Scratch Martin Logan off of my list

kelley
kelley Posts: 287
edited February 2004 in Speakers
I have grown increasingly tired of my 3.1tl's so about 2 months ago I decided to look for replacements. While I was at Tweeter getting my Ref 50 I briefly listened to the Martin Logan Ascents that were in the demo room. Initially I was quite impressed so last night I scoured the internet for reviews and tonight headed down to Tweeter for a more indepth listen. The vocals, guitar, and drums, (or lets say the snare drums and cymbals) sound fantastic. These need a sub to help out on both music and movies. I believe they had a 10" driver in each cabinet but the punch of bass was not there. I was sitting in the demo room by myself as the salesman gave me the remotes and went on his way which I enjoyed for a change. I'm thinking that I may be able to get $600 for my 3.1's if I'm lucky and the Ascents are $4495. Is it really worth the difference? I had sold myself on the quality being better but not $3800 better, I have to admit they sure look cool though and that kept me pondering. I read on a bunch of reviews that the Logan's had a sweet spot and decided to check it out. That's an understatement! Moving 2-3 feet either left or right will take a $4000 speaker and make it a $500 speaker. I was shocked and started to move all around the room. Unless I was very near the center of the room it sounded like I was listening to a mono recording ( a good mono recording though). All of the openess and livliness I had heard before was gone. I spent about another 10 minutes trying different positions and finally decided to move on. My impression was that if you live by yourself and want to sit in the same spot everytime then these speakers may easily be worth the money. However, if you have groups of people over then most of the people will miss out on what these speakers can do if in the right position. I am however still blown away by the Cinima I center channel. If I thought it would remotely match up to my 3.1's I would make that my next purchase.
SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
Post edited by kelley on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,722
    edited February 2004
    Shopping at Tweeter, eh? Have you listened to the Sonus Faber's? IMHO, I thought they sounded pretty damn good, way better than the ML's or Vienna's
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited February 2004
    Actually, the salesman had said the Sonus Faber's are the only speaker they carry that had actually moved him. I shop for a certain amount of time and then get burned out so I guess I'll check them out next time around.
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited February 2004
    Sonus Faber I feel is our best overall line.....for this reason,we don't carry anythinhg better to drive the Martin Logans correctly yeat.I believe our buyers are working hard to find the right gear for our stores.

    Picking up Martin Logan is a treat.I know what they can do,I'm just waiting until it happens.

    I almost bought the Vienna's.But I kept finding something wrong with them.There built quality is top notch.But there bass is sloppy and overpowering.They only run somewhat correct on B&K.Everything else we carry sounds terrible running them.I have tried everything.

    We also need to carry different wire.man only having Monster kinda sucks.It sells extremely well as everyone knows Monster.It's a house hold name so 2 speak.But man something different would be cool to play with.......
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited February 2004
    Mantis, do you work at Tweeter? The wheels in my head or already turning.;)
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited February 2004

    Mantis, do you work at Tweeter? The wheels in my head are already turning.;)
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,083
    edited February 2004
    Yes, Dan is one of thier corporate stragtegists.

    Do tell Dan, since B&K is pretty much the only 2ch gear that Tweeter has carried as long as I can remember. What other gear are they searching out? :rolleyes:

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pjdami
    pjdami Posts: 1,894
    edited February 2004
    kelley,

    what is it about the 1.3tls that you don't care for anymore? What are you using for a source (cd player)? Perhaps a tube DAC or tube output cd player can help out depending on what you would like to change.

    Man, for $4,000 (for Sonus Faber Pianos), there are a lot of speakers that you can listen to and many are excellent and come in at a cheaper price.

    If I were shopping for speakers in that price range or less I would check out:

    No particular order:

    Polk LSi 15
    Soliloquy
    Sonus Faber
    Thiel
    Dynaudio
    Spendor
    JM Labs (Electra line bookshelves)

    P.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited February 2004
    Paul,

    SF Grand Piano is high on my list. I demoed it, unfortunately I had a classical cd with me at the time, and it sounds so good that I almost cry :)

    The truth is, I haven't spend time listening to it on jazz source enough to say for sure, but if it sounds as good as it plays classical, I would say it's next in line, in lieu of another 15.

    Btw, a more realistic price for it is around $2800 (which Tweet is willing to let it go for)...
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited February 2004
    My 3.1's are good enough for movie listening. The music on clasical, jazz, big band, etc does sound great. I think for rock, especially live, I have never been blown away by them. For the money I'm looking to spend I could always try to snatch up a pair of 1.2tl's, I would expect them to sound better than the 3.1's, but maybe too much like them?
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Wardsweb
    Wardsweb Posts: 939
    edited February 2004
    I find Martin Logans are not best suited for near field listening. While in a larger room say 20x20, they absolutely are stellar. Placement is very critical and can make or break electrostats. I do prefer my CLS's over any of my other rooms speakers, including Altec A7 Voice of the Theatre, JBL horn loaded corner cabinets, and various other JBL, Yamaha, Infinity, Polk speakers I own.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited February 2004
    Not to get me wrong, I do think the Logans sound good. They were toed in which from the reviews I read seemed to be the right thing to do. I would've liked to have heard them facing straight out and see what that sounds like. I will eventually head back down to Tweeter (it's a 45 minute drive from here), there are not a lot of higher end stereo stores in Maine and take another listen to the Logans and try out the Sonus.
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited February 2004
    What's your take on the B&K 7270 7 channel amp Mantis. That is what I've been planning on picking up to go with my Ref 50. There's one on Audiogon for a decent price. For about the same cash I can get a "b" stock Sunfire Sig with 400x5.
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited February 2004
    I can't say as I pushed it that hard in a listening test ... but in a review w/a scope noticeable clipping started to happen around 165 wpc on a believe a 7260 or 70. This was unfortunately enough to turn me off.

    I have seen some good deals on not only this pair but the newer 200.7 amp coupled w/a Ref 50 for about $4k NEW on Audiogon.

    Here's the review ... http://www.hometheatermag.com/poweramplifiers/14/index1.html
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,083
    edited February 2004
    kelley,

    There used to be a good hifi shop in Falmouth, don't remember the name or even if it's still open. If you go down to Portsmouth NH, there used to be a couple there too.

    Maine, actually has some good hifi roots, it's the home of Transparent (in Scarborough) and Rockport (oddly enough, in Rockport). Outlaw is based just accross the state line in Durham, NH.

    If ever you want to part with those 3.1tl's, lemme know, eh? I can arrange for a local pickup.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited February 2004
    You can try New England HiFi which is about a mile from the mall.
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,083
    edited February 2004
    There also USED to be a hifi shop in Scarborough on Paine Rd, can't remember the name.....not far from Transparent's HQ.

    What are you going to Saco for?

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,722
    edited February 2004
    Brazil
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,722
    edited February 2004
    Brazil, short for terra de brasil (land of brazilwood) located in the South American continent.

    Official name, United States of Brazil
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,722
    edited February 2004
    Just trying to help bro. :)

    The Who Live at the Royal Albert Hall is rocking as we speak.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kelley
    kelley Posts: 287
    edited February 2004
    I'm from the Auburn area which is about 45 minutes from Portland. Let me know when you're in the area and I might come down to Portland to cruise a few stereo stores.


    Mitch
    SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited February 2004
    kelley,
    Yes I work for Tweeter.I find the ref amp by B&K to be fantastic.Not running Martin Logan.I feel there is better gear better suited for the job.

    Troy,
    we looked into carrying Krell.Still in the air if we are going to carry it in all our stores.There looking at our entire line of everything and making good decesions so far.There is some exciting products coming our way.Our company is going into higher end.Which in my opnion is nice.

    One thing about Martin Logans is first off needs the correct amps to run it.Then a big room is a strong 2nd.Small rooms don't work well for Logans as some of you already noticed.High power and tons of current is needed.
    I have found Krell to run them the best.Audio Research makes killer tub amps that powered them nicely.

    Martin Logan is a high end speaker company and demands to be driven by high end gear.Killer sounding when done properly
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited February 2004
    Hey Krell runs just about anything very well but of course at a price ...

    Imagine 7-8 Krell mono's running your home theater. Would probably be fanatstic, but also clearly overkill and unless you have concrete underneath half a ton of amps might dish the floor a tad.
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,083
    edited February 2004
    Well, apparently the audio gurus at Tweeter think B&K is the perfect match for Martin Logan as well as Vienna, Sonus Faber and so forth because, if memory serves, it's the only 2ch amp that they sell and we know that the benevolent society that runs Tweeter would only sell us the best gear for the job, right? :rolleyes:

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter