingertips, with your library automatically updated and enriched with additional information. Effortlessly expand your music collection with streaming services. Enjoy enhanced search results, link streaming content to your library as if it were stored locally, and create mixed playlists from both sources, all while enjoying faster searches, editable metadata, and personalized volume settings.
Music servers and amplifiers for audio purists
Our aim is to reproduce recordings exactly as captured. We believe every component in the signal path can alter the original sound. By investing in superior circuit technology and ensuring optimal power supply performance, we let the ear make the final decision.
