Listening Sessions: LSi9 or LSi15 or B&W 604 or Revel Concerta or Martin Logans

SolidSqual · February 2007

I listened to the LSi9s last night and they sounded amazing in my friends small living room on my Halo A23.

I listened to the B&W 604 this afternoon, they sounded pretty good, really good actually. Given I was in a top quality theater room.

I listened to the Martin Logan Montage after the Beemers. The beemers sounded like the moment when your ears drain of water after swimming and everything sounds rejuvinated, airy and clear. These were also test driven in a professional home theater sales room.

Out of all the speakers, I dislike the 604s the most. Although they sounded amazing, I still felt as though I was listening to a recording. Which truly surpirsed me as they were driven by a McIntosh Amp. The Martin Logans sounded great. The sound was different quite refreshing. At high volumes I never once felt like my ears were getting a workout. The downside of the Logans is that apparently they are very particular about placement. The sales man moved the speakers around the room to demonstrate how these speakers can bew tweaked by the slightest change in positioning. This is a double edged sword. On one hand you have a speaker great for tweaking, but on the other you have a speaker that may never sound its best in your home setup. This and the fact that the Logans feel and appear very fragile, I am hesitant to purchase a pair. I'm not saying the build quality is poor, in fact, I'd say the cabinet design is actually quite elegant and artistic. What I am saying, is that given the design and nature of the speaker, the technology involved demands a certain construction that is more fragile then say our good buddies the LSis. Ahh the Lsi9s, what a surprise honestly. I listened to these speakers on a relatively inexpensive amp (Parasound Halo A23) when compared to McIntosh (B&W 604s) and Krell (Martin Logain). The Lsi9s were also demoed in a less than perfect setting but accurately real life: my friends living room. The house was built in the 80s and comes standard with all the drywall and wife related imperfections to screw up good sound. Nevertheless, the LSi9s sounded amazing.

So . . . which did I like better the Logans or the LSis? I'm not sure . . . but the Lsi9s are the high end polks while the Montage is Martin Logans low end. Does this speak to anyone? The Lsi9s look mean and are built like tanks. The Montages look like my super model wife ( I wish), but also cry when they get smacked around. Which would you choose? I need some thought provoking arguments to help me decide. Or something I should look for when I take a second, third or fourth listening session.

Thanks.

SolidSqual · February 2007

By the way, if I have a PB10 sub, would I benefit greatly form getting the LSi15. I like the idea of towers for stereo.

shack · February 2007

I have heard both and like the LSi over the Montage. Now once you move up the Martin Logan lineup...it is a whole different ballgame.

McLoki · February 2007

I offer up this - if you go with Martin Logan what is your upgrade path for your center and surround speakers and will your environment (room) work ok for an electrostatic in this environment?

If you are mainly HT and want good 2 channel - LSi all the way. If you are mainly 2 channel and need something to make noise for HT (and your room can support them ok) I would try the martin logans...

Either way - try to get a demo in your home before you commit.

Michael

Edit - I personally like the magnepans more than the Martin logans, but I have only heard up to about a mid-line martin logan. I would love to get my ears on some summits....

SolidSqual · February 2007

I think I will keep the RTis for HT. I want to build a solid stereo system. Eventually I will break everything down into components.

ben62670 · February 2007

I like the 9's over the 15's, just add nice tight sub and you are complete.

SolidSqual · February 2007

I do have a fancy for the Montage, but at the same time I like the idea of a traditional speaker. The cones make sense to me . . . am I supposed to grill chicken on the Montage? I think I just stumbled upon speaker racism. I like Martin Logans' "women," but his culture scares me.

I have a rectangular room with plenty of speace so I imagine the electrostatic would have no problems, for now. But I hope to have a house and a new room in a couple years. I already told my girlfriend i didn't like an apartment because there was no place to put my system. What will she say when I tell her I don't want the house . . . :[

Listening Sessions: LSi9 or LSi15 or B&W 604 or Revel Concerta or Martin Logans

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