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MartinLogan Unison
Wireless Pre-Amplifier
Featuring both digital optical and analog inputs and outputs, Unison is designed to add DTS® Play-Fi® + "Works with Alexa" certification and Apple AirPlay® wireless streaming to existing audio/video systems or serve as a dedicated pre-amplifier. Performance is further enhanced by exclusive Anthem Room Correction (ARC®) technology.
The Art of Wireless Performance
Miraculous performance from an unexpected source: a wireless audio streaming system. MartinLogan’s Wireless Ensemble delivers superior audio performance using the best streaming technologies available: DTS Play-Fi and Apple AirPlay. Access your digital music library or online streaming audio services and play it all through dynamic MartinLogan loudspeakers. Art and technology combine to delivers extraordinary sound anywhere you want it.
Wireless Pre-Amplifier
Featuring both digital optical and analog inputs and outputs and a 12-Volt trigger, Unison is a dedicated pre-amplifier designed to add DTS Play-Fi and Apple AirPlay wireless streaming to existing audio/video systems. Source rebroadcast functionality allows an incoming digital or analog source to be rebroadcast to any Play-Fi device in your network—perfect for the vinyl enthusiast. When you experience it, you will agree: high quality, network-adaptable DTS Play-Fi streaming technology is the perfect high performance match for high performance MartinLogan loudspeakers.
Stream Music with AirPlay
Think of a tune, then play it - instantly. Apple's AirPlay wirelessly streams high-quality lossless audio or MP3s from iPhone®, iPad® or iPod touch® straight to your soundbar. And from iTunes on a Mac or PC too. You control your music, wherever you are, via your device. It’s time to set your music free.
Whole-House Music Streaming
DTS Play-Fi technology give you the freedom and flexibility to stream high-resolution music (up to 24- bit/192kHz) wirelessly over an existing Wi-Fi network. Unlike many other wireless platforms, DTS Play-Fi is an open platform, allowing you to mix and match any DTS Play-Fi-enabled audio products from other top audio brands into your ecosystem. Take advantage of endless choices, from your own music library to online music streaming services*, and stream music from virtually any device – Android, iOS, Kindle Fire or PC.
* Some of the music services listed below may not be available in your region. All logos are property of their respective owner(s).
Works with Alexa
MartinLogan DTS Play-Fi products now have “Works with Alexa” certification, meaning they can be controlled using voice commands given to an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, Fire TV Cube, or other Alexa voice command-enabled device. Alexa functionality is activated by using the Alexa app to enable the DTS Play-Fi skill. This links your Alexa account to "Works with Alexa" DTS Play-Fi compatible products like this one.
After installing the skill, Alexa will know your speaker by name and allow you to control volume and playback functions such as track skip, mute, pause, and stop or request a song to play in a specific room or group of rooms linked together. Once an Alexa voice command is used to start audio playback, the DTS Play-Fi app can be used to dynamically add more products to the streaming session. Additionally, Alexa's Routines feature can be used to create events that initiate audio playback on your DTS Play-Fi speaker, such as setting up your speaker to work as an alarm clock by starting your favorite song.
Perfect Sound in Any Room
Anthem Room Correction (ARC™) is the industry’s best user-controlled DSP room tuning innovation. ARC uses an exclusive Calibration Microphone and advanced DSP algorithms to quickly and easily optimize speaker performance in any space. In just a few easy steps the microphone measures sound output, compares it to scientifically optimal response curves, and instantly tunes your wireless speaker’s output for perfect sound. You’ll actually hear the difference Anthem Room Correction makes.
And now with ARC Mobile, it's even easier to tune your speakers using an iOS device.
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MartinLogan Unison — Compact, room-corrected wireless preamp
The MartinLogan Unison delivers unexpectedly big performance for a compact streamer/preamp thanks to built-in Anthem Room Correction (ARC). With ARC engaged the Unison tightens midbass, opens the midrange for exceptional clarity, and adds palpable air and focus to the treble, improving soundstage imaging and dynamics for both orchestral and live recordings. It supports DTS Play‑Fi and Apple AirPlay, TosLink, analog RCA and Ethernet for whole‑house streaming or integration with active or passive speakers. The chassis is lightweight plastic with simple front-panel controls and a wall-wart power supply, so it prioritizes features and sound over premium heft. Ideal for listeners seeking a proven room‑correction DSP and flexible streaming at a sub-$400 value point — a combination highlighted by Wes Marshall of SoundStage Solo.
Pros
- Anthem Room Correction (ARC) meaningfully improves room problems and flattens frequency response, producing tighter midbass and clearer instrument placement.
- Excellent sonic performance and dynamics for the price — high transparency, treble air, and orchestral punch rival much costlier systems.
- Feature-rich connectivity: DTS Play‑Fi, Apple AirPlay, TosLink, analog RCA, Ethernet and 12V trigger make the Unison a flexible hub for whole-house streaming or mixed-speaker setups.
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Cons
- Modest build and power delivery — lightweight plastic chassis and external wall-wart sacrifice premium feel and heft.
- Limited physical I/O and setup quirks: only unbalanced RCA/digital inputs, no headphone jack, ARC’s supplied mic is Windows-centric (iPhone mic is a lesser alternative) and subwoofer integration can require Y‑adapters.
Transparency
90/100
Reviewers repeatedly noted the Unison's clarity and neutrality: "clarity I’ve come to expect from the best systems" and ARC flattened the frequency response. No noise or hiss issues were reported in the review, and the unit 'gets out of the way' sonically via room correction. Given the active design and the praise for improved detail and flattened response, a high transparency score is warranted.
Sound Quality
91/100
Dynamics
91/100
Dynamics were strongly praised: the reviewer described an orchestral track showing 'almost limitless power, with the utmost perfection of attack and ensemble unity.' Micro- and macro-dynamic behavior is portrayed as lively and punchy, indicating very good dynamic preservation and control.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
With ARC engaged the reviewer reported that the 'soundstage solidified' and that placement precision of instruments and voices improved significantly. Comments about instruments sounding more realistic and improved spatial cues support a high imaging and soundstage score.
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Build Quality
78/100
The Unison is small and made of lightweight plastic; the reviewer notes ML 'spent their design budget on things that go bump rather than the textural pleasure of hefting' heavier materials. It is powered by a wall-wart and lacks the heft and premium chassis materials of higher-end preamps, so build-quality is modest despite attractive styling.
Features Connectivity
84/100
The Unison offers Wi‑Fi streaming (DTS Play‑Fi and AirPlay), TosLink optical, analog L/R RCA I/O, Ethernet, a 12V trigger, and includes Anthem Room Correction with calibrated mic. The presence of digital input and analog outputs implies an onboard DAC, and network streaming plus ARC make it feature-rich for its price, placing it above the minimal active baseline (80) but within the well‑featured active range.
Value for Money
94/100
At $399.95 the reviewer calls the Unison with ARC 'a no‑brainer' and contrasts its performance with expectations for much pricier gear. That explicit, enthusiastic praise about price-to-performance places it in the explicit-value-praise tier.
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