Hello Martin Logan, goodbye Polk

cstpeter
cstpeter Posts: 387
edited May 2006 in Speakers
I was in an area Tweeter over the weekend and noticed a pair of Martin Logan Aeon i electrostats that were on sale for a great clearance price. After a good listening session, I was completely sold. The salesman was kind enough to honor the trade-in policy at the discounted price. So I (somewhat reluctantly) traded in my Polk LSi9 to upgrade to the beautiful Aeon i.

I listened to the Martin Logans all weekend and am in love. Wow, these are amazing speakers. If I had to choose the single biggest improvement over the LSi9, I would have to say the increased soundstage and imaging. That said, I am amazed how well the LSi9 can hang with the ML's costing over three times as much--what a great product the LSi series is. Still, I couldn't be happier with my decision to grab the discounted Martin Logans.

Sadly, I am no longer a Polk owner. However, I still plan on hanging around this forum to learn from its knowledgeable members. Thanks for all your help to date!

--Chris
Von Schweikert VR4-jr
Valve Audio Predator
Denon DVD-2900
PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
Graham Slee Special Edition 2
PS Audio UPC-200
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Comments

  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited May 2006
    Great choice. My only problem with the Aeons is the lack of bass response. Sure they're a smaller tower but I wouldn't want to run a seperate sub when using a 2ch. setup. But still a great speaker for the money!
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • Schris22
    Schris22 Posts: 983
    edited May 2006
    Enjoy the new speakers! So many of the polk community are using non polk speakers, but still hang around anyway.

    Enjoy the martin logans, they are quite an interesting listening experience.

    Chris too
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR502-S
    DVD Player: Pioneer DV-578A-S
    Left and Right: R50
    Center: CS1
    Rear Center: R15
    Surrounds: R30
    Subwoofer: 10'' Dayton 100 Watt
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  • crazy
    crazy Posts: 443
    edited May 2006
    cstpeter wrote:
    I was in an area Tweeter over the weekend and noticed a pair of Martin Logan Aeon i electrostats that were on sale for a great clearance price. After a good listening session, I was completely sold. The salesman was kind enough to honor the trade-in policy at the discounted price. So I (somewhat reluctantly) traded in my Polk LSi9 to upgrade to the beautiful Aeon i.

    I listened to the Martin Logans all weekend and am in love. Wow, these are amazing speakers. If I had to choose the single biggest improvement over the LSi9, I would have to say the increased soundstage and imaging. That said, I am amazed how well the LSi9 can hang with the ML's costing over three times as much--what a great product the LSi series is. Still, I couldn't be happier with my decision to grab the discounted Martin Logans.

    Sadly, I am no longer a Polk owner. However, I still plan on hanging around this forum to learn from its knowledgeable members. Thanks for all your help to date!

    --Chris

    Congrats!

    You'll probably want to upgrade your electronics now. Are you using these new ML as primary L & R speakers?
    Distant Dream - A New Beginning
    www.distantdream.com
    (Now also available on iTunes)
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  • cstpeter
    cstpeter Posts: 387
    edited May 2006
    crazy wrote:
    Congrats!

    You'll probably want to upgrade your electronics now. Are you using these new ML as primary L & R speakers?

    Yeah, but more purchases will have to wait. I heard them with the Krell 400xi at Tweeter and they sounded amazing--maybe one of those will be in my future.

    Yes, they are my L & R speakers. I guess I will eventually want a matching ML surround system. I currently have Sapphire Audio centers and surrounds for when I do 5.1. The Denon's equalizer actually does a nice job a blending the soundstage.
    Von Schweikert VR4-jr
    Valve Audio Predator
    Denon DVD-2900
    PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
    Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
    Graham Slee Special Edition 2
    PS Audio UPC-200
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  • mulveling
    mulveling Posts: 505
    edited May 2006
    Congrats on your upgrade. In December I was also considering upgrading from LSi to MLs. Heard the MLs at Tweeter with the 400xi and the $4K+ Krell SACD. The Aeon is a gorgeous looking and sounding speaker with an absolutely grain-free midrange. Amazing with artists like Diana Krall. However, I couldn't get into them with rock - I have that complaint about electrostatic headphones, too (Stax Omega II). I felt the Lsi is more of a general purpose speakers equally suited to all genres, while the MLs are more specialized. Of course it's all presonal preference and others may prefer the MLs for rock. Either way, I agree that the LSi's and ML's are both great speakers and the LSi9 is a real value. Curious, what clearance price did you get the Aeon's for?

    In my own quest to upgrade, I've just placed an order for some Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature Monitors in red walnut - $2400 w/ stands :D :eek: :D
    Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010
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  • cstpeter
    cstpeter Posts: 387
    edited May 2006
    $1975 (reg. $3,400).

    Enjoy your new speakers!
    Von Schweikert VR4-jr
    Valve Audio Predator
    Denon DVD-2900
    PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
    Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
    Graham Slee Special Edition 2
    PS Audio UPC-200
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  • mulveling
    mulveling Posts: 505
    edited May 2006
    cstpeter wrote:
    $1975 (reg. $3,400).

    Enjoy your new speakers!
    Damn, that is a sweet deal! Had I been offered that in December, I sure would have jumped on it.
    Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited May 2006
    Glad you like your MLs! As another ML owner (Summits), I know exactly where you are coming from!

    Make sure to join our club at MartinLoganOwners.com - a great forum full of guys who know their stuff. Friendly, too!
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • crazy
    crazy Posts: 443
    edited May 2006
    Joey_V wrote:
    Make sure to join our club at MartinLoganOwners.com - a great forum full of guys who know their stuff. Friendly, too!

    Yeah, but make sure you keep visiting us too :)

    btw ... Krell 400Xi is the king!!!
    Distant Dream - A New Beginning
    www.distantdream.com
    (Now also available on iTunes)
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  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited May 2006
    Congrats on the new speakers Chris!! Though ML has never been my cup of tea, I certainly understand why many are drawn to them.

    Hope you get many years of enjoyment from them!
    Dave
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2006
    It's only a matter of time before one figures out that other people make speakers.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited May 2006
    dorokusai wrote:
    It's only a matter of time before one figures out that other people make speakers.


    So true ;)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • crazy
    crazy Posts: 443
    edited May 2006
    I've been to Tweeters several times and requested for ML demos but they had the worst receivers running these and it sounded aweful.

    When I was searching for hi-end speakers, I was looking into ML but the lack of a good demo led me to buy B&W's instead.
    Distant Dream - A New Beginning
    www.distantdream.com
    (Now also available on iTunes)
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited May 2006
    There are Other speakers out there :eek: I hope they don't find me.

    Don't tell anyone, but I sell a few speakers besides Polk too.
    Tschüss
    Zach
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  • cstpeter
    cstpeter Posts: 387
    edited May 2006
    crazy wrote:
    I've been to Tweeters several times and requested for ML demos but they had the worst receivers running these and it sounded aweful.

    When I was searching for hi-end speakers, I was looking into ML but the lack of a good demo led me to buy B&W's instead.

    That's sucks, but I imagine you are quite happy with your B&W's. I am a big fan of my local Tweeter--they seem very willing to accommodate any demo request.

    By the way, the speakers just keep getting better. I love an upgrade that makes you want to re-listen to your entire music collection. Being at work is killing me right now.
    Von Schweikert VR4-jr
    Valve Audio Predator
    Denon DVD-2900
    PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
    Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
    Graham Slee Special Edition 2
    PS Audio UPC-200
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  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited May 2006
    cstpeter wrote:
    ....I am a big fan of my local Tweeter--they seem very willing to accommodate any demo request.....

    Just curious.....which location?

    Dave
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • cstpeter
    cstpeter Posts: 387
    edited May 2006
    N. Clark Street.
    Von Schweikert VR4-jr
    Valve Audio Predator
    Denon DVD-2900
    PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
    Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
    Graham Slee Special Edition 2
    PS Audio UPC-200
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited May 2006
    dorokusai wrote:
    It's only a matter of time before one figures out that other people make speakers.

    Absolutely. I'm probably a bit of an audio geek, but whenever I travel I like to find any nice stereo/AV shops to go demo gear. I have a couple of demo discs with me all the time. I've demoed a lot of really nice gear. I'm also a bit of a tightwad and bargain hunter. In doing this I've found that some Polk speakers are near the top of the bang-for-the-buck category which is why I own so many I guess. There are some speakers out there that I will own one day (ie: kids out of college) but for now the Polks I own serve me well.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • 2+2
    2+2 Posts: 546
    edited May 2006
    shack wrote:
    Absolutely. I'm probably a bit of an audio geek, but whenever I travel I like to find any nice stereo/AV shops to go demo gear. I have a couple of demo discs with me all the time. I've demoed a lot of really nice gear. I'm also a bit of a tightwad and bargain hunter. In doing this I've found that some Polk speakers are near the top of the bang-for-the-buck category which is why I own so many I guess. There are some speakers out there that I will own one day (ie: kids out of college) but for now the Polks I own serve me well.
    So Shack,
    In your opinion, what are "some" of those Polk speakers near the top of bang per buck? What do you own if you don't mind me asking?
    System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

    System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

    System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

    System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited May 2006
    2+2 wrote:
    So Shack,
    In your opinion, what are "some" of those Polk speakers near the top of bang per buck? What do you own if you don't mind me asking?

    SDA 1C, RT400, RT55i, RT25i, RT15i, FX300i, CS400i
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited May 2006
    cstpeter wrote:
    (somewhat reluctantly) traded in my Polk LSi9 to upgrade to the beautiful Aeon i.

    I listened to the Martin Logans all weekend and am in love. Wow, these are amazing speakers.

    I am amazed how well the LSi9 can hang with the ML's costing over three times as much--what a great product the LSi series is. .
    --Chris

    Well posted.
    Good perspective.
    -Ignorance is strength -
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